Moving overseas is a huge financial and lifestyle upheaval for expats and their families, but the stress can be eased with some planning.
If you are planning move abroad, here are some tips about how to approach the fateful day.
Many international removal firms suggest moving to another country starts many weeks before the date of leaving and that the countdown should begin at least a month before.
28 days to go
- If you have not done so already, sort out your belongings and give them away, sell on line or take them to the local rubbish dump
- Make sure you loft, garage and basement are empty
- Check passports, visas and other travel documents, such as insurance and driving licences, to make sure they are valid
- If you are driving your own car overseas, make sure you are carrying warning triangles, reflective jackets or other equipment required by law in any countries you are passing through
- Put together personal files for each traveller that include medical insurance certificates, passports, visas , medical records, wills and any other information you may need in an emergency
- Make arrangements with bank and credit card companies so you can access your money from overseas or online
- If you are taking a pet, check the animal has the right vaccinations and a passport as well
- Cancel any accounts or subscriptions to UK providers that you won’t need overseas
21 days to go
- Arrange to forward your mail
- If you have children, ask the school for any reports and documents they may need to attend school abroad
- Arrange for vaccinations with your doctor
- Separate any belongings, clothes and documents you need for travel from those you are packing
14 days to go
- Sort out valuables and jewellery for personal packing – photograph and insure them
- Check you have not overlooked any of the steps for earlier weeks
Seven days to go
- Liaise with your movers to make sure everything is packed, insured and set to arrive at the correct destination
- Mark up the outside of any crates with an inventory of the contents so you can find your possessions easily at your destination
- Keep the inventory with you
- Pack an arrival kit with everything you might need pending the delivery of the rest of your belongings.
The list is not exhaustive, as travel documents and other arrangements will vary depending on your expat destination and whether your belongings are going into storage while you rent a home.
