The Hidden Costs of Moving Abroad

It’s finally happening — you have the opportunity to move to another country, and you can’t stop dreaming about it. However, before you take the plunge, there are some things you need to know. First, how much does it cost to move to another country?

Maybe you did calculate the budget, but did you account for hidden costs? Knowing about these expenses is always good, so they don’t catch you off guard financially. Keep reading to learn how much does it cost to move overseas.

Visa and Immigration Fees

Most countries require you to pay application fees when applying for a visa.  This doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the visa. Plus, if the officials reject your application, you’ll need to apply again, which is expensive. For example, for New Zealand’s Skilled Residence visa, you need to pay $6450. 

You must use passport translation services if your passport is in another language.

Now, if you’re not well-versed in a country’s immigration laws, you’ll need the help of consultants and lawyers. And they may charge high fees.

You also have to consider other fees related to immigration. For instance, you may need a medical checkup and get specific vaccinations. You likely must do a background check via the local law enforcement authorities.

If you’re moving to Canada, you may need IRCC translation services to submit all your immigration documents.

Shipping and Moving Services

It’s quite the task to think about what you want to take and what you will leave behind. Your belongings have a personal connection, and you may feel like taking everything. But this may not be the case.

What if you’re going to live off what you have in your carry-on and check-in luggage? You still have to account for things you’ll buy. 

If you have to move several items, one option is to ship them to your location. Again, this is expensive, and you may also have to purchase insurance in case something goes wrong. You must also pay for packing materials, especially when transporting valuable or fragile items.

Suppose you must stay in a hotel or with people you know until you find a space? You’ll need to put your things in storage, which costs money.

Healthcare and Insurance

The insurance in your home country may not cover medical expenses in foreign countries. So, the only option is to choose a private health insurance provider, which is expensive. The premium will change based on age, coverage, and other factors.

Unfortunately, insurance plans won’t cover everything. In other words, you still have to pay for certain services and medications. Some countries have affordable healthcare, but not every region.

If the languages of your home and host country are different, you will likely need to use medical translation services.

Banking and Currency Exchange Fees

Additional charges exist for using your bank account, credit, or debit cards from your home country. This is avoidable to a certain extent if you get a forex card. Another option is to have a local bank account, but you must make a minimum deposit to open the account.

When transferring money from your old account to the new one, you have to account for the currency’s exchange rate. Banks may not always give you the best values, which reduces how much you receive. 

Moreover, you need to make sure the documents you submit to open your account are in the correct language. Otherwise, you have to use certified translation services to avoid unnecessary delays.

Housing Deposits

Landlords and property management companies will ask for a security deposit, especially when you’re a foreigner. This can be a considerable sum, usually between 1 and 3 months of your rent. 

But who’s going to help you get a house in another country? If you don’t have family or friends, your only option is a real estate agent. They will charge at least a month’s rent as their fees for finding a house within your budget.

Did you also consider document translation fees because your IDs and other files are in another language?

Taxes and Financial Obligations

You need to know the host country’s tax system. If you don’t, you need an accountant to help file your taxes. Sometimes, you may have to pay taxes in your home and host country. However, this would be avoidable if the two countries had a tax treaty.

Other taxes apply when you purchase goods, buy property, or earn money in the host country.

Transportation Costs

When you’re new to the country, how will you get around? Public transport is one option; you can get a pass, which will be cheaper in the long run. But what if public transport doesn’t have good connectivity in your city?

The other option is to use taxis or ride-sharing services, which are expensive. You can always apply for a driver’s license, but you must pay the application fees. 

Of course, these fees are avoidable if you get a bicycle or one of its electronic variants. Still, you need to buy a bike, which will make a small dent in your budget.

Language Classes and Cultural Education

If you don’t know the country’s official language, you must learn it as soon as possible. This makes integrating with the community and talking to the locals easier. 

While some apps help with language learning, they don’t come close to offline or online language classes. These classes cost money, which you need to account for. A good way to meet new people is to join a workshop. But you also have to pay a fee.

You can also attend cultural education programs, which will bring you up to speed about a country’s cultural norms. Again, you need to make sure you set aside some money for these types of activities.

Children’s Education Costs

If you’re moving with your children, you must consider their education. Obviously, you already thought about this, but it’s important to reiterate this point. After all, education can be expensive, especially as a foreigner. 

Public schools are always an option, but your children will need to pick up the language. They may also find it a bit difficult to integrate with other students.

But this is just one of the costs you must consider. You must also consider other costs, like getting school supplies and uniforms. If you use the school’s bus, you have to pay for this service. 

What if they want to participate in extracurricular activities? Or they want to play sports or music outside of school hours. This is one of the many hidden costs of moving.

You may even have to use a notarized translation if your children’s academic documents are in a different language. This is important when joining a new school or university in a foreign country.

Pet Relocation Costs

International relocation costs for pets are expensive. You may already know that getting a ticket for your pet will cost extra. But, there’s more to it. For starters, you need to get them checked and vaccinated. You may also have to obtain a health certificate from the vet.

The airline company will charge extra for transporting your pet on the plane. You also have to think about unexpected moving costs. For instance, there’s a delay, and your pet has to stay in another country until the next flight. This can take a few hours or even a day. What will you do about their accommodation during this period?

Emergency Funds

Emergency funds are essential when moving to another country because anything can happen. Here are some possible situations:

• You have a medical condition and must pay out of pocket because it’s outside your insurance coverage.
• You need to relocate to another neighborhood for personal reasons. 
• You have to buy certain home appliances because the old ones broke down.
• You lost your phone or laptop while traveling and need a new one for work or school.

Having at least six months’ worth of living expenses in your emergency account is a good idea. However, it also increases the cost of moving abroad.

Always Anticipate Hidden Costs

Add everything, and you get a realistic cost of moving to another country. Now, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. Knowing what to expect will make budgeting for these moving overseas costs easier. It helps with the transition, and you won’t have to worry as much.

An essential part of moving abroad is ensuring your documents and certificates are in a specific language. Otherwise, you must contact a professional translation agency to help translate your documents.

Rapid Translate’s online translation services allow you to translate your documents, regardless of where you are. We have professional translators who are proficient in over 60 languages. If you’re moving to the US, use our USCIS-certified translation with a 100% acceptance guarantee.

This way, you can submit your documents without a second thought, because they comply with USCIS’s strict requirements.

FAQs

Do you want to know how much does it cost to emigrate? Do you have other similar questions? Go through this section because it answers all sorts of questions on this topic.