While moving day preparation sounds like a whole lot goes into it, that’s only partly true. Every step of the way that seems like too much is just a step you never predicted. With proper preparation comes proper relocation, and we have all the basic steps and tips to make the process as easy as possible.
If you’ve decided to move abroad, the list of things to do starts long before the moment of relocation. In case the country you’d like to move to isn’t an English-speaking one, there’s the possibility of learning a new language before you go. If you’re only just starting to plan out your adventure abroad, you probably want to look up the friendliest countries in the world, too. Preparing to move starts as soon as you decide to live overseas.
Gather All Important Documents a Few Weeks Before Relocation Day
The first and most important question on anyone’s mind when relocating is: How do I start preparing to move out? Our recommendation would be to take your first step by gathering the necessary documents and paperwork for your relocation. For example, if you’re going to Spain, you’ll need a different batch of documents compared to, say, relocating to the Bahamas. Do strenuous research on which kinds of papers are necessary for your destination.
The Essential Documents List for Relocating Abroad
If you’re looking into how to move to another country, there are essential documents that you shouldn’t go anywhere without, and they are:
- Personal (legal) documents – these are your and your family’s passports, identification papers, marriage certificates, adoption papers, and driver’s licenses,
- Bank statements – you’ll probably have to change banks once you’re in a different country, but having all your bank statements to prove you have income on your accounts is highly recommended,
- Health records – this is mostly applicable to any family member that has a chronic illness and requires the same kind of care in a different country,
- Travel insurance – we bet you haven’t thought of this. While travel insurance comes with many papers, knowing your rights as an insured individual is always good, and that’s why getting travel insurance and bringing it with you is one of our most important tips,
- Covid-19 travel papers – while the entire health crisis is still even remotely present, no country in the world will allow people to enter without some type of confirmation of health and permission to travel. You can take a look at the coronavirus guide for expats for more information,
- Travel tickets and information – this is important, too, as your plane tickets prove you intend to stay for a certain period of time; in addition, a travel itinerary is always good to have with you, whether on paper or digitally.
If there are some regulations you’re not sure of or want to skip, opt for checking out the best European countries to live in and see if they’re the right ones for you.
If Relocating for Work, Ask Your Employer About Additional Documents
Among many relocation questions to ask employers, checking if there’s any paperwork or documentation you need to have while working in a different country is definitely on top of the list. Fortunately, all the paperwork necessary for entering and residing in any country is enough for employers to have, too.
In addition to the essential paperwork, you need to have your work visa permit on you almost all the time, as well as valid proof of employment (a contract, basically.) If you’re planning to get employed only after arriving, look up jobs for Americans in Europe and their working visa requirements.
Research How to Relocate Abroad With Children and Pets
For the occasion of relocating with kids abroad, there may be additional rules and regulations to follow in accordance with the country’s laws. However, paperwork is the simple part of this kind of relocation. Whatever age your children are, explaining to them that you’re relocating overseas can cause different types of reactions. Older children with friends may complain and negate the move, while smaller children may not care as much.
Make sure their wishes are respected up to some point, too, because happier and more easygoing children make any kind of relocation easier to handle, and it significantly reduces relocation stress. Make an event out of packing with them, let them create labels for boxes, and give them a chance to pack their favorite items at home.
Find Out If Your New Residence Allows Pets
Shipping a pet overseas sounds daunting, but it’s the most effective way to bring them with you. Being on the same flight with them could help not only your peace of mind but the animals’, too. When they see your face upon arrival, the stress of flying will dissipate for both of you. Double-check how airlines treat and handle animals during long flights, and see if any allow smaller pets to come on board with you.
Every pet you’re traveling with needs their medical chart and passport, too. The medical papers are proof for the airline and the country you’re going to that the pet is healthy. If you’re relocating to Canada with pets, you can even attempt taking a road trip with your furry friends. Pack everything you own into a relocation truck, get on board with driving across the border, and have your pets’ papers ready for customs.
