Moving to a new country? I get it – it’s equal parts exciting and terrifying!
After helping countless people navigate international moves, I’ve put together this comprehensive checklist to make your journey smoother.
Let’s break it down into manageable chunks.
Before You Even Start Packing
Do Your Homework Start by diving deep into your destination. What’s the cost of living like? How does healthcare work? What are the local customs you should know about? This research will save you from culture shock later.
Get Your Paperwork in Order Apply for visas and work permits at least 8-12 weeks ahead – trust me, bureaucracy takes time. While you’re at it, investigate tax implications and check if your professional qualifications will transfer over.
Sort Out the Big Stuff Housing is crucial, so join Facebook groups and browse ExpatExchange.com for insider tips from other expats. If you have kids, research international schools early – they often have waiting lists and hefty price tags. No job lined up? Start browsing Indeed and LinkedIn now.
Start Learning the Language Even basic phrases will make your life infinitely easier. The sooner you start, the more you’ll enjoy your new adventure.
Money Matters Create a realistic budget for both your move and initial living expenses. Open a foreign bank account if possible, and grab some local currency for day-one expenses. Pro tip: Wise (formerly TransferWise) is fantastic for international transfers.
The Month Before You Leave
Document Everything Gather all your important papers – passports, birth certificates, marriage licenses, medical records, immunization history. Make copies of everything and scan them to cloud storage like Dropbox or Google Drive.
Handle the Logistics Cancel subscriptions, transfer insurance policies, and arrange utilities at your new place. If you’re bringing pets, research import regulations – this can be surprisingly complex!
Choose a reputable international moving company for big items, or use services like “Send my Bag” for lighter loads. Set up mail forwarding or consider a virtual mailbox service.
Get Travel-Ready Book flights using Skyscanner or Google Flights (Tuesday and Thursday flights are often cheaper!). Arrange airport pickup and purchase international health insurance.
Moving Day and Your First Week
Stay Flexible International moves rarely go exactly as planned, so pack your patience along with your belongings.
Pack Smart Keep essentials in your carry-on: toiletries, change of clothes, medications, and important documents. Don’t forget adapters for your electronics and some local currency.
Tech Prep Download offline maps and translation apps. Notify your bank about travel plans to avoid card blocks. Take photos of valuable items for insurance purposes.
First Steps in Your New Home Register with local authorities for your residence permit. Get that local driver’s license sorted and register with your home country’s embassy. Set up local banking, utilities, and a mobile phone plan.
Your First Six Months: Building Your New Life
Get Connected Join expat groups and attend community events – Meetup and Facebook Groups are goldmines for this. Explore local transportation, healthcare facilities, and emergency services.
Keep Learning Continue with language practice and consider taking local classes or workshops. This isn’t just about skills – it’s about making connections.
Stay Grounded Monitor your finances carefully. I’ve seen too many people run out of money and have to return home unexpectedly. Regular budget check-ins are your friend.
Settling In for the Long Haul
Be Proactive Nobody’s going to hand you a social life – you’ll need to create it. Explore your neighborhood, attend events, join clubs that match your interests.
Maintain Connections Don’t underestimate how important staying in touch with home is for your mental health. Plan visits in both directions and consider starting a blog to document your journey.
Think Long-Term Start exploring career advancement opportunities and consider how this move fits into your bigger life goals.
Final Thoughts
Remember, every move is unique. Use this checklist as your foundation, but adapt it to your specific situation and destination country. The key is staying flexible while being thoroughly prepared.
Moving abroad is one of life’s great adventures – embrace the chaos, celebrate the small wins, and don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way. You’ve got this!
Note: I have no affiliation with any specific products or services mentioned in this guide.
If you’re a TCK (Third Culture Kid), this book is a must read. I’m an adult TCK, and wanted to share my reading notes with anyone who hasn’t had the chance to read it yet. As far as I’m aware, this is the most comprehensive book on third culture kids: their common traits, experiences, and thoughts.
Written by David C. Pollock and Ruth E. Van Reken, Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds provides great insight into the unique experiences and attitudes that many TCKs share.
Book summary below (all emphasis mine).
What does “Third Culture Kid” mean?
By definition, a TCK is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years (age 0 to 18) outside the parents’ culture. Consequently, his or her sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background.
