Preparation is a vital part of pretty much any move. This goes double for moving overseas. It is usually recommended to begin preparing months or even up to a year ahead. However, we don’t always have the luxury of time in order to properly prepare. An offer to live abroad can show up at any time, and it is almost impossible to predict when. Fortunately, moving overseas can be smooth even without much preparation if you know what you need to do. To help with this, we have put together a guide on how to handle moving overseas on a short notice.
Budget your move carefully
When moving overseas on a short notice you should consider your budget carefully. Even a regular move can get very expensive. When moving overseas, the price can get high pretty quick, especially if you’re moving to somewhere far away. Inform yourself on how much it costs to move abroad, and do your best to save up in the short time that you have. Remember, it is recommended to have enough to cover your pre-move paperwork, travel arrangements and have money spare to live in the country you’re moving to for a few months. Alternatively, it is a good time to decide what to bring with you. It’s quite simple: the less you bring, the less your move costs. With that in mind, think carefully about what you want to bring with you.
Renew your passport before the move
This tip is pretty simple: renew your passport as soon as possible. Why? Your passport is probably the most important document for moving abroad. Without one, you can’t cross the border. As such, renewing your passport should be your top priority when trying to move overseas. Even though you don’t have much time to spare, this is one thing you can’t pass up on. Fortunately, renewing your passport is made easy because you can apply for a new one online or even at a local library or post office. Additionally, if you’ve moving with pets, keep in mind that they will need their own passports. Some countries also need extra documentation for pets, so be sure to check beforehand.
Secure transport for your vehicle
If you’re someone who has a car, it is a good idea to find secure transport for your car. It goes without saying that transporting vehicles overseas isn’t something you should even consider doing on your own. Because cars can get damaged quite easily during transport overseas, finding a reliable service is quite important. After all, your car’s safe delivery is essential. You might be tempted to look for a deal because your budget is tight. But remember, paying a little extra is worth it to make sure your vehicle is delivered safely.
Moving with a job offer
If you’re moving for a job offer: great. This can make your move a lot easier. When this is the case, your employer can help you get a work permit. A work permit is required in order to legally work in your destination country. However, if you don’t have a work offer, make sure to do your research. Look for jobs within your qualifications and contact the employers to see if they’re willing to give you an interview.
Transporting your belongings
A pretty big part of moving overseas on a short notice is safely moving your belongings. While this can be done on your own, it isn’t recommended. Shipping something to a different country, on the other hand, is time consuming. As such, finding a reliable company to move your things safely and on time is the best choice. After all, you don’t want to spend time in an unfamiliar place without any of your belongings. So, when moving overseas, your best call could be hiring a door-to-door delivery service. These kinds of service help ensure you will have your belongings in no time, for an affordable price. This can be a real life saver, as other types of shipping are typically much slower.
Research your destination
Preparing for an international move when you don’t know much about where you will live can be overwhelming. This can cause anxiety and cultural shock, which are some of the biggest problems when moving overseas. As such, doing some research into your new home country can help minimize these issues. Look up local customs, language and, most importantly, local laws. If you know someone who already lives in the country, you could ask them to show you around. Having someone who knows their way around and can help with issues that come up is quite helpful.
Pack early
Packing is the most time-consuming part of the moving process. Regardless if you’re moving a few streets over or across the world, packing will take the most time out of your schedule. Because of this, experts from Transparent International NYC recommend you start packing as early as possible when moving on a tight schedule.
Deal with utilities in your home country
There are many costs when moving abroad. In order to avoid unnecessary ones, canceling all of your current utilities as soon as you don’t need them is a great choice. Otherwise, you will have to pay bills for a home you don’t live in. Make sure to cancel all of your subscriptions (such as magazines) as well. Also, if you’re renting an apartment, inform your landlord that you’ll be moving out. If you inform them too late, you might have to pay a penalty charge, so be sure to inform them early on.
In Conclusion
Organizing a move on a short notice can be difficult. But, with proper preparation and planning, you can organize everything in stride and move without any issue. We hope that this guide on how to handle moving overseas on a short notice was helpful, and we wish you luck with your move.