Relocating to a new country is a great opportunity to experience other cultures, develop your career, and better quality of life for you and your family. Although moving abroad can be an exciting adventure filled with new opportunities, it also requires a lot of planning and preparation. Our online checklist breaks down everything you need to consider when moving abroad, from the initial research to the financial considerations, right down to the practical steps you need to take to start your new life in a new country.
Carry out thorough research on where you would like to move to
The first step of moving abroad is carrying out thorough research of both where you would like to move to and the moving process. This will help give you a clearer understanding of how feasible the move will be, and the steps you will need to take to make it possible. Moving countries can be a long and costly process, so it is important to thoroughly research the country and area you want to move to, to ensure you choose a place that is right for you. There are various things to consider when choosing a country to move to, including:
Entry Requirements
Understanding your chosen country’s entry requirements can help you determine if moving there is a feasible option for you. A country typically has different entry requirements depending on your purpose for moving, such as for work, study, or retirement. Because of this, it is important that you research the specific visa relevant to your situation to ensure you understand the criteria you need to meet.
Cost of Living
Understanding the cost of living in your chosen location can help you determine if moving there would be feasible for you. The cost of living can greatly vary within a country, so it is best to research various areas and cities to get a good idea of if living there would be financially viable. Take into consideration average salaries, and housing costs (including rent, deposits, and utility costs). As well as local tax rates. You should also consider additional expenses that you may not have had to consider whilst living in the UK, such as private healthcare, education costs, or preparation for extreme weather conditions.
Job and Education Opportunities
Another thing to consider when researching a new country to call home is the level of opportunities for work or study in your chosen field. Some countries and cities may have a strong demand for specific industries and less demand for others. Many countries will only grant you a work visa if you already have a job offer or if you are being sponsored by an employer, so it is important that you have a realistic outlook of your job prospects before you get too deep into the application process.
Similarly, if you are looking to move countries to study, it is important to research local universities to ensure their course offerings align with your aspirations. You should also research the university’s international student policies, including their tuition fees and application cut-off dates, which can sometimes be different for international students.
Culture and Lifestyle
In order to adapt and enjoy life overseas, it is important to consider the culture, lifestyle, and social norms of that country and its people. Lifestyle factors such as the work-life balance, recreational activities, climate, and cuisine all differ from country to country, so understanding these will give you an idea of if it is the right place for you.
Apply to Renew your Passport
Once you have decided where you would like to move to and you have a rough timescale in mind, you should apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible to ensure it is valid for both travelling and visa applications. A lot of countries require your password to be valid for at least 6 months after your travel date, so renewing your passport ensures it will be in-date for the next 10 years (which is the case for adult British passports).
Save money for your move
From your research, you should have a general idea of how much moving countries will cost you, and it is better to start saving for the move as soon as possible. You should also ensure that you save a bit more than your estimates so that you have breathing room for any unexpected expenses that may arise during the moving process. There are various costs that you need to consider when moving countries, including:
Passport and Visa Fees
As mentioned above, passports will need to be in date, which comes with passport renewal fees which need to be accounted for. The cost of visa applications varies depending on the country you are moving to and the type of visa you are applying for. As well as the cost of the visa itself, additional fees should also be considered such as legal assistant fees for those needing professional help to fill out more complex visas, and medical tests and examinations which are a requirement in order to enter some countries.
International Removal Costs
You also should consider the costs and logistics associated with moving your personal belongings to your new home. This includes packing services on both ends and shipping costs, as well as rentals of storage units to securely hold your belongings during the moving process. It is also worth considering the cost of transporting large items, such as your vehicles or large household appliances, and weighing up the pros and cons of transporting these over as opposed to repurchasing them in your new country.
At John Mason, our expert removal teams can take care of the whole process in 1 fully-tailored package. From safely and securely packing up your belongings, shipping them to your new home, and unpacking them on the other end. John Mason can ensure your personal belongings arrive securely and on time at your new home.
Housing Costs
As well as the obvious cost of buying or renting a house in your new country, there are also other housing and accommodation costs which may need to be considered. If you are renting, the rental agreement terms and conditions could mean that you could experience an overlap for a brief period of time, where you will be paying rent and bills in both your new and your old property. Rental deposits and solicitor fees also need to be considered, as well as the possibility of needing to pay for a hotel or short-term rental whilst you’re moving between homes.
Start building your new life
Once you have researched where you would like to move to and have considered the financial and practical aspects of the move, it is time to start the process of building your new life in a new country.
Secure a Job and/or School
It is generally easier to secure a job or an acceptance from a university before finding accommodation, rather than the other way around. It is important to factor this time into the moving process, as securing a job and getting a start date can be a lengthy process, especially in competitive fields. If you are moving abroad to study, it is important to be aware of application deadlines, as well as course start dates and student loan dates, and coordinate your move around these timeframes.
Research and Secure a Home
When you have an idea of the city or area you would like to move to, researching specific suburbs or areas is vital to ensure you choose somewhere which is right for you. Consider things such as public transport links, local schools, average property costs and crime rates to ensure the area fits your needs.
[Check out our blog page for local ‘where to live’ guides]
It can be difficult to research and secure a place to live when moving to another country, due to constraints of viewing properties and suitable areas. It is advised to spend some time visiting your new country before the move, so that you can view properties and areas in person, giving you a better feel for the environment than what you could get from just photos or videos. If you are unable to attend house viewings in person, you should conduct your own thorough research and clear up any questions you have with the real estate agent, to ensure you are making a fully informed decision when securing a property.
Notify Relevant Authorities
When you have secured a timeframe of your move and know your new address, you will need to notify relevant authorities of your move, both in the UK, and in your new country.
This could include:
- HMRC who will need to be notified for tax purposes
- Financial Institutions such as your bank and pension providers
- Utility providers which will need to be cancelled at your old residence and set up in your new home
- Set up mail redirection to ensure you still receive all mail addressed to you
- Insurance providers to cancel or update details to ensure that you are still covered
- Cancellation of local memberships or subscriptions
Coordinate shipment of personal belongings and logistics of new purchases
Once you have secured a place to stay and have a timeframe for your big move, you can now start the process of scheduling the practical elements of your relocation. John Mason can take care of coordinating the removal, transportation, and delivery of your personal belongings with your move-in date so that you can have a stress-free start to your new life with all of your belongings arriving on time at your new home.
Find out more about our international removal services, and when you’re ready, get an instant, no-obligation quote and start your relocation journey today.
If you are in need of a more personalised relocation quote, fill out an online form and a member of our team will be in touch.
