How to Become a Digital Nomad or Foreign Worker
Working abroad can be one of the most enriching life experiences you’ll ever have. It’s a great way to develop new professional and communication skills, learn a new language, and gain a competitive edge in the global job market.
It can also be a catalyst for personal growth, increasing your adaptability and cultural awareness while providing opportunities to travel. There are often lifestyle benefits, too, such as a higher salary, lower cost of living, lower tax rate, or better climate.
That said, the life-changing experience of working abroad can still have its challenges, so it’s important to know what to expect before you commit. With this in mind, let’s explore what you need to know before launching a career in a new country.
Working abroad can be one of the most enriching life experiences you’ll ever have. It’s a great way to develop new professional and communication skills, learn a new language, and gain a competitive edge in the global job market.
It can also be a catalyst for personal growth, increasing your adaptability and cultural awareness while providing opportunities to travel. There are often lifestyle benefits, too, such as a higher salary, lower cost of living, lower tax rate, or better climate.
That said, the life-changing experience of working abroad can still have its challenges, so it’s important to know what to expect before you commit. With this in mind, let’s explore what you need to know before launching a career in a new country.
Finding a Job as a Foreigner
For freelancers and independent contractors who already have client contracts, the transition to working abroad is often seamless.
However, for expats seeking traditional employment opportunities in a foreign country, it’s best to find a job before moving. Not only does this provide financial security, but it also ensures you’re taking steps to comply with the country’s visa laws.
Not all countries require you to have a work permit, but many do. Some countries also require foreigners to jump through several hoops before allowing them to work.
On a more optimistic note, some of the best countries to work in as an expat are also among the easiest to gain a work visa. That said, some won’t approve a work visa unless you’ve been hired by a local employer who can sponsor it on your behalf.
Additionally, many popular expat destinations require you to have an offer of employment before you can apply for a work visa.
Read More: The Best Jobs in Europe for International Citizens
Comparing Salary and Cost of Living
Naturally, salary and cost of living are top factors to consider when you're thinking of working abroad. When negotiating a job offer from a foreign employer, be sure that both factors will allow you to sustain the lifestyle you’re seeking.
For example, if you currently earn a $100,000 salary in the United States and are looking for a $100,000 position in Switzerland, think again. The average cost of living in Switzerland is approximately 19% higher than the average in the USA.
In other words, you’d need to earn at least $119,000 a year to sustain a similar lifestyle in the country. The costs are even higher if you settle in a major Swiss city like Geneva or Zurich.
If you want to stretch your dollars even further, you might want to consider a country with a lower cost of living or tax rate than your homeland. Better still, you could explore destinations such as the United Arab Emirates, Bermuda, and The Bahamas, which have no income tax.
Read More: Freelance Abroad Without Taking a Pay Cut
The Most Popular Jobs Abroad for International Citizens
There are endless employment opportunities around the world, especially for highly skilled workers in high-demand fields. Therefore, it’s important to know the state of a country’s job market and key industries before you commit to moving there.
Some of the most popular industries for foreigners abroad include:
- Digital marketing
- Engineering
- English language instruction
- Healthcare
- IT
- Tourism
However, be mindful that in some countries, not all jobs are open to immigrants. In fact, local laws may forbid anyone other than citizens from entering certain professions.
For example, if you dream about working as a gondolier in Venice or a tour guide in Bangkok but are not a citizen of either country, you will be sadly disappointed.
Read More: Teaching English as a Second Language
Where to Find Great Job Opportunities
There are plenty of online resources to help you search for international jobs. You could start by using a familiar site like LinkedIn or Indeed.
You can also look at job boards for the country you plan to move to. Here are a few to get you started:
- JobStreet: For jobs in Asia
- Seek: Jobs in Australia
- Eurojobs: For jobs in the EU
- Computrabajo: Jobs in Latin America
- CV-Library: For jobs in the UK
Networking can also give you an advantage when you’re looking at working abroad. Consider hiring an international recruitment agency that can submit your resume to companies with global offices.
Still not sure where to move? Start by researching the best jobs for expats in Canada, Malaysia, Spain, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Europe.
Working Successfully as a Digital Nomad
Freelancing is one of the best ways to work from anywhere in the world, and thankfully, many countries offer digital nomad visas.
Several types of jobs allow you to live abroad while working from home, provided you keep a set schedule or make yourself available during “regular” business hours.
But becoming a successful freelancer can require more focus, energy, and dedication than one might expect. No matter your job, it’s important to establish boundaries between your work life and personal life.
Some may struggle to focus on work because all they want to do is get out and explore. Meanwhile, others can become so distracted by work that they never get to experience the country they’re living in.
This is where being disciplined is key. By focusing on your job during work hours and immersing yourself in the local culture in your free time, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Before you pack your bags and make your digital nomad dream a reality, it's also important to make sure your tech is in check. You’ll need the right phone and video conferencing tools on your laptop. Depending on where you go, you may also need to stock up on travel adapters and other technical equipment.
