---
title: Getting organised before your move
description: The international move that for so long seemed so far away, a mere speck on the horizon, is now imminent, lunging into vivid view...front and centre. How can you prepare?
image: https://moving.gac.com/hubfs/481219-PGFQXS-214%20LR.jpg
---

** Search

[![GAC-logo-rgb-124x107px](https://moving.gac.com/hubfs/GAC-logo-rgb-124x107px.png "GAC-logo-rgb-124x107px")](https://moving.gac.com/)

[![VIDEO SURVEY](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3816325/8e2246fa-0b87-4f87-993c-34aa2ebda644.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3816325/8e2246fa-0b87-4f87-993c-34aa2ebda644)

[GET A QUOTE](https://moving.gac.com/resource-centre/getting-organised-before-your-move#form-pop)

**

Quotation

## Request Free Quotation

# RESOURCE CENTRE

![Getting organised before your move; GAC; international movers; relocating](https://moving.gac.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GAC-2019/blog_inner.jpg?width=1440&name=blog_inner.jpg "Getting organised before your move; GAC; international movers; relocating")

## Resource Centre

 Jan 06, 2020

## Getting organised before your move

The international move that for so long seemed so far away, a mere speck on the horizon, is now imminent, lunging into vivid view...front and centre. How can you prepare? What can you do to turn a potentially stress-ridden nightmare into a coordinated and cohesive smooth-running success? Well, a good start would be to carry on reading this article, because we’re going to share with you some essential tips and suggestions that will stand you in a good stead.

- **A trip to the consulate or embassy of your “soon-to-be” country of residence. **Book yourself an appointment (if possible) and go prepared with a list of questions. Visa and work permit requirements, registration formalities, and vaccination requirements should all be essentials on that question list. It’s also worth asking if they have publications available to aid new residents. Don't forget your furry friends as well, if you have them. Ask about your new country’s policies with regard to pets being relocated to their shores. Should a consulate or embassy visit prove not possible or feasible, it’s well worth hitting up Google and navigating your way to the government website of the country to which you’re headed – these websites are usually relocation goldmines, packed full of just the kind of information you’re looking for.
- **Create a checklist. **Sounds kinda obvious right? You’d be genuinely amazed at how many people don’t do it. The importance of a checklist can’t be overstated. Bring those many “to-do’s” together into one all-encompassing list. At first, it will be a daunting and - let’s be honest - scarily long list. But as you gradually start to tick tasks off, you’ll find yourself encountering a rapidly increasing feeling of contentment. That feeling? It’s peace of mind.
- **Budget, budget, budget. **Not easy, admittedly, as dreaded spreadsheets and finance monitoring are not everyone’s cup of tea (with good reason), but a there’s huge upside if a move budget can be instigated and adhered to. Try to work out the very maximum the whole move can cost you. From there, keep track of confirmed and potential costs via quotations. Note when payments have been made. If this area is neglected, costs can very rapidly spiral out of control. If you can stay on top of things, you’ll save yourself money….it really is that simple.
- **Choose your international moving company wisely. **Pick the right one and they’ll help to make your move a relatively stress-free experience. They’ll be there for advice and support throughout the entire moving process. Prep, actual relocation and post-move. Pick the wrong one and they’ll be a painful thorn in your side throughout. They’ll hinder, not help. Turning an already stressful experience into an apocalyptic nightmare. So, when you start your search, it’s a good idea to keep the following in mind:
- What accreditations does the company have?
- Do they provide insurance?
- Make sure they cover the whole move. End-to-end.
- Reputation. Seek out reviews and references.
- Customs clearance experience. Make sure they have experience of shipping to your new country of residence.
- Costs. Compare and contrast. Make sure you’re not being overcharged.

Follow these steps and you’ll be well on the way to ensuring you’re hiring the right international moving company.

- **Miscellaneous. **This tip is a bit of a hotchpotch of a few easily forgotten tasks that pretty much qualify as move essentials:

-          Leave a forwarding address.

-          Update your mailing address online.

-          Close your accounts with utility providers.

-          Think about the transition process between your current and future mobile provider.

