Opportunity to work in Asia. Advice please!
Discussion
I’ve been give the “blessing” to be allowed to work remotely in Asia for a 2-3 month trial period, on the condition that I’m able to still cover UK timezone and that I’m still able to perform my job to the same standard I am now.
I work in software sales and am on approx £45-55k. I would still continue to be paid this amount. To keep things simple, I take home roughly £2,900/month and my mortgage is £550/month (small house). Looking at long-term rentals on AirBnB, it seems I could rent a nice modern apartment in Asia with a good view, shared facilities such as infinity swimming pool and gym etc for £800-1,000/month.
I guess it would mean that any potential customer meetings, I’d need to attempt to schedule them 09:00-11:00 UK time which could be anywhere between 16:00-20:00 in Asia depending on exact location. Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok is sticking out for me.
I wouldn’t say that it’s “a dream” of mine, but I’m almost 32-years old, no kids, no wife. But I have a mortgage, girlfriend, and a dog. I’ve never travelled and have been in pretty much the same part of the UK my entire life.
My gut feeling is that I want to do it, but no idea how to approach the subject with *some* of the responsibilities I have at the moment. The adventure, just throwing myself in, and adjusting to an afternoon to evening working schedule sounds interesting.
Thoughts?
I work in software sales and am on approx £45-55k. I would still continue to be paid this amount. To keep things simple, I take home roughly £2,900/month and my mortgage is £550/month (small house). Looking at long-term rentals on AirBnB, it seems I could rent a nice modern apartment in Asia with a good view, shared facilities such as infinity swimming pool and gym etc for £800-1,000/month.
I guess it would mean that any potential customer meetings, I’d need to attempt to schedule them 09:00-11:00 UK time which could be anywhere between 16:00-20:00 in Asia depending on exact location. Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok is sticking out for me.
I wouldn’t say that it’s “a dream” of mine, but I’m almost 32-years old, no kids, no wife. But I have a mortgage, girlfriend, and a dog. I’ve never travelled and have been in pretty much the same part of the UK my entire life.
My gut feeling is that I want to do it, but no idea how to approach the subject with *some* of the responsibilities I have at the moment. The adventure, just throwing myself in, and adjusting to an afternoon to evening working schedule sounds interesting.
Thoughts?
Edited by CarrotsAndCake on Thursday 4th August 06:57
Immediate thoughts are;
- 2-3 months isn't a long enough trial period and you will only just be establishing a life pattern in that timescale. You will also have a lot of relocation costs to defray over a short period of time
- Assume that you have spoken to your employer about your tax status and how this will be managed?
- Scheduling appointments in one two hour slot of the day doesnt sound realistic - what happens with the important client who wants to talk at 4.00pm GMT/the colleagues who want to collaborate on a bid during the afternoon
- Bangkok and KL are two of the relatively less interesting/appealing cities in Asia. Particularly for a short trial, I would be thinking of Hong Kong or Singapore
- Unless your girlfriend is 100% on board and keen to go/to support you whilst staying at home, the relationship wont survive
- All in all, I think youd be better off getting an Asia-based job rather than trying to do your current job from Asia; from what you've said, it sounds like a recipe for frustrating your clients and employer and stagnating your career
- 2-3 months isn't a long enough trial period and you will only just be establishing a life pattern in that timescale. You will also have a lot of relocation costs to defray over a short period of time
- Assume that you have spoken to your employer about your tax status and how this will be managed?
- Scheduling appointments in one two hour slot of the day doesnt sound realistic - what happens with the important client who wants to talk at 4.00pm GMT/the colleagues who want to collaborate on a bid during the afternoon
- Bangkok and KL are two of the relatively less interesting/appealing cities in Asia. Particularly for a short trial, I would be thinking of Hong Kong or Singapore
- Unless your girlfriend is 100% on board and keen to go/to support you whilst staying at home, the relationship wont survive
- All in all, I think youd be better off getting an Asia-based job rather than trying to do your current job from Asia; from what you've said, it sounds like a recipe for frustrating your clients and employer and stagnating your career
- Health insurance may be expensive.
- What visa will you use? Tourist visas don't allow work (but very unlikely to get caught) and tend to be fairly short term (3 months max) Immigration may start asking questions after a while if you use a number of tourist visas in a row.
- Banking. It is very hard to get a bank account now without legal residency, which a tourist visa isn't. Most likely you will be using UK bank account and credit card for everything
- Tax is fairly easy, keep paying UK tax, as you will still be resident in the UK, unless you can swing a work visa for an Asian country.
It's very possible - but just be aware that your status is that you are on 'holiday' abroad.
- What visa will you use? Tourist visas don't allow work (but very unlikely to get caught) and tend to be fairly short term (3 months max) Immigration may start asking questions after a while if you use a number of tourist visas in a row.
- Banking. It is very hard to get a bank account now without legal residency, which a tourist visa isn't. Most likely you will be using UK bank account and credit card for everything
- Tax is fairly easy, keep paying UK tax, as you will still be resident in the UK, unless you can swing a work visa for an Asian country.
