Relocating to a new country can be a wonderful experience filled with endless adventure, eye opening learning experiences, and of course, a little confusion along the way. For many, both America and Canada can be promise lands of endless wealth and opportunity, but it is also important to know that with great success comes inevitable hurdles, and migrating to a foreign country is no different. Here are 5 important things to keep in mind when planning your big move to the U.S or Canada:
1.) Make sure that you have the correct documentation
All non-U.S and Canadian citizens are required to obtain an appropriate visa before entering the respective country, so the most important component to planning a move to the U.S or Canada is to apply for and secure a visa for you and your family, if applicable. Having said that, you must also make sure that you obtain the correct category of visa that fits the purpose in which you are entering the country (student visa, work visa, etc.). It is important to keep in mind that even if you are waiting for your green card, you will still need to secure an appropriate visa if you plan to enter the U.S or Canada before you receive it. When applying for your visa, you will want to make sure that you check all of the necessary requirements, pay all applicable fees, and submit all supporting documents in a timely manner to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible and of course, to maximize your chances of approval.
2.) Protect yourself with travel medical insurance
Upon your initial arrival to the U.S or Canada, you will not be eligible for domestic health care programs and depending on your immigration status, there will be a specified waiting period before you will be eligible to enroll. In the mean time, you will want to obtain a travel medical insurance policy, as anything such as unexpected illnesses, injuries, or accidents can occur at any time, and health care in both the U.S. and Canada is known to be very expensive. Because of this, it is imperative that you have adequate medical coverage to not only protect your health, but your finances as well. If you are looking to buy insurance, you must get a plan that cover Acute Onset of Pre-Existing conditions up to the policy max – Atlas America and Patriot America Plus are designed to meet specific travel medical insurance needs.
3.) Make sure you have sufficient funds to support your initial stay in your final destination
Upon relocating, it is likely that it will take some time before you obtain a job with a steady income, so it is imperative that you have your finances in order with sufficient funds to support you and your family’s initial stay in the foreign land. It is also important to keep in mind that the U.S and Canadian laws permit you to carry up to a certain amount of money upon entering the country, so it is important that you know the regulations to ensure that you transport your currency in the correct form and within the respective allotted amount, to avoid any issues upon entry. It is recommended that you refer to your destination country’s specific regulations on the matter of currency.
4.) Pack accordingly for your final destination
Both the U.S. and Canada are countries of many different climates, so it is important to make sure that you know the specifics of where you are going and pack accordingly to avoid having to make any expensive purchases when you initially arrive. For example, the western and southern regions of the U.S tend to have warmer summers with tolerable winters, while the eastern and northern regions tend to have more extreme weather with hot summers and harsh winters, but this can still vary drastically from state to state. Doing the proper research on the climate trends of the particular city and/or state you are relocating to will likely save you from having to purchase a whole new wardrobe upon arrival. For more tips, you can visit www.VisitorsCoverage.com’s blog section.
5.) Do your research before making your move
Last but not least, you should always do your research on the city and/or state you are planning on relocating to, as you will want to make sure that the culture, lifestyle, people, climate, and overall living habits align with you and your family. The environment that you surround yourself with can have a large impact on your own well being and quality of life, so the place that you choose to live should be somewhere you can genuinely see yourself settling down.
Overall, migrating to the U.S. or Canada is a big step to take, but can be extremely rewarding in the end. Following these tips before embarking on your journey can help fight some of the confusion and anxiety associated with making a major move to a new country.