Tips for working remotely abroad for a few months?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can probably do this under the radar easily.

If you were to do it above board there might be work visa and tax issues.

I would t post anything on social media about being or working there.

JFC do not listen to this person.

Depending on your company, there are certain areas that will be flagged immediately. And you will be let go immediately.

At my co, that’s anywhere in
Russia, India, & China.

They will know where you are logging in from, unless you are going to great lengths to mask it. And even then, if you have not been honest & they find out you are working from Ireland, they may let you go because you were not being transparent.
Best scenario is to talk to your manager & HR. I have a coworker who has been working his way across the EU - airbnbs for 3 months at a time or whatever the visa requirements are in the country, and it’s worked out well. But you have to make sure you are going to approved places.

[Anonymous]

Some of the replies on this thread are wild.

I work for a company that sounds similar to OP's. We are authorized by the company to work remotely (as in away from our homes, not just telework) up to 11 weeks per year, including 6 outside the US. There are some restrictions on that, but not many. The company operates in all 50 states and in hundreds of countries around the world, so most legal and technology issues are easy to resolve

I know many people who have done it. Most people go abroad for 1 or 2 months because it's much cheaper to rent apartments or houses on a monthly basis. If they do two months, they combine it with a couple weeks of vacation. Europe is a popular destination because it's a pretty easy place to live, internet access is a non-issue, and we have offices throughout Europe so it's easy to drop into an office for a day if you need to fit any reason.

There are zero tax implications because the stats are too short. I am not clear on the visa situation, I think it varies a bit. I know Spain and Portugal offer digital nomad visas that explicitly authorized work and also clarify tax implications (under 90 days and you have no tax obligations). I think other countries allow you to work on a tourist visa, but it depends

In any case, our company has resources to ensure you do this on the up and up. I know some people have had their requests denied for visa or logistical reasons-- the company wants you somewhere with proper IT resources and there are some counties off limits for visa or work authorization limits.

But the people flipping out about working for a few weeks in Europe are not well informed. People do that all the time.

[Anonymous]

You can’t do this in every country or for every employer. Years ago we moved overseas. My job was willing to keep me on remote, but the country I was moving to was the issue. Had I moved to a different country (one that my company had offices in) it wouldn’t have been an issue.

[Anonymous]

You can do this in Belize, though I probably wouldn’t consider summer there to be the best choice. It’s hot and rainy. But you can be there in a tourist visa and work in the US. No tax implications in Belize and you just pay your US taxes as normal. However, the tourist visa is only good for 30 days and you will need to reup it every 30 days. It’s $100/month for the reup. The belizians realize that they get the benefit of you being there spending your US cash. You absolutely cannot work there but clearly you don’t need to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of the replies on this thread are wild.

I work for a company that sounds similar to OP's. We are authorized by the company to work remotely (as in away from our homes, not just telework) up to 11 weeks per year, including 6 outside the US. There are some restrictions on that, but not many. The company operates in all 50 states and in hundreds of countries around the world, so most legal and technology issues are easy to resolve

I know many people who have done it. Most people go abroad for 1 or 2 months because it's much cheaper to rent apartments or houses on a monthly basis. If they do two months, they combine it with a couple weeks of vacation. Europe is a popular destination because it's a pretty easy place to live, internet access is a non-issue, and we have offices throughout Europe so it's easy to drop into an office for a day if you need to fit any reason.

There are zero tax implications because the stats are too short. I am not clear on the visa situation, I think it varies a bit. I know Spain and Portugal offer digital nomad visas that explicitly authorized work and also clarify tax implications (under 90 days and you have no tax obligations). I think other countries allow you to work on a tourist visa, but it depends

In any case, our company has resources to ensure you do this on the up and up. I know some people have had their requests denied for visa or logistical reasons-- the company wants you somewhere with proper IT resources and there are some counties off limits for visa or work authorization limits.

But the people flipping out about working for a few weeks in Europe are not well informed. People do that all the time.

People may do it all the time, but they are often lying when they enter the country and saying they are there as tourists when in fact they are there to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
There are no tax issues or anything at play if it's less than 90 days, people! OP will be on a waiver, not even a tourist visa, for most countries where OP might want to go that also have a great internet connection.

Check the internet connection, OP. That's the most critical thing. We spent a few months in France last year, and the most picturesque, non-urban locations may not have the wifi you want. It's the first thing we clarified with every AirBnB we wanted to rent.

