8 things to consider before moving abroad

PTE Author
PTE Author
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Reading time: 6 minutes

There’s a lot to think about when moving overseas. Will you need health insurance? What identity documents will you need to apply for? And of course, where will you live and work?

We’ve been there, and we get it! That’s why we’ve put together this list of 8 things to consider before moving abroad. Let’s take a look:  

1. Understand visa requirements

If you plan to move abroad for more than six months, you might need a visa to live, work or study. So before making any travel plans, you should visit your destination country’s immigration website to ensure you’re eligible for a visa – and understand all the requirements. Many governments, for example, require applicants to take an approved English language proficiency test like PTE Academic to study or work in the country.

If you’re looking for visa support, you may also decide to hire a registered migration agent. These are immigration professionals and can complete your visa application for you, help prepare documents, and provide advice throughout the application process.

You can more about specific visa requirements on these government websites:

You might be interested in reading our article: Should you hire a migration agent to move to Australia?  

2. Find out if you’re eligible to work 

Just because you’ve been granted a visa to live in a country, doesn’t mean you have the right to work full-time.

Many student visas put a cap on how many hours people can work. For example, in Australia students are allowed to work up to 40 hours every two weeks during the school term. In the UK, students are able to work 20 hours per week during the semester. And in Malaysia, students can also work up to 20 hours a week, but only during school breaks longer than eight days.

If you’re not on a student visa, it is likely you’ll have permission to work full-time. However, many countries require you to apply for a social insurance number – or something similar – before you can.

In Canada, for example, permanent and temporary residents need to apply for a social insurance number after they land in the country, and it can take about 20 days to arrive.

3. Create a budget

Before moving to a new country, you should have some savings. In some cases, depending on your visa type and the country you’re moving to, you might be required to show proof of savings with your visa application.

Day-to-day living costs may also be more expensive abroad, and it could take you longer than anticipated to find a job – so it’s important to have money put away to help you settle in.

If you’re a student planning to move to Canada or the UK, we’ve put together some detailed guides that outline the living costs in each country: 

Many governments offer cost of living calculators online, which can be a great resource for new immigrants. Take a look at New Zealand’s cost of living tool, for example.

When you arrive, you’ll also need to open a bank account. This can often be done online. Some banks even have accounts specifically designed for newcomers and offer credit cards to help build credit history. 

4. Search for housing 

Looking for accommodation can be one of the most exciting parts of moving abroad. Once you find a place to call home, you’re able to really imagine what your new life will be like – you get to explore Google Maps from afar, check out neighborhood restaurants online, and plan where you might socialize with friends.

If you’re moving with a work visa, your new workplace might be able to help you find temporary accommodation. Likewise, if you’re moving abroad to study, your institution should offer housing options for international students – such as on-campus apartments or other homestay partnerships. It’s also a great idea to join local housing Facebook groups, where people post their apartments or houses for temporary or long-term rentals.

You might be interested in: How to choose international student accommodation in the UK.

5. Discover transportation options

Once you know where you’ll live, you can figure out how you’ll get around. Is your apartment close to public transportation? Or have you opted to live outside a city center, and will need to get around by car?

You could be able to drive with an international driver’s license right after landing abroad. But after a few months, lots of countries will require you to apply for a local driver’s license instead. If you’re moving to a country where it snows, it might also be a good idea to invest in driving lessons to learn how to drive safely on icy roads.

6. Apply for healthcare or insurance

You might not be automatically eligible for health coverage in your destination country, even if it offers universal healthcare to citizens.

In Canada, for example, each province administers its own publicly-funded healthcare. That means, if you’re a student, your eligibility for healthcare will depend on where you study. If you’re not eligible, your university should offer you insurance.

On the other hand, if you’re on a work visa or permanent resident visa, you may be able to apply for publicly-funded healthcare. But, there might be a waiting period before you’re able to have access – so it’s important to buy insurance to make sure you’re covered beforehand.

