If you are thinking about moving to another country for your career, you’re not alone. It’s something that millions of people do every year to build their skills and get higher pay.
But what do you need to consider if you are thinking about going down this route? Obviously it’s a big decision, so proper planning is essential.
Work permits and visas
The first thing you’ll want to do is work with an immigration partner to see what work permits and visas you require. These days, only a very small number of countries will allow you to enter and work without having a visa or a permit in place. Furthermore, many of the countries with the most lucrative job offers have the strictest requirements, so having expert support is almost essential.
There are many routes that you could take, for example, you could enrol in a worker program, which is something that some countries run if they’re missing skills in a particular segment, like engineering or biotech. You could also try to gain entry based on a point system, which is similar to what happens in Australia. Digital nomad visas are also available. Many southern European countries now offer these, as well as countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia.
Processing times for these visas vary dramatically. Some are available in as few as a couple of weeks, while others take months to process. You’ll need to check with embassies and agencies to see how long authorisation will take, then you can plan your next career move around that.
Job offer details
Even if working abroad sounds exciting, it’s also worthwhile checking all of the job offer details. A salary might sound competitive, but if living costs and taxes are much higher, you could actually end up with a lower quality of life if you move. Make sure that you scrutinise the pay offers for cost of living adjustments. If you’re heading to a city like New York or San Francisco, then pay needs to be much higher in order to keep up with your expenses. Meanwhile, if you’re going to Latin America or South Asia, then living costs are far lower, and therefore even a moderate wage by Western standards might be able to afford you a luxurious life overseas.
Also, think about contract terms. Is it a fixed contract or something permanent? Sometimes you only want to move overseas temporarily, in which case temporary fixed-term options are usually the best. If you want to leave your home country forever, though, then you’ll need something that’s going to support you for many years. At the same time, also check the employer’s culture. You want to know that you’re going to fit into a workplace that’s overseas. These can sometimes be quite different from what you’re used to back home, even between Western countries. Therefore, understand the work-life balance and try to get inside reports from people who have worked at the target firm for a long time.
Your compensation package
Compensation involves more than just money, of course. There are other perks that your employer might include. You’ll also need to factor these in. For example:
- Are you able to get paid in local currency?
- Are you able to pay lower taxes than domestic workers because of double taxation treaties?
- Do you have health insurance and gym membership included?
- Will you get a company car?
All of these considerations can make a remarkable difference to your decision. Sometimes, it just isn’t worth moving overseas because the opportunities that look good on paper aren’t actually beneficial to you in reality.
Career impact
Of course, you also want to consider the career impact of the move. When you have international experience, it boosts your resume with cross-cultural skills. Colleagues are more likely to see you as the sort of person who’s able to lead them in the future. Therefore, think carefully about how travelling overseas for work could impact your long-term plans. Would it enable you to get further in your career than if you just stayed at home?
Culture and language fit
The culture and language in a new location can be challenging to fit in with. For example, you might be used to a culture of direct communication where people just state what they want and need. However, many cultures around the world use indirect communication. This is where they don’t state their requirements. Also, hierarchy levels can vary significantly between one place and another. Hierarchy is implicit in many Western countries, especially the U.S. However, it can be more explicit in Eastern countries like Japan and China. Also, think about vacation norms. While some cultures allow generous vacations on paper, companies expect their workers to remain in the office for most of the year. In other locations, though, like Southern Europe, taking vacation is almost mandatory, and it could come as a culture shock if you go expecting to work there consistently.
Also think carefully about your requirement for English. Some cultures speak it extremely well, like in Northern Europe, but others don’t, especially in places like Southern Europe, Latin America and the Far East. Think about how you’ll adapt socially in this environment and also consider the time that it might take you to learn a language.
Family and relationships
Also consider your family and relationships. Moving overseas is going to considerably cut down on the amount of time you can spend with people. It could also impact your children directly. For example, you’ll need to think about childcare, international schools, and whether you’re going to be close to amenities needed for your children to grow up in a healthy environment. Unfortunately, many families that relocate experience unhappiness and homesickness. Often they want to return to their country of origin but can’t because of career commitments.
Safety
Lastly, you’ll want to consider safety. Many people who travel overseas for work get into trouble because they don’t understand local cultures and customs. While no country is 100% safe, safety becomes more of an issue when you don’t understand the area in which you live.