Moving checklist
Your international moving checklist
Moving internationally is an exciting time, but we understand the process can become overwhelming if not properly organised. Don’t lose yourself in the move – follow our checklist which breaks down the move into smaller and easier tasks.
At least 3 months before
- Book your flights
- Apply for passports and visas
- Terminate your lease if applicable
- Consider whether you will ship your furniture or buy furniture at your destination. Let your moving company know if you need storage facilities
- Create a move budget
- Get moving quotes (at least three) Remember to insure your belongings
- If you are moving as a family, learn about your new home country together and discuss the move with your children
- Research schooling options
- Start looking for temporary accommodation in your destination country
2 months before
- Sort through your belongings and resell or donate what you aren’t taking with. Be ruthless
- Make a detailed inventory of everything accompanying you on your move. Assign each item a monetary value
- If pets are travelling with you, get their travel crates so that they can get used to spending time in them and feel safe and secure on the journey
- Notify the children’s schools, request their transcripts
- Cancel or transfer your membership at the gym, yoga studio, CrossFit facility, etc., internet, telephone, magazine subscriptions
- Have your vehicle serviced if it’s making the journey with you
4 weeks before
- Use or donate items that you aren’t taking with but can’t sell
- Gather all financial, legal, and medical records in one place
- Cancel the debit order for your rent (if applicable)
- Gather birth certificates and passports for everyone making the journey
- Request copies of vet records and get any necessary pet medication and vaccinations
- If you live in a complex, obtain moving and/or parking permits if necessary
- Establish building restrictions for move hours if applicable
- Arrange elevator access if necessary
- Clean and dry your tools, garden furniture and kitchen utensils to avoid mould during the transport. This is particularly important if you are moving to a humid climate
- Obtain packing supplies and start packing a little bit every day
The day before
- Return borrowed items from neighbours, family, and friends
- Unplug your fridge and freezer to defrost the night before
- Pack an essentials box with everything you’ll need for the first 24 hours in your new home
- If you are shipping your vehicle as well, remember to drain the fuel tank prior to transport
- Make sure your important documents are all in one place and within easy reach: plane tickets, identity documents, passports, etc
- Put aside essential medications and make sure you take them with you
- Don’t forget any clothes at the dry cleaners!
- Have everything ready for the movers to ensure a smooth process
- Organise a pet/babysitter to help reduce the stress
Moving day
- Protect your floors and carpets for the move
- If you are a tenant, make a final inventory of fixtures, noting every detail (damage, breakages, malfunctions, etc.)
- Note down meter numbers to avoid any misunderstanding with the landlord
- Turn off the electricity, water and gas
- Check that your electronic and household appliances are working in front of the moving crew before they are loaded for transport