Checklist for Moving Abroad: Before You leave For a Working Holiday Visa

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Moving abroad is an exciting new chapter, but without proper planning, it can quickly become overwhelming without a checklist. Working holiday visas are a great way to fund long-term travel while living overseas, but they come with far more preparation than a standard trip.

It’s the chance to experience life in a new country, not just pass through as a tourist. As someone who has lived in multiple countries since 2015 (moving to a new country on average every 1.5 years), I have spent much of the last decade adjusting to new systems, cultures, and ways of life. I have no intention of stopping any time soon.

Using my own personal experience, along with the practical lessons I’ve learned along the way, I’ve put together this checklist for moving abroad on a working holiday visa. It covers everything you need to prepare before you leave, from visas and budgeting to accommodation, work, and settling in – so you can start your WHV adventure on the right foot. 

Want some long-term travel inspiration? Check out these posts:

• Gap year advantages: 12 reasons why you should go
• Women Backpackers: The Ultimate guide for beginners

Prefer a printable version of the list below? You can download the full moving abroad checklist here and tick it off as you prepare.

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Establish your “Why” for moving abroad? 

Before we dive into the checklist for moving abroad on a working holiday visa, there’s one key step I’d advise taking first: Understanding why you want to move abroad on a working holiday visa in the first place.

Working holidays are rewarding, but they can also be challenging. Jobs aren’t always as glamorous as you might hope, plans can change quickly, and there may be moments where you question your decision. Having a clear reason for doing this helps you to stay grounded when things don’t go perfectly.

Ask yourself:

• Why am I choosing a working holiday visa specifically?
• What do I want from this experience (travel, income, lifestyle change, personal growth, etc)?
• What am I willing to sacrifice in the short term to reach my goals?
• What would make this experience feel “worth it” to me?

Write your answers down. You’ll come back to them later.

Whatever your answers, they hold more importance than you might believe. They’ll be your reminder of your “why” when things don’t go to plan, and you need a quick reminder of why you’re overseas in the first place.

For me I had always wanted to see the world for as long as I could remember. I didn’t like where I lived and wanted to find somewhere more suited to my personality. My motto is: “You’re not a tree, you’re not rooted to one place, you can leave”. So as soon as I felt I was ready and financially able, I started applying for visas, and my journey around the world began.

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Research Your Chosen Country (Working Holiday Focus)

Ok, so throughout this post I will become a broken record repeating certain things, so I’ll apologise in advance.

Research is one of the most important steps when preparing to move abroad on a working holiday visa. Every country operates differently, so even if you have lived in one country, you shouldn’t assume another country is the same way. Making false assumptions can often lead to problems down the line.

Before you go, make sure you understand the following:

Working Holiday Visa Rules

• How long can you stay?
• Are there any work restrictions (length of employment, type of jobs allowed, etc)?
• Whether regional or specific work is required for visa extensions

Cost of Living

• Average rent and accommodation costs
• Transport and food prices
• How long your savings are likely to last

Work Opportunities

• What industries commonly hire working holiday makers
• Seasonal jobs and their locations
• Minimum wage and working conditions

Local Laws & Safety

• Laws that differ significantly from your home country
• Alcohol, driving and employment regulations
• Any safety precautions relevant to you personally

Lifestyle & Practical Fit

• What is the climate and what seasons does the destination experience?
• What are the differences between city vs regional living?
• What are the cultural norms and expectations?

Doing this research upfront helps you choose the right destination country, but also the correct place within that country to start your visa. Being aware of what to expect helps to avoid unnecessary stress and arrive with realistic expectations about life and work in your new country.

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Plan Your Finances for a Working Holiday Visa

Having enough money is one of the most important parts of moving abroad on a working holiday visa. Without a clear financial plan, the experience can quickly become stressful, especially while you’re job hunting or paying deposits for accommodation.

That’s why we should treat finances as an essential box on our checklist for moving abroad. Being financially prepared can literally make or break a person’s overall gap year experience.

Create a Working Holiday Budget

Before your move, research how much it actually costs to live in your chosen country. This gives you a realistic idea of how long your savings will last (before you need to find a job) and how much you need to save before you go.

At a minimum, budget for:

• Flights to your destination
• Short-term and long-term accommodation
• Utilities and bills
• Public transportation or car expenses
• Groceries and basic living costs
• Medical and healthcare (Travel insurance, medication or prescriptions, etc)

We will come back to travel insurance later on.

