Expatriates (or Expats) is a term used to describe people living and/or working outside of their native country. It’s a term that could be used to describe many of us in our current situations, and it’s a term that may soon be applicable to you. If you’re planning to move internationally away from your country of origin, then you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of logistical, financial, and personal planning that you have to undertake. Fortunately, at Overseas Packers & Shippers, we are experts at helping people move internationally. That’s why we’ve created a useful moving overseas checklist for Expats to help make it smoother for anyone who is about to undergo this significant transition.
Prepare Your Documentation
When you move to a new country, it’s important you get a sense of what their culture, laws, and customs are like before you arrive. Their rules and regulations are especially important, as you want to make sure you are ticking all the boxes when it comes to visas, permits, vaccinations, taxes, and insurance.
It’s best practice to apply for any of these important documents well in advance of your move, so you can be sure that they’ll be processed and approved by the time you step foot in your new country. It may also be wise to sort out your current identification documents by ensuring they are up-to-date and/or localised to your new country.
These documents may include:
- Birth Certificate
- Passport
- Driver’s License
- Marriage Certificate
- Medical and Dental Records
- Proof of Citizenship
- Academic records and Qualifications
- Employment records
Arrange Your Living Situation
When you move to a new country, you have an important decision to make regarding your living situation. Do you want to buy a new property, or do you want to rent one? The answer to this question will depend largely on your financial and personal circumstances, but either choice requires some careful planning.
If you decide to purchase a new property, you will need to apply for a loan or set up a mortgage, while also reaching out to local real estate agents and solicitors in your area. If you decide to rent, you will need to apply for the lease and ensure you have enough money saved aside to pay the bond at the start.
If you currently own a property in your home country, you may consider selling it or renting it out as another source of revenue.
Sort Out Your Finances, Healthcare, and Insurance
Finances
You need to contact your current bank and let them know that you are moving overseas so that they can work with you about how you want to manage your credit and savings in your new country. It’s also valuable to research financial data about average living costs and the job market in your new host country.
Healthcare
Every country has a different healthcare policy, so make sure you research what your new country of residence offers in terms of medication and health insurance.
Insurance
You will need to update your health, vehicle, contents, and life insurance when you move to a new country. There are certain insurance providers that specialise in Expats, so do some research, and see what works best for you.
Organise Removalists
You want your new place of residence in a foreign country to feel as close to home as possible, so you’ll want your belongings to be taken care of during their overseas journey. This is why you need to choose a specialised international removalist such as Overseas Packers & Shippers. With over 40 years of helping Expats move to their new homes, we can guarantee you that this essential part of the moving process will be in safe hands.
We hope that this checklist has provided any Expats with some handy information about what they need to focus on during their move. If you’re about to move away from Australia, and are in need of a high-quality and professional international moving service, why not contact Overseas Packers & Shippers today on 1300 732 868!
