Hand-picked deals by our pirate team
Inspire me!
Hand-picked deals by our pirate team
Hand-picked deals by our pirate team
Inspire me!
Hand-picked deals by our pirate teamWorking abroad: How to start a career that takes you overseas
Many keen travellers dream of packing it all in and starting over with a new job in a foreign country. However, does the dream live up to the reality? Working abroad can offer amazing opportunities, but it also presents a lot of challenges. We take a look at the pros and cons of getting a job abroad and how you can pursue a career working overseas.
Basic information on working abroad
If working abroad is your dream, the first things to consider are what job you want to do and where you want to go. Don't make the mistake of thinking your favourite holiday destination will also be a great place to live. You might love lounging on a beach in the south of Spain, but dealing with low salaries and Spanish bureaucracy will leave you frustrated.
How to get started working overseas
If you've never lived abroad before, moving to another country can be scary. Consider a temporary relocation, first of all. Many countries have programmes for short-term work visas. For example, Japan has the JET programme, which places native English speakers as teaching assistants in schools for a year. It's a popular choice for people who want to dip their toes into a career overseas without making a big commitment.
Working abroad as a digital nomad
Nowadays, more and more people want to live the digital nomad dream, moving from country to country while working remotely. This can seem very appealing, but you'll need to check visa requirements carefully for any country you want to work in. You'll also have to consider issues like taxes, internet speed and time zones, which can affect your productivity. Finally, keep in mind that a nomadic lifestyle can be lonely. You may want to do it for a short time before moving to something more permanent.
The best careers for jobs abroad
Some careers can move easily from one country to another, while others cannot. For example, if you train as a lawyer in the UK, you'll find it very difficult to get a job in countries like the USA, as it doesn't use common law. On the other hand, qualified teachers can often find jobs in international schools across the globe. Other fields that are frequently in high demand include engineering, medicine and healthcare.
Qualification requirements for working abroad
Depending on where you go, you may need to learn the local language or take professional exams. Qualifications gained in one country are not always recognised in another. Be realistic about your prospects of learning languages. Some people believe they'll automatically become fluent within a few months of moving abroad. In reality, you'll need to do a lot of work and make a big effort to improve your linguistic skills, and you may never achieve true fluency.
Practicalities of working abroad
These days, it's much harder for British citizens to work abroad in European countries. If you dream of a job in Europe, you may have to go through a lengthy visa process, and approval is difficult. Visas aren't the only things to worry about, though. Before moving abroad, you'll need to think carefully about:
Practical things to consider when you work abroad
Are you taking a career break or planning to work abroad permanently? How will your pension plan be affected?
What about your long-term prospects? Many young people work overseas as scuba instructors or tour guides, but they struggle to find something more stable after ten years or so.
What about taxes? Check the tax rates in the country you'll be working. If you're working for a British company overseas, tax implications can be complicated.
How will you avoid feeling lonely? Some destinations, such as Singapore and Hong Kong, have large expat communities. In others, you may feel isolated, especially if you don't speak the language.
What about your possessions? If you're only moving abroad temporarily, you may want to hire a storage unit, which is another expense to consider.
Working abroad may just be the most exciting thing you've ever done. Before you take the plunge, why not choose your perfect destination? Look at our great travel deals and book your next trip today!
Working abroad FAQs
Q: How to get a job working abroad?
A: Usually, the first step is to choose the country you want to work in and examine your options. The application process may be longer than what you're used to, as you might have to prepare a lot of paperwork for your visa.
Q: Which agency is best for abroad jobs?
A: That depends on your industry. For some careers, you'll have more success applying for jobs directly, while others tend to depend on agencies. Try looking on online forums for workers in your sector to get ideas.
Q: What is the easiest job to get abroad?
A: Jobs teaching English as a foreign language are often easy to get, but be warned. If you have few qualifications and little experience, you might be stuck in an entry-level job with very long hours. Some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, offer working holiday visas, which allow young people to do basic jobs while they travel around.
Q: Which website is best for jobs abroad?
A: This depends entirely on your sector and your chosen destination. Remember, there are lots of unscrupulous online agencies out there to avoid. Get started by asking for advice on social media from people who've been through the same thing.
- Packing list for every type of breakPacking list for a city breakPacking list for a beach holidayPacking list for a winter holidayPacking list for a hiking trip
We value your privacy
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience, serve personalised content, and analyse our traffic. By clicking "Accept All" you accept this and consent that we share this information with third parties and that your data may be processed in the USA. For more information, please read our .
You can adjust your preferences at any time. If you deny, we will use only the essential cookies and unfortunately, you will not receive any personalised content. To deny, .