If you’re moving to a country with a similar cost of living to your home, your current expenses can be a great starting point to create a budget with. If not, you’ll likely need to adjust your expectations and be aware that you may need to prepare for some small sacrifices.

Don’t forget to get travel insurance to cover you if something bad happens. One company I have personal experience with is Safety Wing. Not everyone needs the same coverage, so make sure you get a personalised quote that suits you and your trip plans.

Useful resource that will help you with much of the above list:

Numbeo – This is a website that allows you to see average costs for typical living expenses in many cities around the world. You can also do a comparison of your home city and your new city side by side.

Once you have qa rough monthly estimate of what you need, you can start your savings plan.

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Organise Your Savings before You Leave

When moving abroad on a working holiday visa, I always split my savings into two categories”

• Available Savings: Money used for flights, accommodation, daily expenses, and setup costs
• Emergency Fund: Money that stays untouched unless something goes wrong.

Although budgets vary by destination, I personally aim for:

• Around 6 months of income for available savings
• Around 3 months of income for an emergency fund

This is by no means a guaranteed or perfect formula; however, it is always better to have more money than you need than to accidentally run out of money and end up in a panic. You don’t know how long it will take to find work, how large the accommodation deposits and costs will be, or whether unexpected costs will arise. Having a buffer gives you flexibility and peace of mind.

Prepare for Currency Exchange and Overseas Spending

“”This next section will be focused on my experience with British banks and bank cards. Please bear in mind that some of this advice may differ depending on your own home country””

Using UK bank cards for long periods of time can become expensive due to international fees. If you’re working overseas, it’s usually cheaper to transfer your money and use a local bank account instead. This can sometimes be a slow or confusing process, so it’s best to set yourself up with an alternative until your local bank is ready to go.

When you need to transfer money or check exchange rates during your overseas trip, consider using Wise. They have competitive rates and make exchanging foreign funds easy. I’ve been using them since 2015.

Not only is Wise good for transferring money between accounts, but it also has a “borderless account” which allows you to keep money in a centralised account with a debit card in your name, easily switch between currencies and use locally with low fees.

Setting this up before you leave home can save you a lot of money and stress once you arrive.

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Check your passport

This is one of the most important items on your checklist for moving abroad on a working holiday visa. Without a valid passport, your plans simply stop here.

Most countries require your passport to have a minimum amount of validity remaining beyond your intended stay. This is to prevent travellers from overstaying if their passport expires while abroad. Even for short trips as a tourist, many countries require at least six months’ validity – and working holiday visas are no exception.

To avoid unnecessary stress later, make sure your passport will remain valid for the entire duration of your working holiday visa, plus extra time at the end. Ideally, your passport should not expire until after your year abroad has finished.

If your passport is close to expiring, it is far easier to renew it before you leave than to deal with embassy appointments and delays overseas. A new passport may feel like an extra upfront cost, but it can save you significant time, money, and complications once abroad.

Passports aren’t the only thing you’ll need. Check out: 18 Important travel documents needed for a long trip

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Apply for the right visa

Applying for the correct visa is easily the second most important step on your moving abroad checklist.

You cannot legally live and work overseas without the appropriate visa, and a tourist visa does not allow employment. This is a common and costly mistake people make when planning a move abroad.

I personally moved abroad using working holiday visas (WHVs) and have lived and worked in multiple countries under this visa type (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan). Working holiday visas allow young travellers to legally work while exploring a country for an extended period, usually up to one year (sometimes longer depending on the country and nationality).

Working holiday visas are typically applied for directly through the official government immigration website of your destination country. Once approved, you will be granted a visa that allows you to enter, live and work legally.

If you are moving abroad with a partner, family, sponsorship, or a different visa type, the process can be more complex, although the rule remains the same: applications must be made through official government or immigration channels.

Please note: Working holiday visas are usually non-dependent visas, meaning that you cannot bring children or dependents on your visa. If you wish to travel with a friend or a partner, on a working holiday visa, each participant will need to apply for their own independent visa.

Before applying, always double-check:

• Age limits
• Nationality eligibility
• Length of stay
• Work Restrictions

Visa fees are often non-refundable, even if you are rejected due to ineligibility. Applying for the wrong visa can cost you both time and money.

Want to see where Brits can get a working holiday? Check out: All Working Holidays for Brits in one place!

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Book travel to your new country

Unless you’re moving to a neighbouring country that you can reach by car or train, you’ll need to book a flight. Either way, your transport needs to be planned in advance so you can organise everything else around it.

For long-haul flights in particular, booking further in advance often works out cheaper. It also gives you a clear deadline, which helps with saving, planning, and mentally preparing for the move.

