Documents Needed by Expatriates on Overseas Work Assignment

Are you preparing to move overseas due to career reassignment?  Make sure you carry the documents needed as expatriates when preparing for or moving to your expatriate overseas work assignment. Gather information that may be needed during a work assignment overseas, including medical, academic and employment records and legal documents and make sure they are ready and with you at all times.The pain, expense, wasted time and trouble getting your hands on documents forgotten, left behind or not yet obtained puts a lot of stress on you, your family and the company that has hired you to relocate as an expatriate to an overseas work assignment.

1. Medical Information

Obtain immunization records for family members. Request copies of any recent medical tests such as blood tests, EKG, radiology scans and chest X-rays, as well as records for recent surgery, serious illnesses or ongoing medical conditions. Keep records of family member's blood types. Allergies to medication should be noted. For family members needing prescribed medication, ask a doctor for a supply that will last until the next home leave as the foreign pharmacists may not have the drugs required by your family.

Most pharmaceutical purchases abroad may also be covered by insurance at home. Once you have been to the host country and know what is available, you will know what must be purchased at home in the future.

Dental records will also be useful to bring with you for any on-going care. If you are near or far sighted, bring optical prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses. These can be filled by opticians in the host country.

2. Academic and Employment Documentation

International schools in the host country will require copies of a child's academic transcripts and a character reference for enrollment processing. This includes any extracurricular activities that your child is currently taking part in. Music assessment references may also be required for your child to continue music lessons in the host country. Ask the child's school for copies of the curriculum they have followed.

If you plan to have your children do home or online schooling, make sure all arrangements are made before departure for the host country.

Bring academic diploma and transcripts for your spouse if they want to work in the host country. Also bring reference letters showing work experience.

3. Legal Documents

Bring notarized copies of any wills, power of attorney, birth certificates, name change decrees, marriage certificates, divorce documents, custody agreements as well as photocopies of previous passports and your driver's license.