Relocation Abroad & Moving Tips for Expatriate Families

Accepting a position overseas, either with a new employer or relocating abroad for your current employer, makes you an expatriate. This makes you a different and often separate class of employee. Along with the excitement of living in a new country comes the task of relocating abroad. Poor planning will result in a more stressful move to any location for your family. Remember the last time the family made a move to a new location? Most of us find moving domestically a stressful event; moving to a new area constitutes an even more challenging transition. Every section of this article is relevant and very helpful, especially the moving tips. And we did not forget your children. Included are free downloads section for clean, safe and fun colouring activities for kids of all ages.

Here is a list of steps you can take to ensure a successful move to any location the company assigns you. The company will expect you to "hit the ground running" as soon as possible after arrival in the host country. Minimizing problems with the move to the new host country must be a first priority. Success in this matter will show the company they picked the correct employee for the assignment. Often utilizing the services from one of the international moving companies when moving to an overseas location can be very helpful.

Here is a list of steps you can take to ensure a successful move to any location the company assigns you. The company will expect you to "hit the ground running" as soon as possible after arrival in the host country. Minimizing problems with the move to the new host country must be a first priority. Success in this matter will show the company they picked the correct employee for the assignment. Often utilizing the services from one of the international moving companies when moving to an overseas location can be very helpful.

1. Familiarization Visit

Ask if your company provides a familiarization trip to the host country for you and your spouse prior to the final moving. Exploring alternatives for real estate, housing, international schooling, recreation and availability of goods, as well as beginning to learn the layout of the area where you will live in will greatly assist in preparations for departure on your international adventure.

2. Pre-shipment Inventory

Requirements for listing every item in a shipment can be a bother. If all paperwork is complete and in order, it will greatly speed up clearing goods through customs in the host country. Every country has a list of specific requirements for entry and clearance of personal property of foreign workers. A complete list of every item in your shipment is usually a requirement.

3. Pre-departure To Do List

Hopefully if will have been possible to do a good amount of research before accepting the new assignment. Now make sure all the important areas you gained knowledge of are taken care of. Suggestions for a 'To Do' list are as follows:

• Make sure passports and visas are in order.
• Prepare to rent or sell some of your property before you move. Decide well in advance what should be stored, sold or given away. As the day of departure gets closer it is for sure there will be little time for these matters.
• Visit an accountant or tax adviser. If you do not have one, discuss financial aspects of the move with the finance department in your company.
• Organize your banking and insurance matters. Ask the company about expatriate health insurance and for information on other types of expatriate insurance coverage available.
• Prepare to carry important papers and documents that will be required in the host country.Have more than one list of these documents.
• Notify correspondents, friends and family of your address and get temporary change of address data from the sponsoring company.
• Visit the doctor to discuss medical care in the host country before departure. Make sure immunizations records are up to date. If immunizations are needed, it is best to do this as far in advance of the departure date as possible.
• Be sure to allocate a sufficient amount of Quality Time with friends and family before departure.