Scouting Checklist #1: What To Bring With You

• A color copy of your passport (every page). You’ll likely be asked to produce this (by the banker you meet with, by the attorney perhaps). If you bring a color copy, you can leave the original in your hotel safe…

• Note that, if your passport has less than a year remaining until expiration, you should renew it in advance of your trip. Once you begin your residency visa application process, you’re going to receive stamps that will be a big pain in the neck to replace if your passport expires before your visa process concludes…

• Very recent passport-size photos (as many as eight). You may not need these, but it’s easier to bring them with you than to waste time in the country finding someplace to have them taken…

• A recent (within the past three months) copy of a utility bill (electricity bill, telephone, etc.). You’ll need this to open a bank account…

• Two banking (or financial) reference letters. If you don’t currently have two banks, request a second letter from another financial institution where you have an account (Schwab, for example, or Fidelity) or from one of your credit card companies. The letter should say, “So-and-so has had an account with this institution for so-many years. This account is currently in good standing.”…

• An FBI (or comparable if you’re not an American) criminal background check (hopefully showing that you have no criminal background). This will be required for your residency visa processing. Note that this report is valid for six months only, so, once you obtain it, you should use it…

• Your smartphone. Assuming you already own a smartphone, bring it with you and go to a local phone shop when you arrive. Buy a new SIM card and pop it in—you’re good to go with a local number and data that will be invaluable in helping you get your bearings…
• Translation app or phrasebook (if the local language isn’t English)…

• Guidebook (remember, part of this expedition is about being a tourist)…

• Road map. If you still like to have a physical map to unfold, these can be difficult (or impossible) to source locally. A good online source for a road map of almost anywhere you can name is www.maps2anywhere.com… Of course, though, these days, it’s much easier to use Google Maps…

• Your laptop (if you have one)…
  

As an addendum to this, here’s a checklist of things not to bring with you…

• A lot of cash. Remember, you can’t cross any international border with more than US$10,000 (or the equivalent) without declaring it. Nowhere in Europe would you have to travel far to find an ATM.

• Traveler’s checks. Again, your best option for accessing the cash you need while on the road is an ATM. Furthermore, in most of the world, it’s difficult to exchange traveler’s checks.

• Don’t exchange a lot of cash into the local currency in advance of the trip unless the local currency is appreciating rapidly against your base currency. You’ll likely get a better exchange rate in country than from your local bank back home. If you do decide to change money before you get on the plane, you’ll have to plan for it. Your bank likely will have to request the foreign cash, which could take a few days.