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How can I move abroad?
People want to move abroad for many reasons. There are many different articles on why you should move abroad, but not many on how you can move abroad, until now.
Here are the steps you need to take so you can move abroad.
1. Reasons to live abroad and are they worth it?
This might seem obvious, especially if you’re first reading this. But this is one step most of us make without fully thinking through our reasons for moving abroad. For example, my reason for moving abroad was for a girl.
Yes, I know moving abroad for something as potentially frivolous as a romantic relationship is not exactly the strongest, most logical reason for moving abroad. But whoever said romance was logical.
Anyway, I had spent some time abroad prior to this romantic relationship and I was already intrigued by the idea of living in a foreign country. However, your reason might be different than mine, perhaps not as frivolous.
Perhaps they are romantic, but more serious and you plan on marrying a person from that country. What kind of visa would you need? What are the legalities of marriage and residency for staying in that country?
Maybe you want to spend a gap year living and working in various countries. Maybe you already have enough money and you want to move abroad to broaden your horizons.
Perhaps you want to get more fluent in a foreign language and you choose to live, work and or study in a country where that language is spoken.
Maybe you want to do some humanitarian or volunteer work.
Perhaps you’re currently working for a company and they offer you an exciting post abroad. This post can do wonders for your career as well as broaden your perspectives on life in general.
Whatever your reasons are, you need to consider them carefully because moving abroad is not like taking a one or two week vacation.
There’s a lot more involved to it and you not only have to ask yourself if it’s worth it, but most importantly, why?
2. Choosing the best country to move to and the length of time to spend there.
This also might seem like an obvious question.
However, the country or countries that you choose as well as the length of time you want to spend there will determine what paperwork, documents and legal necessities you will require in order to make your move.
The best way to do this of course is to visit the embassy of the country or countries that you are looking to move to.
Find out the various types of visas and situations as well as any registrations etc. that you will need, including the documents and information that you would also need to provide them in order to secure the best visa for your situation.
Of course you could do this all online. You just simply need to find the embassy of the country you want to move to, they usually have a website.
For example, if you are from a Western country and you don’t plan on spending any more than one or two months, possibly 3 in the country and all your work is via the internet, you might not even need a visa at all.
However, if you plan on living and working there for longer than 3 months and your employer is locally based then that actually changes the whole situation.
So do your homework on the country and decide on the length of time you plan on spending there.
3. What type of Visa do I need and how to get it.
After determining your reason, the country or countries where you want to move to as well as how long you plan on staying there, now is time to determine which visa, residency permit or registration you will need.
Again, this is where the country’s embassy website In your home country is a great resource.
Not only are most countries’ embassy websites have the most information that you may need, but they are usually bilingual meaning in your native language as well as the native language of that country.
4. What about all your stuff? Store it, Sell it or Give it Away?
If you only have one or two suitcases, then there’s not much to talk about.
However, if you’ve accumulated some things over the years and you would be surprised and how much we do accumulate, then you will need a place to put all that stuff. But what happens if you don’t have a place to store it?
Then you can either sell it on places like eBay, Craigslist or any number of online marketplaces where you can list all your items you wish to sell.
But note that you are also responsible for packaging and sending those items as well. So, if you have some very big items, that might not be the easiest thing to do.
Now granted, usually you include shipping with the price of whatever you’re selling. You can also simply give away many of the items that you will no longer need.
You can even do a combination of all three. Personally, when I left the United States, kept all my stuff in my mother’s basement.
However, as years went by my mother slowly gave away some of my things. I forgot whether or not she asked me or she just gave them away.
It really didn’t bother me, after all although I could have sold some of those things and in hindsight maybe I should have.
However, when I moved abroad the internet was in its infancy. Every time I came back to the US, it was only for two or three weeks and I didn’t want to have the hassle of trying to sell those things.
So one day you’re going to need to decide for yourself, what to do with your stuff? Sell it, store it or simply give it away.
5. Moving abroad money advice.
Now you need to consider the cost of living in your new country compared to your home country.
