The Complete Pre-Departure Checklist
This covers everything you need to sort before your first Asia remote work trip. Work through it in order — the items build on each other.
Banking and Money (6–8 Weeks Before)
- Create Wise account and complete full identity verification
- Order physical Wise debit card (ships to home address, takes 1–2 weeks)
- Fund Wise account and test a small transaction
- Note your 2 free monthly ATM withdrawals and plan accordingly
- Download Wise app and enable all transaction notifications
- Consider Revolut as secondary card if you want investment features
- Inform your home bank of travel dates to prevent card blocks
- Photocopy all cards and store separately from originals
Health Insurance (4–6 Weeks Before)
- Purchase SafetyWing Nomad Insurance (monthly subscription, cancel anytime)
- Save SafetyWing emergency number in your phone: +1-628-888-0459
- Note your policy number and keep the insurance card in your phone photos
- If over 40 or doing adventure activities, compare with True Traveller
- Carry 3-month supply of any regular prescription medications
- Get travel vaccinations relevant to your destinations (Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid for India/Nepal/Bangladesh)
Connectivity (2–4 Weeks Before)
- Install Airalo app and purchase eSIM for arrival country
- Subscribe to NordVPN (essential for Vietnam and China; useful everywhere)
- Download offline maps for your destinations (Maps.me or Google Maps offline)
- Set up Grab and Gojek accounts (primary ride-hailing across Southeast Asia)
- Download Google Translate with relevant languages for offline use
- Confirm your phone is eSIM compatible and unlocked for foreign SIMs
Accommodation (1–3 Weeks Before)
- Book first 3–7 nights on Booking.com — do not arrive without a confirmed place
- Research monthly rental Facebook groups for your destination for post-arrival
- Confirm accommodation has: power backup, WiFi speed (ask for speed test screenshot), AC
- Save accommodation address in local language for taxi/tuk-tuk drivers
Visa (1–2 Weeks Before)
- Check your passport has 6+ months validity (many countries require this)
- Apply for e-Visa if required (Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India)
- Print or save visa approval confirmation
- Check your specific nationality's visa requirements — do not assume visa-free
- Check entry requirements have not changed (government advisories)
Tech and Equipment
- Universal power adapter (Type A/B/C/G all used across Asia — get a universal)
- Portable UPS or power bank for work sessions during power cuts (India, Nepal, Bangladesh especially)
- Laptop and phone charger (bring spares)
- Noise-cancelling headphones for open coworking and cafe work
- Portable WiFi hotspot device if working in multiple locations (optional but useful)
Documents
- Passport: 6+ months validity, minimum 3–4 blank pages
- Digital copies of passport, visa, insurance in Google Drive or iCloud
- Emergency contacts list saved offline
- Travel insurance documentation
- Any prescription medication documentation (in English)
On Arrival (First 24–48 Hours)
- Activate Airalo eSIM
- Get local SIM at airport or first mobile store
- Withdraw local currency from a bank ATM (not airport exchange counter)
- Download and test local ride-hailing app (Grab, Bolt, InDriver, Pathao depending on country)
- Confirm accommodation WiFi speed on arrival
- Identify nearest private hospital or clinic to your accommodation
- Register with your country's embassy if staying 3+ months (optional but recommended)
First Week Setup
- Find your primary coworking space and take a trial day
- Establish a mobile data backup (local SIM in hotspot device or second phone)
- Identify your grocery/daily shopping options
- Join local expat/nomad Facebook groups for your destination
- Set up local payment apps where applicable (requires local SIM and sometimes local bank)
Bottom Line
This checklist sounds like a lot — most of it takes 2–3 hours total spread over a few weeks. The banking and insurance steps are the most important. Everything else is manageable on arrival. The goal is to arrive with your financial and health infrastructure sorted so your first week is about settling in rather than admin.
*Last updated: July 2026*