Working abroad
Why do it?
- Experiencing different cultures - working abroad can provide an opportunity for total immersion in a foreign culture in a way that tourist travel cannot.
- Enhancing employability - any work experience makes you more attractive to employers, but working abroad may be particularly beneficial in developing certain strengths and skills. These include:initiative and determination - from finding and securing the job to making your experience a success; communication skills - through working with people from different cultural backgrounds and overcoming language barriers; flexibility - by having adapted to new and unfamiliar living environments and work cultures.
- Gaining experience - working abroad may also provide experience which is relevant to your chosen career, e.g. volunteering on an environmental project if you want to get involved in conservation work or working in a hotel if you want to go on to a job in the hospitality industry. Future career development opportunities may be significantly enhanced by a period spent working abroad.
- Taking time out - students may choose to work abroad as a way of getting a complete break from studying. Doing so also allows them to pick up valuable skills and experience. For graduates, working overseas might represent a much needed respite before embarking on a career and could provide some useful reflection time before making any long-term decisions.
- Limited job opportunities in the UK - during difficult economic times, better job opportunities may exist in other countries.
- Altruistic reasons - particularly for those wanting to work or volunteer in a developing country.
- Possibility of better living conditions or greater earning potential - some jobs abroad may offer high salaries and other perks.
- Family reasons - such as relocating for a partner’s job or emigrating for a better lifestyle.
Before you make a decision
What are your objectives?
The clearer your objectives, the more likely you are to succeed. Ask yourself:
- why you want to work abroad and what you hope to achieve from the experience (e.g. if you want to improve your language skills, working as an au pair and living with a local family might help you achieve your goal better than teaching English and sharing a flat with other expats);
- where you want to go and what you want to do;
- how long you think you would like to spend abroad;
- how you will benefit both personally and in terms of your career.
Timescales and exit strategies
- Be realistic about the time it will take you to find and plan a job overseas. The process requires careful consideration, good organisation and determination.
- Consider that getting meaningful work experience for only a year may be difficult. Your year abroad may easily turn into two or three.
- What will you do when you come back to the UK? Is this your intention? If you plan on using your experience abroad to help get a job once you return, think about how you will market it. Your initiative in getting a job overseas, as well as your motivation in following it through and making it a success, will impress employers. The ability to communicate and work as part of a team with people from a broad range of cultural backgrounds is also an invaluable skill. Make sure these things are reflected in your CV.
Language and cultural issues
- Being a foreigner with English as a mother tongue can have its advantages, but be aware that many international firms may prefer to hire locals who speak the language. You should check how it will affect your employment chances if you are not competent in the necessary language.
- The type of work you are doing, your employer and the country you are in will all determine the level of language skills required. An IT job in a multinational organisation for example, may be possible with more limited language skills.
- Even if a high standard of the language is not required, you may want to demonstrate your cultural adaptability by learning it anyway. You will need to be prepared to devote time and effort to doing so. You may be able to take a course at your university, local institution or in your destination country. Research your options as costs can vary widely.
- Expect to experience ‘culture shock’ for the first few weeks or months in a new country. Prepare yourself mentally by researching the aspects of the culture you might find unusual or difficult. Read as much as you can and speak to other people who have moved to that country to live and work.
- However much you may think you know about your destination country, be prepared to adjust to cultural norms and behaviour, both socially and in the workplace.
Culture shock
- Your living and working environments may be predetermined by the type of job you are doing. If not, it is something you need to consider. For example, would you prefer to be surrounded by expats, so that you feel more at home? Or would you rather be surrounded by the local community, so that you get a real feel for the new culture? Before you go, check that you will be happy with the living arrangements as well as the work setting.
Family impact
- If you are travelling with family or a partner, consider how they will fit into the new environment and implications that working abroad may have for them, e.g. with their work or schooling. Even if friends and family are being left behind, your move will still have an impact on them. Consider how you will communicate with them while you are away and the possibility of visits.
Where can I go?
In theory, you can work anywhere in the world. In reality, the picture is a little less clear. It depends on the state of the local employment market, work permit requirements and immigration procedures. Enquiries about immigration are best made to the appropriate embassy or high commission in the UK.
- European Union (EU) nationals have the right to work in any other EU member state without the need for a work permit. However, unemployment tends to be higher in some of the newer member states, so it may be more difficult to find a job in these places. In these countries, the flow of workers is more likely to be out than in.
