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International assignments and working abroad

A collection of resources to help if you're considering an international assignment. Includes tips and advice on practical and financial considerations associated with temporarily working in a selection of overseas countries.
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ICAEW resources

Working internationally
  • Article
  • 05 Mar 2020
Developing a global mindset is essential if you want to progress in today’s competitive business environment. Experience of working internationally is often seen as critical career experience for reaching senior management levels.
Contact members
ICAEW has a network of contact members around the world. Our contact members are your single point of contact for enquiries and act as an ambassador in promoting ICAEW's strategy and brand within a country.
Country resources
  • Hub page
  • 26 Sep 2016
Resources on over 170 countries and territories including economic forecasts, guides to doing business and information on the tax climate in each jurisdiction.
Doing business in
  • Hub page
  • 30 Jan 2017
Explore the key issues for doing business abroad in over 130 countries and jurisdictions, from setting up a business to understanding local etiquette. Find business guides, support networks and help on importing and exporting.

Guides

Country and region guides for expats
  • Website
  • HSBC Expat

Collection of practical guides from HSBC Expat covering over twenty countries and regions. Includes information on moving, living and working abroad together with tips from expats.

Living in country guides
  • Website
  • GOV.UK
Series of country guides providing advice for UK nationals living abroad. Includes residency, health and benefits and specific advice for people following the UK's departure from the EU.
Taxation of international executives
  • Website
  • KPMG

A series of country-specific summaries produced by KPMG covering income tax and social security rates and other tax legislation relating to expatriate employees.

Worldwide personal tax and immigration guide
  • Website
  • EY
Series of tax guides from EY summarising the personal tax regimes in more than 150 countries. Provides information on income tax, social security, tax filing and payment procedures, double tax relief and tax treaties, temporary visas, work visas and permits, residence visas and permits, and family and personal considerations.

Surveys

Expat insider 2021
  • Website
  • InterNations

Annual survey from InterNations which provides analysis of everyday expat life in 57 cities worldwide. The Working abroad index explores the best places for expats to build a career.

Future of global mobility
  • Website
  • Deloitte
Survey by Deloitte of a group of global mobility, reward, payroll and HR leaders on the future of global mobility. Explores trends including remote working and digitisation and the impact on international assignments.
Global assignment policies and practice
  • Website
  • KPMG

Regularly updated KPMG report based on a survey of close to 600 organisations exploring trends in managing and administering international assignment programmes. The report covers areas such as assessment and performance, assignment compensation and allowances, preparation and planning, administration and outsourcing, as well as taxation policies.

Cost of living reports

Information on international cost of living to help make decisions on salary levels, evaluate job opportunities or produce estimates for the cost of overseas relocation.
Retail Prices Index (RPI) and Consumer Prices Index (CPI)
  • Research guide
  • ICAEW
In our in-depth guide to the Retail Prices Index (RPI), the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), and the Consumer Prices Index including owner occupiers' housing costs (CPIH), we set out a range of sources for current and historical UK price indices data.
Worldwide cost of living report
  • Website
  • Economist Intelligence Unit
The Economist Intelligence Unit produces an annual Worldwide cost of living report. A summary is available free to registered users.
Cost of living survey
  • Website
  • Mercer

Mercer's Cost of Living Survey is published twice a year and is available to purchase through their website. The Cost of Living City Ranking is available for free to registered users. Mercer also conduct research on a range of global mobility topics.

Working in Australia

Working as a Chartered Accountant in Australia

ICAEW has a membership recognition agreement with CAANZ in Australia and New Zealand. You may able to join the local institute without sitting further assessment, provided you maintain your ICAEW membership. See the Institute's Working Internationally page for more more details

Working as a registered tax agent in Australia

Our Registered tax agent page provides information on working as a registered tax agent in Australia. ICAEW was approved as a Recognised Tax Agent Association by the Australian Tax Practitioner Board (TPB) on 14 August 2014. ICAEW members in Australia are exempted from a number of obligations when applying to the TPB to be a registered tax agent but they are nevertheless required to meet specific CPD and PII cover requirements in order to qualify. 

Useful links

Moving to Australia
  • Helpsheets and support
  • ICAEW
Frequently asked questions on living and working in Australia. Find out about your qualification, national insurance contributions, taxation, and entry requirements.
Australia salary guide 2021
  • Website
  • Hudson

Annual survey by the global recruitment firm Hudson including salary and benefit data for a variety of job categories and industries in Australia.

Health care for visitors to Australia
  • Website
  • Australian Government

Information from the Australian Government on Reciprocal Health Care Agreements and the services these provide to visitors from a number of countries.

Migration to Australia
  • Website
  • Australian Government

Useful links from the Australian Government website, including information on work visas.

