Moving Abroad For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Moving abroad comes with a lot of decisions, but having the right information can make the process smoother. This Cheat Sheet covers key topics to help you get started.

Top visas for living abroad

Whether you want to work, study, or retire abroad, you need the proper permission. Find out which visa is the best fit for you:

• Short-stay visa: Typically permits you to stay in a country for 30 to 180 days.
• Long-stay visa: To stay in a country longer than a few months, get a long-stay visa (which come in a variety of categories based on the purpose of your stay).
• Working holiday visa: For people aged 30 to 35 or younger who want to work jobs physically located abroad. Typically valid for one year, some countries offer extensions to citizens of certain nationalities.
• Study permit: For those who want to study abroad, whether you want to learn a language, take a certificate program, or enroll in a higher education institution.
• Work permit: If you have specialized, high-demand skills or receive a job offer abroad, you can qualify.
• Self-employment visa: For freelancers and sole proprietors who want to serve clients in your host country.
• Digital nomad visa: Designed for remote workers and online professionals who want to live abroad for a short time while working remotely (6 months to 5 years).
• Golden visa: For people who want to acquire residency or citizenship in a country by investing in real estate, a business, or other investments, including government donations.
• Startup visa: You want to launch a business in a foreign country as a founder or company owner.
• Retiree visa: For financially independent retirees who want to live on their pensions or savings abroad.
• Family reunification: Available to join family abroad, such as a parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, or child.
• Temporary residency: Available in various categories, lasting from 1 to 5 years.
• Permanent residency: After living in a country for 1 to 10 years, you may be eligible to convert your temporary residency status to a permanent one.
• Second citizenship: You may be able to acquire citizenship in a second country through naturalization, investment, marriage, family ancestry, or other categories.

Moving abroad checklist

Use this checklist to help your move go smoothly before  your arrival in your new home. Start planning your move at least 3 to 12 months before your arrival date:

• Set your timeline. Select a target date (day, month, or year) for your move.
• Create a budget. Calculate your cost of living abroad, moving expenses, and how much to save for your move.
• Choose a destination. Research the places you most want to live. Find out about the climate, culture, language, job opportunities, things to do, and permission options to stay.
• Identify a path to a visa, residency, or citizenship. Determine how long you want to live abroad and apply for a visa or residency permit that you qualify for.
• Collect important documents. Apply for or renew your passport. For your visa or residency application, you may need original records or official copies that have been notarized, apostilled, or translated.
• Plan an exploratory trip. If you have the budget to visit your destination country before moving there, do so.

Prepare for your move after you figure out the specifics:

• Downsize your stuff. Organize your belongings into five categories — items to keep, sell, store, donate, and discard or recycle.
• Calculate shipping costs. If you have anything to send abroad, get a few shipping quotes from international movers.
• Moving with pets. Check pet travel, vaccine, and quarantine requirements.
• Moving with children. Look into school options and enrollment requirements.
• Reserve your housing. Decide whether to rent or buy a property abroad, and consider booking a short-term rental while getting acclimated to your host country.
• Book your travel tickets. Arrange your transportation, whether you’re traveling by plane, train, car, bus, or boat.
• Schedule medical check-ups. Book appointments with your doctors, dentists, and other care providers before departing. Get any recommended vaccines for travel.
• Organize your finances. Notify your bank, tax authorities, and insurance providers of your move. Also, consider setting up a Power of Attorney, will, trust, and safe deposit box in your home country. Renew your debit and credit cards.
• Update your address. Set up mail forwarding and change your address with your postal service.
• Update your phone. Adjust your phone plan to add coverage in your new destination or purchase a travel eSIM. You can also acquire a local SIM card abroad.
• Purchase travel insurance. Book a policy that covers you in your destination country.
• Start packing. Take the essential items, from clothing to medicines and electronics.
• Collect cash. Withdraw money before you move in your home country’s currency and convert some of that cash into your host country’s currency.
• Schedule services. Arrange the installation of water, electricity, internet, and phone services at your destination.
• Travel safely. Enjoy your new life abroad.

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