We’ve officially called China home for two weeks now! While we’re still very much in the honeymoon phase of moving abroad—everything’s new, exciting, and a constant learning curve—the reason our transition has been smooth is thanks to our Ultimate Moving Abroad Checklist.
This checklist helped us hit the ground running (literally—we don’t have a car here yet) and made adjusting to life overseas far easier than some of our new expat friends. The key? Being prepared for change and bringing the right things to make settling in as stress-free as possible for us and our daughter.
If you’re planning to move overseas—whether next month or next year—this step-by-step guide will help you prepare in advance, avoid common pitfalls, and set yourself up for a smooth transition. You can also download my free Ultimate Moving Abroad Checklist to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Once you’ve opened the Moving Abroad Checklist, download it into your own Notion Account so you can personalise it as you need. If you don’t have a Notion Account, it’s free to sign up. Notion also has a mobile app, so it’s easy to keep your checklist on you, even on the go.
Starting early spreads the workload over several months instead of cramming everything into the final weeks. This phase is all about understanding your visa, job, health, and insurance requirements—and locking in the foundations for your move.
If you don’t yet have a job, research employment options and visa eligibility for your destination.
For our move to China, my husband accepted a teaching and coaching role at an international school in Beijing six months before we left. As a New Zealand lawyer, I can’t practice law here, so I started exploring alternative careers. One of those was teaching English, so I enrolled and completed a TEFL Certificate before leaving.
Tip: If English isn’t the primary language in your new country, consider completing a TEFL Certificate (Teach English as a Foreign Language). With a degree, this can open doors to teaching roles, even if you’re not a trained teacher.
By now, your move should be taking shape. This is one of the busiest stages—other than packing and leaving—so give yourself enough time to handle the essentials.
Every country has different requirements, but most will ask for:
For China, we had to notarize our documents and then apply for an Apostille through the Department of Internal Affairs. This certifies the authenticity of your paperwork.
Pro Tip: Allow at least two weeks for this process—longer if your destination country has stricter requirements.
For more information, checkout my blog post: Visa Application Tips
For China, we completed the application online, then submitted our passports at the embassy.
Ours were approved in three days, but it can take weeks depending on the country. Always double-check requirements, translations, and whether additional documents are needed.
My blog post here has more information: Visa Application Tips
Check if health or liability insurance is included in your employment package. If not, research international health insurance and coverage options specific to your destination.
For example, we paid for our flights with AMEX to get built-in travel insurance for the journey.
Will you sell your house, rent it out, or give notice on your rental? If moving with children, research education options and enrolment requirements early.
Shipping Tip: Many expats regret shipping entire containers. Friends who did said they ended up throwing out most of it within months. We brought only what we could carry in our luggage.
Now it’s time to move from planning into action mode.
With just a month to go, focus on practicalities:
Welcome to your new home! These first days set the tone for your new life:
What documents do I need to move overseas?
Most countries require a valid passport, visa, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), proof of employment or income, and a clean criminal record check. Many also require these to be notarised and Apostilled.
How far in advance should I start planning my move abroad?
Start at least 6–12 months in advance to give yourself time for visas, job hunting, vaccinations, and securing housing or school placements.
Should I ship my furniture when moving abroad?
In many cases, it’s more cost-effective to buy locally, unless you’re moving long-term or have valuable, hard-to-replace items. Always check voltage compatibility for electronics – more information can be found here: What Electronics Will or Won’t Work in Japan
How do I find housing overseas?
Research local real estate websites, expat Facebook groups, or ask your employer if they provide housing assistance. Consider short-term rentals until you learn the area. Staying in a hotel can be costly, so also consider the use of a long-term Air BNB.
Q5: What should be in my first-week essentials box?
Include toiletries, basic kitchenware, a few sets of clothes, bedding, chargers, adapters, snacks, important documents, medication and local currency or your Wise Card.
Final Tip: Moving abroad can feel overwhelming, but breaking it into stages with a clear moving abroad checklist makes it manageable—and even exciting. Preparation is your best friend.
[Click here to download your free Moving Abroad Checklist on Notion] and make your international relocation stress-free.
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