- Immigration into Commonwealth countries is becoming more difficult, as they produce large numbers of their own graduates.
- Overseas organisations are often only interested in recruiting British graduates if they are unable to satisfy recruitment needs from their own nationals. This applies in reverse conditions too, with it being difficult for non-EU nationals to get employment in the UK if there are British people who can do the job.
- Immigrant visas will usually only be issued to individuals applying from their home country. Graduates who get offered permanent employment whilst in their destination country will usually have to return home to obtain the proper visa. This can be a lengthy process, sometimes lasting up to 12 months, so you should not rely on finding a permanent job when you get to your new country.
- Some countries, such as the US, will only issue work visas to individuals with definite jobs to go to, and the visa application process has to be instigated by the employer. It may be possible to be transferred on a temporary basis if you already work for a company that has offices in the UK, as well as your destination country. However, such employment will not allow you to stay permanently, so you need to look into what visa you would require if you wish to stay longer.
- Other countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and Japan, offer working holiday visas that allow you to combine work and travel for up to a year. These schemes are particularly aimed at people who want to take on casual work while they travel to top up their funds.
- Apply for your visa in plenty of time. Obtaining a visa may be a long and complicated process. Make sure you allow for that and make sure you are getting the correct visa.
- Always remember to check the website of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) before you leave, to get up-to-date information on your destination country to make sure it is safe to travel.
Countries and regions of interest
To find detailed information about visa requirements, the job market, application procedures, language requirements and postgraduate study in over 50 countries worldwide, see country profiles. Each country profile also contains a comprehensive list of links to help you in your job search.
Types of work
Casual work
Working holidays are a popular way for students and graduates to earn money while travelling and seeing the world. Much of the work available is in the hospitality and tourism sectors, e.g. in hotels and bars or as a holiday rep. Other typical jobs can be as varied as fruit picking to au pairing. The developed economies of Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand and North America offer the best opportunities. Making speculative applications to potential employers, such as hotels, youth hostels, tour companies, etc., may bring good results. For casual work opportunities, see BUNAC
and Go Gap Year
.
Internships, placements and exchange programmes
A variety of short-term opportunities ranging between a few weeks and 18 months are available in a number of European and international organisations. These give you a chance to gain relevant experience.
Many students have the opportunity to spend time abroad as part of their course. This could either be studying at a partner university or doing a placement year in a sector relating to your course.
If your course does not include a year out, you may still be able to negotiate an individual placement year. Give your tutors a list of what you consider to be the advantages of a year abroad and how it would deepen your understanding of your subject. You will probably need to find the placement yourself but ask if your tutors have contacts in other countries that you can use. Be prepared to be proactive and persistent.
For additional information, see vacancies abroad.
Voluntary work
There are many organisations offering short-term volunteer opportunities aimed at students and graduates. These projects are often based in the developing world, working with local communities tackling issues around health, social care, education and conservation.
- Projects generally last from a couple of weeks to several months and are very diverse, ranging from working in an orphanage to assisting with reforestation programmes.
- The work is generally unpaid and many organisations ask you to finance your volunteering trip through sponsorship or other types of fundraising.
- For short-term volunteering opportunities you are not usually expected to have relevant experience, but a strong interest in helping others and a willingness to get involved and learn new skills are important.
For all volunteering opportunities, you should check the requirements, aims and philosophies of any agency to which you apply. Have a realistic idea of the contribution you can make and what is expected of you. Most agencies can put you in touch with a returned volunteer who can give you first-hand information.
Examples of organisations offering short-term opportunities are:
Teaching
Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is a very popular way for new graduates without specialist experience and skills to obtain work overseas. Teachers are employed in commercial language schools, state schools, education and development organisations and large companies. There are also more structured teaching programmes specific to individual countries, such as Teach in China
and the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme
.
No particular degree discipline is required for teaching English overseas. However, advertised positions increasingly ask for a TEFL qualification. It is still possible to find positions that do not require a TEFL certificate, but the pay may be lower. Certain countries will not grant a visa to anyone without a TEFL qualification. Information on completing internationally recognised TEFL courses is available at i-to-i TEFL Courses. Further detailed information about entry and training routes, and where to find opportunities, is available at English as a foreign language teacher.
As well as opportunities to teach English as a foreign language, there are international schools operating all over the world in need of qualified teachers. Experienced teachers are recruited to teach the normal range of subjects at primary and secondary level. Defence cutbacks in Britain have reduced the teaching posts available in HM Forces schools.
