Beginning a new life in a foreign country can be deeply satisfying. The new culture, the people, the change in environment. Becoming a global nomad gives you the fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and go to regions of the world that you otherwise might not have had the chance to see.
No matter where your adventure as a digital nomad takes you, the possibilities for travel are unlimited because every location offers a different assortment of one-of-a-kind experiences. But when you consider all that, you have to do in your home country and even the one you’re moving to another country, it can seem like a lot of work.
So, before you start the preparations, such as booking your tickets, packing your bags and saying goodbye to all your friends and relatives. Here are a few tips to help you on your travel journey.
Here are 8 steps to help you move abroad:
Apply For or Renew Your Passport
Passports are forms of identification that are granted by a government or other governing authority. International passports are the most common type of passport. An individual’s identity and citizenship must be verified by an international passport in order to fulfill its primary function, which is to ease travel from one nation to another and to serve as proof of an individual’s citizenship. As an expat, in order to submit an application for a visa, you are required to have a current passport. Certain nations require that your passport be valid for an additional six months after the date of your intended departure from their territory. You are able to get your passport renewed at the destination country’s Embassy or consulate in your area even if you do not have a specific return date planned and if it expires while you are traveling outside the country.
Apply for your Visa
As a global nomad or an expat planning on moving to a different nation at some point in the future, this is one of the things that you absolutely must take care of before making a move abroad as global nomad, you may want to be aware of your destination at this point. A visa is generally viewed as an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country. Most countries require visas if you are going to stay there for a medium or long period of time.
There are several types of visas, these include tourist, immigration, student, or work.
As an expat, you’ll need to get an immigrant visa. It’s sometimes a long and arduous process so make sure you are prepared to fill out certain forms, and there’s every chance you might have to do it again. Lots of important documents would also be required by the embassy, so give yourself time to get them before applying to prevent any stress.
Research Your Expat Destination
Even if you are very familiar with the country you are going to, you need to carry out research prior to be able to answer important questions like transportation within the country; will you drive, does the bus transit commute suite your daily needs? If you plan to drive, do you get a new car or ship your current one down to your new country? In which case you’ll need to get an ‘International Driver’s License. Also, before making the big move, familiarize yourself with the culture of your new home by reading up on its history and becoming familiar with the way its government functions today.
Learn a few words and phrases in the local language if you’re relocating to a new nation where you don’t already speak it and familiarize yourself with the country’s social mores and standards of etiquette by reading up on them and watching movies and reading books that are set there. Conducting research and gaining a grasp of the culture will help mitigate the effects of culture shock and reduce the likelihood of making embarrassing social gaffes. Moreover, if you do not already speak the language, you should consider enrolling in language classes or, at the at least, trying to download an app that will teach you the language. This will help you integrate into your new environment and establish new acquaintances.
Buy International Health Insurance
Global health insurance is a type of insurance that covers medical expenses that arise due to an illness or injury when you are living abroad. These expenses could be related to hospitalization costs, cost of medicines or doctor consultation fees, but can often also include medical evacuation, dental, vision, virtual doctor, out-patient medical expenses, medication and much more.
If you don’t have the right health insurance abroad, the cost of medical treatment abroad can be enormously expensive. Also, as an expat it’s quite likely that you would be travelling a lot.
International health insurance ensures that you are protected (of course, just as you are within the cover area of your premium). This makes traveling around your new region and taking advantage of everything it has to offer simpler, more cost-effective, and an overall better time for you.
An easy way to get this started is to start a discussion online with Expat Financial as they offer a wide variety of very high-quality global medical plans for expats and global nomads living abroad. We are experts in helping global nomads become insured nomads.
Have a Dedicated Savings Account
Moving to the next block can run you a pretty penny, but if you compound that cost by ten, you could have an idea of how much it will set you back to move halfway around the world. The cost of living abroad includes the usual expenses such as housing deposits, movers, and transportation, but it also comes with a few fun additions such as visa documents, international insurance, and even the possibility that you will need to hire a lawyer to help you navigate all of the legal requirements.
When faced with a situation like this, the time-tested recommendation of having enough savings for six months comes in handy; nonetheless, this sum truly needs to be considered a bare minimum when migrating to another country. Begin by conducting research on current exchange rates as well as the cost of living in your new location. Next, combine this information with your salary to create a monthly budget that is appropriate for your move. Then, before you move, make it a goal to put aside enough money to cover your expenses for the next six months so that you are prepared for any unexpected expenses that may arise.
You should also look into the steps for opening a bank account abroad and consider the fees and foreign exchange costs and rates.
Sort Out Your Electronics
Remember that different parts of the world use different types of electrical plugs as well as different voltages. Therefore, you should check what voltages your equipment takes before plugging in your hair straightener, burning it, and turning out all the lights in the current housing.
Buy Your Plane Ticket
The purchase of your flight well in advance of your departure date, mostly so you can score a decent rate, should be another item on your going abroad checklist. You can watch bargains, routinely check several websites, and keep an eye out for a good deal if you start your travel preparation early.
Create a List
Create a list of everything you intend to bring with you as well as everything you intend to sell, including your plane tickets and passport. Put a checkmark next to each item as it is completed. Compile a list of the items that you would be selling, which included books, some clothing, and various pieces of furniture and appliances. Take the list with you to work, make copies of it, and then distribute it to everyone.
We hope that you have found our list helpful in your current or future expat adventure. We recommend that you do as much planning in advance to make sure you and your family’s journey abroad is as successful, safe and enriching as possible.
