Moving overseas can be very exciting. You will get a first-hand experience with a whole new culture. Everything will be unknown and fun to explore. But, moving overseas requires some extra preparation. It’s not as simple as hiring a moving company and getting on a plane. There are a lot more planning and a lot more paperwork involved. That’s why having a checklist for moving overseas can be very useful. It’s hard to remember every tiny detail of your relocation. So, being prepared is very important.
How to make a good checklist for moving overseas
When it comes to preparing for your overseas relocation, preparation can vary. It all depends on the country you are choosing to move to. So you should start with a basic research. The first thing to do is to find out if you need a visa for that specific country. Some do, and some don’t. It’s also a good measure to check how safe the country you are moving to is. And if there are certain measures that you need to take. You can find that out by visiting US State Department website. Checking your health is another thing you should get done before you start with the preparations. If you have any health issues you should consult with your doctor about the medical care you can expect in your destination country.
After you have done your research, you can start with preparing for your relocation. Making a checklist for moving overseas should be pretty straightforward. Just make sure you start making it at least a few months before your moving date. That way, if you forget something, you can easily add it to your checklist.
Travel arrangements
Starting with the basics, travel arrangements should be at the top of your checklist for moving overseas. You just need to follow the steps that will make your move easier. The first thing that you need to do is check if your passport is up to date. And while you are at it, make sure you make a copy of it. You don’t want to end up in a situation where you have to explain how and why you lost your passport. After the passport, make sure you have a valid visa for the country you are moving to. And the last, but not least, check your plane ticket. Make sure you don’t miss your flight.
Once all of that is settled, you should start thinking about your first night at the destination country. If you don’t already have a house or an apartment waiting for you, you should book a hotel. The first day is always the hardest. You will be under the influence of jet lag and very tired. Having a room where you can rest and plan everything out is very useful.
Plan your packing
Next on your list should be a plan on how to pack properly. If you are moving overseas for a long period you won’t be able to carry everything with you. That’s why you should separate the things you are taking with you from the ones that you can ship. Make sure to buy quality moving boxes Sudbury and to pack everything properly. When you select things for your checklist for moving overseas, take only the essentials with you on a plane:
- Travel documents
- Your laptop
- Travel power adapter
- A few spare clothes
Everything else you should ship. For smaller items, like your desktop PC or extra clothes you can use the post office. The items should arrive fairly quickly. But, for larger things, like furniture or kitchen appliances you should use a moving company. They can properly handle everything for you.
Decide what you will do with your stuff
Moving to another country requires a lot of planning. But, it’s easy to forget about the things at home. You will probably have a lot of items that you won’t need. So, make sure you know how to get rid of the items you won’t need. You can sell most of the things in your home. But, if your budget can afford it, you can also donate most of it. Check with local charities to see which kinds of items they are currently looking for. Canned food and spare clothes can mean a lot to less fortunate. If you are moving to a warm region you can donate most of your winter wardrobe. Also goes for your furniture in case you are not taking any with you. If you are – make sure to pack furniture correctly.
Pick a good international moving company?
While you don’t have to use a moving company, it’s much easier if you do. It might cost you a bit extra for an international relocation, but you can save a lot more than that by not having to buy furniture and appliances all over again. That’s why you should have this on your checklist for moving overseas. Choosing good international movers Canada is almost the same as choosing your local moving company. Check out their website, read a few reviews and you should have a pretty clear picture of that company.
After you have picked a company that you want to use make sure you call them. Check if they can manage the overseas relocation. Tell them to which country you are moving to and check if there might be any problems with your move. Some countries restrict how many and which kind of items you can bring in.
Take care of the paperwork
Moving to another country requires a lot of paperwork. And while it’s a lot of hassle it should definitely be on your checklist for moving overseas. You should start by informing your utility companies about your move and schedule a disconnect. Disconnect your internet, cancel your gym membership, cancel your magazine subscriptions and so on. If you are planning to sell your home, let the real estate agent deal with it.
Call your bank and inform them of an address change. It’s a good idea to leave a bank account open in case you return. And make sure you open a bank account that you can use overseas. Most bank either have a branch in your destination country or can give you an international bank account. Make copies of all your documents and put them somewhere safe. And once again, check your passport, visa, and any other travel documents as well as your plane tickets.