Moving abroad is a big and life-changing experience that requires a lot of preparation. There are many things you should know before moving overseas. And plan for them accordingly so that you are ready for your new life. Also, keep in mind that for some of those things you can also consult the national shipping company of Saudi Arabia which you hired for the move.
Make sure that you take care of all the documentation
Moving abroad will require taking care of a lot of documentation. Which you will need for many things, from passing customs to getting a job. Often one or two documents gets overlooked. Whether that means that you forget to prepare some document, or another one has expired. And having to halt your move while you have already made plans for everything can cost you a lot of money and time. So it is best to double-check all the documentation and make sure that you have all that is going to be needed. Another good thing to know before moving overseas is that you should make multiple copies of all the documents as you will inevitably need some of them during the move and some after. Here are some essential documents that you must have ready for your overseas move and make sure that they are valid:
- Passport
- Visa
- Work Permit
- Birth Certificate
- Medical Records
- School Records
- Marriage Certificates
- Driver’s license
- Pet Vaccination Records
Health Care
First of all, make sure that you take care of your health coverage in your country. Whether you need to cancel your current health coverage or change it. Then find out how the health system of your new country functions. And prepare for it accordingly. Another thing to know before moving overseas is that you will most likely need to take some vaccines if you haven’t already. Also, make sure to bring medical records with you in case you need them. If you are taking any medicine make sure to check is it available in the country you are moving to and how accessible it is.
One of the most important things to know when moving overseas is the language
Considering that you are going to be living there being able to communicate well is important. So see which language or languages they speak. Do they speak your language too? It would be good to at least know the basics for a start. Even better if you can get a head start and go to classes to learn the language better way ahead of the move. Because while you can use google translate for some things. There is also the fact that you are going to be going to government offices and dealing with paperwork which will be in that language too. Either way, if you are planning to live there for a long period of time it would be good to learn the language.
Decide on what to bring with you and how you are going to transport it
When you are moving locally or cross country it’s as simple as just letting the movers transport your belongings with trucks. But moving overseas is obviously different and requires a different approach. You will also have to keep in mind whether will you be bringing your furniture too or just smaller things. As that can also be a deciding factor in how you decide to transport your belongings. Don’t forget that you can always leave some items in a storage unit and ship them later to your new home. It is also important to be careful and to avoid common shipping and freight frauds. There are two common ways to transport your belongings overseas and pros and cons to each.
Moving overseas using sea freight
This is a very common way to transport your belongings in an overseas move. You will load up all your things in a shipping container and the international moving company that you hired will bring the container to your new home when it arrives in the country you are moving to. The downside of this way of transporting your belongings is that it is very slow. And if you are on a tight schedule, it would be impractical. Or if you just want want to wait a long time for your belongings to arrive.
Moving overseas using air freight
Another option is to use ocean freight to Saudi Arabia to transport your goods. This is a more expensive option but it is more convenient and efficient. It is worth the money and is an option with which many people go with. Air freight is much faster and more reliable than sea freight. So you will know exactly when your belongings will arrive and can coordinate them with everything else to make your move easier.
Another two important things to know before moving overseas is how you are going to move your pet and car?
Moving your pet
Moving internationally with your pets can be complicated and you should get all the necessary information about it and plan it ahead of the move. It is highly likely that your pet will require some vaccinations and proof that it was vaccinated. So make sure to check the vaccination requirements of the country to which you are moving. And have the documentation ready that shows your pet was vaccinated. The next thing would be to check pet import laws. Some countries require that your pet is microchipped, has a pet passport or health certificate. Once all of that is taken care of you need to see how will you transport your pet. What are the procedures and requirements for the airline you are going to be using?
Transporting your car
If you are planning to bring your car with you there are some things you have to take into consideration. Check all the guidelines for operating vehicles and the licensing requirements. And whether your vehicle is allowed and will you be able to drive it in that country. Same as other cargo, they are usually transported by sea or air freight. It would be good to also consult your movers or an international auto transport company.
