Thinking about an international relocation from India to Canada, the USA, the UK, Australia, or somewhere else? It can feel overwhelming with all the steps involved. From picking the right international movers to dealing with visas and paperwork, it can seem like a lot. Not to mention the stress of adjusting to life in a whole new country! But do not worry, you are not alone in this. We have put together this simple guide to help you make the process smoother and less stressful.
Whether you are moving for a new job, to retire, or to pursue studies, the whole relocation thing is a big deal. But if you break it down step by step, it is doable. In this guide, we are going to walk you through everything you need to know – from how to prepare, what to expect, and the little things that can make a huge difference. We are not going to throw a ton of technical jargon at you, just easy tips and advice from people who have been through it themselves.
We know it can be hard to juggle all the details when you are planning your move, but we are here to make it a little easier. So, if you are feeling stressed about the whole international relocation process, do not sweat it. With a bit of prep and the right information, you will be all set to start your new chapter without the unnecessary headaches. Ready? Let’s dive in!
Steps to Move to Another Country
Understanding the stages and steps involved in the process of international relocation makes the process easier and smoother for you. Here are the tips that you must follow to have a smooth overseas move:
Start Early
Moving to a new country involves a series of tasks, and you would not like to make any mistakes during the process. Therefore, you should start preparing for the process as early as possible. International relocation is not like local house shifting in India. It requires your time and patience. The moment you come to know or decide to move abroad, you should start preparing for it. Your first step towards it should be to start building up savings. Analyze all the expenses and costs of living abroad. Consider the most common expenses, such as visa application fees, transportation costs, shipping charges, customs clearance fees, healthcare and insurance, medical expenses, flight fare, etc. Apart from this, consider the expenses of living abroad like utility bills, food, rent, commuting, etc.
Based on your research, create your moving budget and start saving your money at least six months before you move. You get the time to save money as well as find a job for the future.
Understand the Visa Process
Without a visa, you won’t be able to live in a new country and get a job. Even more importantly, if you don’t know what type of visa you need can get you in trouble. Either you will be returned to your home country or even banned from entering the new country for several years. Therefore, it is crucial to know what type of visa you need and prepare for it.
If you are moving to a new country for a long period, ensure the visa is valid for at least a year. The visa should also allow you to get a new job, study, and travel. One of the easiest ways to get a visa is to find a job in the new country, and your employer will sponsor a work visa for you.
Organize Your Paperwork
Now that you know what type of visa and permits you need for your international move from India, it’s time for you to organize the paperwork. You might overlook the importance of arranging all the important documents, but arranging them ahead of time aids in a smooth transition. International relocation involves a lot of paperwork and documentation, and you won’t want to ruin your planning due to the misplacement of any documents.
Get in touch with a reliable packer and mover company in India to know what legal documents are required for an international move. Apart from your passport and visa, you will require your academic, medical, legal, and financial documents. Do your research and get them arranged before relocation. Make sure to have four to five copies of all the documents beforehand, and keep the digital copies of these documents as well.
A few of the most common documents that you require while moving overseas include a visa, a Passport, a Birth Certificate, Medical Reports, Degrees, a Marriage Certificate, an International Health Insurance Card, a Bank Statement, and Children’s School Records. Do not hand over these documents to your international movers and packers, they will ship them with other goods. Just keep them with you in your luggage so that they are easily accessible.
Know Your Country Before Moving
Every country’s culture and customs are different. When moving to a new country, you must know what to normal there and what is not acceptable. Well, many people are already living abroad and share their valuable suggestions. You can check some videos and blogs, where they share their experience of living abroad. How’s life abroad? How do they pay their bills? What is it to find a handyman? From finding an emergency service to the basic etiquette to meet new people, you will learn about everything online. Do your research and prepare yourself accordingly.
Another way to learn about expats’ experiences to educate yourself about the country’s cultural norms and other things is to join an expat group online. Yes, many social media platforms, where you will see many expats have joined such groups, where they share essential information and experiences. This lets you learn about the country’s norms, social events, laws, and customs that are not available otherwise.
Take Language Training
Language could be your biggest barrier to adapting to local customs and culture in the new country. Hence, you should learn the new language before going. You will find many apps and websites where you can learn the language of your new country. Proficiency in the local language is not only beneficial in fostering relationships and making friends but also helps you get your dream job in the country. You will find a job more quickly than people who don’t know the local language. If you can’t be proficient in learning the new language, learn some basic sentences to at least communicate with local vendors and people to have a trouble-free day.
Find Housing
Employers may or may not provide accommodation to their employees while settling abroad. Also, if you don’t have a job before moving, you will have to arrange for housing. Moving to a new country will allow you to rent an apartment in the early days. First, learn about the process of how you can find an apartment, house, or condo in your new country. If you have any relatives already living in the country, you can ask them for any arrangements or connect with the expat groups you have joined online. Ask them to share any ideas.
Apart from this, finding housing requires paperwork and documentation. This means you will have to submit a few important documents as well as security money. If you are unsure about finding housing online, we suggest you book a hotel or lodge. Also, secure your lodging for at least a month so that you can live there peacefully until you find the right housing.
