Getting Ready
It is pivotal to plan and prepare ahead when moving internationally. You should prepare a checklist, considering all the important aspects when you move abroad.
- Bring any special item from home: establish an environment that makes you feel at home. Bring any special item with you to your host location, i.e. family photos, small painting from your grandma, etc. It will help you during your adaptation process.
- Legal Documents: make sure you and your family have all the necessary legal documentation updated, like passports. Other documentation that you should bring to the host country are birth certificates, current driver's licenses, professional records, marriage certificate, certificate of adoption, school records, and medical records. Some of the documents should be duly legalized | apostilled in the country of issuance in order to be accepted in Mexico.
- Visas & Taxes: Verify immigration laws in order to enter the country with the correct type of visa. Some national citizens need to apply for entry visas before their arrival to the country. Visa applications may take several months in order to be processed and you should consider this for your arrival. Also, check out with your personal accountant at home about tax laws and treaties in your country of origin or residence. Find out information about taxes in Mexico and how this can affect your tax situation in your country of permanent residence.
- Get Ready to Live in Another Country: before moving, conduct a thorough research where you'll be moving to. We recommend you purchase a country and city guide before you move as it is a great introduction to your new life.
Moving with your loved ones
Moving abroad implies committing to your loved ones in this new experience. Therefore, it´s important to talk with your family and friends in order to have the necessary support for this big decision in your life. Take the necessary steps so you can feel comfortable and excited about moving to another country. Living abroad, knowing different points of view, shifting values, and living a lot of adventure may be a big deal for families.
If you are travelling with family members and pets, make sure you are all working towards the same goal and include them in the expatriation process.
Moving with pets
When you move out with your pet internationally, you must consider the following guidelines:
- Verify with the Consulate of the country of destination about the regulations and documents required by authorities since they differ from one country to another.
- Sometimes airlines have different regulations for transporting animals internationally. So, please verify animal transportation rules since they can change at different stops on the travel itinerary.
- Schedule an early appointment with a veterinarian who has experience in preparing animals for international travel to comply with all the procedures and vaccines required.
- You should have the proper animal carrier for an international flight. Many airlines require the carrier to be approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).