How To Get Finance Jobs Abroad Step-By-Step (With Salaries)

Updated 2 January 2023

Travelling overseas for work can be a great way to explore new industries and make your professional life more exciting. Finance jobs abroad can offer you a stable income or allow you to travel internationally regularly. If you want to immerse yourself in a new culture while earning a high salary, getting a finance job abroad can be a suitable place to start. In this article, we provide a step-by-step on how to get a finance job abroad and explore some examples of potential finance jobs.

What Are Finance Jobs Abroad?

Finance jobs abroad are career opportunities in finance that exist in any country other than your country of origin. Getting a job abroad often depends on the country you want to work in and can be different from how you would achieve this in your home country due to some extra steps. For instance, it is often vital to secure official travel documents to ensure you can travel without delays. In many cases, this additional effort is worth it because these jobs typically allow you to travel internationally and meet diverse clients.

How To Get An Overseas Job In Finance?

There are several steps to take to get a job abroad. Here are the steps and some things to consider when preparing for an overseas job:

1. Research the location

First, it is important to decide where you want to live and work. To do this, you can conduct in-depth research on your countries of interest before making any decisions. It is often essential to determine whether you can live and work in a particular country safely and comfortably before committing to it. Some things to consider are the cost of living, climate, language, culture, laws and travel logistics. The better you understand what to expect, the easier it can be to make decisions about your future employer, accommodation and travel.

2. Make connections with the people living there

If you have any existing connections in your target country, you can contact them and ask about living there. If you can move somewhere close to them, you may have someone who can help you navigate and learn about your new country. It may benefit you to look at online groups and social media pages to find others who already live abroad so you can ask them questions and make plans with them to listen to their experiences. These people may offer you advice and suggestions on potential employers or routes into a financial career.

3. Begin learning or improving your language skills

If you are moving to a location where people speak a different language than you do, it can help to study the language as much as you can. Basic words, phrases and etiquette can help you make a great first impression with the local people and with your new employer. Consider taking language courses before you leave and take any opportunity you can to talk with native speakers to gain valuable practice. Listing practical language skills on your resume can attract potential employers and lead you to finance jobs that want you to communicate often with clients.

4. Visit your country of interest in advance

Before you commit to a move, you may want to visit the country first, so you can see some of the culture first-hand. When you travel there, you can try out your language skills and gain a better understanding of the culture, the people, and where you might work. Spending time there may help you choose between two or more countries. A host family may also be able to guide you to an informed decision by providing you with insights into their everyday life, which may be different from what you might experience as a tourist.

5. Research the entry requirements

Once you determine that you want to live in a particular country, you can begin researching any visa or immigration requirements. You may need a work visa or an identification card to live and work in a country legally. Some countries set formal requirements for their visas, such as working in essential industries or having a bachelor's degree. It may help to listen to other people's experiences to find out how they put together a successful application even if there were no formal requirements.

6. Research international opportunities with finance companies

You can also talk with your current employer or a business within your home country about your desire to work internationally since a common way into an overseas finance job is through internal promotion. Finding a position in your home country that offers the possibility of international travel or transfer can help streamline the process of getting the appropriate documents. It can also allow you to transfer your current benefits to your new role in the new country.

7. Look into other opportunities

Agencies, work exchanges, governments and private programmes for international finance jobs often offer a low-risk and high-reward way of entering a new country. Some governments have opportunities for people in certain industries that may help you move overseas and get a finance job within a few years. A common example is teaching English or French in your destination country. You may want to volunteer for a position like this if it can help you gain better access to the country where you want to get a finance job.

8. Apply to jobs

It is often important to apply for work opportunities and the relevant documents as soon as you can. Some places to look for work include job boards, company websites and industry-specific forums. There are also specialist job boards for people wanting to work abroad that may prove helpful. If you are struggling to find opportunities, you can consider working as a freelancer and try to transfer that business overseas to demonstrate income for a work visa. Once your documentation is in place and you receive an offer, you can move to your new country.

5 Overseas Finance Jobs To Consider

If you are unsure of what specific finance job you would like, you can consider some of these common career paths, which are available in most countries. Here are some examples along with their local salary information, so you can estimate your earning potential:

1. Accountant

National average salary: ₹2,72,699 per year

Primary duties: An accountant usually manages the finances of an individual or business to maximise their profit and generate returns over time. Some accountants create investment strategies for clients, and some simply prepare tax returns for individuals. This position can be lucrative for people who understand maths, are responsible with money and know how to maximise returns.

2. Actuary

National average salary: ₹9,61,299 per year

Primary duties: An actuary typically calculates and manages insurance rates and payouts for individuals and businesses. Different countries work with insurance in unique ways, but actuaries are usually in-demand since insurance companies are common international. This is a good client-facing role that can allow you to travel internationally to different business headquarters to discuss terms and make agreements.

3. Finance Manager

National average salary: ₹7,60,705 per year

Primary duties: A finance manager is often responsible for managing and storing financial records for a business. They also often focus on increasing the company's profits. Finance managers may set budgets and decide where to invest or cut funding from various departments. People with business experience and a strong understanding of financial theory can find success as finance managers in companies overseas. This is also a viable choice if you want to move overseas by applying through your current company.

4. Forensic Accountant

National average salary: ₹4,58,050 per year

Primary duties: A forensic accountant usually analyses company data to track financial losses and determine how to recover them. Implementing fund recovery strategies can provide major benefits to a company, so talented forensic accountants are often considered valuable investments. Good performance in your existing financial role can help make your application compelling when applying to a forensic accountancy job abroad.

5. Financial Analyst

National average salary: ₹5,01,385 per year

Primary duties: Financial analysts often generate reports on company financial data and use them to assess the performance of the business and make improvement strategies. Some financial analysts interpret market data and use it to find gaps, investment opportunities and ideas for businesses to capitalise on. Well-established brands and start-ups both use financial analysts regularly and often recruit talent from overseas.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.