In this solo episode, Clare explains how to get yourself ready to move countries, starting by looking at the 5 most important things you need to have covered well before your planned move data. The list includes your passport, visa, driving license, and travel insurance leading into medical insurance. As well as your phone, bank account, credit score and emergency funds. 

Clare goes into a lot of detail, so includes tips that you are not likely to have heard elsewhere.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Without your passport and visa, you aren´t going anywhere.
• If you need a visa understand what your options are, so you choose the right one for what you are planning to do.
• Make sure your visa is a multiple-entry one so you can travel home in an emergency or take vacations.
• Check whether you can work or not using that visa.
• Always keep copies of your passports, visas, driving licences and other important documents.
• For most places your passport will have to be valid for at least 6 months from the date you enter the country you are travelling to.
• Understand how long you can drive using your existing licence in your new country (if at all). Make sure it has as much validity on it as possible.
• Travel insurance is needed, but it will not cover all medical bills. You will need medical insurance for the rest of your stay.
• Some visas require you to have full medical insurance already in place.
• Make sure you can use your phone in your new country. Make sure it is unlocked and will accept a local SIM.
• Look at international banking and compare it to local banking options.
• To be able to open a local bank account you will need to meet certain criteria, understand what that is and work out if you will qualify when you first arrive.
• Get your credit score from your home country, often, it will help you to rent a home in your new country.

BEST MOMENTS

“Check that you have some blank pages in your passport to allow for stamps and visas. .”

“My driving license expired while I was in my first few months in America, and that was really unhelpful.”

“Ideally you don't want to have a single day in your new country without medical cover… have your travel insurance migrate into the local medical insurance.”

“Mishaps, or what ifs can arise and you're going to need money, pretty much always, to get yourself out of a situation.”

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://visaguide.world/tips/passport-6-month-rule

https://www.insureandgo.com

https://www.revolut.com

https://monzo.com

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/travel-credit-cards

ABOUT THE HOST

Clare Kay is a seasoned global mover – with an international career in sales, customer service, personal development, and as a flight attendant. She has sold books and TV programs globally, taught English as a foreign language, and supported non-native speakers through proofreading. Her own global moves – from the UK to Zambia, China, Taiwan, Nigeria, and the USA – bring direct experience, and her global outlook has given her the growth and connections to support others in creating a life abroad. Through her podcast Moving Countries 101, she inspires listeners with the confidence and courage to make their own move – and continues the cultural and emotional conversation in her Facebook Group – Moving Countries 101 with Clare Kay

https://www.facebook.com/groups/movingcountries101withclarekay/

https://www.tiktok.com/@movingcountries101

www.linkedin.com/in/clarekay 

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