High prevalence of TCKs: immigrant children, children of adoptees, children of minorities
“Traditional” TCK categories: foreign service kids, military brats, corporate brats, missionary kids
There are actually many TCKs out there. As of 2007, there were 4 million Americans living abroad (1 million UK citizens, 1 million Japanese citizens). Many of their children are TCKs by definition.
2% of the US population are TCKs.
TCKs find a lot of use in social networks to stay in touch (with friends around the world – Facebook is a great way to stay up to date)
“Prototype citizens of the future”
Barack Obama is a TCK.
A Cross Cultural Kid (CCK) is a person who is living in/has lived in, or meaningfully interacted with, two or more cultural environments for a significant period of time during childhood (up to age 18). Note: NOT merely living side by side with another culture. TCKs are a subgroup of CCKs.
Characteristics of a TCK Upbringing
Two important realities: being raised in a genuinely cross-cultural world and being raised in a highly mobile world.
Common TCK characteristics:
Their physicalappearance is often unique (compared to norm in “second culture” – their new home)
Some, perhaps most, expect to return home at one point (repatriation)
Often have a privilegedlifestyle due to “sponsoring agency” (e.g. housing covered by parent’s corporate relocation package)
System identity: many choose to pursue more important, “representative” roles – TCKs really need a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives
TCKs can viewed by members of “second culture” many different ways:
Foreigner
Hidden Immigrant
Look different, think different
Look alike, think different
Adopted
Mirror
Look different, think alike
Look alike, think alike
Common occurrences among TCKs:
Denial of feelings of sadness or grief
“We’re just going to move again, what’s the point of getting attached [to person / place / thing” (form of victim mentality)
Loss of their “world” (which could mean any combination of possessions, lifestyle, status, relationships, role models, system identity, past life). With that, perceived loss of control over their life
Don’t give themselves permission to grieve, or time to process the change.
Benefits and Challenges of being a TCK:
Benefits and challenges come in pairs for the TCK:
Benefit: Three dimensional view of the world Challenge: Painful awareness of reality
Benefit: Cross-cultural enrichment Challenge: Ignorance of home culture
Benefit: Less prejudice (due to open mind and world experiences etc.) Challenge: More prejudice (when they can’t help but feel “superior” to citizens of home culture)
Benefit: Appreciative of authority (understand benefits of a system that works) Challenge: Mistrustful of authority (feel like people are always making decisions for them)
Another benefit: TCKs truly importance of now. They have a sense of urgency. Do it now, seize the day. New, unexpected choices can materialize at any moment – and TCKs know to act fast when it happens.
A unique challenge: linguistic skills (while TCKs may pick new languages, they often lose fluency and depth in native tongue).
Practical Skills that TCKs develop:
Cross-Cultural Skills: TCKs are tend to be naturally good as teachers, mentors, mediator. They have well honed observational skills, especially about cultural norms and expectations (due to having to adjust quickly).
Social Skills: TCKs are confident that they can quickly adjust to new environments. However, they may sometimes hold back and observe new culture passively, afraid to make dumb mistakes.
It’s common for TCKs to feel like they are alone in a foreign land
Rootlessness and Restlessness in TCKs:
The questions TCKs dread the most: Where are you from? Where is home? (Answer: everywhere and nowhere).
TCKs have a Migratory Instinct (rootlessness) – they constantly feel it’s time to move even when it isn’t.
“No place is permanent—don’t get too attached” and “just leave” (default solutions when a problem arises).
In response to this feeling, many swear to settle down and never move again (but this is not easy)
Relational Patterns of Third Culture Kids:
Develop patterns of self-protection (against further pain of separation) that may affect relationships throughout their lives
Feel they can’t possibly keep up with everyone (people they know are spread out all over the world)
Relational Levels
What are relational levels?
Superficial level: small talk (“what’s the weather like?”)
“Still safe” level: where did you go on vacation?
Judgmental level: politics, religion, etc.
Emotional level: opening up about being sad, glad, worried, depressed
Disclosure level: private thoughts and feelings
Many TCKs feel that Canadians are Americans are too shallow because they actively avoid discussing issues of politics or religion (whereas TCKs are happy to jump to that level fast).
TCKs jump “relational levels” with others faster than most. Why?
