Have you ever heard the word “workation”?
A workation is any period spent working in a different country on an employment-based visa. For example, if you’re on a tourist visa and want to work while there, that’s considered a “workation” or travelling on a “working holiday visa”. It’s also possible to get some kind of visa just for the purpose of working abroad—but this isn’t always possible or practical.
Benefits include increased cash flow (you’ll have money coming in as you travel). Flexibility with your schedule and less stress at work because it doesn’t affect your regular routine there.
So Why Take A Workation?
The world is yours to enjoy, looking at the bright side the pandemic taught us that it was possible to work somewhere rather than our office, and perhaps in places where we could never imagine! Nowadays, you can work basically anywhere. In fact, many places have laws that allow people to work there temporarily or permanently. The rise of the ‘Digital Nomad’ is upon us, so make sure you don’t miss out!
But before you pack your bags for another adventure abroad, there are some things you’ll need to know about working remotely.
Where To Start
1. Choose a country that is friendly for Digital Nomads.
Keep in mind that during this trip, work plays an important role. So it is vital that you can always ensure to have a good connection, access to the internet and that the leisure activities are not too distracting.
2. Make a plan!
This is a great approach whether you are a freelancer or work for a company; if this is the case, it will certainly help your employer understand what to expect when you are travelling.
Include things like the number of hours you anticipate working, activities for the day, updates on current projects you’re working on, and deadlines to help you keep track of your job and performance. This comes in handy when updating working strategies or just showing your productivity.
3. Create a working space.
Make sure you have a space where you can concentrate and not be disturbed throughout your working hours. Having an “office” or a defined work location will assist you in getting into the working attitude every morning, as well as increasing your attention span and productivity.
Considering all these characteristics, these countries provide an incredible opportunity to work and travel.
United Kingdom
The UK is a great place to work, and many people choose to live there as well. The favourite for expats is the capital of England, London. If you’re looking for a job in London, or another city in the UK, it’s important that your job requirements are met before applying for a work permit. However, if you have an offer of employment from a British employer, then this can be processed faster than usual. You may also need to apply for an appropriate visa depending on what country your employer lives in and whether they’re willing to sponsor your stay in the UK as well as pay taxes on your behalf while abroad.
South Korea
South Korea is an ideal place to work and travel, as the country has the fastest internet connection speed in the world!
The country has a working holiday visa, H1 Status or Working Holiday Program (WHP) which allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days without having to apply for a visa. After that, you are allowed to stay up to 1 year.
You’ll need to be 18 years of age or older and have proof of sufficient funds (such as savings) that are enough for your trip home at the end of your time in South Korea. There are also restrictions on how much money you can bring into the country, with some countries imposing limits on what they consider “reasonable” amounts worth carrying onto their land when travelling abroad using this type of visa.
There are no income taxes levied by South Korea’s government; however, there is a 10% value-added tax (VAT) rate charged on goods sold within its borders, which may affect those planning on buying things while abroad! The VAT applies equally regardless if one travels within Europe or elsewhere around the world, where VAT rates vary depending upon where one resides.
Australia
Australia is a popular destination for expats, and it’s easy to see why. The country has a strong economy that can support the working class, and its labour laws are very favourable toward foreign workers. For example, there’s no income tax rate on money earned abroad—you only pay taxes when you return home.
Plus, Australia offers health insurance coverage through your employer or another entity (like Medicare), making it easier to get care if something goes wrong while you’re in the country.
The standard of living is also high: Australians have access to excellent healthcare services such as free checkups at public hospitals or even dental checkups! And if you’re looking for an education system that rivals those found in Europe or America? Look no further than Australia’s universities: over 200 institutions offer degrees from bachelor’s degrees to doctorates!
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the most desirable countries to live and work in. There are no restrictions on the number of non-EU citizens who can work there, so you could apply for a permanent residence card and start working immediately. The standard income tax in the Netherlands is 25% for employees, but it’s much lower if your company pays you through a Dutch payroll scheme instead (which most do).
Aside from that, the Netherlands has agreements with many countries, and you may not have to pay taxes on money earned overseas.
Many people opt to emigrate and live permanently in this wonderful country after spending some time there. Many expats fall in love with the Dutch lifestyle because the living standards are so high. The country has a good infrastructure and organization, which allows everything to run smoothly. For example, public transportation is efficient and reliable, making it easy to move throughout the country.
The waste management is excellent, with designated areas for different types of waste and good recycling culture. Not to mention the Dutch cycling culture, which is the cheapest mode of transportation that both benefits the environment and your health! After all of this, perhaps you will consider living in the Netherlands for a while!
New Zealand
This beautiful country is a popular location for working vacations, and it’s an excellent spot to work if you want to travel while making money.
To apply for a New Zealand working holiday visa, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30. The visa enables you to work for up to 12 months depending on your country, UK and Canadian nationals can apply for a 23-month visa. (this is set to change to a 3-year visa up to the age of 35 from next year, but has yet to be finalized)
A great benefit of this visa is that it allows you to work anywhere in the country and in any field! You can find a job to gain experience in your chosen profession or casual work to finance your trip.
You can find jobs on the job board Seek.co.nz or through your local tourism office. If you’re looking for other options, check out these websites: Newzwaland.com – A good resource if you want to know what’s available in New Zealand, as well as how much it costs to Workaway in NZ.
There’s no reason to limit yourself to the North or South Islands when you can visit the majority of New Zealand in 4-8 weeks. Nevertheless, both provide fantastic skiing, surfing, wine, and wildlife. Explore both islands before returning to work, or alternatively, most visas are valid for a year, giving you enough time to experience and explore the magic of this country.
Our Dear Ryan Is a Great Example Of This!
After waiting for years and living through the crazy times of the pandemic, he went on an adventure to New Zealand on a working holiday visa. Luckily, new plans have been made between the UK and NZ governments to make it easier for UK citizens to travel to and get permits in gorgeous New Zealand.
The covid restrictions have been lifted, which is great news for our amazing host and travel guide. Now he can freely explore this amazing country, starting with the “winterless north” of course, and show us beautiful landscapes, adventures, and tips for when we decide to visit this country and start our own workation journey.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a place to live and work, we hope this article has helped. If you’re still on the fence about any of these countries, we recommend that you do your research first before making any commitments or moving abroad. The bottom line is that finding a job and living abroad shouldn’t be taken lightly—it can be a huge challenge! But if you’re ready for it, it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. So what are you waiting for? Get started today.
About the author: Laura is a Search Engine Optimizer, who specializes in Link Building and content creation. Currently, she is part of the SEO team at Young Capital UK.
My name is Ryan Cook and I am the founder of Travel With Cooky. I am a travel enthusiast sharing my top travel tips and destination reviews helping you to travel more for less.
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Hey Ryan, I love this blog! Thank you so much for this insightful article! It’s incredibly helpful to learn about the concept of workation and the various countries that offer opportunities for remote work.
As someone from Australia, it’s especially exciting to see my country highlighted as a fantastic destination for expats and digital nomads. ✈️🌟
Your detailed breakdown of visa requirements and the working environment in each recommended country is invaluable for anyone considering embarking on a workation journey. I appreciate the encouragement to research thoroughly before making any commitments, and I’m feeling inspired to start planning my own workation adventure.
🌍💼✨
On a related note, I recently discovered some incredibly useful backpacks from 🎒 Samsonite that are perfect for traveling and day to day. https://www.samsonite.com.au/backpacks/
They offer the ideal combination of durability, functionality, and style, making them essential companions for any workation or travel endeavor.
Thanks again for sharing such valuable information! 🙌
New Zealand would be my choice. It is both a beautiful place and a natural wonder.