This is just wrong. Completely wrong, as are all the responses from PPs saying that there are no issues with being a digital nomad. Ignoring the laws and having no repercussions doesn’t make something legal. For most countries, you cannot work - even for a foreign employer- while on a tourist visa. Yes, laws are largely ignored by Americans but tourists visas aren’t meant to allow you work and residence.

The tax implications for the US employer are quite real. Again, often ignored and difficult to track but still applicable

-immigration/employment atty

Americans don't need tourist visas for most countries and can stay up to 90 days. My company encourages working abroad for up to 10wks a year. We have a Global Work Advisor who you need to work through but I have never had my request denied. We just do EU countries. This is a completely US based company.

This is what annoys me about this thread: the entitled, arrogant American response. I know PP believes this, most Americans do. They completely believe that it is their RIGHT to go to any country and stay and work on a TOURIST visa because - well - they're rich, white Americans with enough disposable income to allow them to do it. Just so you know, tourist visas are only permissible for tourist activities during that 90 day period. They do not encompass work, even if it is virtual for a foreign based employer.

What I find crazy about this thread is all the PPs who insist that they can go work virtually in a foreign country as tourists. But just imagine for a hot second if Mexicans, Syrians, Liberians, Nigerians, or other nationality were to dare enter the US as tourists and claim their right to work as a digital nomad. It's considered a violation of status and ground for revocation of that tourist visa. In most cases, work (of any kind) is a violation of the terms of your tourist visa - particularly in visa waiver status. Yes, there are some countries that allow it but you must do the research on that. For example, I think some Caribbean nations were permitting it explicitly to draw tourism dollars.

There are some EU nations that offer a specific "digital nomad" style visa. Italy is one of them. you must apply for that visa specifically and submit evidence of your current US based income. This will grant the type of work authorization that would be needed for a virtual worker. It does not grant work authorization in country for domestic employers.

The point is that Americans think they can do anything at any time where the reality is that there are laws that you should be looking to for guidance. We just like to ignore them. Because 'Merica.

I think the original poster talking about not getting a work visa was referring to Medellín, and then a know it all chimed in. In many countries, like Colombia, there is a big difference between what the law says and what pretty much everyone does. You can stay for 6 months without a visa and nobody cares what you are doing, nor do you pay any taxes to Colombia. I have no idea how this impacts their employer. Or you can get a 2yr digital nomad visa. But lunatic Petro changes the rules all the time. It's not because of "Murica." It's because that's how things work in that country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. Good advice - it's appreciated.

I have scant details, but apparently my company grants 90 day tourist visas for remote workers (we're based in the US). A few folks on my team will apparently be taking advantage of this and I think it sounds like a great idea, too.

Omg. OP. You can’t be serious. You think *your company* grants visas to other countries??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
There are no tax issues or anything at play if it's less than 90 days, people! OP will be on a waiver, not even a tourist visa, for most countries where OP might want to go that also have a great internet connection.

Check the internet connection, OP. That's the most critical thing. We spent a few months in France last year, and the most picturesque, non-urban locations may not have the wifi you want. It's the first thing we clarified with every AirBnB we wanted to rent.

This is just wrong. Completely wrong, as are all the responses from PPs saying that there are no issues with being a digital nomad. Ignoring the laws and having no repercussions doesn’t make something legal. For most countries, you cannot work - even for a foreign employer- while on a tourist visa. Yes, laws are largely ignored by Americans but tourists visas aren’t meant to allow you work and residence.

The tax implications for the US employer are quite real. Again, often ignored and difficult to track but still applicable

-immigration/employment atty

Americans don't need tourist visas for most countries and can stay up to 90 days. My company encourages working abroad for up to 10wks a year. We have a Global Work Advisor who you need to work through but I have never had my request denied. We just do EU countries. This is a completely US based company.

This is what annoys me about this thread: the entitled, arrogant American response. I know PP believes this, most Americans do. They completely believe that it is their RIGHT to go to any country and stay and work on a TOURIST visa because - well - they're rich, white Americans with enough disposable income to allow them to do it. Just so you know, tourist visas are only permissible for tourist activities during that 90 day period. They do not encompass work, even if it is virtual for a foreign based employer.

