Working Abroad How To Making Money From Anywhere In The World
There are a variety of ways to earn income when working abroad that does not violate its labor laws. The work may technically be done in-country but the payment for services would be from another country. Although most jobs would require you to work online there are a few that you can manage to perform without the need of the internet. See our blog "How To Work In Costa Rica" for information about regular in-country employment.
Offline Work
Most opportunities for remote work lie in the online space; however, there are a few jobs that can be performed without the use of the internet. These jobs are generally focussed toward artistic types. Although the work will be done offline you may need the internet to send the product of your labor to your employer or client. If not you will probably need to research shipping availability and cost. A couple of examples of legal offline work would be as a writer or artist. You would need to receive the compensation for your manuscript, song, or artwork from customers through your home country but it is possible
Telecommuting
Many large corporations are reducing expenses by reducing the cost of office space for their employees. The advances in technology and telecommunications have allowed for video teleconferencing granting meeting attendees the ability to keep strong communication to include reading gestures and facial expressions without physical presence. The transition to reduced facilities along with technology solutions provide increasing opportunities for telecommuting. If you are an office worker you may want to consider if your job requires you to actually be in the office. If you do not interface directly with clients or have to be physically present to perform your duties you can suggest converting your present position to a telecommute scenario.
How to pursue the transition out of the office
Should you decide to approach your current employer to ask about telecommuting options be sure to approach it from the perspective of the benefits to the company more than what's in it for you.
Things like:
- reduced cost of office space
- more productive and happier workforce
- reduction in commute time providing a workforce that is fresh and ready to work
- flexible work schedules to assist clients outside of standard hours
- reduction in the need for time off
- increased employee loyalty
- the potential for global workforce allowing for the best employees possible
How to start working online
Online work is the most common and most hassle-free option of income when working abroad for non-residents. The internet is packed with jobs allowing you to work online and many allow you to set your own hours. There are several freelance and virtual jobs offering the freedom and flexibility that allow you to experience the true "Pura Vida" lifestyle. These jobs are paid through the host country and thus fall under the labor laws of that country, not Costa Rica. With direct deposit and bank transfers, you are able to access the earnings from your work and potentially limit the foreign income liabilities that would otherwise accompany working in Costa Rica.
Working from home online
If this sounds appealing to you I would recommend you take stock of your skills and experience and start searching for jobs that meet your abilities and desires. It may be a chance for you to try a new career in an industry you had not considered before. You can find a variety of positions in a wide range of fields on sites like upwork.com and fiver.com.
You can also use your favorite search engine to find online positions in the field you're interested in and receive many options. Depending on the job you may need degrees, certifications or specialized training; however, several jobs can be performed with little to no prior experience. If credentials are required, you can usually complete online courses to receive whatever qualification is needed. Often you can learn what you need simply by watching some free Youtube videos. The following is a brief list of online jobs we know are available to help you brainstorm options you wish to pursue.
Job Types
Working from home online
One benefit of these types of jobs is that you can try them before you rely on them. If you are not sure if you can support yourself with the income from one or a couple of these sources you can try them while still in your current position and transition to them full time prior to your relocation.
E-Commerce
It takes minimal research to see the trend in shopping shift from brick and mortar to click and order. Many major retailers, some previous fortune 500 companies, are closing their doors or reducing the number of physical stores due to the increase in online shopping. Although there are some major players in the online shopping space, there are still many opportunities to make huge profits from niche business or being able to provide better pricing and/or service than the competition.
Working remotely can provide you a legal solution for income with the freedom and flexibility to experience more of what Costa Rica has to offer than traditional employment options. It may take some research, time, and energy on your part but the benefits can be well worth the effort.
