Moving to the United States? Here’s what you need to know

Moving to a new country can be scary. There might be many reasons why someone decides to move to another country. A major reason for moving is when you have a new job that requires a different location. However, some people just feel like a change or a new start. Whatever your reason for moving to the United States, the process can feel daunting.

Prepare now for the move date

There is so much to consider and sort out before the big day of the move. So, it’s important to start to prepare as soon as possible.

The main thing that you need to get is legal permission. The details will depend on how long you plan to stay in the US and your reason for moving there. Beyond that are other considerations too, so it’s a good idea to make sure that you familiarise yourself with US laws and regulations.

Get legal permission first

You won’t get very far if you don’t have legal permission. It’s very important that you get this, and there are a few ways to do so.

Firstly, if you are planning on moving to the United States for work, you can get your employer to sponsor you. You could also gain sponsorship from a family member who already lives in the states. These two are probably the easiest ways to get permission.

If you aren’t moving to the US for a job, or don’t have family members out there, then it’s a little bit harder. However, it’s not impossible.

For example, you could easily get a student visa if you plan to study after the relocation. Or, you might look into securing a tourist visa if you are just visiting there.

You could also apply for a resident card instead if you prefer. If you are thinking of going through this route, then make sure that you know how to replace a resident card if need be. You can find out more information about having to replace resident card here.

Find a place to stay

Since you’ll be looking for houses in a different country, it can be quite hard to find the right place to move into when you finally arrive there. That’s why it might be a good idea for you to find temporary housing first so that once you physically get to the US you can then start looking for a more permanent place.

Many people use Airbnb as a popular form of short-term housing, for example. If you have the money to do so, though, then you can easily plan a trip a few weeks before you move to help you find the perfect place. Boston is quite a popular destination so if you find yourself near this area, you can consider yourself lucky. There are plenty of great hotels in Boston Massachusetts that can become your temporary home.

Don’t get any furniture or other possessions, though, before you’ve made the final decision on where to stay in the states. Otherwise, you’ll get stuck with furniture and other possessions, not having anywhere to store them.

That’s just in case you end up not finding a residence that’s as good as your expectations. This is why most people get temporary houses before moving into more permanent housing.

You might also have to look into car transport options. That’s applicable if you want to take your vehicle with you but aren’t driving to the destination.

Packing

When it’s finally time to move to the United States, ensure that you pack only what you need if you’re going a long way. It’ll be hard to move large luggage around unless you’re coming from a closer distance, such as Canada or Mexico. Even then, a lot of bags can be cumbersome.

Regarding what to pack, focus on including items that would be impossible to replace or have sentimental value. And, of course, double-check that you have all the correct documents.

Documentation when moving to the United States includes:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage license
• Medical records

And so on. You don’t want to leave the important things behind.

Of course, your passport and Visas are also must-have items when relocating to another country. As are your prescription medicines. You’ll want to take your credit cards too, and be sure to update the providers with your new contact information once reaching the destination.

Don’t forget to look into health insurance options. This investment is well worth it to cover you and your family for medical tests to maintain good health and to avoid significant medical bills down the road.

Do your homework beforehand

All in all, though, if you plan well and research what you require before leaving your home country, you are likely to have a smoother time than if you wing it. With that said, moving is still likely to be overwhelming, as with all big life events.

Do you have other worries about moving to the United States? If so, check out these top factors to consider when moving to a new country.

Have you ever moved to a different part of the world? What helped you prepare for it?