How to Move to Another Country — 15 Key Steps
Whether you're moving to London to study abroad for a year or working in Bali indefinitely, the process is entirely manageable.
Taking vacations to your favorite faraway destination just isn't enough for you anymore. You need to be in the place you love full-time. You must eat your favorite foods, see your favorite sights, and be immersed in this place every single day. So, then, it's time to pack your bags and move abroad. If you're ready — and we mean really ready — to make that leap, we're here to support you. But not just emotionally support you — you have real-life friends for that. Instead, we're here to help you with a few of the logistics involved in moving to a new country.
Related:The Best Cities to Relocate Around the World
There are indeed ways to make the entire process manageable. To help you start, we've rounded up nine steps every future expat should take before they leave their home country no matter where their next destination may be.
Start saving for your move — and tack on an extra 10% while you're at it.
Moving down the street can be expensive, but now multiply that by 10 and you may get close to how much it costs to relocate across the world. Global living costs include typical items like housing deposits, movers, and transportation, but it also comes with a few fun additions like visa documents, international insurance, and even the potential need to hire a lawyer to help you through it all.
This is when the age-old advice of having six months' worth of savings indeed becomes sound, but that really should be a minimum when moving abroad. Start by researching exchange rates, the cost of living in your new home, and then work with your income to develop a monthly budget that will fit your move. Then, try to save six months' worth of that budget before your move, so you're ready for any surprises that may come your way.
Apply for or renew your passport ASAP.
You must have a valid passport to apply for a visa. Some countries require you to have a valid passport for at least six months beyond your final travel date. If you do not have a set return date and your passport expires while you're abroad, you can renew your passport at your local U.S. Embassy or consulate.
Related:10 Best Places to Retire Around the World
Find your new home.
Whether you know exactly which city you'll be moving to, or you are keeping your options open, deciding on where you'll be living is one of the most fun elements of moving abroad. If you fell in love with a country, and could picture yourself equally happy living in the hustle and bustle of its capital city or sunning out somewhere on the coast, take some time to research what each potential city has to offer. In addition to the kind of lifestyle you're looking for, you should also consider city size, public transportation, and health care infrastructure.
If you do know your exact destination, you will still have to find a place to stay. If you plan to rent, you should start by researching the most popular online listing website and connecting with local rental agencies. Arranging a rental contract before you arrive can be difficult, so you may need to get a hotel or Airbnb for the first week and start your search in earnest when you're on the ground. If you plan to purchase a home, you will definitely need to plan a trip in advance and work with a realtor so you can best compare your options and see each place in person.
Prepare your family for the move.
If it's not just yourself who is making the move abroad, but also your partner, kids, or pets, you might have a lot more work to do. Aside from the extra paperwork you will need to fill out, you will also need to think about their future in your new home. Researching potential job opportunities for your partner and schooling options for your kids is an essential step before you fully commit to the move. Thankfully, your pets' lives will likely continue as normal but you should research how you're going to get them there.
Apply for a visa.
Getting a visa is perhaps the most nerve-racking part of the moving abroad experience, as they could really deny you for any reason at any time. To help mitigate that risk, check with your destination's official government website to see what supporting documents you need for your application and ensure it's all in good working order. For example, if you're applying for a student visa in the United Kingdom, you'll need to provide a copy of your offer letter from the university and proof that you have enough money to support yourself during the course of your studies. You may also need to set up an appointment at a U.S. Department of Homeland Security application support center to submit your biometrics (e.g. fingerprints and a photograph). Give yourself plenty of time to get these documents together before your visa appointment to avoid any stress.
Accept that none of this will be easy.
If you struggle to stay patient when dealing with bureaucracy at home, try doing it backwards and in heels — that is to say with a foreign government and in another language. It's not impossible to DIY the process, finding the information you need to apply for a visa and establish your residency abroad, but it will be difficult and almost certainly, you will find conflicting information about what kind of forms you need and who you need to send them to. If you plan to live abroad only for a short period of time, like three to six months, you might be able to maintain your tourist status without applying for a visa.
If you are facing a more difficult visa process because you are considering a permanent move, consider enlisting the help of an immigration lawyer in your destination country. If you are applying for a student visa, this might be a service offered by your school of choice. If you can, try to get a personal recommendation and before committing, make sure to read reviews and testimonials.
Think about health care.
Health care varies significantly around the world, and your access to a local system could depend on what kind of visa you hold. Before you go, find out if your current health care provider will cover you while you're abroad. Also, take a moment to ask your health care professionals for medical records and get all the necessary immunizations. You can find which ones you'll need around the world here. You'll also need to find out if your prescription medications are permitted in the country and whether they're easily accessible. If not, plan to bring an extra supply with you or figure out alternative means of getting them.
