Looking for a job abroad rarely follows a simple process. Between receiving a response and your first day on the job, there are steps that depend on the candidate, the employer, and the country’s regulations. The start dates are unpredictable. They depend on several stages, which we'll discuss below.

The Process Has More Stages Than Most Candidates Expect

The process of finding a job abroad typically involves several mandatory steps. These steps determine how long the hiring process abroad takes and affect the start date:

1. Submitting an application and waiting for a response. 
2. Interviews.
3. Written offer and negotiation of terms.
4. Preparing documents. 
5. Obtaining a work permit or other status.
6. Medical and organizational formalities before departure. 

These steps can pass simultaneously. An employer can ask you to prepare documents even before making an offer. The verification of your qualifications may coincide with the negotiation of terms. European guidelines emphasize the significance of confirming the place of work, job title, salary, and start date in advance. It is a mistake to consider the tentative start date a guarantee, since it is subject to change until the mandatory procedures are completed.

What Happens Before the Offer

The review of the application. The response time depends on:

• the number of candidates;
• the job requirements;
• how well the resume matches the position. 

EURES recommends tailoring your resume to the specific job opening and highlighting relevant skills.

Then, interviews. The decision may be made by a manager or by a group of people, including HR and colleagues. Delays are often due to internal approval processes within the company.

Confirmation of a job offer occurs gradually. You must receive a written offer specifying the position, work location, salary, and start date. In the EU, employers are required to provide this information in writing.

Documents Are the Part You Control

Document preparation is a step that can be simplified in advance. A job opening in Layboard may require diplomas, certificates, proof of experience, references, translations, or legalization. All aspects affect the overall timeline and determine the document preparation time.

Review the requirements before submitting your application. If a required document is missing, obtaining it after receiving an offer will delay the process. It is important for foreign workers to have clear terms and conditions in writing before they leave their home country.

Translations and legalization also take time. Even if you have the original diploma, an additional procedure may be required, so a completed document does not always mean a complete package for the employer or government agencies.

Permits Are the Part You Do Not Control

It's hard to know how long work permit processing will take. After a job offer, you may need a work permit, visa, or other document for legally working. The processing times depend on the country, your citizenship, your profession, the type of permit, your employer, and the completeness of your application.

In some systems, the employer handles most of the process, so the candidate cannot expedite the review. The candidate’s responsibility is to submit documents on time and respond to requests. European regulations for certain categories of workers outline the procedure for obtaining a permit, but the specific steps depend on the particular system.

A recruiter’s promise of a quick turnaround should be taken as a rough estimate. Delays may occur due to background checks, an incomplete application package, a heavy workload at the relevant agencies, or additional requirements. Until the permit is granted, you should not assume that you will start working immediately: the right to enter the country and the right to work are governed by different rules, and these must be clarified for the specific country and category.

Medical Examination, Travel and Arrival

Once the main documents are ready, you can move on to the next step.Depending on the job opening, these may include a health checkup, an assessment of professional skills, arranging insurance, signing a contract, or submitting supplementary documents.

A medical examination should not be dismissed as a mere formality. The results will determine whether you can start working. Therefore, clarify in advance who is organizing the medical examination, where it will take place, and what documents will be issued.

Once the formalities are complete, start buying tickets, finding housing, packing your luggage, and verifying contact addresses for when you arrive. Employees need to have written terms regarding housing and employment to avoid misunderstandings.

Planning Around an Uncertain Start Date

The main rule is not to rely on verbal promises regarding the departure date. You should only resign from your current job after receiving written confirmation of the terms.

Do not purchase non-refundable tickets in advance. If your documents are still being processed, postponing the date will result in additional expenses. Do not terminate your lease until you have final confirmation of your move.

A financial reserve is essential when seeking employment abroad. A delay in one step can set back all the others. You need to factor in not only travel costs but also expenses for housing, paperwork, and mandatory procedures.

What Not to Do Until the Offer Is in Writing

Don’t quit your job based solely on a verbal promise. Get the terms in writing - employer, job location, salary, and start date. Keep your options open for other job opportunities. Until the offer is confirmed, it’s wise not to give up your current income.

Avoid any unofficial payments. The ILO prohibits passing recruitment fees on to workers. 

The actual start date depends on the slowest stage of the process. A candidate can expedite the preparation of documents and responses, but has no control over the employer’s decisions or government reviews.