What to do After You Get the Visa

The Next Steps for Your Family’s Move Abroad

Doha, Qatar - skyline

So, the visa is approved.

The email came in.

The stamp is in your passport.

You’ve exhaled.

And then it hits you…

Now what?

Most relocation guides stop at getting the visa. But the truth is, your journey is just beginning. What you do in the weeks and months after approval can make or break your transition.

Here’s what I recommend, not as an immigration lawyer, but as a mom who’s moved her family across three continents with everything from visitor visas to spousal sponsorships:

1. Finalize Your Exit Strategy

Your visa approval sets the clock in motion. Many visas have entry deadlines, and the visa becomes void if you don’t arrive by a certain date.

Double-check:

• Entry date requirements (some are 30–90 days post-approval)

• When the visa officially starts (it may differ from the issue date)

• If your family’s visas are linked or need to be activated separately

Once that’s clear, it’s time to set the official move date and start making your exit checklist:

• Give notice to your landlord or employer (if not remote)

• Book one-way tickets (and compare multi-leg vs. direct options)

• Confirm school withdrawal and transcript transfers

• Arrange for international movers or storage

2. Organize Your Documents for Travel & Arrival

Before you pack your bags, pack your paperwork.

You’ll need more than just your visa when you land.

Bring physical + digital copies of:

• Visa approval letters

• Passport bio page and visa page

• Birth & marriage certificates (translated & apostilled if required)

• Proof of accommodation

• Health insurance documentation

• School enrollment letters (if applicable)

• Employment contract or job offer letter (if applicable)

Pro tip: Create one master folder for border officials, and another for everyday logistics once you arrive.

3. Confirm Arrival Logistics

Once your landing is set, the next phase is about settling in smoothly.

Secure these before you arrive:

• Temporary housing: Airbnb, corporate housing, or short-term rental

• School enrollment: Make sure your documents are accepted and reviewed

• Transport from airport: Book ahead, especially if traveling with kids

• Sim cards or roaming: How will you contact people upon arrival?

• Banking: Checkout online banks with multiple currencies. We use Revoult. They do eSIMs as well.

And most importantly: know where to go next. Some visas require reporting to a police station, a biometrics appointment, or a residence card pick-up within days of arrival.

4. Get Health Coverage and Register Locally

Depending on your destination, health access can vary:

• Public system (UK, Europe): Register with a local GP or health clinic

• Private system (UAE, Qatar): You’ll likely need employer-provided or expat insurance

• Transitional period: Make sure you’re covered before local policies kick in

Also check if you need to:

• Register with local authorities

• Enroll children in mandatory immunization programs

• Apply for ID cards or resident permits

5. Set Up Life Admin & Routine

Once the basics are done, the rest is life admin:

• Open a local bank account

• Register your address (often required in Europe)

• Find a grocery store, pharmacy, and clinic

• Start learning key phrases (if moving to a non-English-speaking country)

• Connect with local parent groups or expat communities

These might seem small, but they’re what make your new country start feeling like home.

6. Connect to a Support System

The biggest mistake I made in our first move? Trying to do it all on my own.

We didn’t know where to ask questions, and it made everything harder than it needed to be.

Now I always tell families: Don’t wait until you’re drowning to reach out.

Find:

• An expat-focused Facebook group or Circle community

• A relocation consultant or coach (especially if you’re staying long-term)

• Other families, whether at school, the park, or the playground

• Events, workshops, or summits (like the ones we host at Your Expat Life)

The right people make all the difference.

Getting the visa feels like the finish line, but it’s actually just the starting gate.

The next steps you take with care, strategy, and support will set the tone for your entire relocation journey.

So breathe. Celebrate. Then start your plan.

You’ve got this.

And we’ve got you.

Want to go deeper?

Join us at The Visa Summit on September 20, 2025. A one-day live event featuring global experts who break down the most family-friendly visa options, timelines, and relocation tips by region.

🎟️ Reserve your seat here — only 30 spots available