Accepting a job at an international school is incredibly exciting! But once you sign the contract, reality can set in pretty quickly. Visas need processing (and you need to work out what visa costs are covered by the school vs you). You need to give notice (if you haven’t already). Documents need gathering. You’ll need to think about the logistics of moving. And no doubt your kids will have a lot of questions. Suddenly, that “big adventure” turns into a very detailed to-do list!

While international moves are rarely simple, they do get easier and are manageable with a little preparation.

Based on our lived experience, we’ll take you through the most typical steps international teachers and their families need to take before heading overseas — from immigration and timelines to documentation and school start planning. And help you feel more organised and prepared on moving day.

Visa & Immigration Tips

Every country has its own immigration requirements, which can vary widely. The support you can also expect to receive from schools (including costs) can also be very different. To make sure you understand what you’re obligated to organise and what the school can help with, here are a few questions to ask to help you plan your move more effectively.

Questions to Ask Your School

• Who arranges the visas (school or you)?
• Are visas covered for all dependents?
• Who covers the cost of the visas (and does it cover your whole family or just the teacher)?
• How long does the process take?
• Can your spouse legally work on a dependent visa?
• What paperwork is required for your visa (e.g. do you need to get certified copies or apostilled copies which can take time and money)

Common Visa Scenarios

• Sponsored Work Visa – Most common for international teachers. The school sponsors you.
• Dependent Visas – Issued to spouse and children. Work rights vary by country, but usually spouses aren’t eligible to work on a dependent visa.
• Local Hire vs Overseas Hire – This can affect visa type, relocation benefits, and tuition coverage. Most international teachers should be hired on an overseas hire to maximise teaching benefits. But if you’re already living in the country, you’ll likely be offered a local hire contract.

⚠️ Important: Some countries require you to enter on a tourist visa first and convert in-country. Others require a work visa before arrival. Some people can get freaked out about arriving on a tourist visa, but it can be common in areas like Latin America (for example, Peru). Do your own independent research and ask questions on sites like Reddit to make sure it’s standard procedure before accepting a role.

Planning Your Moving: Realistic Timelines

International moves can happen quickly, especially if you’re recruited late in the recruitment season. Here’s a general guide once you’ve signed your contract:

6–8 Months Before Departure

• Sign your contract
• Confirm visa process
• Check passport validity (most work permits require you to have a minimum of 6 months beyond entry date, sometimes more)
• Start thinking about clearing out items you won’t need
• Research international shipping options
• Request school records for children if you don’t have current transcripts handy – most schools ask for this as part of the school enrolment

4–6 Months Before

• Start visa paperwork (timeline typically led by the school but sometimes you’ll need to be proactive or do this yourself)
• Arrange medical checks (if needed)
• Research housing options and chat to the school about support offered (including confirming any housing benefits)
• Begin sorting what to ship vs sell

2–3 Months Before

• Book your flights (if flights not covered by school)
• Finalise shipping (make sure to get multiple shipping quotes and explore various options)
• Organise international health insurance (if not covered – or top up if needed for bigger families)
• Request official transcripts & vaccination records for your kids

1 Month Before

• Cancel utilities and subscriptions
• Sell any last minute items (e.g. car, TV etc)
• Arrange mail forwarding if needed
• Confirm airport pickup with the school
• Confirm accommodation on arrival (and book if needed)
• Prepare a “first week” essentials suitcase to help reduce unpacking before moving into permanent accommodation

Documents to Prepare for Your Kids & Spouse

As you probably expect, planning your move overseas can involve collecting a LOT of paperwork. Although the exact paperwork can change depending on the country and requirements for visas, there are some things that are pretty consistent no matter where you move. Here are our recommendations for documents to prepare in advance so you don’t get caught off guard.

For Your Children

• Birth certificates (certified copies if you can)
• Passports (with plenty of validity)
• School reports (last 2–3 years)
• Immunisation records
• Standardised test results (if applicable – many schools will ask your kids to sit for tests as part of the enrolment process)
• Learning support documentation (if relevant)

If your child has an IEP or receives support services, confirm in writing what the new school can provide.

For Your Spouse

• Marriage certificate (certified copy)
• Police clearance (some countries require this for all adult dependents)

Pro tip: Scan everything and keep encrypted digital copies in cloud storage.

Planning Your Move Around the School Start Date

You’ll obviously need to plan your move around the school start date. But make in addition to knowing when the school year starts (unless you’re starting mid year) make sure you know what date you’re expected to be there as a new starter. It’s usually one or two weeks before regular staff are expected back from the summer holidays.

Be clear on:

• Your contract start date vs. teacher orientation date
• Student start date
• Whether your children can start immediately
• Whether you need to arrive early for housing setup

Arriving 2–3 weeks before school starts can be super helpful to get organised before the school year starts — especially for families with younger children, if you need to organise childcare (especially important if you’re both teaching).

Arriving early also means you can:

• Open a bank account in time for your first pay
• Set up a SIM card
• Locate grocery stores
• Explore your neighbourhood
• Let your kids adjust gradually

Planning Your Move Emotionally

While the logistics are a huge part of any international move, so is being ready emotionally – especially with a family.

For children:

• Talk openly about what will change
• Look at photos and videos of your new city
• Connect with other families at the new school if you can
• Allow space for mixed emotions – which are likely to change in the first few months of school

For spouses:

• Discuss expectations honestly
• Talk through work options (or lack thereof)
• Plan social connection strategies early

For teachers:

• Expect culture shock
• Expect paperwork delays
• Expect the unexpected

The first 90 days can be tough, but it can honestly take at least 12 months to feel settled when you move overseas – sometimes more.

Managing Your Money When You Move Abroad

A big challenge that you also need to consider in the first few weeks overseas is accessing and managing your money (e.g. savings from home, before you get paid).

Many teachers find that using a service like Wise makes the process much easier — you can hold multiple currencies, send money between countries cheaply, and pay for essentials as soon as you arrive.

Read next: The Smartest Ways to Access Your Money When You First Arrive in a New Country

Planning Your Move: Pre-Departure Checklist