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Preparing to go abroad includes securing important documents, making copies, and a lot of planning. Ideally, you should make 3 copies of your passport, visas, and other important paperwork. Keep one with you, one in an accessible, but safe place (ie safe deposit box), and one that is with a trusted relative of friend that can give you the information if something were to happen to you or the other copies.

A checklist of other things to consider:

1. Passports: check expiration- must not expire within 6 months of your arrival. Make at least 3 copies and keep one in a safe place separate from your original passport.
2. Secure medical insurance and possibly travel insurance to prevent unmanageable medical bills and enable entry into other countries.
3. Research and apply for a visa. This can take several months to obtain before you leave.
4. Save enough money to support your cost of living and lifestyle plus travel costs with enough of a buffer to be prepared for the unexpected.
5. Bring things to facilitate transition like a universal electric plug adaptor, any medications you take, or anything else to make you comfortable during the transition.

Financial

On the home front, make sure all bills are paid or have a means of being paid. If you are retaining a residence while abroad, make sure the rent/mortgage is taken care of and that utilities are being paid while you are away. Insure that important institutions like your bank are able to reach you.

If you are retaining a bank in your home country, ask about fees for overseas transactions. If you have a credit card, find out if there are additional fees or any changes you need to make with your account. Inform banking industries that you will abroad so as to not arouse suspicious activity on your account as anti-theft systems can see this activity and put a most inconvenient hold on your account.

Tax

It is best to inform tax offices of any change in residency. Some countries have reciprocal tax agreements, and others may require you to pay some form of taxes both in your home country and aboard. Most National Tax Administrations are an excellent resource for exactly what steps to take when moving away. For more information, refer to our section on taxes.

For example, UK nationals should refer to the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for details of managing their taxation payments and National Insurance contributions in the UK while living abroad.

Health

Kuwait's healthcare system, while modern and efficient in many ways, continues to develop. Both government and privately run medical facilities are available in Kuwait. Government run hospitals and clinics provide low cost care and services to legal residences of Kuwait. Private clinics and infirmaries operate on a "fee for services" policy, and cater to both Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis.

For the best, up-to-date information on vaccinations and other health precautions visit the website CDC (Center for Disease Control - US site). To learn more about recent outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, or any other country in the world, turn to the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information and an International Travel and Health Guide which is revised annually and is available free online. Always check with your local GP prior to any travel abroad, should you have further questions or concerns not covered on any of these websites.