Your first 90 days abroad: what actually has to happen
Getting the visa is half the move. Once you land, a clock starts: registering as a resident, getting the local tax number, opening a bank account, enrolling in healthcare, and sorting your driver's license — each with its own deadline and its own catch. Pick your country for the real checklist, with the official source next to each step.
The shape of it, almost everywhere
Register your presence
Most countries require new residents to register an address or validate their permit within days of arriving — it's the step every later step depends on, so it comes first.
Get the number, then the account
The local tax or ID number unlocks nearly everything — leases, banking, utilities. With it, open a local account (many arrivals bridge with a multi-currency account until then).
Healthcare and the license clock
Enrol in the health system you're entitled to (or confirm your private cover), and check the driver's-license window — in many countries the right to drive or exchange a foreign license expires around the 90-day mark.
Deadlines and requirements change and vary by nationality, visa type, and region — this is directional information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
Asia
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
Landing soon?
Get the expat toolkit — the arrival checklist for your country, plus banking, insurance, and healthcare in the right order, and a heads-up when rules change. One email, no spam.
Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days abroad: FAQ
What should I do in the first 90 days after moving abroad?
Almost everywhere: register as a resident (often within days), get the local tax/ID number, open a bank account, enrol in healthcare or confirm private cover, and check the driver's-license window. The order matters because each step tends to require the one before it — and several countries put a hard deadline on the first step.
How soon do I have to register after arriving?
It varies from days to months by country — some require address registration within 1–2 weeks of moving in, others tie the deadline to your entry date or permit. Each of the 34 country checklists here states the real deadline with the official source next to it.
Can I open a bank account before I get my residence permit?
Often not for a full local account — most banks want the local tax/ID number and proof of address, which arrive after registration. Many new arrivals bridge the gap with a multi-currency account, then open the local account once the paperwork lands.
Is this the same as the visa process?
No — this is what happens AFTER the visa: the on-the-ground bureaucracy of becoming a functioning resident. If you're still choosing a country or a route, start with the visa finder instead.