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When you’re thinking about moving abroad, there are lots of things to consider. While the adventure of starting a new life in a far-off land can be an exciting prospect, there are lots of practicalities that need to be dealt with. Admin often comes before adventure, so it makes sense to do a bit of research and round up some checklists.
The list below will help you figure out a few steps you need to check off before your big move.
Check the Visa Situation
Obviously you’ll have a passport and visa sorted before you head off out the country, but it makes sense to check what you might need down the line. If you’re not sure whether you’re making the move permanently or just living there for a while to see how you get on, you need to consider the next step.
Certain visas allow you to stay in a country for a period of time, but you might need to apply for a different type of visa to extend your stay. It makes sense to do your research before you get out there, so you don’t get into any trouble later on by getting it wrong.
Plan What You’ll Take
Will you be travelling light? Do you plan on buying most things when you get there? Will you be shipping your entire wardrobe and favourite chair? There is no right answer, just do what feels right, but if you’re taking lots of things with you it makes sense to seek out shipping containers for sale and arrange to transport them abroad. If you’re moving for good then you might want to take your own things, but if it’s just a trail run, you might want to store them until you know more.
Arrange Work
Ideally you’ll arrange work before you move. It can help you choose the area to move to, it introduces you to new people and it means you won’t drain your saving further since you’ll be working as soon as you get there. Some people prefer to pick a region and seek a job when they get there, but this can be a risky tactic. Search on job sites for opportunities and arrange interviews via Zoom to chat to your prospective employer. While choosing a company to apply for a job, you need also to consider whether the company has legal permission of hiring foreign workers. For example, in Canada companies need to meet LMIA requirements for hiring a foreign worker in Canada (recruter un travailleur étranger au Canada).
Research the Dangers
Check if there are any indigenous creatures you should try to avoid. Snakes and spiders are a big one for me, but there are lots of other animals out there that you might need to avoid! Also check likely weather conditions and other dangers local to where you’re planning on living. It would be foolish to end up suffering a terrible sunburn if there are certain hours sun exposure should be minimised.
Learn the Language
This one goes without saying, but you’d be surprised by the number of people who don’t realise non-tourist regions of certain countries aren’t English speaking. You don’t need to be fluent (unless your job requires it) but things phrases like “thank you” and asking where the loos are can come in handy!