
Remote work and the work from anywhere (WFA) movement has freed travel enthusiasts like never before. No longer must you take time off from work to travel – now, you can take your job with you!
Since the United Kingdom is home to so many beautiful vistas and historic sites, many WFA travellers opt to spend some time here. If that is true in your case, here are a few things you should know before hopping the pond.
1. To Apply in Britain, You’ll Need a CV
If you plan on working remotely, you will likely be communicating with a company in your home country via the internet. If, however, you decide to apply to a British company, your American resume may not be sufficient. Why not?
Resumes are extremely short documents. They do not include as much information as the CV, but they do provide a good starting point. You can use an online CV builder to help you create and format your CV.
If you are applying for a job in the U.K., you may also need a special visa, as discussed below.
2. Get Your Visas in Order
Typically when travelling abroad, you enter countries on a tourist visa. This endorsement on your passport allows you to stay and travel within the country for a set amount of time.
If you plan on staying for less than six months while working remotely for a company in your home country, the UK Visitor Visa will suffice. You can also apply for long-term visit visas of 2, 5, or 10 years, but you will not be permitted to stay for more than 6 months of any given year. “If you are going to the UK as an academic on sabbatical or for research,” you may be able to extend your visa for 12 months.
If you’ve received a job offer in the UK, however, the situation is somewhat different. In this case, you will need to apply for a work visa.
Work visas in the UK fall into four basic categories: short-term, long-term, investor/business/talent, and other. Check out this guide for specifics on what type of work visa might be the best fit for you.
3. Secure Internet Service
Most remote work requires a laptop and a stable internet connection. Fortunately for you, “The UK has one of the highest internet penetration rates in the world. Almost the entire nation has access to the internet with an estimated 62.86 million monthly users in 2021.”
There are “over 5 million Wi-Fi hotspots in the UK,” so it is not difficult to find internet at a café or other public space.
To get internet access on your phone, you can purchase a mobile data SIM card after you arrive in the country. You will have internet access to connect with work contacts and family back home. You will also be able to call and text within the UK (but not internationally) without incurring roaming charges.
Another option is carrying a mobile hotspot such as Solis. Solis offers mobile Wi-Fi in over 100 countries for $99 USD per month.
4. Learn the Laws
When travelling internationally, you should always make yourself aware of how the laws differ from those of your home country. Of course, using common sense and acting as a responsible citizen will most likely keep you out of trouble.
If you have a U.S. driver’s license, for example, you can legally drive in the UK for up to 12 months. However, you will need to familiarise yourself with the rules of the road. For example, you will quickly learn that you’ve spent your entire life driving on the wrong side of the road! Taking the roundabouts will likely also be a new experience for many.
5. Get Travel Health Insurance
According to gov.uk, “Some services, such as accident and emergency (A&E) and visits to a general practitioner (GP), are free to everyone. Urgent treatment or treatment that cannot safely wait until you leave the country and return home will always be provided, and the matter of payment dealt with later.” Travel health insurance will prevent unexpected bills.
6. Plan Well for Longer Stays
If you are travelling on a visitor visa or planning to see the world, you won’t likely stay in the UK for more than 6 months. However, if you do plan on settling down as an ex-pat, there are tremendous considerations and plans to make – far too many to enumerate here. Check out this ultimate checklist for future ex-pats moving to the United Kingdom.
Key Takeaways
Working remotely in another country can be a refreshing and exciting change of pace. If you plan on working remotely in the UK, make sure your visas and paperwork are in order. This is especially important if you plan to work for a British company. Learn the laws and plan ahead.