Moving overseas is no small feat. It requires organisation,
planning, and attention to detail to make sure that all the proper
documentation is submitted well before your big move. On top of
that, a move abroad entails going through all the red tape set in
place by both the Australian government and the government of your
new country, to ensure that your move is legal.
According to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade, there are roughly 1 million Australians living or working
overseas at any given time.1
Moving overseas: Prepare in advance
The greatest factor in a successful move overseas is how well
you prepare in advance. The better that you prepare and organise
beforehand, the safer and smoother your move abroad will be.
Many people make the mistake of taking a casual approach when
moving overseas to a country that they are already familiar with,
whether they have holidayed there before or have family living
there.
Nonetheless, each and every move abroad requires the same
preparation and planning to reduce stress and make your moving day
as smooth as possible.
Here are several important tips to consider before moving
overseas:
- Do your homework. Research the country
that you will be living in detail, as well as the city or
neighbourhood that you will be moving to, before your move
abroad.
If you're moving to a country that speaks a different language,
it's a good idea to take remedial language classes before moving
overseas to ensure smooth communication.
- Gather your documentation. When it comes
to the documentation necessary for moving overseas, you need be
prepared to deal with the standard governmental red tape. You need
to have a passport in order to travel overseas, which must be
applied for in advance.
- Apply early for a work visa. If you're
moving to work overseas, you must also prepare by applying early
for a work permit or work visa in your new country.
Begin by checking the individual visa requirements of the country
that you will be relocating to. Neglecting to have the necessary
paperwork can delay your move by weeks or even months.
- Save money. No matter how well you
prepare, moving abroad is often much more expensive than
anticipated. For instance, if you're moving to a country with cold,
harsh winters from a warm climate, you will have to invest in
winter clothing, snow tires for your vehicle, and even pay more to
heat your new home.
Other expenses include paying for a passport or work visa, paying
for transport to another country, and paying for housing. Stay
organised by creating a budget that you can stick to throughout
your relocation.
- Get travel insurance.This last point is
one that you don't want to forget. Travel insurance will cover you
during a move abroad and can also protect you in an unforeseen
medical emergency.
If you already have travel insurance, check the expiration date to
ensure that you're covered during your move overseas.
Top moving tip
Consider the power system of the country that you are moving to.
You may need to buy a power converter for your electronics; a
larger converter may be necessary to handle the voltage of your
personal computer.
Sources
- "Living and working overseas - Travel information -
Consular services - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade." Smartraveller: The Australian Government's travel
advisory and consular assistance service - Australian Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Aug.
2011.