First up, FORMS. Lots of it. Let's face it, when most people move, they move within a City, or within a State, or within a Country. Sure, you have to change your address, re-set your utilities, and that's pretty much it. As I learned, moving to a new country requires a lot of changes that one would never think about.
- A working visa. I had to fill out the application and provide passports, photos, resume, University degree certification, marriage license, and birth certificate. All of this to prove that I am who I am, my family's relationship to me, and I am the best qualified candidate for this overseas position.
- Banking. I have to set up 2 new accounts - one here in the US (so my paycheck can be deposited in US Dollars and one there in HK (so I can pay my expenses in HK Dollars) Both accounts can talk to each other and I can transfer funds freely at any given time. I also need to re-route my direct deposits to the new US account
- American Express card. I have to get a new HK AmEx for any Company-related expenses in HK Dollars. The one I have now pays out in US Dollars.
- FSA. Flexible Spending Account. I don't have one set up so I think I'm good here. But for others, if they have been contributing to FSA, then they need to fill out paperwork to change how the funds can be reimbursed.
- Health Care. This needs to be totally changed. Because we are moving abroad, we can only enroll in health insurance through Aetna Global. This allows us to use doctors/medical facilities in both the US and HK.
- Physical Moving. I scheduled a survey date of May 18 to get an assessment of all the stuff we have. From now until then, we need to decide whether we want the items to get (a) trashed, (b) donated, (c) sold, (d) packed in a storage facility, (e) brought with us on the airplane, (f) shipped via air, and (g) shipped via sea. Decisions, decisions, decisions!!
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