Your first 90 days

Registration, housing, money and work culture: what to finish early and what protects you if things change.

Also called residence permit card, Emirates ID, iqama, Qatar ID, residence card, BRP

What: The card or digital record that proves you live in the country legally, such as the Emirates ID, iqama, Qatar ID, German residence permit, Irish Residence Permit or Japanese residence card.
Why: You need it for a bank account, a phone line, a lease and re-entry after travel.

Watch out

Starting work before your status is complete and assuming it is fine.

What: The legal time limit to register your address or residence after arrival, such as 14 days in Japan after moving in or 90 days for a residence card in Korea.
Why: Missing it can bring fines and problems at renewal.

Watch out

Waiting for the employer to remind you.

What: A serviced flat, hotel or short let for your first weeks, ideally paid by the employer.
Why: It lets you view flats in person and avoid paying deposits from abroad.

Watch out

Signing a long lease from home for a flat you have only seen in photos.

What: A fake flat listing that asks newcomers for a deposit before a viewing, often with a landlord who is "abroad".
Why: Newcomers in tight housing markets are the main target.

Watch out

Paying by transfer before seeing the flat and a written lease.

What: How a team makes decisions, gives feedback, runs meetings, writes email and takes leave.
Why: They decide how your work is read during probation, as much as the code does.

Watch out

Treating national stereotypes as rules instead of watching your own team.

What: Savings that cover several months of rent and living costs in your new country.
Why: A job loss on an employer-tied visa can leave only weeks to find another job.

Watch out

Sending most of each salary home from the first month.

What: The country that taxes your income, usually decided by how long you live there and where your home and interests are.
Why: Both your new country and your home country may have rules for you; check both official tax sites.

Watch out

Assuming leaving home ends every tax obligation there.

Also called permanent residence, settlement, Stamp 4, Golden Visa

What: The rules for staying longer than your first permit: permanent residence, settlement, Stamp 4 in Ireland or long-term visas in the Gulf.
Why: Time, salary and gaps between jobs can count towards or reset the clock.

Watch out

Assuming renewal is automatic and missing a condition.

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