According to the Interactive World Migration Report of 2022, which was conducted by the International Organization for Migration, around 280 million people move to another country every year. 

While moving to a new country provides you with the opportunity to start a new life, if you plan on doing this yourself, then you will have to get all your ducks in a row sooner rather than later to turn this thought into a reality. 

In terms of logistics the act of moving overseas requires lots of forward planning, and for some of the elements involved, it may take a lot of time. So, to make you aware of what you may need to do, we’ve put together this list of six things every family should know before moving to a new country. 

If you follow these guidelines, hopefully, you’ll find the process of relocating overseas relatively plain sailing (or flying, whatever the case might be!).

1. Find out the Cost of Living 

Although the thought of moving overseas might excite you, it is important to get a handle on what life will be like if you do move. 

In some countries, for instance, Thailand, Vietnam, Costa Rica or Greece, you may well be financially better off if you do relocate there. That is because the cost of rent or mortgage from buying a house, along with groceries, utilities, school fees and social activities, might all be significantly cheaper. 

However, if you plan on heading over to places like England, Singapore, Switzerland or Scandinavia you may end up having to fork out more for the cost of living than you currently are. 

While this might not be an issue, given what the potential benefits moving overseas will provide you with, it is worth gaining a full appreciation of how much your daily, weekly and monthly lives will cost when you do take up residence in your chosen destination. 

2. Understand Visa and Residency Requirements 

If you do intend to move to a different country, you will need to procure a visa for yourself and your family. 

As different countries have different immigration policies, it is within your interests to make sure you apply for the type of visa or residency permit that best suits your family’s needs. 

For instance, some countries might have special visa categories that cater to families, while other nations may require you to secure employment before allowing you to move.  

Understanding these requirements before submitting an application will go a long way towards helping you avoid delays or potential legal issues. Therefore, it is a good idea to seek the advice of a specialist lawyer or migration expert to help you navigate this potential minefield. 

Here is some more information from the Australian government about getting a foreign visa. 

3. Organise Removalists 

Moving home is a stressful experience at the best of times. But that level of stress is amplified many folds when you are trying to organise an overseas relocation. 

As a family, you’ll no doubt have plenty of possessions you’ll want to ship over to your new address, which can be a logistical nightmare. Not least because only a few specialist companies can help you do it. 

For this reason, it is worth doing thorough research to find a business, such as removalists in Sydney with Muval, that can help you organise all aspects of your move. 

To find one you are comfortable hiring, make sure you get detailed quotes in writing from them and check out the Google or TrustPilot reviews about them. 

4. Find Somewhere to Live 

You are going to need somewhere to stay from the day you arrive in your new country. So, you should make provisions to find suitable accommodation. 

This could involve staying in a hotel or Airbnb for a period of time until you can find a rental property. Or it could involve securing one or buying a place before you move. 

Whichever way you decide to go, it is important to understand the country’s rental and housing market. Some countries have strict regulations about renting to foreigners over locals, while others may require long-term leases. 

You should also be mindful of the neighbourhood in which you are planning to move into, evaluating factors like crime rates, proximity to healthcare services and quality of schools. 

5. Organise Bank Accounts and Finances 

Before you move, you will need to determine how the banking system works in your new country. 

Ideally you should open up new bank accounts for all of your family members. However, if you don’t want to do this, you will need to understand what the currency exchange rates currently are and how sudden increases in it might affect your budgeting overall. 

It is vital to have your finances in order to ensure you can access your funds without hiccups. 

6. Work our How to Make New Friends 

Lastly, as exciting as moving to a new country can be, it can also be isolating experience if you struggle to make friends. 

There is nothing worse than being in a place where nobody knows you, especially if there is a language barrier that might impair your ability to make social connections. 

For this reason, you should make yourself away of sports teams, social clubs or expat groups you can join or community events you can partake in within your local area. 

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.