This is a sponsored guest post.
Moving to another country is not something that should be done lightly. However, if you are going to be an expat, you need to have a checklist to ensure that your move is done correctly. There are a number of points that you need to include in your checklist that you might not have thought about before.
Get Your Long-Term Visa
The first point on any relocation checklist will be to get your long-term visa in place. The exact steps that you need to take to secure the visa will vary depending on the country you are moving to and the reason for your move. You might be able to get a temporary residency visa, a work visa or a permanent immigration visa.
It is vital that you complete all of your paperwork before you plan the rest of your move. There is no point in planning a move if you do not have the paperwork to enter the country you want to move to. You will also need to have the paperwork with you when you move to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
As you are getting your visa, you should look at the other necessary documents that you have to take with you. You should keep copies of all of your important papers with you such as your birth certificate, medical records, and graduate certifications. It is recommended that you create a paper copy as well as a digital copy.
You also need to check that your passport has at least 6 months left. If your passport is close to this, you should look at getting a new one. This will prevent you having to go to the consulate to get a new passport or being rejected for your visa due to the limited time on your passport.
Cancel Your Memberships
The next step that you should take is to cancel your memberships. If you have a phone plan, you will want to cancel it because it will not be viable to maintain in your new location. In the year leading up to your move, you should avoid any upgrades on your phone because this could make it harder to cancel the plan.
You should also look at canceling other memberships that you have such as a gym membership. Anything that you pay a monthly fee from should be canceled unless you need to maintain it. To ensure that you cancel everything, you should look at your bank statements to see what is going out each month.
If you have a Netflix or Hulu account, you might want to consider canceling these memberships if you are permanently leaving. This is due to the fact that these accounts are geo-locked and you will not be able to get into the account from a different country. You will generally be able to open an account with these providers when you reach your new country.
Re-Route Your Mail
If you have any family members who are willing to take your mail for you, you should have this re-routed. You will be able to make the necessary arrangements online at Change-of-address-form-online, but this will only be for a limited amount of time. You will have to take the time to change your address with all important organizations to ensure that you get your mail sent to the right place.
If you do not have any family members to send your mail to, you will need to look at other options. There are some companies that work as a virtual mailbox where you can send your mail to their address and they will digitally send it to you. Of course, these services will come at a cost and asking family members will generally be a better solution.
Get Your Taxes In Order
No one likes thinking about their taxes, but this is something that you have to do when you move to a new country. If you are moving to a new country for a job, you have to consider if you will still be paying tax in the United States or not. If you have been seconded to a branch of the company you already work for, you might still be liable for tax in the United States.
However, if you are permanently moving to a new country, you have to find out if you are liable for tax in the new country. There are some companies that have agreements with each other to stop double taxation and you need to be aware of this. It is recommended that you talk to a professional regarding this before you move to a new country.
Last Minute Health Appointments
Before you move, you need to go to some last minute health appointments. If you are leaving a job to move, you should book these appointments before you have to take care of your own health insurance. Ensuring that you are completely healthy before you move is important and will give you some peace of mind in your new country.
You should look at a vision checkup to ensure that your eyesight and any spectacle prescriptions are up to date. You also need to visit the dentist to ensure that any fillings are done and that you have no major dental problems. Getting a physical is also important and there are some countries that want you to have one for the visa that you get.
Look At Movers
A relocation checklist will not be complete without looking at movers. You will need to book your movers as soon as you can, but you need to ensure that the service they offer is right for you. Most people who move to another country will ship their possessions because this is the most cost-effective method to use.
There are other methods that can be used such as airfreight and road freight, but they will not always work. Airfreight is only a viable option when you have small amounts to move and you will not be able to use road movers for most countries. The movers that you choose should offer the method of transport that will be ideal for your needs.
