Not just shipping and trucking: 5 surprising extra relocation services available to you

Relocating to a new country is inevitably a complex operation, and it’s not just about packing and moving household items.  There is a lot more to do besides – but you may well find that the people who pack your belongings can also be very useful in other areas. FIDI’s members have learnt over the years that their customers often appreciate extra services, which are sometimes unexpected – but frequently very welcome. These are described as “destination services”, and frequently include the following:

Finding a new home is extremely time-consuming and can cause great stress, especially when you don't know that much about the area you are moving to. Some customers can have unrealistic expectations about the kind of properties available. Services such as finding a house that matches your criteria and budget can be very helpful, whether they are offered as a basic self-help service or expanded to include, for example, negotiating the lease, facilitating the preparation and signature of an appropriate lease, and so on. These programmes save you a lot of time and money. When a home is found quickly, you are more likely to settle in and be happy and productive from the outset.

If you are moving with your family, your children’s education may be a major preoccupation, often exacerbated by the excessive bureaucracy and unfamiliar regulations you encounter. Education assistance programmes will ensure you and your partner understand the best schooling options in your new location and help you find the most appropriate school for your child(ren). The moving company will make sure they understand your preferences and needs. They can advise on the international system, or local private and public schools. School places may be limited in some locations or allocated on a first come, first served basis, and advice should include the most suitable options for your budget and chosen location.

Moving internationally with pets presents special challenges and you should be prepared for a mountain of bureaucracy. There are many different factors to consider. These can include special airline carriers, veterinary visits, as well as import and export permits and other paperwork. Countries have different regulations concerning health certificates, and certain destinations have more stringent rules than others, but an experienced relocation partner will be able to advise and support you in all these areas. Also be aware that pets may have to be kept in quarantine for a while.

Immigration regulations can be incredibly complicated and frustrating. They differ greatly from country to country, and change frequently. It can be hard to know what the right requirements are, and the consequences for getting it wrong are serious.

Immigration services cover the coordination of immigration processes, from processing documents at the beginning, to de-registering documents at the end, including renewals of visas and work permits when needed. 

It’s important for you to understand something of the culture and language of the new country, if you are to be successful professionally and in integrating with local people. Cultural training may even be necessary where there is no language difference. Comprehensive cultural training is regularly included in the destination services offered by international moving companies and helps you and your family settle in quickly. Lessons in conversational or business language can also be arranged.

A relocation is never a simple process. But if your relocation partner offers services beyond the physical moving of goods, it can remove a lot of the stress. But how do you know if your service provider is fully certified, and knowledgeable enough to help you in these ways? Are they part of an international organization and with a proven accreditation, such as the FAIM DSP certification, behind them?

The easiest way is to check out the service providers on this list. These are FIDI affiliates with FAIM DSP, an extra layer of certification, which enables them to offer those extra levels of support that make all the difference. There is little they are not prepared for, so why not simply ask what else they can help with. You may be surprised.