If you’re walking out the front door with a laptop in one hand and plans to live and work in another country for the next five years, you’re undoubtedly feeling both excited and nervous.
Will you be able to cover the costs of your trip? Will you have a strong desire to return home? What if you misplace your laptop? What will happen if you become ill? Were all of the plugs unplugged?
That’s before you consider all of the documentation you’ll need before you go! This checklist will assist you in ensuring that you have all of the relevant papers in order…
Confirmations
Before you leave on your journey, you’ll most likely have made arrangements for at least a few things. This will almost certainly require a few hotels and possibly a flight or two. You may have even planned vacations around specific places.
Before you leave, double-check that you have all of the necessary papers so you can confidently present it at the counter. This will save you a lot of time and aggravation!
Also, think about buying applications for things like plane tickets — they may make your life a lot easier! Another recommendation is to save these papers to the cloud.
Passport
You’ll need your passport if you’re travelling abroad. This is a simple enough need, but be sure it is valid for at least 6 months longer than the duration of your trip. Some places will not allow you to travel if your passport expires in three months. And, given that you could be gone for up to two years in some situations, this is something you should double-check!
Oh, and keep a copy of your passport on hand as evidence of identification in case yours is taken!
ID
It’s usually a good idea to have a backup form of identification, even if it’s not required. This is useful not just in the event that you lose your passport again, but also to establish your identity without having to flash your passport around!
Visas
This is critical since certain nations will not allow you to enter without a visa or will not allow you to work or remain for more than a set period of time. To minimize disappointment, do your study before going and apply early.
Insurance
Make sure you have travel and health insurance that will protect you while you are away from home, and that you have copies of all of the necessary documentation with you.