5 Essential Tasks to Complete Before Moving Abroad

For some, the call of adventure and the unknown is irresistible; others are drawn by a better job, or maybe an online connection with someone from across the globe led them to take the plunge. Regardless of the reasons for moving away from home and venturing into new, often unfamiliar territory, it remains one of the biggest changes one can make. Your success in this new chapter often depends on how well you prepare.

The basics are clear – securing housing, finding schools for kids if they’re coming with you, and ensuring your mail gets forwarded. However, moving abroad requires more than these initial steps to ensure a smooth transition. Skipping critical preparations could leave you back at square one, or worse, stranded in a foreign land in less-than-ideal conditions.

Moving abroad will likely come with its share of challenges. In fact, starting a new life even in a different state can bring its own obstacles. However, with careful planning, patience, and the right information, you can certainly make it work.

Here are five crucial things to address before boarding your flight – ideally well ahead of time. The first item on this list could even take months or years to complete...

5: Save Your Money

If you've ever relocated, whether to a nearby town or across the country, you know that it requires a significant amount of money. When you're moving to a foreign country, however, the costs can be even higher.

Think about all the unique expenses involved in relocating and living abroad: visas and legal paperwork, travel costs, shipping personal belongings internationally, potentially costly storage for large items like cars or furniture back home, emergency return trips, and even being taxed by both your home country and your new one. It's a long list of financial considerations, and ideally, you’ll have the funds to cover them all before you go.

Experts advise having at least seven months, preferably nine or more, of living expenses saved before making the big move. Running out of money in a foreign country where you don't understand the language, the customs, or have a support system is far more daunting than being broke back home.

If you haven't saved that much yet, it's best to wait. If you can't afford to wait, ensure you have enough funds to cover initial housing expenses, emergencies, including a possible trip home, and unexpected medical costs.

Next, the less exciting but essential task...

4: Complete Your Paperwork (and Double-Check Everything)

The bureaucracy involved in an international move can be overwhelming. The last thing you want is to arrive at your new home only to discover you’re missing a crucial document necessary to live there.

Moving abroad isn’t the spontaneous, ‘jump-on-a-plane’ decision often portrayed in movies. You'll need to fill out official visa and passport applications for both your current and future countries, make copies of all important documents you’ve ever signed, including legal papers (wills, power of attorney, etc.), navigate international financial systems, update your tax information with the authorities, acquire any necessary health clearances, and if you’re bringing family members or pets, ensure they have the required documentation (and quarantine arrangements for non-humans) to travel with you.

If any essential paperwork is missing or incomplete, you'll find yourself tangled in international bureaucracy, making overseas phone calls, and, in the best-case scenario, visiting your country's embassy for assistance in figuring out your options. To avoid this, make sure to double-check that you have every document signed, completed, and backed up before boarding the plane.

For guidance on what specific documents you need, check out the U.S. State Department's travel resources and living abroad tips.

Here's something many people overlook ...

3: Consider Shipping vs. Storing Your Belongings

It may sound odd, but when relocating to a distant place, shipping your car, furniture, and other large items you already own could end up costing more than purchasing new (or secondhand) items once you've settled in.

It might seem illogical, but in many cases, the cost of shipping your belongings internationally can be so expensive that it doesn't make sense to bring items you've already paid for. Especially with an overseas move, you could end up spending thousands just to transport your car, not to mention furniture, clothing, books, and other cherished items -- and that's just the shipping part. You'll also have to factor in the cost of getting everything from your home to the shipping company and then from the destination port to your new place.

Of course, you'll need to do the math. If you're planning to settle permanently in your new destination, it might be worth bringing along larger items. However, if you're anticipating a return within a year or two, you'll likely find that it's more cost-effective to store your belongings at home and purchase what you need once you're settled in. A fully furnished apartment and a locally bought car (which will comply with local standards for emissions, safety, and driver-side orientation) can make your move smoother, both logistically and financially.

Next, don't overlook your vaccinations (to start) ...

2: Take Care of Any Health Requirements

Whenever you travel to a new country, you encounter differences in health and medical regulations. These differences can range from minor to significant, but addressing them before your departure can save you from a lot of unnecessary complications.

At a minimum, you'll need proof of the vaccinations you've received, whether during childhood (which can sometimes be harder to track than you think) or as an adult. In some cases, you may also need booster shots or entirely new vaccinations, particularly if you're heading to a more remote or exotic location.

Ensuring you've had the necessary vaccinations -- and keeping records of them -- is just one aspect of the health considerations involved in moving internationally. Here are some additional medical matters to think about:

It's also wise to familiarize yourself with the healthcare system of your destination country. Knowing what to expect, where to go, who to contact, and what to do in case you need medical assistance (or just a routine checkup) can make a big difference when living abroad.

And now, let’s get back to the money...

1: Set Up Your Finances

Thanks to instant transfers and seemingly smooth banking across borders, you might assume your current financial system will follow you to your new home. However, you’ll need to establish access to your finances in the new country — and it’s best to do this quickly.

Since international banking processes can take some time due to regulations (including anti-money laundering checks), it’s important to start setting up your local bank account in advance. Begin selecting a bank and preparing the necessary paperwork before you relocate. Your current bank or the U.S. State Department’s website can offer guidance for this.

Before you leave, there are a few more money matters to consider. Set up automatic payments for recurring bills that will continue while you're abroad. Also, determine which credit cards you can use internationally without extra fees, and notify your credit card companies about your relocation to avoid any freezes due to unusual spending patterns. Additionally, consult with the IRS or an accountant to understand your tax obligations. You may need to file in both your home country and new country, so it’s crucial to clarify who will require tax documents from you after the move.

It might seem overwhelming at first, and honestly, it often is. However, no matter your reasons for starting a new life abroad, you’ll likely find that the effort is well worth it once you arrive in your new home.

Here’s a final task to tick off your list before you go: Learn a few basic phrases in the local language. Moving to a new country without knowing how to say 'hello,' 'goodbye,' or 'excuse me' can come off as a bit impolite.