Moving abroad is exciting! It opens doors to unbelievable opportunities and experiences. But there are so many things to do before you make the leap, it can feel a bit overwhelming.
I remember the first time I moved abroad to China, I was anxious and over-prepared. I got every immunization possible, printed every single document I thought was important, and spent a lot of time worrying about things that didn’t necessarily matter. I had no idea what to expect or what was important vs. what wasn’t.
Now, my second time around moving abroad to Mexico, during COVID-19 nonetheless, I feel I’ve really nailed down the essentials to moving abroad.
This checklist will help you feel more prepared as you step into your next chapter.
Passport
First of all, make sure you have a passport or else you’re not going anywhere! 🤪 Make sure your passport has at least 2 years left before it expires and plenty of empty pages to fill up. Most countries will not let you in with less than 6 months of validity on it.
Visa
Check what type of visa’s are available in the country you’re planning to move to. Depending on your citizenship, some countries allow visa upon arrival, while others require you to apply for a visa in advance. The most common are tourist visas, temporary residency, work visas, permenant residency, and humanitarian visas. If you’ve never been to the country before and are testing it out, I’d recommend a tourist visa.
Medical
Book appointments for all your yearly check-ups (physical, gynocologist, dental, vision, etc.). Make sure all your prescriptions are filled, contact lenses, cough and cold and allergy medication etc.
If you have any medical conditions, research what medical care is available. When you arrive to your new country, find out where the closest pharmacy, doctors, and hospitals are.
Do you need immunizations for where you are going? If so, schedule these in advance as some require multiple shots weeks apart.
If you are transferring for a job, check to make sure that your insurance will still cover you internationally. If you are a digital nomad or taking a gap year, you’ll need travel insurance.
Get a quick quote for SafetyWing Travel Insurance 👇
Read this post The Best Travel Insurance for Every Type of Traveler for an in-depth review of the top 3 travel insurances.
Bank
Notify your bank and credit card companies of the country you’ll be moving to and if you know in advance of any potential surrounding countries you may be visiting while there notify them of those countries, too. Most countries accept major credit cards, so even if you don’t plan to use it – be prepared for an emergency. The worst thing that could happen is you need to use your card in a foreign country and your bank declines it for suspicious activity.
Exchange money in advance, either through your bank or a credit union as they offer the best exchange rates. Do not exchange money at the airport!
Phone/Internet/Electronics
Does your cellphone plan cover your new country? If not, you’ll need to make sure your phone is unlocked and buy a SIM card in your new country.
Do you need a VPN (Virtual Private Network) in your new country? If so, set it up before arriving as it can be very difficult to do so once you’re there.
If you’ve ever landed in a country where your usual social media haunts and Gmail seem to be on vacation? Instagram, Facebook, Google – all gone, replaced with unfamiliar landscapes of censored content. That’s where your trusty VPN steps in, acting as your digital passport to the open internet, no matter where you roam.
But a VPN’s magic goes beyond unblocking your favorite apps. Think of it as your secret weapon for snagging travel deals like a pro. By changing your virtual location, you can unlock hidden discounts on flights, hotels, and even car rentals.
Just remember, when you hop across virtual borders with your VPN, clear your cookies like a seasoned traveler. That ensures you’re getting the best deals from each location, without any lingering digital crumbs messing things up.
Will your electronics work with the plugs in your new country? If not, you’ll need to buy an international adapter. I like this one because it works for a variety of countries, so you won’t have to buy a new one for each country you visit/move to.
Subscriptions/Memberships
Cancel all subscriptions and memberships before you move, so you are not paying for unnecessary things like that gym membership.
Home
Are you selling your home? Renting it out? If you’re renting, did you give your landlord enough notice?
Setup a PO Box or have your mail rerouted to a family member that you trust.
Packing
Find out what items aren’t easily accessible in your new country. A quick google search or join an expat group on Facebook, WhatsApp, WeChat, Line, etc. and ask. This will prevent you from overpacking and bringing bulk items that you can buy locally or from forgetting something you depend on in daily life.
Check the weather to make sure you’ll have the right clothing. If you’re new location has various seasons, pack for the season you’re arriving in and bring any additional things for extra curricular activites you might do such as hiking boots, beach attire, etc.
Language
Do you know basic greetings in the country you’re moving to? This is helpful when arriving and goes a long way with the locals. Once you arrive in your new home, find a local to give you lessons if you’re not already fluent and life will be so much easier!
A few resources for practicing in advance are Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, and Babbel. Finding someone in an online group to do language exchange virtually is also a great option!
As you can see there are a lot of things to take care of before you move abroad but having this list will help you remember the most important things for a stress-free move. If you have any other questions about moving abroad or life abroad, drop a comment or DM me here.