I usually start by comparing prices on Skyscanner to get an overview of available routes and deals. Once I’ve found the best option, I prefer to book directly with the airline.

In my experience, dealing with airlines directly makes it far easier (and quicker) to receive refunds or changes if your flight is cancelled or delayed, compared to booking through third-party agencies.

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Arrange accommodation for when you first arrive

Before moving abroad, you should always have short-term accommodation booked for when you first arrive.

I usually book at least one week in a hostel or hotel. This gives me time to recover from jet lag, get familiar with the city, and start setting things up. Many places allow you to extend your stay if needed, which is helpful if you need a bit more breathing room.

I personally enjoy staying in hostels because they’re social and make it easier to meet other travellers, many of whom are also on working holiday visas and in a similar situation. It’s one of the easiest ways to make friends in a new city.

That said, hostels aren’t for everyone. Many offer private rooms, and hotels are a perfectly good option, too. The most important thing is having somewhere secure to stay and keep your things while you get yourself settled.

For hostels, I like to use Hostelworld. They have the largest database of hostels around the world and are very affordable.

Unsure which option is right for you? Check out Hostels vs hotels: Which is right for you?

For all other types of accommodation, I use Booking. As they have one of the easiest platforms to use where you can narrow down to amenities that are important to you.

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Transport from the airport or station

Transport from the airport or station is something many people overlook, but it’s too important to leave off your moving abroad checklist when starting your working holiday.

Unless you already have contacts in your new city, you’ll need a clear plan to get from the airport to your accommodation. This first journey is often the most stressful – you’re tired, carrying the most luggage you’ll have all year, and navigating an unfamiliar place.

To make things easier, I recommend arranging airport transfers in advance where possible. This allows you to get straight to your accommodation after a long travel day (or two!). I often check Viator (or Klook in Asia) to see if private transfers are available, especially for late arrivals or long distances.

If you’re travelling light and comfortable using public transport, Google Maps provides public transport directions in many major cities. If all else fails, a quick search for your arrival airport plus “transport to city” will usually point you in the right direction.

Top tip: Not sure whether you’ll have access to public wifi or a SIM card? you can download offline Google Maps ahead of time so you can still find your way easily after arrival.

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Medical Preparations

Arrange Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is non-negotiable when moving abroad.

During my time working as a travel agent, I saw countless travellers refuse insurance, only to get injured or fall seriously ill overseas. The result was often huge medical bills they couldn’t afford – in some cases requiring family help or even remortgaging their home.

I always say: If you can’t afford travel insurance, then you can’t afford to travel.

Policies are usually inexpensive on a daily basis, yet they can save you from life-changing financial stress if something goes wrong.

Some working holiday destinations require proof of travel insurance on entry. Canada, for example, may refuse entry or shorten your stay if you can’t show you have an insurance policy for the entire duration of your proposed visa.

As a British citizen travelling long-term, I personally compare:

• True Traveller (best for single policies up to two years) – includes baggage

For my foreign readers (British citizens can also use the options below):

• Safety Wing (rolling plan every month, until you cancel)
• World Nomads (Multiple plan options)

Please note: You may qualify for local health insurance through work in your new country if staying for an extended period, but this is not guaranteed. Always make sure to have travel insurance, as this often includes repatriation if you need to be flown home.

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Prepare a Record of your medical history

When living abroad, your medical records are rarely transferred between countries – even if you provide details of your doctor at home. I’ve experienced this first-hand whenever I needed medical care overseas.

While I’m fortunate not to have serious medical conditions, this isn’t the case for everyone. If you have allergies, ongoing medical conditions, or take regular medication, having your information easily accessible is essential.

I recommend typing up a simple medical summary and keeping:

• A printed copy
• A digital copy saved in your email or cloud storage

Consider including:

• Moderate to severe allergies
• Existing medical conditions (e.g. epilepsy, diabetes, etc.)
• Current medications and dosages
• Blood type (especially if rare)
• Previous surgeries or implants
• Any other information a doctor should know quickly

Keeping a copy in your wallet or bag can be crucial. In emergencies where a patient cannot communicate, medical staff often check personal belongings. Having this information easily accessible can significantly speed up treatment.

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Check for medical risks

** Disclosure – I’m not a medical professional. This information is based on personal experience and general travel requirements. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medical decisions.**

Health risks vary widely depending on where you’re moving. While the UK has relatively few environmental health concerns, this is not the case everywhere else.

