Working abroad: Checklist | Prospects.ac.uk

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 need a job offer in your chosen country in order to get the relevant visa. This needs to be applied for, on your behalf, by your prospective employer who might be required to demonstrate that they were unable to find suitable candidates among their own nationals.
Some 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 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.

Some vaccinations need to be done in stages in advance, so check with your GP at least six weeks before you travel about what 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) 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 investigate 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. 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 (with offices on many UK campuses) have specialist packages for gap years and long-term travel.
Go Gap Year , produced by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, has helpful advice on staying safe and healthy abroad, finding the right insurance and knowing what to do if things go wrong.

There are a number of financial matters to consider when working 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 where you will be working and how it 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) .

Your qualifications might not be clearly understood by potential employers, who may not be familiar with the UK education system. It may be helpful to identify the approximate equivalent qualifications in the country and write ’approximate 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 (Education and Training) under the Bologna Process aims to establish a European Higher Education Area by 2010, which is designed to make European higher education qualifications more comprehensible and transportable.

If you are keeping your property in the UK while you are away, you will need to inform your mortgage and utility providers of your move, as well as ensuring the security of your property.
Unless your employer is organising accommodation overseas on your behalf, you should look into housing opportunities and any property regulations which may affect you. Possible factors to consider include location, budget, and, if renting, whether you want to share and with whom.
Be extremely careful of handing over money in advance. If in doubt, take someone with you who speaks the language when viewing properties, so they can help with questions and the contract terms.
If you are looking to buy property in your destination country, research estate agents. Shelter Offshore has a comprehensive website covering many aspects of finding a home abroad, including an explanation of how the property market works in different countries and how best to search for property.

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 would you prefer a local school over an English-speaking one? Bear in mind that whatever option you choose, enrolling your children in a new school can take time and needs plenty of advance planning.
Members of your family who are travelling with you may not necessarily have the same residency status as you.
Partners may not be entitled to work in your chosen country just because you can. This might be the case if, for example, you are planning to work in a non-EU country and your employer has had to make a special application to authorities to secure your position.
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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AGCAS

Andrea Gregory, AGCAS

Date:

April 2010