If you want help with your move overseas, make sure you don’t overlook this free source of information – the Embassy or Consulate of the country you want to move to and your home country’s Embassy or Consulate for that country.
What type of information might your Embassy have?
Here are a few things I’ve found from different Embassies.
- Residency requirements for the local country
- List of hospitals
- List of physicians
- List of attorneys
- List of certified translators
- How to vote from abroad
- How to receive your retirement benefits abroad
- Tax forms
- Contact information for local business organizations
- Information on exporting from your home country, to your new country
Every Embassy list of professionals (lawyers, doctors, etc.) I’ve ever seen has had a disclaimer that says the Embassy does not officially recommend the people on the list. There is no guarantee that you’ll receive competent service. However, it’s a good place to start.
If you plan to work in the country you move to, and your profession is licensed (engineering, medical, legal), check with the Embassies to see what it takes to become licensed in your new country.
And, of course, the ever-present crime and safety report that makes it look like you’re moving into a war zone populated solely by bandits and pirates. You can generally ignore most of that information. They write them so that if anything ever happens to anyone, the government can say they warned you.
Do look for specific, detailed reports of incidents. Those may be of value.
But much of what they have to say is common sense. Don’t get drunk, and wander around bad neighborhoods at night. Watch out for pickpockets in bus stations.
If you’re ever wonder about the value of a government’s crime and safety report, look at another country’s report for where you’re living right now.
What your Embassy won’t help you with
Even though they can provide you with assistance, there are many things they generally won’t do.
- Pay your bills, medical expenses, or bail you out of jail
- Give you legal advice
- Get you out of prison
- Hold mail for you
But, keep this in mind…
Just because the information is from the Embassy, that doesn’t mean it’s 100% accurate.
If you talk with two different consulates, you may get two different answers.
You may also receive outdated information.
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