How to Move Abroad

• Remember, your passport must be valid. If you need to renew your passport, that should be your first step. The process of applying for and receiving a new passport can take a few weeks.

Consider your goals in the new country. Archana Ramamoorthy, the product management director at Workday, shared: "When I moved to the U.S., the key factors I considered were visa procedures and living costs. I had also considered moving to the UK, but life there is significantly more expensive than in the U.S. I needed to understand the financial burden. I also wanted to attend the best universities in the U.S., as otherwise studying abroad would be pointless, so I took out a student loan to cover the costs. Even though it was more expensive, I knew I had better opportunities to complete my studies."

• If you have a significant amount of time, aim for at least six months to prepare. Use this time to tackle various tasks, including handling property, vehicles, pets, insurance, packing and shipping, banking, school transfers, and many other matters. There may also be times when you don’t have such a generous amount of time.
• If you have to leave urgently, don't despair, but instead, quickly build a support network – the more people helping you, the better.

• Avoid buying property online. There’s a risk that you’ll end up with something unsuitable without realizing it. You need to visit the area to get a better sense of the neighborhood, check for issues like mold or an overly expensive price!
• You might ask family or a friend to go ahead and check out the house and the prices to see if they’re reasonable. If you know someone in the place you're moving to, you can ask them to do this for you.
• Even if you plan to buy property or an apartment in your new country, the advice is to rent first. Renting gives you time to explore whether you made the right choice or if you simply don't like living in that country. After at least six months, you'll know if you truly want to stay, and you will also gain a better understanding of the real estate market and neighborhoods you prefer. This way, you will be less pressured and more likely to make the right decisions.
• It's better to arrive before shipping your belongings. It will be more convenient if you plan to stay in a hotel or serviced apartment.
• Find a good real estate lawyer in the country you're moving to. You will need someone who is knowledgeable about local taxes, fees, mortgage rights, and other regulations. Your lawyer can also recommend a lawyer in your new location.

• Unless you plan never to return, keep at least one bank account in your current country. The longer the account is open, the better your credit score. If you return, you'll easily be able to use your old account instead of opening a new one. Online banking services will help you monitor your account with ease.
• In some countries, financial transactions can be much more difficult compared to others. You need to discuss potential challenges and solutions with your bank and a reputable financial advisor who is familiar with the country you’re moving to.

• Don't hold on to things unnecessarily. The more you bring with you, the more you’ll incur shipping costs.
• Occasionally, packages get dropped during shipping, and goods can be damaged at any stage due to rough handling or other accidents. Keep this in mind when packing valuable collections – it might be better to store them or sell them for cash instead. Be prepared for potential risks during the shipping process.

• The feeling of sadness or melancholy due to these losses is entirely normal; the sadness will eventually pass as you adapt to the new environment.
• If you move from a country with abundant choices to a place where options are limited, you might find life more challenging. The vast aisles of breakfast cereals (now reduced to a small shelf) or a variety of car models (now just a choice between blue or gray) will no longer be available. Initially, this will be quite frustrating. You have two options – one is to accept that fewer choices allow for more time to reflect and conserve natural resources, and two is to return for a shopping spree (or ask friends or family to send things over). While many find that this sense of scarcity doesn't fade with time (you'll often miss the old days when you could buy a variety of things), you'll eventually adjust to having fewer choices!

• You should find trustworthy service providers early on. Things will inevitably break, and you’ll need someone reliable to show up as promised and charge fairly. If you don’t ask in advance and prepare, you might fall victim to unscrupulous price-gouging. This could turn into a nightmare, and you can anticipate this rather than helplessly being “taken advantage of.”
• Stay calm when dealing with administrative procedures. Most countries have paperwork, long queues, and bizarre reasons for forms and waiting times. Your task is not to question but to research through locals and online resources to figure out the best way to handle issues. There’s always a solution, and you must learn how to approach it correctly. If you don’t seek knowledge, you’ll never find out.

• Wear clothing appropriate for your new environment and try to blend in. Sometimes, safety issues arise when criminals target you as a tourist or because your attire is inappropriate for the area.
• Contact the police to inquire about security concerns. You can also ask about crime levels in areas where you are considering buying or renting a home.

