Moving abroad as a couple: How to manage dual careers

Should you keep your job, resign, or transition to remote?

Navigating a career move abroad brings with it myriad questions. Perhaps you or your partner have secured a job overseas, prompting a need to strategize for the future. The process is relatively straightforward if both of you have obtained work permits—complications arise only if you're considering different countries. However, planning the next steps becomes essential if just one of you has the permit.

It's important to challenge the conventional expectation that the other partner must automatically relocate. Being the "trailing spouse" is a decision, not a default role. Opting to accompany your partner on a dependent visa should be a well-considered choice, not an assumed duty. Various alternatives may be available depending on your personal circumstances and professional aspirations.

Keeping your job

Either you or your partner might choose to retain your current positions if you're both satisfied with your jobs and see no reason to resign. As your partner embarks on their career abroad, you also intend to continue yours. This raises an important question: can your role be performed remotely? If your employer supports remote work, this simplifies matters significantly. If not, are you prepared to consider a long-distance relationship?

Resigning

Consider resignation not as a last resort but as a strategic decision. This could involve a partner choosing to resign to pursue a career change abroad, leveraging the move as an opportunity for growth. Alternatively, it might be the right moment to leave a current position to start a business or to seek new opportunities within your industry. Check if your jurisdiction recognizes voluntary resignations as legitimate for claiming unemployment benefits, as this could provide financial support while transitioning.

Working remotely

Your international mobility plan may allow you or your partner the option to work remotely—either for an employer back home, if feasible, or for a different company altogether. Relocating often serves as a period of professional reassessment. The change in one partner's circumstances abroad might inspire the other to reevaluate their own career options, considering remote work opportunities with a local company, their current employer, or even other international firms, if the visa allows it. Remote work should be integrated into your mobility strategy, not just considered in the context of parenting or family needs

Should you travel together?

Deciding whether to depart simultaneously or at different times warrants careful consideration. This decision should be made without pressure on the trailing spouse and not merely based on logistical needs like managing the sale of a property or wrapping up other affairs. Instead, it should accommodate personal and professional priorities. You or your partner might choose to delay your departure to focus on career opportunities, ensuring the timing aligns with both your needs and plans.

Pursuing your career  

Navigating expatriation poses significant challenges for couples, particularly when both partners are keen on progressing their careers. The partner relocating internationally is realizing their ambition for global mobility, which may not necessarily align with the other's career goals. Remote work, while a viable option, should not be imposed as the only solution. Open communication is essential—even if remote work is permissible, it might not suit your personal or professional preferences. To preclude potential disputes, it's wise to discuss the feasibility of a long-distance relationship as part of your initial expatriation planning. Clearly articulating and respecting each other's career aspirations is fundamental to crafting a robust and mutually supportive expatriation strategy.

Establishing common ground is essential

Planning a shared future as a couple is a complex endeavor. The process tends to be smoother when both partners share the same enthusiasm for the destination and the adventure of living abroad. However, when expatriation introduces changes to a well-established life plan, it's crucial to reevaluate your collective goals carefully. What may be exciting news for one might not entirely fulfill the expectations of the other. The partner planning to relocate must actively listen to their significant other's concerns and be open to making adjustments. Effective communication and a willingness to negotiate are vital in jointly designing a strategy that aligns with both partners' aspirations, ensuring a forward-looking approach filled with optimism.