When planning your move abroad, don’t get swept up in the romance of it all without consulting your wallet first. There are many costs involved with moving and sometimes even more when moving internationally. Use these tips to keep a rein on your budget when planning your move overseas.

Passport and visa fees

If you plan on moving overseas, you need the proper documentation — such as a passport and probably a visa. If you don’t have one already, you’ll pay a fee when submitting your passport application. Fees may vary from country to country, but you should expect to pay around $140–which is the cost of a new passport in the United States.

If you already have a passport, double check when it expires. If it will be expiring while you’re abroad, then you should consider renewing it ahead of your trip. You wouldn’t want to be stuck somewhere overseas without a valid passport.

Visas will vary depending on where you’re planning on moving or visiting and whether or not you will be working, studying or just living there. Each type of visa will have different fees associated with them so expect to pay at the very least an application fee. Be sure to do enough research and factor this into your international moving budget.

Flights and travel costs

Travel costs fluctuate dramatically and depending on how far or where you’re moving, paying for your flight could potentially be your biggest cost. Do your best to shop around for the best price on your flight or travel arrangements. If you have frequent flyer miles, don’t be afraid to redeem them! You earned them and should use them when needed.

When you’re traveling, another added cost to consider will be your baggage. Most airlines now charge for checked bags and those hefty fees can add up if you’re checking multiple items instead of shipping.

Shipping costs

If you’re bringing most of your belongings with you during your flight (checked-in or carry-on) then you may not have to worry too much about shipping and moving costs. On the other hand, if you’re moving long-term and will be bringing an entire household worth of items with you, you’ll definitely need to factor in moving costs. You’ll have two options to move your belongings; by sea or by air, so decide which option better suits your timeline, budget and needs. Shipping by sea is often less expensive but it takes more time. Shipping by air is faster, but the speed often comes at a premium.

Accommodation and housing costs

Just as you would for any other move, factor in housing costs upon your arrival. If your new home won’t be ready in time, you may need to consider hotel accommodations which will increase your moving costs.

When securing housing, you may need to pay a security deposit, advanced rent or other fees before you’re able to move into your new home. Be sure to add these figures into your international moving budget so you won’t have sticker shock during an already stressful time.

Once you have these figures, you can begin planning your international move. It’s always better to be prepared than to jump into a stressful situation blindly. With these tips you should be pretty familiar with any fees and costs you’ll encounter when moving abroad.