Are you looking to emigrate? The whole process of actually moving to a different country might seem quite monumental. This is especially true if you’re not familiar with how emigration works and what you can do to make the process as smooth as possible.
Fortunately for you, we’ve put together a shortlist of things you can do to painlessly move from one country to another. The methods described in this guide apply to almost every country around the world. Let’s begin!
Find Out If You’re Eligible Ahead Of Time
Moving from one country to another isn’t as simple as it seems. In many cases, you can’t just uproot, buy a plane ticket, land in a whole new place and carry on with your life. Each country has its own laws and rules that define who is eligible to immigrate and settle on its territory, the type of documentation necessary to apply, and more.
This is somewhat simpler for first-world countries as most have mutual visa agreements. For example, an American citizen won’t have too much trouble moving into a country of the European Union. American citizens don’t need a visa to enter the EU, thus making that important initial step — getting into the country — that much easier.
On the other hand, if you’re a citizen of a non-EU country such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, your chances of immigrating into the US or EU are much lower due to visa requirements and strict immigration policies put in place for such countries. Therefore, the first step of planning to emigrate is to figure out whether you’re even eligible to move to your country of choice.
Have a Job Waiting For You
One of the best ways to make an easy transition when moving to another country is to have a job lined up when you get there. Moving from the UK all the way to New Zealand only to burn through most of your savings while you job hunt is not a smart move. By having a job already lined up when you get there you’ll be able to hit the ground running and not worry about the basic living expenses.
But wait, there’s more! By far the most important benefit of having a job lined up in a new country is the employer’s pull with the government. Even if you can enter another country visa-free, that doesn’t mean you’ll get a work permit just by showing up. In many cases, you’ll need to get a domestic employer involved as a guarantor of sorts.
Depending on the country you’re moving to, having an employer vouch for you can be the only way you’re getting a work permit and a permanent residence status.
Pack Light
Alright, so you’ve figured out the laws and immigration regulations of your new country, and you’ve found a job with a reputable employer. Now it’s time to actually make the move. The best way to go about this is to only bring the things you can’t do without. That way you can travel light, your moving costs will be nearly non-existent, and you’ll be free to start fresh at your new home.
However, if you decide to move most of your belongings with you, make sure to use a professional moving service that has experience in international moving. This process can be very complex and is definitely not something you should arrange by yourself if you’re not familiar with international logistics.
Oh, and leave the car at home. Shipping a car to a new country is the easiest part. Importing said car is where things get hairy. Different countries and unions of countries have different laws regarding the import of cars. In most cases, you can’t just show up at the local equivalent of the DMV and get your tags. Unless you’re moving to an adjacent country that has very similar laws regarding motor vehicles, you’ll be far better off selling your car before emigrating, and then buying another car in-country.
Do Your Research
Doing your research and making a detailed plan is a key to painless and successful emigration. Considering all the hidden administrative traps and bureaucratic hurdles you might face along the way, it’s always better to spend time gathering as much information as you can about your new home.
If you do everything right, your entire journey will be an exciting adventure that will stick with you for as long as you’re alive. Not doing research and going in blind will turn that exciting adventure into a nightmare.