Moving to another country is a big step in life which can be very stressful and time-consuming. In these modern times, it is easier than ever to move anywhere in the world. Anyway, that doesn’t mean the process isn’t demanding. But don’t worry! Even though you might have a thousand things on your mind, good organization is always a way to go. With a good checklist, you will be up to the task. Here are some of the things we recommend organizing before your trip.
1. Clean your home
This is a very important first step. We all tend to accumulate things in our houses throughout time. Your current home might be overloaded with unnecessary stuff. That’s why it might seem you’ll need weeks or even months to pack everything. After you clean your home and get rid of everything you won’t need in your new place you’ll feel much better. Also, the packing will last way shorter.
After you finish cleaning make sure you go through the pile of stuff and figure out which one of them you could give away or sell. When moving to another country, extra cash is something that comes handy. Why wouldn’t you earn some money by selling some of the stuff you never used before and that is still in good shape.
Something that you may find useful is packing a little bit every single day. That way you won’t find yourself in a situation to pack all day long for a few days in a row.
2. Take care of your documents
There are many documents you should bring with yourself to Canada. That’s why making a checklist could come handy. Make sure you made all necessary copies of your documents. In case you know you’ll need more than one copy of a certain document, make a few of them. That way you so won’t have to worry about losing them. Here are some of the most important documents:
- Canadian visa – make sure you apply for a visa in time, so you don’t have any problems after you land in Canada
- Passport – don’t forget to check if your passport is valid, as well as the passports of family members traveling with you (they have to be valid for more than 6 months)
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate
- Medical records
- Academic certificates
- Driver’s license
In case you don’t have some of these documents, make sure you apply for them while you’re still in your own country. If you decide to get them after you arrive in Canada this process might take longer. You will probably have to pay some extra money too. One more thing to keep in mind is that your documents should be written in English or French since these are official languages in Canada.
3. Arrange your finances
Before moving you should check the minimum amount of money you need to bring with yourself. This amount might vary depending upon different factors. If you are planning to bring more than CAD$10,000 with yourself, keep in mind that you will have to declare it. This is why it is very important to keep yourself posted about these rules.
Don’t forget to open a new bank account in Canada and close the accounts you won’t be using in your current country anymore. All of your bills and debts should be paid before you leave.
4. Book your flight/check your car
If you are flying to Canada, we recommend booking a flight as soon as possible. The earlier you do it, the less it will cost. What we don’t recommend is making a plane reservations for the same day you’re moving out. You never know what can happen. Leave yourself some time in case of unexpected situations or emergencies.
If you are traveling by car, you should have your vehicle checked and serviced before leaving. If you are expecting hot weather, make sure your air conditioner in the car is all set. That way you’ll be able to enjoy the ride and prepare for what’s coming after you arrive.
5. Organize the final details before moving
If you have pets make sure you find a way to transport them to Canada. Take them to the vets and check if they are healthy and ready for traveling.
Visit the local supermarket and ask employees do they have any large boxes you could use for packing. Take care of the movies you rented and return books to the library. Defrost your refrigerator and collect the clothes from the dry cleaner. Let your neighbors know you’ll be moving, so they are prepared for the noise.
6. Get to know the country you are moving to
For some people change can be very stressful. Maybe you are not someone who adapts easily. But anyway, there are some things you can do to make it easier for yourself. As a first step, we recommend getting familiar with life in Canada in general. Many websites can help you along the way. On KevsBest you can find a lot of useful information about life in Canada.
If English isn’t your first language, you should work on improving it. Especially if you’re moving to Canada for work. That way you’ll be ready for communication right away. Plus, you’ll feel more confident and welcomed. As we mentioned, French is the second official language in Canada, so you might consider learning this language too.
You can also make a plan for your first days in Canada. Getting to know the area you will be located in can be a great starting point. Take a long walk, visit some local spots you are interested in and enjoy your first days in the new country.
Conclusion
Moving to another country means starting a new chapter in your life. It is an exciting process, but at some point, you might feel overwhelmed. This is why it’s very important to keep yourself organized. We always recommend making a checklist that will keep you on track. When you are prepared, you don’t feel stressed and you can enjoy more in the moving process.
