Documents, applications & renewals

Confirm your document checklist before paying for notarisation, authentication or translation. The exact requirements depend on your background, application route and place of application.

For a work-based application, preparation commonly involves your passport, academic qualifications, relevant employment evidence, criminal record documentation and the employer's supporting materials. Family applications also involve proof of the relevant relationship.

In Scott's experience, criminal record and academic documents are often the most time-consuming items. Using the wrong issuing authority or certification process can mean having to prepare them again.

Check the document type, issuing authority, validity period, applicable authentication process and translation requirements first. Other preparations can then run alongside these steps.

Much of the preparation can begin overseas, but you should plan for any required in-person steps.

You can prepare your background documents and arrange the required certification and translation while the company or its representative prepares the employer-side materials.

Identity checks, original-document verification and residence permit procedures may involve personal attendance. Requirements differ by city, application category and stage; submitting originals is not always the same as requiring the applicant to submit them personally.

Scott will confirm the steps that need your involvement and try to coordinate appointments to reduce unnecessary trips. Confirm these arrangements before fixing your travel schedule.

It depends on your current documents, eligibility and the requirements of the receiving authority.

If you already hold a work-type residence permit, an in-country transition may be possible once the relevant conditions and procedures with your previous employer are satisfied.

If you hold student, business or other status, check whether an in-country change is available or whether you need to apply for the appropriate entry visa overseas.

Do not assume that another person's successful application applies to your case. Have your current status and intended route assessed before making travel plans or starting work.

Scott recommends reviewing your situation around four months before expiry and starting renewal arrangements around two months before expiry.

• Around four months ahead: review the company's operations, supporting records and any changes to your personal circumstances.
• Around two months ahead: begin the renewal process and submit within the local acceptance window, allowing time for corrections or additional documents.
• Track both documents: your work permit and residence permit have separate expiry dates and procedures.

These are Scott's planning recommendations, not a universal filing window. Residence permit extensions must be requested at least 30 days before expiry. Confirm the work permit deadline and earliest acceptance date with the relevant authority as well.

If your employment, study or family circumstances change, review the necessary procedures when the change happens rather than waiting for renewal. A document's printed expiry date does not remove the need to address a change in your residence basis.