How to Work Abroad WITHOUT a Degree: 10 + Job Options!

Think you need a college degree to land a job overseas? Think again. Many countries offer work opportunities that don’t require a degree, allowing you to earn a living while exploring the world.

While I do have a 4-year degree, I constantly get asked what people can do when they don’t have a degree and want to work abroad or remotely to travel more.

So after over a decade abroad, speaking to a zillion people, and becoming an expert in all the different travel jobs you can get around the world, I’ve got you! You CAN still get a job with no degree that’s travel-friendly.

So if you’re looking for short-term gigs, full-time jobs, or remote work options, here are the best jobs that can help you work abroad—no degree required.

1. Teaching English

While many countries require a degree to teach English, some will accept just a TEFL certification.

Countries like Cambodia, Mexico, and some parts of Eastern Europe welcome TEFL-certified teachers without a degree.

You can also teach English online through platforms like Cambly or PalFish and work from anywhere.

Here are resources on where to teach English abroad or remotely with and without a degree:

• Teaching English Abroad and Online
• How to Teach English Abroad Without a Degree
• How to Teach English Online + 29 Schools to Apply To
• 7 Best Online TEFL Courses to Teach English Abroad!

2. Hospitality & Tourism Jobs

Hotels, hostels, and resorts are always looking for staff, especially in popular tourist destinations.

Jobs like bartending, waitressing, front desk work, and tour guiding are widely available and often don’t require previous experience or a degree.

Visas are, of course, a concern, so you’ll want to look into working holiday visas or opportunities on Worldpackers, which doesn’t pay but offers free rent and sometimes food.

READ MORE:
6 Working Holiday Visas for Americans
The Ultimate Guide to The Australian Working Holiday Visa
Work & Travel New Zealand: Get a Working Holiday Visa for New Zealand
Worldpackers Review: Doing a Work Exchange For Free Rent!

3. Au Pair or Nannying

If you enjoy working with kids, becoming an au pair is a great way to live abroad.

Families in Europe, Australia, and the U.S. often hire foreign au pairs to help with childcare in exchange for free housing, meals, and a small salary. Programs like AuPairWorld can help match you with families.

RELATED:
How to Be an Au Pair in Spain + Tips for Getting a Job
How to Be a Travel Nanny and Work as You Travel

4. Cruise Ship Jobs

Cruise lines hire thousands of employees for roles ranging from housekeeping and food service to entertainment and customer service.

The best part? These jobs typically include free accommodation, meals, and travel to different destinations—all while earning a paycheck.

5. Freelancing & Remote Work

Many digital nomads make a living without a degree by freelancing.

You can offer services like writing, graphic design, virtual assistance, or programming on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour. As long as you have the skills, you can work from anywhere.

It takes a bit to get the ball rolling, but you can grab a bunch of side gigs this way, and those can add up to full-time work!

The best part? It’s a great way to work abroad without a degree since you’re the boss as a freelancer, and most people hiring for these jobs do not care about degrees; they care about skills.

So if you have a skill already, amazing, if not, teach yourself and gain experience. Start out charging less to get some reviews, then go up from there. You might also want to check out beginner digital nomad jobs and different work to do with no experience.

6. Working Holiday Visa Jobs

Countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Canada offer Working Holiday Visas that allow young travelers (typically under 30 or 35) to work legally in jobs like fruit picking, hospitality, or retail.

It’s an excellent way to experience a new country while earning money.

7. Farm Work & WWOOFing

If you’re willing to get your hands dirty, farm work is a great option.

Programs like WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) connect travelers with farms that offer free accommodation and meals in exchange for a few hours of work per day. Some farms also offer paid positions.

8. Diving Instructor

Love the ocean? Becoming a certified diving instructor can open doors to jobs in tropical destinations like Thailand, Indonesia, and the Caribbean.

Many dive shops offer training programs, allowing you to get certified and then work as an instructor.

9. House Sitting & Pet Sitting

While not technically a job, house sitting can help you live abroad for free by staying in people’s homes while they travel.

Websites like TrustedHousesitters connect travelers with homeowners looking for responsible sitters.

When you eliminate the cost of accommodation, you’re saving big time! This is paired perfectly with freelancing and remote work gigs because while it takes a bit to get jobs, at least you can keep costs down while you get it going.

10. Content Creation & Social Media Management

If you have a knack for social media, you can manage accounts as a social media manager for businesses or become a content creator yourself.

Many travel bloggers, YouTubers, and TikTokers make a living without a degree by building an online audience and monetizing their content through sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and ad revenue.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to become an influencer, you can help manage the background stuff for companies and influencers instead if that’s more your jam.

More Jobs Abroad Without a Degree

This list isn’t totally exhaustive! Here are some other ideas…

• How to Be a Graphic Designer While Traveling the World
• 7 Steps on How to Become a Travel Videographer + Tips
• Guide to Becoming a Yacht Stewardess Working on Superyachts
• How To Get Seasonal National Park Jobs in the USA
• 7 Ways You Can Make Money Blogging
• How to Become a Ski Instructor Almost Anywhere in the World
• Skilled Work Visas: How to Move Abroad with Your Profession

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