The Expat Advisor

Along with the excitement of living in a new country comes the task of planning the move to your host country. Poor planning will result in a more stressful move for your family. Remember the last time your family moved in your home country?

Steps for a Successful Move

Most of us find moving domestically a stressful event; moving to a new country constitutes an even more challenging transition. Here is a list of steps you can take to ensure a successful move. Your company will expect you to”hit the ground running” as soon as possible after arrival in the host country. Minimizing problems with the move is your first priority. Success in this matter will show your company they picked the correct employee for the assignment.

1. Familiarization Visit

Ask if your employer provides a familiarization trip to the host country for you and your spouse prior to your final move. Exploring alternatives for housing, schooling, recreation and availability of goods, as well as beginning to learn the layout of the area you will be living in will greatly assist in your preparations.

2. Pre-shipment Inventory

Requirements for listing every item in your shipment can be a bother. If your paperwork is complete and in order, it will greatly speed up clearing your goods through customs in the host country. Every country has specific requirements for entry and clearance of personal property of foreign workers. A complete list of every item in your shipment is usually a requirement.

3. Pre-departure To Do List

Hopefully you have done a good amount of research before accepting your new assignment. Now you need to make sure all the important areas you gained knowledge of are taken care of. Suggestions for your ‘To Do’ list are as follows:

1. Make sure your passports and visas are in order.
2. Prepare to rent or sell some of your property before you move. Decide well in advance what should be stored, sold or given away. As the day of departure gets closer, you will not have time for these matters.
3. Visit your accountant or tax adviser. If you do not have one, discuss financial aspects of the move with the finance department in your company.
4. Organize your banking and insurance matters.
5. Prepare to carry important papers and documents that will be required in the host country.
6. Notify correspondents, friends and family of your address and get temporary change of address data from your sponsoring company.
7. Visit your doctor to discuss medical care in the host country. Make sure immunization records are up to date. If immunizations are needed, it is best to do this as far in advance of the departure date as possible.
8. Be sure to allocate a sufficient amount of “quality time” with friends and family before departure.