The ability to work from anywhere with a WIFI signal is undeniably fantastic! You can pack up your laptop and take your office mobile. Considering a change in location and working remotely in another country? You’re in the right place.
As a work-from-home (WFH) employee, do you need to inform your employer? It’s not a simple decision, and these are common questions that many remote workers have.
Understanding your boundaries and the true flexibility of your job is necessary.
Can You Work Remotely From Another Country?
It depends. Every remote job is different and has various factors that can determine how feasible working from another country is for you.
For example, does the nature of your work require a lot of phone calls? It is possible that this might lead to a connectivity problem or it could become very expensive, depending on your phone service provider.
Should You Tell Your Employer You’re Working Remotely Abroad?
Firstly, I’ll say it’s always best practice to be honest with your employer about your whereabouts when working remotely.
However, it’s also understandable to value privacy as long as it does not negatively impact your productivity.
In my experience, I’ve traveled abroad with my work laptop without telling my manager and had no issues. Nonetheless, if I knew there was a possibility that my travel arrangements or internet connectivity could be an issue, I would take PTO or mention it to my employer beforehand to avoid awkward conversations later.
To help make your decision, here are some things you should consider.
Review Your Remote Employment Contract
The first thing you should do is review your employment contract or agreement to determine if it specifies any location requirements or restrictions.
Some companies may have policies that require employees to work from specific regions or countries due to legal or logistical reasons. Not following the terms of the contract may lead to the termination of your employment.
Length of Your Stay Abroad
The amount of time you decide to work from another country is important to consider.
For example, if you’re based out of the U.S. and going to Mexico for a long weekend but plan to work remotely from there for a couple of days, this shouldn’t be a big deal. I’ve done this on multiple occasions and have never had an issue.
However, if you plan on spending several weeks or even months, this could pose an issue. This brings us to our next point.
Visa Requirements For Remote Work
Depending on your country of residence and where you will be traveling, you may need a visa. Some countries may let you work remotely from there on a Tourist Visa for a short duration, ranging anywhere from 1 to 3 months.
If you’re working on a traveler’s visa, it’s crucial to comply with the visa regulations. Some countries have specific work visas or permits for remote workers, while others may not allow any kind of remote work on certain types of visas.
Do your research and ensure that you have the necessary legal permissions to work remotely from another country than the one you reside in.
Time Zone Considerations
Depending on your job responsibilities and the nature of your work, the time zone difference between your location and your employer’s location may affect your productivity and ability to collaborate effectively.
For example, if you’re based in the Eastern Time zone and want to work remotely from South America, the time difference is minimal. However, if you’re planning to go somewhere in Southeast Asia like Bali, there is a significant time difference that it would be difficult to keep with your regular work schedule.
Want more tips on traveling with a remote job? Check out this post: How To Travel While Working Remotely As A Full Time Employee
Technology For Remote Work in Another Country
If there’s one thing on this list that you MUST check, it’s this. As a remote worker, having proper access to your employer’s technology systems is crucial to maintaining and meeting your job responsibilities.
For a company-issued laptop or mobile phone, it’s possible that your IT department can see your location based on GPS or IP address. If you are accessing the system from a different region, it may trigger a data privacy violation or firewall that completely blocks you from everything. Hence, it’s advisable to do lots of research beforehand or inform your employer.
The last thing you want is to be abroad somewhere, completely unable to log in and communicate with your team.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can provide an extra layer of security when accessing company systems and sensitive data from another country. It encrypts your internet connection, making it more secure and protecting your data from potential threats.
Check with your employer if they provide a VPN or if they have any specific recommendations.
Tax Obligations When Working Remotely
If you’re a U.S. citizen, you’ll still need to file your income taxes in America. However, if you’re planning to reside abroad for a while, it is possible for you to receive tax benefits. Depending on the country you’re working from, you may need to fulfill certain tax obligations or report your income differently. This is important to research as every country and situation is different.
If you’re unsure whether this applies to you, check out the tax regulations of both your home country and the country you’re working from.
Legal Implications When Working Remotely From Another Country
It is important to be aware of the labor laws and regulations pertaining to remote work and employment in both your home country and the country you plan to reside in.
This will ensure compliance with legal obligations such as data protection regulations.
Final Words of Wisdom
To guarantee a successful and productive remote work experience, it’s important to maintain honest and transparent communication with your employer.
Every situation is different and cannot have the same approach. Based on the above-mentioned factors, evaluate what is best for you, but it might be necessary to inform your employer about your location if you’re planning to work remotely in another country.
In order to comply with any contracts or agreements you signed, it’s advisable to discuss with your employer or inquire with legal counsel for guidance.
Have you worked remotely in another country before? If so, I’d love to hear your experience in the comments below.
