What Items Should You Take with You When Moving Abroad for Work?

Millions of people move abroad for work reasons every year – and the United Nations estimates that almost 200 million people can now be classified as ‘economic migrants’ who now work outside their native country. But what do you need to take with you if you have been offered a job overseas?

While much will depend on personal circumstances – how long the contract is for, whether family is coming out with you, etc. There are a number of common denominators which apply wherever you are going, and for how long.

Here is The Moving Partnership’s guide to what to take (and a few things which you shouldn’t), how to get them there, and how we can help you wherever in the world you are moving to for work.

Essential Paperwork

Obviously, you will need your passport and potentially work visas (if they are required). Birth and marriage certificates are useful for proof of identity – they may also help when it comes to opening a bank account in your new country or for a local ID card (as well as to proving your spouse is who they say they are). You may need some up-to-date financial statements as well if you want to open a bank account.

Your driving licence is helpful too, not just because of the photo ID element, but also because it may be necessary if you want to drive in your new country. If you are on any medication, make sure you have copies of any prescriptions you have.

If you don’t need to carry some of these types of documents with you when you move, they may be suitable for air freight.

Personal Effects

Clothes, kitchen items, books and DVDs, stationery, sports equipment, your electronic devices – these all add up and cumulatively will add up to too much to comply with any luggage allowances (as well as being too difficult to transport yourself).

These may, however, be suitable for a shipping container or removals lorry. Alternatively, you may wish to put them into storage, depending on how long the work contract is for

What Not to Take

Not all electrical appliances will work in all countries - for example, fridges and washing machines work on different currents in the UK compared to overseas. The UK still uses three-pin plugs, which aren’t standard globally, so make sure you have plenty of adapters (pictured)  if you are taking a lot of personal appliances.

Bed linen takes up a lot of space. For practical reasons, it is best to buy it when you are over there (assuming your new home isn’t already furnished).

While there has been a relaxation of what you can take on board a flight in terms of liquids and toiletries there are still some specific banned or hazardous items (for example, if you need removals to Abu Dhabi, then there are strict restrictions on how much alcohol and tobacco you can bring in), you also can’t bring in items from a banned list of countries – so check what the regulations in your new country before you go.

If you aren’t likely to be able to enjoy your favourite sports because the facilities aren’t there, or the climate isn’t suitable, then leave this equipment behind too (for instance, there isn’t much point in bringing skis and snowboards if you are going to a hot climate). Again, this could easily be put into storage.

International Removals with The Moving Partnership

We don’t just offer removals to Abu Dhabi – we also offer competitive removal rates to Cyprus, China, Turkey, Scandinavia, the USA, Canada and many other international destinations.

We offer our customers the choice of full container loads (where you have exclusive use of a shipping container), a groupage service (which is shared with other customers), and air freight for smaller items and documents.

Full container loads are ideal if you need a full house or office move (for instance, if your new home is unfurnished). It can also help give you a much firmer date. The groupage service is ideal if you have a limited shipment for the home or office, and don’t feel your possessions will make up a full container. It is also cheaper than arranging a full container for your move. 

We also offer storage facilities, so if you want to leave items behind, you have the peace of mind knowing they will be kept in secure, alarmed containers.

Whatever route you want to take, at The Moving Partnership, we can tailor your package to suit your individual needs. We can even add packing and unpacking, and insurance, as well as transporting your belongings.

For more details about our international removals services, follow this link.