They have practice doing it
They have content (something relevant to say)
They have a sense of urgency
Misconception about relationships: a lot of people may misread TCKs in this sense. TCKs actually place a high value on relationships.
The effect of (cycles of) multiple losses on TCK relationships: they erect walls to keep out anyone who may be coming closer. Ways of dealing with this:
Refusing to care
Quick release (they make assumption that conflict means loss of relationship)
Emotional flattening (refusing to feel the pain) – this may appear like confidence or independence, but is often a form of detachment
Developmental Issues TCKs Face:
As humans, we have a need for strong relationships: a sense of belonging, of being nurtured and cored for, internal unity, significance, being able to make meaningful choices, feeling of knowing ourselves & being known by others. TCKs may not always know or acknowledge this.
Phenomenon: UnevenMaturity. TCKs are mature around adults, but may seem socially lacking among peers.
Early maturity in some respects:
TCKs quickly develop a broad base of knowledge & awareness
Tend to have good relationships with adults
Develop good communication skills
Early autonomy
Delayed adolescence (may feel out of sync with their peers):
Cross cultural mobility in developmental years leads to extended compliance
required – pressure to conform to community standards. Translation: not as many opportunities to rebel.
Lack of opportunities for meaningful choices (many aspects of life decided for them)
Hard to make decisions due to life being unpredictable / family separations
Operating between different systems
TCK experience can severely impede normal development of sexual relationships
Characteristics of early adolescent rebellion in TCKs (when it actually happens):
Loneliness – start doing things like drugs, drinking (alcohol), workaholism, etc.
Anger – “if I’d just lived a normal life or had better parents, I wouldn’t be struggling the way I am now” or “the TCKs want to hurt those who may have hurt them”
“I spent my whole life doing what others want me to do. Now I’m going to start doing what I want to do”
Common in “boomerang kids” – those who come back home after university
When TCKs marry:
41% did not marry until age 25 (or older).
60% married someone who had other international experience.
80% of those who marry have kids, and teach them to be accepting, respecting and treasuring of differences.
Unresolved Grief
Denial: some refuse to admit the amount of sadness they have felt. Leads to grief of separation.
Anger: defend need for justice, environmental matters, civil rights, political freedom – with intensity. May find that many may not want to be near such an angry person.
Bargaining: they may begin planning how “one day” they will return to a particular location.
Sadness and Depression:many get stuck here for years, unable to mourn the loss or deal with it in a healthy way
Withdrawal: conscious or unconscious way of striking back at parents who drag them around.
Rebellion:whatever they know their parents will dislike, they will do—usually the protective behaviour is punished or put down.
Vicarious grief:transferring personal grief to that of others. As such they may become “rescuers of the community,” and may be so involved with rescuing others that they won’t rescue themselves
Delayed grief:when they begin to separate from children of their own. This hits hardest at 25-40, when realize that their own parents are far from perfect.
Advice for Parents of Third Culture Kids:
The transition (i.e. from home to adopted culture) will be much worse if you don’t tell the children in advance so they can say goodbye.
A TCK’s education should enable them to:
Maintain stable and positive self-image while learning new things
Acquire survival skills appropriate for their own culture
Identify and develop their personal creative gifts
Gain access to the major fields of human thought and experience
Become aware of the dominant worldviews/value orientations influencing their social world
Develop the capacity to think clearly and choose responsibly
Develop empathy, respect and capacity for dialogue with other persons
Cultural views of teachers/classmates may influence TCKs more than their parents expect.
Challenges when coming “home” (re-entry):
Unrealistic expectations of their “dream world”
Expectations of “sameness”
Reverse culture shock: everyone is driving a car (more relevant for Americans), using new slang, don’t know how to do basic tasks.
TCKs may realize they don’t actually like home culture and it doesn’t like them back.
Common reactions to re-entry stress:
Elevatedfears: fears of being disloyal to the past, or fears of losing their identity
Excessiveanger at home culture & peers
Sense of elitism (true or projected): sometimes they feel they are the most interesting person in the conversation
Depression: having a hard time getting out of bed. Often, escapism: choosing to get straight As or win every musical competition (may be a form of depression)
Higher chance of suicide if they feel they are not able to fit in after a year
A journey of “clarification” back to host country can be helpful later on.
