A Passport To Anywhere

March 25, 2020

The international freelancing work-from-home paradigm is steadily climbing in numbers. This is largely due to technology, as individuals from multiple industries can work from nearly anywhere in the world.

Whether the change for location is due to outside conditions or an inner need for exploration, the world of global teleworking is here for the taking.

This new type of freedom has inspired many people, especially from 1st-world countries, to dream about a new life in far-off lands. Sure, most of us are familiar with the aphorism "the grass isn't always greener on the other side." And this is true...BUT...maybe on the other side the grass requires less cutting, or there are less weeds to pluck every year."

What the Statistics Say

According to a 2019 international study about global freelancers - the leading countries where freelancers are earning the most are:

-North America where freelancers saw the fastest growth with income up 78 percent annually.

-Next is UK with a 59 percent yearly increase.

-Brazil has seen a 48 percent rise in remote worker's revenue.

-Asia has the highest regional expansion with incomes up 138 percent across several countries, with Pakistan in the lead with a 47 percent increase followed by Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines.

The linked article is very informative and provides a wealth of information on the best tax laws for freelancers by country, freelancing statistics for major economies, and more.

An Itch That Needs Scratching

There's a new spirit of adventure in the air and many people are considering packing up and leaving their native countries. Now that it's possible to earn a living anywhere in the world; why not see what's out there?

So what are some of the suggestions for getting-out-of-dodge? It all depends on where you're headed and what your financial needs are. A cheaper country will mean less expenditures. A more influential country will cost more.

However, there's more to be concerned about than finances when venturing to far-off lands. For example, there's plenty of paperwork and what about the language?

-Will you need a work visa?

-How long will the visa last?

-Can you work without a visa, if so, are there any restrictions?

-Are you familiar with the language?

-If you're working with only one company, is it possible to enter into an agreement to work remotely on a global scale?

These things and more are what you need to consider before making your move as a nomadic freelancer.

If your home country allows it, how about acquiring a 2nd passport? Check the list on this site to see if your country allows dual citizenship. You would be surprised how easy it can be to attain a second passport. Of course, it depends on the country.

Don't lose sight of the fact that such a move is not out of reach for the average person.

Here's what I found:

According to the site Sovereignman.com "Whether it’s escaping an overzealous Covid lockdown, or avoiding riots, civil unrest, and international conflict, 2020 has made one thing crystal clear: there is no downside to having options for where you can live, work, and raise a family. Having multiple passports and citizenships is not so crazy after all. In fact, it’s starting to seem crazy NOT to give yourself this option." In this article, he list The 8 Easiest Citizenships to Get (Including the EU)"

The NomadCapitalist.com says "Having dual citizenship – or even multiple citizenships – is an important step to internationalizing your life so that no single government ‘owns’ you." There's plenty of interesting information in the piece about "Reasons to Become a Dual Citizen" and "Why Do We Have Passports."

Another site, TheInternationalMan.com, has interesting commentary on The Top 7 Reasons Why You Need a Second Passport Today. In one section of the article he says: "Before World War I, you didn’t need a passport for international travel. People simply went wherever they wanted. In many cases, they didn’t need any kind of permission from a government agency. Obviously, that’s not how it works today. Today, governments use passports to document and control their citizens. In my view, the world would be better off without them. Of course, passports are not going away. You will continue to need one to travel. This is why you’re better having more than one."

The above information pertaining to acquiring a second passport is worth considering, seeing that the world is going through such a dramatic shift which may require dramatic changes...!

Good luck on your journey! Have you any other ideas about changing your country's location while freelancing? Make a comment and start the discussion.