This is a post about moving abroad checklist.

Moving abroad is an incredible adventure! I love it so much I started this website to help people like you move abroad too.

Whether you’re relocating for work, study or just a new lifestyle, there’s plenty to organise before you board your flight. This pre-moving abroad checklist ensures you won’t overlook important tasks and helps you smoothly transition to life overseas.

Moving Abroad Checklist:

Table of Contents

Research Visa and Immigration Requirements

It’s amazing the amount of people who think you can just pick up and go to another country and decide to stay and work there. Depending on your passport and where you’re going, you might well be able to! However, most of the time that won’t be the case. But it’s ok because many countries offer plenty of different visas to help you make the move.

Understanding immigration rules is crucial. Each country has different visa requirements based on the length and purpose of your stay.

Check and double-check the official government website of your chosen destination for:

Visa application processes
Required documents
Fees and processing times
Validity and renewal rules

Starting early saves stress later. And even though travel blogs like mine or people on socials might be giving you good and accurate information, these things change often. Always ALWAYS check with the Consulate/Embassy of the country you’re interested in. Usually you can just send an email and then you’ll also have their reply “on paper” in case you need to show someone you followed official instructions.

Check Your Passport

Make sure your passport is valid with sufficient pages and at least six months validity left (a common requirement). Renew your passport early if needed to avoid delays in your travel plans. And make sure to do that well in advance of a trip just in case there are any delays! I’m currently days away from a multi-country trip but only recently realised I only had one page left on mine so I rushed to renew it and now am waiting with baited breath to see whether I’ll get the new one back in time! Do as I say, not as I do 😅😂

Learn About Your Destination

Understanding your new country’s customs and culture can ease your transition:

Learn basic phrases in the local language
Read expat forums and blogs for practical insights + chat with people who have moved where you’re going
Familiarise yourself with local customs and etiquette
Research public transportation, supermarkets and other daily life essentials

Sort Out Your Finances

Managing your finances efficiently will significantly ease your transition:

Inform your bank about your move and ask about overseas accounts or international banking options
Consider currency exchange rates and money transfer options like Wise for lower fees
Set up internet banking for easy management abroad

I personally love Monzo, it’s super easy to use and I travel everywhere with it! It’s super easy to freeze it too in case you have it stolen or lost. If you’re in the UK and want to sign up to it, you and I can get £5 if you use this link.

Monzo uses Wise to make international transfers and that’s also super easy to do on the Monzo app!

If Monzo is not available in your country, have a look at Wise and Revolut.

Moving abroad checklist.

Create a Realistic Budget

Before your move, clearly outline expected costs:

Rent and deposit
Transportation costs (public transport or a vehicle)
Groceries and eating out
Mobile phone plan
Health insurance
Initial setup costs (furniture, utilities)

I find this one of the hardest things to figure out. Whenever people ask me how much it costs to live in London I never know how to answer because it depends on so many things! What kind of lifestyle do you have? I’ve made London work for me with all kinds of budgets. Fortunately, nowadays you can find most things online. For instance, do you want to know how much you’ll spend on groceries? You can literally simulate an online shop on a supermarket’s website (not in every country, of course). You can find out how much rent is from real estate agents websites, etc. This way you can find out the costs of what YOU are looking for as opposed to someone else’s lifestyle cost.

But also, check out Numbeo for a rough cost of living idea!

A realistic budget provides clarity on savings needed.

Organise Important Documents

Gather and securely store key documents, digitally and physically:

Birth certificate
Passport and visa
Driver’s license and international driving permit
Medical and vaccination records
Educational certificates
Marriage or divorce certificates
Reference letters from previous landlords and employers
School/uni records if applicable (for example, if you’re going abroad as an au pair but want to stay as a student or move to another country to study, you’ll probably need these)

Having these easily accessible makes life simpler overseas. Not to mention it’ll be handy if you decide to move elsewhere and need some of these.

By the way, make sure these all go with you in a carry on bag!

Notify Your Authorities and Providers

Don’t forget to inform important contacts and cancel services:

Local council or government (for voting or residency purposes)
Utility providers (water, electricity, gas)
Healthcare providers
Insurance companies
Banks and financial institutions
Mobile phone providers

This prevents unexpected bills or issues after your departure.

Arrange Healthcare and Insurance Abroad

Understanding your healthcare options is essential:

Check if your destination provides public healthcare to expats
Arrange comprehensive private health insurance if required
Update necessary vaccinations and medications before leaving
Carry prescriptions and a supply of medication, along with a doctor’s note and prescription in the language of your destination or at least in English

If you’re a digital nomad, one of the most popular health insurance providers is Safety Wing.

Book Temporary Accommodation

Book short-term accommodation (like Airbnb, hotels or hostels) for your first few weeks. This gives you time to explore neighbourhoods and find your ideal long-term housing without rushing into decisions.

Also, try to schedule your first few days free so you can actually rest, explore your surroundings and settle in.

Declutter and Pack Smartly

Moving abroad is the perfect opportunity to declutter. Keep essentials and donate or sell unnecessary items. Pack smartly:

Clearly label boxes
Check your airline’s luggage rules
Ship belongings only if needed; sometimes it’s cheaper to buy certain things overseas

Set Up Communication Channels

Stay connected from day one:

Buy a local SIM card upon arrival or order one in advance. Here in the UK you can get them for free even!
If you don’t use any, make sure you’ve got apps like Whatsapp, Skype or Zoom for easy international calls
Inform your family and friends about how best to contact you – make sure they have your address and the contact of someone close to you in your new country. Also share your family’s contact with this person.

Plan Your Finances Post-Move

Consider how you’ll access money abroad:

Open a local bank account quickly upon arrival
Ensure you have easy access to emergency funds
Transfer money strategically to minimise exchange fees

I know I’ve mentioned it before but I’ll drop this here again. If you’re in the UK and want to sign up to Monzo digital banking, you and I can get £5 if you use this link. Monzo uses Wise to make international transfers and that’s also super easy to do on the Monzo app! It’s also the hassle-free card I use for paying for things abroad whenever I travel.

If Monzo is not available in your country, have a look at Wise and Revolut.

Forward or Cancel Your Mail

Set up mail forwarding or inform key contacts of your new address. You can use services to scan and email your letters, keeping important mail accessible even abroad.

Create an Emergency Plan

Prepare for unexpected situations:

Know the emergency numbers of your new country
Keep important addresses, phone numbers and embassy details handy
Register with your home country’s embassy upon arrival

Have a Goodbye Party!

This won’t be for everyone but… some people feel saying goodbye properly helps with emotional closure and gets everyone excited about your adventure. Personally, I HATE goodbyes, I can’t handle! Every single time I go home I end up delaying my flight so I can stay longer. I stop going out because I just want to be with my parents all the time even if it’s to sit in silence! I also ask my friends not to say goodbye or wish me a good trip. Instead, we say “see you next week”, “let’s try that new coffee shop tomorrow” and it helps a little bit. Until I get in the car to head to the airport and the floodgates open once more!

Are you thinking of moving abroad? Let me know if you have any questions below in the comments!

This is a post about moving abroad checklist.

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Complete Moving Abroad Checklist: Essential Things to Do Pre-Move

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