Moving overseas may sound like a tempting idea. But before making this big decision, you should ask yourself: Do I have what it takes to live in a foreign country? Your moving overseas will be a rewarding experience, but it also requires big planning.
Moving abroad alone is a step which requires a lot of prior preparation. Living in a foreign country takes more than just a valid visa and a plane ticket. Visas, job-hunting, health care and other support systems need to be in place. So, you can make the move from a country you have called home to a new place.
When you are planning your move overseas, you should take the following factors into account.
Have a Plan
I want to move abroad where do I start?
Moving overseas will require you to organize a lot of things. You have to hire a moving company, set in order all paperwork, put your personal items in storage, and pack and ship your luggage. You need to be thorough, careful, organized, and above all, patient.
But even if your finances and your job are taken care of and you chose a place that you can easily adjust to and made a perfect plan to prepare your move overseas, you will need the right mindset and attitude to pull it off.
Finances
How to move overseas with no money? It is really hard. Because financial stability and financial planning are essential elements for your safety and success. A financial cushion is necessary to cover additional or unexpected costs. Even when you move overseas to a supposedly “cheap” country, life abroad can be more costly than you expect. In the beginning, immediately after you move overseas, you’ll probably insist on the more expensive expat lifestyle with every amenity you know from home.
Work Options – How to move abroad and get a job?
No matter what is behind your decision to move to a new country, moving abroad for a year or permanently, you should have at least some work opportunities lined up before you take off.
If you work for a company that has international positions, asking your company for an international transfer is by far the easiest way to secure a position overseas.
If you’re not in a hurry to move to another country, you might consider looking at competitors to see which companies have offices in other countries and if they’re currently hiring.
Another good source for finding overseas employment is to send your CV to a professional employment service, one that considers international candidates. Many of the larger companies have offices across the globe and are knowledgeable about work visas and contract negotiations.
One of the best ways to ensure you can live in another country is to find a job that enables you to live anywhere.
Moving Overseas: How to Get a Work Visa or Permit?
Visa requirements vary widely from country to country but a quick Google search will usually point you in the right direction.
Most work permits are issued by the respective ministry of foreign affairs. Many countries require the approval of the labor ministry and/or the local employment office. So,they make sure that there are no local people who might be better suited for the job. A good number of countries maintain a quota for each type of work permit, such as “highly skilled professional”.
A work visa is always for a specific job that a company offers an individual. Some countries require only a written job offer from a company. While others require a notarized work contract signed by both you and your prospective employer.
How to Pack to Move Overseas?
If you move overseas permanently, then taking essentials and items with emotional value, is important. If you’re going to be away for six months to a year, then many of your things can be stored or left with family or friends. Make your packing uncomplicated.
Know What You’re Allowed to Move
Some countries will have restrictions on what is allowed across their border, which often applies to things like plants, flammables, etc.. Find out before you move what you’re allowed to import into your new country and what you’ll need to leave behind before you figure out how to ship your things.
How to Move Your Stuff? Moving internationally shipping
After deciding the key pieces that will moving overseas with you, check into shipping costs and shipping options.
Moving by sea is one of the most popular ways of shipping modes of transportation. When it comes to moving overseas it is most appealing for people who are price conscious and value the safety of the delivery. The goods or cargo that are transporting by sea can be packaged into boxes, cases, pallets, and barrels.
Ships can transport anything from clothing, technological gadgets and shoes to cars, raw materials such as iron or coal and even oils and chemicals.
Sea Transport includes:
- possibility to ship large volumes at low costs
- shipping containers can also be used for further transportation by road or rail
Road transports, which are the major modes of international transportation, can be the most flexible option for international business. It is usually quick and efficient. Just like sea cargo transportation, land shipment can transport goods of almost any size. Using trucks to transport goods via land is the most common mean of transportation. Land shipment is good for bringing the goods to the persons’ house.
Rail transport is a cost-effective and efficient way to move goods. It offers the following advantages: fast rail network throughout Europe.
Air transport for international trade
This type of shipping offers a number of valuable advantages for international moving. It is ideal for long distance, and as it is the quickest method it also saves you time for when moving over a long distance. These services can also deliver almost anything except extremely big items that may not fit in the plane. This form of transportation is usually the most expensive.
Other tips for moving overseas:
- Learning the language of your destination country may assist your transition.
- Get an International Driver’s License
- Visit the doctor. It is important to get all your necessary vaccinations once your plans are finalized. Some immunizations take awhile to kick in and you want to be 100% covered when you hit the ground.
- Find out more about culture shock
- Moving internationally checklist
- Think about the cost of international relocation