Thinking of starting a new life in another country? It might be because of a job opportunity you just got, or it could simply be that you’re sick of living in the UK and want to explore somewhere new entirely. So, how do you actually go about moving abroad?
Firstly, you’ll need to think about language. If you’re genuinely interested in immersing yourself in the culture of any given non-English-speaking country, you’ll have to learn its language. Otherwise, your options are limited to places like the US and Australia (or at least somewhere with a lot of English speakers)
Next comes the distance from your family and factors like climate and the cost of living. Ask what you want your days to look like, not just the holiday highlights. The best country for you should fit your habits and goals.
You might love a foreign country where bikes are way more common than driving. You might prefer a destination country where career options look sharper. It could even just be somewhere with a slower pace and more space. But when an idea does form, now’s the time to start sketching a timeline.
A tourist visa lets you scout neighbourhoods and talk to locals, but it won’t let you work abroad. A work visa sits on the other end and opens a cleaner route to a long stay. Some pathways require a degree or years of experience; others rely on sponsorship.
You’ll likely book a visa appointment and have to start gathering all your documents. Put those dates in your calendar where you’ll come back to them later. And if two options look similar, choose the one that increases stability. You can always move within a region later.
You can move first and hunt, or land a role before you fly out there. But make sure you start a job search now so you know what’s out there. Now you need to:
If you want to pivot fields, take an online course while you’re still in Australia to cover gaps and show intent. It makes the interview story cleaner and builds confidence. Then, when you actually secure a new job, do all your basic things like reading the contract slowly and seeing how pay cycles work in the new place.
And if your field supports remote work, ask whether you can keep your current role while you relocate – that would be a massive help here. Some companies agree to a short transition, which buys you a bit of time. But if not, try to build a small cash buffer so you can search without panic.
Living abroad gets easier when you don’t land without any roots in the area. So join some Facebook groups tied to your city and field. Lurk around for a week and then ask practical questions.
You can also search for expat groups that match your crowd – that might be outdoor people or startup people. Then you can message one or two locals who can answer small stuff like which phone plan to grab and how rent deposits work. That’s how you turn strangers into new friends before your plane even leaves the country.
When you arrive, pick two spots near home. A gym you like. A park that fits your schedule. Show up at the same time and say hello. Routine like this is key while you’re still settling.
In the short term, look for a month-to-month place near public transport so you can get to meetings without any stress. Run the numbers so you can pay rent while you search for a longer lease.
Next:
Later, once your work is starting to settle and the city feels more familiar, you can start to think about upgrading. It’s easy to want that end-game home immediately so you get off to the best possible start, but don’t rush the dream flat in week one. Choose the place that gives you time now, and the place you really want later!
Back up your passport and degree (plus key certificates) to a secure folder. Now you’ve got to set up mail forwarding from your home country, and list one trusted person who can open urgent letters for you. Keep an eye on tax, too.
From here, you’ll need to cancel what you don’t need and pause what you may revive later. For example, that local gym subscription can go, but while you might pause a Netflix subscription to save money during the transition, you might want it back later. Subscriptions love to auto-renew, but you don’t want small charges draining your buffer.
Pick a cheap roaming option for the first days, then switch to a local SIM. Open that bank account quickly so wages and bills work locally. Keep one card from home for backup. All little things that aren’t so exciting but you need them to settle in properly.
Take a scouting trip when you can. What’s it like when it’s raining outside – do people care? Count the steps from your door to the train and from the station to the office. This is more about rehearsing what daily life is, rather than being a tourist. Note how long groceries take. This is what you’re buying into.
Naturally, we appreciate that not everyone’s going to be able to visit before committing. Especially if flights are expensive. So you can always try a remote test:
Three months is usually enough to make progress without losing any steam. So again, start with researching and shortlisting a few homes. Then, apply and do some interviews. Finally, finish all the paperwork and sort out logistics – how you’re going to get there, etc.
If the process needs more time, it’s fine to stretch it a little bit so long as you keep your milestones visible.
Planning a long stay? Keep notes on schools and commute times; check healthcare access, then revisit them after a month on the ground. Small checks like these make the whole experience a lot calmer.
Ready to turn planning into action? Create your Finance Passport with Upscore! Our platform helps organise your paperwork in one secure spot and see which lenders may suit your path – completely for free. Use it as you pick a country and as you weigh a work visa. It keeps momentum steady while you shape the next chapter right now.
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