The Expat’s Guide to Returning Home and Changing Careers

So, you’ve spent years teaching English abroad, collecting experiences and memories. The thought of returning home and starting a new career chapter can be as daunting as it is exciting. The transition is a journey in itself, filled with unique bureaucratic and professional hurdles.

The Unseen Hurdles of Coming Home

Many returning expats are surprised to learn that residency isn’t just about citizenship. For certain career paths, particularly apprenticeships, maintaining continuous residency is crucial. This often means:

• Keeping a registered address
• Staying on the electoral roll
• Maintaining an active bank account

Some public service roles, like police work, have a physical presence requirement—sometimes needing you to have been in the country for the last three years.

Your Financial Future: Don’t Forget Your Pension

While building your life overseas, it’s easy to forget long-term financial planning back home. A crucial step is to continue paying your UK pension contributions while you are abroad. The great news is you can also receive these payments overseas when you reach retirement age.

The Changing Landscape of Career Switching

The rules for career changes are evolving. Notably, public funding for higher-level apprenticeships is becoming more restricted, set to change in 2026. This will primarily impact those looking to switch careers later in life, making alternative pathways even more important.

The Job Hunt: A Reality Check

The job market is competitive. One returning professional applied for approximately 80 positions over two months, targeting public sector roles in:

• Finance training
• Administration
• Student services
• Human Resources

The result? Only two interviews. The competition often has direct, recent experience, which employers frequently value over qualifications or transferable skills alone.

Preparing Your Paperwork

Before you start applying, get your documents in order. You will need:

• A reliable job reference who is reachable from abroad
• A police background check from every country you’ve lived in recently to satisfy HR requirements

Finding a Foot in the Door

Despite the challenges, success is possible. Persistence with large public sector organisations like the NHS and HMRC can pay off, though their recruitment cycles can be long, with start dates often a year in advance.

The breakthrough often comes from targeting specific needs. One success story involved securing an entry-level role in a local government finance department. The role involved financial assessments for benefits and served as a perfect launchpad for a future accounting qualification. The key? The department was located in a local area that struggled to fill vacancies.

A Final Word of Advice

If possible, having a support system upon your return is invaluable. The ability to stay with family can alleviate the immense financial pressure and stress of a prolonged job search, allowing you to find the right opportunity rather than the first one. Your international experience has given you resilience; now it’s time to apply it at home.