What I find crazy about this thread is all the PPs who insist that they can go work virtually in a foreign country as tourists. But just imagine for a hot second if Mexicans, Syrians, Liberians, Nigerians, or other nationality were to dare enter the US as tourists and claim their right to work as a digital nomad. It's considered a violation of status and ground for revocation of that tourist visa. In most cases, work (of any kind) is a violation of the terms of your tourist visa - particularly in visa waiver status. Yes, there are some countries that allow it but you must do the research on that. For example, I think some Caribbean nations were permitting it explicitly to draw tourism dollars.

There are some EU nations that offer a specific "digital nomad" style visa. Italy is one of them. you must apply for that visa specifically and submit evidence of your current US based income. This will grant the type of work authorization that would be needed for a virtual worker. It does not grant work authorization in country for domestic employers.

The point is that Americans think they can do anything at any time where the reality is that there are laws that you should be looking to for guidance. We just like to ignore them. Because 'Merica.

If someone came from another country and stayed only six weeks I wouldn't care if they worked or not.

That’s cool that you don’t care but the State Department and USCIS do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
There are no tax issues or anything at play if it's less than 90 days, people! OP will be on a waiver, not even a tourist visa, for most countries where OP might want to go that also have a great internet connection.

Check the internet connection, OP. That's the most critical thing. We spent a few months in France last year, and the most picturesque, non-urban locations may not have the wifi you want. It's the first thing we clarified with every AirBnB we wanted to rent.

This is just wrong. Completely wrong, as are all the responses from PPs saying that there are no issues with being a digital nomad. Ignoring the laws and having no repercussions doesn’t make something legal. For most countries, you cannot work - even for a foreign employer- while on a tourist visa. Yes, laws are largely ignored by Americans but tourists visas aren’t meant to allow you work and residence.

The tax implications for the US employer are quite real. Again, often ignored and difficult to track but still applicable

-immigration/employment atty

Americans don't need tourist visas for most countries and can stay up to 90 days. My company encourages working abroad for up to 10wks a year. We have a Global Work Advisor who you need to work through but I have never had my request denied. We just do EU countries. This is a completely US based company.

This is what annoys me about this thread: the entitled, arrogant American response. I know PP believes this, most Americans do. They completely believe that it is their RIGHT to go to any country and stay and work on a TOURIST visa because - well - they're rich, white Americans with enough disposable income to allow them to do it. Just so you know, tourist visas are only permissible for tourist activities during that 90 day period. They do not encompass work, even if it is virtual for a foreign based employer.

What I find crazy about this thread is all the PPs who insist that they can go work virtually in a foreign country as tourists. But just imagine for a hot second if Mexicans, Syrians, Liberians, Nigerians, or other nationality were to dare enter the US as tourists and claim their right to work as a digital nomad. It's considered a violation of status and ground for revocation of that tourist visa. In most cases, work (of any kind) is a violation of the terms of your tourist visa - particularly in visa waiver status. Yes, there are some countries that allow it but you must do the research on that. For example, I think some Caribbean nations were permitting it explicitly to draw tourism dollars.

There are some EU nations that offer a specific "digital nomad" style visa. Italy is one of them. you must apply for that visa specifically and submit evidence of your current US based income. This will grant the type of work authorization that would be needed for a virtual worker. It does not grant work authorization in country for domestic employers.

The point is that Americans think they can do anything at any time where the reality is that there are laws that you should be looking to for guidance. We just like to ignore them. Because 'Merica.

If someone came from another country and stayed only six weeks I wouldn't care if they worked or not.

That’s cool that you don’t care but the State Department and USCIS do.

Not surprisingly, our self proclaimed attorney/immigration expert can't differentiate between the law and real life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
There are no tax issues or anything at play if it's less than 90 days, people! OP will be on a waiver, not even a tourist visa, for most countries where OP might want to go that also have a great internet connection.

Check the internet connection, OP. That's the most critical thing. We spent a few months in France last year, and the most picturesque, non-urban locations may not have the wifi you want. It's the first thing we clarified with every AirBnB we wanted to rent.

This is just wrong. Completely wrong, as are all the responses from PPs saying that there are no issues with being a digital nomad. Ignoring the laws and having no repercussions doesn’t make something legal. For most countries, you cannot work - even for a foreign employer- while on a tourist visa. Yes, laws are largely ignored by Americans but tourists visas aren’t meant to allow you work and residence.

The tax implications for the US employer are quite real. Again, often ignored and difficult to track but still applicable

-immigration/employment atty

Americans don't need tourist visas for most countries and can stay up to 90 days. My company encourages working abroad for up to 10wks a year. We have a Global Work Advisor who you need to work through but I have never had my request denied. We just do EU countries. This is a completely US based company.

