The time to find out what your employer is going to do for you and what you are expected to do for yourself, is before you accept an international job; you would never accept a local job and a week later ask what the salary is.
Not every company will offer you the same expat package, and what you are willing to accept, someone else might not. If a company is not willing to discuss what they will cover, and put it in writing, then wonder if the company is even worth working for.
But when you are moving overseas for the first time it can be hard to know what questions to ask. Below are some areas that you and your employer should discuss and agree upon. What you are willing to accept and what your employer will cover depends on you, the skills you have, the competition for the job, the destination country and the industry standard. You will be in a better position to negotiate for a better package if you have done your research beforehand and know what similar international jobs are offering.
10 Questions you should ask an employer.
Work and Residence Visas. Even if you are working on 'local' terms your employer should at least help you apply for these, though if you are an 'expat' the company should do all the work and cover the costs for you. Be sure to ask if the cost of visas for dependants is covered, as these may need to be renewed annually and can be expensive.
Housing Costs. Some companies will give supply you with an apartment, others will give you an allowance and leave you to find your own, or you may have to cover all costs from your salary. Be sure to find out what your employer will do, and if it is the second or third option make sure you will able to afford something acceptable to you and your family.
Taxes & Pensions. Who pays the local taxes? Will your employer contribute to your pension plan (are they even allowed to?). Some countries have much higher tax rates than others and you can be left with a lot less money in Norway than Hong Kong after your taxes are paid. Not all expat jobs are 'tax-free.'
Medical Insurance. What coverage will you be given, and will your family be covered? Be sure to check that the cash amounts you are covered for will meet the likely costs of medical treatment in your host country and countries where you will travel for business. (Dental treatment rarely seems to be included in expat medical packages.)