-          Collect and collate your medical records.

-          Don’t forget to leave your keys!

And there you have it. A  list of things to be considered when prepping for your big move. It’s no great revelation to acknowledge that international relocations are not easy. They’re stressful by their very nature….but they really don’t have to be traumatic nightmarish experiences to be remembered lifelong because of their hideousness. They can be smooth, organised and even exciting. It’s all in the preparation.

[![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmoving.gac.com%2Fresource-centre%2Fgetting-organised-before-your-move%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmoving.gac.com%2Fresource-centre%2Fgetting-organised-before-your-move%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmoving.gac.com%2Fresource-centre%2Fgetting-organised-before-your-move%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmoving.gac.com%2Fresource-centre%2Fgetting-organised-before-your-move%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Getting%20organised%20before%20your%20move) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fmoving.gac.com%2Fresource-centre%2Fgetting-organised-before-your-move%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fmoving.gac.com%2Fresource-centre%2Fgetting-organised-before-your-move%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)

## Contact Us

MORE TO READ

## OTHER NEWS

Jan 13, 2025 by [Dinsha Divakaran](https://moving.gac.com/resource-centre/author/dinsha-divakaran)

### [Best areas to move to in Abu Dhabi](https://moving.gac.com/resource-centre/best-areas-to-move-to-in-abu-dhabi)

Looking for the best family-friendly neighbourhoods in Abu Dhabi? The Emirate boasts a wide range of residential...

Oct 23, 2024 by [Dinsha Divakaran](https://moving.gac.com/resource-centre/author/dinsha-divakaran)

### [Best residential areas in Dubai for families](https://moving.gac.com/resource-centre/best-residential-areas-in-dubai-for-families)

Considering a move to Dubai? This dynamic and diverse city offers a variety of residential neighbourhoods suited to...

[VIEW ALL](https://moving.gac.com/resource-centre)

BLOG UPDATES

## OUR BLOGS

Jan 13, 2025 by [Dinsha Divakaran](https://moving.gac.com/resource-centre/author/dinsha-divakaran)

### [Best areas to move to in Abu Dhabi](https://moving.gac.com/resource-centre/best-areas-to-move-to-in-abu-dhabi)

Looking for the best family-friendly neighbourhoods in Abu Dhabi? The Emirate boasts a wide range of residential...

Oct 23, 2024 by [Dinsha Divakaran](https://moving.gac.com/resource-centre/author/dinsha-divakaran)

### [Best residential areas in Dubai for families](https://moving.gac.com/resource-centre/best-residential-areas-in-dubai-for-families)

Considering a move to Dubai? This dynamic and diverse city offers a variety of residential neighbourhoods suited to...

[VIEW ALL](https://moving.gac.com/resource-centre)

![footer_Bg](https://moving.gac.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GAC-2019/footer_Bg.jpg?width=1440&height=630&name=footer_Bg.jpg "footer_Bg")

GET STARTED

## THE VALUE OF EXPERIENCE

Call us and then…Relax

[![GAC-logo-white-124x107px](https://moving.gac.com/hubfs/GAC-logo-white-124x107px.png "GAC-logo-white-124x107px")](https://moving.gac.com/)

### QUICK LINKS

### What our Certifications mean to you

- [**](https://www.facebook.com/Gacinternationalmoving/)
- [**](https://twitter.com/gac_moving)
- [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/gac-international-moving/)
- [**](https://www.pinterest.com/gacinternationalmoving/)
- [**](https://www.instagram.com/gacinternationalmoving/)

© Copyright 2026. All Rights Reserved. GAC.

