FINDING A PERMANENT JOB ABROAD

There are many reasons why you might want to emigrate to one of the countries where World Unite! is active, such as the thirst for adventure, better wheather conditions, a romantic relationship abroad, or push-factors such as fear of terrorism and violence, or a more challenging work environment at home.

We have been receiving an increasing number of inquiries about emigration. People want to know about their chances of permanently (or for an extended period) staying in one of the countries where World Unite! operates and finding a stable job there.

Since remote work has become possible for many people through home office arrangements, there has been a rise in inquiries about long-term stays abroad. Visa and labor law-related questions are of particular interest in these cases.

Tips for a Successful Fresh Start Abroad:

Do networking and recommend yourself to potential employers

In the countries where we operate, it is usually difficult or even impossible to find a paid job from home if you have never been there, are unfamiliar with the country, and don't know many people there. Therefore, we recommend starting with an internship, volunteer work, or Working Holiday (if you can get a Working Holiday Visa) in your desired country for a few months. This allows you to become familiar with the life and work in that particular country.

During this time, work hard to prove your capability and motivation to secure a permanent job. This may lead to a full-time position within the same organization or provide references for other employers in the desired country. Additionally, make an effort to network with people in the same industry and earn recommendations through your excellent performance. Many of our former participants have succeeded in this way.

Professional qualifications and good work are essential, as many countries already have an abundance of low-skilled workers. If you can't succeed professionally at home, it is unlikely that you will be successful abroad, where it may even be more challenging than at home.

Intercultural skills 

Intercultural skills are crucial for a successful life and work in a new country. You must be able to recognize and adapt to the fact that many things, such as problem-solving approaches and communication styles, differ significantly from your home country. Failure to do so can lead to frustration and the abandonment of your plans. At World Unite!, we put effort into intercultural preparation by providing you with various materials and videos tailored to your destination country.

Emotional stability

Sometimes, we encounter participants in our programs who are dissatisfied with their lives and find everything in their home country "terrible." At the same time, they idealize the country where they want to stay for a longer time or permanently, having unrealistically high expectations of a "better life" there. It is important to be aware that no country in the world is "perfect," and challenges exist everywhere. Emotional stability is required to overcome such difficulties. Although we can of course not fully take this responsibility for you, by participating in World Unite!, you are less reliant on yourself. We have staff members who are familiar with the challenges faced by foreigners in the respective country and can provide you with appropriate advice. Additionally, there are other participants in similar situations with whom you can exchange experiences. We organize regular meetings and activities for our participants at our destinations. Moreover, there are groups on WhatsApp or Line where participants can communicate and make plans.

Language skills

Solid language skills are equally essential. For many countries and many jobs, English alone is not enough, but you should have a secure command of the language spoken in your destination country (e.g. Japan, South Korea, and Latin America). World Unite! organizes language lessons in all the countries where we operate.

Visa and employment regulations

You should research the visa requirements for your planned endeavor abroad. We are familiar with visa regulations in the countries where we operate and can provide you with appropriate advice.

Japan

Japan is socially stable, one of the safest countries in the world, and offers high living standards and salaries.

However, in international comparison, Japan is relatively isolated with limited immigration due to its restrictive immigration policies. Obtaining long-term visas for Japan is not impossible, but it is also not easy.

To find an employee job in Japan for stays longer than the one year allowed by the Working Holiday Visa for 18-30-year-olds of some nationalities, you need an employer who is willing to hire you. Building a good relationship with an employer is essential. This can be achieved through an internship or a temporary working holiday job. The employer must then apply for a Certificate of Eligibility in Japan for a different visa, which allows for long-term employment. This is generally only possible, except for a few sectors facing labor shortages, if you have at least a bachelor's degree. We have numerous participants who have stayed in Japan after their working holiday year and now live there on a different visa.

If you want to be employed by a typical Japanese employer, it is important to understand Japanese work culture and communication styles, which requires time and effort. We recommend this option to people who have a special fascination for Japan and who are willing to put in the effort to learn the language. Advanced Japanese language skills are essential for most jobs.

For teaching positions, Japanese language skills are not required. However, if you want to teach English, you should be a native speaker. The salaries for English language teachers in Japan are not as high as they were 20-30 years ago.

For those who work remotely and do not require a Japanese employer, it is possible to stay in Japan for at least one year with the Working Holiday Visa (if you are between 18-30 years old). In many rural regions, there are "Akiyas" (abandoned houses due to the shrinking population) that can be purchased at a very low cost. There are also government programs that support individuals, including foreigners, who are willing to renovate and live in such an akiya or start smaller or larger businesses, providing advisory and financial assistance.

Participating in our programs such as Working Holiday, internships, volunteering, and language lessons is suitable for all such endeavors to familiarize yourself with the local situation and then pursue a longer-term stay as a second step.

South Korea

As long as the conflict with North Korea does not escalate, South Korea is a very safe country with a high standard of living.