Before moving abroad, check whether your destination requires:

• Specific vaccinations
• Preventative medication (e.g. malaria tablets)
• Proof of vaccination for entry (e.g. yellow fever certificates)

Some vaccinations require multiple doses spread over several months, so this isn’t something to leave until the last minute. Planning early ensures you’re fully protected before departure.

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Arrange Internet and a SIM Card

Having reliable internet access as soon as you arrive is no longer optional; it’s essential.

You’ll need internet and phone signal to navigate your new city, contact accommodation providers, apply for jobs, access emails, and complete basic admin tasks. Without it, even simple things like using online maps or messaging employers become unnecessarily stressful.

Before arriving, decide whether you’ll use:

• An eSIM (I recommend Airalo due to ease of use & you can download before you go)
• A local SIM card (best for long-term options – often cheaper and with a phone number)
• Or temporary roaming from your home SIM (not recommended long term)

For short-term coverage on arrival, I often use an eSIM so I’m connected the moment I land. This gives me time to get settled before deciding whether I need a local phone plan.

I personally use Airalo, as it allows you to download an eSIM in advance and activate it instantly without needing to visit a phone shop. It’s especially useful when arriving late at night or on weekends when stores may be closed.

If you plan to stay long term, you may eventually want to switch to a local SIM card once you have a permanent address and bank account, as these are often cheaper for ongoing use.

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International driving licence

If you hold a driving licence and plan to drive while abroad, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP).

An IDP is not a licence on its own. It acts as a translation of your existing licence and is required in some countries to legally drive or rent a vehicle.

If you’re currently in the UK, IDPs are easy to obtain from the Post Office. Depending on where you’re going, you may need a specific type of IDP, and in some cases, more than one if you plan to travel through multiple countries.

Alternatively, some countries allow you to:

• Exchange your UK licence for a local one
• Drive on your home licence for a limited time

For example, in New Zealand, you can drive on a UK licence for up to six months before needing to exchange it for a local licence.

Because rules vary by country, it’s important to check driving requirements before you leave. Getting an IDP in advance is usually far simpler than trying to organise once you’re already abroad (usually because you must apply for them in person rather than online).

Pro tip: Most driving licences issued in the UK are for 10 years; however, if you are close to your licence expiry, I’d recommend getting a new one before you set on overseas to avoid any issues.

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Taxes at home

The UK has tax agreements with many countries to prevent you from being taxed twice on the same overseas income. Before moving abroad, it’s worth checking whether your destination country has a double taxation agreement with the UK.

Before you leave, you should also inform HMRC that you will be living and working overseas. This can be done online, by phone, or by post. Doing so lets them know you won’t be earning UK income in the foreseeable future.

If you worked in the UK earlier in the tax year (usually April – April), and didn’t earn over the personal allowance, you may be entitled to a tax refund at the end of the tax year. This depends entirely on your earnings and cannot be guaranteed.

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Tie up loose ends at home

Before moving abroad on a working holiday visa, it’s important to close off commitments at home so you’re not dealing with avoidable stress from overseas.

Here are some common loose ends to consider before you leave:

• End your lease or arrange a replacement tenant
• Professionally resign from your job (you may need a reference letter)
• Say proper goodbyes to friends and family
• Sell belongings, store them, or ship essentials overseas
• Cancel unused subscriptions and memberships

Depending on your lifestyle, you may have additional responsibilities to manage. This list is based on my own experience and a fairly minimalist setup.

I’m planning on creating a checklist of “how to tie up loose ends at home before moving abroad” shortly, which will go into much more detail about this category for you.

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Final Thoughts: Your working holiday checklist before you leave home

Moving abroad on a working holiday visa involves a lot of moving parts, and it’s easy to overlook something important when you’re focused on the excitement of leaving. This checklist is designed to cover everything you need to organise before you depart, so you can arrive feeling prepared rather than rushed.

If you want an easy way to keep track of everything, I’ve created a printable “Checklist for moving abroad on a Working Holiday Visa” that you can tick off as you go.

Download the free checklist here
(Perfect is you like having everything in one place or want a physical copy before you leave).

In a separate guide, I’ll be covering what to do after you arrive, including setting up bank accounts, finding work, securing long-term accommodation, and getting settled in your new country. This post focuses purely on preparation, because the smoother your departure, the easier everything else becomes.

If you feel I’ve missed something essential, please let me know in the comments. I’m always updating my resources based on real experiences abroad.

Good luck, stay organised and enjoy the adventure. Moving abroad is a big step, but with the right preparation, it’s absolutely worth it.