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The idea of moving abroad can be both exciting and daunting. There’s a lot that needs to be sorted out before you move from applying for visas to finding accommodation. Fortunately, much of this prep work has been made a lot easier thanks to the wonders of the internet. Below are just several ways in which you can digitally prepare for a move abroad.
Apply for necessary documents online
There may be certain documents that you need to apply for in order to move abroad. This could include passports, international driving permits, visas, or even permanent residence. Much of this documentation can be applied for online. For instance, if you want to move abroad to be with a partner in the UK, you can apply for a UK spouse visa online without having to talk to anyone in person. There may be certain application tasks that require a face-to-face interview, however many of these can even be done via virtual interview nowadays.
Take advantage of virtual home tours
When looking for property abroad to live in, you could consider taking a flight abroad and viewing property in person. Alternatively, you could save money by organizing a virtual home tour. Using a smartphone or a tablet camera, an agent may be able to show you around the property. Alternatively, there may be a 3D tour online that you can take via a video or an interactive tour. Don’t be afraid to ask agents questions and possibly request more images if the pictures/videos provided don’t give enough information.
Apply for jobs and attend interviews online
If you need to find a new job abroad, there are plenty of job sites that can allow you to look for roles in other countries. Make sure to tell employers in your application that you’re yet to move and that you’d like to do an interview via phone/video call. Most employers will be accomodating. You can find tips online on how to succeed at a virtual job interview.
Try an online language learning course
If you’re moving to a country that doesn’t speak English as its official language, it could be important to learn some of the local lingo. There are so many different ways to learn a foreign language online. You can attend lessons via video call with a teacher, download language learning apps, take virtual courses on Youtube or sign up to sites containing virtual courses containing documents and quizzes.
Start meeting people online
Making new friends when moving abroad is important. There are social networks set up for meeting people abroad – some of these could be great options for meeting people before you move. You may even be able to sign up to a few social groups to help you meet people.