It’s a huge commitment, but when you’re moving for your career, to get closer to members of your family, or simply to offer yours a better life, a new country can represent an existing opportunity. However, it can also be a lengthy and demanding process. Here are a few tips you need to know about planning a big move with your family.
Make it a team effort
Moving alone, it can be easier to stay on top of everything directly. However, when you’re moving with your family, it’s important to make sure that any children involved are given plenty of time to acclimate to the notion of moving. Taking a trip to the country you’re moving to ahead of time, where possible, or simply finding videos and other resources can help them get a better idea of what to expect and avoid the worst of culture shock.
Know what kind of move you’re making
A lot of people tend to start with a clean slate when moving from one country to another. Selling your old stuff and buying anew when you land on the other side might be more convenient, but it can always be more expensive. If you do plan on taking your possessions, make sure to choose a moving company that has plenty of experience in overseas moves.
Getting permission to stay
The kind of approvals and permissions you and your family need to stay will depend on how long you intend to stay. For instance, work visas may apply for as long as you have a job in the country. On the other hand, there are processes like the leave to remain application that can lead to a path towards permanent civilian status, as well. This differs for each country so, as with many aspects of the move, research is necessary.
Know what benefits to expect (and which are lacking)
One of the biggest differences in living in different countries is finding what kind of state benefits and protections can apply to you and your family. For instance, labour laws can change drastically so that one country has significantly more guaranteed days off, while health insurance provisions can change from being publically paid for to being entirely private. This can be as much of a budgetary concern as it is a quality of life one.
Make sure to keep everyone updated
There are a lot of people you need to inform of your move. Your bank and any tax authorities are recommended to make sure there are no financial snafus once you make the move. This is also the best time to learn about how you’re paying taxes on any money you owe, as it can change depending on not just where you’re moving to, but where you’re moving from, too.
At the moment, the world is undergoing quite a lot of tumult, so the way that borders and immigration operate from country to country is something you need to do plenty of research on. However, hopefully, the tips above can help you prepare your move at least a little.
