Moving to another country is one of the most exciting — and overwhelming — experiences of your life. Without a clear plan, critical tasks can fall through the cracks, leading to last-minute stress, unnecessary costs, and avoidable complications. This 90-day international moving checklist breaks down everything you need to do into manageable weekly phases, from the moment you decide to move until your first week in your new country.
Phase 1: 90–60 Days Before Moving (Planning & Preparation)
Week 12–10: Foundation Planning
| Task | Details | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm your visa status | Ensure your work visa, residence permit, or immigration approval is confirmed and valid for your arrival date | Critical |
| Research your destination | Cost of living, neighborhoods, public transport, climate, cultural norms | High |
| Create a moving budget | Include flights, shipping, deposits, first month’s rent, insurance, visa fees, and a 3-month emergency fund | Critical |
| Decide what to ship vs. sell | Get quotes from 3+ international moving companies. Consider if shipping furniture is worth the cost vs. buying new | High |
| Start decluttering | Go room by room — sell, donate, or dispose of items you won’t ship. Use Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or local charity shops | Medium |
| Research health insurance | Understand what’s required in your destination country. Some visas mandate specific coverage levels. See our health insurance guide | High |
Week 9–8: Documentation & Legal
| Task | Details | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Check passport validity | Must be valid for 6+ months beyond your travel date. Renew immediately if needed | Critical |
| Gather important documents | Birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic transcripts, professional certifications, medical records, vaccination records | Critical |
| Get documents apostilled/notarized | Many countries require apostille stamps on official documents. Check your destination’s specific requirements | High |
| Arrange certified translations | Get official translations of all key documents into the local language if required | High |
| Obtain police clearance certificates | Many immigration processes require police checks from every country you’ve lived in for 6+ months | High |
| Review your will and power of attorney | Update beneficiaries, create a power of attorney for someone in your home country to handle affairs in your absence | Medium |
| Research tax implications | Understand your tax obligations in both countries. You may need to file in your home country for years after leaving | High |
Phase 2: 60–30 Days Before Moving (Logistics & Housing)
Week 7–6: Housing & Banking
| Task | Details | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Secure housing (or temporary accommodation) | If renting sight-unseen isn’t possible, book 2–4 weeks of temporary housing (Airbnb, serviced apartment) to house-hunt on arrival | Critical |
| Open a bank account | Many countries let you open accounts before arrival (Canada, Australia). See our guide to opening bank accounts abroad | High |
| Set up international money transfers | Register with Wise, Revolut, or your preferred transfer service. Complete verification before you need to send money | High |
| Arrange international health insurance | Bridge any gap between leaving your home country coverage and starting destination coverage | Critical |
| Book flights | Book flexible tickets if your exact move date isn’t confirmed. One-way international flights are often cheaper booked 6–8 weeks ahead | High |
| Research schools (if applicable) | International schools often have long waiting lists. Apply early and have backup options | Critical (families) |
Week 5–4: Moving Logistics
| Task | Details | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Book international movers | Confirm dates, get written quotes, and understand insurance coverage. Sea freight takes 4–12 weeks; air freight takes 1–2 weeks | High |
| Begin packing non-essentials | Start with items you won’t need in the next month: books, seasonal clothing, decorations | Medium |
| Get required vaccinations | Some countries require specific vaccinations. Yellow fever certificates, COVID boosters, or childhood vaccination records may be needed | High |
| Visit your doctor and dentist | Get checkups, refill prescriptions (with generic names noted), obtain medical records and a letter listing ongoing medications | High |
| Research pet import requirements | Pet relocation can take 2–6 months of preparation (vaccinations, microchipping, import permits, quarantine requirements) | Critical (pet owners) |
| Arrange vehicle disposal | Sell your car, cancel insurance, and handle registration transfers. Some countries allow vehicle import but duties can be expensive | Medium |
Phase 3: 30–7 Days Before Moving (Final Preparations)
Week 3–2: Cancellations & Notifications
| Task | Details | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Cancel or redirect subscriptions | Gym, streaming services, magazine subscriptions, meal kits. Some can be paused rather than cancelled | Medium |
| Notify your bank and credit cards | Inform them of your move to prevent fraud blocks on international transactions. Ask about maintaining accounts from abroad | High |
| Set up mail forwarding | Arrange forwarding through your postal service. Ask a trusted person to handle mail that can’t be forwarded | High |
| Cancel utilities | Schedule disconnection for the day after your move-out date. Get final meter readings and request closing statements | High |
| Notify tax authorities | Inform HMRC (UK), IRS (US), CRA (Canada), or your local tax office of your departure and new address | High |
| Update your address everywhere | Electoral register, professional memberships, alumni associations, insurance policies, pension providers | Medium |
| Download offline maps and translation apps | Google Maps offline, Google Translate language packs, local transport apps for your destination | Medium |
