For many of us, emigrating abroad is just a fantasy – a daydream that we continuously return to, as we sit bored in our jobs watching the rain come down outside. The thought of relocating somewhere new and starting life a-fresh is wonderful, yet quite daunting at the same time. However, with a bit of guidance and plenty of hard work, emigrating abroad doesn’t have to be as challenging as it sounds.
- The next trip …Gilderic Photography
The first obstacle to overcome in making your dream a reality is selling your property. With the housing market at breaking point as economic conditions continue to flounder, this can be the hardest hurdle step – with broken chains and a reluctance of banks to give mortgage finance a real burden. Fortunately, there are other options available to homeowners; there is a wealth of trade buyers who will guarantee a quick purchase of properties in any location and condition, most usually to help people out of debt. Those looking to emigrate could easily take advantage of this rapid turnaround time in which a sale can take place – with no buyer indecision or lengthy legal procedures. More advice on this matter can be found at blogs such as sellmyhomequick.co.uk.
Another thing to consider when moving abroad is any VISA requirements that need to be adhered to. Australia, for instance, is a popular destination for emigrants but one that has quite a stringent Visa application process. There are a number of criteria to meet this country’s ‘General Skilled Migration’ programme, based on age, skill and employment status in the home country. Other nations have similar requirements for migrants – a great source for more information on this can be found at Wikipedia.
There may be language and cultural barriers to overcome of course in your new country. For US or UK inhabitants moving to a new home abroad, the way of life may at first seem unusual, and communication may prove tricky. But remember, the concept of ‘fitting in’ is very much a psychological one, and after a period of adjustment you’ll probably find yourself thinking ‘what was I even worried about?’ Remember your first day at school? It’s kind of the same principle.
Special attention must be paid though if you are emigrating to a Middle Eastern nation. Dubai is a hugely popular location for US and UK emigrants, but some of the laws can come as something of a shock. Many expatriates have found themselves in serious trouble for things that ‘westerners’ would consider normal daily activity. These include public displays of affection – as highlighted by this case, being drunk or drinking in a public place, sex outside marriage and even photographing government buildings.
Other things for people who want to move abroad permanently to consider are fairly self-explanatory. Pick up a good guidebook, respect the local customs and always dress appropriately, particularly if you are moving to a religious area. Other than that, simply go with the flow and enjoy yourself – your life is about to change for good.
[box type=”tick”]Finally: Have a quick browse of the UK government’s pages on emigration as these are a very good starting point for people looking into the possibility of moving abroad.[/box]
