I’m going to graduate this year, but I don’t think I’m quite ready to settle down and work in an office somewhere. I have the idea that I want to travel the world for a bit. But I don’t want to just live of my mom and dad’s money, or anything (I don’t think they’d let me do that, anyway!)--I want to work while I’m moving around.
Cool idea, right? Only I don’t really know exactly how to pull it off. I’m not sure what kind of legal issues would crop up if I worked around the world, or how I could get jobs in each place (or hold one job while moving from place to place, I guess). Any expert tips?
Your idea is a very cool one, but it certainly does come with its challenges! Traveling the world is a great idea. Foreign travel boosts independence and broadens horizons (95% of students who study abroad say it made them more mature)--plus, of course, it’s lot of fun! Moving after graduation and working abroad, though, does present some tricky legal issues. Let’s take a look at them.
In many cases, a short trip abroad requires a passport and little else. Not all countries require visas for shorter stays. Resources like this government website track how long you can visit various countries without having to apply for visa--oftentimes, you can be there for months.
However, the gurus at TravelVisa.com say, those countries do require visas for longer stays--and some require them for shorter ones, too. On top of this, visas come in various types, and many of them won’t allow you to legally work in the country you’re visiting. For instance, students studying in America on student visas are not supposed to take jobs while they’re here. Other countries have similar rules. If you want to work in another country for an employer or client in that country, you’ll need to do some more paperwork.
However, there are some other options. Technology is changing how we work, say the experts at Polycom, one of several companies that are innovating business communications. Video chatting and other communications systems are encouraging remote work, and more of us are working remotely than ever before--some 23% of Americans do at least some work remotely. Perhaps you could work for a US-based employer while traveling from country to country for a while.
This doesn’t entirely erase the legal issues, but it does simplify them in some cases. You’ll still have to look at requirements on a country-by-country basis, but it is often easier to visit foreign countries while working if the work you’re doing is for a US-based employer. You could make things simpler still by working with one of the companies that facilitates international living and remote work: some agencies offer one-year programs that include housing, travel, and work spaces. They’re designed for people with exactly your sorts of goals, so they may be worth a look!
You’re right to be wary of some of the legal hurdles in your plan, but you should know that your dream is not unrealistic. With some smart planning and careful examination of travel regulations, you should be able to spend a month, six months, a year, or even more in one or more countries while earning a living abroad.
“It is a bitter-sweet thing, knowing two cultures. Once you leave your birthplace nothing is ever the same.” -- Sarah Turnbull
