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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The following are directories of consultants on the Internet.  These can also be useful for marketing your own consulting services:

Guru.com
This directory of “gurus” has lists of gigs and gurus.  Many job postings specify whether the work is to be done on-site or off-site.

Consultant Directory
This is an extensive directory of consultants listed by category with keyword search functions.  There is no listing of job postings.

Freelancers Network
Another large database, this consultant directory also has listings of thousands of consultants worldwide along with extensive search capability.  You can also search and post specific projects.

Posted by Wade as Jobs, Money, Tools at 7:54 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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You just might want to leave that laptop at home.

Multifunction PDA/cell phone hybrids include the Nokia Communicator, the Blackberry and the Palm Treo.  This is a good idea for many, including those who want to reduce the number of gadgets to carry around.  I carry both because I need the larger display of a dedicated PDA for images and as an ebook reader.

They do much more than a cell phone. These all-in-one performers allow you to send and receive calls, faxes, and e-mail around the world.  A built in browser lets you surf the web on the fly.  The personal organizer helps you keep track of meetings and contacts.  These phones typically offer hands-free function with features that also include SMS, contacts, notes, calendar, clock, world time and an alarm clock.

Posted by Wade as Tools at 7:48 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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