Working outside the US?

[Shelby J]

Hi there,

I'm a male MT with 2+ years exp and I'm planning to go to Rio de Janeiro in November until March. The research I've done so far (talking w/ brazilian people, web stuff) has yielded little but as of now, I plan to try to work in major hotel/spas along the beaches.
I intend to study portguese in late summer and if I need to, I'll get a tutor when I'm there.

Anyone else work outside the country? How was it ? How did you handle taxes, etc?


thanks!

 

[sexybare2]

I can only answer as a U.S. citizen working in Mexico. The U.S. taxes are a breeze. There's something called the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion which, as of 2006, allows you to claim $80,000 earned outside the U.S. as tax free. Since I don't make more than $80k, I file (important) but do not pay U.S. taxes. I do pay taxes in Mexico. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion increases each year.

The major issue here is getting a visa that allows you to work. I have no idea how that is handled in Brazil, but it is something you want to investigate with your nearest Brazilian consulate before your plunk yourself down there. Here's a good link to start with, if you haven't found it already:

http://www.brasilemb.org/consulado/consular_jurisdictions.shtml

Good luck!

Just a note: beach massage is very hot and sweaty for both the client and the therapist.

 

[I amErica]

yes, I've already emailed the consulate. They say I'd need sponsorship from whoever is going to hire me. But since I can't do an interview from 8,000 miles away, I'll keep looking but I'll probably end up with a tourist visa.
Definitely not interested in beach work :