If you’re planning to relocate from the US to some other country, we’ve prepared a list of documents needed to travel abroad so you can have everything in one place. Don’t worry about forgetting something, we’ve got you covered. Once you go through this, you’ll be sure that you brought every document you need.
Since you’ve decided to leave the US and to relocate to another country, you must have already found the place you’ll live in and learned a bit of their language (or you plan to learn it abroad). After all of that, the only thing left is to get packing services and think about all the paperwork that’s required.
Passports and Visas Top the List of Essential Documents for International Travelling
Of course, the first and foremost document needed, no matter how long you plan to stay abroad, is a passport. If you don’t have one, apply as soon as you can.
The second one is a visa, a document that allows you to make a new home in a foreign land. There are many different types of visas, so it’s best to check with the consulate office of the land you’re moving to.
Document requirements vary by country, but each one requires at least these two documents from American citizens when moving overseas. No matter which of the friendliest countries in the world you choose to go, if you plan to stay longer than ninety days, some kind of visa will be required of you.
Where Can You Travel and Get a Visa Easily
Sometimes it’s ridiculously easy to get one, and sometimes you have to wait and go through a bit of struggle, but in the end, US citizens have very few problems with obtaining a visa. Countries where Americans can easily move and find a new home are:
- Canada
- Mexico
- Scandinavia
- UK and Ireland
- Any EU country
- Australia and New Zealand
- Costa Rica
- Singapore
Make Sure You Have a Valid Passport
You’ll have to renew your passport in case it’s expired. How the renewal process is going to look depends on a few things: your age, how long it has been expired, and whether you can provide the US Department of State with the expired one. You can do it by mail, using the Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82. If you’re in a hurry, you can fill that application online by downloading the form.
Planning to Relocate With Your Family? Don’t Forget to Check Their Documents
In case you’re relocating with your kids, be sure that they have all the documents they’ll need when traveling. Check their passports if they have them and see if they are valid. If they’re expired, update them ASAP. Passports for children under the age of sixteen are valid for five years, after which they are valid for the standard ten years. Babies also have to have passports, and you must appear in person to apply. Make sure you have copies of their birth certificates and medical records.
Other Important Documents You Need If You’re Planning to Move Overseas
Apart from those two essentials, you’ll need an official work permit if you’re hoping to find a job once you move, no matter where you are moving across the world. In order to obtain a work permit, contact the country’s consulate office in the US and gather all the information.
Next, make sure you bring copies of all your records and certificates – plenty of them and don’t forget to bring them all. Tax, school, medical and dental records, birth, and marriage certificates are just the most important ones. If, by chance, any person in your family uses medical devices or any medications, don’t forget to bring the prescriptions with you.
Don’t Risk by Not Having Insurance
Who knows what might happen once you relocate to another country. It would be best to do thorough research before moving and to find a good insurer. US health plans aren’t accepted everywhere, so you should buy insurance before you travel and also check out the information page of the place you’re relocating to.
Learn How Not to Make Mistakes While Traveling With Important Paperwork
People sometimes overlook certain must-dos when moving abroad. It is essential to bring them all, but another important part is to store them correctly. Don’t mix these papers with your other stuff – take them all and put it in one file. Make sure you always know where they are and keep them in some sort of handbag during the entire trip. The bag should be close to you, so it doesn’t get lost. If you leave them in some box or in the suitcase, it might happen that you lose them during traveling or at the airport.
Choosing the Right Moving Company Is Crucial
Relocating your whole life to another continent is one of the most significant changes one can make. You’ll have to adapt to a specific climate, culture, lifestyle, work ethics, and even if you chose one of the best places to live abroad, there is some worrying left, like thinking about your belongings. While they are moved internationally by sea or by air, something might get damaged or broken, and nobody wants that. That is why it would be a good idea to contact and hire a licensed and insured moving company with years of experience.
A Few More Tips About Moving Abroad
It’s good to work with a company that can provide you with a guaranteed price. International moving can be pricey, so you don’t want to get any unexpected fees or taxes at the end of your move. With a transparent way of working, you’ll have all the information and will be able to plan your budget upfront. In case you want to ship your car overseas with you, the company should be able to provide you with overseas vehicle shipping as well.