Finally, don't forget to check that your destination country and city have strong Wi-Fi and telecommunications infrastructure.
Likewise, make sure you’ll be able to freely access any websites you use for work from your new location. Countries like Belarus and China, for example, are known to limit web access and enforce firewalls that even VPN proxies can rarely bypass.
Discover more great advice with these 31 Tips for Digital Nomads
Tips for Starting a Business Abroad
Are you an innovator who’s eager to start a business abroad? With the right work ethic and thorough planning, you might find the ideal country to launch your new product or service. However, it's essential to have a solid understanding of local business regulations, taxation laws, and visa requirements for immigrant-owned startups.
Be aware that some countries impose restrictions on the types of businesses foreigners can own or the percentage they can control. However, some destinations, such as the Netherlands and Chile, offer startup visas to attract foreign entrepreneurs. You can learn more about this in the section below.
Starting a business in your home country is already risky, and doing so in a foreign country comes with unique challenges. Therefore, it's crucial to understand and respect local business practices and cultural traditions to avoid costly mistakes.
For example, if you plan to sell physical products, make sure to research import and export costs. If you need to hire employees, familiarize yourself with minimum wage requirements, payroll taxes, insurance regulations, and labor safety laws. By paying attention to these details, you’ll be better prepared to make your business a success.
Business and Investor Visas
If you intend to invest in a business or start one overseas, be sure you obtain the proper visa first. Moving to a country on a visa that doesn’t allow entrepreneurial activity could prevent you from operating a business.
Many popular expat destinations around the world offer startup and/or investment visas, including:
- Australia
- Canada
- Chile
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Italy
- New Zealand
- Spain
- The Netherlands
- United Kingdom
Learn more about work visas in Canada, Dubai, France, Germany, Italy, Kenya, Spain, and the UK
Understanding Your Tax Obligations and Banking Options Abroad
Your new country may have very different banking and taxation rules than your home country, so it’s vital to do your research.
For U.S. citizens who live abroad, any income they earn is subject to U.S. income tax. That said, they may be eligible for foreign tax exclusions and foreign income tax credits that can reduce their tax liability.
Similarly, digital nomads who earn income from a country other than the one where they live should expect to pay foreign transaction fees. And these can quickly add up.
Fintech companies like Wise and Revolut can help you set up a bank account abroad and make foreign transactions easier and more affordable.
Personal income tax rates vary considerably around the world. For example, tax rates in Denmark and Belgium top out at 52.07% and 50%, respectively. Meanwhile, the highest marginal tax rate in Hong Kong is just 16%.
Check out this complete list of personal income tax rates for every country.
Tailoring Your CV to the Local Job Market
As you might expect, resume guidelines differ from country to country. Therefore, you should always tailor your CV to suit the local job market where you intend to work.
For example, in the EU, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, it’s customary to include a photo on your resume. However, this is generally not expected when applying for jobs in the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, Israel, or many parts of Africa and Mexico.
The type of information you should or shouldn't include will also vary. For instance, in many EU countries, it was once common to include personal details like birth date, gender, marital status, and maiden name. However, this is now less common due to privacy and anti-discrimination practices.
Before you apply for a foreign job, make sure to carefully proofread your resume to ensure it’s correctly formatted and includes all the information a foreign employer would expect to see.
Make a Great Impression at Job Interviews
It takes time to learn the nuances of a new culture, but doing thorough research can help give you a competitive edge in the foreign job market.
Before interviewing for a job overseas, familiarize yourself with local cultural norms and expectations. For instance, in South Korea, it’s customary to give and receive documents with both hands.
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In France, it’s polite to rest your hands on the table rather than in your lap. In the UAE, wait for the interviewer to extend their hand for a handshake, as some individuals of the Muslim faith may not shake hands with the opposite sex.
Grasping these local business customs will help you make a positive first impression and avoid any cultural missteps.
Ready to Work Abroad?
If working abroad is in your future, here are some other things to consider. These are especially relevant for digital nomads who might not have the support of a local employer:
- Health insurance: Protect yourself with the right international health insurance plan. Be sure your coverage allows you to access care from local providers and obtain any prescription medications you may need.
- Mailing address: Depending on how your business is structured in your home country, you may need to have a physical mailing address in the location where your business is registered. But if that’s not possible, a virtual mailbox may be an option.
- Internet access: Working as a digital nomad requires high-speed internet. Be sure your destination country has a strong Wi-Fi infrastructure to support your needs. If you need to protect client data or proprietary information over an open Wi-Fi network, consider setting up a VPN.
- Emergency contacts: While you can list someone overseas as an emergency contact, it's also a good idea to have a local emergency contact in your country of residence. This person should be someone you trust to contact your family back home if needed.
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