A first consultation is an opportunity to test your ideas against professional experience and leave with a clearer sense of direction. It is most useful when you arrive having thought about your goals, your constraints and the facts of your situation. None of this needs to be polished; a page of notes is usually enough.
Clarify what you are hoping to achieve
Start by writing down, in a sentence or two, what you want the move to accomplish. It might be a better education for your children, a new career, greater security, a second residence for flexibility, or a combination.
It helps to separate the outcome from the method. You may have a specific programme or country in mind, but the underlying goal matters more, because a different route can sometimes achieve it more effectively.
Note too how certain you are. Some people arrive with a firm plan; others are exploring. Both are perfectly fine, and saying which applies to you helps the adviser pitch the conversation correctly.
Think about who is involved
List everyone the plan affects: a partner, children, parents or other dependants. For each, jot down their age, nationality, current country of residence and anything that might be relevant, such as a particular educational need, a health consideration or their own career plans.
If a partner or older child has a strong view, it can be helpful for them to join the conversation, or at least to share their priorities with you beforehand.
Gather the key facts
You do not need to bring documents to a first meeting, but having the basic facts to hand makes the discussion far more precise:
- nationalities and passports held by each family member;
- countries where each person has lived, and for roughly how long;
- education and professional qualifications for the adults;
- current schooling for any children;
- current employment and whether it could move with you;
- any previous visa applications, refusals or immigration history.
Be open about anything complicated. Advisers can only plan around what they know, and information shared in a consultation is treated confidentially.
Consider your timescale and constraints
Think about when you would ideally like to move and what fixes that date. School years, contract end dates, tenancies and family events all play a part. Also note anything that cannot change, so that the advice reflects your real circumstances.
Decide what you want to leave with
Before the meeting, write down the three or four things you most want to understand by the end of it. Typical aims include a shortlist of realistic routes, an idea of the steps and order involved, an understanding of what documents will matter, or a sense of the likely timeline.
Having these written down keeps the conversation focused and makes it easy to check that everything has been covered before you finish.
Afterwards
Take a few notes straight after the call while it is fresh. Record the options discussed, any points you need to research or confirm, and the suggested next steps. Share them with anyone else involved in the decision. If something was unclear, follow up promptly rather than letting it linger.
How Kaitu can help
Our first consultations are designed to give you a clear picture of the options that fit your family and your goals, and the practical steps to follow. When you are ready, book a free consultation, or join one of our online events to learn more first.
