Tips for Moving Overseas
Moving overseas to a new country can be exciting. It can also produce a lot of anxiety. From getting your passport in order to finding a place to live, Alliance Relocation Services is here to help.
Moving to a New Country
Moving overseas is a phenomenal adventure, but it can also be an overwhelming prospect. Depending on your new country, you will have many issues to navigate like learning a new language, culture, and government with different rules, both spoken and unspoken.
Here are some of the basics you need to know before taking the plunge and moving to another country.
Have a U.S. Mailing Address
Mail delivery can be unreliable in some countries. Many companies will require you to keep a U.S. mailing address even if it’s just a P.O. Box. However, it is better if you can have an address that someone will check on regularly for mail that needs an immediate response. Whether you give them access to your P.O. Box or have your mail sent directly to their place, make sure it’s someone you trust to check your mail regularly. On top of that, many accounts that you have will likely have an electronic mail option as well. Make a list, log in to those accounts, and set up both snail mail and email.
Take Care of the Basics
Your healthcare may be very different depending on where you are going. Many countries will expect you to contribute and participate in their government-run plans. Be sure to check into this well in advance of the actual move. Know if this will apply to you and your family, and make alternate arrangements if you won’t be covered. You should also figure out whether your US driver’s license will be accepted, or if you’ll need to obtain a local license. Finally, if you’re moving with school-age children, learn the basics about both state schools and private options.
Alert Your Bank and Credit Card Companies
Foreign transactions on your credit cards often cause instant security alerts, which can lead to your accounts being frozen until you call the company. Avoid this problem by alerting your bank and credit card companies where you’ll be moving to and the date of your move.
Along with this is to make sure you have a credit card that does not have foreign transaction fees because credit card companies may charge you a hefty fee for those transactions.
Leave a Copy of Your Passport, Credit Cards, and American ID with Someone in the U.S.
If something happens to your luggage or you get robbed, you could be stranded without access to any of your money or identification. Be sure to make photocopies of all your cards and identification and leave them with someone in the U.S. so they can fax them to you in case of emergency.
Know the Visa Requirements
If you’re moving overseas for work, your employer is probably taking care of your residency requirements for you, but it’s still a good idea to make sure you know what the requirements are. Every country has its own visa and residency laws. Some are quite complex, so make sure you check and double-check the requirements of your new home to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Stay in a Hotel or Airbnb First
Your company may make arrangements for an apartment. If not, you should never agree to rent an apartment before you see it first. Doing so across international borders leaves you vulnerable to scams and there are always people in every country willing to take advantage of that vulnerability. If you’ve never been to the country that will be your new home, consider staying in a hotel or renting an Airbnb when you first get there so you can scout the local area and determine which neighborhoods you prefer. For this reason, it might be best to keep most of your belongings, including your furniture, in storage until you find a place to settle down, which means you’ll also need to scout out storage options before you move.
Final Thoughts
Finally, there’s the task of actually moving your life to a new country. Moving your whole life from one place to another can be a huge event even when you’re just moving down the street. It can be even more daunting when you’re moving to a new country, which is why Alliance Relocation Services is here to help. Give us a call for a free quote.