- [Data Protection Policy](https://moving.gac.com/data-protection-policy)
- [Terms and Conditions](https://moving.gac.com/terms-and-conditions)

[Back to top **](https://moving.gac.com/resource-centre/getting-organised-before-your-move#)

![](https://moving.gac.com/hubfs/GAC_logo.gif)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "GAC",
    "url" : "https://moving.gac.com/resource-centre/author/gac"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2020-10-12T12:08:47.226Z",
  "datePublished" : "2020-01-06T11:51:09.000Z",
  "headline" : "Getting organised before your move",
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://moving.gac.com/resource-centre/getting-organised-before-your-move",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://moving.gac.com/hubfs/GAC%20logo_rgb-2.png"
    },
    "name" : "GAC SHIPPING AND LOGISTICS"
  }
}
```

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://www.schema.org",
  "@type" : "Organization",
  "address" : [ {
    "@type" : "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry" : "United Arab Emirates",
    "addressLocality" : "Jabel Ali",
    "addressRegion" : "Dubai",
    "streetAddress" : "Jebel Ali, Gate 4, Junction 6, Dubai",
    "telephone" : "+971800668464"
  }, {
    "@type" : "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry" : "United Arab Emirates",
    "addressLocality" : "Abu Dhabi",
    "addressRegion" : "Abu Dhabi",
    "streetAddress" : "Office 701, 7th Floor, Guardian Towers, Abu Dhabi",
    "telephone" : "+971 02 8119400"
  }, {
    "@type" : "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry" : "Oman",
    "addressLocality" : "al khuwair",
    "addressRegion" : "Muscat",
    "streetAddress" : "Dohat Al Adab Street, Al Khuwair, PO Box 740, PC 112, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman",
    "telephone" : "+968 24 477800"
  }, {
    "@type" : "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry" : "Bahrain",
    "addressLocality" : "Bahrain Investment Wharf",
    "addressRegion" : "Manama",
    "streetAddress" : "Area Hidd, 115, Bahrain Investment Wharf, Road 1526, Building 1995, Manama 412, Bahrain",
    "telephone" : "+973 1733 9777"
  }, {
    "@type" : "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry" : "Kuwait",
    "addressLocality" : "Dajeej",
    "addressRegion" : "Kuwait",
    "streetAddress" : "Dajeej, Block 1, Street 79, Plot n. 47 - Faisal Centre, Kuwait",
    "telephone" : "+965 2220 5800"
  }, {
    "@type" : "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry" : "Saudi Arabia",
    "addressLocality" : "Al Ashriah Street",
    "addressRegion" : "Dammam",
    "streetAddress" : "6th Floor, Al Dossary Tower Al Ashriah Street, Dammam, 32415, Saudi Arabia",
    "telephone" : "+966 536735184"
  }, {
    "@type" : "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry" : "Saudi Arabia",
    "addressLocality" : "Hail Street Al-Baghdadiyah Al-Gharbiyah",
    "addressRegion" : "Jeddah",
    "streetAddress" : "Office #701, 7th Floor, Hail Commercial Center, Hail Street Al-Baghdadiyah Al-Gharbiyah, Jeddah 22231, Saudi Arabia",
    "telephone" : "+966 536735184"
  }, {
    "@type" : "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry" : "Qatar",
    "addressLocality" : "Jaidah Square",
    "addressRegion" : "Doha",
    "streetAddress" : "Jaidah Square, 7th Floor, #703, Old Airport Road, Doha, Qatar",
    "telephone" : "+974 4420 5600"
  } ],
  "aggregateRating" : {
    "@type" : "AggregateRating",
    "ratingValue" : "4.75",
    "reviewCount" : "76"
  },
  "contactPoint" : {
    "@type" : "ContactPoint",
    "contactType" : "Sales",
    "telephone" : "+971800668464"
  },
  "description" : "As one of the most established international moving companies across the Middle East, you can rely on us to make sure your move goes as smoothly as possible. GAC is one of the first moving companies in the region to be accredited by FIDI.",
  "image" : "https://moving.gac.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GAC_2019/Images/GAC_logo.png",
  "logo" : "https://moving.gac.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GAC_2019/Images/GAC_logo.png",
  "name" : "GAC International Moving",
  "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/Gacinternationalmoving/", "https://twitter.com/gac_moving", "https://www.linkedin.com/company/gac-international-moving/", "https://www.pinterest.com/gacinternationalmoving/", "https://www.instagram.com/gacinternationalmoving/" ],
  "telephone" : "+971800668464",
  "url" : "https://moving.gac.com/"
}
```