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Expats Guide to Moving Abroad

As the mystique of moving overseas continues to clear, many people are now looking to move overseas to become Expats , and while this was once more prevalent within the older / retired age group, more and more younger people are looking at the possibilities of moving overseas and finding jobs abroad .

While the internet has undoubtedly helped many Expats to clear up a lot of misconceptions, rumours and untruths there are still a whole host of issues which you need to consider before even contemplating moving abroad (and even more to consider when you are actually there). It is vital that you do your research before finalising any arrangements as there is the potential to get into some difficult situations in foreign lands.

Moving Overseas Guides by Expat Forum

Of the issues which you should be considering are :-

Expat Finances

This is a vital part of any move to a foreign land, although many people fail to do enough detailed research into this area. Whether moving from France, the UK, Italy, etc, people seem to fall into the trap that prices, taxes, benefits, etc will be the same in any country abroad. This is most definitely not the case!

One example is the UK, where the National Health Service is widely available to pick up the cost of general health care - whether you are an overseas visitor, have rebased in the UK or are a UK resident. Very few countries in the world have anything which even resembles the NHS, and health insurance is often mandatory and vital if you are looking to receive any form of treatment in your new country of residence.

Tax is always a grey area for many, with tax regimes differing across the world, therefore it is vital that you know what to expect - the fewer shocks the better!

Expat Immigration

While many expats look at the immigration process as their first port of call, many under estimate how long the process actually takes. It can be a very long drawn out process, and may be effected by immigration quotas which many countries are now looking to install, in order to keep immigration under control. Immigration laws are becoming ever more stricter, and if your paperwork is not in order upon arrival to your new country of residence there is every likelihood that you could be turned away.

Visas for Expats

A great many countries have Visa systems which regulate who can work, how long they can work for and what they can do. They are very often part of the initial immigration paperwork and their importance cannot be under estimated - if you are moving abroad to begin a new working career, you will not be able to work without a visa.

If you cannot work, you cannot support yourself (or your family) and the benefit systems overseas can vary greatly from your country of origin - do not assume that the local authorities will be there to bail you out.

It is worth noting that many countries will “fast track” the introduction of overseas residents if they are able to bring a skill to the country which may be lacking at that moment in time. Doctors, nurses and other professional careers are some of the areas which may benefit from such situations. It is often worth checking with a country’s embassy when arranging your immigration paperwork to see if these regulations may apply to you.

Expat Culture

The old saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans” has never been so apt than in today’s world of multiple cultures. Even the smallest action in some cultures can prove greatly offensive to the locals, therefore it is essential that you study and retain a “working” knowledge of the cultures and traditions of you new home country.

While many countries have deeply embedded cultures and traditions, many nationalities have difficulty in appreciating the often major difference with overseas cultures. What is acceptable in your own country may not be acceptable in many countries abroad, and it is vital that while keeping you own identity, you attempt to take on board the local way of life.

Offending the locals is the last thing you would want to do on arriving in your new country of residence, and while it will be a learning curve for some time, even the fact that you are trying to appreciate local traditions will often be appreciated by the local community.

Healthcare for Expats

This subject was touched on above, and the importance cannot be stressed enough. It obviously depends on where you are moving to and where you are moving from, but the standard in health care can often vary greatly. More importantly, the differences in cost can be enormous and it is sensible to take out sufficient health cover as soon as you can - protecting both yourself and anyone else travelling with you (family, etc).

Many non-UK counties rely on private medical healthcare, with many not having an NHS style system. In many countries health insurance is mandatory with treatment often refused unless you are able to guarantee payment.

Meeting People

When the subject of meeting people is discussed, it is often considered that this refers to meeting the locals of your new home country. While it is vital that you are able to integrate and mix freely with residents of your chosen country, very often there may be other expats from you country of origin, who have also moved abroad.

Places such as Spain are a magnet for UK expats, and the expat society often seem to take over many areas of the country, e.g. Marbella in Spain, which has a strong UK influence and expat population. Do not forget that you will not be the only one from your country of origin who has considered moving to a new country. The chances are that there may be a local expat community (of varying sizes) who could prove vital in speeding up your integration and acceptance in a foreign land. Learn by their mistakes, take their advice and do not be afraid to ask questions - it is always better to be safe than sorry!

Local Laws

Local laws are often another area of controversy for expats moving to new lands. One example is the many countries of the middle east where alcohol is prohibited. While many cultures such as the British culture have a deeply embedded socialising culture, where the public house may often be the focal meeting point of any community, many countries do not share this taste.

The sale and consumption of alcohol in many Muslim based countries is prohibited, and any breaking of these laws is taken very seriously. Again it comes down to a mutual respect of the cultures of the country to which you have moved, and a willingness to compromise. Very often the authorities may make some small concessions to an expat community where both sides are flexible, but it is vital that local laws are taken seriously.

Conclusion

These are just a selection of the many different aspects to moving abroad, and highlight the need for research and flexibility when in the presence of new cultures, laws, etc. With the exception of a few countries where entry may be prohibited, or deemed to be too risky for foreign nationals, there are very few countries which do not welcome new residents.

The world is your oyster, but tread carefully!

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Moving Overseas Guides by Expat Forum

Expat Finances

Expat Immigration

Visas for Expats

Expat Culture

Healthcare for Expats

Meeting People

Local Laws

Conclusion

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