A corporate relocation involves considerably more than the logistics of moving belongings from one address to another. For employees relocating domestically or internationally, the process spans visa and immigration coordination, financial and banking transitions, healthcare registration, school placement, and a significant amount of administrative groundwork, all running in parallel with the demands of a new role.

This checklist is structured to help relocating employees and their families plan across each phase of the move, from the initial notification period through to settling into a new location. It covers both domestic and international relocation considerations, with international-specific items highlighted where the requirements differ.

Where your employer is working with a relocation management company (RMC), a number of the steps below will be coordinated on your behalf. Your RMC contact is the first point of call for any queries about what is covered under your relocation policy and what falls outside it.

Before your move begins: understanding your relocation policy

The starting point for any corporate relocation is a clear understanding of what your employer’s relocation policy covers. Before any practical steps are taken, the following should be confirmed with your HR or mobility contact:

• Your policy type: Confirm whether you are on a full-service managed policy, a Core-Flex policy, a managed budget, or a lump sum arrangement. Each carries different implications for what is coordinated on your behalf and what you manage independently.
• Your RMC contact: If your employer is working with an RMC, confirm the name of your dedicated contact and how to reach them. This person will be your primary coordinator for service providers throughout the move.
• Key timelines: Confirm the expected move date, any visa or immigration processing timelines for international moves, and the deadlines for initiating services such as household goods shipment.
• Family provisions: Confirm what support is available for accompanying partners and children, including partner career support, schooling assistance, and dependent visa coordination.
• Expense reimbursement: Understand the process for claiming relocation-related expenses, the documentation required, and any deadlines that apply.

Eight to twelve weeks before your move

The period eight to twelve weeks before a move is when the majority of the groundwork needs to be done. For international relocations in particular, several processes in this phase have long lead times and should be initiated as early as possible.

Visa and immigration (international moves)

For international relocations, visa and immigration is the most time-sensitive element of the checklist. Processing timelines vary significantly by destination country and visa category, and delays at this stage can affect the entire move schedule.

• Confirm your visa category: Work with your employer’s immigration lawyers to confirm the visa or work permit category that applies to your move. Understand the processing timeline and any documentation required from you.
• Gather supporting documents: Most work visa applications require a valid passport with sufficient remaining validity, employment documentation, educational certificates, and passport photographs. Confirm the full document list with the immigration lawyers managing your application.
• Dependent visas: If family members are accompanying you, their visa applications will typically run in parallel with yours. Confirm the documentation required for each dependent and the processing timeline.
• Passport validity: Check that all passports in the family hold at least six months of validity beyond the intended entry date. Some countries require up to twelve months of remaining validity. Renew early if needed.

Housing and accommodation

• Confirm temporary accommodation: If your policy includes temporary accommodation at the destination, confirm the location, duration, and booking details with your RMC. For international moves, temporary accommodation often covers the period between arrival and securing permanent housing.
• Begin home search: If you are responsible for finding permanent accommodation, begin researching the destination market. If destination services are included in your policy, your destination services provider will coordinate area orientation and home-finding support.
• Home sale or lease break (origin): If you own your home at your origin location, confirm whether home sale assistance is included in your relocation policy. If you are renting, review your lease for the notice period required and any break clause conditions.
• International school search (families): For families with school-age children, international school applications often have long waiting lists and fixed enrolment windows. Begin the school search process as early as possible. If schooling assistance is included in your policy, your destination services provider can support this.

Household goods and logistics

• Book your household goods survey: A pre-move survey allows the household goods provider to assess the volume of your shipment and provide an accurate quote. Confirm whether this is arranged by your RMC or whether you need to initiate it directly.
• Understand your shipment options: For international moves, household goods are typically shipped by sea (slower, lower cost) or air (faster, higher cost). Your policy may specify one or both options. Discuss the timeline implications with your household goods provider.
• Customs and import requirements: For international moves, certain items are subject to import restrictions or duties at the destination. Your household goods provider can advise on what documentation is required and what items may need to be left behind or shipped separately.
• Vehicle: Confirm whether your policy includes vehicle shipping. If it does not, research whether importing your vehicle is practical given destination import duties, road compliance requirements, and local driving licence rules.
• Declutter and prepare: A pre-move is a practical moment to review what is worth shipping. Items of low value relative to shipping cost, or items that may not be compatible with the destination (voltage differences, furniture dimensions), are often better replaced than transported.

