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Working abroad: Checklist |
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The information below is intended to be a practical checklist to help you prepare for a period working overseas. It covers the tasks you will need to undertake before you go, as well as regulations you need to consider. Depending on which country you will be working in and the duration of your stay, some of the points may not apply to you. Also, in some circumstances, your employer may do much of the organising. Visas and work permits- Students and graduates who are UK or EU citizens do not need a work permit or visa to work legally in any other country in the European Union.
- For many other countries in the developed world - most notably the USA - it is much more difficult to obtain a work permit. In most cases you will have to secure a job offer in your chosen country in order to get the relevant visa. This then needs to be applied for, on your behalf, by your prospective employer. They will usually be required to demonstrate that they were not able to find suitable candidates for vacancies among their own nationals.
- Other countries have skilled migration programmes, designed to attract suitably qualified foreign workers to plug skills shortages in the local economy.
- Some countries, like Australia, Canada and New Zealand, operate a points system to determine visa eligibility, awarding points for factors such as age, level of qualifications, fluency in the language and relevant work experience.
- Check the consular department of the relevant foreign embassy in the UK for specific information about visas and other legal requirements. Contact details for all foreign embassies based in the UK are available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
- Certain countries have an immigration requirement for a passport to remain valid for a minimum period - usually at least six months - after the date you enter the country. Therefore, ensure your passport is in good condition and valid for an appropriate length of time.
back to top Health and insurance- Some vaccinations need to be done in stages and a number of weeks before you travel so check with your GP at least six weeks in advance which you will need for your destination country.
- The UK has reciprocal healthcare arrangements with most European countries, which means that UK citizens are entitled to free or reduced-cost medical treatment. If you are working in a European Economic Area (EEA) country, you will need to obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)(EHIC) to benefit from this. You can apply online or pick up an application form at your local post office.
- Outside the EEA you will generally, with some exceptions, have to pay for medical treatment. It is therefore advisable to find out healthcare costs and options for getting health insurance. A country-by-country guide to entitlements is available from the Department of Health (DH).
- Getting adequate travel insurance before you go is very important as it can help you get practical as well as financial assistance abroad should something go wrong. Prices and levels of cover can vary widely so it is worth shopping around. Some companies like Endsleigh have specialist packages for gap years and long-term travel.
- Go Gap Year, produced by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has lots of helpful advice on staying safe and healthy abroad, finding the right insurance and what to do if things go wrong.
back to top Financial mattersThere are a number of financial matters to consider when planning to work overseas. - Tax - depending on your residency status, you may have to pay UK income tax while you are working abroad. Factors such as whether you plan to visit the UK during this time may have an impact. You should also find out about the tax system in the country you are planning to work in and how this will affect you.
- National insurance - you may be required to pay UK National Insurance contributions while you are working abroad. In other cases, you may choose to pay voluntary contributions to help qualify for particular benefits depending on your plans for returning to the UK.
- Pensions - if you are already in a UK-based pension scheme, you should seek advice on the implications of working overseas for your pension status. If you are planning to work overseas for a long period, you may want to seek professional pension advice from a financial adviser.
- For all these matters you need to consider not only the implications when you are abroad but also what needs to be done if/when you return to the UK.
- For detailed information about tax, national insurance and state pension matters, contact HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
back to top Transferability of qualifications- You will need to make sure your qualifications can be clearly understood by potential employers, who may not be familiar with the UK education system. It may be helpful to identify the equivalent qualifications in the country and write ’equivalent to’ on your CV. In a bid to help with this, Europass, a European-wide initiative, provides a portfolio of five documents which serve to increase the transparency of people’s competencies, skills and qualifications, through a standardised format.
- Employers in other countries may place value on different factors compared with UK employers, so you will need to tailor your applications appropriately.
- Work being undertaken by the European Commission under the Bologna Process aims to establish, by 2010, a European Higher Education Area, which is designed to make European higher education qualifications more comprehensible and transportable.
back to top Other considerationsAccommodation- If you are keeping your property in the UK while you are away, you need to make the relevant arrangements such as informing your mortgage and utility providers of your move, as well as ensuring your property will be kept secure.
- Unless your employer is organising accommodation overseas on your behalf, you should look into housing opportunities and any property laws or regulations in the country which may affect you. Whether you are moving temporarily or permanently will obviously affect your choice of home. Possible factors to consider include location, your budget, and, if renting, whether you want to share and with whom.
- House shares and accommodation rentals may be advertised on the internet, but you should be extremely careful of handing over money in advance. If in doubt, take someone with you who speaks the language when viewing properties, so that they can help with questions and the contract terms.
- If you are looking to buy property in your destination country you should research into estate agents you may be able to use. Shelter Offshore have a comprehensive resource covering the many aspects of finding a home abroad, including an explanation of how the property market works in your chosen country and how best to search for property.
Employment laws- Other countries’ employment laws may differ considerably from those in the UK, so if possible ensure you have a proper contract outlining the terms and conditions of your employment, and if you are unsure of your position, seek expert advice.
Education- If you are travelling overseas with children you should consider what educational facilities are available for them. For example, are there any English-speaking schools in your area, or indeed, would you prefer a local school over an English-speaking one if you had the choice? Bear in mind that whatever option you choose, enrolling your children in a new school can take time and needs plenty of advance planning.
Nationality regulations- You should be aware that members of your family who are travelling with you may not necessarily have the same residency status as you, so you need to look into any implications this may have.
- The regulations for children born overseas can vary considerably from country to country, so it is worth finding out your position in advance if this is relevant to you.
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