Preparing for a move can be stressful enough when you are moving across town or to another state--but planning for an international move from San Antonio can take your anxiety to another level! Fortunately, if an international move is coming up for you, a little preparation and prudence will go a long way in ensuring a smooth transition in your move from San Antonio. Need help? We've got some recommendations to help you begin.
Investigate Documentation Requirements
One of the more complex and somewhat time-consuming tasks of planning an international move is investigating all of the documentation required. You will want to understand, for instance, if you will need a passport, a visa, or a different type of documentation to legally relocate. Don’t forget that applying and getting approved for a passport or visa can take some time, so this is not a task you'll want to procrastinate about.
Even once you've dropped anchor in your new home, you will want to have previously finished your investigation on the steps you will need to take in order to get a driver's license, legal identification, or other crucial documentation sooner rather than later.
Pare Down Your Possessions in San Antonio
Shipping your possessions from here to there is usually the most efficient (and cost-effective) option for an international move. At the same time, as you can imagine, international shipping of large items (such as furniture) is not inexpensive. This is why it is recommended to purge your belongings as much as possible before you embark on your international move.
One recommended option to think about in the months or weeks before your move is holding a garage sale to sell off some of the things you don't plan on moving with you. This can be a great way to acquire some extra money (which can be used to pay a part of those international shipping costs) and reduce the total amount of "stuff" you will need to have moved.
Obviously, if you plan on your international move not being permanent, you might also want to think about putting the bulk of your things into storage until you return to San Antonio.
Consult with a Financial Advisor
Taxes might be in the back of your mind when you are planning an international move, but listen up. Your tax scenario will automatically become complicated when you move across borders; there's really no skirting it, so the best thing you can do is to plan ahead by consulting with a tax or financial expert prior to your move. He or she should be able to aid you in figuring out crucial elements of your new-found tax scenario, such as where your fiscal residency will be and what special actions you may need to take when it comes time to file your taxes for the present year.
Schedule Your Moving Services
Last but definitely not least, don't forget to set up your international moving services as much in advance as possible. Setting up an in-home estimate is the preferred way to get an correct quote for your international move while also making sure you end up with the specific services (packing, shipping, delivery, unpacking, etc.) to suit your unique needs.
Planning an international move from San Antonio can be thrilling, but it can also be stressful--so make sure you plan early and find the right moving company to trust with all your relocation needs!