Recognize the paradox TCKs are in. Typical comment: “how can they say [the experience] was hard, when their situation was so privileged?”
After years abroad, (finally) coming home can be just as daunting for TCKs
Observed TCK Gender differences:
Women (female TCKs) feel greater concern for interpersonal relationships. Established relationships in new places far easier than men. Experience more stress over conflicting desires for both stability & mobility.
Men report greater satisfaction with how lives have unfolded. Their self-esteem ties in more with external achievements than with relationships, higher rate of agreement with statements related to things over which they have control.
Common Occupational Choices of Third Culture Kids:
They have a love of learning, interest in helping, and desire for independence and flexibility
They are helpers, problem solvers, great at mediating problems, and can usually figure out a way to handle unexpected situations
25% become teachers, professors, school administrators
17% professionals (e.g. doctors, lawyers)
17% self-employed, 1/3rd of which are founders of their own companies (this is much higher than normal: the creative and risk taking streak is common among TCKs)
Almost none in large corporations or government
4% in foreign service/aid or bureaus of wildlife/fisheries
Most incorporate some sort of internationaldimension in their occupational role (e.g. working overseas, advising foreign students, etc.)
Volunteering: 75% participate in local community (e.g. UN association, hosting foreign students, translating in courts/schools/hospitals, etc.)
TCKs succeed in jobs they have created to fit their particular talents
Adult TCK Life
Many go on to get Master’s degrees and Doctorates.
TCKs tend to continue their international involvement into adulthood.
90% say they have more awareness than others (i.e. citizens of home country), and welcome opportunities to meet new foreigners and keep informed on the places they lived in while abroad. Most would like to live abroad again and keep passports current.
Most establish relationships easily in new situations and have hobbies/interests that connect them wherever they go
Feel very different from those who have not been overseas. American TCKs: often appreciate things in the UAS that many others may take for granted, and may conclude USA is actually the best place to live (after all).
TCKs locate friends with whom they can share some of their interests, yet also resist being encapsulated.
Their camouflaged exteriors (and understated ways of presenting themselves) hide their rich inner lives and remarkable talents.
Often reach out to foreigners, exchange students and non-English speaking minorities.
They are talented at interpreting the outside world to the world in which they live – many actually do this for a living!
Read other reviews and notes on the book’s Amazon page.
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I hope this was helpful in understanding the unique challenges and experiences TCKs face. What do you think? Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts in the comments!
Thinking about making the leap to a new country? Here’s what I wish someone had told me before I took that first flight.
1. Yes, You Actually Need That Degree
I know, I know – you’ve heard about college dropouts who made it big. But here’s the reality: a bachelor’s degree is your golden ticket abroad. It’s not about the education (though that’s nice too), it’s about the doors it opens.
Want to teach English in Asia? Degree required. Need a work visa? They’ll ask for your diploma. Applying for skilled worker immigration? That degree literally adds points to your application. In 2025, 72% of skilled worker visas in top destinations like Canada, Germany, and Australia require proof of tertiary education.
Skip the debt if you can, but don’t skip the degree.
2. Stop Trying to Predict the Future Job Market
My high school teacher used to say he was preparing us for jobs that didn’t exist yet. He wasn’t wrong.
Instead of chasing trends, focus on timeless skills:
Write clearly (then cut your word count by half)
Communicate well – listen more than you speak
Learn a second language – any language, even badly
Solve problems – get comfortable with math and basic programming
Understand money – take that economics class you’ve been avoiding
Read up on the latest in AI (Artificial Intelligence) developments – it’s changing the world (and job market) forever.
These skills will serve you anywhere, in any economy.
Eventually, you’ll have to just do it – moving abroad is always a leap of faith!
3. Get Comfortable Being Alone
This sounds weird, but hear me out. Your first year abroad can be genuinely lonely, especially in a culture with different values than yours. If you can’t handle being alone at home, you’ll struggle overseas.
Start small – take long walks without your phone, spend an afternoon in a café by yourself. It’s not about becoming antisocial; it’s about being comfortable in your own company when meaningful friendships take time to develop.
4. Fix Your Problems Before You Pack
Moving abroad isn’t a magic reset button for your life. Whatever issues you’re running from will likely follow you – with jet lag.
