Ask HN: How are you working remotely in another country?
I am hoping to work from my second country where I am a citizen of just as the USA. Any advice? Other than the timezone difference, what struggles can I expect?
4 comments
Assuming your US employer is OK with the move, look to your own knowledge of your second country.
How fast, reliable, costly is internet service? Can you get a second reliable service so you have 2 independent links? A second link that still uses the same local/monopoly provider to deliver is not a second link at all. You need to have communications as reliable as possible.
Do you have reliable power? Power reliability affects every country - no matter where you are going, get a minimum of some UPS power coverage and ideally some sort of generator backup. In the UK I had to run for 7 straight days off generator after a storm and my location was one of the very last to get brought back on grid.
Make sure you have a good money transfer provider to get funds to a local bank account, but watch out as many banks will refuse to touch you if you are a US citizen (search past HN for stories of that). Frankly, this could be your biggest problem.
Enjoy the move - it can be surprisingly pleasant to be in a different country. If you start earlier than the US, you can get a lot done before people come online and you will appear to be a miracle worker fixing problems while everyone else is asleep. Conversely, try to avoid coming online /after/ the US as you could appear like a slacker !
How fast, reliable, costly is internet service? Can you get a second reliable service so you have 2 independent links? A second link that still uses the same local/monopoly provider to deliver is not a second link at all. You need to have communications as reliable as possible.
Do you have reliable power? Power reliability affects every country - no matter where you are going, get a minimum of some UPS power coverage and ideally some sort of generator backup. In the UK I had to run for 7 straight days off generator after a storm and my location was one of the very last to get brought back on grid.
Make sure you have a good money transfer provider to get funds to a local bank account, but watch out as many banks will refuse to touch you if you are a US citizen (search past HN for stories of that). Frankly, this could be your biggest problem.
Enjoy the move - it can be surprisingly pleasant to be in a different country. If you start earlier than the US, you can get a lot done before people come online and you will appear to be a miracle worker fixing problems while everyone else is asleep. Conversely, try to avoid coming online /after/ the US as you could appear like a slacker !
Do you know any companies allowing for international remote work?
The problem is the tax pictures. Expect to be a consultant with responsibility on your plate unless there is an existing tax nexus in the second country.
Taxes are the biggest thing. Being a US citizen, you must always file taxes, but not necessarily pay them all. FEIE, and tax reciprocity are available depending on where you live and how long you are gone.
Hire a US accountant to do your US taxes. It will be worth it. But learn the basics before you go and decide what scheme you will be using.
Hire a US accountant to do your US taxes. It will be worth it. But learn the basics before you go and decide what scheme you will be using.
Tax is a PITA. I got a tax guy for that.