Have you decided to embrace the adventure of moving abroad for good? Relocating to a tropical paradise is an incredible way to shake up your normal and make your dream of slow days with plenty of sun a reality. At Casa Linda, we know just how exciting, as well as how overwhelming it can be to prepare for life in another country. For nearly 30 years, we’ve welcomed people to our beautiful corner of the Dominican Republic and helped them find their dream home in the Caribbean. If you’ve been getting ready to make the leap to expatriate living, but aren’t sure what all you need to cover before leaving your home country behind, below are a few tips to help you get ready to transition. Read on to learn more!
Check Your Passport
It may sound silly or overly simplistic, but you might be surprised to learn how often people forget to check the expiry date on their passport before leaving home. You’ll want to ensure you have at least 6 months remaining on your passport, and we recommend you consider renewing your passport ASAP if it is set for expiry within the next year.
Get Your Long Term Visa
Most countries, including the Dominican Republic, will have strict rules as to how long visitors and non-residents can stay per visit. In the DR, you are limited to a maximum of 3 months. In order to stay longer, you’ll need to prepare to apply for a temporary resident permit, which is valid for up to 1 year and can be renewed for a total of 4, at which point you can apply for permanent residency.
Begin Your Transition Early
There’s no shortage of details to handle when moving abroad, and the sooner you begin preparing the easier it will be to make the leap to your new life. Cancel any relevant memberships, set up mail forwarding and alert all necessary parties that you will be relocating to minimize disruptions.
Sort Through Your Belongings
If you plan on relocating permanently, you’ll want to lighten the load of what you need to bring abroad. Pair down your belongings to the essentials to reduce moving costs. You’ll also want to take this opportunity to make copies of important documents like your birth certificate, passport, etc.
Plan Around Pets
Bringing Fido with you? Ensure you have all of the necessary documentation before you go abroad to avoid complications and to keep everyone safe while travelling.
Know Your Timeline for Housing
If you’re building a new home on the island, you’ll want to have a set plan for when your new villa will be ready. At Casa Linda, we understand just how important it is to know when you’ll be able to settle in, and we work closely with our homeowners to design a construction plan that’s best suited to their vision, as well as your ideal timeline.
Ready to Move to the Island?
If you’re ready to stop dreaming about life in paradise and start living it, Casa Linda is here to help. Contact our team today to learn more!
