8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Plan an International Career

Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko / Pexels

If you're thinking about working abroad, you're far from alone. UCT's South African Diaspora Report 2026 says that among younger Black students, the share intending to seek opportunities overseas rose from 39% in 2021 to 90% in 2024, driven mainly by limited job prospects at home and the belief that international markets offer better careers. It also cites a Professional Provident Society study finding that 90% of South African students would like to work abroad.

An international career can be a great move. But most of what you'll read online is either emigration statistics or someone selling you a visa, a course or a "guaranteed" job.

Before you spend money, work through these eight questions.

1. Why do I want to go?

Be honest about the main reason:

• Experience you can't get at home yet
• Money: higher pay or the chance to save
• A fresh start: getting away from a situation you're in

None of these is wrong, but each leads to a different plan. If it's experience, a two- or three-year stint may be enough. If it's money, compare what you'd save after the higher cost of living, not just the salary. And ask yourself whether you plan to come back. That answer affects your tax, your retirement savings and what you do with your ID and bank accounts (see question 7).

2. Does a legal route exist for someone like me, right now?

Every country decides who can work there, and the rules change. The UK is a clear example:

• In July 2025, the UK ended overseas recruitment of care workers. Visas issued to migrant care workers fell by more than 99% between the year ending December 2023 and the year ending June 2026.
• From 22 July 2025, over 100 occupations stopped being eligible for the UK's Skilled Worker visa, because the required skill level was raised.

UK government statistics show the care route had been used by many workers from sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Zimbabwe, Ghana and Nigeria. For new applicants, it has now effectively closed.

What to do: check the destination government's own immigration website for the visa you'd need, the qualification and salary requirements, and whether your job is on its eligible list. Don't rely on an agent, a TikTok video or a WhatsApp forward.

3. Will my qualification count there?

Your qualification may not be recognised automatically. Check two things:

• Can you prove it's genuine? Foreign employers and authorities may ask for proof that your South African qualification is genuine. For degrees, that proof comes from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). DIRCO says South African degrees must be verified by SAQA before it will legalise them.
• Is your profession regulated there? Nurses, teachers, engineers and many health professionals usually need to register with a professional body in the new country before they can work. That can take months and may involve exams.

4. Is this offer real?

This is the most important question on the list.

In July 2026, the Department of Social Development warned that an increasing number of young South Africans have been trafficked to scam compounds in Myanmar after accepting what looked like legitimate jobs in Thailand. Victims were promised good salaries and free travel, then taken across the border and forced to take part in online fraud, facing long hours, intimidation, violence and debt bondage. Many were then pressured to recruit friends and family.

The department's advice:

• verify every overseas job offer
• research the employer and the recruitment agency
• talk to your family before accepting
• don't rely only on information shared on social media

Add our own rule: never pay to get a job, at home or abroad. If an offer includes free flights, a high salary for little experience and pressure to decide fast, treat it as a warning sign. (See our guide to spotting job scams.)

5. Are my documents ready?

Documents take longer than people expect, so start early. You're likely to need some or all of these:

• a valid passport
• an unabridged birth certificate is safest. DIRCO won't accept abridged computer printouts without an official stamp and signature
• a Police Clearance Certificate from SAPS, which is only valid for six months from the date of issue
• your qualifications, verified by SAQA (degrees), Umalusi (matric certificates from November 2008; earlier ones go to the Department of Basic Education) or the QCTO (trade certificates), depending on the qualification

Many countries also want these documents legalised for use abroad, either with an apostille or a certificate of authentication, depending on whether the country has signed the Apostille Convention. Depending on the document, this is done by the High Court or DIRCO's Legalisation Section in Pretoria. DIRCO's legalisation page explains which documents go where. Note that DIRCO can't tell you which documents a foreign employer or embassy needs, so check that with them first. DIRCO's own legalisation service is free, but from 1 September 2026 it only helps clients who have booked online, with no walk-ins.

6. Can I afford the first three months?

Moving abroad costs money before it makes money. Add up:

• visa and application fees
• flights
• a rental deposit and first month's rent
• living costs until your first salary arrives
• document fees: police clearance, verification and any notary or agent fees (DIRCO's own legalisation service is free)

If an employer says it will cover these costs, get it in writing, and check the offer is real (question 4).

7. What happens to my money and obligations at home?

Leaving the country doesn't end your financial life here. Think about:

• Tax. Whether you still pay tax in South Africa depends on whether you remain a South African tax resident. If you move permanently, you'll need to tell SARS you've ceased to be resident. Get advice from a registered tax practitioner.
• Your retirement fund. Under the two-pot system, SARS explains that the retirement component of a pension or provident fund can only be withdrawn early after you've ceased to be a tax resident for an uninterrupted period of three years or longer. Leaving doesn't give you instant access. (See our guide to the two-pot system.)
• Debts. Store cards, loans and phone contracts don't disappear when you leave. Missed payments still hurt your credit record.
• Family. If people at home rely on you, plan how you'll support them in the first few months while you're settling in.

8. Could I get the same thing without leaving yet?

Sometimes the answer is yes:

• Get local experience first. Many employers abroad, like employers here, want people with a few years' experience. Two or three years at home can make you a much stronger applicant.
• Work remotely for an overseas company. It's legal to work from South Africa for a foreign employer, though it comes with its own tax and admin. (See our guide to working for an overseas company from South Africa.)
• Plan a fixed-term stint. Going abroad for a set period, then coming back with experience and savings, is a common and sensible plan.

The bottom line

An international career is a big decision, and it's worth making slowly. Check the route on official websites, verify every offer, get your documents in order early and plan for the costs. The people who do well abroad are usually the ones who prepared before they left.

This article gives general information and isn't legal, immigration or tax advice. Rules change often, so always confirm the current requirements with the destination country's government and with SARS.