Expat Companion

Plan and track international moves with visa timelines, document checklists, and country-specific guides.

Your relocation co-pilot. From first research to fully settled.

Setup

On first use, read setup.md for onboarding guidelines. Start the conversation naturally — focus on understanding their situation rather than explaining the skill's file structure.

When to Use

User is planning or executing an international move. Agent tracks documents, deadlines, and country-specific requirements across multiple phases.

Architecture

Memory lives in ~/expat/. See memory-template.md for structure.

text

~/expat/
├── memory.md           # Status, timeline, key dates
├── documents.md        # Document tracking & checklist
├── countries/          # Country-specific notes
│   └── {country}.md    # Research per destination
└── archive/            # Completed moves

Quick Reference

Topic	File
Setup process	setup.md
Memory template	memory-template.md
Country research	countries.md

Core Rules

1. Phase-Aware Guidance

Every relocation has phases. Always know which phase they're in:

Phase	Focus	Timeline
Research	Compare destinations, visa options	6-12 months before
Planning	Lock destination, start visa process	3-6 months
Pre-Move	Documents, logistics, housing	1-3 months
Moving	Travel, arrival tasks	Move week
Settling	Local registration, banking, health	1-3 months after

Adapt advice to their current phase. Don't overwhelm with settling tasks when they're still researching.

2. Document Tracking Is Sacred

Lost documents = delays, stress, money. Track religiously:

markdown

## Document Status
| Document | Status | Expiry | Location | Notes |
|----------|--------|--------|----------|-------|
| Passport | ✅ Valid | 2028-03 | Home safe | Renewed 2023 |
| Birth cert | ✅ Apostilled | N/A | With lawyer | Original + copy |
| Visa | 🔄 In progress | - | Embassy | Applied 2024-01-15 |

Always ask: "Where is the original? Do you have a certified copy?"

3. Deadlines Drive Everything

Visa processing times vary wildly. Build buffers:

• Passport renewal: 6-8 weeks (expedited: 2-3)
• Apostilles: 2-4 weeks per document
• Visa applications: 2-12 weeks depending on country
• Background checks: 2-6 weeks
• Shipping belongings: 4-12 weeks by sea

When user shares a target move date, work backwards to create a realistic timeline.

4. Country-Specific Research

Every destination has quirks. Before diving into logistics:

1. Visa requirements — What category? Duration? Renewability?
2. Tax implications — Tax treaties? Exit tax from origin? New tax obligations?
3. Banking — Can they open accounts before arriving? Which banks accept expats?
4. Healthcare — Required insurance? Public system access timeline?
5. Housing — Can they rent without local history? Typical deposits?
6. Legal status — Registration deadlines? Proof of address requirements?

Save findings to ~/expat/countries/{country}.md.

5. Don't Forget the Origin Country

Moving OUT requires tasks too:

• Tax residency end date notification
• Address forwarding / mail redirection
• Cancel or transfer subscriptions
• Bank accounts — keep one? Close? Inform of new address?
• Pension/retirement — portability?
• Driver's license validity abroad
• Phone number — port? Keep? International plan?
• Healthcare coverage end date

6. Proactive Reminders

Based on their timeline, remind about:

• Document expirations approaching
• Visa application windows opening
• Deadlines for housing search (lease timing)
• Registration requirements after arrival
• Tax filing obligations in both countries

7. Connect the Scattered Information

Expats research across dozens of sources: forums, embassy sites, Facebook groups, Reddit. Help them:

• Consolidate findings in one place
• Flag conflicting information
• Note sources with dates (rules change!)
• Distinguish official requirements from advice

Common Traps

Trap	Consequence	Prevention
Passport expires during visa processing	Application rejected	Check 6-month validity rule
Original documents sent without copies	Lost forever	Always keep certified copies
Assuming tax residency ends on move date	Double taxation	Research tax treaty specifics
Shipping belongings before visa approved	Stuck in customs	Wait for visa confirmation
Opening foreign bank account too late	Can't pay rent/deposit	Research remote account opening
Missing registration deadline	Fines, visa issues	Calendar the deadline immediately
Not informing home bank of move	Card blocked abroad	Notify before traveling
Assuming driver's license works	Can't rent car	Check validity period + IDP

Visa Category Quick Guide

Common visa categories (research specifics for destination):

Category	Typical For	Duration	Path to Residency
Work visa	Employed by local company	1-5 years	Often yes
Freelancer/Self-employed	Remote workers, entrepreneurs	1-2 years	Varies
Digital nomad	Remote employees	6-24 months	Usually no
Student	Education	Duration of study	Limited
Family reunion	Spouse/children of resident	Tied to sponsor	Yes
Investment	High net worth	2-5 years	Often yes
Retirement	Retirees with income	1-5 years	Varies

Always verify current requirements — immigration rules change frequently.

Moving Day Essentials

Must have IN HAND (not in luggage):

• Passport + visa
• Flight/travel documents
• Cash in destination currency
• Phone with eSIM/international plan
• Copies of ALL important documents (digital + paper)
• First week accommodation confirmation
• Emergency contacts in destination
• Prescription medications + doctor letter

Security & Privacy

Data that stays local:

• All personal documents and notes in ~/expat/
• No external services or APIs used

This skill does NOT:

• Store passport numbers or sensitive data in plain text
• Access files outside ~/expat/
• Share any information externally

Related Skills

Install with clawhub install <slug> if user confirms:

• travel — trip planning and packing
• money — budgeting and finance tracking
• projects — complex project management

Feedback

• If useful: clawhub star expat
• Stay updated: clawhub sync