Overseas international relocation can be a time of incredible excitement and opportunity. But it can also be stressful when you consider just how much you need to organise.
Take the headache out of moving abroad by using this handy to-do list provided by a relocation company in Dubai. With this, you can be sure you won’t forget a thing.
Things to get started on right away
1. Book an international mover
There are two vital reasons to get your international relocation service booked right away:
- Availability: You want to make sure your first choice company can help you.
- Assistance: A good international moving company can assist you with almost everything else on this list, including accommodation and school search service, paperwork, packing unpacking services and destination orientation. You can save yourself a lot of time and effort by booking the right people straight away.
2. Documentation
Paperwork can take a while so start getting organised now. What you need will depend on where you are going and where you are coming from. Both your employer and your moving company can help identify what you’ll need. Here’s a list of what you may need to organise and take with you:
- Visas or work permits
- Valid passports
- Birth & marriage certificates
- Financial records
- Medical records and proof of health checks
- Insurance documents
- Evidence of qualifications
- School records for children
- Driving licences
3. Home and school research
Where you live and where your children go to school will be crucial to the success of your move and your family’s happiness. It will pay to take your time and fully consider all your options.
4. Language learning and cultural research
Thorough research and preparation will help you and your family settle quickly and prevent culture shock. Consider tapping into expat knowledge by joining expat forums and social media groups. If you don’t have time for language lessons, consider learning some basic phrases through one of the popular apps.
5. Book travel
Get your travel plans organised for you, your family and your pets so you have all the dates clear.
With 2-3 months to go
1. Finalise living and school arrangements
Organise accommodation (including temporary or hotel accommodation, if necessary) and schools in advance.
2. Organise your finances
Notify your bank and discuss with them how you will manage your assets while overseas. Don’t forget to research your tax obligations, too.
3. Begin sorting your belongings
All your belongings should be sorted into three categories: pack, store or purge. Starting early gives you plenty of time to organise the right amount of storage as well as opportunities to sell or donate what you don’t need. Your international moving company can do your packing and unpacking.
With 1 month to go
1. Check you have the right paperwork in place
Avoid last-minute panics by chasing any outstanding documents now.
2. Organise mail forwarding and cancel subscriptions
The post office can help with this. You may also need or want to cancel subscriptions for household expenses like internet or streaming services.
3. Arrange insurance
Make sure you have all your obligations covered. You will need to consider home, travel, medical, life and pet insurance. Make sure anything you are leaving behind, like property, vehicles and belongings in storage, are also insured.
Right before you leave
1. Say your goodbyes
Make sure you allow time to see everyone you would like to say goodbye to.
2. Pack for travel
Your moving company will be taking care of most of your belongings. However, you’ll still need to pack hand luggage for travel and enough in a suitcase to see you through until you are reunited with all your belongings. Here are some useful things to include:
- Important documentation
- Toiletries
- Clothing and footwear
- Books, e-readers and tablets, plus a few toys for your children
- Chargers for your devices
- Basic household items and utensils if appropriate for your temporary living arrangements
- Medications
3. Get some local currency
It will be useful to have some local currency in your pocket for when you arrive and until your banking is fully organised.
Once you arrive
1. Orientation
Acquaint yourself with your new local area as soon as possible. Find your new workplace and schools to work out your commute. Check out your local facilities like shops and medical facilities to feel ready for your new adventure.
2. Open a bank account
Expat life is usually easier when you have a local bank account so open one as soon as possible.
3. Get set up with utilities
Make sure life runs smoothly from the get-go by arranging all your household utilities, including internet provision and mobile phones.
4. Find some friendly faces
Make the effort to get out and meet some new neighbours, colleagues, school families or others that might be able to offer some friendly advice and companionship. This will help you all feel more at home.
5. Relax!
Take time out to do plenty of what you enjoy, explore new places or just do nothing! Moving overseas is a tiring time so make sure you don’t burn yourself out.
A final tip
There are a lot of items to cover on this list. However, international movers in India really can take much of the burden off your shoulders, freeing you to enjoy the excitement of your move. Get in touch today and find out how Writer Relocations can help you with your big move.