About Ask Carl
From childhood friends
to global guides.
We're Ian and Johann — childhood friends turned co-founders, on a mission to make moving abroad less overwhelming and more accessible.
Our story
Two paths,
one realization.
We grew up together in South Africa. Today, Johann lives in Los Angeles and Ian calls Darmstadt home. Our different paths led to the same conclusion: navigating immigration, relocation, and life in a new country shouldn't be this hard.
Our mission
Empower motivated DIY relocators.
We deliver the value of a full-service relocation agency at a fraction of the cost. With Ask Carl, you're in control — only paying for what you need, when you need it.
Why we started
The system was broken.
So we built a better one.
The problem
When we each moved abroad, we ran into the same challenges.
Expensive legal help
Legal assistance was often unaffordable.
Scattered information
Reliable information was hard to find and scattered across dozens of sites.
A stressful process
The process was confusing, time-consuming, and easy to get wrong.
The solution
We knew there had to be a better way, so we built one.
Automate what can be automated
Many firms charge for things you can do yourself. We automate the busy work.
Centralized information
One reliable place for every step of your relocation journey.
Help when you need it
Personalized support the moment you need it — not a one-size-fits-all package.
What drives us
Anyone can find their path
to their dream life.
Focus on what matters
Remove friction so you can focus on opportunities, lifestyle, and family security.
Built from experience
We've been through it ourselves and we've helped many others make the leap.
Technology + expertise
Smart software paired with practical guidance, so you get the best of both.
Meet the founders
Two founders,
one shared story.
Ian Greyvensteyn
Darmstadt, Germany
- Operations & growth
- Cycling & travel
Ian runs operations and growth. He has years of experience working with early-stage startups and marketing teams, and brings a keen eye for building things people trust.
Johann Schuster
Los Angeles, USA
- Technology & design
- Golf & music
Johann leads technology at Ask Carl. With a background in software development and a love for intuitive design, he's focused on making the relocation journey seamless and user-friendly.
Fun fact · our first venture
At age 10, we went door to door selling raffle tickets. No product roadmap — just a love for the hustle and a desire to make our community a little better. Turns out, not much has changed.
Why Ask Carl
Built for the parts
that usually hurt.
We've teamed up with a world-class immigration lawyer and built tools that give you real answers — not endless checklists.
Visa planning
Eligibility and immigration planning.
Qualifications
Recognition of qualifications.
Residence & settling in
Helping you land on your feet.
Career growth
Finding work and building a future.
You don't have
to figure it out alone.
Whether you're planning a move or already living abroad and need support, Ask Carl is here to help you move forward.
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