Working abroad certainly has its benefits! There are several factors to consider and ways to approach working abroad: leaving your home country for a long time, a temporary period, and working online in another country.
Leaving for long periods: This requires a lot of planning especially if it has to do with moving a family and finding a job. Moving to a new country for long periods usually requires a long-term visa that is provided on the basis of you finding a job.
Those leaving for long periods can also include student interns, volunteers, or teachers in a foreign country with or without a programme. Visas with programs can be a lot easier and cheaper if you aren’t familiar with the process.
Temporary work away: Work holiday visas and contract work are two ways to temporarily work abroad. If you're interested in temporary jobs, or your visa limits you to temporary jobs, there are a number of industries to consider. Hostels and hotels, tourist restaurants, theme parks, tour operators, teaching, agriculture, and teaching sports are places to start!
Of course the majority of these jobs are in the travel industry but if you're willing to work abroad then these might be of interest. Utilizing skills you may already have would be most beneficial. It can be as simple as teaching your mother tongue or teaching your sport to kids or adults. Temporary visas or contract work gives you the opportunity to get away - take advantage of that time to learn new things.
Online work abroad: Digital Nomad visas are for people who have a location independent business. This is not just working from home, but you need to own the business. Barbados, Bermuda, and Estonia are 3 countries that have a visa specifically for Digital nomads.
Estonia's website explains, “Digital nomads and remote workers have long faced ambiguity when working while they travel, often skirting the law by working while visiting a country with a tourist visa. But as of August 1, 2020, eligible location-independent workers can apply for the chance to come to Estonia to live for up to a year with peace of mind that they can legally work. Estonia is transforming how people in the world choose to work.” This is perfect for 2020 as many business owners are working from home.
Workaway: They have members that arrange homestays and cultural exchange with other members. They are expected to contribute some of their time to the host in exchange for lodging and food. They do not provide visas, but it is a service that helps people who are on a budget abroad. This type of work is usually temporary and can be a lot of fun as your network grows. This is a great example of the travel community coming together.
Becoming an expat: An expat is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of the person's upbringing. This probably requires the most amount of planning and commitment. It can be lonely at times but also depends on how you use the time. If one embraces new opportunities it can also be exciting. Location is probably the most important thing to consider (next to financial considerations). You’d want to work somewhere that is close to transport so you can travel and see the area and surrounding countries/regions/cities. Working abroad gives you the time to familiarize yourself with the customs and culture. Meeting locals is a good way to make new friends and create your home away from home. A recent Forbes article covers a survey of expat-friendly countries; Canada, Germany and Australia topped the list.
Are you an expat, tell us about your experience below!