Last Updated: August 28, 2025
This policy applies to both current UW employees temporarily remotely working abroad as well as UW employees hired into onsite international locations.
Overview
UW employees are generally prohibited from working remotely from an international location on an ongoing basis. A registered, in-country legal presence is required for work to be performed lawfully in most countries outside the US. The UW does not have a registered legal presence in most countries due to the cost and legal complexities of establishing legal presence. In the countries where the UW does have legal presence, the ability for employees to work legally is tied to specific, university-related activities, and the structure of the employment relationship varies based on the specific requirements of that country. Examples include the Rome Center and countries where UW is conducting global health research at the invitation of the foreign country.
Limited exceptions require advance approval
On an exception basis, a Vice President, Vice Provost, or other executive unit head may request approval for a UW employee to temporarily work from an international location when the international work is:
- required to perform their employment duties with UW, or
- required as part of a grant or fellowship, or
- due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., emergent personal medical or family health situation) that requires a time-limited period at an international location during which time the employee will continue to perform their job duties.
Employees requesting approval of a temporary international remote work arrangement due to one of the above exceptions must complete the Office of Global Affairs’ Remote Work Abroad Request form. This form should also be used by units requesting to hire for positions that will be located abroad for a time-limited duration. Forms should be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the date the employee wishes to temporarily work from the international work location (or 4 weeks prior to the start date for new hires) unless their request is due to a sudden unforeseen emergency or if the employee is already out-of-country and cannot return due to circumstances out of their control.
Requests are reviewed by the Office of Global Affairs and other relevant units including UW Human Resources, Tax Office, Export Controls, and UW-IT.
Duration of international remote work arrangements
- Requests must be for a temporary visit, not a permanent relocation.
- Due to international tax laws, generally, requests for a period of more than five (5) months cannot be approved. For long-term requests, an employee may be able to be hired through a Professional Employment Organization.
- Requests should only be made for a period that will exceed 30 days.
Employee responsibilities
Employees are fully responsible and liable for addressing and resolving any compliance obligations that may be associated with their international work location, including, but not limited to, income and social taxes, health and other types of insurance, foreign bank account reporting, and immigration/visa requirements.
When submitting a request, employees will be required to sign an acknowledgement that they understand these obligations, as well as their obligation to return to their previous UW work location after the designated period. UW is unable to provide any personal legal or tax advice; any financial obligations incurred in association with the request will be the employee’s responsibility.
Unit Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the requesting unit to verify that approved international remote employees have:
- A valid work permit for the host country when working in an international location is required to perform their employment duties with UW or required as part of a grant or fellowship.
- Awareness of individual tax obligations and host country employment laws.
- Accurate position work location entered in Workday when their international remote work arrangement begins and ends.
- A current Telework Agreement and Workday indicates the employee as 100% Remote while working internationally.
Units supporting these requests are similarly responsible for any financial obligations incurred as a result of the work abroad agreement, including but not limited to employment and tax law compliance.
Applying for approval
- Download and complete the Remote Work Abroad Request form at least 4 weeks prior to the employee relocating to the international location, or prior to their start date if being hired internationally. Evaluating and accommodating individual circumstances takes time and care, so units are encouraged to submit their requests well in advance.
- Email completed forms to globaloperations@uw.edu.