You’ll also need to familiarize yourself with the currency used in that country and how it relates in exchange rate to your own local currency in your home country.
Most currencies are valued in more or less to the US dollar or the euro.
If you plan on studying or spending a gap year and you don’t plan on working, then how much money will you need for the amount of time you plan on staying?
In this case you need to calculate your transportation costs not only to and from the country but within the country itself.
Will you need a car? How is public transportation? How much will you need for rent and what kind of accommodations will you be able to get? What about the local food? Will you also be able to find food that you are familiar with? If so where?
You need to calculate not only the amount of money you will need to spend in order to live in your new country.
But if you have any obligations back at home, for example loans, credit cards taxes etc., you will need to calculate that along with your monthly living expenses in your new country.
6. Working in a foreign country.
Do you plan on getting work in your new country? Will you be working for your current employer in their foreign office in the country you will be moving to? Will you be working for your current employer in a remote working relationship? Do you plan on doing freelance work and working for yourself through the internet?
These are important questions to ask yourself since they will not only determine your sources of income, but also determine if or what kind of visa you may need as well as your tax liabilities and access to your funds.
Meaning will you be able to use your home banking accounts or will you need to open a bank account in your new country?
7. Banking abroad.
Speaking banking, will you need to open a bank account in the country you’re moving to in order to access funds?
If you have a local employer in your new country, they may prefer to pay your salary and wages through a bank account from a local bank in that country.
If this is the case, you will need to find out if it is at all possible for you to even open an account there as well as the documents you will need to do so.
More and more countries, like the US and other Western countries, are moving more and more towards paying their employees through their online banking accounts.
However, there are many countries in the world that still operate on a cash basis. So you will need to figure that out as well.
Though, you may simply be able to work remotely and receive all your money and revenue via your current bank accounts in your home country.
To access your funds you simply need to take your ATM or credit card, preferably both, abroad with you and use the local ATM machines to access your funds.
8. Moving your family overseas and education in another country.
Are you moving alone? Will you be moving with your family, husband, wife, children etc.? If you are moving alone, then this is much easier to deal with.
However, if you’re moving with a spouse and children, then you will need to not only figure out your own legalities, visas etc. but those of your family as well.
If you have children, you may want to consider distance learning. There are also international schools throughout the world that you can enroll your children in that offer a Western style curriculum in a local setting.
You also need to consider your own nationality for example, if you’re French, is there an international school for French students?
Most international schools however, are based in English.
In fact ,you may need to consider the type of curriculum you require, for example the English Commonwealth which includes Great Britain, Australia, Canada, etc. have a different curriculum and system than that of the United States.
So you will need to research the international schools in your new country before moving. In addition, if you are employed, will your employer pick up the costs.
International schools can be expensive, so always check if you are being transferred or being offered a position in a foreign office, if your company will pay for international schooling for your children.
In fact, if you are going to be working for an international company abroad, whether that’s your current company or a new job, you need to seriously consider all the expenses that they will cover as part of your relocation package.
If you are moving alone, then this of course gets much simpler. If you’re a student for example, will the university or school help you with logistics, visas and housing etc.
How much will you need on a monthly basis in order to study in your new country?
Finally, if you’re moving abroad, whether for work or education, usually your employer or institution can handle most of the logistics, visas, paperwork etc. for you or at least give you very detailed directions on what you need.
9. Mail, taking care of obligations back home.
You receive physical mail back home, you will probably need to forward it to an address of either someone you can trust or set yourself up a post office box or mailing address.
There are actually quite a few services that offer a mailing address and will even send you photocopies of any letters or correspondence that you want opened and sent to you.
But maintaining a physical address in your home country is usually a pretty good idea since many of our banking, financial, personal obligations as well as things like driver’s licenses etc are usually tied to physical address.
Also, if you have student loans, credit card payments or payments of any kind including mortgages etc you will need to arrange for payments to be made and continued while you are in your new country.
If you can maintain and continue to receive income into your bank accounts in your home country then it’s a simple process of online banking.
