Nothing communicates ‘moving out of one’s comfort zone’ like relocating to a different country. In addition to opportunities to expand your social circle, the excitement ranges from the prospects of personal growth to cultural awareness.
Some other reasons behind relocation include better career scope, a change of climate, or simply a shift in the pace of life. The Association of American Residents Overseas shares that around 5.4 million Americans lived abroad in 2023.
In 2024, many will relocate in search of something new, different, and exciting. No matter your reason, moving to a completely new country is not a child’s play. If you’re already experiencing the blues, fret not! This article will discuss the main factors to consider before relocating abroad.
Visa Requirements
Do you plan to move abroad for more than six months? Given the focus of this article, you most likely are. Then, you will require a visa to live, study, or work in the new country. Before finalizing any travel plans, it’s imperative to visit the country’s immigration website.
Understand all the requirements and see if you’re eligible. For visa support, you can also hire a registered immigration agent. They can help you with filling out the application, preparing the required documents, etc. These professionals act as guides to ensure the application process turns out smoothly.
They may be experts in their field but you must practice caution. Fake agents also exist, pretending to be registered only to commit immigration fraud. A bad agent will not have a thorough knowledge of immigration law. You might end up losing important files and documents. Ask for proof of registration before working with any immigration agent.
Work Eligibility
The next factor to consider before relocating abroad has to do with your eligibility to work. The issue is that a visa to live in a country does not automatically mean you have the right to work there full-time.
In the case of students, many visas set a specific cap on how many hours they’re permitted to work. For instance - the UK allows its international students to work 20 hours per week for each semester. Since you’re planning to move there permanently, the student visa rules should not apply to you.
You may be granted a full-time work visa but several countries will ask you to apply for a social insurance number. Canada is one country where temporary or permanent residents can apply for a social insurance number once they have landed in the country.
It may take 20 days for you to receive the number. In other countries, you may have to apply before arriving within the borders. So, check these requirements in advance to avoid any unwanted surprises later.
Housing
With your plans to move overseas, you must also plan on where to reside in the new country. Looking for accommodation can be among the most exciting parts of relocation. Once you have a place to call home, you can then check out nearby restaurants, explore the neighborhood, and even socialize with fellow residents.
If you’re relocating using a work visa, your workplace might be able to help with temporary accommodation. You can even join local housing groups found across social platforms like Facebook. Here, you may find apartments on a long or short-term rental basis.
Since we’re addressing housing, another aspect is to take care of your home now. In other words, do you own a property right now? Then, you will have to decide what to do with it. Suppose you wish to sell it out. Keep in mind that this may not be easy for you.
For instance - Santa Clara in California is a bustling city with a highly competitive real estate market. Homes can take an average of 29 days on listings before being sold. Plus, without proper support, you may not bag a good deal. According to John Buys Bay Area Houses, agents will have you guessing whether the buyer can get financing.
Such hassles and stress can add weeks to the timeframe. What if you don’t have that much time? It’s possible to sell houses in Santa Clara for cash in as little as seven days. What’s more, is that you can find a fair offer with local home buyers. So, for those belonging to this area, we would say that sell your Santa Clara house for cash - get a fair offer now!
You can also put up your house on rent. Just weigh the pros and cons of each before solidifying your overseas travel plans.
Transportation
Once it’s clear to you where you will reside in the new country, it’s time to figure out how you’ll get around. Cities with the most efficient public transport systems include Berlin, Prague, Stockholm, Singapore, and Amsterdam.
In case you’re relocating to one of these places, you will likely stay well-connected to the rest of the location. Otherwise, check whether your chosen apartment or locality has easy access to public transport. If you are to stay outside the city center, perhaps renting a car to move around would be a better option.
Even when it comes to driving yourself around, think about the roads and weather conditions of the new city. Suppose you’re moving to a place where it snows frequently and you’re unfamiliar with driving in such conditions. Our suggestion would be to only start driving once you’ve taken the required lessons.
Healthcare Coverage or Insurance
A fifth factor you must consider before moving abroad is healthcare insurance or coverage. We mention this because you may not immediately be eligible for this, even if the new country offers universal healthcare to all citizens.
For instance - Canada is one country where those on a permanent resident visa can apply for publicly-funded healthcare. However, there is a certain waiting period before accessibility is given. Hence, you must buy insurance and ensure you’re covered beforehand.
Furthermore, you must check with the destination country’s local government for healthcare-related rights. This includes the various mental health services.
Relocating, especially to a whole new country, can seem daunting. On a final note, we would like to emphasize the importance of taking care of all the details. This would include closing all utility accounts and preparing a budget. On average, short-distance relocation is costing Americans $1400.
This figure can be drastically higher depending on how far you plan on relocating. The time of the year you plan to move will also affect the costs. Do your homework well and you will be able to make a new place your home in no time.
