Moving abroad involves more preparation than most people expect until they are in the middle of it. The tasks that need to happen before departure span immigration, finances, healthcare, housing, family logistics, and a long list of administrative requirements that are easy to overlook until they become urgent. For employees on a corporate assignment, our corporate relocation checklist covers the same ground from the perspective of an employer-managed relocation, including what the RMC coordinates on your behalf.

Read our guide: The complete guide to international employee relocation: What to expect when your company moves you abroad

This checklist works through each area in sequence, with the questions most people have alongside each step.

Immigration and documentation

• Confirm the correct visa category for your destination country and employment situation with an immigration lawyer
• Submit the visa application with sufficient lead time: processing times vary from days to several months depending on the destination
• Renew your passport if it expires within 12 months of your planned departure date: most jurisdictions require six months of validity beyond the period of stay
• Obtain an apostille or notarisation for key documents if required: birth certificates, marriage certificates, and educational qualifications may need verification for visa or employment purposes
• Confirm dependent visa requirements if you are relocating with family members: each family member requires their own documentation. For a full breakdown of how dependent visa applications work, see our guide on what happens to your dependent’s visa when you relocate for work.
• Retain physical and digital copies of all visa and travel documents

Finances and banking

• Notify your home country bank of the move: some banks restrict account access or close accounts for non-residents
• Research local banking options in the destination country and understand the account opening requirements
• Review your tax position in both countries with a tax adviser before departure: do not leave this until after you have moved. For a detailed guide on how expatriate tax compliance works, see our expatriate tax compliance guide.
• Understand how your home country taxes foreign income, if applicable to your nationality. For a plain-language overview of what expats are typically required to pay, see our guide on expat tax: what it is and what you are likely to pay.
• Set up a method for managing currency transfers if you will be maintaining financial commitments in both countries
• Review pension contributions and whether they continue, pause, or require separate arrangements during the time abroad

Healthcare

• Confirm whether the destination country provides healthcare access to foreign nationals and on what terms
• Arrange international health insurance if required: do not assume your home country policy extends internationally
• Obtain a supply of any prescribed medications with sufficient lead time and carry a letter from your doctor confirming the prescription
• Research whether any vaccinations are recommended or required for the destination country
• Register with a local doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible after arrival
• Confirm whether your employer’s international health insurance covers family members

For a guide to which type of cover expats need and how to choose, see our guide on insurance for expats.

Housing and household

• Confirm temporary accommodation arrangements for the first weeks in the destination country before departure
• Book a pre-move survey with the household goods provider to assess volume, confirm what the policy covers, and understand destination customs requirements
• Decide what to take, what to store, and what to sell or give away: do this early to avoid rushed decisions
• Arrange contents insurance for the shipment and for the destination property
• Notify your home country landlord or mortgage provider of the move and confirm the arrangements for the home property
• Research the housing market in the destination city, including typical rental costs, lease terms, and the documents required to rent a property

For a full breakdown of how international household goods moves work, see our guide on moving household goods internationally

Children and schooling

• Research international schools in the destination city as early as possible: popular schools have waiting lists and applications need to be submitted well before arrival
• Confirm whether the relocation package includes a school search service and school fees support
• Obtain school records and transcripts in advance, with certified translations if required
• Research the curriculum options available and consider curriculum continuity if the family plans to return to the home country at the end of the assignment
• For older children, research the impact of the move on examinations and qualifications in progress

For a broader look at how organisations structure family support within a relocation programme, see our guide on expat relocation: Supporting employees and families abroad.

For HR and mobility teams supporting employees through the pre-departure process,  MOVEPLUS™ coordinates every element of the relocation through our relocation service coordination offering from visa and immigration to household goods, school search, and destination services, all managed through a single dedicated Advocate.

Get in touch to find out how MOVEPLUS™ can support your next relocation.

Frequently asked questions

1. What curriculum should my child follow at an international school?

The most common options are the International Baccalaureate, the British curriculum, and the American curriculum. The right choice depends on the child’s current stage, the duration of the assignment, and where the family intends to be after the assignment ends. Curriculum continuity with the home country system matters most for children who are likely to return to that system for secondary or university education.

2. How far in advance should I apply for a work visa?

At least three months before the planned departure date, and earlier for destinations with longer processing timelines. Your immigration lawyer will advise on the specific timeline for your destination and visa category. Do not make irreversible commitments such as terminating a tenancy or resigning from employment until the visa is confirmed.

3. Do my family members need separate visas?

Yes. Dependent visas are processed separately from the primary work permit, though typically managed by the same immigration lawyer as part of the same case. Eligibility and work rights for dependents vary by destination and visa category.

4. Should I rent out my home country property while I am abroad?

This is a practical option for many expats, but it introduces landlord responsibilities and potential tax implications in the home country. Speak to a financial adviser and tax adviser before committing to this arrangement.

5. How long does it take for household goods to arrive internationally?

Air freight typically arrives within one to two weeks. Sea freight takes between six and twelve weeks depending on the origin and destination, plus customs clearance time at the destination. Plan temporary accommodation and essentials accordingly.

6. Does my existing health insurance cover me abroad?

Standard domestic health insurance policies typically do not provide comprehensive coverage outside the home country. Coverage, if it exists at all, is usually limited to emergency treatment rather than routine or specialist care. International health insurance is a separate product designed for people living abroad and should be in place before departure.

7. What if I have a chronic health condition?

Declare it when arranging international health insurance. Conditions declared at the point of application are usually covered, subject to any applicable waiting periods or policy terms. Undeclared conditions may result in claims being denied. Also research the specialist services available for your condition in the destination country before confirming the move.

8. Do I need to close my home country bank account when I move abroad?

Not necessarily, but you should notify your bank and confirm their policy for non-resident account holders. Some banks maintain accounts for non-residents with no change to terms. Others apply restrictions or require a specific non-resident account type. Retaining a home country account is useful for managing ongoing financial commitments at home.

9. When should I speak to a tax adviser about moving abroad?

Before the move, not after. Pre-departure tax advice allows you to understand your position in both countries, structure your affairs appropriately, and avoid compliance problems that are significantly harder to resolve after the fact. For corporate assignees, the tax adviser is typically provided as part of the relocation package.