Expat Companion 🌍

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.

~/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

Core Rules

1. Phase-Aware Guidance

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

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:

## 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

Visa Category Quick Guide

Common visa categories (research specifics for destination):

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