Not everyone wants to live and work in the country that they were born in, but finding work in a foreign country can be a daunting experience. Every work abroad situation is different, depending on the policies of the originating and destination country, as well as the industry, experience and background of the person seeking work. However, there are some commonly recommended ways to work abroad and seek out legitimate employment in a foreign country, whether it's in aid of permanent emigration or just as a way to see more of the world. Here are some of the basic steps involved in many work abroad strategies.
Edit Steps
- 1Gain employment through companies in your home country. In many cases, legitimate work in a foreign country starts with a contract between an individual and a company in that person's nation of residence that operates activities abroad.
- Look at your company's directory of locations. If your company is international, you may be able to transition into a work abroad role for your present employer. Looking at the operations of larger, multinational companies can often be a way to jumpstart a career in another country.
- 2Evaluate government programs that will place you abroad. In the United States, programs like the Peace Corps offer younger citizens a chance to work beyond the country, often for low pay or on a volunteer basis. These can be promising situations for a variety of people who want to see the world while providing services to others.
- 3Get an appropriate visa. If you will be going to the country first or getting work through an international venue or employer, you will need to seek the required visa for going to the country of your choice. The basic visa allows for free travel, where a more specific worker visa allows you to pursue employment. Get any visas that are possible through registration in the foreign country in which you plan on staying.
- 4Learn the culture and language of a destination country. Knowing how to speak the language of a country and knowing more about its culture and history can help beginners find more promising work abroad.
- 5Volunteer. For many people, volunteering is one step of their journey toward a successful career in a foreign country. When visas prohibit seeking formal employment, volunteer work is key to staying involved in an industry while complying with local law.
- 6Fill out residency paperwork and other items according to the laws of your destination country. Many countries have step-by-step work visa programs that include a requirement for residence. Keeping a formal residence in a country can be a step toward a work visa, so make sure you understand and utilize residency and other building blocks toward a work visa.
- 7Apply to companies in your destination country. When you have the appropriate work visa in hand, you can start to apply to companies directly in the foreign country where you are located. Again, having more applicable skills, including language skills, will often get you further in your search.
Edit Sources and Citations
Articles for You to Write
Here is a list of suggested articles that have not yet been written. You can help by researching and writing one of these articles. To get started writing one of these articles, click on the red link of a title below.
