emergency - Expat Network

expat network

Choosing A Family Health Insurance Plan With The Best Cover

Picking the right family health insurance plan can be a daunting task, especially if you are planning to relocate to another country with your family. To help make the process less stressful, international insurance broker and family health insurance specialist, Pacific Prime, has 5 quick tips for choosing the best plan. Written exclusively for Expat...

Health And Healthcare In Australia

Conditions in Australia make it important to watch your health and make use of the Australian healthcare system. Health Australia is a large country and therefore has a wide range of climates from the temperate zones in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales in the south of the country to the tropical and monsoon areas...

Health Guidelines For America

It is important to be informed about vaccinations and other health requirements for America. Preventive medicines and vaccinations may require several doses over a period of time before departure. For up-to-date health guidelines, contact your nearest American embassy or consulate as soon as possible. In addition to what is required, you should discuss any further...

Moving To Qatar – Four Things You Should Know

With international hubs and futuristic architecture to be found in places like Doha, Qatar is an exciting place for expats looking for an intercultural experience. Cigna Global, specialists in expat healthcare, have put together this list of four things you should know before your move to Qatar to help make your transition as smooth as...

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.