Nicosia
Preparing for your move to Nicosia
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 (i.e. safe deposit box), and one that is with a trusted relative or 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:
- Visa: Research and apply for a visa. This can take several months to obtain before you leave. (Consult the section on "Passport, Visa & Permits" for details)
- Passports: check expiration - must not expire within 6 months of your arrival. Make at least 2 copies and keep one in a safe place separate from your original passport.
- Insurance: Secure medical insurance and possibly travel insurance to prevent unmanageable medical bills and enable entry into other countries.
- Savings: 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.
- Accessories: 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.
- Packing: Think about what to pack. Are you having items shipped? How long will that shipping take? It is cheap and easy to replace clothes and shoes in Cyprus but some photographs and personal belongings in your luggage may make you feel more at home in your new surroundings. It is also sensible to bring some additional passport photographs with you - these are often needed to accompany visa or job applications.
Financial Preparations for Moving Abroad
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 Preparations for Moving Abroad
It is best to inform tax offices regarding any change in residency. Some countries have mutual 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 a good resource for what you should do 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. Prior to deciding to pay voluntary contributions, you should think about the Government's proposals for simplifying the future State Pension. These will not affect anyone reaching State Pension age before the reforms are introduced. As long as certain conditions are met you can still pay UK National Insurance contributions voluntarily when you are abroad. Voluntary contributions will count towards your State Pension, and protect certain state benefits and allowances if you return to the UK.
Health Preparations for Moving Abroad
It is usually recommended you consult with your doctor 6-8 weeks before departure, so you have time to get updated on any necessary vaccines. That being said, Cyprus doesn't require any vaccines beyond the standard ones most developed country residents get (MMR, dip-tet, varicella). Cyprus' temperate climate means that tropical diseases like malaria and yellow fever are not present in the country.
The only additional vaccine that is recommended for travelers to Cyprus is the tetanus vaccine.
For any other concerns about your health when abroad, the World Health Organization (WHO) publishes International Travel and Health, which is revised annually and is available free online. Another excellent resource is MD Travel Health. It provides free, complete travel-health recommendations for every country and is updated daily.
Update 18/03/2017
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