When moving overseas, a little preparation goes a long way.
It’s all lovely until something fairly ordinary goes wrong and you realize how many things you used to take for granted.
Back home, you probably knew exactly who to call when your car broke down, or your bank account gave you trouble.
Abroad, even finding the right person to speak to can take half the morning.
That’s why having a backup plan for a few important things is well worth the effort.
Not because you’re woefully expecting the worst, but because sorting out an emergency is much easier when you’re not starting from scratch.
Here are seven things every expat should have a safety net option for:
When Your Bank Card Stops Working
You’ve just finished your grocery shopping when the cashier tells you your card has been declined.
Odd. It was working perfectly yesterday.
You try again, but the machine isn’t interested.
Now the queue is getting longer, and you’re wondering whether your bank has blocked the transaction because you’re abroad.
Having some emergency cash means you can pay for your shopping first and investigate later – preferably somewhere without an impatient audience.
When Your Transport Plans Go Wrong
You’ve worked out your morning commute down to the minute.
The 8:15 train gets you to work with ten minutes to spare.
Except this morning, it’s been cancelled.
There’s a notice explaining why, but your language skills aren’t quite up to deciphering railway announcements. Everyone else seems to have a plan. You don’t.
Find out about alternative bus routes and local taxi services before you need them. It’s much nicer having a second option than standing on a platform wondering what everyone knows that you don’t.
When You Need Somewhere Else To Stay
You’ve booked the movers, packed everything, and arranged to collect the keys on Saturday.
Then your new landlord calls. There’s been a problem with the apartment, and you can’t move in for another week.
The timing couldn’t possibly be worse.
It’s so worth having a couple of short-term accommodation options saved, particularly if you’re moving between rentals before signing an expat mortgage. Keep enough money aside to cover a few unexpected nights somewhere, too.
Finding an affordable place to stay is one thing, but finding one that can also accommodate you, your partner, your two children, and your dog is quite another.
When You Have To Cancel A Trip Home
You’ve booked your flights home, arranged time off work, and promised everyone you’ll finally be visiting.
But unfortunately for you, life has other plans and a few days before you’re supposed to leave, you get sick. And not the sort of sick you can ignore, either.
Instead of adding insult to injury, look into trip cancellation insurance; it can help reimburse non-refundable bookings when you cancel for a covered reason.
Check the policy before booking. Missing Christmas with the family is disappointing enough without losing the airfare too.
When Your Important Documents Go Missing
You know that folder where you’ve carefully kept all your important paperwork?
Well, apparently your residency permit no longer lives in there.
Neither does the copy of your birth certificate you were certain you’d put there. And naturally, you’ve only discovered these things because you’ve got an appointment tomorrow.
Keep secure digital copies of your important documents, along with a few physical copies where useful. It’s also worth finding out how replacements work in your new country.
Dealing with immigration paperwork is difficult enough when you’ve actually got everything they’re asking for. It’s a lot more overwhelming when you don’t.
See also: Smart Accessories Transforming Modern Travel
When You Have To Leave The Country Unexpectedly
It’s easy to plan a move abroad when you’ve got months to organise everything.
Leaving unexpectedly is another matter.
If your employment ends, your visa situation changes, or you need to return home permanently, there could be rather a lot to sort out.
What happens to your lease? Who takes care of your belongings? Can you still access your bank accounts after leaving?
Find out the answers before you’re under pressure. You never know when you might need that information. Having a plan is always preferable to trying to sell your furniture while packing your suitcases.
When Your Qualifications Aren’t Recognised
You’ve got the qualifications, the experience, and a rather impressive CV.
Unfortunately, the local licensing authority doesn’t agree that you’re ready to practise.
Some professions require additional assessments or registration before you can work abroad. Check the requirements early and have another employment option in mind.
Discovering you need six months of extra training after you’ve arrived is an expensive surprise.
To End
Give Yourself A Few Options
Sometimes, the difference between a minor inconvenience and a complete disaster is having another option. Another way to pay, somewhere else to stay, or a different route to work.
None of these things takes much thought when life is going smoothly – which is precisely why you should sort them out then.
