Moving Overseas Guide – Visas

Each country has specific guidelines for travel and work visas that are required in order to live and work in that location. Listed below are tips designed to help you prepare the necessary documents for your new location:

• Seek out the local consulate of the country you are moving to. They can help you in understanding what documents you will need to obtain. A listing of foreign embassies and consulates in the Foreign Consuls of the United States directory is available at your local library or at www.embassy.org.
• Take a trip to your new country’s embassy to find out what is needed. In order to obtain a visa you may be required to hand over a letter of recommendation from your current employer or bank.
• If you plan on working in your new country, you will have to provide your place of employment with a work permit. This document is separate from your visa and is mandatory if you plan on being employed in a foreign country. You can apply for a work permit along with a visa and residency. 
• Almost every country has different requirements for visiting that country as opposed to living and working there. In the United States, it is required that foreigners living in the country have the proper visa (sometimes referred to as a green card). There are also student visas for college students visiting and working for short periods of time and business visas.

Remember, the local consulate of the country you are moving to is your best resource for ensuring that you are prepared with the documents your new country will require of you. Also check with family or friends to see if they have ever lived in a foreign country to find out what they needed.