This is what annoys me about this thread: the entitled, arrogant American response. I know PP believes this, most Americans do. They completely believe that it is their RIGHT to go to any country and stay and work on a TOURIST visa because - well - they're rich, white Americans with enough disposable income to allow them to do it. Just so you know, tourist visas are only permissible for tourist activities during that 90 day period. They do not encompass work, even if it is virtual for a foreign based employer.

What I find crazy about this thread is all the PPs who insist that they can go work virtually in a foreign country as tourists. But just imagine for a hot second if Mexicans, Syrians, Liberians, Nigerians, or other nationality were to dare enter the US as tourists and claim their right to work as a digital nomad. It's considered a violation of status and ground for revocation of that tourist visa. In most cases, work (of any kind) is a violation of the terms of your tourist visa - particularly in visa waiver status. Yes, there are some countries that allow it but you must do the research on that. For example, I think some Caribbean nations were permitting it explicitly to draw tourism dollars.

There are some EU nations that offer a specific "digital nomad" style visa. Italy is one of them. you must apply for that visa specifically and submit evidence of your current US based income. This will grant the type of work authorization that would be needed for a virtual worker. It does not grant work authorization in country for domestic employers.

The point is that Americans think they can do anything at any time where the reality is that there are laws that you should be looking to for guidance. We just like to ignore them. Because 'Merica.

If someone came from another country and stayed only six weeks I wouldn't care if they worked or not.

That’s cool that you don’t care but the State Department and USCIS do.

If you are an American citizen, and properly file and pay taxes, I am unclear why State or USCIS would care at all if a small portion of those were earned outside the US, working for US organizations. The legal authorities in the other country may certainly care (although probably not a lot if it's a few weeks of remote work). But why would anyone in the US government? There are no US laws against this sort of thing, assuming you pay US taxes properly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Check to see if your employer has any security-related restrictions on taking your laptop to another country.

+1

My company is super flexible and totally fine with you working anywhere... in the US. And every couple of months someone will email us from Europe and be like "oh, hey, I'm in France and I can't get on the VPN." YUP. And now you just took five unexpected vacation days and everyone is pissed at you.

Was coming here to say this. I have a friend that this happened to.

My organization won’t allow any VPN connections outside U.S.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. Good advice - it's appreciated.

I have scant details, but apparently my company grants 90 day tourist visas for remote workers (we're based in the US). A few folks on my team will apparently be taking advantage of this and I think it sounds like a great idea, too.

Omg. OP. You can’t be serious. You think *your company* grants visas to other countries??

Like I said, I have scant details and I'm obviously new to this. I'm here to learn. Thanks for your contributions.

[Anonymous]

I work remotely in Europe every summer for six weeks (lawyer). Many other lawyers at my firm work abroad for months on end. Your tax home is where you live most of the year. Nobody asks questions unless you are living abroad full-time. Screen for good WiFi. Buy an external monitor locally for comfortable working. Get a good travel insurance plan with kids. Find local camps for kids. Live near public trans and rent a car only when absolutely necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
There are no tax issues or anything at play if it's less than 90 days, people! OP will be on a waiver, not even a tourist visa, for most countries where OP might want to go that also have a great internet connection.

Check the internet connection, OP. That's the most critical thing. We spent a few months in France last year, and the most picturesque, non-urban locations may not have the wifi you want. It's the first thing we clarified with every AirBnB we wanted to rent.

This is just wrong. Completely wrong, as are all the responses from PPs saying that there are no issues with being a digital nomad. Ignoring the laws and having no repercussions doesn’t make something legal. For most countries, you cannot work - even for a foreign employer- while on a tourist visa. Yes, laws are largely ignored by Americans but tourists visas aren’t meant to allow you work and residence.

The tax implications for the US employer are quite real. Again, often ignored and difficult to track but still applicable

-immigration/employment atty

Americans don't need tourist visas for most countries and can stay up to 90 days. My company encourages working abroad for up to 10wks a year. We have a Global Work Advisor who you need to work through but I have never had my request denied. We just do EU countries. This is a completely US based company.

My American cousin did this years ago. The EU country found out, deported her, and she was banned from the country for awhile. When she entered any EU country after she was detained and questioned for hours (for about 2 years after this happened). Fun times.

[Anonymous]

Ditto on checking with your company.
Some companies can’t even have people working in other states, others don’t allow taking laptops out of the country.