Leaving Thailand

Some pointers on issues to consider when moving from Thailand to another country, and how HSBC's international services can help.(Moving to Thailand)

Unless you are a resident in the country you are moving to, you will most likely require a visa or work permit. If you are going overseas on a work contract, contact the appropriate administration department of your company to see whether they will arrange the necessary documents for you. Otherwise you may need to contact the visa department at the embassy of the country you are moving to and find out how to obtain the appropriate documents.

Visa and work permit applications can take some time to prepare, so you should start looking into it about a year before your departure. You should also make sure your passport has a validity of at least six months at the time of your move.

Some western countries, such as US, UK, Canada and Australia, will also recognise your domestic driving license if a notarised translation of the driving license (generally notarised by the destination country's embassy) can be provided. However, a domestic driving license can only be accepted for a limited period after arrival.

Once you arrive at your new destination, you should check with the local transportation authority to find out how to apply for a local license there.

Finding the right place to live can be quite difficult, especially if you are moving with your family and children. Contact relocation companies with expertise in your new destination and get a head start in your search. If you decide to buy or rent a property abroad, we can arrange for an overseas International Banking Centre to provide some reference.

Finding the right school for your children will no doubt be a top priority if you are moving your family overseas. Depending on where you move to, you will have a few options to ensure your children's education does not suffer:

International schools If your children attend an international school here in Thailand, you may want to find a similar school in the city to which you are moving. Find out if there is a suitable school where you will be relocating by searching the directory of international schools on the internet.

Local schools If you are going to stay a while in the country you are moving to, you may want to consider enrolling your children in a local school. Contact the embassy of the country you are moving to for a list of schools and the application procedures.

Check with your bank three months before your departure to see if an overseas account and other financial arrangements can be set up prior to your move, or ask them for a reference letter that you can take with you.

Hospital services, doctors' consultations, emergency services and other forms of healthcare may be wholly or partly paid for by the recipient in the country you move to. This is an expense that you need to factor into your finances, or make sure that you have the appropriate health cover

A doctor's check up for each member of your family is also a good idea. It should be done no later than six months before departure.

You should consider getting travel insurance coverage in case of emergencies whilst traveling. Other coverage to consider is a policy to protect the contents of your home while it is being relocated.

Once you decide on the date of your move, notify the moving company at least three months before your departure. Book the time for your move to ensure all your belongings arrive before you do. In addition, obtain a complete listing of your belongings from your mover and check out what customs and excise documentation you will need to clear customs in your new country.

Just to be safe, leave a photocopy of your passport, visas and other important documents in a safe place before you move.

As one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations, HSBC proudly offers professional international banking services to enable you to open a new account in your destination country, hassle-free.