However, if you will be being paid abroad from a foreign company. Worse, if that salary is in cash envelopes, which does still happen quite a lot especially in developing countries.
Then you will need to find out what the banking and financial transaction laws are as far as being able to send money back home from your new country.
Many countries still have currency restrictions and limit how much and how you can send money abroad.
Not to mention that the fees can be quite high depending on the amounts of money you send. So you will need to check into that first and decide from there.
10. Finding accommodation abroad.
If you are going to work for a new company or your current company is basically transferring you to a foreign office, then normally they have people on the ground locally that can find a place and make all the arrangements for you by the time you get there.
If you are a student usually the university or school in which you will be attending can arrange for accommodations.
However, if you are moving strictly on your own, then you will need to find your own accommodations.
The best way to do this of course is if you have a local contact who can find an apartment or suitable housing before you arrive.
In most countries, if you are signing a lease, it’s usually for a year and requirements vary but the normal first and last month’s rent along with a realtor fee is standard.
However, with Airbnb and other online realty companies advertising accommodations on the internet, you can simply go through their platforms and arrange accommodations before you even leave.
What’s great about Airbnb of course is you can see photos of the accommodations along with any reviews.
You can even communicate with the landlord before you commit to anything. It’s a whole lot different nowadays than it was when I first moved abroad over 20 years ago.
But literally, you can arrange for your accommodations before you leave your home country and have a place to come to.
Also, in most countries you don’t have to furnish the place you’re moving to.
Most accommodations all come furnished even with little things like towels and cooking utensils along with dinnerware all ready and waiting.
Always find out, if you are booking long-term accommodation, about the utility bills like electricity, gas, trash collection, internet etc. if they’re included with the monthly rent.
If not, get the owner to commit to a fixed or as close to a fixed cost as possible before committing yourself to the accommodation.
11. Having a Cell|Mobile Phone abroad.
In today’s society we are all basically connected through our mobile or cell phones.
If you insist on keeping your current telephone number in your home country, then you need to find out from your local cell phone company on how you can maintain that same number while abroad.
You also need to find out the roaming charges, data plans, etc. for using your local number abroad. You may find that the cost might be way too expensive for you and decide to get a local cell phone number in the country you are in.
If you are changing numbers, then you need to find out if you will be able to forward any calls to a new number that you get in your new country abroad.
You may decide to do both. Keep your home phone number from your home country and pick up a local number in your new country.
Unlike the United States, cell phone plans in most countries in the world are much cheaper and much more convenient in contract or no contract terms than they are in the US.
I would strongly recommend you getting a local number.
12. Planning for potential emergency situations abroad.
Keeping in touch with family and friends while abroad can be as simple as a Skype or a Zoom call and email.
However, you also need to plan in the event that something unfortunate happens to you abroad and or someone in your family at home.
If it happens to you, what type of insurance coverage may you have if it’s medical. What kind of legal assistance could you get if you come into legal difficulties etc.
If you have a family emergency and you need to come back home, what are the ramifications for your visa and your ability to re-enter the country once you leave.
Unlike popular belief, all visas don’t allow you multiple entries and exits. Some actually limit you to one or two.
So you need to check that out with the embassy of the country you will be relocating to.
13. Social life, meeting new people abroad.
If you’re being transferred to a new post abroad and already have a job, then your social life may be much easier since you will be working more than likely with a mixture of both expats and locals. This will make your social life 100 times easier.
However, if you are moving abroad alone and don’t really have any contacts in your new country, then you can either join some online groups like Facebook groups etc.
You can also check out forums like reddit and quora to see if they have any local boards in the country and city that you’re traveling to and make connections there.
If you do a sport or hobby and it’s international in scope, you may be able to find groups in your new country that also participate in your sport or hobby.
Then of course there are the expat pubs which are ubiquitous to most countries. You could always strike up a conversation with a fellow expat in one of these pubs, even if you don’t drink.
