Before you fly
Reduce day-1 chaos.
Confirm start-date range and what happens if the visa slips.
Pack digital + paper copies of passport, visa/permit, offer, degrees, and insurance.
Book temporary housing that you can extend by a week.
Ask HR for day-1 checklist: IT, badge, payroll forms, right-to-work appointment.
Save emergency contacts: HR, manager, landlord, embassy/consulate, local emergency number.
First week
Handle the essentials before work gets busy.
Complete right-to-work / onboarding identity checks.
Get phone data and a local number if required for banking/2FA.
Start housing search with documents employers/landlords usually want (payslips, offer letter).
Open or schedule bank account / tax ID steps as required locally.
Register address where mandatory (e.g. Anmeldung in Germany) — appointments can be the bottleneck.
First month
Move from survival mode to a repeatable routine.
GP / health registration and understand employer insurance cover.
Clarify payroll deductions on your first payslip.
Set calendar reminders for visa/permit expiry and any reporting duties.
Meet your buddy / manager expectations for the first 30 days.
Days 31–90
Stabilise — and protect probation.
Track probation dates and any sponsorship conditions tied to the role.
Revisit budget with real local costs.
Build a support list: landlord, payroll, HR, doctor, school, community.
If something in the offer was promised verbally, get it confirmed before probation ends.
Next step
Put the resource to work
Save the roles you want to compare, confirm sponsorship details with the employer, and keep your next action visible.