Did you get a new exciting job offer abroad?
It really sounds amazing but at the same time scary – how do you plan a trip like this? Where do you even start?
Before planning your grand adventure, thoroughly read the following tips, and start preparing in advance.
You can save up some money at every stage: when you select insurance, look for accommodation and even prepare your travel documents.
Organize Your Finances
The first thing you should do is getting a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card. The cheapest way to pay for things abroad is to use a credit card – beats the currency exchange fees by a cash transaction. So, go to your bank and ask for a credit card without foreign fees. However, make sure that your card covers the country of your destination to avoid unexpected spending.
Secondly, have some cash on you. Before you leave, convert money to the local currency to make purchases at the airport, pay the taxi driver and buy some coffee or snacks. Not every country in the world has switched to the cash-free purchases, so do your research and make sure you always have some money on you.
Finally, don’t forget to notify your bank about the upcoming trip. Otherwise, they might block your card and create a huge problem for you in a foreign country. This is another reason to always have some cash.
Prepare Your Travel Documents
Now it is time to prepare all the documents you will need to acquire a work visa. Depending on the country of destination, regulations might vary but in a nutshell, it’s always about the passport, work contract, work permit, visa application, and visa photos. Visit the official website of the respective embassy and familiarize yourself with the full list of documents.
So, how can you save money at this point? Easy – get a Passport Photo Maker to make ID photos yourself. Check out this passport photo creator – a great virtual assistant that will save you lots of time and money as well as help you avoid the unnecessary trip to a photo studio. The program contains a huge variety of ID types from passport photo templates to visa applications, from driver’s licenses to student ID cards.
You simply choose a country of your destination from the drop-list of 130+ options, then pick the required document, open a photo, and the program will do its magic. It will automatically crop the image to the size of professional passport photos and provide you with an extensive list of requirements. This way you will receive the latest visa and photo regulations, take professional photos in compliance with all the standards, and get approved quickly and painlessly.
Take Care of the Accommodation
If your company is going to provide you with accommodation, you’re golden. However, ask for some photos to understand whether your expectations are met or not. Different cultures might mean different ways of living and different comfort zones.
In case you are a freelancer and will look for a place to live by yourself, do prior research. Think about where you want to live: in the countryside hand to hand with nature, in the quiet suburbs or right in the city center where all the action happens. But don’t forget to check whether this area is safe enough for you to stay there. When you find your dream apartment, ask your future landlord for the payment details, put aside the first month’s rent and the deposit.
If you can’t afford to rent a place by yourself, look for a roommate – check out some local Facebook groups, you will certainly find some options there.
Get the Right Insurance
Regardless of your health, you absolutely need health insurance when you are abroad. Especially, if you don’t know anyone, don’t speak the language and don’t know the rules – get insurance, and you will not get in trouble. There are three basic options you can choose from:
- Travel health insurance covers routine medical services and emergencies. Depending on the plan you go for, it will cover the ambulance ride, emergency room fees, hospital room bills, and other eligible expenses.
Besides a medical emergency, travel insurance covers flight cancellation, lost baggage, travel delay, and other travel inconveniences that might occur.
- If you are going to a remote region with a poor medical system, you might want to consider getting the medical evacuation insurance. This way, if you get badly injured, you will be evacuated back to your home country and treated there.
- If your trip is going to be physically risky or you are going to a dangerous country where you might get seriously injured, accident insurance might be right for you.
And finally, don’t forget to get vaccinated prior to traveling. Go online and find out which vaccinations are necessary and advisory before entering the country of your destination.
Save Money on Food
Firstly, try the local food market – it is definitely the cheapest shopping place and at the same time it will help you immerse yourself in the local culture and cuisine. Don’t be afraid to try new things!
Secondly, avoid touristy areas where you will be overcharged for the same dish. Ask the locals where they dine and eat there. And don’t forget to inquire how much they pay – you might receive the “tourist tax” especially if you don’t speak the local language.
Finally, instead of eating out cook your food at home. It is obvious advice, however, people tend to disregard it and spend too much money on restaurant food. Dine out one or two times a week to spoil yourself a little and try something new, and the rest of the time, use your own kitchen.
Moving to another country is scary and challenging. There are so many things you need to plan and think of that you might feel overwhelmed. But don’t worry, take your time, use the helpful tips from experienced expats, and you will have the best experience of your life.