The best virtual mailbox for expats

Expat life
16 May 2023
7 mins read
Written by Team Instarem

Moving abroad as an expat can be daunting. One of the biggest challenges is figuring out what to do with your post. Let’s face it – having all your important mail delivered to a foreign postal service isn’t ideal. But wait, don’t worry – here comes the saviour that is a virtual mailbox!

What is a virtual mailbox?

With a virtual mailbox, expats can now access their posts from anywhere without worrying about it getting lost in translation or being stuck in another country. Not only that, but it eliminates all the queues at the post office and the potential for stolen mail – so life abroad just got a lot easier!

How does a virtual mailbox work?

Don’t let those pesky expat tasks get in the way of your globetrotting. With virtual mail, you can still stay on top of all your mail while living a wandering life.

Just pick an address and treat it as your own – like a game of real-life virtual monopoly! Virtual mail will do the rest, scanning all incoming mail and uploading it onto your personal account.

Plus you get notified each time something arrives – so no more worrying about what might have come through the letter box, just check out your email account instead! Far easier than missing out on all sorts of the exciting posts! 

What is the best virtual mailbox service?

Now that you’re primed and ready with some basic knowledge of virtual mailboxes, it’s time to choose the one that will be best suited to your needs.

But with so many options, how can you decide which is the best virtual mailbox service? Not to worry!

Here’s a helping hand of the top ones to consider so you can select the right mailbox for you.

Anytime mailbox

Make snail mail the one thing that gets better with travelling and frequent moves – an Anytime Mailbox is key! Anytime Mailbox service is available in more than 40 countries. This means you’re covered no matter where you live or travel.

Whether you’re gallivanting across the globe looking for adventure or perfecting your digital nomad lifestyle, you can now rest easy knowing your letters and packages are being taken care of. Plus, for all of us tech-savvy folks, Open & Scan, Forwarding, Check Deposit, and Shredding features let us get what we need from our mailbox without ever picking up a single envelope and the price starts as low as $5.99. It’s so easy to go beyond your wildest mailbox dreams.

Earth Class Mail

Earth Class Mail is like that one friend who you can always count on to keep track of all the essential things in your life!

With 50 pieces of mail per month, plus secure shredding services and up to 30 days of physical mail storage, it’ll do a great job holding onto all those bills, thank you cards and other letters. But unlike a regular friend, Earth Class Mail can also integrate with services like Bill.com, Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, Quickbooks and Xero – so it’s almost like having an assistant inside your mailbox!

Plus the app makes it easy for you to view, search, share and archive your mail – just don’t forget to ask nicely if you want it shredded!

ipostal1

Moving mail has never been easier thanks to iPostal1! With their 2500 digital mailbox locations, you can get a physical address without breaking your back. Whether you need it for business or pleasure, they have the perfect plan to ensure you can receive all the mail your heart desires. Prices start from $9.99/month.

All you have to do is provide some basic information upon signing up, and then use a credit card or PayPal for a secure payment. Filling out Form 1583 and attaching two forms of ID takes seconds as well – seriously, hassle-free moving with no heavy lifting involved!

When you’re ready to change addresses again there’s no need to haul all those letters back – just fill out a Temporary Change of Address form with USPS or directly notify your senders. Moving mail is a breeze with iPostal1!

Physical Address

For only $7.98 a month, you get a quality virtual mailing address that looks just like any professional business address. Plus you can rest assured knowing your address is managed and operated solely by PhysicalAddress employees- no outsourcing here! What’s even better? They offer both iOS and Android apps to make your life a little bit easier.

PostScan Mail

Looking for a way to manage your physical mail without actually physically managing it? Post Scan Mail has the perfect solution! With addresses across the country, they’ll scan, open, and index your mail before sending it over to you online in the blink of an eye. Their mailbox app takes this convenience one step further – you can get everything done from the comfort of your own phone! The price is pretty great too – you can have all of this for only $10 a month! So why not take the hassle out of managing your physical mail and let Post Scan Mail do it for you?!

Traveling Mailbox

Since 2011, Traveling Mailbox has been helping tens of thousands of customers in over 47 countries access their mailboxes through apps on Android and iOS, or even their mobile site. So if you get an important check in the mail but don’t want to worry about transporting it, just forward it directly to your bank – easy-peasy.

Plus, do your online shopping from popular companies like Amazon and those goods will be forwarded to you wherever you are! And for only $15 per month for their Ideal Starter Plan (with plenty of page scans) – what more could you want?!

US Global Mail

US Global Mail is some kind of wizardry! This service will make sure that you never have to deal with piles of annoying spam cluttering up your mailbox. Cast a spell to get all that junk thrown out before it can bother you ever again! Not only are you kept organized and mail-magically filtered, but US Global Mail is also eco-friendly, doing its part by recycling discarded mail and preventing the loss of over 100 million trees. All this convenience and conservation comes at a low cost — starting at just $9.95!

Moving out of the States?

Moving out of the States can be a delightful experience. You get to leave your old country and explore new opportunities, cultures and lifestyles – it’s all very exhilarating! But keep in mind that one thing you must absolutely not forget while moving is to open the financial accounts you must have in order to function properly at the new location.

Virtual mailboxes may be safe but banks, credit card companies and other such firms require an actual physical address if you want your money safe and sound. So make sure you’re prepared for that part of the process to avoid any possible hiccups!

Before you go…

Being an expat can seem like a daunting experience, with so much to prepare and plan out. But don’t let it overwhelm you – the start of your expat journey can be as simple as looking for a virtual mailbox! You’ll surprise yourself with how much easier things become after this small step!

enjoy worldwide reach with instarem app

Plus, when it comes to transferring money back home, Instarem is an excellent choice since it lets you save on any transfer fees or charges. Now that’s what we call making life easier (and cheaper!) for yourself!

Try Instarem for your next transfer.

Download the app or sign up here.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only. All details are accurate at the time of publishing. Instarem has no affiliation or relationship with products or vendors mentioned.

About Instarem

Instarem stands at the forefront of international money transfer services, facilitating fast and secure transactions for both individuals and businesses. Our platform offers competitive exchange rates for popular currency pairs like USD to INR, SGD to INR, and AUD to INR. If you're looking to send money to India or transfer funds to any of 60+ global destinations, Instarem makes it easy for you. We are dedicated to simplifying cross-border payments, providing cutting-edge technology that support individuals and businesses alike in overcoming traditional fiscal barriers normally associated with banks. As a trusted and regulated brand under the umbrella of the Fintech Unicorn Nium Pte. Ltd., and its international subsidiaries, Instarem is your go-to for reliable global financial exchanges. Learn more about Instarem.