The Ultimate Checklist to Follow When Relocating Overseas [Part 1]
Moving abroad can be stressful. After all, it’s not easy to say goodbye to your country of birth and relocate several kilometers away to another continent. In the moving stress and hassle, expats often forget a few important things that need to be considered before moving, leading to complications later on. This checklist will help you streamline your international move.
Organize Your Documents
Moving overseas means that you need to have all your important documents ready to go. They’ll have to be verified for further confirmation, so it’s best to have them organized neatly, so that you don’t have to hunt for them at the last minute. Relevant documents you need to have with you include:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce certificate
- Child custody papers
- Education degree certificates
- Passport
Secure Housing before You Move
You don’t want to arrive at a new country with all your bags and boxes, only to be left wondering where to go. Hotel accommodation can be expensive as well as inconvenient if you stay for more than a few days. Besides, it’s an unsustainable option and will provide you with a roof for only so long. This is why it’s imperative that you secure adequate housing before you relocate, instead of going house hunting after you’ve arrived.
Think about it; do you really want to start your new life homeless? Wouldn’t it be easier if you could move into your new house, set it up the way you want, and familiarize yourself with the neighborhood at your earliest? It’ll also save you from the pressure of finding a place to stay urgently after arriving.
If possible, visit the country you’re moving to beforehand for house hunting purposes. If such a trip is out of the question, then at the very least, get in touch with a reliable realtor based in that country to guide you through the local real estate market and find a perfect home that fits your budget. Make sure you do your own research!
Go Over Tax Obligations
You may be a citizen of a highly developed country such as the United States or the United Kingdom, but that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be exempted from taxes. Tax obligations don’t just disappear when you move across international borders. No matter what country you decide to relocate to, taxes are most likely going to be a constant part of your life.
Of course, this varies region to region. Dubai, for instance, still offers tax-free packages to expats. However, the mega city’s tax-free policy isn’t an indication of how things are throughout the Emirates. Depending on where in UAE you’re moving to, you’ll still be liable for taxes. On the bright side, you have a greater chance on getting provisions to have your tax liabilities reduced. Whatever the case may be, make sure you’re aware of the potential tax obligations to avoid any nasty—and costly—surprises once you’ve relocated to the UAE.
Benchmark Attestation Services is an attestation agency based in Dubai that offers document attestation services to individuals relocating to the UAE. Get in touch with us today!