If you are moving to a new country, your move is likely to require a lot more planning and coordination than a move to a new city or state.  It’s also going to cost a lot more money, and you might find it easiest to simply sell your stuff rather than bring it with you.  However, if you want to bring America with you to your new nation of residence, here’s what to do:

Get the Necessary Paperwork

In addition to the normal concerns of a moving situation, you are also going to need specific information and documentation, including:

• Passports and Visas
• International Paperwork
• Local Embassy/Consulate
• Health Insurance
• Language Training
• Electrical Appliances
• Time Zones and Currency Calculators

You will need two to three months to prepare for your international relocation.  You should plan to talk to people who’ve done it before, and do your research.  Here, we can provide you with a few tips for a successful move overseas, but it will take a little legwork on your part to get the complete details.

If you don’t know where to start, try communicating with the office that handles visas or the U.S. Embassy in that country.

International Moving Companies

The best way to make your international move a successful one is to choose the right international mover.  International moving companies have the licenses, requisites and resources to move across borders.

Not all moving companies are international moving companies, and not all international moving companies can move you to the country you’re heading.  It’ll take a bit more searching to find an international moving company that can help your particular move.

Because of the extensive details that go into an international move, prices might vary significantly between companies.  Try talk to at least three different companies, communicating your needs, inquiring about insurance and getting an estimate of costs.

Packing

Because of the different requirements, inspections and weight limitations of shipping overseas, it is wise to let the moving company pack your boxes for you. If the country to which you are relocating has different outlets and/or voltage requirements, you may consider selling your appliances and buying new ones when you arrive. This will save you the hassle of finding adapters for every outlet in the house. Finally, especially if your move is temporary, you may also want to consider a storage unit for some of your items.

Shipping Your Car

Shipping your car overseas can be very expensive, depending on the type of car and where it’s going.  There is a good chance that it’ll cost more than your car is worth.  For example, a shipping compact car from New York to Australia can cost well over $2,000.  If the cost of shipping is prohibitive, you may want to consider selling your car at home and purchasing a new one overseas.

If you do bring your car, make sure to find out if your vehicle meets the environmental standards of the new country before you ship it.  You will also want to inquire about the cost of insurance, and the requirements for getting licensed to drive in your new location.