Week 1: Final Week
| Task | Details | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Pack your carry-on essentials bag | Passport, visa documents, important papers, medications, phone charger, change of clothes, laptop, valuables, snacks | Critical |
| Make copies of all documents | Physical photocopies AND digital copies (stored in cloud). Passport, visa, insurance, tenancy agreement, employment contract | Critical |
| Confirm all bookings | Flights, airport transfer, temporary accommodation, moving company pickup | Critical |
| Clean and hand over your property | Deep clean, take dated photos for deposit evidence, hand over keys, get written confirmation of property condition | High |
| Say goodbye | Host a farewell gathering, visit important places one last time, exchange contact details with everyone you want to stay in touch with | Personal |
| Charge all devices | Phone, laptop, tablet, power bank, noise-cancelling headphones. Bring appropriate power adapters for your destination | Medium |
| Carry cash in local currency | Have some destination currency for immediate expenses on arrival (taxi, food, SIM card). ATMs at airports often have poor rates | High |
Phase 4: First Week in Your New Country
| Task | Details | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Register with local authorities | Many countries require registration within days of arrival (e.g., Anmeldung in Germany within 14 days, empadronamiento in Spain) | Critical |
| Get a local SIM card or phone plan | Essential for local communication, banking verification, and navigation. Compare plans before committing to a contract | High |
| Open or activate your bank account | If opened remotely, activate in-branch. If not yet opened, visit with your documents. See our bank account guide | High |
| Register with a local doctor/GP | Don’t wait until you’re sick. Register with a local practice and transfer your medical records | High |
| Learn your emergency numbers | 112 (EU), 911 (US/Canada), 000 (Australia), 999 (UK). Know the nearest hospital and pharmacy | Critical |
| Explore your neighborhood | Find your nearest supermarket, pharmacy, public transport stops, and green spaces. Walk around to build a mental map | Medium |
| Set up local apps | Public transport app, food delivery, local classifieds, expat community apps (InterNations, Meetup, local Facebook groups) | Medium |
| Apply for your tax number | Required for employment in most countries. Your employer may handle this, but confirm | High |
International Moving Budget Template
Use this template to estimate your total moving costs:
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa/Immigration Fees | $200–$5,000 | Varies widely by country and visa type |
| Flights (one-way) | $300–$2,000 | Per person; book 6–8 weeks ahead for best rates |
| International Shipping (sea freight) | $2,000–$10,000 | 20ft container; 4–12 week transit |
| International Shipping (air freight) | $3,000–$15,000 | Per cubic meter; 1–2 week transit |
| Temporary Accommodation (2–4 weeks) | $1,000–$4,000 | Airbnb or serviced apartment while house-hunting |
| Rental Deposit | 1–3 months’ rent | Varies by country; some require agent fees too |
| Health Insurance (first 3 months) | $300–$2,000 | Bridge coverage until local insurance starts |
| Document Translations & Apostilles | $200–$1,000 | Per document; official translations cost $30–$80 each |
| Emergency Fund (3 months) | $5,000–$15,000 | 3 months of basic living expenses in destination city |
| Total Estimated Range | $12,000–$55,000 | For a single person; multiply for families |
Looking for more affordable options? Check our guide to the cheapest countries to immigrate to in 2026.
Essential Documents Checklist
Keep these documents in your carry-on luggage (never in checked baggage):
| Document | Original | Copies | Digital Backup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport | Yes | 3 copies | Cloud storage |
| Visa/Work Permit | Yes | 3 copies | Cloud storage |
| Employment Contract | Yes | 2 copies | Cloud storage |
| Birth Certificate (apostilled) | Yes | 2 copies | Cloud storage |
| Marriage Certificate (if applicable) | Yes | 2 copies | Cloud storage |
| Academic Transcripts & Degrees | Yes | 2 copies | Cloud storage |
| Professional Certifications | Yes | 2 copies | Cloud storage |
| Medical Records & Prescriptions | Yes | 1 copy | Cloud storage |
| Insurance Documents | Yes | 1 copy | Cloud storage |
| Rental Agreement | Yes | 1 copy | Cloud storage |
| Driver’s Licence + International Driving Permit | Yes | 1 copy | Cloud storage |
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I start planning an international move?
Ideally 3–6 months. The 90-day timeline in this guide assumes your visa is already approved. If you’re still in the immigration process, add that processing time on top. Pet relocations and school enrollments may require even longer lead times.
Should I ship my furniture or buy new?
For most moves, it’s cheaper to sell furniture and buy new or used at your destination. Shipping a full household internationally costs $5,000–$15,000 and takes weeks. Only ship items with sentimental or irreplaceable value, and high-quality items that would cost more to replace.
What about my pension and retirement savings?
This varies enormously by country. Some pension systems have bilateral agreements allowing transfers. Others may let you leave funds invested until retirement age. Consult a financial advisor who specializes in international relocations before making any decisions.
How do I handle ongoing commitments in my home country?
Appoint a trusted person with power of attorney to handle property management, legal matters, and financial affairs. Set up online banking for your home accounts. Cancel subscriptions you won’t use, and put others on hold if possible.
Free: 90-Day International Moving Checklist
Get our step-by-step checklist delivered to your inbox. Covers visas, documents, banking, housing, and everything you need.
No spam ever. Unsubscribe anytime.