Don’t forget these: Smart moves before you move overseas
Posted on August 19, 2025 by Phoebe Chan
Where do we start? The to-do list can feel never-ending, can’t it? You probably already know the big things — but here are a few not-so-rocket-science tasks that are easy to miss in the busyness of getting ready. These have saved us time, stress, and more than a few panicked emails over the years.
Legal & Financial Prep
- Make a will and give copies to your executors and or lawyer. It’s not morbid or lacking in faith — it’s just wise.
- Notify your bank and credit card issuers of your travel plans to avoid account freezes due to “unusual activity” from abroad. Ask if they’ll renew cards early if they will expire soon.
- Check your mortgage and home insurance to ensure your change in residence status doesn’t affect coverage.
- Inform your tax office and research any tax implications once you become a resident elsewhere.
- Don’t get caught out by long-term residency impacts — for example, whether your children will be classed as international students when applying for university back home.
Documents & Digital Backup
- Get notarised copies of key documents if needed for e.g. school enrolment and work permits applications. Passport copies often come in handy when settling in.
- Scan and store important documents securely online — marriage and birth certificates, diplomas, medical registrations, etc.
- Back up your computers — ideally to both cloud and external drive.
- Create a master packing and to-do list that you can copy and tailor for each trip. As our kid got older, they made and maintained their own — what a game-changer.
- Create a list of emergency contacts including your insurance details and share it with someone back home and someone in your new country.
Health & Vaccinations
- Plan ahead for vaccinations — especially for little ones who need both routine and travel-specific shots. Our 3-year-old had a dozen jabs over a few months and spacing them out (even just a bit!) made a world of difference. Advance planning = fewer tears and less stress for everyone.
- Keep a record of vaccinations and set reminders for boosters or follow-ups — some may be hard to access later.
Getting Organised
- Cancel subscriptions (magazines, gym memberships, Amazon Prime — note that Prime Video may not work in your new country).
- Sort out your mail — redirection might not work overseas, and postal systems can be unreliable / non-existent.
- Set reminders for passport expiry dates — renewing from abroad can be tricky or delayed and may need advanced planning.
- Apply for an international driving permit if needed — but check expiry dates, as many are short. Sometimes, it is easier to apply for a local driving permit with an international rather than a country-specific driving permit.
- Bring a handful of passport photos — they’re often useful for local paperwork such as ID cards and driving licences.
- Find out the contact information and location of your nearest embassy or high commission and let them know where you’ll be. If things go sideways (lost passport, unrest, medical emergency), they’re your lifeline. A quick registration means they can reach you faster and help when it counts. Besides, it is fun to connect with fellow citizens when you are out on the field!