What are costs involved in temporarily working overseas?

Question

After interviewing for a local California job, I was surprised by being offered a six-month job that would have me spend three weeks at a time in Korea. In negotiating my salary, I'd like to know what expenses I need to take into account.

They'll be paying for plane fare, housing, and commuting transportation. They'll expedite my passport renewal. I think they'll reimburse me for meals.

I suspect I'd have to buy some new clothes and luggage. I don't know if I'll need a new cell phone service or a whole new phone.

Other than that, what expenses should I consider?

Answer 1

Word of advice: Starting a salary negotiation based on what you need will yield less money than starting it based on what they are willing to spend.

Your main costs are shelter, food, transportation, communication, taxes, insurance and clothes (which includes washing and ironing). Another one might be recreation.

Additionally, at home you may need to pay someone to look after your house, your plants, your pets, etc. There will be additional costs if you want your spouse to visit you in Korea on a weekend.

Also rather important is opportunity cost if something comes up at home which you can't attend because you're abroad, e.g. your best friend's wedding, or a death in the family.

Answer 2

In Korea you will likely need a whole new phone. My Korean phone had a SIM card that wasn't a standard North American size. Requesting a company provided phone is a reasonable negotiation point.

As far as considering time spent in Korea as how it will impact your cost of living and in turn your salary requirements, due to the short term stretches you are there travel insurance is likely a smarter decision than trying to get onto the National health plan.

For a visitor Korea is not expensive. Booze, restaurant meals, entertainment, laundry services, and public transit are all probably 50-80% of what you'd be used to in California.

You will likely be expected to wear a suit and tie as dress code is quite a bit more formal in the Korean corporate world than the American one. If this creates expense for you then you should factor these expenses in to your salary requirements. However no mention of them should be made at the negotiation.

Answer 3

In addition to what has already been pointed out will there be assistance for any taxation implications of working in Korea? I don't know what the situation is in South Korea¹ but I spent 3 weeks working in Canada in 2016 and may be liable for submitting a tax return there.

Also see if you can get bumped up to business class for your flights!

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^{I assume you mean South Korea and not its northern neighbor!}