12 Countries Where It's Easy to Work Abroad

Working abroad can be a life changing experience, one that exposes you to new cultures and allows you to acquire valuable job skills in the process. And according to GoAbroad, an online search engine for international travel programs, there's never been a better time to explore such an opportunity than 2019 thanks to the decreasing cost of flights, the ease of obtaining work visas increasing, and the proliferation of available opportunities. Here's a look at some of the best places to work abroad according to data from both GoAbroad and the shared-workspace company WeWork.

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This country is actively seeking to attract foreign entrepreneurs, and 2019 just may be the time to head abroad and test your small-business plan. The country is particularly welcoming to foreign innovators and scientists, and it will allow such individuals to apply for a one-year residency under the Modern Migration Policy Act. The Netherlands also encourages self-employed Americans to take up residency via the Dutch American Friendship Treaty under which you can live and work in the country. There is no maximum age for this opportunity, and it also allows for sponsoring a spouse or children.

South Korea is GoAbroad's No. 1 choice for working internationally. According to the site, jobs teaching English are plentiful in the country, and there's plenty of government support and funding for such opportunities. As for the best way to obtain such a gig, GoAbroad recommends applying via Greenheart Travel, a company that has worked alongside the South Korean Ministry of Education and the South Korean National Institute of International Education for more than seven years to facilitate the application process.

Ireland may be a good option if you're an undergraduate, graduate student or someone who finished school within the past 12 months. The U.S.-Ireland Working Holiday Authorization allows U.S. citizens to work and travel in the country for up to 12 months. The agreement, inked in 2008, was created to allow those who wish to travel for an extended period of time in Ireland to engage in employment as an incidental part of that travel.

Yet another top choice from GoAbroad thanks to the abundance of high-paying jobs, Spain offers such gigs as teaching English, childcare, or working in tourism. In order to snag a gig in this competitive destination, it's a good idea to have solid Spanish speaking skills, though, GoAbroad says. One of the best ways to land a job in Spain is via the many work abroad programs that help foreigners obtain temporary employment. Top options include PremierTEFL and Instituto Hemingway's Hospitality Jobs.

New Zealand offers a variety of temporary work visas including opportunities for professionals who have in-demand skills and working-holiday visas that allow young people (generally 18 to 30 years old) to travel in work the country for up to 12 months, or 23 months for those from the U.K. or Canada. In order to qualify for the holiday visa, you must have enough money to pay for a return airline ticket and be coming to New Zealand mainly to travel, with work being a secondary goal.

Traveling Down Under to work abroad is a wildly popular choice, according to GoAbroad. Australia makes it easy to engage in short-term work via its working-holiday visa, which is aimed at travelers between 18 and 30 years old who want to travel to Australia and work to support themselves. This visa lasts for 12 months and allows working in any occupation for any employer during a stay in Australia. There are also agencies that will help place you in short-term jobs throughout the country, says GoAbroad, which recommends checking out Oysters Worldwide.

A top recommendation from GoAbroad, Italy's employment opportunities range from teaching English to child care or chaperoning at summer camps. For those who can speak Italian, the possibilities are even more abundant and might include businesses, agricultural exports or fashion jobs. As for where to get started, GoAbroad recommends checking out Total Nannies (at least for those who are interested in childcare). WorkAway lists even more options including working for families and teaching English.

Megan Markle isn't the only one who can skip across the pond and take up residence in England. For those who aren't marrying a prince, there are plenty of casual jobs in the country, according to GoAbroad. Popular fields here include business, hospitality and childcare. To get your foot in the door, reach out to Jobs and Internships Abroad, which has three job placement programs in London. The company also offers an English Riviera Placement program that after a language skills assessment test, guarantees job placement in the south of England.

Want to spend some time living and working in Berlin specifically? The city offers a residence permit for the purpose of self-employment that covers those who are founders of a company, sole proprietors, and managing directors or legal representative of partnerships or corporations. The city is most open to applications from those whose occupation is expected to have a positive impact on the economy or when an economic or regional need exists. The city also offers work visas for freelance employment for those who are artists, writers, language teachers and more.

Opportunities in France for those seeking to work abroad range from teaching to being an au pair to even working on a vineyard. The gigs typically last no more than a year, GoAbroad says. The outfit Speaking-Agency places applicants in babysitting or teaching jobs. Each year the company offers more than 2,500 such opportunities, including part-time positions, but non-EU applicants will need French work visas. The placements are in major cities.

China's economy is growing by leaps and bounds, and the work-abroad opportunities in China range from business to education and performing arts, with the need for English teachers being perhaps highest. English-speaking au pairs are also another plentiful choice. Teach Away and also LoPair Au Pair China are both companies that can help you get started.

Want to work abroad without jetting off to a far-flung destination? Look no further than our neighbor to the north. GoAbroad says Canada offers both casual and professional work opportunities for foreigners. The country is also notable for its high standard of living. Want to increase your chances of landing a job here? Obtain your TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) certification, which will help open doors to jobs in popular Canadian cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. GoAbroad lists a variety of program opportunities in Canada.

Figuring out how to work abroad can be overwhelming. GoAbroad offers a variety of tips to help navigate the process and effectively apply. Some of the key starting points include creating a solid resume, conducting substantial research, and applying to numerous companies and positions. And before you make any decisions, make sure to read the reviews about the company or job in question.

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