Financial and banking preparation

• Review your compensation package: For international assignments, confirm your assignment compensation structure with your HR or mobility contact. Understand any cost-of-living allowances, housing allowances, and the currency in which each component will be paid.
• Open a bank account at the destination: Some banks allow non-residents to open accounts ahead of arrival; others require in-person verification. Research the requirements at your destination and initiate the process early where possible.
• Tax briefing: For international moves, confirm whether your employer is arranging a tax briefing with tax advisers. Understanding your home and host country tax obligations, and whether tax equalisation applies to your assignment, is essential before you arrive.
• Notify your home-country bank: Inform your bank of your move, update your contact details, and confirm whether your accounts and cards will remain accessible from your destination country. Some banks restrict online access or card use in certain markets.

Four to six weeks before your move

The four-to-six-week period is when practical administration accelerates. Most of the steps in this phase are about ensuring continuity: of services at the origin, and of access to essential services at the destination.

Utilities and services at origin

• Schedule utility cancellations: Contact electricity, gas, water, broadband, and any subscription services to arrange end dates aligned to your move date. Provide a forwarding address for final bills.
• Redirect post: Set up a mail redirection service with your national postal service. For international moves, confirm whether redirection services operate to your destination country.
• Cancel or transfer memberships: Cancel gym memberships, club memberships, and local subscriptions. Some may offer transfers or pauses rather than cancellations.

Healthcare and medical records

• Obtain medical records: Request copies of medical, dental, and optician records for all family members. For international moves, have these translated into the language of the destination country if required.
• Prescription medication: Obtain sufficient prescription medication to cover the initial period after arrival, as registration with a new healthcare provider may take time. Check whether your medication is available and legally permitted at the destination.
• Vaccinations: Some destinations require or recommend specific vaccinations. Check current requirements with a travel health clinic and allow sufficient time for multi-dose vaccine courses.
• International health insurance: Confirm whether your employer’s international health insurance covers your assignment from day one of arrival and what the process is for registering family members.

Documentation and records

• Gather important documents: Compile originals and certified copies of birth certificates, marriage certificate, educational qualifications, professional licences, and employment records. Store these separately from your main shipment so they are accessible throughout the move.
• Driver’s licence: Research whether your home-country driver’s licence is valid at the destination, whether an International Driving Permit is required, and whether you will need to convert to a local licence and under what process.
• Pet documentation (if applicable): International pet travel involves health certificates, vaccinations, microchipping, and in some cases quarantine periods. Timelines vary significantly by destination. Confirm requirements with the relevant government authority or your destination services provider well in advance.

One to two weeks before your move

The final fortnight before a move is the confirmation and closure phase. Most decisions have been made; the focus now is on ensuring everything is in place and that the first days at the destination are as structured as possible.

• Confirm all bookings: Confirm move date details with the household goods provider, temporary accommodation booking, and any travel arrangements for the family.
• Confirm utility setup at destination: If utilities at the destination require setup ahead of arrival (broadband in particular), confirm installation appointments are booked.
• Pack a personal essentials bag: Pack a separate bag containing documents, medications, phone chargers, a change of clothes, and any items the family will need for the first night and first few days. This travels with you, not with the main shipment.
• Notify key contacts: Inform relevant contacts of your new address: government departments, financial institutions, healthcare providers, professional bodies, and any personal contacts you wish to keep updated.
• Final property walkthrough: Complete a thorough walkthrough of your origin property, documenting its condition with photographs. For rentals, confirm the return-of-deposit process with your landlord or letting agent.
• Settle outstanding accounts: Clear outstanding local accounts, library books, parking permits, and any locally registered memberships or services.

On arrival: the first weeks at your new location

The period immediately after arrival is when the volume of administrative tasks tends to be at its highest. Prioritising the steps below in the first two to four weeks will help establish the practical foundations needed for a settled transition.

Immediate administrative priorities

• Register with local authorities: Many countries require foreign nationals to register with local government, police, or immigration authorities within a defined period of arrival. Confirm the registration requirement and deadline with your immigration lawyers.
• Collect residence permit or ID card: Where a physical residence permit or national ID card is required, confirm the collection process and timeline. Some permits are issued at the border; others require a separate appointment at a local authority office.
• Set up utilities at the destination: Confirm utility connections are active and resolve any issues with providers promptly. Broadband setup in a new country often takes longer than expected.

Banking and financial setup

• Complete bank account opening: If you initiated a bank account application before arrival, complete the in-person verification steps required. If not, open an account as a priority, as access to local banking is required for most other financial and administrative steps.
• Set up local payment methods: Register for online banking, set up direct debits for regular payments, and ensure you have a local debit or credit card for day-to-day use.
• Confirm allowance and payroll details: Verify that assignment allowances are being paid correctly and into the right accounts. Raise any discrepancies with your HR or payroll contact promptly.

