Stay Safe When Working and Living in a New Place

A job or internship in a new city, state, or country can be a great opportunity to learn new skills while seeing a new part of the United States or the world. But you may be working far from family and friends, in a new and unfamiliar place, and you might not know how to get help if you need it. Take steps in advance to stay safe.

If your new job is in another city, state, or country:

• Keep copies of important documents, such as your passport, visa (formal permission to work in another country), and driver’s license, in a safe place. Give a copy to a trusted relative or friend.
• Give your travel information and work and home contact information to a trusted relative or friend.
• If your job is temporary, have a ticket home in your name and keep it in a safe place. 
• Set a time to contact a relative or friend, by phone if possible, to let them know you arrived safely.
• Have access to a bank account and keep control of your money.
• Get a map of your new city. Learn how to get to the closest bank, police station, hospital, and, if relevant, embassy or consulate.
• Learn how to use local public transportation. Get a copy of public transportation maps and schedules. Ask people you trust or research to find out which stations to use, and if it’s safe to use by yourself.

If your new job is in another country, before you leave:

• Make sure you have the right visa (formal permission to work in another country) and that you understand the rules related to your visa.
• Make sure your passport is up to date and won’t expire soon.
• Learn basic phrases in the local language. If possible, download a translation app.
• Learn what type of money is used, and how it translates to U.S. dollars.
  • If possible, get some of the new country’s money before you leave.
• Make sure you can communicate with family and friends in the U.S. Find out if your phone will work in the new country, if you need to get an international plan, buy a SIM card, or buy or rent a phone abroad.
  • If you use a new SIM card or get a phone abroad, you’ll have a new phone number. Give the number to trusted family and friends immediately. Keep your original SIM card.
  • If you buy or rent a phone abroad, bring contact information for family and friends and add it to your new phone.  
• Learn how to contact emergency services. Memorize the phone number, save it on your phone, or keep it in a safe place.
• Register with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. This free program helps the Embassy and your family and friends contact you in an emergency. The Embassy will also provide information about safety conditions in your new country.

Information based on National Human Trafficking Hotline safety tips, https://humantraffickinghotline.org/faqs/safety-planning-information.