How Does a U.S. Citizen Legally Work Overseas?

Taxes and U.S. Citizens Working Overseas

U.S. citizens may legally work in foreign countries at their discretion without any explicit permission by the U.S. government. The primary concern of the U.S. government pertaining its citizens working abroad is the payment of taxes. A U.S. citizen working for a U.S. company abroad will generally have a portion of their wages taken out for taxes as they would in the U.S., but a citizen working for themselves for or foreign companies will not. A citizen living and working abroad can be exempted for some or all of the tax owed to the U.S. government, which depends on how long they work abroad, and the tax policy of the foreign country. This exemption is primarily to ease the burden of double taxation on a worker, bestowing a tax credit for taxes paid to the foreign country.

Requirements of Foreign Nations for U.S. Workers

For a U.S. citizen, the more difficult part of working abroad legally is following the requisite laws of the foreign country in which they plan to work. Since U.S. citizens usually have jobs before going to work abroad, and are already citizens of a rich country, it is relatively easy for them to get legal access to work in most friendly nations. Gaining work privileges usually involves attaining a temporary work visa from a consulate or embassy, which may be renewed if the duration of the work in the foreign country requires it.

Abiding by Foreign Laws

Apart from the laws of legally entering a foreign country to work, a U.S. citizen must also abide by the laws the foreign country expects all its citizens to observe. Something that is legal in the U.S., might be illegal in another country, so it is advisable to learn the basic form of government a country in which one plans to work, as well as its basic laws. In general, westernized countries will have laws similar to the U.S., so working in England or Germany, for instance, would not require a great deal of eduction or difference in behavior. Certain eastern countries however, have for more strict laws, and careful attention should be made to keep them. For example, spitting is illegal in some Asian countries, and can result in a fine up to $1000 in Singapore, a country which is notorious for its strict laws.