Working in Australia
  • Website
  • Department of Home Affairs

Information on work visas from the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs.

See also the Guides section for information on living and working in this region.

Working in Canada

Welcome to Canada
  • Website
  • Government of Canada
Publications from the Government of Canada providing quick and easy access to things that are important to know about living in Canada. Includes helpful information on the country, its laws, employment, housing, transportation, healthcare and money and finances.
Work in Canada temporarily
  • Website
  • Government of Canada
Information from the Canadian government on applying for a work permit to work temporarily in Canada.

See also the Guides section for information on living and working in this region.

Working in Europe

Working as a Chartered Accountant in Europe

Please check the Brexit and the accountancy profession page for the latest position.

Useful links

Brexit guidance
  • Website
  • GOV.UK

A collection of resources from GOV.UK including guidance for UK nationals on travelling to the EU and living and working there.

Work in an EU country
  • Website
  • GOV.UK

Guidance from GOV.UK for UK citizens on working in the EU which covers healthcare and insurance, working abroad for a UK employer and tax.

See also the Guides section for information on living and working in Europe.

Working in Hong Kong SAR

Working as a Chartered Accountant in Hong Kong SAR

ICAEW has a membership recognition agreement with HKICPA in Hong Kong SAR. You may able to join the local institute without sitting further assessment, provided you maintain your ICAEW membership. See the Institute's Working Internationally page for more more details 

Useful links

Employment as professionals
  • Website
  • Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Information from the HKSAR government including guidance for those who want to enter or stay in Hong Kong SAR for the purposes of employment as professionals.

Hong Kong salary guide
  • Website
  • Hudson

Annual survey by the global recruitment firm Hudson including salary and benefit data for a variety of job categories and industries in Hong Kong SAR.

Tax obligations for non-residents working in Hong Kong
  • Website
  • Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government

Information from the HKSAR government on chargeable and non-chargeable income from temporary residents. Also covers tax clearance when leaving Hong Kong SAR.

Visitors, tourists and employment visas
  • Website
  • Community Legal Information Centre

Information from the Community Legal Information Centre, a project established by the Law & Technology Centre of the University of Hong Kong, on obtaining an employment visa.

See also the Guides section for information on living and working in this region.

Working in Singapore

Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
  • Website
  • Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore
Government website which includes information on tax obligations for foreign nationals working in Singapore.
Work passes
  • Website
  • Ministry of Manpower
Information from the Singapore government on visas and work permits.

See also the Guides section for information on living and working in this region.

Working in the United States

Association of Chartered Accountants in the United States

The ACAUS provides support and networking opportunities to Chartered Accountants from seven Commonwealth institutes with members in the US. ICAEW members who live in the US are entitled to a complimentary full membership of ACAUS. 

Useful links

Employment visas
  • Website
  • Travel.State.Gov

Information from the US Department of State on visas for temporary workers.

Social security and entering the US
  • Website
  • Social Security Administration
Information about social security numbers for immigrants to the US, including temporary residents.

See also the Guides section for information on living and working in this region.

Online articles

The Library provides access to leading business, finance and management journals. These journals are available to logged-in ICAEW members, ACA students and other entitled users subject to suppliers' terms of use.

Exclusive Do you mind? Exploring our willingness to discuss behavioral health with expatriate employees.
  • Article
  • 01 Oct 2021
Article discussing the unique challenge that expatriation brings and how companies can better support expatriate employees in terms of their well being.
Exclusive Covid-19 chills the allure of expat life
  • Article
  • 08 Jun 2020
Discusses how the health concerns and travel restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic are impacting those working abroad.
Exclusive Being the boss abroad
  • Article
  • 01 Jul 2017
The author describes four basis cultural types and the corresponding expectations about leadership in each environment.
Exclusive My advice for operating at the crossroads between east and west
  • Article
  • 21 Jan 2016
The author, a marketer for food manufacturer Mars, reflects on his relocation from the UK to Dubai and offers advice on achieving a successful expatriation.
Exclusive Adapting your behaviour across cultures
  • Article
  • 01 Oct 2015
International management expert Andy Molinsky gives advice on how to adapt to new cultural norms and successfully work with colleagues from different cultures.
Exclusive Learn to embrace complex change
  • Article
  • 01 Sep 2015
The article explores how to embrace changes in your career and personal life, using the example of Denise Wang, a marketing chief at a UK-based consumer goods company, who faces the dilemma of whether to apply for a role leading the company's Singapore office.
Exclusive The passport to better expatriate experiences
  • Article
  • 01 Mar 2014
Discusses methods to support employees with expatriate assignments through human resources and learning opportunities.
Exclusive Broaden your horizons
  • Article
  • 02 Feb 2013
Article offering tips to people thinking of working overseas.

Find more articles

Articles and books in the ICAEW Library collection

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