Documents to Bring when Preparing to Move Abroad
Necessary Information to Pack Before Going to a Foreign Country
Apr 14, 2009
In the middle of the stressful time that is packing for an extended stay abroad, be it for work, study, an internship, or volunteer opportunity, it's easy to forget to throw some essential documents into a suitcase. Here is, in addition to, of course, a passport, a short list of the papers that will prove useful (and in many cases vital) when in a foreign country for a longer period of time.
Why Bring Extra Information?
While you may not use all of the documents during your time abroad, it's always good to have them with you as a backup. When living in another country, you may not have the immediate access to documents that you normally would in your home country, which is why you should keep a copy with you abroad.
Proof of Employment or Proof of Program Participation
Get it in writing! Make sure you have a signed letter from your future employer, your study abroad advisor, or the coordinator for your work, internship, or volunteer program. You will likely need it for visa, work permit, or student ID purposes, just to prove that you are, in fact, employed or a student, i.e. in the country legally for a specific, extended period of time.
University students should also bring proof of enrollment at the home university, just in case. (This type of enrollment certification letter can usually be obtained from the school's Registrar or Office of Enrollment.)
Passport-Sized Biometric Photos
A biometric photo has specific dimensions: 47 millimeters in height, 36 millimeters in width. The subject must look directly at the camera and keep a straight face. These types of photos are often required for work permits or student visas. Have your photo taken before you leave, and bring a few extras with you.
Alternate Form of Identification
Always have some sort of secondary ID with your name, a photo, and date of birth on it, be it your driver's license or a Sstudent ID. This will be essential if (worst case scenario) you lose your passport or if (best case scenario) a second form of ID is required for work, or maybe for opening a bank account, securing your visa, et cetera.
It wouldn't hurt to bring a copy of your birth certificate along, either. (And if you are a student, a student ID will also help you get discounts on admission to museums, train tickets, etc.)
So when you are packing for a long stay abroad, be sure you have your passport, your proof of employment or study, your passport-sized photos, and an extra form of identification. While you may not actually use all of these items, you should have them for just-in-case situations. It's better to be well-prepared and have papers with you, than to be stuck in customs at the airport or frantically emailing or calling home to have documents mailed over.
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