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Thinking about leaving America and settling abroad? You’re probably not alone if you wish to restart life in a different country. Statistics indicate that almost 4 million US citizens are currently residing abroad. It’s an exciting experience for many who settle in another country because of employment; many Americans leave to work for employers overseas. More than one-half of students choose to study abroad for some period.
Some popular destinations for migrants are Italy, Canada, and Portugal. Whether you’re relocating to an Asian/European country or simply migrating to another country in North America, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the basics of international moving. Ignoring the basics of setting abroad can ruin your plan to move to your desired location, so cover these fundamentals when you want to leave the US:
1. Figure out visa requirements
If you want to stay in a foreign country for over six months, you need a visa. But are you eligible to get a visa? Contact the destination country’s immigration website to make sure you are qualified to get an entry/study visa for that particular country. After this, you begin moving abroad formally.
2. Hire international movers
Transporting your personal belongings across international waters can be a nuisance when done on your own. To skip the trouble, consider hiring professional movers to assist you in transporting bulky cargo. Look for reliable international movers services for a seamless moving experience.
Moving experts offer free in-home estimates and quote you market-competitive prices. Just make sure you deal with insured and licensed international movers. Take photos of your stuff before they book it for transportation. Always keep your valuables, such as your documents, on your person.
3. Find work eligibility
Millions of Americans are employed overseas. However, merely getting your visa doesn’t mean you are also granted full-time employment rights. Many countries restrict the number of hours students use spend working.
For instance, the UK allows international students to work 20 hours/week during their semester. If you want to settle abroad, it’s wiser to get a job offer before moving overseas. Apply to different vacancies, and when you are offered a job, you can safely relocate.
4. Make a budget
Moving overseas isn’t cheap; you must calculate all expected expenses to create a budget. It’ll help you get a visa quickly (after showing evidence of savings) and settle in your new home easily.
A well-made budget will help you transition seamlessly into a new life overseas. Just ensure you adhere to the budget and avoid biting more than you can chew when moving abroad. Compare the cost of living of that country with the US one. It’ll show you how much you should save for your move.
5. Sort out banking
Make sure you can open a bank account in your new home country. Moving abroad can bring some difficulties in monetary transactions. For instance, Americans living overseas can have issues getting a bank account in the US due to the Patriot Act. Similarly, a FATCA report shows that even European banks can sometimes be partial to American clients.
So, it’s important to research which banks are OK doing business with foreign clientele. Moreover, ascertain that your non-American bank conducts its business in several currencies and carries out free-of-cost international transactions for patrons.
6. Terminate utility connections
If you are leaving America for good, inform all service providers and terminate all utility connections before relocating. Cancel rental agreements and notify utility companies of your move. Similarly, cancel all subscriptions to newspapers and magazines. You don’t want to be charged for all these services while living overseas.
7. Look for homes
Recent surveys show that 15% of Americans wish to leave the country permanently. Low housing prices are one of the reasons why they may wish to settle abroad. You can find several states where real estate is cheap as per American standards. But the trick is to carefully invest in your lodgings.
An expatriate should buy a house overseas after carefully assessing the property. Real estate scams are a thing in Europe as they are in the US. So, only buy homes through reliable brokers in a country.
8. Search for schools
Moving abroad with children means you will have to look for suitable educational institutes overseas. An expatriate can find American international schools where kids can study in English.
With 1,700 such schools operating worldwide – and many under the State Department’s sponsorship – you can easily ensure your children continue their studies after relocating. Conduct systematic school research.
9. Understand tax obligations
If you think dealing with the IRS is difficult, then you aren’t familiar with the taxation process in some foreign countries. Paying your taxes in another country can be just as complex as meeting your tax-related obligations in the United States.
If you maintain active US citizenship, you must also file your annual tax returns. That’s why it’s better to talk to a lawyer about taxation obligations.
10. Get yourself vaccinated
Getting vaccinated is an oft-neglected part of the moving-abroad process. You shouldn’t take your well-being lightly. Learn what vaccines you need to enter your desired country and keep your medical records with you.
Many countries still have COVID restrictions in place, and recognizing such restrictions will help you settle overseas successfully. So, make healthcare your utmost priority.
11. Delve into linguistics
Moving abroad means facing the much-detested language barrier and dealing with different cultural sensitivities. American nationals learn the destined country’s language (the basics, at least) – to successfully assimilate into the local culture.
It doesn’t just help them become familiar with local traditions, but it also lets them fulfill their legal obligations. For instance, moving to Japan or Korea will become easier if you can communicate with the people and read official documents without getting constantly frustrated for not knowing the local tongue. Teach yourself the basics of the language.
Conclusion
Moving abroad isn’t difficult, considering the extent of globalization in the modern world. However, you will need to cover some basics before settling in another country. Learning the visa requirements is crucial. It’s better to get a job offer before you relocate overseas.
Look for decent lodgings, learn the language, and understand tax obligations. Hire international movers who can transport your belongings overseas. Working with some responsible movers will make this international experience stress-free for you.
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