Visa Information and Requirements for Americans Wanting to Work Abroad

Finding a good job in the United States can be difficult, and it can be even more difficult to find a good job that you like. If you have navigated through a variety of positions in the United States and still feel like something is missing from your life, then you might want to consider working in another country as a volunteer, as an English teacher, as a professional in a foreign firm, or you can even start your own company. While it may seem like leaving the U.S. to work in another country may be difficult, if not impossible, and there are many opportunities available if you know what to do to get temporary approval to work in another country.

France as an Option

France is a very good country to target for work opportunities if you would like to explore what the world has to offer you. First it is a beautiful country filled with history and culture that has few rivals. Secondly, there are certain treaties that the U.S. has made with this country that allows Americans to establish businesses in France with ease. Finally, if you have desirable qualifications then you can get a work visa relatively easily.

If you want to apply for a work visa in France you will need to be able to prove that you have skills that the country needs. For example if you are a scientist, artist, or author who has been able to obtain gainful employment from a French employer then you will be able to get a work visa with relatively few complications. Other areas that have high demand in France are the construction and hotel-restaurant industries. If you have skills and experience in these areas you will also be given higher priority for a work visa than if you have limited experience in retail, for example.

If you don’t want to work for a French company, but you would like to start your own company, then you will need to meet basic requirements before you are permitted into the country. First you will need to have working capital of 1800 euros per month for at least one year, as well as a good business plan. To prove that you are able to meet these requirements you will need to fill out a form provided by the French consulate that goes over your case. You will need to fully describe your business and educational background, as well as your business plan and how it will benefit the people of France.

Canada as an Option

If you don’t want to travel too far from home, then you may also want to consider working in Canada. Canada does have a few restrictions on who is allowed to work in the country. The first requirement is that you must be able to provide a service that is needed in the country, or a service that the current Canadian job pool cannot fill. For example professionals like doctors, nurses, and technology experts are all in high demand right now in Canada. Writers, actors, and other professionals in the movie and entertainment industry also face fewer restrictions on what they have to do to be allowed to work in the country, and in some cases these professionals don’t need to apply for a work visa at all. For information about what you will need to do to gain a Canadian work visa you will need to contact the Canadian Government.

General Information About Working Abroad

If you are planning on working in another country you will need to follow the following steps.

Step Number One – Locate a Job

The first step is to find a job or work opportunity. In demand professionals like health care workers, technology experts, business consultants, and teachers will be able to find a position in almost any country that they look. However, do your homework before accepting a position. To save yourself time and to protect yourself from fraudulent offers, try to find a position with a company that has a good record of utilizing U.S. laborers, as these companies will have a fast tract system in place for obtaining the appropriate work visas that you will need.

Step Number Two – Find Out Visa Requirements

After securing a position your next step is to do some research about the country you want to work in. You will need to contact that country’s department of labor and industry as well as their immigration department. The company that hires you will be able to direct you to the right governmental office(s). You will need to find forms, requirements, and learn what immunizations and documentation you will need to get before you will be allowed to work in the country.

Step Number Three – File for a Work Visa

Step three is to file all of your documentation and application materials to the appropriate governmental agency. While you are waiting for your application to be processed it would be a good idea if you contact the USCIS to see if you need to complete any paperwork on the U.S. side of your business venture. In addition to completing final documentation and filing requirements, this is also the time you will need to find a place to live, and to set up financial transfers and establish a bank account in a foreign bank.

Step Number Four – Make Sure That You Are Ready to Go

The final step is to make sure that you are ready to leave the county. Have all of your shots, personal documents like birth certificate, passport, etc., and all of your personal business in order before you leave. Let someone know your travel plans, how they can contact you, and where you will be staying once you arrive. Also forward your mail and inform all interested parties of your new address.