I was told that VAL is now offering 2 options: 2 months/1 month or 6weeks/6weeks. Am I correct in saying that? The salary they dangle would include the per diem (based of course on the location). 127K sounds like something new. I was told roughly 98K for option 1 and 77K for option 2 (Is that correct?). And let's not forget you qualify for the overseas tax credit so you end paying minimal tax.
2024: True to form (as usual). Keep up the good work.
itismedd: thanks for your honest input into this forum. I for one would like to hear from more VAL AME's who are overseas doing the UN contracts.
And on a personal note let's have the VAL pilots in Liberia post some recent photos of the Dash in Zwedru.
All you Voyageur bashers...
Moderators: North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako
I think there are several companies looking for qualified people to do the same type of work and you get to open an offshore acct.
So if you want to go self employed and make $36.000 a yr to claim to Rev Can then it might be better than doing the other tax break thing.
you can then take the extra 50 Gs home tax free ( 10,000 per trip)
It can be done as Ive been around guys who have been doing it for yrs
Some are non residents and some self employed but the offshore acct is the thing
Maybe someone should suggest to VAL to open a offshore bank for its guys????????????
So if you want to go self employed and make $36.000 a yr to claim to Rev Can then it might be better than doing the other tax break thing.
you can then take the extra 50 Gs home tax free ( 10,000 per trip)
It can be done as Ive been around guys who have been doing it for yrs
Some are non residents and some self employed but the offshore acct is the thing
Maybe someone should suggest to VAL to open a offshore bank for its guys????????????
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newpilotwife
- Rank 1
- Posts: 36
- Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:50 pm
Before you go off to tame the dark continent get a few things straight from your employeer - a few suggestions about living and working in Africa
Work - Schedule expected to work - many places work 12 - 14 hrs per day the reason being is that you are on a single status and they are paying you more than normal.
Do you need a work permit? (answer is YES don't let them say otherwise). Do they arrange it?
Transportation to and from work - Are you expected to drive? (you will need a driver licence) Who provides the vehicle, is there a local driver?
If you get a per diem when do you get it, Is it in local currency? Do you get it during travel days?
What facilities are there at the work site. A hangar? Is there water? Is it drinkable? If not is there an arrangement for bottled drinking and cleaning water. If there is no hangar is there at least a shop, hut, tree, where you can get out of the sun during your 12-14 hr days. Is it secure? Keep your tools locked at all times - unlock, take the tool you need and lock it.
Tools - Are you expected to bring your own, who pays for the transport and/or the extra baggage costs. Do they have specialized tools?
Accomidation - Will you have your own room, a house or a staff house. Is it secure? Is there cleaning and cooking staff? Who manages the staff. Do they have laundry services what are the rules for the staff house regarding guests. Do they provide you with a lunch? Who payes for the above? Who payes for the electrical ,water, taxes, security, cleaning supplies?
Do they provide medical insurance? Do they have a doctor, or a arrangement with a clinic in-country under contract? Who pays if you need them?
Travel - Who pays , what class of ticket ? Do you travel on standby? If so what happends if you get bumped - who's time are you on. Do you get paid for travel days? Are the travel days on your off time of work time? Who pays for incured costs during travel like if your flight is canx in Europe and you have to spend a day or two to catch another flight - Who pays for transport from your house to the airport at each end. Other costs of travelling - passport, international driver licence, innoculations to name a few.
Regulatory - work permit, taxes, do you need your AME licence validated, visas, who pays?
As far as taxes Revenue Canada, expects you to pay taxes on WORLD WIDE income if you are a resident of Canada - yes there is a break if you work for an aid agency. If there are taxes paid by you to another country this is also a deduction. Other than that you pay unless you are a non resident.
Just remember you are a guest of the country where you work, you will be discriminated against - you will be considered rich and will be a target of numerous scams, backhanders, etc etc etc. Get a local Mr fix-it. Let him stand in line for your drivers licence, airline tickets, work permit etc. The company should have someone to do this for you that way you can stay on the job. (We had a Mr fix-it and left the office with about 6 passports one day and we never saw him again).
