Virtually all countries require work permits or visas before you can work there legally. Most will only allow foreign workers to fill positions if there are no locals who are qualified. Some countries even require an employer to release wanted ads in newspapers for a particular position for a specified time period. If no qualified local responds to the ad, then a foreigner can be hired for the position.

Different countries have a different set of requirements and standards for those who wish to obtain work permits. One of the best ways to find out how you can obtain a working visa is to ask expats or prospective employers.

The following site will link you to some pages that will provide some information on travel requirements and obtaining work permits:

Foreign Consular Offices and Embassies in the U.S.
This is a complete listing of foreign consulates and embassies throughout the United States. It is useful and usually necessary to contact them to inquire about visa requirements before planning any overseas trip.

Remember that trying to find an overseas job is much like looking for any other job. You must be able to sell yourself. A first impression, or good packaging, will do you wonders, but it is far more important to have quality within that package than anything else.

Finding decent-paying computer work overseas, especially after arrival, is feasible but difficult. I recommend telecommuting with a company in your home country. It is easier to find work, the pay is better, and you can take advantage of good dollar exchange rates and low costs of living.

Posted by Wade as Jobs, Plan at 7:58 AM EST

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If you think there are problems telecommuting from home — ­the distractions, setting up a home office, communicating with coworkers — consider the potential hang-ups when you’re telecommuting from Bolivia to Buffalo.  Most telecommuters work from home one or two days a week.  You’re gone for weeks, months or even forever.  Nomadic telecommuters do not have a cozy home office to work from.  Their office changes from hotel to hotel every day.  You can dispel any thoughts of amenities such as ergonomic chairs and office romance.  I sometimes stick a pillow behind my lower back when using straight-back chairs without a cushion.

Obviously, an office in most affordable hotels, recreational vehicles or campsites is not for people who require a strictly ergonomic work environment.  I’ve typed on my laptop computer several hours a day for years on plain old tables without any physical problems.  Ergonomic experts claim the arm should be at a 90 degree angle when typing at a keyboard.  You might be able to improvise by resting your arms on a rolled-up towel in front of your laptop while typing or sitting on pillows to elevate you closer to the keyboard.  Few less than world class hotels in developing countries cater to business customers with amenities like data lines and office chairs, and they are usually too expensive for a nomad.

Hotel room selection is an important decision.  You need at least a chair with a back and a table you can work at.  A telephone may or may not be essential, depending on how often you have to contact your clients.  Some cheap hotels have in-room Internet but no phone, and that is much preferable to a phone but no Internet.  Try to get a place with in-room Internet, either cable or wi-fi.  If I can’t get that, I often choose a hotel because of its proximity to an Internet café.  Another option is to use space in the hotel office for a few hours day (at an extra fee, of course).  If you’re going to stay in a place for longer, rent a place where you can get broadband.

Posted by Wade as Jobs, Places, Plan at 7:51 AM EST

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If you want to continue to communicate with home and get mail there are many mail forwarding services that cater to nomads.  They will provide you with a permanent address, then hold your mail until they from you with instructions on where and how to send it.  Even local mail box rental services will take care of this for you.  I suggest using a local service if you will be spending several months at one location.  For real nomads try one of the international mail-forwarding specialists listed below.  When choosing a mail forwarder, make sure you understand their rates and that they don’t charge two or three times what UPS or the U.S. Postal Service charges for shipping your mail.

Some forwarders offer a “toss the junk mail” to save you money on shipping.  Some even set up an Internet account where you can see a list of your mail.  Then you can decide what to throw away or forward to you in Iceland.  Also, make sure you’re going to be at the place when you expect your mail to arrive.  When moving around frequently you may need to use an express method while overseas.  The cheapest overseas express method from the States is Global Priority shipping from the U.S. Postal Service.

Posted by Wade as Plan at 7:46 AM EST

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Imagine the thrill of becoming a permanent traveler, without ties to a home, a nation or a routine.  Often referred to as a “PT” – a permanent tourists, previous taxpayer, perfectly together – or whatever.  A PT arranges her paperwork and lifestyle so that she resides either nowhere or in a country deemed advantageous to her tax situation or style of vagabonding.  If you are one of those freedom-loving individuals who loathe ever-sprawling big government, the constant infringement on personal life, feel current levels of taxation to be repressive, then maybe the life of a permanent traveler is for you.

Hopefully you will learn how to use a computer and the Internet to achieve the ultimate personal freedom.

What is the best time in the world to travel?  Many will advise you that the only time to go is when you are young, typically right out of college.  The truth is you can go anywhere, anytime, even with a minimum of cash.  You can take a sabbatical from that career now.  Rent that house and crank up that computer, then hit the road.  Don’t wait for retirement.  Don’t let anyone tell you you’re too old, too successful or have too many kids.  Don’t be afraid to tell the boss you want to telecommute part-time from a sleazy oil boom town in Ecuador for the next year or two.

Still not convinced?  Try it out with a semi-nomadic lifestyle.  If you’re a schoolteacher, spend the summer on the road and see if you can finance your travels with your computer.  A professional?  Use the techniques described later in this book to persuade your employer to take an extended sabbatical while you telecommute part time from Estonia or Morocco.

Posted by Wade as Plan at 3:33 AM EST

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1. Plan your itinerary.

2. Prepare a budget of estimated day to day travel expenses.

3. Line up a source of income (get some clients or cash).

4. Prepare a list of items to take along (if in doubt, leave it out).

5. Sell or store items you aren’t bringing.

6. Purchase airline tickets.

7. Get a passport and appropriate visas.

8. Get a physical exam (including any appropriate immunizations) and dental exam.

9. Obtain travel health insurance, if necessary.

10. Arrange for mail forwarding.

11. Arrange for an “emergency location” for friends and relatives to stay in touch.

Posted by Wade as Plan at 4:33 AM EST

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