Essential for Moving Day Preparation: Create a Checklist of Things to Pack
If taking care of paperwork seems like the hard part, wait until you start packing. While it’s not the most complicated thing in the world, you can always ask yourself: How can I make moving day easier? One of the best tips on how to pack is to first create a list of all the things you’d like to bring. Then, take that list and remove half of the items from it. No, really, prioritizing is a crucial step in the packing process.
Items that should be taken off the list are all those that aren’t essential to your survival. In case you need furniture, it may be better to skip shipping overseas all your beds and appliances. Most of the time, you’ll already have that stuff at the new place. If you’re not sure what to bring when relocating abroad, starting with a packaging checklist is the best way to declutter and prioritize. Anything you don’t need, you can always recycle or donate.
Don’t Forget to Add Packing Supplies to the Moving Day Checklist
If you’re planning to move without the help of professional movers, then getting packaging supplies should also be a part of your checklist. Those are the essentials for boxing up your stuff at home and protecting it during transport. The essential packaging supplies are boxes and other kinds of containers, wrapping paper and other wrapping materials (t-shirts and cotton items, as well as bubble wrap and blankets,) and duct tape and scissors for the final process of sealing the boxes, making the cargo secure.
Rid Your Closet and Home of Unnecessary Stuff
The biggest downfall of any relocation attempt is the packaging process. We so often tend to believe that everything in our closet is absolutely necessary to bring along, when in fact, it’s highly replaceable. This goes for clothes very often. It’s important to learn about the climate of the country and the city you’re going to, so your suitcase’s contents can match the weather and conditions.
For example, if you’re going to Bangkok, you may want to skip packing sweaters and winter jackets, as this city is notoriously humid and hot nearly all year round. However, it’ll probably be more convenient to bring winter clothes and more long-sleeved shirts if you’re relocating to Canada because Canadian winters can get quite cruel. Knowing the place you’re going to matters more than you think.
Prepare a Box of Essentials for a Clean First Week
How do you survive a moving day? By packaging a box of essential items for the first day or even the first week of relocation. These essentials range from a suitcase full of the most comfortable clothes and shoes to a crate full of food for your family and pets, cleaning products for the kitchen and bathroom, and linens for a comfortable first night of sleep.
Note that this much-needed essentials box shouldn’t be loaded into a relocation truck. It would be way better if it stays by your side while you travel to the destination. If you’re still not sure what to bring, you may need to check out the video on the best methods for preparing an essentials box below.
Call an International Moving Company and Their Movers for Help With Relocation and Packing
Not only will professional movers know exactly how to pack your fragile items, but they’ll have your home ready for relocation in no time. There’s nothing to worry about once you’ve hired an
overseas moving company. Whether you’re relocating to Vancouver or perhaps going to New Zealand, a great international moving company is bound to make your experience better with their supreme relocation services.
Expert movers will provide you with the ultimate packaging service, where you’ll only have to worry about the things that should be put into an essentials box and bring with you. If you’re planning on shipping a car overseas and taking a drive around your new home, hiring a professional overseas shipping company to take care of your vehicle and provide other car shipping services is a pretty great solution. Your stuff will also get shipped overseas in one of two ways – shipping by air, which is faster, or shipping by sea, which is more affordable.
If there’s anything you’d like to bring with you, but there’s not yet enough room for it at the new home, you can opt for a free storage service for up to thirty days. Any of your belongings that stay in storage will be taken care of by a team of skilled movers and protected from any external damage. After moving internationally, you can collect your stuff whenever it feels right, and you’ll get the overseas shipping service that was promised.
Prepare to Think About the Next Steps in Life After Moving Abroad
If you’ve already started wondering what should you do the night before you move, that may be the perfect time to consider your next steps in life. After moving overseas, you may experience a slight culture shock, but be sure to tell yourself that any challenges are possible to overcome when you do it with confidence. We just hope you’ve prepared well for the time of relocation and that you’re doing it with a smile and excitement.
