It can be a daunting task to immigrate to a new country. More people than ever before are leaving their homes and moving to a new country as the world becomes a global village. This, however does not mean that the decision is any easier or that you should be emigrating at the drop of a hat without doing some research first.
It is always advisable to do research into both the immigration process, the country you’re moving to and any restrictions that may be in place.
Forewarned is forearmed as they say.
Don’t forget to read our Part 1 in this series for more helpful hints and tips.
- Integration
Integrating into a new culture can be a challenge. Understanding the way things are done and understanding the way people live should be considerations. The work environment and social environment could be different too. It helps if there isn’t a language barrier and if the culture is more or less similar to what you are used to. Some countries are very much multi-cultural, which makes integration easier. You do want to make friends and socialise so it is important to understand the dos and don’ts. It will make integration easier if it is a more familiar environment or you can become accustomed to a new way of doing things.
- Work/Life Balance
Most people want to have a healthy balance between work and life. This requirement tops the need for career growth opportunities simply because people have a desire to work and live well. Most people want to travel and spend time with family/friends and to have the ability to balance work and life is a plus for many. A higher standard of living can also contribute to a feeling of security within a healthy environment. What most of us fear is to be weighed down by stress. We have all come to appreciate the value of a healthy lifestyle and being happy and content.
- Healthcare
Our wellbeing is ever important in a world where we are all too aware of our limitations and how our circumstances can affect us. We all want to know that we will be well taken care of should we become ill or require emergency medical assistance. It is always advisable to ensure that the country of your choice will provide healthcare of an acceptable standard as we are all too aware that life can throw a curveball our way at any time.
- Climate
Climate is something that can affect your mood. If you prefer warmer weather you might feel unhappy with constant rain or even snow. Some of us can adapt easily to a new environment and others not. Make sure you understand what the climate will be like in your new country and understand yourself well enough to know whether you will be ok with it or not. There are many helpful websites to make your research easy as pie.
In the end the decision to migrate is a very personal one, which must feel right for you. We may not all consider the same things important when making that decision but we all understand that we need to be able to justify the reasons to ourselves. It helps if we are prepared and have considered the advantages and disadvantages of such a decision. We all want to think that we did it for the right reasons and we want to remind ourselves what those reasons were when we have some tough moments along the way.
At Laurent Law, we cannot supply your reasons to immigrate but we can certainly assist you on your path to a dream. Understanding whether immigrating to the beautiful New Zealand is an option for you is something we can help with. Don’t hesitate to contact us to assess your eligibility today.