Don't use a back pack get yourself one of those sleevless vests you see photographers wear - they have lost of pockets that either zip or have velcro so you can carry your ID with you at all times.
Regarding the house guests - stay awayfrom the night fighters and insist that they are not allowed in, if you have a staff house. If some of your co-workers want to go that route they can put their hand in their pocket and get a hotel room.
Sorry about the long post if you go you will never forget the time spent there, you wont be the first or the last so make it count.
PITA
Work - Schedule expected to work - many places work 12 - 14 hrs per day the reason being is that you are on a single status and they are paying you more than normal.
Do you need a work permit? (answer is YES don't let them say otherwise). Do they arrange it?
Transportation to and from work - Are you expected to drive? (you will need a driver licence) Who provides the vehicle, is there a local driver?
If you get a per diem when do you get it, Is it in local currency? Do you get it during travel days?
What facilities are there at the work site. A hangar? Is there water? Is it drinkable? If not is there an arrangement for bottled drinking and cleaning water. If there is no hangar is there at least a shop, hut, tree, where you can get out of the sun during your 12-14 hr days. Is it secure? Keep your tools locked at all times - unlock, take the tool you need and lock it.
Tools - Are you expected to bring your own, who pays for the transport and/or the extra baggage costs. Do they have specialized tools?
Accomidation - Will you have your own room, a house or a staff house. Is it secure? Is there cleaning and cooking staff? Who manages the staff. Do they have laundry services what are the rules for the staff house regarding guests. Do they provide you with a lunch? Who payes for the above? Who payes for the electrical ,water, taxes, security, cleaning supplies?
Do they provide medical insurance? Do they have a doctor, or a arrangement with a clinic in-country under contract? Who pays if you need them?
Travel - Who pays , what class of ticket ? Do you travel on standby? If so what happends if you get bumped - who's time are you on. Do you get paid for travel days? Are the travel days on your off time of work time? Who pays for incured costs during travel like if your flight is canx in Europe and you have to spend a day or two to catch another flight - Who pays for transport from your house to the airport at each end. Other costs of travelling - passport, international driver licence, innoculations to name a few.
Regulatory - work permit, taxes, do you need your AME licence validated, visas, who pays?
As far as taxes Revenue Canada, expects you to pay taxes on WORLD WIDE income if you are a resident of Canada - yes there is a break if you work for an aid agency. If there are taxes paid by you to another country this is also a deduction. Other than that you pay unless you are a non resident.
Just remember you are a guest of the country where you work, you will be discriminated against - you will be considered rich and will be a target of numerous scams, backhanders, etc etc etc. Get a local Mr fix-it. Let him stand in line for your drivers licence, airline tickets, work permit etc. The company should have someone to do this for you that way you can stay on the job. (We had a Mr fix-it and left the office with about 6 passports one day and we never saw him again).
Don't use a back pack get yourself one of those sleevless vests you see photographers wear - they have lost of pockets that either zip or have velcro so you can carry your ID with you at all times.
Regarding the house guests - stay awayfrom the night fighters and insist that they are not allowed in, if you have a staff house. If some of your co-workers want to go that route they can put their hand in their pocket and get a hotel room.
Sorry about the long post if you go you will never forget the time spent there, you wont be the first or the last so make it count.
PITA
All very good points. Sound like you have worked overseas. I have an additional TIP for the guys and gals who decide to take the plunge- If you have life insurance find out if you will still be covered when in said "exotic" locals. All major insurance companies will not cover you for this type of work, or when you are in these countries. These are all countries that are on the do not travel to list. Also make sure that the company you decide to work for has an evacuation plan, as well as means of getting you home in case of illness. Africa is no place to be ill. trust me! More questions? PM me .
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Pat Richard
- Rank 8
- Posts: 902
- Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2004 10:36 pm
- Location: all over