Following these tips, you will be able to plan your international relocation. After this, the next stage is to pack and ship your belongings overseas. So, let’s see how you ship your goods overseas.
Steps of Door-to-Door International Moving
International relocation is an exciting event, but at the same time, a cumbersome process. It involves a series of tasks and requires professional skills to execute the process. Here are the steps involved in the process of overseas move that will let you have a safe, smooth, and peaceful relocation experience. Find International Packers and Movers in India
Without the assistance of professional packers and movers in India, you cannot expect a safe and smooth relocation experience. Moving companies affiliate with international shipping companies as well as customs clearance agents and officials. With their network of professionals, they transport your goods safely from India to Canada, Italy, France, or any other destination you prefer.
Therefore, the first step in a safe international move from India to the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, or other countries is to find professional packers and movers near you. Create a list of all the companies dealing in overseas relocation. Browse their website, check their specialization, and shortlist the ones that meet your requirements. Do not forget to check their ratings and Google reviews.
Get Quotes from the Shortlisted Companies
Contact the companies you have shortlisted for your move. Ask them to provide their price quotes. Most reliable companies suggest scheduling a pre-move survey, which allows them to assess your goods and other requirements to determine the final price. Get price quotes from all the shortlisted companies. You should get estimates from at least three companies. This lets you compare international packers and movers rates in India. Every company follows distinct parameters to estimate its charges. As a result, the charges vary from company to company. Comparing quotes helps you hire the best and most affordable service provider relevant to your needs.
Organize Your Belongings
While packing your goods, you must keep a detailed listing of the contents. Label all the boxes and write a description of the contents inside. This eases the customs clearance process. Also, if you label the boxes with fragile items, anyone handling the box will handle it with care. Besides, organizing your belongings also helps you in the unpacking process. Just imagine that after reaching the destination, you need something and you will have to find it from a sea of boxes. Imagine how tiring it could be.
Know the Shipping Restrictions
Before you pack all your belongings and prepare them for transportation, it is essential to know what is prohibited and restricted from international shipping. You wouldn’t want to get refused for entry to the port because your shipment has a restricted item. So, be sure of what you are carrying. It will also be wise to create a detailed packing list. Some restricted goods are living plants, inflammable items, hazardous chemicals, fireworks etc. Apart from learning what you can’t ship, learn the process of how you can ship your goods. Do you need to pack them using any special packing materials or in a different way? Labeling the boxes and having a comprehensive packing list will help you avoid any fines and delays.
Choose the Right Shipping Method
Once you are aware of the international shipping restrictions and you have organized your belongings, it’s time for you to choose the right shipping method. For shipping your goods overseas, you get the two most common modes of transportation—sea cargo and air cargo. Your budget, shipment volume and type, and preference determine the type of shipping method you should choose. If your shipment contains any time-sensitive goods or you need them to be delivered urgently, then go with air cargo services. For larger or bulky shipments, choose sea cargo. Let your movers know what shipment method you want to use to ship your belongings and plan accordingly.
Get Your Goods Packed
On the scheduled date, professional packers and movers come to your place to pack all your goods. If you have opted for complete door-to-door international relocation, then packers will pack and move your goods. Using high-quality packaging materials, they pack all your possessions safely. Once packing is done, movers transport your goods to their warehouse, where they containerize them. Make sure to provide all the details and documents for the shipment that will be used during customs clearance.
Clearance of Customs Rule
Once your goods are packed and ready for shipment, they go through the customs clearance process. This is conducted in both countries by the customs officers. Your movers will handle the entire process and ensure everything goes smoothly. They will update you on the same when it’s done. Once your shipment is cleared at the source country, your movers ship the shipment. After reaching the destination, the shipment once again goes through the customs clearance process. Once it reaches the destination, movers store the shipment in their warehouse until you arrive at your destination.
Delivery of Your Goods to Your New Place
The final step is to deliver your goods to your new home. Once you reach your new home country, your movers deliver the goods to your doorstep. They begin the process of unloading and unpacking to let you settle into the new place. Unpacking and rearranging stuff are value-added services. So, you must discuss this with your moving company if you need this service. Besides, your movers also provide destination services and settling-in services. Book them in advance to avoid any last-minute hassle.
Final Thoughts: International Relocation Guide
In a nutshell, lots of things happen during an international move, but careful planning and good time management help you prepare for the move. You can save time and money during your move. If you follow every step discussed above, we guarantee you a safe and hassle-free international relocation experience. If you are looking for packers and movers in India for your international move, you can count on Moving Solutions. From this trusted portal, you can obtain 3 quotes from fully vetted international movers, compare the rates, and choose the right one.
A copywriter, blogger, content strategist by profession, and an information junkie by heart. I have a penchant for reading, researching, writing, and anything related to creating persuasive content. For me, writing is something that ignites my creativity and helps in keeping me on cloud nine. I have been working in the content writing domain since 2006. Be it blogging or copywriting, I create better content that fuels conversations and skyrockets search traffic.
