Working Overseas

About 1.5 million Canadians live and work abroad. The vast majority do so successfully and, for many, working overseas is an enriching experience. If you are planning to work abroad, there are many details that you will need to consider prior to departure. Preparation and careful planning will go a long way to ensure a safe and successful international work experience.

The goal of Working Abroad: Unravelling the Maze is to provide you with practical information to maximize the chances of a successful venture and to offer advice on what to do if things don't work out as planned. Read it before you go, and pack it in your luggage for future reference.

The Consular Affairs Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) is committed to providing effective and efficient services throughout the world to all Canadians. We understand how accidents, illness, legal problems, and linguistic and cultural differences are difficult to manage alone. If you encounter problems while working abroad, we are there to assist you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through our network of 271 offices worldwide. You will find a list of these offices in the publication Bon Voyage, But....