While the US has become the world’s leading technology with advanced innovation hubs like Silicon Valley, Singapore has been named the most promising world-leading technology hub, positioning it to become Asia’s Silicon Valley. With such developed technology markets, which country will be more suitable for Vietnamese remote developers? Here are a few things to keep in mind that’ll help you decide which one suits you best if you want to focus on finding a long-term remote job.

Salary

According to data collected from over 20,000 ARC employees, there is an enormous disparity in the wage changes for software engineers in the US and Singapore. Remote developers in Singapore earn an average of $71,408 per year, while this figure counts as $96,999 per year in the US. 

You must consider all of the factors that influence your remote work salary. Your education, experience, and job title may all raise or lower the average we discussed today.  Here’s what the data says about work-from-home salaries:

Developers in the US earn significantly more than those in other countries, but they also face stiff competition when looking for remote work. You are not just up against people locally, but applications will come in from worldwide. There are 26.8 million active software developers globally, and most companies receive hundreds, sometimes thousands of talented applicants.

You need to differentiate yourself and demonstrate that you’re the best candidate for the job. It is necessary to research each company to which you wish to apply to, understand their values, culture, and product, and be able to position yourself to fit their needs.

Time zone

Working for a remote company based in the US while living in Vietnam may require you to work 12 hours later than you originally planned, which means it would be mid-morning for U.S. folks, and anyone in Vietnam would end up with late-night meetings. Working late at night can also throw off the body’s circadian rhythm, which may cause adverse health effects in the long run.

On the other hand, Singapore is only one hour ahead of Vietnam, minimizing time zone inconveniences. You can have a regular 9-5 job and still have time to spend with your beloved ones and family and avoid health-related consequences.

Work visa

Even if you work remotely, you will need permission to work in the United States as a full-time employee. The US company must register as an employer with the Vietnamese government and pay all applicable taxes. As a result, to get a permanent job, you will need to find a US company registered in Vietnam, but the number of companies willing to sponsor a visa is minimal. 

On the flip side, remote employees who are not physically based in Singapore do not need to apply for a work pass to work for Singapore companies. If you are going to be stationed in Singapore, you must have a valid work permit. To ensure maximum benefits while saving your time and effort, you should get a third party to assist you with all aspects of international remote working, such as law and tax services, people consulting, and communications.

Final words

To Vietnamese developers, the average salary of both countries appears to be a significant disparity. You can earn a staggering wage compared to the low cost of living in Vietnam, but you will face fierce competition to get a remote job offshore. Before you work remotely for a foreign company, make sure you understand the country’s laws and regulations, particularly in terms of work visas, taxes, and benefits.

If you want to work remotely for a Singapore tech company while living in Vietnam, Inspius can help. Explore the latest jobs here!