What Does It Really Take To Move To Another Country?

Living in another country can be an exciting prospect. It can provide a whole new perspective on life, and there could be all kinds of opportunities that come with it from unique careers to meeting new people. For some people, moving abroad can even be a chance to escape conflict, persecution or lack of freedom.

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Of course, becoming an expat also comes with its challenges. There are many requirements you may need to meet to legally and feasibly live abroad. It’s also a massive change of lifestyle – quite possibly one of the biggest changes you can make – and there are a lot of new things to learn and adapt to. Do you have what it takes to overcome these challenges? This post takes a look at some of the important things that are required when moving abroad.

Adaptability

You need to be an adaptable person in order to successfully move abroad. If you don’t like venturing out of your comfort zones and you have very firm routines, you may find it very difficult to settle in another country.

Of course, you can teach yourself to be more adaptable by challenging yourself to try new things and be more spontaneous. Before you move, get used to trying new foods, talking to different people and traveling to different places. Don’t dive straight into the deep end.

The ability to take a risk

A lot can go wrong when moving abroad, and this fear of failure can stop many people from following their dreams of relocating.

In order to take the plunge, you need to be willing to take some risks. Stop focusing on what could go wrong and instead think about what could go right. By being positive, it will force you to solve problems.

Permits and visas

A lot of countries require you to apply for some type of visa or permit if you plan to stay there for an extended time. Make sure to look into the requirements of this permit/visa and give yourself enough time to apply.

Achieving residency in some countries can be very challenging – especially if you’re on a low income and have no family living abroad. However, there are immigration consultants that can help you explore your options. Make sure to research all of this thoroughly so that you have all the necessary paperwork in place.

Money for the move

Moving abroad also costs a lot of money. Can you afford the cost of moving abroad? If not, how long will it take you to save up the necessary funds?

Take the time to financially plan your move – record all the expenses from applying to visas to shipping over possessions so you know exactly how much you need. Make sure to also give yourself a safety net. If disaster strikes, you don’t want to be left penniless and helpless in another country.

Accommodation

You will need somewhere to stay when moving abroad. Consider looking for a property in advance rather than trying to find accommodation when you get there.

Searching for properties abroad is tricky, because you may not be able to carry out viewings in person and may have to base your judgement of limited information. Realtors may be able to give you a virtual tour via video. If you don’t speak the local language well, consider hiring an interpreter to help with the process.

A job lined up

It’s vital that you have a job already lined up before you move. There’s no telling how long it will take you to find a job and you don’t want to be spending months in another country job hunting with depleting funds.

As with looking for accommodation, job hunting remotely can come with its challenges. Some employers may be reluctant to employ you if you’re not yet a resident and you’ll need to make sure that an employer is willing to conduct an interview over the phone or via video instead of in person. Being upfront about your situation will help employers to be more understanding.

Cultural research

Doing your cultural research is essential for preventing a culture shock. It could also be important for learning local laws and customs, so that you don’t accidentally do something illegal or offensive.

Spending time learning about the country you’re moving to and its cultural differences. Visiting the country first as a tourist could be important before taking the decision to live there, although many people do move to countries having never visited them before. If the country you’re moving to has a different official language, consider whether you need to learn some of this lingo before you move – even in countries where everyone speaks some English, there are instances when it can be beneficial to know some of the local language.

This is a contributed post.

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