Moving Countries: Keeping Access to Your Accounts
Moving to another country can cut you off from accounts tied to your old phone number and bank. How to keep access to email, banking, mobile money and government accounts during and after a move.
Moving to a new country means a new phone number, new bank, and often new ways of proving who you are. Meanwhile, many of your existing accounts still send codes to your old number and letters to your old address. Plan the transition, or you may find yourself locked out of accounts you still need.
Before you move
- List accounts tied to your home number: banking, mobile money, email recovery, government, social media, WhatsApp.
- Move two-step verification to authenticator apps or passkeys wherever possible. See what is a passkey.
- Save backup codes for key accounts. See backup codes.
- Decide about your home number: keeping it active at low cost can prevent lockouts and stop it being recycled. See phone number recycling.
- Tell your bank about the move and ask how to keep access from abroad.
- Check government portals for access from abroad.
After you arrive
- Add your new number to accounts, then remove the old one when ready.
- Use WhatsApp's change number feature.
- Update addresses with banks and agencies, and set up mail forwarding.
- Keep sending money home through regulated services. See diaspora scams.
New arrivals are targeted by scams: fake immigration officials, fake landlords and fake job agents. Verify everything through official channels. See visa and relocation scams.
If you are locked out
Use backup codes or the provider's official recovery. See locked out of your account.
Got a message about your visa, bank or account after moving? Paste it into CyberWatch AI Scan for a free check.
For more, read our guide to identity theft and account security.
Frequently asked questions
Should I keep my home phone number?
Often yes, at least until all accounts are moved to new two-step methods. Many banks and services still send codes to your old number.
Which two-step method works best when moving?
Authenticator apps and passkeys, because they do not depend on a phone number or mobile signal.
Can I access government accounts from abroad?
Usually, but some require a local number or identity app. Check before you leave and update your details.
Sources
- Use Two-Factor Authentication To Protect Your Accounts, US Federal Trade Commission
- Avoid Scams When You Travel, US Federal Trade Commission
- Recovering a hacked account, UK National Cyber Security Centre