Academic research and lecturing
Every year, large numbers of British citizens take up places at universities around the world to undertake postdoctoral research. The academic market is international in scope, and some British academics are successful in obtaining permanent posts in other countries.
The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
publishes a regular bulletin of jobs in Commonwealth universities. European Researchers Mobility Portal (Euraxess)
is a one-stop shop for researchers moving between EU countries and includes details of research vacancies, fellowships, grants and other practical information.
Research posts and lectureships are frequently advertised by individual institutions but details can also be found in relevant journals and through national recruitment services on the internet. Personal contact through collaboration and shared academic interests is also a key route to securing academic positions overseas.
Getting posts overseas can be competitive, and you must have a good academic record at undergraduate, postgraduate and postdoctoral level.
Consultancy
There has been a steady growth in the volume of consulting business undertaken by British companies overseas in the last few years. This is particularly the case in the construction and utilities industries in areas such as China, India and the Middle East. Consultancy work, especially for experienced professionals, can be found with both large international companies and smaller niche businesses.
Creative industry
The creative arts industry offers good opportunities for work abroad, from touring musicians to artists promoting and selling their work. The UK has a leading reputation in the creative industries abroad, and there are various government initiatives supporting exports from the sector. Arts Council England
discusses international opportunities on their website. The European Commission Culture Programme
aims to promote cross-border mobility of those working in the sector. It is dedicated to bringing greater cultural cooperation between European countries and provides funding for various projects that help meet this objective.
Property
The overseas property market is becoming increasingly international and although there has been a surge in UK nationals buying a second home abroad, this tends to be dependent on international economic conditions. Opportunities exist for graduates to work in sales, marketing and administration although in order to get a position abroad, some experience of working in property in the UK is usually required.
Jobs are advertised through specialist recruitment agencies, such as Overseas Property Jobs.
For more detailed information on the possibilities of working abroad in certain sectors, see industry insights.
For information on taking a gap year see gap year.
Finding employers
- Find a UK employer with overseas offices - many UK organisations have offices overseas e.g. banks, civil engineering companies, accounting firms, oil companies, solicitors, armed forces, civil service, etc. Check company websites to see if a specific company has overseas offices. However, you will need to be realistic. There are no guarantees that you will be able to work in an overseas office. There are likely to be more overseas opportunities once you have gained experience. Some companies only offer opportunities in particular destinations. Others may be happy to send you anywhere in the world.
- UK and international companies that recruit worldwide - examples include investment banks/merchant banks/retail banks (e.g. Morgan Stanley and HSBC), solicitors with international divisions (e.g. Baker & Mackenzie), accountancy firms - particularly those with a consultancy arm (e.g. KPMG), oil companies (e.g. Shell, Esso and BP), companies specialising in fast-moving consumer goods (e.g. Unilever), civil and structural engineering companies (e.g. Mott McDonald and Balfour Beatty), the armed forces - who are involved in training large numbers of military and civilian staff overseas, civil service - many government departments offer both short-term and long-term postings overseas including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The main route for graduates is via the Civil Service Fast Stream, but other vacancies are advertised by the individual departments.
- Overseas job postings - explore international job posting websites to learn about potential employers e.g. 4 International Careers & Jobs.
- Use business directories - these can provide lists of potential employers e.g. Kompass, Europages.
- Contact recruitment agencies - See the 'vacancy sources' section of individual country profiles to find links to recruitment agencies in specific countries.
- Consult professional online journals, magazines and newspapers - these usually have a jobs section and may show which employers are active in your chosen country or area. Kidon Media-Link provides access to foreign newspapers.
- Networking - contact people in your chosen career field who are working in overseas posts to learn more about how they got their job and to get advice. Let people in your company know about your interest in working abroad.
- International students - international students graduating from British universities should note that UK-based international companies regularly recruit those interested in returning to work in their home countries.
Vacancies abroad
Where to find vacancies
- Country profiles - provides information on sources of vacancies and other useful contacts and resources for over 50 countries.
- UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)
- helps British firms interested in investing overseas and has a team of international trade advisers located in offices around the UK.
- EURES - European Job Mobility Portal
- has a huge database of jobs from over 30 European countries.
- Expertise in Labour Mobility
- offers useful information on the job market and recruitment practices in various countries.There is the opportunity to register your CV and receive email alerts for new jobs matching your profile as well as lots of information about living and working in particular European countries.