Always check with the local government in your destination country to see what your rights are regarding healthcare. It’s also important to research the mental health services that may be available once you arrive. If you’re a student, your university may offer counseling services on campus.  

7. Keep up to date with travel regulations

Travel regulations change quickly, so it’s essential to keep up to date on what you’ll need to do before – and after – arriving at your destination country.

Always consult the health authorities in the country you’re traveling to ensure you follow public health guidelines – and you’ll be allowed to enter the country. 

8. Don’t forget about the little things 

When moving abroad, we tend to focus on the big things – like housing, work, and healthcare. But there are lots of little things to think about, too! Remember to:

  • Close your utility accounts – like internet and hydro – before leaving home (and do it before the cut-off date, so you don’t get charged extra)

  • Unlock your mobile phone so you’ll be able to use a local SIM card, and get a power plug adapter for your charger if you need one.

  • Bring a few things that remind you of home and that you won’t be able to buy abroad. Something as simple as packing your favorite face wash or snack food can make a big difference when just starting to settle in.

Overall, getting a head-start on your travel preparations will help you to reduce stress and hit the ground running when you arrive.

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    Applying to university and college is an exciting experience. However, it can also be nerve-wracking. After all, the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) manages three million applications each year.  

    So, how can you make your application stand out? Writing an interesting, enthusiastic and genuine UCAS personal statement is one of the best ways to catch an institution’s attention.  

    But if you’re still not sure what to write about, there’s no need to panic. In this blog, we’ll explore how to write a UCAS personal statement that will open doors – including how to brainstorm ideas and some UCAS personal statement examples.   

    What is a UCAS personal statement for? 

    A UCAS personal statement is all about you, and it’s your time to shine.  

    In it, you’ll talk about why you’re interested in what you’re applying for. You’ll also talk about your skills, and how they’ll help you succeed in your studies. It’s a good idea to use concrete examples, and talk about how you have already used these skills in your life.   

    Institutions want to see why you’ll make an excellent student. So, don’t be shy – you’ve got to sell yourself! 

    How to brainstorm ideas 

    We know it can be hard to write about yourself. That’s why we always recommend brainstorming ideas before you begin. This will make your writing process a lot more efficient, and let you communicate your thoughts better. Here are some things that can help:  

    Write a list 

    Make a list of all the topics you may include in your personal statement. Separate the list into three parts: why you’re applying, what you’re interested in, and what skills you want to highlight.  

    Write down everything that comes to mind. With all your thoughts on the page, it will be easier to narrow down the most important ideas.  

    On their blog, UCAS also shares a great tip. “Every course you can apply for is listed in our search tool, together with entry requirements and a description of what it covers. Find the courses you’re interested in and try to match up your strengths and experiences to the course requirements,” they write.   

    Think about what makes you unique

    What makes you special? Perhaps you’ve overcome a big challenge, or have an interesting hobby. Write about whatever comes naturally to you. This will ensure your statement is genuine. It’ll also make your personality shine through. If you’re an international student, don’t forget to talk about why you want to study in the UK.  

    Talk to your teachers or mentors

    If you’re still stuck for ideas, ask your teachers or mentors to help. What do they think makes you a unique student? You never know: they might even point out some transferable skills you didn’t realize you had.  

    Use the tools designed by UCAS

    Don’t forget to check out what resources are on the UCAS website. The UCAS personal statement brainstorming worksheet is a very helpful tool, for example.  

    We also recommend taking a look at the UCAS personal statement builder. This will help you think of topics to write about, and understand how to put your statement together.  

    How to structure your statement 

    There is no right or wrong way to structure your UCAS statement. It all depends on what information you decide to include – and sometimes, even what institution you are applying to.  

    This video by UCAS explores one way to structure your statement. It suggests including: 

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    • A middle paragraph that talks about why you’re so interested in the course – which includes concrete evidence and the skills that’ll help you succeed.

