Are you preparing to move overseas? We understand that moving to another country has its own set of difficulties and responsibilities, ranging from learning new languages to obtaining visas and other documentation. This article will walk you through all you need to know to prepare for a relocation abroad, whether it’s over a national border or to another country.
Planning and Documentation
Prospective movers must start planning as soon as possible after deciding to relocate. Once you have decided to move abroad, you should begin making preparations. Choosing to begin a year or eight months ahead will give you valuable time to prepare and execute your strategy.
Another key reason to make a plan as soon as possible is the processing time needed in your target country for any work permits or visas that may be required.
A visa may take up to a year or longer to complete and be approved in certain countries. As a result, it is recommended that prospective moving customers apply and submit the necessary paperwork as soon as possible.
In most cases, if you’re visiting a country for vacation or business, your passport must be valid for at least three months. It is preferable to have a passport with at least six months’ validity if you are considering a long-term move overseas.
Documents That May Be Required Include:
- Passport/Visa
- Social security card
- Birth certificate
- Medical records
- Marriage certificate
- Change of name documents if it applies to you
- Bank statements
- Medical insurance documents
- School records
Budgeting For Moving To Another Country
If you plan to remain in another country for a long time, your budget and requirements will significantly impact what you can bring with you when you move to another country. Companies that transfer their workers and their families overseas typically include a relocation allowance, which relieves the employee and their family of most of the financial stress of relocating abroad.
If this is the case, you will have a lot more flexibility when it comes to packing and shipping items. If you’re searching for employment overseas on your own, you’ll need to create a budget and figure out how much you want to spend, what you’ll need to feel comfortable, and what you can obtain for less money there.
Get A Moving Estimate
In both instances, you may obtain estimates from an international moving company on how much a move will cost based on your specific circumstances, so you can budget and prepare ahead of time. Most moving companies include delivery to the residence at normal access, unloading, unpacking and setting up, as well as the removal of empty packing material on delivery day in their price. You may incur additional fees for things outside of this scope such as delivery to a 2nd floor, handling oversized items like a piano, duties and taxes, or charges due to food and alcoholic beverages.
You should budget for additional expenses in the event that shipments are held up for customs examination or are delayed for any other reason. Rates are subject to vary if the weight and volume are different from those specified. If the weight or amount of the shipment increases, or if extra services are provided, additional charges may be incurred. Generally, quotes received are valid for 30 days, so if you are planning months in advance, its important that you lock down that rate.
Packing For An International Move
It’s essential to keep in mind that moving your items internationally may take 6 weeks or more, so plan ahead and carry everything with you that you might need for the first few days or weeks following your arrival.
Delays are hard to avoid when moving to another country, and you’ll have much fewer unpleasant shocks if you embrace the idea of living without most of your belongings for a time. Before you move, the more you can de-clutter and filter out your belongings, the better off you’ll be. You’ll save a lot of money on storage and shipment, plus you’ll have more control over the entire packing process.
After you’ve minimized your possessions, the next step is deciding which ones to take with you. Consider if the item you’re contemplating is really something you’ll need in your new life, then weigh the expenses of storage vs. transporting your items, as well as the advantages of selling versus replacing them.
Remember that certain items may be costly and difficult to replace in other countries as you evaluate your many choices for selling, storing, giving, and disposing of them.
Storage Units
Unless you plan on taking all of your things with you, you’ll almost certainly need to rent a self-storage unit in the United States. Due to recent events, ports are back-logged and storage will be a necessity in most cases. Some moving companies also offer storage solutions for those moving to another country. For individuals in need of short- or long-term storage, these facilities provide a safe, secure, and convenient alternative. We strongly advise choosing a climate-controlled storage unit since you’ll most likely need a location to store your belongings for an extended length of time. It should also be stored in a secure location with a high level of monitoring and security.
Hire A International Moving Company
S&M Moving Systems has specialized in offering full-service international relocation solutions for businesses and their workers for over 30 years. We handle every element of your relocation, tailored to your requirements, using a massive network of worldwide partners. To help with the complexity of your relocation, we provide a Certified transportation expert as a single point of contact from start to finish. S&M Moving Systems is your all-in-one international move service, offering experience in move management, customs paperwork, property protection, and more. Contact us for all your international relocation needs!