Updated August 10, 2023
Moving in general is one of the most stressful life events most people face, right after divorce and experiencing the death of a loved one. But moving abroad? That's guaranteed to be even more intense.
Whether it’s for a fresh start, job relocation, or retirement, moving to another country is far different than moving from L.A. to San Francisco. Relocating abroad requires that you stay organized, plan properly, and get your finances in order before the move.
The planning portion of your big move should start at least a year in advance. So, if you’re ready to begin your life as an expat, here are some useful tips to consider before taking the plunge.
Jump to:
- Research
- Make a Checklist
- Get Paperwork Filed
- Create a Financial Plan
- Make Healthcare Arrangements
- Make Living Arrangements
- Donate or Sell Household Items
- Rent a Dumpster/Hire Junk Removal
- Sell Your Car
- Contact Creditors/Government Agencies
- Mentally Prepare Yourself (and Your Family)
- Find Other US Expats
- Understand Travel Rules and Regulations
- Pack Ahead of Time
- Arrive to the Airport Early
- Embrace the Change
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1. Research
Visit your desired location before moving to make sure the location lives up to your expectations.
Researching is probably the most important step you’ll take in your journey to sun and sand (or whatever your oasis may be). The Internet makes it easier than ever to get all the information you need about international living.
Focus on your most important determining factors to narrow down your search, such as climate, healthcare, language, crime, stability of the country, expat presence, jobs, taxes, and housing.
Ask yourself (and the internet) important questions. Will you need to find employment in the country you're moving to? How can you apply for a work visa and how long does it typically take to get approved? Will your children need visas to attend school? Do you intend on applying for citizenship? Will you be able to afford a vehicle? Will you have easy access to healthcare?
Here are some useful websites to help get you started:
2. Make a Checklist
Once a location is chosen, create a moving checklist to help keep your move on the right track. Staying organized helps to reduce stress and ensure everything gets accomplished before the move.
Be as detailed as possible, and make sure to include all of the tips in this tutorial as your basic outline.
Learn more:
- The Benefits of Junk Removal Services When Moving
- Cleaning Checklist for Renters Moving Out
- 10 Tips to Take the Stress out of Moving
3. Get Paperwork Filed
File for passports and visas (if needed) well in advance of moving day.
Moving to a different country may require specific documentation, so getting in touch with an immigrant professional is the best way to ensure you are moving abroad legally.
Immigration experts will help you not only understand immigration laws in the country you're relocating to, but will also inform you of required immunizations, documentation deadlines, laws regarding importing your belongings, and more.
You'll want to make sure you have all your personal documents gathered and ready to be presented when applying for passports or visa, like:
- Birth certificates or adoption papers
- Marriage license
- Divorce papers
- Proof of child custody
- Social Security card
- Medical/dental records
- School records
If you plan on bringing any pets, you'll also have to provide immunization records for them. But keep in mind that not all countries allow foreign animals to be brought into their country. Some may even require that your pet is quarantined for a certain amount of time before granting them entry.
4. Create a Financial Plan
How do you plan to finance the move? Tally up all of your estimated moving expenses and make sure your savings cover it.
Common expenses include plane tickets, storage fees, dumpster rental/junk removal services, passports/visas, and preparing your house to be sold (if applicable).
Don’t ignore the smaller expenses incurred during travel, such as meals, baggage fees, transportation and discretionary spending. These expenses can really add up in a hurry and blow your budget out of the water.
5. Make Healthcare Arrangements
It's highly likely that your current health insurance policy will not be accepted in hospitals outside of your country. Therefor, you'll want to look into international health insurance policies.
It's common for employers to make these arrangements for you if you're moving abroad due to work, so if this applies to you, discuss this with your employer before spending money on your own policy.
Before you move, take advantage of the healthcare system you're currently paying for and be sure to get checkups, dental cleanings, vision tests, and address any last-minute health concerns you may have.
If the country you're moving to requires immunizations, these can typically be handled by your current primary physician.
6. Make Living Arrangements
Make plans to sell or rent your house. Contact a real estate agent early to make sure the house is sold in time–a minimum of 3 months in advance is a good starting point.
If you’re currently renting, make sure to let your landlord know about your moving date and your intentions to not renew your lease. If you break your lease, you may have to pay penalty fees. One way to avoid this is by finding a sub-leaser. Be sure to ask your landlord if this would be an option.
In cases where you plan to keep the home, consider hiring a property management company to rent out your property while you're aboard. Not only will this cover your mortgage while you're living elsewhere, but the property management company will keep an eye on your property and ensure it's being properly taken care of while you're thousands of miles away.