• Imagine life in the new country. Watch online videos to get a sense of what you like about it during all seasons. Consider factors like the weather, pollution levels, public transportation access, healthcare, and grocery shopping. List the activities you'll be doing there, both professionally and recreationally.
• Go online and read stories from people who have moved abroad. Expats can be one of the most helpful resources; their experiences will give you a clearer idea about your choices—whether it’s practical or if many others have encountered difficulties. You can trust their insights since they’ve lived it, but remember that each person’s experience may vary significantly based on their reasons for relocating, income, job experience, region, and more. Feel free to ask questions if the forum allows it.
• Do you have the ability to work in your destination country? Is there a demand for your skills? What obstacles must you overcome to secure a job there before moving and feel confident about your income? Very few people can afford the risk of moving to a new country without securing employment, unless they are wealthy. Also, learn about social security and the tests you need to pass to qualify—it may take months or even years to meet the requirements, or perhaps never at all.

• Consider achieving a level of fluency before you leave.
• Once you arrive, sign up for language lessons immediately. Find a tutor who knows both your native language and the language you are learning. Ensure that they can dedicate time to go with you to places to help you learn the language in specific contexts, such as shopping, dealing with landlords, banking, buying a car, enrolling in school, etc.

• Don’t forget that, depending on where you’re going, your children may need to learn a new language or dialect (for example, they may have to adjust to differences between British and American English). While some parents see this as an opportunity for their children to become multilingual, it can be an obstacle for children struggling with their studies.
• This is especially true if the local language uses a writing system that’s different from your child’s native language.

• When learning a foreign language, don't forget to study idioms and slang – learn how people speak in everyday life. Explore forums and websites to understand current terms and their meanings. These platforms often allow you to anonymously ask questions about confusing words.
• Don't sever all ties with your home country – you might need to return one day! For example, a valuable piece of advice is to avoid selling your house. You can keep it and rent it out, in case you need to come back. Similarly, you shouldn't give up your citizenship; you never know when you might want to return to your roots.

• If you constantly complain about your new life and long for the old days, remember that you might be viewing your home country through rose-colored glasses. It's possible that when you return home, you’ll experience a culture shock just like when you first arrived in the new country! Give it a chance, and if after five years you're still frustrated, then it might be time to pack up and go home.
• Avoid moving to another country when you are feeling pessimistic and upset. This will not help you progress and could even hinder your decision-making.
• You may face discrimination. Don’t forget that you are the foreigner in a new land.
• Understand that some people may share negative stories because they dislike living abroad. This is common among those who have moved overseas with their spouses. They might not want to be there, yet they go with narrow-minded views and resentment. Be cautious around such people – they often openly complain about the country and wish they were back home.
• Be aware of banking troubles. If you're moving from the U.S. to a less developed country, you might find opening an account unexpectedly difficult. Anti-money laundering regulations and other complex issues between banks in your new country and the U.S. could result in paperwork and reference requests that are hard to fulfill while abroad. Ensure you have enough cash for at least two months since you might not be able to access funds without a local account.
• Living abroad can be an exciting experience at first, but it can also be physically and emotionally demanding for you (and your family). Prepare for the worst-case scenario so that you’re ready for any situation.
• Don’t romanticize living abroad. No place is perfect, and you won’t become a new person overnight. Do more research into the culture and events – don’t just rely on stories of your friends’ great trips.
• Ensure that you are legally permitted to work in the new country. For example, many developed nations now offer relaxed work permits. These permits are often similar to work visas and specify particular job positions, with less stringent regulations than regular work permits.
• Choose a reliable and reputable real estate agent. Be cautious, as there is a risk of being scammed when buying property.
• Your experience may differ from others. While other people’s stories can be helpful, remember that their experiences are unique to them, and yours will be too. Don’t assume everything is either bad or great just based on their accounts. Conduct your own research and keep an open mind.
• Be realistic and remember that you have the option to return home if needed.
• When considering a job application, research the company carefully and check for any past unethical or suspicious activities (and always do so, whether applying abroad or domestically!). You wouldn’t want to end up working somewhere and regretting not having done your homework!

• Embassy/immigration office information
• Real estate agents and lawyers at both locations
• Financial advisor
• Shipping company information and quotes
• Detailed action plan, with tasks to be checked off once completed
• Asset storage plan (at relevant locations)
• Internet access
• Guides and similar materials for cultural information
• Passport, visa, vaccinations
• Health check (good health before departure)
• Pet care plan
• Educational plan