Have you ever thought about packing up your life and moving overseas? It’s something that a lot of people do. There are a lot of really good reasons that people pack up their lives and move to another country. You may have been offered a job overseas, you may have friends, family, or a partner over there, or you may just have a strong affinity with the country that you’re planning to move to. Whatever the reason for your move, you will have to do a considerable amount of work and research before you are able to take the plunge and move there.
In this article, we’ll take a look at everything that you need to think about before you move overseas.
The Right To Live and Work Overseas
When you have made the decision to move overseas, the first thing that you will need to do is to research visas and other residential permits that are applicable to the country that you’d like to move to. This should be done before you commit to making the move and before you spend any money.
Some countries are more welcoming of foreign nationals than others. Some will offer visas that allow you a great deal of freedom, while other countries may prevent you from working or owning property. Some countries won’t let you stay there for more than a short period of time.
Find out as much as you can about the country that you intend on moving to. Get in touch with their embassy or check online to find out what their immigration policy is.
Apply early for your visas. It can take a very long time for the wheels of bureaucracy to turn, and you will need to know that you definitely have your visa before you can accept any jobs or rent any properties.
Make sure that you know all of the requirements and the restrictions of your visa. You may find that you need to renew it after a certain amount of time, or that you can apply for citizenship. Some countries may prevent you from renewing your visa.
Finding Work Overseas
A major hurdle that you will need to jump will be finding work. Finding work can often be tough when you are looking for a job in your own country, but when you are trying to find work overseas, this can be a bigger challenge.
The first step is to look for opportunities with international companies that have bases in your home country. You may be able to relocate within the same company if you already work for one of these.
One of the problems with applying for jobs overseas is that you might not easily be able to attend interviews. If you have a stellar resume, you may find that companies are willing to make concessions to try and interview you. For instance, they may offer to interview you via Skype or Zoom.
You could look at working in a remote job; that way you could work from anywhere in the world. The types of careers that typically lend themselves to this way of working are graphic design, website and app development, and freelance writing. Although there are careers that are more frequently aligned with this way of working, with the changes in the world following COVID19 more and more, businesses are hiring remote workers and using a more flexible approach to recruitment.
Another route into finding work will be through the English speaking community. Find local ex-pat groups and look to make inroads and connections with them. You may be able to find some work in one of their businesses.
Finding Somewhere To Live
You will need to find somewhere to live when you arrive in your new country. If you are fortunate enough to know someone that lives in the area that you plan to move to, you could see if you could stay with them for a short period while you look for somewhere to live. This will be the most convenient and easy solution as it will save you money on hotel costs while you sort somewhere to live.
You can start your property search early by checking out property agents online. Whether you are looking for a house or an apartment, you will be able to find somewhere. For example, here is a listing for The Nest Residences.
If you are able to travel to the country you are moving to before the actual move, you may be able to view some properties in person. If you are not, and you know someone that is able to view the property for you, you could do that.
Overcoming The Language Barrier
Do you speak the main language of the country that you are moving to? While many people all over the world speak English, you should not be reliant on other people’s ability to speak your language, particularly if they are not from an English speaking country.
You should make every effort to try and learn as much of the language as possible before you move out there. Using apps like Duolingo, you can quickly learn much of the basics of the language before you make your move. Once you are there, you’ll be immersed in the culture and will have plenty of opportunities to hear the language spoken. Make sure that you take every opportunity possible to speak the language for yourself.
Packing and Moving
Once you have a visa, job, and home lined up, you can start planning your move. Fortunately, there are international removals companies that can help you move- but they won’t be cheap. Shop around and find the best deal.
Use moving as an opportunity to downsize. You can sell any possessions that you won’t need to take with you and then use the money you make to put towards the move. You will ideally want to take as little with you as possible.