Continue reading:
- DIY Home Staging: Sell Your Home Fast for Less
- Declutter Your Home to Sell It Faster
- How to Get Rid of Unwanted Junk Before Moving
7. Donate or Sell Household Items
Plan a garage or yard sale to get rid of extra household goods. This will not only help you pack lighter on moving day, but also helps pay for some of your moving expenses.
If you don't have time to sell your items, donating them is even easier.
There’s no need to bring three coffeemakers and two toasters with you; donate these items to a local charitable organization, like Goodwill or The Salvation Army. You can also use these donations as a valuable tax incentive on your income tax return, so be sure to keep your receipts.
Read on:
- Donate Your Unwanted Items Easily with Junk Removal
- Benefits of Recycling Junk vs Throwing It Away
- Recycle Your Electronics With Junk Removal Services
8. Rent a Dumpster/Hire Junk Removal
Anything you don't sell or donate that you no longer want should be hauled away. The more junk you get rid of, the easier the move will be. Not only will you travel lighter and save on travel expenses, but it also saves time packing and unpacking.
If you have heavy items to offload, like furniture, a swing set, exercise equipment, or a piano, consider a junk removal service. These companies do all the hard work for you and they can even donate items on your behalf so you don't have to worry about loading and hauling your donations.
When you need dumpster rental or junk removal services you can rely on, we recommend hiring a locally-owned and operated company. These types of companies offer better pricing, more personable services, and it's not uncommon to deal directly with the owner when you hire local companies.
Save stress by searching your zip code on Hometown to find locally-owned and operated dumpster rental and junk removal companies that service your area. You can request free quotes to compare pricing, customer service, and availability so that you can hire the best company for the job.
Keep reading:
- How Dumpster Rental Can Make Moving Easier
- How to Compare Quotes and Hire the Right Junk Removal Company
- How to Rent a Dumpster with Hometown
9. Sell Your Car
Have a plan for your vehicles. You most likely will not be bringing a vehicle along, so make plans to sell it or put it in storage as soon as possible.
If you plan on selling it, have it inspected and address any repairs that might affect the price you're able to resell your vehicle for.
Make sure you have your car title ready to be signed over and remove your license plate before transferring ownership.
Have a safety plan in place to ensure you protect yourself from scams and fraud when selling your car.
10. Contact Creditors/Government Agencies
Notify all of your creditors of your new address and moving date. Visit your local post office and fill out an address change form.
Inform the IRS about your move abroad – you can do this at the IRS website. If you’re relocating due to a job change, moving expenses may be tax deductible, so be sure to keep all receipts and records associated with the move.
11. Mentally Prepare Yourself (and Your Family)
Moves are always emotional, but international moves are particularly tough. Not only do you have the stress of getting everything together for the big move, but you have to deal with the stress of leaving some of your family and friends behind.
However, if you’ve made it this far toward your goal of living a life in your dream location, try to focus on the future rather than the past. It’s easier than ever to keep in touch with friends and family back home via video chats (i.e., Skype and FaceTime) and social media.
If you're moving with children who are struggling to cope with your move, consider finding a counselor to help them process their grief.
Throwing a "goodbye party" is always a great way to gather your loved ones and have them send you off with well wishes and support.
12. Find Other US Expats
One way to help make the transition easier is to get connected with other expats in the area you're moving to.
With different Facebook Groups and other online communities, it's easier than ever to make connections with those who are experiencing the same transitions as you are, even if you aren't there in person yet!
Finding a community is so important to feeling like you belong, and this is especially important when moving to a foreign country.
13. Understand Travel Rules and Regulations
Check the latest airport rules and regulations regarding what you can and can’t have on the plane. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website is a great resource for getting all this information.
If you plan to drive to your destination, check with your car insurance provider to make sure the trip is covered. Also, contact the transportation authority at your destination to determine license plate rules and how to obtain a driver’s license in that country.
14. Pack Ahead of Time
Packing several days or even weeks in advance can take loads of stress off your shoulders. There’s nothing worse than rushing at the last minute to get things together the day of the move.
15. Arrive to the Airport Early
If you’re flying abroad, get to the airport at least 90 minutes early—even earlier if it’s a busy hub, such as Chicago, Atlanta, or Los Angeles.
A website like iFly.com offers real-time information regarding flight delays, security checkpoint wait times, and other useful information at airports across the U.S.
16. Embrace the Change!
An international move is both emotionally and physically draining, but planning well in advance and staying organized will significantly help soothe the pain.
Try to relax and focus on starting off fresh in your new locale.
Plan day trips to sightsee and explore your new environment. Join a social club or take up a new hobby, like learning how to cook the local cuisine. Join a class to learn the language of the natives if their first language isn't English.
Do whatever inspires you to embrace your new surroundings and create a new community in your new home. You'll be shocked to look back on this time of transition a year from now to realize all you've accomplished, ways you've adapted, and the relationships you've created by putting in the effort and getting out there!
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