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Choose expat programs that can guide you through the move

There are many things that an expat service can do, but finding the right service means knowing what you need. This can range from advice on tax issues to help with your financial and insurance situations. Most expat programs can guide you through all this, but there are also programs tailored to specific aspects of expatriation.

I recommend: BDO Seidman is an accounting and consulting firm that offers expatriate services related to taxes and payroll issues. Expatriate Tax Services has a large database of tax-related articles and information for the expatriate.

Use expat services to cover all the necessary legal issues

There are many legal issues related to expatriation. Many of these fall under obtaining the proper work permits, but many other legal issues pertain to filing the proper income taxes. Most services can take care of the legal issues for you, or recommend further assistance.

I recommend: Expatriate Insurance Services can help arrange coverage for those expatriating to another country. Withers provides a lot of information on working with expatriate services to handle legal issues for U.S. citizens expatriating to the United Kingdom, including what you should take care of before you leave the country.

Find expatriate financial services that can answer all your financial questions

The most important aspect of becoming an expatriate is getting your financial house in order. First, people looking to relocate must move all their assets from one country's currency and put it into another. This can take time and you will usually need professional help from financial expatriate services because tax laws are vastly different from country to country.

I recommend: Shelter Offshore provides some tips on what issues you should discuss with your financial advisor, whether you are a new or established expatriate. Expat Financial offers comprehensive financial services for expatriates, including banking and insurance advice.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Besides using the assistance of emigration services, you can also rely on your employer to help you through some issues, including financial and insurance questions.

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Determine if expatriate services are the right choice for your organization

Examine current and future sales objectives to determine if international employees are an option for the business. If the possibilities are realistic, implement expatriate recruiting to identify the best candidates for international employment. Once you identify these candidates, explore outside consulting services for additional guidance regarding expat services.

I recommend: GrantThornton offers comprehensive expatriate consulting services, including tax considerations and protections, compensation planning and employee counseling services. Global LT offers a variety of resources for expatriates, including language training for foreign placement to improve assimilation to new environments.

Support expatriate tax services through external consultation

For Americans newly living abroad, expatriate tax services are an absolute necessity. Employees are not likely to understand how their international employment will influence the requirement to file US tax returns. Provide your employees with additional support to fulfill obligations as required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

I recommend: Expatriate Tax Services LLC offers comprehensive tax assistance, including federal, state and local tax returns, as well as foreign tax requirements. ExpatCPA.com provides online tax advisory services to explain US tax laws in relation to US expatriates.

Offer expatriate financial services to employees to facilitate a smooth transition overseas

Expatriates require a greater understanding of their financial needs relative to the new work environment. Many financial firms offer expatriate financial services, including international life and health insurance, at affordable rates. International-based travel insurance is also a popular choice for travel between international territories and the home country.

I recommend: Expat Financial offers a variety of insurance options for expatriates throughout the world. Expatriate Insurance Services provides online quotes to expatriates seeking insurance for their international needs.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Expatriate employees face many unknowns when they relocate to another country. Employers must seek guidance regarding expatriate relocation in order to support organizational objectives, including travel services, housing, insurance, benefits, compensation and tax liabilities. Organizations seeking services for expatriates should explore their options online and through their human resource departments.

Guide to Expatriate Services Education and Training

Further your career in expatriate services with targeted education and training

By Virginia Franco, Freelance Writer

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Enhance your knowledge of intercultural communications, a key skill for expat services consultants

Intercultural and cross-cultural communications are essential for anyone to succeed at work abroad. Many corporations hire expat service consultants to bring their employees up to speed prior to their beginning work in another country.

I recommend: The Master of Advanced Studies in Intercultural Communication (MTC) is offered online or onsite in Lugano, Switzerland. American University offers several training courses on multicultural training and communications.

Meet expatriate program demand for translators and language trainers by being fully bilingual

Many expatriate service companies hire bilingual employees to perform translations, interpretations and voiceovers. They also look for people that can train others in a foreign language.

I recommend: Berlitz' foreign language immersion program has a proven reputation for helping people gain conversational fluency. The Foreign Service Institute states on its site it was developed as a tool in teaching foreign languages to U.S. top governmental agency employees.

Earn certification in an expatriate service specialty

Red tape regulations often prove the most challenging to individuals working abroad. This is why corporations hire the services of those who specialize in everything from expat tax to expatriate financial services. Earning a certification in a specialty area will help increase your employment marketability.

I recommend: Fairleigh Dickinson University offers a three-course Certificate in International Taxation. Completion of coursework in Diamond's Graduate International Tax Program provides students with expertise in tax as well as financial planning.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Experience is key if you are looking to turn an existing career into an expat services career. In other words, if you are looking to become an expat language trainer, previous training experience is beneficial. Likewise, past experience in the financial services industry is recommended if you want to cross over to expat financial services work.

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Foreign subsidiaries

Foreign subsidiaries are entities such as businesses that are controlled by a bigger and more powerful entity. Many expatriates are professionals that have been sent by their employers to foreign subsidiaries of their parent company.

I recommend: Look at the tax implications of employees at foreign subsidiaries as discussed by KPMG.

Globalization

Globalization is a term that refers to the global market for skilled professionals. The income level of skilled professionals has leveled compared to cost of living, whereas there is the income difference in unskilled professionals varies greatly globally.

I recommend: Read about Globalization and the Future of Expatriate Compensation by Catherine L. Moreton, J.D.

Intercontinental travel

Intercontinental travel was one influence on expatriate trends. The cost of intercontinental travel had become sufficiently low that employers who could not find the skill in a local market could effectively turn to recruitment on a global scale.

I recommend: Find out more about the trend of intercontinental travel and its results from Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias.

Commuter

Commuters are a different type of expatriate with shorter-term assignments that are slowly becoming the norm.

I recommend: Look at the commuter/expatriate legal and business implications that you may require assistance with from the article International Commuters from HR Magazine.

Integration

Integration includes but is not limited to accommodation and assistance with paperwork, personal circumstance analysis as well as legal counseling on lease contracts. These sorts of services help the individual assimilate to life in the new country.

I recommend: Learn about integration from ETC&R.

Compensation analysis

Compensation analysis helps the host employer determine what a fair compensation to the employee will be in terms of revenue and benefits.

I recommend: TIPPIE Online Article Database offers Expatriate Compensation Diversifying with the Workforce by Hewitt Associates.