Reply to: Has anyone relocated abroad before?

[Eirikur]

Has anyone relocated abroad before?

Yes several times

[simes]

How did you find the wfh contract?

Well, in truth mine was not specifically a wfh contract. But it was a contract where the client firmly believed in remote working. Indeed there is a sign on the barrier to the staff parking which says, 'If you do not need to be here, disappear'.

I just decided to see how remote, remote could be.

I didn't mention to anyone, no one knew. I figured if there was a F2F meeting required, I would fly from and to Nice in the day. Never was such a meeting required so my working day started at 10am local time after the swim and coffee. In the afternoons when work could be conducted just off the phone, we went up and down the Cote d'Azur to Antibes, Menton and Monaco etc.

I will be honest, it was really quite difficult to come home.

I am thinking a similar trip will be required.

[hgllgh]

I'd get a wfh contract and then get an Airbnb for a few months.

I did this recently, ended up living in Villefranche sur mer for two months. Starting the working day with a swim and a snorkel really was the beans.

How did you find the wfh contract?

[Hobosapien]

What is your complaint about working inside IR35? If the contractor community were smart they would unilaterally raise inside IR35 rates, but it only takes a few idiots to accept the lower rates and then the tide has turned forever.

If clients were smart they'd up the inside IR35 rates to attract independent contractors rather than get fleeced by the consultancies and body shops many seem to be turning to. That tide may change when they realise the cost of trying to mitigate the risk that way.

Like the rest of your post though, you aced it.

[rogerfederer]

The type of role I perform is senior. In the past I have worked abroad for months at a time, sometimes relocating.

You need to ask yourself what you really want from your adventure. Do you like to travel, enjoying the outdoors? I had a quick look at some of your past posts and I do not think you're in a senior role. I think you're a mid-level engineer, of sorts.

What is your complaint about working inside IR35? If the contractor community were smart they would unilaterally raise inside IR35 rates, but it only takes a few idiots to accept the lower rates and then the tide has turned forever.

One thing I would object to with inside IR35 is: you are paying significantly more income tax (technically, rather than explicitly) and yet England in particular is in a hell of a state. I genuinely do not see taxes, under the Tory party, transforming into better condition of the state of affairs in England.

If you want the highest quality food, people and colleagues then go to Stockholm. You can even base yourself in Malmo to then work in Copenhagen or Oslo, where rates are higher. In this scenario you will be operating there are the equivalent of a contractor, also paying high tax, but reaping the visible rewards of societies with almost zero homeless people in doorways, good quality services and all the benefits. My advice is to try it at least once.

I am very concerned that your ideas seem notional in matter: New Zealand - have you been? Are you aware that excluding the outdoors it's a country with a huge amount of problems? Working there was an eye opening for me. I wouldn't work there again, but I have high standards.

My final advice is this: Get up off your bum and book cheap multitrip flights to Sweden, hire a car and head to Norway and/or Denmark. Look at map, as this will help you instantly recognise roughly what the weather will be like throughout the year. Copenhagen is warmer and wetter than Oslo, as is likely obvious to you.

It is only by going there, being bold, and asking around that you will get a feel for the places. If you are single with no dependents then why haven't you done this already? With technology and ferries/flights you can easily get back to England for visits and keep in touch with your old friends. Your friends will be keen to visit you out there for one simple reason: very few people have much experience of these three countries because they are expensive.

Good luck.

[bondboy203]

yep.
best thing you ever did.
byby

Don't get too excited. He has already setup an offshore centre and wont be long before coming after your contracting role next April.

[BR14]

Have done so three years ago, re-settled in India and loving it. Best thing in life, leaving UK permanently long before Brexit

yep.
best thing you ever did.
byby

[FIERCE TANK BATTLE]

I've done NZ, Italy, Belgium, USA. In the case of NZ and US the work visa is your biggest stumbling block.

NZ is a great place. If you have any more precise questions let me know.

Good luck.

Thanks I've been thinking NZ. Did you go there via holiday visa then search for sponsorship, or have something lined up in advance?

I'm thinking it's my most likely option atm

[sal]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Looking at the forums it's all very specific Q&As, they don't seem to have a sticky explaining the actually process.

