For digital nomads taking the leap to live their best international life, there are plenty of ways to make the most of it.
In this article, we’ll focus on what it takes to get paid as an international freelancer, literally and figuratively. We’ve put together some tips for maximizing your earning potential, keeping your financial health in check and equipping you with the right tools to succeed, no matter where your travels takes you.
International freelancing: Know before you go
When it comes to working internationally, not everyone can make it up as they go. It pays to have a game plan, whether you’re hopping around or settling in one spot.
A little pre-research can help take your international freelancing career to new heights.
Visas
For each country you go to, make sure you see the full range of visas open to you. Some countries have unique freelance-specific visas tailored to digital nomads, while others have short-term or business visas for which you might be eligible. Make sure you compare the fees, expectations and terms. And remember to be careful about working while on a tourist visa – the penalties for being found working as a tourist can be severe.
Taxes
Compare how to handle taxes in your new country. If you spend a significant amount of time freelancing in a foreign country, you may become liable to pay taxes, even if you keep residency in your home country. Many countries determine tax residency from how long you spend in their country during a tax year.
It’s worth investigating other tax subjects such as what your home and new host countries consider taxable income (and whether you can avoid it), whether a tax treaty can prevent you paying double, as well as withholding taxes, filing, deductions and exemptions, compliance, and more. Consider talking to a qualified international tax law advisor.
Use your international freelancing connections
Don’t be shy about asking for help from people you know. If you’re heading to a new country, ask your family or friends if they know anyone who can help with any leads. This advice might seem trite, but you’d be surprised how helpful people can be to new freelancers.
If you’re new to networking as an international freelancer, you might find this uncomfortable. But most digital nomads think nothing of asking around to find their next gig and in sharing the goodwill of asking their network. Try it!
Join groups on social media or research events held by co-working spaces or hostels that can give you the first step to meeting people that may be your gateway to your next gig. If you’re freelancing in a niche, investigate tailored forums or spaces, online or in-person, that may help you source more companies or agencies that are open to international freelancers.
And the best referral you can get is someone you’ve just worked for in that new country (who’s happy with your work, that is!)
Let everyone know you’re an international freelancer
It might seem tempting to present yourself as working from your home nation when really you’re in another. You may have good reasons. But in the long-term, it’s worth being transparent.
Firstly, you’ll attract more of the right clients who will understand and accommodate your situation, such as your location, language abilities and round-the-clock availability. Anything can come up at work, so if your employer or client believes you’re back in Bournemouth when really you’re on the beach in Ibiza, that will affect your reputation.
The second reason relates to your network and connections. If someone you know sees you’re based in Spain, they may help connect you to someone out there, which they wouldn’t know to do if they believe you’re in Croydon. Keeping your LinkedIn up to date and your portfolio and resume sharp also helps to sell your international freelancing story.
Another reason involves transparency around pay. Some clients may feel unsure about the red tape of sending an international freelancer money, worrying about shouldering the admin fees. But if you have a multi-currency Zing account, getting paid in the local currency can be a breeze, and one thing less for your client to worry about – as easy as paying a local!
Set up your international freelancing systems
Every international freelancer making bank has a great arsenal of helpful apps and sites to take the worry out of freelancing admin. From invoicing platforms like QuickBooks to keep on top of chasing payments to Upwork for broadening the search for your next international freelancing project.
Another great tool is Zing for making getting paid less of a worry and more of a joy. With wallets in some of the world’s most popular currencies and easy methods for paying abroad, including your own smart multi-currency card, breaking down international borders has never been easier.