Living abroad can be an exciting adventure but comes with unique challenges. From sending money overseas to saving your US mobile phone number, technology has made it easier to manage these challenges and make the most of your expat experience. Here are 10 must have expat apps and services that every person moving overseas should consider to streamline their life abroad.
1. WISE
Gone are the days when sending money overseas was costly, secretive and shrouded in mystery. WISE (formerly TransferWise) offers a solution with its easy and affordable international money transfer service. With WISE, you can send money abroad instantaneously, at the real exchange rate with low, transparent fees. WISE takes the guesswork out of sending cross border payments, allowing you to choose either exactly how much of your own currency to send, or how much of the recipient’s currency they should receive. Whether you need to make payments to secure a rental, reserve a spot for your child in private school, or even to send money to your foreign bank after you’ve moved, WISE will ensure you get the best value for your money. Check out our full review for a detailed look at how WISE can ease your expat life.
2. Tossable Digits
Often expats don’t realize until it’s too late the importance of keeping your US mobile phone number when moving overseas. Certainly, it’s easy to tell friends and family alternate ways to reach you after your move, but your existing mobile number is what identifies you to just about every business with which you have a relationship. Bank accounts, utility companies, even Social Security all use two factor authentication to verify you’re indeed you when you try to access your accounts, online or by phone to customer service. This is where a service like Tossable Digits becomes indispensable. Tossable Digits allows you to keep your phone number without maintaining costly carrier service that you won’t need after leaving the US. Read our detailed review of Tossable Digits features, or visit Tossable Digits to learn more.
3. Voip.MS
Another player in the virtual phone number space . This VoIP service provides high-quality international calls at competitive rates and features like call forwarding, voicemail, and virtual numbers. Voip.MS ensures you can make and receive calls from anywhere worldwide, keeping you connected without breaking the bank. For more details on setting up and using VoiP.MS, refer to our comprehensive guide.
Another player in the virtual phone number space, VoIP.ms makes it easy and affordable to maintain both US as well as Canadian mobile numbers. In addition to global number portability for individual consumers starting at just .85 cents/month, VoIP.ms also offers a feature rich solution targeted at businesses with tools like call conferencing, digital receptionist (IVR), call recording, and Microsoft Teams integration. Whether you’re moving overseas as an individual or family, or looking for a full service international telecommunications solution, VoIP.ms is sure to have the tools you need at a palatable price. Read our detailed overview here.
4. Airalo
Staying connected to the Internet is essential for both expats and international travelers alike, and Airalo offers a convenient and cost-effective solution. Airalo eSIMs provide packaged data plans to allow you to access local national phone networks without needing physical SIM cards. This means you can switch between networks in different countries effortlessly. You can purchase your Airalo eSIM prior to travel, allowing immediate connectivity without needing to find a store to buy a local SIM card, avoiding expensive roaming charges and ensuring you always have access to reliable Internet. With data plans in over 200 countries, Airalo is certain to offer you the service you need, wherever you travel.
5. Yesim
Yesim eSIM mobile data plans for tourism and business offers another great solution for expats and international travelers. Yesim‘s convenient eSIM service provides mobile data in over 200 countries. Choose from local, regional, or global data plans, activated via their app. The service eliminates the need for physical SIM cards, allowing seamless connectivity through virtual SIM technology. Yesim also supports hotspot sharing, and data plans can be purchased on a pay-as-you-go basis. Never be without date and never pay roaming charges again.
6. Tripiamo
Tripiamo driving guides have three goals in mind: to help you travel confidently, drive safely and roam farther afield than the standard tourist attractions. Crafted by travel experts, driving schools and instructors in each country, each online guide alerts you to common driving mistakes, tickets and fines, how to handle emergencies and detailed rules of that country’s local roads. With country specific guides for driving in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Ireland and the UK, Tripamo is your ultimate travel companion when driving overseas. Check out our detailed post for a deeper dive into how Tripiamo can enhance your expat experience.
