There are periods of time when your company may be tight on budget.
But no matter the situation, even in cost conscious conditions, companies still want to attract and retain top talent.
If you want to have international exposure for your career, you could still raise your hand and ask for an opportunity to work abroad.
Get an international opportunity, even in a stressed market environment
Volunteer
Make it known that you would like to volunteer for an international role.
Let your manager and HR know about your intent, and what you are prepared for.
Talk to them about your career aspirations and professional growth, outline why you believe it will be beneficial to the company if you are given the opportunity for regional and cross-cultural exposure, and explain how you plan to succeed in working abroad (and bringing that experience back home).
Prepare to Negotiate
If you are committed to investing in your international career, and departmental budget is the only constraint that the company has from supporting your move, then consider if you could negotiate the following:
Flight
If you could find affordable flights, and are willing to cover this cost personally; then this expense will be a non-issue to your employer.
Accommodation
A big expense to the company is paying for your accommodation while living abroad.
If you’re going short term (1 week to 6 months), companies usually have to provide the entire hotel stay.
If you’re going on a permanent transfer (local contract), companies would still shoulder the cost of temporary accommodation, usually for the first 30 days upon arrival.
You might have relatives or a trusted contact with a safe place to stay in your desired host location.
Or perhaps you’d be wiling to stay in an Airbnb rather than a hotel.
If you have a means to alleviate the accommodation cost from your employer, propose the idea, and you may have a higher chance of having your international transfer approved.
Cost of Living
Per diem allowance is usually offered to short term travellers (1 week to 6 months).
Since you would be receiving the same competitive salary, you could also offer to waive this if that’s a budget constraint preventing your international move.
Just make sure that you’re not carrying ongoing expenses at home; otherwise you’d be paying for the cost of living in two locations.
Visa
With flight and accommodation covered, and cost of living transposed from home to host country; the only cost to company would be immigration sponsorship and application.
This should be borne by the employer, and with all else kept to minimum; they should be more amenable to your request.
