It’s officially one month until we move abroad. If you’ve just joined us, we are relocating from Auckland, New Zealand to Beijing, China. After what has felt like such a long wait, months of paperwork, decisions and big emotions, we are finally in the last stages of packing the only way of life we have ever known and getting ready for our longest adventure abroad yet.
Uprooting your life and moving internationally (especially with kids!) is a wild ride – and we haven’t even left yet! So today, I’m sharing some of the best tips we’ve learned while preparing to move overseas as a family. Whether you’re moving to China or anywhere else, I hope this helps you avoid a few of the hiccups we ran into along the way.
Passports
One of the first (and most repeated) pieces of advice we received as make sure your passports have at least 6 months’ validity left.
My husbands new employer made sure several times, our passports had plenty of time left in them – and this is because of our visa. If your passport expires while you’re abroad, transferring visa’s from one passport to another can be a tricky and a time-sensitive process. Check the dates now and renew early if needed – it will save you major stress later. Future you, will thank present you!
Notarising and Apostille Official Documents
If you are moving to a country where English isn’t the first languge (like China), you may need to notarise and apostille official documents to prove their authenticity.
In New Zealand, apostilles are issued through the Department of Internal Affairs. You’ll need to prepare both digital and physical copies of your important documents, for more information you can checkout their website here: Department of Internal Affairs, NZ
We had to notarise and apostille the following documents for our visa application:
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificates
- Criminal background checks (get these from the Ministry of Justice)
- Tertiary qualifications
We used a Notary Public in Manukau (note: not every lawyer is a notary, so double-check before booking). The cost was approx. $350 NZD, plus an extra $50 for additional documents.
š” Tip: Order both digital and physical apostilles ā this saved us loads of time when applying online.
Once we had notarised documents and the apostille, this was key for my husbands work visa – we sent these documents to his future employer, who applied to the Chinese Government for a work permit. We needed the work permit to apply for the work visa. My husband was issued a work permit in both Chinese and English.
Applying for Visa’s
We applied for our Chinese visas online, and overall the process was smooth ā but only because we had everything ready.
ā What youāll need:
- Everyone moving with you has a valid passport with 6+ months left
- Notarised and apostilled documents
- Digital passport photos (we got ours done at Stationery Warehouse and requested digital copies)
- Your Chinese work permit (for the primary applicant)
My husbandās employer handled the work permit application. Once that was approved, we submitted our family visa applications online. Each person will need a separate application, so be prepared to spend a couple hours getting this done.
After submitting:
- The consulate processed our application overnight
- We were asked to drop off our passports the next day
- Within one week, we had our visas approved and ready to go!
š° Total visa cost: $105 NZD per person (paid at pick-up). For our family of 3, it was $315 NZD total.Applying for a visa for China is very simple, as it can be done online, but make the process easier by having all your documents ready for uploading.
š¦ Final Thoughts: One Month Before Moving Abroad
With one month left before we move to China, weāre full of excitement and a healthy dose of nerves. The visa process, document prep, and logistics have all been a big learning curve ā but also a huge part of the adventure.
If you’re considering a big move like this, hereās what Iād recommend:
- Start paperwork early
- Get digital copies of everything
- Stay organised (folders will save your life)
- Ask questions ā donāt guess
- And most of all, be kind to yourselfā¦ this process is a lot!
If you want more information about why we’re moving to Beijing, China – checkout our blog post here: āPack your bags, Cri-Kee. Weāre movinā outā ā Our Next Family Adventure, Moving Abroad!
š¬ Got Questions About Moving Overseas?
Iād love to hear your story or help if youāre planning your own overseas move!
Comment below, message me on Instagram, or email me at nicola@prettyfarfromhome.com.
If you mention you found this post, Iāll be sure to say hi back š
š FAQ: What You Need to Know Before You Move Abroad to China
Q: Where are you moving to and when?
Weāre relocating from Auckland, New Zealand to Beijing, China in July 2025. The countdown is officially on!
Q: Whatās the biggest tip youād give to families moving overseas?
Double-check your passport validity! Most countries require at least 6 months validity beyond your entry date. This can impact visa processing and renewal, so get on top of it early.
Q: What documents did you need to apostille and notarise for your move to China?
We needed apostilled and notarised copies of:
- Our marriage certificate
- Birth certificates
- Criminal background checks
- University qualifications
We recommend getting both digital and physical apostille copies for convenience when applying online or in person.
Q: Whatās the difference between notarising and getting an apostille?
A Notary Public certifies that your documents are genuine, and an apostille is the official government seal verifying that certification for use overseas. In NZ, apostilles are issued by the Department of Internal Affairs.
Q: How much did it cost to notarise and apostille your documents?
Around $350 NZD for the main documents, plus $50 for extras. Prices may vary, but itās worth budgeting for these early.
Q: How difficult is it to apply for a Chinese visa?
Surprisingly easy if you’re prepared! The online application system is straightforward, but make sure you have:
- Passport photos (we got ours done digitally at Stationery Warehouse)
- Apostilled documents
- Digital copies of all your paperwork
Q: How long did it take to get your visa?
Our applications were processed overnight, we dropped off our passports the next day, and picked up the visas within the week. The total cost was $105 NZD per person.
Q: Can you still apply for a visa even if you’re not working?
Yes! I applied as a dependent family member. My husbandās employer submitted the work permit paperwork, and we applied for accompanying family visas after that was approved.
Q: How can I follow your expat journey?
Iād love to connect! You can follow along on Instagram or YouTube, or email me at nicola@prettyfarfromhome.com. If you mention this post, Iāll say hi right back š