Moving abroad for work: Where do you start?

If you’ve made the big decision to relocate to a different country in pursuit of a carrier this is absolutely great news, and we’re proud of you for making such a big step. It will certainly be a great adventure and an enriching and valuable experience. But at the same time, you need to remember that moving abroad for work can also be a scary and intimidating experience at the beginning. As some of the best movers in New York, we know a thing or two about overseas moves. Let’s cover the essentials of moving abroad, together.

Prepare for the move on time

Even though you accepted that job offer, you might not know the language, and you definitely aren’t familiar with the city or the culture you’re about to settle into. At the end of the day, challenging yourself is an important aspect of building a career. All things considered, we support your decision, and we’re here to help you with tips on:

• Finding experts to assist you to move internationally.
• Researching your future destination.
• Preparing for the possible language barrier.
• Checking your work and medical documents.
• Dealing with belongings you leave behind.
• Saying goodbye to friends, family, and colleagues.

Here’s what we have in mind.

Moving abroad for work is impossible without a team of excellent movers

Let’s start with the basics. If you want to move, you need movers, plain and simple. Especially when moving abroad, as this isn’t your usual type of relocation. There are countless small tasks to complete, and it requires even more paperwork than usual. With that said, the best course of action with a move like this is to hire a team of professionals. It is also worth mentioning that you shouldn’t just hire the first moving company you come across. There are many movers on the market, and their fees and services vary greatly.

So, what you need to do is dedicate your time to carefully researching what each can offer, and whether or not their services satisfy your needs. Start with a simple google search. There, you’ll find a slew of movers in your area. From this point on, you can check them individually, and see what they can offer.

Once you pick out around 7 to 10 moving companies, have a look at their reviews. Various places, such as Google Reviews, Yelp, or Better Business Bureau, can show you what kind of experience different customers had with their movers. Carefully check each review, and you’ll quickly be able to separate the good movers from the bad ones.

Once you’ve done so, grab a phone and give your chosen movers a call. Ask about their rates, additional services, and available time slots. With this information, you can weigh out each company and see if their rates fit your budget. Keep your focus on international moving companies from NYC, as they have specialized knowledge regarding moving abroad for work. When you find your ideal team of movers, you can move on to tackling other important tasks.

Do a bit of research about your future destination

Before you reach your new city, it is highly recommended to learn a bit about it, as well as the country it is in. You’ll have to learn your way around sooner or later, so why not do it sooner? Take some time out of your day to research the city you’ll move to. This includes a list of things, from public transit routes to popular restaurants and clubs. You’ll want to know the fastest way to and from your work, and where the hospitals, clinics, and schools are in the area.

Lastly, it doesn’t hurt to know where to find some entertainment after a long day of work. It also won’t hurt to do a bit of research regarding the city’s general population and the cultures that incorporate it. All of this will help you navigate the city better, fit in easily, and save you energy after the move.

Of course, nobody expects you to learn every single thing about the new city before moving from New York. However, you will have to learn a thing or two about it sooner or later, so why not sooner? There is, in fact, another more important reason why you should prepare in advance. And that is the inevitability of culture shock. No matter where you’re moving abroad for work, it’s going to be largely different from your hometown, in every sense.

From simple things such as buses and trams to the mentality of the people, daily customs, and mindsets. By gathering as much information about your new city and familiarizing yourself with it, you reduce the chance of shock. Once you move, everything will be fairly familiar to you, and the experience will be much less intimidating.

Some language essentials will help you fit in and find your way

Learning a new language isn’t easy. It takes more and more time the older you get, and practice is always necessary. But, if you’re moving overseas for work, learning a new language really is a necessity. Sure enough, English is one of the most frequently spoken languages worldwide. However, not everyone knows it! Learning a few of the most common phrases and sentences will really help you out in the long run. You won’t have to struggle to ask for directions or simple things in your new town.

And with so many language apps available, doing this isn’t even hard! Besides paying off in the long run, it can also bring you professional benefits too. If your employer notices that you’re willing to learn a new language, he’ll see it as a sign that you’re serious about your new job. Such a level of dedication surely won’t go unnoticed.

