My current job allows me to telework "from anywhere" (we have employees in several countries in Europe, as well as in asia and the middle east), but it seems like it's impossible to get info on whether it's legal to move to a country while teleworking with a company in the US. Is there a list of which countries allow this somewhere?
Ask HN: In what countries can you legally get a long term teleworking visa?
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Re: Ask HN: In what countries can you legally get a long term teleworking visa?
#2If I understand, you work for a US company remotely and are curious about moving to a new country that is not the US (regardless of where you live today). I am by no means an expert, but if you are permanently relocating I believe most Countries will require you to prove you have sufficient stable income (or wealth) to make reasonably certain you will not become a burden or nuisance. Depending on your current citizenship the requirements will vary, e.g. a UK citizen going to the US or Canada or vice versa is totally different then other Countries.
If it was me, I'd consult an immigration expert for the Countries I was thinking about going to, mostly because the requirements seem to have multiple ways they could be interpreted. I do have a few friends that do this, and each time they have told me they talk to immigration experts to figure it all out (generally an attorney). One has done it all himself from what I understand just by doing all the research etc, but that seems quite hard and potentially error prone.
Re: Ask HN: In what countries can you legally get a long term teleworking visa?
#3If you can tele-work from country A then I see no reason you cannot work from country B unless it is subject to US export control restrictions and your job deals with such matters. You/your lawyer may also want to look at any tax/banking/financial restrictions that the US may have placed on country B as it could affect salary reaching your account. Even more so if you are a US citizen.
Re: Ask HN: In what countries can you legally get a long term teleworking visa?
#4argentina, costa rica, peru, paraguay, mexico, malaysia, spain, austria and germany issue visas even if you don't have a local job
i'll be happy to answer more questions about argentina, paraguay and spain
Re: Ask HN: In what countries can you legally get a long term teleworking visa?
#5if you work remotely staying there short term (up to 6 months), it's not illegal
Re: Ask HN: In what countries can you legally get a long term teleworking visa?
#6if you work remotely staying there short term (up to 6 months), it's not illegal
He specifically asked about long term so I'm sure he already knows about tourist visas. Also it heavily depends on the country. Some short-term visas only allow a 3 month stay not 6.
Re: Ask HN: In what countries can you legally get a long term teleworking visa?
#7You are asking for specific legal advice. You really really should talk to a lawyer (and maybe a tax accountant) and not the internet. Many lawyers offer free consultations.
Re: Ask HN: In what countries can you legally get a long term teleworking visa?
#8If you can tele-work from country A then I see no reason you cannot work from country B unless it is subject to US export control restrictions and your job deals with such matters. You/your lawyer may also want to look at any tax/banking/financial restrictions that the US may have placed on country B as it could affect salary reaching your account. Even more so if you are a US citizen.
"Failure to imagine existence of laws" is not usually a valid defense.
Re: Ask HN: In what countries can you legally get a long term teleworking visa?
#9A pair of friends just moved to Paris to do just this. They had to travel to a French Embassy (Houston was closest) and prove they had a States-based job, and that they were financially secure. They're allowed to stay for one year, and then have the opportunity to re-up for one more.
I don't know of a master list, unfortunately.
Re: Ask HN: In what countries can you legally get a long term teleworking visa?
#10A pair of friends just moved to Paris to do just this. They had to travel to a French Embassy (Houston was closest) and prove they had a States-based job, and that they were financially secure. They're allowed to stay for one year, and then have the opportunity to re-up for one more. I don't know of a master list, unfortunately.
Did they have to show they had X amount of savings in the bank?