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Relocating overseas for work? Here are 10 ways to prepare yourself
Many Indians move out of the country for work. You’ll find Indians working in the IT sector in the USA and as finance professionals in Singapore, the EU, and Australia. Even students who move to pursue a higher degree—such as a PhD—often
find work abroad and settle down there. Each of them is lured by the twin prospects of better opportunities and higher pay.
But any move abroad comes with certain challenges—right from what to pack, how to transfer money online,
to how to send money to India. So, it’s important that you prepare yourself before relocating to another country.
Moving abroad checklist
- Keep some savings
Your first pay cheque may not arrive right away and you will face relocation costs. For instance, you may need to pay an advance on a rental apartment. You will also need to spend on food, travelling, and various daily necessities. Having a financial reserve in place will prove handy in those initial weeks. - Embrace cultural differences
Many Indians experience a culture shock upon relocating to a new country. You may find the food, lifestyle, or customs strange at first. For instance, finding vegetarian restaurants abroad is often difficult. Prepare yourself for the challenges beforehand. But also, be open to change and embrace the new culture. - Get overseas health insurance
Few things feel worse than falling ill abroad. If you don’t have insurance, you could end up with huge medical bills. You won't be able to save or send money to India. So, having a good health plan is crucial for expats. - Sort out paperwork
Ensure that you have all the necessary documents before leaving India. This includes identification papers, degree certificates, reference letters, bank statements, income tax returns and so on. You may need them to open a bank account or to finalise a rental lease. - Pack effectively
Resist the urge to carry too many clothes—especially if you aren’t too sure of the climate there. You can always buy the rest. If you are moving to a big city, finding grocery stores should not be a problem. So, think twice about carrying food packets. Take only what you absolutely need. - Learn how to send money online
Once your salary starts coming in, you may need to send money back to India. This could be for household expenses, investments, or loan instalments. There are many ways to send money to India nowadays. Online transfer services like RemitMoney make the remittance process seamless and quick. - Prepare a budget
Before heading overseas, find out about home rent, school fees, and other regularly incurring expenses. This will give you an idea of the general cost of living. Based on this you can prepare a tentative monthly budget. Having a budget in place will help you avoid overspending in your first few months. - Research your new neighbourhood
Do you already know where you will be living? Study it well beforehand. For instance, check up on the transport facilities and assess if you might need a car. Think about daily necessities as well. Will you buy groceries from the supermarket or is there a farmer’s market nearby? Knowing what to expect could make the transition smoother for you. - Harness the power of social media
Start making new connections before you leave India. Use social media platforms to connect with your soon-to-be colleagues. Join social media groups that have a common interest. It helps to have known faces in a new place. - Create a bucket list
A job abroad provides a great opportunity to explore a new place. Look up tourist spots near where you live and activities that you could engage in.
Summing up
Keep this ‘moving out of country’ checklist in mind before you relocate. Right from having a reserve fund to learning about the ways to send money to India—get everything in place before you leave. It will help you feel more secure as you venture out to pursue your new job abroad.
Disclaimer:This article is for information purpose only. The views expressed in this article are personal and do not necessarily constitute the views of Axis Bank Ltd. and its employees. Axis Bank Ltd. and/or the author shall not be responsible for any direct / indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information. Please consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision.
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