Hate your social circle? Find better people locally first. Broke? Unless you have a signed contract abroad, changing countries won’t change your bank balance. Having family drama? Running away just delays those difficult conversations.
Pro tip: 23% of failed expatriations stem from inadequate savings. Build up 6-12 months of expenses and get a multi-currency account like Wise or Revolut before you go.
5. Test Drive Before You Buy
You wouldn’t buy a car without a test drive, so why move to a country you’ve never experienced? Visit your target destination for at least a week – alone. Get a real taste of what daily life feels like, not just the tourist experience.
Better yet, try living there for a year before committing to residency. The novelty might wear off, or you might fall even more in love with the place. Either way, you’ll make a better decision.
Budget tip: Check out Workaway or HelpX for room and board in exchange for a few hours of work daily – perfect for extended exploration.
6. Trust Yourself (And Ignore the Doubters)
People will tell you it’s impossible. That you’ll fail, go broke, and come crawling home. Maybe they’re right – but you know what you’ll regret more than failing? Never trying.
If you’ve done your research, saved your money, and have a solid plan, go for it. You’re more resourceful than you think, and even if things don’t work out exactly as planned, you’ll figure it out.
Here’s a fun fact to remember when people doubt you: 34% of expats eventually settle permanently abroad, citing higher life satisfaction as the main reason.
The Bottom Line
Moving abroad changed my perspective on everything – including my appreciation for home. Whether you stay for a year or a lifetime, living in another country will teach you things about yourself and the world that you can’t learn any other way.
The leap is scary, but the regret of not taking it is scarier.
Thinking of relocating to the U.S.? Whether it’s for career growth, bigger paychecks, or a change of pace, Canadians have a unique pathway to work stateside: the TN visa, created under the USMCA trade agreement (formerly NAFTA).
If you’re a qualified professional listed in Appendix 1603.D.1, this visa might be your easiest ticket south.
Here’s a step-by-step guide based on firsthand experience — updated for 2025.
Step 1: Decide If the U.S. Move Is Right for You
Relocating to another country is no small thing. Consider the emotional, financial, and legal implications. U.S. tax laws are complex, especially if you earn over $120,000 CAD — per the 2025 Canada-U.S. Tax Treaty amendment, you’ll need to file taxes in both countries. Consult a cross-border CPA, especially if you’re moving to high-tax states like California (13.3%).
Step 2: Land a U.S. Job Offer
You’ll need a written offer from a U.S. employer in a qualifying profession. Treat your job search like any other — tailor your résumé, sharpen your LinkedIn, and clearly communicate your value.
Reach out to recruiters in your field and be ready to answer:
What’s your background?
What are your technical skills?
What are you looking for next?
Many companies are familiar with the TN process — it’s low-cost and fast compared to H-1B.
Step 3: Confirm Your Work Status with the Employer
Once you have a job offer, your employer will need to confirm they’re willing to proceed with the TN visa. Some may involve legal counsel to prepare the necessary documents — a good sign.
✅ Do not resign from your Canadian job until visa logistics are confirmed. ✅ Negotiate compensation and relocation support before signing anything. 💡 Pro tip: Use Glassdoor to benchmark salaries by role and region.
Access to the National Parks: just one perk of living in the US (Pictured: Yosemite)
90-Day Checklist: ✅ Join your employer’s TN monitoring program ✅ Verify health insurance (mandatory in 14 states) ✅ Track I-94 expiration via CBP app
Bringing family? Dependents (spouse & unmarried children) can apply for TD status. They can study, but not work, and must maintain ties through your TN validity.
Step 6: Decide on Long-Term Plans
The TN visa is for temporary work — not a pathway to permanent residence. Although it can be renewed indefinitely, scrutiny increases after 6 years. In 2025, CBP has prioritized “intent to depart”, leading to a 22% rise in renewal denials.
Avoid making long-term plans (like home purchases) without consulting an immigration lawyer. Changing jobs or job duties by more than 20%? You’ll need a new TN.
Final Thoughts
The TN visa is one of the simplest U.S. work visas — but that doesn’t make it effortless. Get your documents right, consult legal experts when in doubt, and understand the implications before you commit.
For the latest info, be sure to check the official TN USMCA page.
Questions? Leave a comment or get in touch — happy to help.
For general information about moving to the United States, please see our USA Immigration Guide.
