frequently asked questions

Immigration-assisted relocation combines expert visa and compliance guidance with practical relocation support. Kent engages early, even during recruitment to assess candidate eligibility, streamline visa processing and align immigration requirements with your wider mobility program. This helps safeguard sponsorship programs, protect recruitment investments and minimise risk from initial recruitment through to settlement.

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Important distinction

In Australia, only a registered migration agent, Australian legal practitioner or eligible exempt person may lawfully provide immigration assistance. Kent’s visa and immigration support is delivered through trusted, licensed migration partners. Kent coordinates the physical move; the licensed professional handles regulated advice and applications.

Work backwards from the date you need to be operational—not simply the day you want to fly. Give every stage an owner, due date, dependency and backup plan.

Confirm destination, purpose, family needs, ideal arrival date and who is paying for each service.

Use official government sources, then engage an appropriately licensed migration professional if you need advice.

Sequence visa milestones, notice periods, travel, packing, shipping, accommodation and school or pet arrangements.

Complete a virtual or in-home move assessment so Kent can scope volume, access, packing, storage and destination services.

Create a secure set for passports, civil records, permits, inventories, protection and customs forms.

Use international-grade packing, choose sea or air freight, and complete origin and destination formalities

Coordinate housing, delivery, unpacking, registrations, banking, schools and local orientation.

1. Define the purpose

A permanent migration, employer-sponsored assignment, study move, family reunion, working holiday or return home creates different immigration, tax, employment and service needs. Record who is moving, citizenships, destination, intended activities and any hard start date.

2. Verify the pathway

Begin with the destination government’s official immigration site. For Australia, Home Affairs publishes the visa list and Visa Finder. If you need advice on options, evidence or strategy, engage a registered migration agent and verify them on the OMARA register.

3. Map dependencies

A visa decision can affect employment, lease signing, school enrolment and uplift. Passport validity, medicals, police checks, skills assessments, sponsorship and translations add lead time. Treat processing estimates as inputs, not guarantees.

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Kent’s move coordination can connect the physical move with milestones managed by your licensed immigration professional.

01
A virtual, phone or in-home consultation establishes volume, access, special items, timing and budget.
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02
Choose professional packing services using materials designed for longer journeys and multiple handling points.
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03
Sea suits larger, less urgent loads; air can move essentials faster at a higher unit cost. Many families combine both.
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Sea and Freight carrier for international relocation
04
Kent can assist with the household-goods import, export and customs documentation required for your move. Customers remain responsible for providing accurate information and meeting destination requirements.
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05
Traditional Storage, Mobile Storage and eligible self-storage options can bridge gaps before departure or delivery.
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06
Vehicle transport, pet relocation, unpacking and destination support can be added where available.
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Immigration

Passports and identity records Civil and relationship evidence Qualifications and employment Health, police and character records Certified copies and translations Receipts and decisions.

Moving & customs

Survey, quote and schedule Household goods inventory Customs and quarantine declarations Protection documents Storage and delivery instructions Pet and vehicle approvals

Arrival

Flights and temporary housing Work and school contacts Medical and vaccination records Banking and proof of address Prescriptions and emergency contacts Secure offline copies

When should each part begin?

Milestone

Start planning

Do not overlook

Immigration strategy

Ideally 3–6+ months out

Eligibility, dependants and uncertainty

Move survey & budget

When destination is known

Volume, access, packing, storage

Pets & vehicles

Early planning stage

Quarantine, permits, eligibility

Final shipping

When timing risk is understood

Visa and cancellation conditions

Accommodation

Before arrival is fixed

Transit, lease and school location

Final delivery

After clearance and access

Unpacking, storage and inspection

Meeting Neighbours
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  1. Treating the visa and shipment as unrelated. One delay can disrupt the other.
  2. Taking advice from an unverified provider. Check the destination regulator.
  3. Booking non-refundable travel too soon. Evidence requests can change timing.
  4. Underestimating documents. Certification, translations and checks take time.
  5. Packing prohibited or contaminated goods. Customs and biosecurity rules apply.
  6. Shipping every essential item by sea. Carry an arrival kit and consider air freight.
  7. Leaving storage until a crisis. Pre-plan a flexible holding option.
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Start as early as possible. Kent recommends beginning visa arrangements around three to six months before the intended move, while recognising that processing varies by country and case. Begin your move survey early too, especially for peak periods, pets, vehicles or complex access.

Kent coordinates visa and immigration support through trusted, licensed migration partners. The licensed professional manages regulated immigration advice and the application process; Kent coordinates the physical move and related relocation services.

You can survey, budget and plan early, but avoid non-refundable commitments until you understand the visa risks and booking conditions. Align final uplift and travel dates with advice from your licensed immigration professional.

Requirements differ, but commonly requested records include passports, birth and marriage certificates, employment or study evidence, qualifications, police or health documents, translations and certified copies. Customs, pet and vehicle documents form separate workstreams.

Kent's international moving service includes support with import, export and customs documentation for household goods. Customers remain responsible for accurate declarations and destination compliance.

Build flexibility into your plan. Kent Traditional Storage, Mobile Storage or another suitable short-term or long-term option can bridge gaps between uplift, visa grant, travel, property access and delivery.

Kent describes standard protection and premium all-risk protection options for moves. Ask which cover, limits, exclusions and evidence requirements apply to your international shipment.

Pet and vehicle transport can be included in the wider plan, subject to route, eligibility, timing, quarantine and destination requirements. Scope these early because they often need separate approvals.

Still have questions?
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General information only

Immigration rules, fees, eligibility and processing times change. This guide is not legal, immigration, tax or financial advice. Confirm current requirements with the relevant authority and obtain advice from an appropriately licensed professional.

Kent will take care of packing, unpacking, cleaning, secure storage and even setting up your new home, leaving you to settle in stress-free, with ease.

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