Planning My Move To Asia
I’ll be the first to admit that my arrangements for this trip didn’t execute as how I had originally planned in my head. I’m usually the type of person who puts what’s on his mind on paper and goes through completing each task. That wasn’t the case here.
The general idea was for me to stay with my job and save up a little more until the end of 2008 and then plan an exit strategy. But with all the political drama that was stirring around at work, it wasn’t hard for me to say yes to a friend who asked me to vacation in Japan for a week. A spontaneous decision, I know, but it also felt like the perfect time to coordinate my official move to Asia.
So after purchasing my one-way ticket to Hong Kong (click here if you’re wondering why Hong Kong?) including a week in Japan, I buckled down and started getting things in order for my trip. Below is a list of recommended things I had to consider before my departure. Not all of them will apply to your situation so keep an open mind.
1. Have your passport ready to go
Sad to say I didn’t think about this until after confirming my ticket. Luckily, I have another 5 years before mine expires. I place this as top priority because if you are a new applicant or simply need a renewal, it can take up to a month or more to get taken care of. For further information you can go here.
2. Get vaccinated
Unless your goal is to become infected in Asia, I highly suggest doing. Yes, it is optional, and no, you won’t necessarily get ill if you don’t get treated. But why have to worry about getting sick when you’re just trying to enjoy your time? When I spoke to a clinic they recommended a Hepatitis A and Typhoid shot. I was out of luck for the Typhoid shot because it needed to be done 28 days prior to departure. Depending where you go in Asia will determine what shots you may need. These were the recommended shots for my travel itinerary. In addition to the Hepatitis A shot I received, I will get the Hepatitis B and Typhoid shots when I arrive.
3. Check luggage requirements
With the soaring gas prices airlines have been finding any means to save money. One of those ways is to charge passengers for extra added weight they bring on flights. My flight through Japan Airlines limits each passenger to 2 carry-on and 2 check-in pieces. I had to buy new luggage to stay within these restrictions, so be sure to check!
4. Book hotel accommodations
I don’t have too much to say about this topic but to suggest two links which you might find helpful. If you are still a student and are searching for places which are cheap and resemble a dorm-like environment I would choose a hostel through Student Universe. Make sure you have a valid school email address before booking. Agoda is the other site, which I stumbled upon randomly. It does not require you to be a student and still offers great deals along with reward savings. I used Agoda to make my reservations for Japan and was highly impressed with the site organization, hotel details, and customer reviews. There shouldn’t be any reason why you couldn’t find the right place for yourself here.
5. Research employment
For those who are planning an extended or permanent stay, you will most likely be looking for a job. As a non-resident, you will not be able to unless sponsored through a company who is willing see your visa application all the way to approval. Another option is to marry a citizen who can then help submit the paper work needed to receive a work permit. If you don’t think you’ll be finding that special someone anytime soon I would be sure to have potential employers lined up that you can meet with once you arrive. The last alternative is to be “sponsored” through your parents. This is the route which I’m taking, and it requires that one or both parents have been citizens of that country for a period of 7 years or more. Right now I’m solely speaking for Hong Kong. I’m sure other neighboring countries have similar rules, but I would check with their immigration department for more information.
6. Find a banking institution
If you’re merely traveling for a short period of time this may or may not apply to your situation. But if you don’t plan on bringing cash, you’ll need a convenient way of accessing cash when needed. It’s likely your current institution will charge a foreign transaction fee while using a debit or credit card overseas. They’ll probably charge an additional fee for debit cards if you withdraw from an ATM that’s out of network. I was refered to Capital One for avoiding these assorted charges and was surprised to see how easily it was to set up accounts. I opened a money market account which required a minimum $1 deposit and applied for a Visa credit card as well. I did this all through the phone and found customer support to be very polite and courteous. I received both my ATM and credit card within two weeks. It was simple to link the Capital One account to my current checking account so transferring funds couldn’t be easier. I have no complaints.
