Employment in Kiribati

Work Permits in Kiribati

In order for foreigners to obtain a work permit for Kiribati, the expat must meet certain requirements and provide the Kiribati ministry with the correct evidence and documentation. Applicants must be between 20 and 45 years old, they must also have an official medical certificate confirming that they are of good health. In addition to this, potential foreign residents in Kiribati must prove that they are of good character by providing the embassy with evidence of a clean police record.

If an offer of employment can be displayed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, and the applicant meets all the above requirements then a permanent residency visa may be issued. Anyone with a keen interest in living and working in Kiribati for an extended period of time is advised to seek further advice and information at their nearest Kiribati embassy.

Job Hunting in Kiribati

International job site websites such as KiribatiJobs and CareerJet  regularly advertise jobs in a varied range of sectors. These websites tend to have a high success rate as many industries in Kiribati are keen to hire skilled and educated workers from overseas. Through online searches and contact establishing sites such as LinkedIn, potential expatriates can secure executive and managerial roles in Kiribati before even entering the country.

There is always the option of teaching English in schools throughout the country. Foreigners who are native English speakers have many options of companies and academies to choose from, the most popular establishment is TEFL. With TEFL, foreigners can gain insight into the country and its culture, meet local people and make a difference to many people lives. Nationally distributed newspapers such as Te Ukera and Kiribati Times also have helpful job sections for expats to browse through.

Taxation in Kiribati

All residents in Kiribati are liable to pay income tax on their net income, including rent, wage earnings and business gains. The currency of Kiribati is Australian dollars, and for the first 28,500 AUD earned, the tax amount is set at 25%. Anything in excess of this amount is taxed at a rate of 35%. Any dividends paid to overseas parties are subject to a 30% tax rate; the only exception is dividends paid to an Australian investor which are taxed at 15%.

Many employers pay their employees tax straight from their salary. Expats may find it beneficial to seek the advice of an international accountant, or to speak directly to their employer to find out whether they will be responsible for paying their own taxes.