Healthcare registration

• Register with a local doctor: Registering with a general practitioner or family doctor is a priority, particularly for families with children. In some countries this requires proof of address, which means completing accommodation arrangements first.
• Locate nearest hospital and pharmacy: Identify the nearest hospital with emergency services and a local pharmacy. For countries with private healthcare systems, confirm which facilities are covered under your employer’s health insurance.
• Register children with a paediatrician: For families with young children, registering with a paediatrician or child health service early ensures continuity of routine health checks and vaccination schedules.

School and childcare

• Confirm school start arrangements: Liaise with the school to confirm the start date, uniform requirements, transport arrangements, and any orientation or induction sessions available for new students.
• Register for childcare if required: For families with pre-school children, childcare waiting lists in many cities are long. Register as early as possible and confirm availability of places.

Building a network at the destination

• Connect with expatriate communities: Many cities have active expatriate networks, including groups organised by nationality, industry, or family status. These are a practical resource for local knowledge and a natural starting point for building social connections.
• Explore local services and amenities: Identifying local supermarkets, transport links, parks, and community spaces early makes the settling-in process more efficient and helps the wider family feel oriented in a new environment.
• Cultural and language support: If language or cultural training is included in your relocation policy, begin sessions promptly. Engagement with the local language and culture is one of the most consistent predictors of successful integration and assignment satisfaction.

How the MOVEPLUS™ platform supports your relocation

Where your employer is working with MovePlus Mobility, the MOVEPLUS™ platform gives you a centralised view of your relocation from initiation through to completion. Your move status, key documents, compliance timelines, and service coordination are all accessible in one place, reducing the administrative load at each stage of the process.

The MOVEPLUS™ dashboard provides visibility into upcoming deadlines, document expiry dates, and service milestones, so you are not relying on multiple separate communications to stay informed about where your move stands. Your mobility coordinator has the same view, which makes it straightforward to raise queries and resolve issues quickly.

MovePlus Mobility coordinates with destination services providers, household goods companies, and other specialist partners on your behalf, within the scope of your employer’s policy. Your MOVEPLUS™ contact is the starting point for any questions about what is included in your relocation support.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I start preparing for a corporate relocation?

For domestic relocations, eight to ten weeks of lead time is generally sufficient for most policy types. For international relocations, twelve weeks or more is recommended, particularly where visa applications are involved, as processing timelines vary significantly by destination country and visa category. If you have school-age children, international school applications may require even more lead time due to limited places and fixed enrolment windows.

What documents do I need for an international relocation?

The documents typically required for an international relocation include valid passports for all family members, your employment documentation, educational and professional certificates, birth certificates, marriage certificate if applicable, medical and vaccination records, and any country-specific documents required by immigration authorities at your destination. Your immigration lawyers will provide a full document list specific to your visa category and destination country.

What happens if my visa is delayed?

A visa delay affects the move timeline and may have implications for your start date at the host location. If you experience a delay, notify your HR or mobility contact and your RMC immediately. Your immigration lawyers will be best placed to advise on whether any additional steps can be taken to expedite the application, and your RMC can adjust temporary accommodation and service timelines accordingly.

Is language training covered under a corporate relocation policy?

Language and cultural training is typically a flex benefit under a Core-Flex policy, rather than a core provision. Whether it is included depends on the specific relocation policy your employer operates. Confirm what is covered with your HR or mobility contact. Where it is available, early engagement with language training significantly supports the settling-in process for both the relocating employee and accompanying family members.

What support is available for my partner if they are giving up employment to relocate?

Partner career support is an established provision within many corporate relocation policies, covering career coaching, CV preparation, job search support, and in some cases professional networking introductions at the destination. Whether this is included depends on your employer’s policy. For international relocations, your partner’s right to work at the destination will be determined by their visa or dependent permit status, and this should be confirmed with immigration lawyers at the outset of the move.

What is the difference between a managed relocation and a lump sum?

Under a managed relocation policy, an RMC coordinates services on your behalf within a defined scope, and you engage with service providers through a single point of contact. Under a lump sum policy, you receive a fixed sum to manage independently and are responsible for organising and paying for your own services. The practical experience of the two models differs significantly, particularly for complex international moves where the number of service providers and compliance requirements is high.

Relocating with MovePlus Mobility

If your employer is working with MovePlus Mobility on your relocation, your dedicated coordinator is your starting point for any questions about your move. The MOVEPLUS™ platform gives you and your mobility team a shared view of your relocation from initiation through to completion. To find out more about how MovePlus Mobility supports corporate relocations, visit the MovePlus Mobility website.