7. Virtual Mailbox Services
Only when moving internationally will you discover that the US post office doesn’t forward mail overseas. Expat, meet your new virtual mailbox. These services allow you to forward your mail to a US street address — no post office box address concerns! — where your mail will be securely collected, opened, scanned and sent to you electronically, either to your email or using the service’s online platform. Once you virtually open your mail, you tell the service what to do with the physical copy — store it, shred it, send it to you or whatever the situation may call for. Different providers offer a varying range of features and pricing. Choosing from one of these top three businesses is sure to suit all your mailing needs after you move overseas.
Anytime Mailbox: A vast network of 2,500+ global virtual mailbox locations allows users to manage their mail from any part of the world with flexible forwarding options.
iPostal1: Integrating digital mailbox services with package management, iPostal1 offers both personal and business users the ability to handle mail, packages, and phone services via a single platform.
Traveling Mailbox: Tailored for frequent travelers and RVers, this service offers secure digital mail scanning and forwarding with a focus on seamless cloud integrations for mail storage and management.
8. Airslate: PDF Filler and Digital Document Management Apps
Handling documents is a crucial part of expat life — and not just for all those immigration forms! PDF Filler eliminates the need to physically print paperwork by allowing you to fill, edit, sign, and share PDF documents online from anywhere. Whether you’re dealing with visa application paperwork, rental agreements, permission slips from school or important work related documents, PDF Filler streamlines the process and keeps everything organized digitally. Learn more about how PDF Filler can assist you in our detailed review.
And should your expat life entail more comprehensive paperwork management needs, Airslate offers a host of digital documentation management, including DocHub — to edit, sign and share PDFs online; USLegalForms — to create legally binding documents such as rental agreements; and SignNow — to securely sign documents without the need to be physically present.
9. AngelVPN
Online security is paramount for expats, and AngelVPN provides top-notch protection for your Internet activities. This VPN service encrypts your Internet connection, safeguarding your personal information and allowing you to browse the web securely. AngelVPN also enables you to access content that may be restricted in your current location, such as certain banking, utility or government websites in your home country. Protecting your online world is a must in today’s high risk environment, wherever you live or travel overseas.
10. Amazon Kindle
Ok, less tech than tool, however much you might love your traditional bound books, an Amazon Kindle is an indispensable device for the frequent traveler or expat. First off, who wants to carry a bunch of heavy books around while bopping about on your overseas adventures? Secondly, finding the book you want in your native language, even when that language is English, is not necessarily easy when living in a country where a different language is spoken. So if you’ve never considered the possibility that curling up with your Kindle will bring you the same cozy joy as curling up with your favorite paperback, embarking on expat life is a great time to find out. Available in a variety of price points, both with and without ads, one of these three great Kindle models is sure to suit your needs:
Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle: This all in one solution includes the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition – Wifi, Without Ads, Amazon Leather Cover, and Wireless charging dock.
Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) Without Lockscreen Ads: A simple reading solution with larger display, adjustable warm light, increased battery life and faster page turns.
Amazon Kindle Basic in Denim: The lightest and most compact Kindle, with extended battery life, adjustable front light, and 16 GB storage.
What Tools Make the Best Must-Have Expat Apps for You?
Selecting the right apps to enhance your expat life can significantly improve your ability to manage daily challenges. Start by identifying your needs, such as communication, document management, financial transactions, or online security. Research apps that offer solutions tailored to these requirements and read user reviews to gauge their effectiveness and reliability. Consider the app’s compatibility with your devices and ease of use, as a user-friendly interface will save you time and frustration.
Cost is another important factor; look for apps that provide good value for money and check if they offer free trials or basic versions. Security and privacy should also be top priorities, especially for apps handling sensitive information. Finally, consider the level of customer support available, as prompt assistance can be invaluable when navigating life in a foreign country. You can choose the best apps to streamline and enhance your expat experience by carefully evaluating these factors.
Final Thoughts
Navigating life as an expat can be challenging, but these ten must-have expat apps and services make it significantly easier. These tools are essential for any expatriate, from managing communication and finances to handling documents and ensuring online security. Integrating these solutions into your daily routine allows you to streamline your expat life and focus on enjoying your new adventures abroad. For more detailed information on each of these services, check out our blog posts linked throughout this article.