14. Learning a language, communicating abroad.
If you’re moving abroad to learn a new language, then the school that you will be attending will have that covered of course.
However, if you are moving with a company and being transferred you need to ask yourself, “will I need to learn any parts of the language? Does the company provide any language training for expense?”
If you’re moving on your own, you may seriously consider taking some online courses and studying the local language before you decide to move abroad.
Being able to communicate in the local language has benefits far beyond any posts I can write.
Not only will you feel more comfortable in your new surroundings but you’ll be able to communicate much more effectively.
Not everybody speaks English. Not only that, but you will also be able to negotiate using the local language etc.
Your negotiating skills for doing simple day-to-day tasks like shopping become more heightened when you do them in a foreign country in a foreign language. You need to find out what the costs are for certain products for example.
It’s not uncommon where locals will try to take advantage of foreigners, especially those who don’t speak the local language. This could happen in taxis, local markets, even restaurants and cafes
You may need to learn how to read the local alphabet as well, if it’s different from Latin etc.
I would highly recommend you learning or at least begin learning the local language before you get on the plane.
You will also need to continue to study it once you are in the country, if you want to be able to speak it to a certain level of fluency.
15. Expat living abroad vs. living like a local.
There comes a point in the expat life sooner or later on whether or not you want to be an intrical part of the expat community and only hang out with other expats etc. or you want to live more like a local and get the real authentic experience of the country you’re living in.
Many people, including myself, prefer to straddle both sides of the life. Living like an expat can have a lot of advantages as well as give you many contacts that can be lifelong and benefit you far beyond your current stay.
Having friends from all over the world has a ton of other benefits and expats usually travel more than most people.
However, living like a local and being able to do things locally on your own without the assistance of someone from your company, a local friend or a local girlfriend also has immense benefits.
Personally, as soon as I was able to speak the language somewhat, I insisted on doing things myself even when the company I had worked for offered to assist me.
Simple things like paying the rent and dealing with landlords to get internet for my apartment, shopping or merely ordering a taxi. These are the simple things that you don’t think of beforehand.
You’d be surprised if you work for a local company how accommodating they can be in helping you. But this can also be a crutch.
For example, what happens if one day you decide you don’t want to work for this company anymore yet you want to stay in the country?
Many companies that will arrange for all your logistics for you, including your accommodation, can easily take all those things away from you, if you decide or they decide that you no longer work there.
This includes your accommodation by the way. Many employers have relationships with landlords in the apartments where they house their expats for example.
I personally have always tried to find my own place independent of my employer. I have used my employer from time to time to help me find a new place, but I’ve always insisted on dealing with the landlord myself once an agreement was made.
So when I did eventually leave a company, I had a relationship with the landlord and I was able to keep my accommodation. You should also take this into account as well.
16. Dating and falling in love with someone overseas.
If you’re single and find yourself overseas, chances are you may be dating and possibly falling in love with someone from overseas in your new country.
There may come a time where you might take dating to the next level and that is marriage.
If that’s the case you are going to definitely need to find out what the local laws are regarding marriage as well as contacting your own embassy abroad regarding what your status would be, if you were to get married to a citizen from another country.
Also, let’s not forget that one day you may want to move back to your home country and bring your new spouse and/or children with you. If not to move permanently, then to at least visit family.
So you will definitely need to consult your local embassy to find out what the rules and visa situations are when you have a spouse and possibly children.
Speaking of children, you may also need to register a newborn with your home country’s embassy, so they may be considered citizens of your home country as well.
17. Future plans, staying abroad or returning to your home country.
There will come a time, not may but will, when you will reach a point when you’ll need to decide what your plans are for the future.
Do your plans involve staying in this new country that you have moved to?
If so, do you plan on opening a business or going into business with a local or another expat?
Perhaps you want to stay long term with your company. Although many companies have an unwritten policy against what they call, “an expat going native”. So your opportunities may be limited.
Whether you decide to marry, have kids and go native or eventually return to your home country, having some kind of future strategy or exit strategy is always a good idea.