Once in your new nation, it's a good idea to figure out the local health care system immediately and whether you can gain access to it with your visa status. For example, in Portugal, you need a residency card to acquire a health number, which allows you to take part in the nation's health care system, but you need to go through all the proper channels to get there first.
Register with STEP.
Stay informed by enrolling in the U.S. Embassy's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get the most up-to-date information about your new country's safety conditions. Your enrollment will also help the U.S. Embassy quickly notify you in case of an emergency, whether it's a natural disaster or family issue.
Do plenty of research.
Even if you're relatively familiar with where you're going, you'll need to do a lot of research to plan for the big move. Among the many questions you should ask yourself and consider:
Shipping vs. Storage vs. Selling
Will you ship your belongings to your new residence or store them in your home country? You'll want to weigh the logistics and costs of each, which can add up to thousands of dollars. You may also wish to sell your belongings if you're making a more permanent move. If you're planning to move abroad with two suitcases and a carry-on, find out now where you can purchase must-have items like furniture, bedding, kitchen appliances, and utensils. (As someone who recently moved from the U.S. to Europe, I would deter you from shipping major items. I shipped a small crate of personal belongings from the U.S. in July 2021. At the time of publishing, the package has yet to arrive. Simply put, try to Marie Kondo your life and only bring along the things that absolutely fill you with joy.)
Transportation
Will you drive, or is your new spot accessible by public transit? If you plan to drive, you'll want to consider the pros and cons of shipping your car, buying a new one, or renting a car. Depending on which country you live in, you may also need to get an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you move (and a new driver's license when you do). Check the local driving regulations in your destination country, because in many cases the IDP is only valid for a short period of time. For example in Spain, you are only given a grace period of six months of residency before you need to begin the lengthy process to obtain a Spanish license, which requires you to complete a Spanish driving course and pass the test.
Culture
Get acclimated to the culture before the big move by researching the history of your new home and how its government currently operates. Read up on its social norms and rules of etiquette, indulge in books and movies that take place in the country, and learn a few words and phrases if you're moving to a place where you don't know the language. Researching and understanding the culture will help offset culture shock and minimize social faux pas. And if you don't already speak the language, invest in classes, or at minimum, try downloading a language-learning app, which will help you fit into your new surroundings and make new friends.
Contact your bank.
The Expat's Manual recommends keeping your current bank account to maintain your credit score and make direct payments for any ongoing bills or outstanding loans. But do make sure to inform your bank and credit card company of your move, and consider getting an international credit card to avoid foreign transaction fees. You should also research banks in your new city and find out what paperwork you'll need to set up a savings or checking account.
Get a new phone plan.
When you move abroad, you will need to stay connected somehow as you go about your daily business, and hopping from free WiFi point to free WiFi point isn't just going to cut it anymore. International phone plans are costly, so ask to unlock your smartphone ahead of your trip. Once you're abroad, you can purchase a SIM card from a local carrier and replace it with the one in your phone to make local calls with ease.
If you want to keep your old phone number from back home, consider switching to virtual phone service provider like Grasshopper or a mobile virtual network provider like Google Fi. These services let you manage your accounts online and keep track of any messages you might be receiving from people back home.
Call your accountant.
Even if you've been living abroad for more than a decade and haven't set foot in the country once since you left, all American citizens are required to file their taxes annually — often in addition to the taxes they file abroad. However, there are certain exemptions that you may qualify for, so it will be wise to enlist the support of an accountant who can help you navigate two different tax systems.
Make copies of important documents.
Make sure you have backups of all your important documents, including your passport, driver's license, birth certificate, immunization records, and any visa information. These copies will come in handy for any residency appointments. If you do want to store this information online, make sure to do so on a secure website that comes with two-factor authentication to keep your identity safe.
Throw a goodbye party.
Bid adieu to your friends and relatives with one last hurrah (complete with all your favorite comfort foods) and get excited for the most unforgettable experience of your life. Then, invite them all to come to visit you so they can experience your new home, too. Yes, it will make you a little sad, but know that there are only good things ahead that will bring new joys you've never even dreamed of before.
Connect with your fellow expats.
The process of moving abroad is daunting, but you are far from alone. Expats are some of the most welcoming people you'll find while living abroad. They are often eager to pay it forward by sharing tips about navigating the local bureaucracy and vouching for lawyers, accountants, and any other services you might need when navigating the nitty-gritty of living abroad. You can find many online forums for expats, but you should try to find a group for people living within your city, as there may be meet ups where you can connect in person — you may even get some new friends out of the experience!
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