It takes time learn the new culture. We may never truly learn all there is within it, but we try so that we can better serve those of this culture. We learn language, foods, laws, dress, shopping, and other nuances of where we work. Some of these things are exciting, others are frustrating. Some are overwhelming while others are the same as other places we have lived.
Just figuring out how to shop takes a while. You may find one shop sells this while another sells that. You ask around and get varied opinions on where you can have something made. We have many things made because store bought ones are not available or they are 10x the cost of what we may find in our home countries.
Each expat figures out what they are comfortable with and becomes accustoms to the new patterns. Some struggle going to local markets, feeling overwhelmed with bargaining. Others enjoy the challenge and love making deals to get the best price. Some live near local people while others live in isolated compounds. This is a tough decision because safety is something they must consider. Some tackle the new language and seek to make friends, while others live among the other expats in a bubble community. Each has a unique calling. Some teach expat children, others work with orphans and prisoner. Some work in government offices and others seek to make it rich. Some work with church groups and others in the educational field. Some live in big cities while others live in villages. Which is right? It depends on what God has called youd o to do. 
It doesn’t matter which role you have in the foreign land, you need to have a visa, work permit, or green card in order to live long term. Every country has its own system and it takes quite a bit to learn this process. There are often new rules that are half in place and complicated systems requiring multiple trips to capital cities and government offices. Just when you think you have it figured out, there is a change in leadership or laws which means you start the learning process all over again. Sadly, in many third world countries, the entire process is often held up for months on someone’s desk as they await gratitude to push it through. Sadly, I have known too many people in various countries who have been working with a receipt and letter in hand while they await the final approval. This approval often takes forever and the new visa expires before it ever is officially granted! We must learn the system an respect the local government. We need to stand true without giving into padding pockets of corrupt officials. We also have to learn what is required to get local drivers licenses, registering land or vehicles, and tax laws. We learn what is required for visitors who come to see us. What kind of visa is necessary for such and such visitors. We learn what kind of agreement our own countries have with these host countries as that also affects the cost of visas and length of stay allowed.
The time it takes to fill out all the paperwork can be underestimated. Depending on the country, you may need to report to local offices on a regular basis throughout the year. Others have reported undercover immigration officials nonchalantly asking questions about them in their neighborhoods.
There are many loopholes to jump through to live in another country. I have been fingerprinted in more countries while never in my own. We always keep several passport pictures on hand so that we can submit a view with our applications for this and that. The underlying stress of the unknown is hard to explain. We know that God is in control and yet, we live in the unknown of when it will be accepted and we can walk free for a few months before starting the process all over again!
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