There has never been a better time to move to a new country. With globalisation and technological advances, people can work from anywhere. So as long there’s internet access, virtual addresses for expats allow professionals to work anywhere in the world.

Becoming an expat or a digital nomad is a growing trend. When it comes to American citizens, there are about eight million living overseas. Studies have even found that 72 million Americans wish to become digital nomads.

If you’re considering this exciting opportunity, there are some admin tasks to think about. Whether you plan on living in one location or travelling around, you need to figure out what to do with your mail. That’s where a virtual mailing address comes in handy.

What is an expat virtual address?

A virtual address for expats lets you get a physical address in your home country without paying for rent or owning a house. It’s a place where you can redirect all your mail to.

This option is affordable since you’re not paying for the space to live in. Some services will offer virtual address mail forwarding, while others also scan your mail. This means you can read it online as soon as you get it.

How does a virtual address work for expats?

Often, you’ll find services that offer a virtual mailing address for business. Those are great for startups wanting to appear more reputable or expand into new markets.

The same service can also work for expats, whether they’re establishing a new business or simply working as a freelancer. Once you’ve registered as a business, you’re ready to start using a virtual address.

All of your mail and packages will get delivered to one location, where there’s always someone to sign for it. Then, you have options about what to do with the mail.

The service can keep it until you pick it up. It can also deliver it to your current address, even if you keep changing it. Or, your mail can be scanned and emailed for you to access through an online portal.

Different types of virtual addresses for expats

There are typically three types of addresses you can sign up to:

● Personal address: This is a regular street address. If people look it up, it will appear as a private residence. You can still have mail handling services, but it’s for things like your bank, driver’s licence, government documents, and receiving mail.

● PO box: This is not an actual, physical location; it’s completely virtual. You can receive mail there, sometimes with mail handling, but you can’t use it for official documents.

● Virtual business address: If you work as a freelancer or own a business, a virtual address for business is the one to choose. This gives you the actual address of a business centre, which adds credibility to your company.

It will also include mail handling and sometimes other add-ons, such as call answering services.

It’s the latter type of virtual address that Regus offer. Virtual business addresses offer the most benefits to expats, whether they’re starting their new business in that location or simply wish to establish their business from that location.

Virtual mailbox services: Meeting the needs of expats, travellers, and digital nomads

A virtual mailbox is a great solution for people who plan to leave their home country. It offers reliable mail handling for expatriates, so you don’t have to worry about it while you’re away.

For travellers, the service provides access to your mail, wherever you are. And for digital nomads, it helps support a flexible lifestyle.

With the help of mail scanning, international mail forwarding, and mail storage, nothing falls through the cracks. You can even use the service to send letters online.

The benefits of using virtual addresses for expats

If you’re still unsure whether you need a virtual address, it’s worth understanding all of this service's advantages.

Convenience and accessibility

When you sign up for a virtual address, you can rest assured that none of your mail gets lost.

Professional assistants will receive and sort through your mail, and notify you of any new correspondence. You can read all your scanned mail online and even send replies with ease.

Manage mail from anywhere

All you need is an internet connection to access your mail. Thanks to this, you can even read and respond from locations like coffee shops and airports.

If you move around often, you can ask for your packages to arrive at your new destination. It doesn’t matter whether the address is domestic or international.

Eliminating postal service challenges

Postal services are not always smooth and effortless. For instance, if the parcel is too large to fit in the mail slot, it may get sent back. Or, if it requires a signature and you’re not there, you may never see it.

With a virtual address service, someone is always there to receive all packages and letters.

Enhanced security and privacy

If you run a company, your mail may have sensitive information. With a virtual office address for business, you can be sure that everything remains confidential.

The service has strict rules regarding data handling. It also does extensive background checks on any new hire.

In addition, the difference between a virtual address and a physical address is that it provides greater privacy. Using it lets you keep your personal information safe, and you don’t have to reveal where you’re staying.

Retain a presence in your home country

Retaining a presence in your country is a good idea in case you plan on coming back. It means you won’t have to start everything from scratch.

You may want to keep a bank account, an up-to-date driving licence, and even run your company from that country. All of which often require a virtual address.

Flexibility and mobility

Digital nomads, by definition, move around quite often. Updating your address every few months on all your legal documents can become quite a chore.

A virtual mailbox solves that, no matter how much you move. You can keep the same address and know you won’t get into trouble.

Never miss important mail

You may be waiting on an important contract or a government form. If you use your family’s address while you’re away, you’ll have to keep bugging them for updates.

With a virtual address, the service notifies you whenever you receive mail. Thanks to this, you can remove that mental burden and focus on having fun abroad.

Professional image and credibility

For business owners, a virtual office address is necessary. If potential clients know you’re in a different country every month, your company may come across as a side hustle. Signing up for a virtual registered office address signals that they can trust you.

Choosing the right virtual address service: Factors to consider

If you’re ready to get a virtual business address, there are certain things to keep in mind:

● Location: Pick a service that offers an address in your desired location.

● Features and functionality: Ensure the product provides everything you need, from mail scanning to international forwarding, etc.

● Specific services offered: Consider if you need add-ons like call answering and access to meeting rooms.

● Customer support: In case of issues, you want to have multiple ways to contact the service, like email, chat, and phone.

● User interface: For seamless use, make sure that the portal is easy to use and glitch-free.

● Integrations: Some services work with mail management tools like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Evernote.

FAQs

Can I use a virtual address for all types of mail?

Virtual addresses can be used for all mail types. Any letters get scanned online for you to read when you’re ready. Then, the provider can either mail you the physical copy or sometimes shred it.

With parcels, you can ask the provider to keep them for you until you return or forward them to any address. It doesn’t matter what size the packages are and who sends them; you’ll be able to receive them with a virtual address.

However, giving the provider a heads-up is a good idea for large packages.

Can I use a virtual address for banking and financial purposes as an expat?

It’s sometimes possible to use a virtual address for finance and banking. Some banks will require only a local address, while others want you to prove you reside in the country (with a utility bill, for example).

You should check with your bank or financial service for their rules. Even if you already have an account, changing the address to a virtual one may trigger the bank to freeze it.

Are there any restrictions or limitations when using a virtual address as an expat?

Depending on the type of address you pick, there might be some limitations. For instance, you can’t use a PO box on government documents or to register a company. If you register for a business address, you won’t be able to use it for your personal bank account.

Understanding the importance of virtual addresses for expats

When you decide to move abroad, the benefits of a virtual address are plenty. It really is a valuable asset.

Virtual addresses help ensure you don’t miss out on crucial correspondence while you’re away, such as correspondence from your bank. If you own a company, it will also ensure that you can keep running it from your home country.

With Regus, you can find a virtual address solution to meet your needs. Not only will it make your travels hassle-free, but it will make coming back home much easier.