It's very possible - but just be aware that your status is that you are on 'holiday' abroad.
Thanks for comments so far. Nope, never been to Asia or anywhere East other than the standard European type holidays. This is why I’m interested.
I should clarify, I’d be expected to work 8 hours (a full day of course), but be there for any UK meetings if required. I should also mention that I’m not an “account manager” so don’t deal with clients once they become a customer. My role is sales, so managing the sales cycle of potential, would-be UK customers (some Europe too). Discovery calls, web-meetings/demo’s, proposal creation etc. Proposals and emails I’m not concerned about, but as mentioned above, if an opportunity wants a web-demo at 14:00 UK, that’ll be a struggle and I’d need to push back and suggest a morning slot. Doable, I think.
Tax- yes, UK resident. Just keep everything running at home in the UK albeit SORN the cars I guess. It means I’ll still have to fork out for the mortgage payments etc. Banking, again, keep it all UK. I’d just use my credit and debit cards?
I should clarify, I’d be expected to work 8 hours (a full day of course), but be there for any UK meetings if required. I should also mention that I’m not an “account manager” so don’t deal with clients once they become a customer. My role is sales, so managing the sales cycle of potential, would-be UK customers (some Europe too). Discovery calls, web-meetings/demo’s, proposal creation etc. Proposals and emails I’m not concerned about, but as mentioned above, if an opportunity wants a web-demo at 14:00 UK, that’ll be a struggle and I’d need to push back and suggest a morning slot. Doable, I think.
Tax- yes, UK resident. Just keep everything running at home in the UK albeit SORN the cars I guess. It means I’ll still have to fork out for the mortgage payments etc. Banking, again, keep it all UK. I’d just use my credit and debit cards?
Edited by CarrotsAndCake on Thursday 4th August 09:15
CarrotsAndCake said:
My role is sales, so managing the sales cycle of potential, would-be UK customers (some Europe too). Discovery calls, web-meetings/demo’s, proposal creation etc. Proposals and emails I’m not concerned about, but as mentioned above, if an opportunity wants a web-demo at 14:00 UK, that’ll be a struggle and I’d need to push back and suggest a morning slot. Doable, I think.
I think your employer would rapidly figure that you weren’t covering UK hours, probably compounded that you will be logging in and sending emails in the middle of the UK night?Why not do something closer to UK hours but still an adventure? South Africa? Or somewhere like Croatia?
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Not sure what your org structure is but here they are called “Customer Success Managers”. Yes, they are sales to a degree because they’re responsible for upsells, but you’re nit-picking as I never said they were not in sales. I was simply giving more detail into what my role entails. Thanks anyway 
CarrotsAndCake said:
I should clarify, I’d be expected to work 8 hours (a full day of course), but be there for any UK meetings if required. I should also mention that I’m not an “account manager” so don’t deal with clients once they become a customer. My role is sales, so managing the sales cycle of potential, would-be UK customers (some Europe too). Discovery calls, web-meetings/demo’s, proposal creation etc. Proposals and emails I’m not concerned about, but as mentioned above, if an opportunity wants a web-demo at 14:00 UK, that’ll be a struggle and I’d need to push back and suggest a morning slot. Doable, I think.
Hmmm, this is troublesome.So you're doing an 8 hour day on UK time. Being as Bangkok is 6 hours ahead, you will be working 3pm to 11pm. Your employer will expect you to be online from 3pm to 11pm.
On that basis, if an opportunity wants a web demo at 1400 UK, you're doing it. At 8pm your time. You can't chop and change this to suit the fact you've chosen to work abroad in a different time zone.
CarrotsAndCake said:
It means I’ll still have to fork out for the mortgage payments etc.
You're going to be paid the same amount (£2900 a month)You need to pay £1000 for your rent in Asia.
Plus you need to pay £550 for your mortgage in the UK.
So you're doubling up on accomodation costs.
Are you banking on a much cheaper cost of living in Asia or a short term rent-out of your UK home or.....?
Edited by Muzzer79 on Thursday 4th August 09:47
Do it!
Make the numbers work. Figure out the logistics. And just dive in.
The experience will reap you rewards for the rest of your life.
When you're done in Asia, go and find something else somewhere else in the world that's different to the norm. Be the white minority for a change, push yourself outside of what's comfortable. It really is a rewarding thing to do and I don't mean money (though that too!).
Make the numbers work. Figure out the logistics. And just dive in.
The experience will reap you rewards for the rest of your life.
When you're done in Asia, go and find something else somewhere else in the world that's different to the norm. Be the white minority for a change, push yourself outside of what's comfortable. It really is a rewarding thing to do and I don't mean money (though that too!).
StevieBee said:
Do it!
Make the numbers work. Figure out the logistics. And just dive in.
The experience will reap you rewards for the rest of your life.
When you're done in Asia, go and find something else somewhere else in the world that's different to the norm. Be the white minority for a change, push yourself outside of what's comfortable. It really is a rewarding thing to do and I don't mean money (though that too!).
