A lot of planning goes into moving to a new country. You have to pack up your entire life and move it to a completely foreign place. Moreover, you need to say goodbye to your friends and family. This is never an easy task and you might get emotional. However, you also have to think about the practical part of moving. This involves being prepared for customs and what awaits on the other side. Because you will be living in a different country, you need to make sure you have all the documents you need. While some are quite obvious, others need to be mentioned. In our guide, you will learn which documents are required for an international move. Read on and follow our guidelines for a good experience with your relocation.

Documents required for an international move – don’t forget your passport

The most important document needed for your move is your passport. In most cases, you cannot enter a country without one. If you don’t currently have one, make sure to start the process of obtaining it early enough. Sometimes it can take up to multiple months in order to receive it. On the other hand, if you have one, make sure that it isn’t expired. Moreover, make sure it doesn’t expire during your stay in the country. A foreign country will not grant you stay if your passport isn’t valid throughout.

While you are planning your move, consider hiring professional help. Moving is difficult enough, but it is much more difficult if you have to do it on your own. For this reason, you should hire one of the many reliable overseas moving companies. They know how to properly conduct an international move and all the rules and regulations of the destination country.

You will need a visa

For most countries in the world, you will need a visa to stay for a longer time. Depending on your work status, your destination, and how long you plan on staying, you may be issued different types of visas. For example, a short-stay visa is granted to tourists and those not planning to stay for long. On the other hand, you will receive a residence visa when you choose to move there. If you are moving to Europe, the story is a bit different. For stays shorter than 90 days, you won’t need a tourist or entrance visa. So you are free to explore the area before you decide to actually move there.

Many people, before they move overseas, will ship their belongings. This is a great way to save both time and money on your move. You can ship your things by an air sea forwarder. This is a safe way to relocate your belongings, and you will have time to prepare your new home.

A work permit is a document required for an international move

An international work permit will allow you to have a job in the country of your choosing. Many people relocate overseas for work or career opportunities. If you already have a job lined up, your new employer can help you obtain this permit. Talk to your company to see how they can assist you. On the other hand, it might be more complicated if you don’t have a job.

Make sure to take your birth certificate

Because you won’t have an ID for a period of time, you need to take your birth certificate with you. This will be a form of identification for you in the new country. It has all the information that an official might need to see. Also, make sure that you take several copies as well as the original. Keep them in a safe place while you travel. This is also one of the things you should put in your essentials bag. Furthermore, you will need two changes of clothes for each member of your family, snacks for the trip, your kids’ favorite toys, as well as important documents. Take this bag with you on the plane or in the car.

You will also need your medical records

You never know when you might get sick. Even a common cold can be dangerous if not treated properly. That is why it is important to pack your medical records when you are preparing the documents required for an international move. This is especially noteworthy if you have any conditions that require treatment. Furthermore, you should find a doctor as soon as you settle in in your new home. While it can be hard to find someone trustworthy in a foreign country, you can ask around for recommendations. You should also look for ways to stay healthy and reduce stress while moving. This can save you the health issues once you are done with moving.

Keep in mind that you might have to get vaccinated before you enter certain countries, especially in Africa. This is done in order to prevent the spread of diseases across borders. Also, this will protect you from diseases that the locals are already vaccinated against.

Take school records when preparing documents required for an international move

If you are moving overseas with kids, you need to take their documents into account as well. When you are enrolling them into a new school, you will need to present their old records and maybe even test scores. This will help them get into a grade that fits their level of knowledge. On the other hand, if your child is finished with high school, they will need their diploma in order to enroll in college. In any case, you should pack the original and at least two copies of these documents.

After you are finished packing for your relocation, you should double-check that you packed all the documents required for an international move. You don’t want any unpleasant surprises at the border or once you arrive there. Having the proper documentation will greatly relieve the stress of moving to a new country.