Five questions to ask before you accept a job abroad

A job offer from another country can change your career, and your life. It is exciting, and it is easy to say yes quickly. But the best time to ask questions is before you sign, while everyone is still listening.

These five questions will help you understand exactly what you are agreeing to.

1. What exactly does the contract say?

The offer you discussed on the phone and the contract you sign should be the same. Read it carefully, and check:

Job title and duties: do they match the role you applied for?
Salary: the basic salary and each allowance listed separately, and how often you are paid.
Working hours and days off, and how overtime works.
Contract length, probation period and notice period.
End-of-service terms: what you receive when the contract ends.

Ask for the contract in a language you understand well. If something is unclear, ask for it to be explained in writing. A good employer or recruiter will not mind.

2. What is included in the package?

Two offers with the same salary can be very different once you add up the rest. Ask about:

Accommodation: is it provided, or do you get an allowance? Is it shared, and with how many people?
Transport to and from work.
Medical insurance, and what it covers.
Annual leave and flights home: how many days, and who pays for the ticket.
Food or meal allowances, which are common on remote sites.

Write down everything you are told, and make sure the important parts appear in your contract.

3. Where will I live and work?

“Dubai” or “Libya” covers a big area. Ask for the specific location of the workplace and the accommodation, and how long the daily commute is. For site or project work, ask about the rotation: how many weeks on site, how many weeks off, and what living conditions are like there.

If you can, ask for photos of the accommodation, or speak to someone already working there.

4. When do I start, and who pays for the journey?

Moving countries takes paperwork, and paperwork takes time. Ask:

Which documents do I need? For example a passport valid for long enough, attested certificates, a police clearance certificate and medical tests.
How does the visa process work, and roughly how long does it take for someone from my country?
Who pays for the visa, the medical tests and the flight?
What happens when I arrive? Who meets me, and what does the first week look like?

One important rule: don’t resign from your current job until your visa has been issued and your travel date is confirmed.

5. Who do I call if something goes wrong?

Even well-planned moves hit problems. You need to know who will help you, so ask:

Who is my contact at the employer, and at the recruitment agency?
Will someone check in with me after I arrive?
What happens if the job or the accommodation is not what I was promised?

Save these names and numbers before you travel, and keep copies of your contract and documents on your phone and in your email.

Warning signs

Most employers and agencies are honest, but be careful if you notice any of these:

Pressure to decide immediately, with no time to read the contract.
Requests for money to “secure” the job before you have a written offer.
Refusal to put the offer in writing, or a contract that differs from what was agreed.
No clear employer. Some clients stay confidential in the early stages, but you should know who you will work for before you sign.

If something feels wrong, stop and ask questions. A genuine opportunity will still be there tomorrow.

We are here to help

At Severas, we believe in transparency, honesty and fairness in every interaction. We explain each role and its package clearly, and we support candidates through to their first day. Browse our open jobs, or read our frequently asked questions.