Moving Overseas Checklist
People move overseas permanently for a variety of reasons, the most common being to obtain a good job opportunity in a new location. However, the decision to move overseas should never be made without careful investigation and consideration. There are many important factors to be taken into account when you make an international move. Here are some things to do to prepare for moving overseas.
Start preparing for moving overseas at least two months before you plan to actually leave. First of all, start looking for good international moving company. Decide which items in your house you want to ship overseas and which ones you are going to leave behind or give away. Give the items that you're not taking to your relatives and friends, sell them on eBay or hold a Garage Sale. Start sorting and packing the items that you are going to take. Decide what you will do with your car and house; the most common solution is to sell both. In case you have pets, you will have to decide what you will do with them.
Next, see to it that all your documents and paperwork are in perfect order. Important documents include visas, permits, passports, etc. Start contacting friends and relatives and tell them about your plans. Close your bank accounts before you leave. And dispose of or close all credit cards and charge accounts that you are not going to use in the foreign country. It is better to shred all the documents that you don't need instead of just dumping them in the garbage.
Visit your health clinic and get all the required vaccinations. Notify your doctor that you will be moving overseas and get a copy of all the prescriptions and medical letters. In case you are taking your pets with you, then see to it that they are properly vaccinated. Check with customs as to which items are cannot be taken to the foreign country. Notify your company as well as all the utility companies such as electricity, water, telephone, gas, that you will be moving out. Start paying off any outstanding bills.
Next return all the books that you have borrowed from the library. Also cancel all subscriptions to magazines, charities and organizations. Return any items that you have borrowed from your friends or relatives. Also start using up food in the refrigerator. Similarly, go through the kitchen cupboards and start using the food. You will have to buy some local currency and traveler's checks one week before you move. Start packing clothes, important documents and jewelery.
3 days before you depart, stop taking clothes to your laundry or dry cleaner. Search for important keys and keep the locks ready for your bags to be locked on the final day. Defrost and empty your refrigerator. Also collect any clothes from the drycleaners as well. Try to finish as much packing as you can one day before you start moving. On moving day, just go in every room and make certain that you haven't left anything that you will need.