I was hoping that I might find a guide of some sort saying if you wanted to move from the UK to say, Canada as your example, then you'd create a CV, search canadian job boards for those offering sponsorship, find a job, apply, interview on skype, get accepted, await paperwork, move to canada. Or something like that. I'm sure the process is much more complex and there are nuances to working in IT over there. Perhaps you're supposed to go there first on a holiday visa to find work/sponsorship? Or if it's a country like Australia do you have to faff with their point system on your own to get some kind of visa before applying? Do you move there first?

But I can't seem to find such a guide. Everything on google is just crap like this The Beginner’s Guide to Moving and Working Abroad which is no help at all and just says working abroad is great [country] really wants people to move and work there.

Have you tried contacting the embassies of the target countries and ask what your options are? From the horse's mouth etc.

If you are going to sell your home and buy several rental properties, don't close the ltd. but instead purchase the properties through it.

[Hat1rmathA]

Have done so three years ago, re-settled in India and loving it. Followed my example, two other colleagues shifted back to India. Closed down Limited company, see off son's private school, hired a relocation company and all went well at end.

I think it was best decision for kids, they are well adjusted to rigorous school system in India after initial adjustment issues.

Now working after two years in India's silicone valley, back in Europe (Belgium) main land for time being for contract. Family does not want to return to Europe, only coming in school holidays. Myself travelling to India every eight weeks for two weeks, client is happy with this set-up. Probably will leave everything and go for early retirement soon, still 43 no debt, five fully paid properties (in different cities in India) and half a million sterling (converted to INR) cash in bank. Best thing in life, leaving UK permanently long before Brexit

[CoolCat]

Thinking of binning off contracting for a bit.

I will either look for a WFH job (perm) and see if I can stay for a month or so in various countries in Europe (cos of the time zones) or maybe relocate somewhere like Canada or New Zealand for 6-12 months and work locally.

I've had a look on google about the latter, but it's hard to find actual forum-discussion based info.

Anyone know where I might look to learn what it involves? Do you just grab a tourist visa, and start looking for companies to sponsor you then leave & come back? Or is there a way to get sponsorship in advance?

I'm also going to ask a few pimps if WFH perm jobs are an actual thing.

What do you reckon?

I've done NZ, Italy, Belgium, USA. In the case of NZ and US the work visa is your biggest stumbling block.

NZ is a great place. If you have any more precise questions let me know.

Good luck.

[simes]

I'd get a wfh contract and then get an Airbnb for a few months.

I did this recently, ended up living in Villefranche sur mer for two months. Starting the working day with a swim and a snorkel really was the beans.

[Hobosapien]

Find jobsites advertising vacancies in Canada or wherever interests you then ring their pimps up to see if they accept foreigners and if so what the process is. It may be that simple.

[FIERCE TANK BATTLE]

ever thought of just going somewhere and winging it?

or maybe just stay with your mum.
it's hard living on pot noodles and asking people for shoelace tying help.

Yes, that is what I am thinking of now. But I would probably be better off financially selling my house and buying something easier to rent out, perhaps buying 2-3 flats in a cheaper part of the country closer to family that can keep an eye on them. I'd also have to wind up the LTD. It would be a huge undertaking. This is why I am trying to understand the usual process :-)

[BR14]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Looking at the forums it's all very specific Q&As, they don't seem to have a sticky explaining the actually process.

I was hoping that I might find a guide of some sort saying if you wanted to move from the UK to say, Canada as your example, then you'd create a CV, search canadian job boards for those offering sponsorship, find a job, apply, interview on skype, get accepted, await paperwork, move to canada. Or something like that. I'm sure the process is much more complex and there are nuances to working in IT over there. Perhaps you're supposed to go there first on a holiday visa to find work/sponsorship? Or if it's a country like Australia do you have to faff with their point system on your own to get some kind of visa before applying? Do you move there first?

But I can't seem to find such a guide. Everything on google is just crap like this The Beginner’s Guide to Moving and Working Abroad which is no help at all and just says working abroad is great [country] really wants people to move and work there.

ever thought of just going somewhere and winging it?

or maybe just stay with your mum.
it's hard living on pot noodles and asking people for shoelace tying help.