I'd second this. I hate to use the phrase YOLO but it's true.Make the numbers work. Figure out the logistics. And just dive in.
The experience will reap you rewards for the rest of your life.
When you're done in Asia, go and find something else somewhere else in the world that's different to the norm. Be the white minority for a change, push yourself outside of what's comfortable. It really is a rewarding thing to do and I don't mean money (though that too!).
The fact you have a g/f and a dog is more of the issue than your work day timing.
I work in SaaS sales. My co HQ is in Silicon Valley. My head of sales lives in SF. I live in Luxembourg. That's a 9h time difference.
A lot of my software demos are done by our solutions engineers, who are US based. I'm selling to financial services globally.
Meetings for me demoing in UK/EU are then typically 1300-1800 UK time, to enable my colleagues to join. Asia and Oceania demos are then for me to deal with. All outreach is automated, discovery using web apps.
Like it or not, you're going to have to suit your company's timings. That'll mean afternoon and evenings if you go to Asia.
That said, you can still have a nightlife and be able to sleep late to account for the working day.
It's just like longer term shift work.
Now, back to your g/f ... she's not gonna hang around if you're f
king off to somewhere like Phuket or Ko Samui for 2-3 months, eh.
These places have a reputation for a reason ....
I work in SaaS sales. My co HQ is in Silicon Valley. My head of sales lives in SF. I live in Luxembourg. That's a 9h time difference.
A lot of my software demos are done by our solutions engineers, who are US based. I'm selling to financial services globally.
Meetings for me demoing in UK/EU are then typically 1300-1800 UK time, to enable my colleagues to join. Asia and Oceania demos are then for me to deal with. All outreach is automated, discovery using web apps.
Like it or not, you're going to have to suit your company's timings. That'll mean afternoon and evenings if you go to Asia.
That said, you can still have a nightlife and be able to sleep late to account for the working day.
It's just like longer term shift work.
Now, back to your g/f ... she's not gonna hang around if you're f
king off to somewhere like Phuket or Ko Samui for 2-3 months, eh. These places have a reputation for a reason ....
vaud said:
CarrotsAndCake said:
My role is sales, so managing the sales cycle of potential, would-be UK customers (some Europe too). Discovery calls, web-meetings/demo’s, proposal creation etc. Proposals and emails I’m not concerned about, but as mentioned above, if an opportunity wants a web-demo at 14:00 UK, that’ll be a struggle and I’d need to push back and suggest a morning slot. Doable, I think.
I think your employer would rapidly figure that you weren’t covering UK hours, probably compounded that you will be logging in and sending emails in the middle of the UK night?Why not do something closer to UK hours but still an adventure? South Africa? Or somewhere like Croatia?
Travelled quite a bit in South Africa, cracking place IMO. Western Cape has fairly temperate climate, loads to do and see. Indian Ocean coast if you want hotter weather.
Nice position to be in, I'd certainly try and make it work. I was at a conference recently and was talking to someone who's employer had approve digital nomad type working. So long as he was getting his work done they were happy. I could do my job now from anywhere post COVID but my employer have yet to make the leap to allow us to work from abroad, I've two kids so my time to try such things has passed but renting a house for the summer abroad and keeping on top of work with a combination of taking annual leave would be achievable and welcome.
Countdown said:
StevieBee said:
Do it!
Make the numbers work. Figure out the logistics. And just dive in.
The experience will reap you rewards for the rest of your life.
When you're done in Asia, go and find something else somewhere else in the world that's different to the norm. Be the white minority for a change, push yourself outside of what's comfortable. It really is a rewarding thing to do and I don't mean money (though that too!).
I'd second this. I hate to use the phrase YOLO but it's true.Make the numbers work. Figure out the logistics. And just dive in.
The experience will reap you rewards for the rest of your life.
When you're done in Asia, go and find something else somewhere else in the world that's different to the norm. Be the white minority for a change, push yourself outside of what's comfortable. It really is a rewarding thing to do and I don't mean money (though that too!).
Biggest challenge I think would be your relationship, unless your partner is coming with? Also UK hours whilst in the Far East sounds like bliss to me, but then I’m more of a night person.
All this coming from someone who had just upped-sticks and moved to Eastern Europe/outside the UK for the 3rd time in 15 years.
Ive worked out in Vietnam 14 years, Indonesia 4 years, Thailand (Pattaya) 2 years.....what would you like to know?
The first thing that made me smile was when someone said youll need £1000/month rent, no you wont.You might need that or more if you go to Singapore but not KL or BKK or HCMC, thats a fact.
If youre serious about going, make sure your package is net of tax.
Factor in accomodation, food, travel, flights back home, leave etc
The first thing that made me smile was when someone said youll need £1000/month rent, no you wont.You might need that or more if you go to Singapore but not KL or BKK or HCMC, thats a fact.
If youre serious about going, make sure your package is net of tax.
Factor in accomodation, food, travel, flights back home, leave etc
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