There are many reasons people consider moving to a new country. For some, the call of adventure is great, and wanderlust makes them want to experience living somewhere completely new. Other people want to be closer to friends, family, or partners living abroad. A career may take some people overseas too. So, you’ve decided to move to another country?
Whatever the reason for your move, there are some practical considerations that need to be made before you emigrate. In this article, we’ll talk about the practicalities of moving to a new country — from visas to job hunting, and from finding a home to packing to move.
Applying for your visa
The first thing that you will need to do is to apply for your visa. Having the right to work and live in a country is essential. Different countries have different rules in place regarding visas and people emigrating to live there. Some may look more favorably on people from specific countries or that have certain skills or careers. Do some research and find out as much as you can about how the visa system works in the country that you’re moving to.
It is essential that you get your visa arranged before you do anything else. Obtaining a visa can be a long and slow process. It is important that you allow enough time to get your visa before planning the other elements of your move.
Finding a job when moving to a new country
Once you have a visa in place, you can turn your attention to finding work. This may be a big challenge in itself, especially considering the fact that you will not be in the country yet. Make sure that in all of your applications and cover letters you are clear that you will be moving there soon. Give the specific date of the move as this will help employers see whether you’ll be a suitable candidate for any jobs they have. If you are able to attend an interview, give an idea of what dates you might be available. If you are not able to get there for an interview, you may want to suggest that you are available for a phone or skype interview.
An alternative to finding a job overseas would be to look for a remote working opportunity that could be done from anywhere in the world. If you are able to do this, then you can find work from any country. Typical jobs that can be done remotely include freelance writer, web developer, or graphic designer.
Looking for somewhere to live
One of the biggest challenges you will face will be looking for somewhere to live. Unfortunately, it won’t be entirely practical for you to travel to view any of the properties that you are interested in. Unless you are in the area already for a job interview, you will either have to ask someone nearby to view the property on your behalf or see whether the agents will let you have a virtual viewing via Zoom.
Whether you are looking for a house or a condo like this one at Artes Penang, you will want to see the property for yourself. If you know someone who lives in the area, perhaps you could stay with them for a while and use their home as a base to search for your own home.
Packing To Move
When it comes to packing to move, there are more decisions you will need to make. How much are you willing to take with you? Will you take everything that you own? Or will you put some of your possessions into storage until a later date? Start shopping around for quotes from international removals companies. Find out how much you will actually be able to move.
When you start to pack, use this as an opportunity to downsize and get rid of any possessions you no longer want or need. These items can be sold to help fund the cost of your move.
A major task will be packing to move. Start off by boxing up anything that you intend on taking early. Make sure you are logical and consider the fact that boxes may get damaged in transit. Wrap delicate items well and make sure you put heavier items in the bottom of your boxes and be careful not to overload them.
Other considerations when moving to a new country
While the above tips are the most important to take care of first, there are a few other things you might want to think about:
- Foreign language lessons so you can communicate more easily
- What to do with any pets you may have
- Foreign health insurance and requirements
- Banking and currency conversion
- Forwarding mail to your new location
- International phone plans or a new local plan
Hopefully, all of your plans will make moving to a new country go as smoothly as possible.