- Eurograduate - The European Graduate Career Guide
- lists vacancies in Europe and worldwide.
- Europages
- an online directory with links to companies in Europe
- 4 International Colleges and Universities (4ICU)
- an international employment directory of world-wide job sites, including 2200 employment sites ranked by popularity in 190 countries.
- Jobs Abroad
- provides a database of job vacancies around the world.
- i-to-i TEFL - has information on finding jobs in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language).
- International Job Online
- produced by the University of London, has vacancies and careers information aimed particularly at international students and graduates seeking work overseas after graduation.
- Professional online journals, magazines and newspapers - usually have a jobs section. Look at these to see which employers are active in your chosen country or area.
International organisations
- Vacancies with major international organisations are advertised either in the national press, in professional journals or online. These tend to be for people well established in their career or who are specialists in a particular field although there may be schemes or programmes for recent graduates.
- The British Council
- advertises jobs in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), education, as well as a range of long and short-term consultancy posts in finance, health and the environment. They also work on around 1,400 arts events every year in over 100 countries and so have contacts for those in the creative sector wishing to work abroad. There are also a few opportunities to staff British Council offices overseas.
- European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)
- the world’s largest particle physics laboratory (based in Switzerland). It offers a range of career opportunities of varying time periods for undergraduates, graduates and experienced researchers in particle physics, computer science, engineering and mathematics.
- Crown Agents
- an international development company that regularly recruits a wide variety of trained and experienced staff to work on contracts for over 100 overseas governments, public bodies and international aid agencies. They also run a graduate recruitment scheme for those who want to gain experience in the field of international development.
- European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO)
- organises open competitions to select highly qualified staff for recruitment to all institutions of the European Union (EU).
- European Commission Traineeships Office (Bureau de Stages)
- operates an in-service training and work attachment programme that enables recent university graduates to gain first-hand experience of the workings of EU institutions.
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- offers a variety of programmes, including their Research Assistants Programme (for new graduates with a ‘superior academic record’) and their Fund Internship programme (for PhD students specialising in macroeconomics). The IMF also recruits onto their Economist Program (EP), where typically participants have a PhD or are studying for one.
- Office for Disability Issues (ODI)
- recruits able postgraduates in economics or closely related fields, including development studies, agricultural economics, environmental economics, transport economics, public policy, financial management, etc., onto its Fellowship Scheme.
- The World Bank
- employs more than 10,000 employees in more than 100 offices worldwide. It operates the Young Professionals Program for the recruitment of people under the age of 32 for two-year postings. Applicants must specialise in a field relevant to the World Bank’s operations and have significant, relevant professional experience or continued academic study at doctoral level.
Self-employment
For those with access to some capital and a marketable idea to exploit, setting up a business abroad may seem like an attractive option. Many British expatriates are self-employed and operate in a vast range of areas.
Types of business include:
- hospitality - e.g. bars, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs and hotel/bed and breakfast establishments;
- tourism, sports and leisure - e.g. skiing or diving instructors;
- other services - e.g. holistic therapies or child minding (especially in large English speaking expat communities).
Remember though, that setting up a business overseas is a much bigger undertaking than becoming self-employed in the UK. In addition to the usual research and planning required for setting up any new enterprise, you will need to learn about the business context of the country in which you will be operating. The list below contains factors to consider.
- Legal issues and red tape - e.g. if you plan to open a bar, club or restaurant, you will need to be familiar with the country’s licensing laws.
- Tax regulations - these may be different from the UK.
- Finance - you should open a business bank account in the country before you go as this can sometimes take time to set up.
- Visa or other restrictions - you may need to register your business with the local authorities or there may be restrictions on foreign business ownership in some countries.
- Language and cultural issues - these may affect you more as a self-employed person than if you were working for an organisation.
As planning and setting up in business in a foreign country can be very complex, many people use the services of a specialist consultancy to advise them on the country’s regulations and help them work through the red tape. You may also be able to find useful advice and information on government and chamber of commerce websites.
Finally, do not forget that you will still need to work through all the steps required to set up any business abroad in the same way you would in the UK. This includes researching your proposed market, writing a business plan and doing some financial forecasting. For more general information on setting up your own business, see self-employment.
Checklist
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.
Health and insurance
- 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.
Financial matters
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) .
Transferability of qualifications
- 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.
Accommodation
- 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.
Family matters
- 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.
Contacts and resources
Jobs and work
Study
Reference
AGCAS
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