Your Moving List for Relocating Overseas

Careful organization and a moving list to follow can ease your relocating overseas experience and help you:

• Focus on accomplishing one task at a time, and on making sure that nothing is left behind.
• Determine which of the tasks have a flexible schedule, and which must be completed within a particular time frame.

Start Up Tips for Moving Abroad

• First thing to do before following the moving list is to prepare a moving file to put receipts, notes, and important papers, such as: birth certificates, immunization records, insurance documents, medical and dental documents, school records, legal and financial documents, passports and insurance documents, etc. Place the file in a secure place to insure that it won't get lost.
• Contact the embassy of the country you are moving to, and obtain all necessary legal information concerning your relocation, such as: visa requirement, custom laws, driving permit requirements, health insurance details, recommended vaccinations, etc'.
• If you are relocating to a country with a different language than yours, it is recommended to translate all legal documents in advance. Doing this will save you lots of time and frustration. It is also a good idea to take language lessons, before moving overseas. It will help you get around much easier in your destination country, and you will feel less a foreigner.
• Start thinking of what to do with your house, while you are living abroad - If you consider renting it, and there is no one that can take care of the house while you are gone, then hiring a real estate property manager might be a good solution for you. If you decide to sell your house, then consult with a real estate agent and get it ready to go on the market.
• It is recommended to visit the country you are moving to. If same is not possible, then gather all the information about your destination country from the Internet, co-workers, embassies, etc'. The more knowledge you obtain, the better prepared you are, and the less culture shock you will face.
• Check the electricity volt of the country you are moving to. This will enable you to decide whether to ship your appliances to the destination country, or to sell, store or donate them.
• Renewing a passport - Make certain that your passport is current and valid. If not then getting a passport should be one of your first priorities on your moving list: fill out the passport form, take a passport picture, and apply for a passport renewal at the passport office.

More Tips for Moving Abroad

• If your company is handling the moving relocation services then find out exactly what is covered and what you're expected to do.
• If your company does not handle the shipping services, then start checking moving cost with a few moving companies. Take your time, ask friends, colleagues and relatives for recommendations, and find the one that suits your needs and budget. You should also look for insurance programs that will cover your personal stuff during the transit.
• Are you moving with pets? Make sure to check on possible quarantine and vaccination requirements at your destination country, and start searching for pet shipping services.
• Notify your dentist and doctor of your moving abroad. Ask them for referrals (they might know doctors and dentists in your destination country). Make sure you have current vaccination records, and an adequate supply of medications on hand to get you by until you find a doctor in your host country.
• It is the perfect timing to start thinking about overseas health insurance . You can check with Goodhealth Worldwide , or with MultiNational Underwriters
• Notify your bank about your moving overseas, and make the appropriate financial arrangements with your bank. You might want to start searching for offshore banks.
• Notify your kid's school teachers about your relocation abroad; ask for their assistance with your kids, and for a full school record.
• Take the time to sit down with your kids, tell them about your relocation abroad, and describe the expatriate lifestyle. Give your kids as much information as you can, explain them honestly the reasons for your expatriation, and answer openly all their questions.
• Make any travel plans necessary for your expatriation – airline tickets, car rental and hotel reservations.

Home Moving Checklist

• Are you packing yourself? Make sure to buy packing boxes and packing material. You can also pack some of your items in plastic containers. They are very convenient and you can save them, or use them for another purpose.
• Start preparing a household moving checklist, and organize your house for packing. Determine what you can give away, throw away or sell.
• Schedule disconnection of all utility services at your house, like: telephone, gas, cables, internet etc'.
• Cancel any monthly services, or home delivery service that you currently receive like: bottled water, newspaper subscription, etc'.
• Hire a professional cleaning company to prepare your house for the new tenants/owners.
• Leave a forwarding address with the next tenants or owners of your home if possible. Arrange a file folder of information to leave for the tenants or the new owners of your home.
• Make arrangements for a place to sleep the night before your moving day. It can be with family or at a friend's house, or you can make reservation for a room at a hotel. What ever you decide to do just make certain you get a good night's rest and a shower while all your things are packed up.
• Go back through your moving list and make certain you have completed each item of your to do list.