Working Overseas

Benefits And Issues to Consider In International Construction Employment

There are many opportunities for people eager to take advantage of the overseas lifestyle that comes with working abroad, and avail themselves of the financial & tax related benefits that non-UK residency can bring where applicable.

To this end, we have put together some basic information that will raise issues and questions for you to consider with the appropriate party; whether that be Maxim Recruitment, your family, friends, previous expats, a tax advisor, an accountant or others.  It is important to assess carefully if and in what location an overseas quantity surveying or construction job would suit you and/or you and your family.

Some of the issues to think about before applying to work overseas for a building, civil engineering or quantity surveying practice include:

Salary

• Are you working in construction overseas for the life experience or to make additional money? If the reality of wanting both was a trade off, which would be most important?
• Clarify at an early stage of any job offer the currency that your salary and any benefits package will be paid in.
• Consider including an agreement that covers action should currency fluctuations pass beyond a certain range to avoid future problems.
• If applicable, you should find out how, when and in what circumstances overtime will be paid.
• What are the tax implications of working overseas to your personal circumstances?

Accommodation

• What kind of accommodation will you require, and what kind of environment are you prepared to consider living in (urban/rural/remote)?
• It can be helpful, if accommodation is being provided, that you confirm its type before arrival.
• If it is not provided, do some research to confirm that the costs you will have are known so that you can assess any offer of employment in context of local currency, any accommodation allowance provided and the actual overall cost of living.

Travel

• If you are travelling overseas with others, clarify whether it is you or your new employer that will be picking up the cost for mobilisation, leave & repatriation. What is required by you & what can be negotiated? Not many companies these days pay the costs for whole families to relocate, live, have holidays and get back home!
• Confirm how travel tickets are to reach you some time before departure
• Confirm passports and any entry clearance or related doccumentation for you and any others travelling are up to date

Leave Entitlement

• What leave cycle arrangements are you seeking; how realistic are they?
• Make sure your number of days leave is specified in your employment contract & that you are happy with what is on offer

Medical Insurance

• It is worth considering having full medical insurance while you/you and your family are working abroad.  If this is not provided by your employer then it is worth making your own enquiries.  Such cover can include features such as repatriation to your country of residence if the required medical facilities are unavailable.

Termination Clause

• Make sure you are clear in your contract about the circumstances relating to your employment terminating - both from your and your employers perspective. This is for everyone's benefit.

Other Tips

• Arrange family health plans.
• Look into professional indemnities.
• Maintain an interest in your your professional development.
• Be aware that working abroad will have an effect on taxes and pensions; seek advice where appropriate.
• Read the contract very carefully .
• If the contract is not in English, get a translation of the text that you can trust and understand 

Maxim Recruitment can not offer any type of financial, taxation or immigration/visa advice to current or intending jobseekers, however we are aware of some organisations that are specialists in offering expatriates such advice.  If you get in touch with us we may be able to put you onto the right types of people.

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