Before you fly
Passport with visa, employer authorisation or certified copy, signed contract, qualification originals, police clearance, insurance certificate. Carry a second set of copies in checked baggage and encrypted scans in the cloud.
At least initial accommodation with a written confirmation. You will need an address for registration, and some employers require it before your start date.
Cover valid from the arrival date until the national system or employer scheme takes over. Confirm the minimum cover required by the destination.
The visa has an entry window. Arriving after it expires wastes the entire application and the employer authorisation.
Enough for the first weeks plus a card that works internationally. Opening a local bank account takes time and usually requires your registration document.
Know your gross and net pay, the deductions, the probation terms and the notice period before you travel, not after.
Employer HR direct line, the consultancy case desk, and your national embassy or consulate in the destination country.
After you land — the deadlines that matter
Most European countries require you to register your residential address within a set number of days of arrival. This document becomes a prerequisite for almost everything else.
Normally an appointment at the regional immigration office. Missing the window is the most common way a valid visa turns into an invalid status.
Needed by payroll. The name of the number differs by country but every employer requires it.
Switch from travel cover to the national or employer scheme, and confirm your dependants status if applicable.
Usually requires the registration document and the tax number. Payroll may not run until the account details are supplied.
Some countries require the contract to be registered or reported by the employer after you begin. Confirm who does this and by when.
If you move, update the registration and the immigration authority. Keep every confirmation.
Three mistakes that undo a good application
The visa has an entry window. Arriving after it invalidates the authorisation and the employer must often restart the process.
Without the address registration you cannot obtain the residence card, tax number or bank account, and the permit lapses in practice.
Starting employment before the authorised date, or for a different employer than the permit names, is unlawful and jeopardises future applications.
FAQ
What happens if I miss the residence card appointment after arrival?
Missing statutory post-arrival deadlines can invalidate the permit or create an unlawful-stay period even though your visa was correct. Registration and residence-card appointment windows are set by national law and vary by country, so diary them before you fly, not after you land.
Can I start work immediately on arrival?
Usually yes if your long-stay work visa was issued on the basis of the employer work authorisation and you entered within its validity. But confirm the specific rule for your destination, because some routes require the residence permit itself before employment may lawfully begin.
What documents should I carry when I travel?
Originals of the passport with the visa, the employer authorisation or a certified copy, the signed contract, qualification originals, the police clearance and insurance where required, plus several printed and digital copies of everything. Keep one set accessible and one set in checked baggage, and store scans in encrypted cloud storage.
Do I need to tell anyone that I changed address after arriving?
Yes. Most countries require you to register your address locally and to update the immigration authority if it changes. Failing to update address records is a common and avoidable compliance problem.
What if the employer withdraws the offer after my visa is issued?
Your permit is normally tied to that employer and that authorisation, so it does not automatically transfer. Report the situation honestly to the immigration authority for advice on your status and options rather than working without authorisation. We can help you understand the process, but the decision sits with the authority.
Author: Nexus Point Consultants editorial desk · Reviewer: senior work-permit counsellor · Last updated: 15 September 2026.