How To Move To Another Country

Bill Bryson once likened moving abroad to becoming a kid again. He’s right—simple things, such as going to the supermarket, become a public meltdown waiting to happen when you’re new to a foreign country. If you’re still set on moving, here’s Culture Trip’s guide on how to do it.

Make sure you’re 100% certain you want to move abroad

There is a common misconception that moving abroad is an escape from work, family and adulthood in general. That’s perfectly okay, but know this—living in a new place will not make you a new person. There will be times when you wish you could go back to your old 9 to 5. Sure, becoming an expat has a certain glamour to it. You’re going to start killing the Instagram game and might even stop sounding like an asshole when you say things like allons-y. But the truth is that it’s regular life with a whole lot more paperwork.

Make sure you apply for a visa

Oh, visas. For expats in most parts of the world, visas are an unfortunate but necessary fact of life. As soon as you decide which country you’re moving to, research the relevant visa laws. It’s best to do this at least three months prior, as bureaucracy can take quite some time. Obtaining a visa will likely involve contacting the country’s consulate in your area and putting down a hefty filing fee. For countries with particularly obfuscated visa laws (hi, China), you might consider using a visa agency, though this will increase the fees significantly.

Make sure your money can move abroad with you

Even if you start your new job immediately upon landing, it is best to bring plenty of cash with you—think rental deposits, furniture down payments and cab money. Leave a savings account open in your home country, but take out enough to get yourself started elsewhere. One of the best ways to transfer money to another country is via Paypal. Of course, depending how widely accepted your credit card is (Visa, MasterCard, UnionPay, etc.), it is possible to simply bring it with you and make daily trips to an ATM. However, many of these methods are subject to transaction fees, so choose wisely.

Make sure you insure your valuables

The only thing worse than getting sick in a foreign country is not having insurance when it happens. Some countries even require that you buy health insurance before they’ll issue your visa. If you’re lucky, your company will insure you, but don’t wait for them. Get traveler’s insurance before you leave, and cancel it when your company insurance kicks in.

Make sure you know a few basic phrases

Going to a place where you don’t speak the local language? Learn it! Learning a foreign language opens more doors than you can possibly imagine, and it also shows respect for your new home. English will help you get by in many places, but don’t be the guy who makes no effort because you’re lazy. Sign up for night classes, take a free course online or sit down with a language exchange partner a few days a week, and you’ll go from “Ni hao” to “Ni chi fan le ma?” in no time.

Make sure you only pack the essentials

It’s hard to hire a Uhaul truck when you’re going from London to Buenos Aires. Although it’s tempting to bring along that vintage night stand you inherited from Aunt Noel, it’s best to stick with items you can easily pack in a suitcase: clothes and toiletries to get you started, a few books, maybe a poster or two. Look up the baggage requirements of the airline you’re flying, and try to stick to that. You won’t believe how much of what you own is not truly necessary when it comes down to it.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.