Every year, millions of people make plans for relocating to a different country entirely. They are drawn to foreign lands by a sense of adventure, work, love and grief. Here are some tips if you’re looking to make your own move internationally.

Moving abroad entails uprooting your established home and beginning a new life in a different part of the world, but for many people, it is well worth the effort and expense. The same could be true for you as well, as long as you know how to take care of the most important responsibilities.

Here, we look at some of the things that you need to know when it comes to moving to a different country.

1. Make sure it is what you really want

Before you pack up your home and your life and move hundreds, if not thousands of miles away, you need to be absolutely sure that it is what you want to do. It is natural, of course, to be nervous and have some anxieties about it, but if you are dreading it rather than being excited, it might not be the best move for you.

2. Learn as much as you can about the new country

Following the elimination of any uncertainty from your mind, it is time to carry out some research. That begins with the country into which you will be relocating.

Depending on your preferences, you might have selected a popular destination for ex-pats such as Canada, numerous nations in Western Europe, Australia, or New Zealand. Alternatively, you might be relocating to a more tough environment. In either case, set aside some time to become as knowledgeable as possible about your location.

3. Think about visas and important paperwork

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of relocating overseas is negotiating the often-complex immigration regulations. In the event that you fail to complete this step correctly, you may find yourself stuck at the airport with no way out.

Keep in mind that you are not entering the nation as a visitor. You have applied to be a full-time resident of the country Because of this, you will almost certainly require official evidence of your residency, which you are probably familiar with as your visa. If you are making a permanent move, you will want to start thinking about your citizenship status as soon as possible.

4. Think about what you want to do with your belongings

Every item you bring with you to your new home can be a headache. You are not sure how much space you have or what you will actually need at this point. Because of this, it is an excellent time to sort through your possessions.

Your most important qualifiers should be three straightforward criteria:

• Is there anything in your home that you could not readily replace, for little or no money, in your new place?
• What are the essentials that you must have in your new home?
• What do you have that has far too much sentimental value to part with? Perhaps rather than taking a big urn of ashes with you, you could look at keychain urns

Everything that does not meet at least one of these requirements should be eliminated. Sell what you can, and use the money for stuff in your new place, or ask friends and family to take what they want. Donate and then purge the rest.