Tips for Citizens Returning to Their Home Country

By International Sea and Air Shipping / January 22, 2020

When you have lived abroad and come home again, it is often a mix of JOYOUS and DAUNTING. You’re preparing for the emotional aspects of moving while still possibly managing many, if not all, of the same details as when you moved away. Carefully planned, the whole thing can be organized and (much) less exhausting.

Just remember these things as you get ready to return home, and it’ll be a smooth transition back to your home country.

Before Traveling Home: Pre-Departure Preparation

Before you even book your flight, there are several tasks that need to be completed in the country you’re leaving. Seldom do people remember to close local bank accounts, cancel utility services, or collect medical and school records. Taking care of these things in advance can prevent delays and headaches when you go home.

And it is also useful to have all your documents—from passports and visas to identification cards, insurance papers, leases, and work contracts—well arranged too so everything is handy if required. This early preparation is what makes a return so much easier.

Shipping and Logistics on Returning Home

There are shipping procedures and clearance; your items have to go through those too. A handful of countries will ask you for an inventory, and many have lists of prohibited items.

You might also have to choose between air or sea freight. Air freight is swift, and sea freight is less expensive, but it can take weeks. Pack essential items in your luggage to ensure uninterrupted travel in case of delays.

Traveling Home

A smooth return depends in large part on good planning. But vet any international moving company carefully—the last thing you want is to return home and find your belongings never made it on the truck.

So, when entering your home country, you must show evidence of citizenship. A passport itself is the norm, though some countries offer other options, such as a passport card or birth certificate, to their citizens.

Cell Phones

If you relocated to a different country, it’s likely that you terminated your previous phone plan and enrolled in a local one upon arrival. Heading home entails updating an old plan or speaking to a new carrier. Comparing coverage, pricing, and data plans now is a beneficial way to find the best value before locking into any long-term deal.

Finances

If your bank accounts in your home country are still active, ensure they continue to be. Reactivate them if they were inactive or closed. Having savings in an online account can be a preferred way to get your money working as hard as you do, because online accounts typically have higher interest rates than the standard bank.

And if you earned income while abroad, determine whether you need to file taxes on that as well after your return. Tax exclusions or credits are available in many countries, but the specifics vary and should be reviewed closely.

Healthcare & Insurance Re-Enrollment

You may need to re-enroll in your national health system depending on how long you have been away or reactivate past insurance coverage. Many programs also have waiting periods, so it’s a beneficial idea to get this in place early.

If you have a chronic condition that requires treatment over the long term, try to get a month’s worth of medication in your suitcase and share your diagnoses with a local doctor as soon as you arrive so they can take over where your last doctor left off.

Housing

If you haven’t secured a place to stay before touching down in your new city, having a realtor or real estate agent show you around might take some of the pressure off. And it’s possible that you can count on someone in whom you trust to scout out the options well in advance. You may be eating out or sheltered by friends for longer than you had hoped while you search for pre-organized housing.

Employment & Career Reentry

Returning to the job market after time spent living abroad can be difficult. Edit your résumé to reflect the experiences and skills you’ve gained while overseas and proofread. Some licenses or professional credentials may need to be validated or converted in order that they can be locally recognized.

And tapping your network even before you’ve started applying for jobs can offer glimpses into what the job market is like right now and how workplace cultures are shifting.

Legal & Administrative Affairs Following Homecoming

Once you get to your house, it’s time to take care of some administrative tasks to regain residency. That would just be renewing your national ID card, updating your driver’s license, registering with the local authorities, and informing government agencies and financial institutions of a change of address.

Some countries have tax-related rules that would require you to re-establish your tax residency in order not to file incorrectly in the years ahead.

Family and Children Repatriation Tips

If you’re coming back with children, their experience may be distinct from yours. They might have become used to the language, school system, or social life of your host country. Educating them about the change will assist with taming them down for it.

When you come back, easing them back into a routine and providing opportunities to meet new friends can also make the transition easier.

Cultural Shock

My guess is, I bet you felt excitement when you first went to live abroad, then homesickness, and eventually some kind of comfort and ease. Coming back can be similarly emotional, termed reverse cultural shock. Old habits or social circles or traditions might feel far removed, even though everything is familiar.

Give yourself time to adjust. Taking a brief break before embarking on your job search and other responsibilities will help you transition more smoothly.

Your First 30 Days Back Home

The first month is a bit of the old mixed with the new. You may wonder which habits will return, which routines you can resume, and which places will feel familiar. This gradual pace also facilitates your adjustment and is significantly less daunting than abruptly shifting from one extreme to another.

Final Thoughts

Arriving back in the country after a period spent abroad can be a special, very significant occasion. Being well-prepared and maintaining a positive attitude significantly simplifies the logistics and emotional aspects. Whether you’ve been away for a year or ten, look at what the transition will hold and prepare yourself to reintegrate into your home country smoothly and with confidence.