Moving to another country is a decision that you should not take lightly since it requires great changes in your life and fight to settle in a destination that you do not know. If you are thinking of moving abroad, there are some questions to ask yourself before you start packing your bags, whether you are a worker or simply leaving for personal reasons.

So, if you are thinking of moving to another country, it is necessary that you take into account these questions that you should ask yourself and answer with total sincerity so that in this way, you can know if moving to another country is really something you should do or if it is something that should better wait.

1. Why are you leaving?

Most of us know why we moved, but sometimes we don’t wonder why we choose to leave, particularly if moving means leaving those you love behind. We are often looking to the future and what those opportunities will bring rather than thinking about what we might lose if we decide to leave. Try to think about your reasons for moving to determine if everything you will leave behind is worth what you are doing. 

2. Where will you live?

This is probably one of the most important questions to ask yourself, besides financial stability.  Where you live will determine the success of your move, including finding a job (if you don’t have one), the potential to build a long-term job and personal prospects, and whether you will be able to adapt to the culture you will encounter. If you are moving to another country for the first time, think about the language and possibly choose a country where your native language is spoken. If you are moving to learn a different language, then immersing yourself in a language and culture is the best way to go. 

3. How will you earn a living?

If you’re going to school or just traveling for a while, then this question might not apply to you. However, you should make sure you have enough funds to stay active during the time you are away. If you need to earn a living while abroad, you need to think about how much you will need and where that source of income might come from. If you plan to find a job after landing, be sure to research the job market to make sure your skills are essential.  You will also need to obtain the necessary documentation which may take much longer than expected.

4. Can you get the necessary visa or work permits?

As you plan your move abroad, you should make sure to find out how long it will take to obtain your visa or other necessary documentation before leaving. And first, find out what is required for you to live and work in the destination.

5. Do you know how much it will cost you to live there?

Cost of living is a critical factor to consider when deciding whether or not the move abroad will be successful. Whether you work abroad, travel, or use your savings to live in another culture for a while , you need to determine how much daily life will cost to see if you can afford it. 

6. Will you have health coverage?

Some countries will allow visa or work permit holders access to medical care if necessary, while others have very strict stipulations about who is covered and when coverage begins. Most embassy or consulate sites will provide information for visitors.

7. What and who are you leaving behind?

Evaluate and review what opportunities we may be missing by moving. In economics, this is called an opportunity cost . The idea here is to weigh what you are losing with what you are gaining to make sure you get to the top. It is not a difficult concept, but one that we do not always consider when making an important decision in life. 

8. If you have been offered a job, is it really safe?

If you are hired by a foreign company, one of the questions to ask your future employer is how secure your new position will be. This does not mean that if the job is temporary you should not accept it, but rather that you should look for the work permit that you will obtain to ensure that you can apply for more jobs once you have moved. Some permits are attached to work, so losing your job can mean losing your right to live in the country.