Similar to Japan, a clear understanding of Korean work and life culture, as well as language skills, are required for most long-term jobs there and to obtain a visa. No knowledge of Korean is expected for foreign language teachers, and salaries for language teacher jobs are higher compared to Japan.

Through joining our Working Holiday program in South Korea, you can get to know the country and then decide if you want to live there longer and establish the necessary contacts or recommendations for employment.

China

Since the reopening of China after the COVID-19 pandemic, obtaining visas for longer stays has become more challenging. For work visas, a minimum of a bachelor's degree or equivalent educational qualification is now required, which must have been completed two years before applying for the visa.

However, with such a work visa, one can stay in China for up to 3 years, and the earning opportunities for foreign language teachers and teachers of other subjects in English at international schools are significantly higher than in Japan and South Korea. You must be a native English speaker to secure these positions at international schools. The salary for these teaching positions at international schools allows for a very comfortable life in Chinese cities.

Opportunities also exist as service staff in luxury hotels, which often hire Western foreigners for roles in hotel and hospitality with customer interaction. There are visas available for these positions as well, allowing for a multi-year stay in China.

India

Especially in metropolises like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, there are opportunities for foreigners to find jobs, such as with international companies or companies that provide services for expatriates, such as real estate, finance, and education. Those who understand the dynamics and opportunities here can make good progress in their careers.

However, salaries for employees in India are low compared to international standards. At the same time, the cost of living is much lower, and unlike the African countries where we operate, Indian cities offer a range of shopping and leisure activities comparable to the more developed countries. However, to be able to live there for many years, one must truly enjoy the atmosphere of crowded Indian cities.

Visa-wise, India imposes fewer obstacles compared to other countries.

We organize various internships and volunteer placements in India that you can take advantage of to familiarize yourself with India as a work and living environment.

Tanzania & Zanzibar

Tanzania is a rapidly developing country that offers excellent opportunities for individuals who are qualified and motivated to achieve something. Tourism is one of the industries that generate revenue and employment. In Dar es Salaam, many other sectors thrive, such as logistics, trade, finance, industry, and real estate.

Since 2015, however, in order to secure jobs for his fellow citizens, former President Magufuli has made it significantly more difficult for foreigners to live in Tanzania long-term. It has become not only more challenging but also more expensive for foreigners to obtain appropriate visas and work permits. You can only get visas for positions that require a higher qualification level for which the employer can demonstrate that they cannot find a qualified Tanzanian. When renewing the work permit, the employer must prove that the foreign professional is training a Tanzanian to eventually take over the job within a specified period (generally within 2 years). This makes it more difficult but not impossible to maintain long-term employment in Tanzania.

Jobs in fields such as education, social work, and healthcare are difficult due to low wages and legal conditions. A nurse or teacher, for example, receives a salary in Tanzania that does not allow for the same standard of living as in Europe or North America.

For those capable of working independently and with an entrepreneurial mindset, there are tremendous opportunities in Tanzania, such as in industrial production, food production, agriculture, and trade. However, this should be carefully considered, and one needs time in the country to establish trustworthy contacts and understand the dynamics.

By participating in an internship or volunteer placement with World Unite! in Tanzania and/or Zanzibar, you can get to know the country and lay the foundation for your new life in sunny, warm, and friendly East Africa.

Morocco

Morocco has long been a country where many foreigners settle, especially from France and Spain. If you have a good command of Spanish or French, there are opportunities to find employment as a language teacher or in other teaching professions. Due to its proximity to Spain and the EU, manufacturing for technology and engineering (such as the automotive industry) has been established in Moroccan free trade zones and near major ports like Tanger Med, offering jobs in the fields of technology, engineering, and IT. Good knowledge of French is not necessarily required, but it is of advantage.

By staying in Morocco with World Unite!, you can familiarize yourself with the country, take language classes, and network locally.

Nicaragua and Bolivia

Nicaragua and Bolivia are common countries for those who are tired of the hustle and bustle at home. It is possible to find simple jobs in Nicaragua or Bolivia, such as working as a receptionist at a backpacker hostel or as a bartender in a tourist bar. However, the salaries for such jobs are very low, and it is questionable whether one would want to do this for an extended period.

Other, more demanding jobs are scarce and may only be found in the field of international development cooperation for foreign organizations operating in the respective country, if one is suitably qualified and experienced.

Jobs in education, social work, healthcare, etc., are difficult due to low wages and legal conditions.

Opportunities may arise if you have the ability to be self-employed, particularly in tourism, trade, IT, and other growth industries. However, you must have a good understanding of the respective markets. An internship or volunteering placement in Nicaragua or Bolivia will provide you with the opportunity to network in the country and enter the job market. It is essential that you have a good command of Spanish. Both fluency in the Spanish language and an understanding of the culture are crucial foundations for successful settlement.