You can’t move abroad for work without the necessary paperwork

No matter where you go, or what you do, the paperwork seems to be an inevitable everyday nuisance. You see it everywhere, from buying home appliances and renting storage units Brooklyn offers, to leasing an apartment. And, as you might have guessed, paperwork and documents are a vital part of moving abroad for work as well.

You’re on your way to living and working in a different country. A country that has its own set of laws, rules, requirements, and regulations. Because of all this, you need to both update and collect a plethora of legal documents to ensure a successful transition to your country of choice. Let’s look at some of the most important documents you’ll need.

You won’t get far without a passport

No matter where you want to travel, you need a passport to do so. It is a vital travel document that shows your legal identification, country of origin, as well as your previous travel logs. Before your relocation abroad, you need to check if your passport is still valid, and how soon it expires. If it’s near expiration, make sure to renew it as soon as possible. Certain countries require you to have a valid passport for at least six months after your travel date. And, if you’re staying longer than that, and your passport expires, don’t worry! You can easily renew it at your country’s embassy or consulate.

A work visa is vital for any overseas employment

Obtaining a visa is easily the most nerve-racking part of preparing to move abroad. This is mainly because of the fact that your application could be declined at any time, for any reason. To reduce the risk of this happening, check the official government website of your destination country. Here, you should find a list of any supporting documents needed for a visa application. Use this list to collect everything you need before applying. Different types of visas have different requirements as well.

A work visa may require you to provide letters of recommendation or work contracts. Applying for a student visa requires a copy of your university offer letter and proof that you have enough money to support yourself during your studies. Lastly, you may need an appointment with the US Department of Homeland Security. Here, you’ll submit your biometrics, such as fingerprints and photos, required for a work visa.

Make sure your healthcare is in order before moving abroad

Once you get your travel documents in order, you’re ready to move on to the next steps of preparing for an overseas move. Now, you might think that the next important to-do task would be something like finding moving boxes Brooklyn locals use for relocation. Although this is important, there is a task that currently takes a higher priority. And this is making sure all of your medical documents, as well as your physical condition, are in order.

Before you make such a long trip, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible. Depending on the country you’re visiting, you may need to go through a process of immunization. This means vaccination against various diseases. The World Health Organization website has a list of recommended immunizations for different countries. While you’re at the doctor’s, do a full checkup to ensure you’re in good, travel-ready condition.

Keep in mind that healthcare varies around the world. Your access to the local system may depend on the type of visa you have. Before moving abroad for work, check if your current healthcare provider can cover you while you’re abroad. Also, ask your doctor for your entire medical records, so you can have them ready when you arrive. If you have any prescription medications, you’ll need to check if they’re permitted in the country and if they’re easily accessible.

If they aren’t, ask your doctor for an extra supply, or alternative means of getting them. Once you reach the new country, try to figure out the healthcare system as soon as you can. Certain countries only ask for a work visa to register you in their system as a foreigner. Other countries require a residency card before they can issue you a health number.

Figure out what to do with the items you can’t bring with you

It goes without saying that you won’t be able to bring all of your belongings with you. This doesn’t just include your items, but your apartment as well. Depending on whether or not you want to return to New York at a later point, you have two options. You can either sell your home and earn extra money for your life abroad, or rent it out for a steady additional income.

No matter which option you choose, keep in mind that you can always rely on cheap storage in New York for the safekeeping of all your belongings. At any point in time, and if the circumstances allow it, you can transfer your left-behind items to your new country. Lastly, if there are any items that you won’t either store or take with you, throw them away or donate them to a charitable cause, depending on their condition.

Organize a farewell party before your journey abroad

That’s it! We’ve gone through a majority of the important tasks you absolutely must take care of before you leave in search of a flourishing career. You’re now ready for moving overseas for work without worrying. All that’s left to do is gather your friends and say goodbye in a proper way. Leaving your home country is quite difficult, and this is why organizing a memorable farewell party is a must.

You’re essentially cutting connections with those closest to you, and venturing off into the unknown when moving abroad for work. Be that as it may, you must make an effort to stay in touch with everyone. Luckily, thanks to modern technology, it is easy to communicate with anyone, no matter where they are. Once you exchange contact information with everyone, you can mentally prepare for your work relocation and new career successes. We wish you the best of luck on your upcoming adventure!