    • And a final paragraph that talks about why you’re so unique.

    Many universities and colleges also have tips on how to structure a UCAS personal statement. So, you should always see what advice the institutions you are applying to have to offer. The University of Sussex, for example, recommends applicants focus 80% on why they want to study the course and just 20% on their skills.  

    And Amy Smith, who works in admissions at Nottingham Trent University, recommends focusing on your skills first. “Put your notes in order according to what the course you’re interested in is looking for. If you have any skills and experience relevant to the entry requirements, make sure you say so at the start of your personal statement,” she said in a popular UCAS blog.  

    As you can see, there is lots of different advice out there. So, just do your research and focus on what works best for you.  

    But don’t forget: you must stick to the word count. So just how long is a UCAS personal statement? It can only be up to 4000 characters or 47 lines – including spaces. 

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    Many institutions provide personal statement examples. These are great for inspiration – especially if you are struggling with how to start or how to end a UCAS personal statement. 

    We especially like the list of examples the University of Essex has put together. They provide examples of personal statements for more than 2 dozen areas of study. None of the statements are perfect – each has their own set of strengths and weaknesses. But with this, students get an excellent idea of what institutions are looking for.  

    You can take a look at their examples here. 

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    • Don’t plagiarize. UCAS uses software to detect this

    • Don’t include jokes or informal hyperboles. This is meant to be a formal document. Still, do make sure you write in plain English 

    Do  

    • Do start your application early and have others read it over. The UCAS has a great timeline to help you plan, which you can check out here  

    • Do be honest and genuine. You’re great – so just put your best foot forward!

    • Do be enthusiastic. Let admissions staff know how excited you are to be applying for the course; they want to offer a place to students with great attitudes

    Ready to apply to study in the UK? 

    At PTE Academic, we want to help you get there. Our secure English language test is accepted by 99% of universities across the UK – and you can check out our minimum score requirements for UK universities here.

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    Do you dream of studying in Australia? In 2020, more than 878,000 international students enrolled in courses in Australia – with 45% of students coming from China and India alone.

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    A multicultural lifestyle

    Australia is diverse and multicultural, which makes studying here a truly unique experience. Roughly 30% of the population is made up of immigrants; in 2019, people from every single country in the world lived in Australia! You can learn more about immigration trends in the country.

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    There are different ways to apply to live permanently in the UK, depending on your situation. For example, you might be able to apply for ILR if: 

    You’ve lived in the UK for 5 years or more 

    If you have lived in the UK for 5 or more years, you should be able to apply for permanent residence in the UK. There are exceptions, though. For example, you won’t be able to apply for ILR if you’ve lived in the UK on a Tier 2 ICT work visa – given to people who’ve transferred to a UK company branch from abroad to work on a specific project.  

    You’re a family member of a UK citizen or permanent resident  

    If you’re the spouse, parent, or dependent relative to a UK citizen or permanent resident, you might also be eligible for ILR. Depending on the type of visa you’ve been living in the UK on, you might be able to apply for permanent residence as soon as 2 years.

    Check if you can get indefinite leave to remain and learn about the financial requirements needed to apply.   

    You have a work visa  

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    Learn more about how to apply through ILR through your work visa. 

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    According to UK Visas and Immigration, ILR takes about 6 months to process. The application for ILR costs £2,389. But keep in mind that many categories have financial requirements, which can make applying much for expensive. 

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    To apply for ILR, you might have to demonstrate your English skills are at least a B1 level. And, our PTE Academic UKVI secure English language test is recognized by the UK Home Office for all UK visas. The test is computer-based to reduce human bias, fast, and convenient – you get your results within 48 hours.  

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    Read our article about applying for the EU Settlement Scheme. 

    Ready to apply for permanent residence? 

    At PTE Academic, we’re here to help make your dream come true.

    Prepare for – and book – your approved English language test for permanent residence in the UK today.