Moving overseas can be a challenging and complicated experience if you don’t plan each step of the way to the last detail. And one of the important things is to notify people and institutions about your relocation. Here is a list of who to notify when moving abroad that can be useful as a reminder of things you need to do.
Probably the most challenging part of relocating across the world is figuring out different rules and paperwork you need to fill out. But aside from people to inform in your new country about your international moving, you must notify people and institutions in your home country as well. Here is a list of who to notify when you move abroad.
Before You Book Your Overseas Shipping Company, Research Your New Country’s Rules
Relocating across the world demands a lot of preparation, especially regarding the documents needed to travel abroad, visa, and other permits you will need. So make sure you put on your relocation to-do list a visit to the local police station to get a permit for staying. In some countries, you don’t need this permit as you will get it automatically upon your arrival, but some countries will ask for an address where you will be staying. The same is for a visa. In some countries, living overseas is possible only with a US passport, but for some countries, you will need to apply for a visa in advance. Read all rules and regulations on the US Department of State website. Here are some of the documents you will need:
- Passport,
- Visa and permits,
- Vaccination certificate,
- Pet passport.
Change of Address Who to Notify Before You Move?
A large question in “how to move to another country” checklist is who to notify of a change of address and, most importantly, how. Keeping in touch with friends is one thing, but how will you keep up with your obligations and paperwork regarding your home country? Luckily, these days all of this paperwork can be done online (should we still call it paperwork then?) and without a lot of fuss – you just need to remember to do so.
Notify IRS About the Address Change
Even if you relocate to the best place to live abroad, you will still have to pay taxes. The rule for all US citizens is that if you live more than six months abroad and pay taxes in that country, you will not have to pay taxes in the US. Still, you will have to fill out the taxes at the end of the year your relocation took place.
Aside from that, you will need to update your address on the IRS website just to make sure important documents with your personal information don’t end up in the hands of some stranger. If you plan to sell or entirely leave the place you are currently living, put an address of your friend or family member, so IRS will send them important documents.
You Will Need to Pay a Visit to DMV
A visit to DMV must be on every relocation checklist so you can update your address. But moving abroad checklist will be a bit different because you will have to get an international driving license and change your address. You can not put your new address on your driving license, but you can also put an address of a friend or relative. That way, when you are back in the US, you will have your driving license without any problems. However, you will have to come in person to do the change. You will be able to renew the license by mail or in person, depending on the state.
Best Way to Notify Change of Address Is Through a Post Office
If the question is who to notify of an address change, the post office should be on top of your checklist. USPS has an option of mail forwarding for 12 months, so you will not have to think about entities you need to inform about the address change. The mail will keep coming to the new place you put in the form.
Go online and submit a Change of Address form and also submit forwarding your mail option. And if you wonder when you should change your address when moving, the answer is at least one week before your move.
Contact Your Health Insurance Company
Even though it is rare, it can happen that your health insurance has global coverage. If this is the case, you will need to notify your health insurance provider about the address change. Maybe your plan will change, so make sure you explore other options. For example, connect with expat communities from the country you are planning to relocate and ask them for advice. If you are an American working in Europe, you will probably have local health insurance as part of your job. Either way, that is definitely one of the relocation questions to ask your employer before your travel. In case you don’t have any coverage, it will be good to find international insurance before you set off.
Financial Institutions Must Be Notified Before Your Move
One of the relocation mistakes people make when traveling abroad is that they don’t inform their bank about the traveling. That can cause you serious problems and restrictions. Most US banks have limitations and restrictions on debit and credit cards usage abroad due to protection from fraud and thefts. You will simply not be able to use your cards once you relocate if you don’t lift up these restrictions. You will have to go to your bank and tell them you plan to relocate so they can lift the ban on your cards.
Also, the fees on transactions will not be the same, so make sure you ask them to give you a new international account or adjust the existing one to be used normally in the country you are planning to go to. Also, they will probably want to have your new address or someone’s address in the US.
Visit Your Phone Company Before You Move
Adjusting to a new country without your phone and internet connection can be tricky. This is why it is crucial to inform your phone company about your plans so they can give you international coverage. With this coverage, you will keep the same number which means all your friends and family can reach you and you will have an internet connection. Most carriers will not charge you extra for this service. You could also ask them to unlock your phone so you can use a local sim card on your phone as well.
Before Booking an Overseas Moving Company to Ship Your Car, Talk With Your Bank
If your car is not paid off, you may have a problem with overseas vehicle shipping. Depending on your loan type, you will probably not be able to ship your car abroad without the special permission of the bank. Keep in mind that the bank is not obliged to give you this permission. And if you wonder who all needs to be notified when you move, your loan officer is definitely one of those people. You will need to provide a legit address before you move, or you will have to sell your car to pay off the loan.
Who to Notify When Moving? Other Parties That Need to Be Informed
If you have a lot of belongings, you plan to bring them with you and wonder how to move overseas? The answer is – an international moving company. So naturally, you will have to inform them about your new location. If you don’t have a lot of things, you can even use moving internationally by air service.
But if you plan to ship a car overseas or to pack all your furniture, then you will need an overseas shipping service. Shipping overseas comes with its own rules and regulations, so make sure you research what you can bring with you and the customs fees you need to pay in order to ship certain items.
Also, you need to inform your utility providers as well. You will have to cancel all of the services you use, from electricity to the internet. Make sure you do this on time, so no bills end up unpaid.
Don’t Forget to Inform Friends and Family
When you move, who should you notify? Well, it would be nice to inform your friends and family. There are several ways for it. For example, you can throw a party and say goodbye to everyone. You can also send them your new address by e-mail once you arrive or use the old-fashioned way and send them all postcards by mail.
Inform Your Employer or Find a New One
If you are a digital nomad and working remotely for a domestic company, you should inform them about your plans to relocate. And you probably wonder, “why do I need to do this”? Well, for starters, because of the time difference. It may seem like you will be able to keep up with this, but it will become hard eventually. The better option is to inform them so they know they can reach you in a different time zone.
On the other hand, if you are not working remotely, you will have to inform your employer on time, so that your quitting-the-job process ends up before you relocate. If you are relocating without a job, make sure to do your research on jobs for Americans in Europe or any other continent you are relocating to before you move.
Inform Your Kids’ Schools About Relocation
If you are relocating with kids, you will have to inform their schools on time so they can prepare all the necessary documents regarding your kids’ educational process. Also, you will need to find a new school in the place where you are relocating to. A lot of countries have international schools, so you can try these options. If not, you will have to contact public schools before you relocate so you can prepare the documents needed for your kids to start the new school year. Also, if there is no international school, youngsters will probably have to start learning a language abroad as soon as they arrive.
Who Gets Notified When You Change Your Address?
The answer to this question is nobody, at least not automatically. That is why it is important to know who needs to be notified because this whole process is your responsibility. Government and financial institutions are your top priorities. Still, don’t forget other less important entities as well. You will have to update or cancel all your monthly subscriptions so you don’t get charged. So if you have a gym subscription, don’t forget to cancel it. Also, all the magazines must be canceled as well.
Make sure to update your current address on all dropshipping websites. You wouldn’t want your order from Amazon to end up in someone’s house by accident.
As you can see, relocating abroad comes with a lot of things you need to do and that is why it is crucial to find a partner who can help you navigate the whole process. With an excellent overseas shipping company, you will not have to worry about your things reaching their destination. Just keep in mind that you will have to wait for some time for your belongings to arrive, so make sure you pack all your essentials with you.
