Moving overseas is an exciting experience, however without sufficient planning it can become a stressful one. By getting started early on the packing and the administrative tasks, you’ll find the bureaucracy of your international move will be a little easier. Forgetting the little things is easy to do when making a big move overseas. So, we’ve compiled a list of five things you’ll need to do before moving from Singapore to another country.
Organise your admin
An international move requires a significant amount of administrative tasks. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed so write a list and prioritise by what is most important. Arranging a visa for your new country should be at the top of your list. Before you apply for a visa, your passport will need at least six months’ validity before you leave the country. If you are on an foreign work permit in Singapore, you will need to notify the Ministry of Manpower that you are leaving so they can cancel your work pass, as well as any dependent passes linked to it.
If you are a foreigner leaving Singapore or if you are a Singaporean national who has renounced their citizenship, you will need to obtain tax clearance from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore. Your employer will need to do this on your behalf at least one month before you leave your job. This means your employer will withhold money from your salary to pay the tax you owe. You will be legally required to cover any outstanding amount, failure to do so means you may not be allowed to leave the country.
Once you have your moving date, you’ll need to inform your utility companies, your bank and insurance brokers, as well as your local gym or any social clubs you’re a member of. If you have children, you’ll need to contact their schools to let them know about your relocation.
Do a spring clean
If you’ve been living in one location for a while, or even if you’ve been moving around the world, you’re likely to have amassed plenty of possessions over the years. Moving overseas is an ideal time to sort through your belongings and do a big clean out. Sell or donate items which are no longer useful to you.
Consider each item carefully, is it worth taking with you? In the case of items with sentimental value which won’t be making the journey with you, we recommend finding safe and secure storage. Fortunately, Allied offers a variety of storage options so you can store your belongings free from dust, water and vermin.
Set up your new home
If you are moving overseas for a new job, your company may help you find a new home and set up your utilities. If not, you will need to find out whether you will have electricity, water and Internet access in your new home as soon as you arrive. There’s nothing worse than spending the first night in your new home without running water or in darkness. We recommend contacting your new utility companies and potential internet service providers before you make your move. Don’t be afraid to shop around for a competitive price and if possible, ask locals for recommendations.
Prepare the essentials
When packing, don’t forget to leave out the essentials. It’s easy to pack everything away, but having some essential items easily accessible will help to reduce stress and provide some comfort when you are moving from home to another. Essentials can include phone chargers, towels, a few plates and cutlery, fresh clothes and your toothbrush. We recommend packing these items together, labelling them, and keeping them with you during the move.
Book your removalists
A great moving company can take care of your precious belongings while you make the journey to your new overseas home. With Allied’s expansive global network, we can help you move from Singapore to anywhere in the world. However, our availability can fill up easily, particularly around certain times of the year. So, we recommend that you contact us for a moving estimate at the earliest opportunity before confirming your exact move date.
Ready to make your move overseas? Please get in contact with us. You can either call us on +65 6862 4700 or visit our website and use the contact form.