Before you travel to work abroad: a 10-point checklist

This list helps you keep your money and documents safe. It works for any country: check the specific country's rules on its official website.

Before you leave

1. A signed contract in a language you understand: job, pay, hours, housing and who pays for travel.
2. A work visa or permit for this exact job. A tourist or visit visa does not let you work.
3. Check the employer: official website, address, company registration. For the UK there is the register of licensed sponsors.
4. No payments to middlemen before a signed contract.
5. Copies of documents: passport, contract, visa, diploma. Keep them on paper and in the cloud, and send copies to family.
6. Health insurance for the first weeks.
7. Money for the first month: housing and food until your first salary.
8. Your embassy's contacts in the destination country.
9. How you'll be paid: a bank card or account your employer can pay into.
10. Where you'll sleep the first night and how to get there from the airport.

Once you arrive

• Keep your passport with you; never hand it to an employer "for safekeeping".
• If the conditions don't match your contract, keep the messages and contact your embassy.
• In the first days, find out whether you must register your address.

More on warning signs: how to spot a fake job offer.