Before moving abroad, immigration policy is where you need to do your research.
 |
| my first Thai visa - a triple entry tourist visa from the Thai Embassy in the USA |
Your visa (or lack thereof) will dictate how long you can legally stay in a country and any financial requirements along the way. In some countries, you can get thrown in jail for minor visa infractions like overstaying a few days. So pay attention.
Keep your passport as clean as possible. Follow the law and obtain the proper visas as you enter and exit new countries.
Visa Basics
Every country gives visas differently.
Visas depend heavily on the international relationship between your home country and your destination.
Some countries have very few options for foreigners (visa exempt, tourist visa, or long-term visa) while other countries have extensive hoops to jump through. To get into the United States for example, foreigners have to meet strict requirements for one of more than 36+ detailed visa options.
 |
| 8:00 AM line at Division 1 Immigration in Bangkok, Thailand |
Some people are lucky and are born in a country with rights to roam the world freely. Some people, due to politics beyond their control, are not allowed to travel much at all.
Here are some tools that decipher where you can move to most easily:
- Travelscope a world map that shows the power of a country’s passport using visual graphics
- Passport Index a dynamic list that lets you compare passports from various countries
Helpful hint: if your country has been involved in armed conflict in the recent past (👋 imperialists) or if your country is involved in economic sanctions against a foreign country, you will have especially stringent visa requirements--if you are allowed in at all. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to the airport in Bangkok and seen US citizens fighting with the airline ticket agent because they didn’t realize they need a visa before setting foot on a plane to Vietnam.
Dont forget to find out about money. Some countries do take US Dollars, but most don’t. Some places give you change at the immigration counter, most don’t. Again, I’ve seen plenty of fellow Americans pleading with immigration officers to accept their US Dollars as if it were universal currency. Don't be that person.
Working in a Foreign Country
The other key aspect of immigration is your work status. Your visa will strictly regulate how much you are allowed to legally work. For example, in Ireland a student with a US passport can work freely up to 20 hours per week during the school year and more during summer break. The spouse of that student, however, is not allowed to work at all.
By contrast, a student with a US passport in Thailand is prohibited from working altogether. Non-students with a work permit have to be aware that if they quit their job, they lose the visa and work permit immediately and are forced to leave the country within 7 days. Know the laws of your new country. Google it.
Note to digital nomads: Lots of countries consider working online illegal. Even if your work is for an employer outside the country, it’s technically not allowed. Same goes for volunteer work.
Life Isn’t Fair
Remember, not all countries have stable immigration laws or ethical oversight. In the 4 years I lived in Thailand, laws concerning my status changed every 6 months. This is the gamble.
Working in a Foreign Country
The other key aspect of immigration is your work status. Your visa will strictly regulate how much you are allowed to legally work. For example, in Ireland a student with a US passport can work freely up to 20 hours per week during the school year and more during summer break. The spouse of that student, however, is not allowed to work at all.
By contrast, a student with a US passport in Thailand is prohibited from working altogether. Non-students with a work permit have to be aware that if they quit their job, they lose the visa and work permit immediately and are forced to leave the country within 7 days. Know the laws of your new country. Google it.
 |
| on a trip to Vientiane, Laos to apply for my work permit--which cannot be done from inside of Thailand |
 |
| this is what a Thai work permit looks like |
Note to digital nomads: Lots of countries consider working online illegal. Even if your work is for an employer outside the country, it’s technically not allowed. Same goes for volunteer work.
Life Isn’t Fair
Remember, not all countries have stable immigration laws or ethical oversight. In the 4 years I lived in Thailand, laws concerning my status changed every 6 months. This is the gamble.
 |
| the wait for visa extensions in Jang Wattana, Thailand takes between 1 and 7 hours 😇 |
Not all countries function according to the written law. Sometimes you have to hope your immigration officer is having a good day. You cannot convince a foreign official that just because the website says XYZ, they have to honor it. Getting angry or indignant will make things worse. Trust.
Research ahead of time and be familiar with typical issues. You need to cope in these circumstances without spoiling your plans. Immigration is probably the #1 area where your research can make--or break--your future in your new home.
Click here to read the next part in the Ultimate Guide to Moving Abroad series.
No comments:
Post a Comment