Comoros is one of the many island nations in the world. It is located on the eastern shore of Africa bordered by Mozambique and Madagascar. A nation of beaches, and a large active volcano, it is among the poorest countries in the world, with a population of 800,000 residents and a GDP of $1.2 billion. For years, the island has been a stopping point on the mercantile routes from the East to Africa and the West.
After gaining independence from France, the country has taken measures to build a profitable business environment, and introduce friendly tax policies to encourage foreign investments. The capital city, Moroni is situated on Grande Comore. Despite the poverty and unstable economy, there are jobs opened to foreigners on the Island. Though these jobs pay little compared to other countries. Even at that, getting a job here is still challenging for an expat, except if he or she is highly skilled or qualified.
If you are an expat hoping to relocate here after getting a job, or you are currently living on the Island while looking for employment…here is a detailed article on finding work in Comoros as an expat.
Types of jobs available to expats
Aside from working full-time in an office environment, there are other forms of work available to foreigners. They include remote, part-time, hybrid, internship, contract-based, freelancing, seasonal, etc. Fortunately, they exist in all sectors of the country. Jobs in the following sectors are available to expats; tourism, education, manufacturing, and logistics, amongst others.
Finding work as a foreigner
There are employment openings for anyone seeking to find work here in the country’s local and international corporations, factories, schools, etc. An expat can find ads for various opportunities on job-networking apps like LinkedIn, recruitment sites, job portals of recruiting organizations, groups on social media, in local newspapers, et cetera. Generally, these methods allow foreign individuals to find job vacancies online relating to their fields of interest, level, and experience. Due to the limited vacancies, only skilled expats who fulfill the conditions of the employers are usually hired. Foreigners may also try the normal style of networking with close relatives, friends, or networks who work in the same field.
Work requirements for expats
Despite being a small country, it provides work opportunities for foreigners in Africa. However, they are only a few available, leading to the constant demand for highly skilled and experienced individuals. Foreigners without degrees are covered, as there are seasonal jobs in the tourism sector that do not require much skill but pay very low fees.
Language skill
The official languages spoken by the people are French and English. Expatriates who are fluent in English have a greater chance of getting the job they apply for than others. Hoping to increase the number of English speakers here, native English foreigners with TEFL certificates are mostly hired to be English teachers in private schools. Speaking these languages is important so expats may interact better with those around them especially those in rural areas.
Work visa/permit
After getting a job, the next step is to apply for a work visa at the local embassy or consulate. This visa will enable you to enter the country legally. Upon arrival, ensure to obtain the work permit from the ministry. The employer has to be the one to apply for a work permit on the employee’s behalf. Those living here on a visa already can apply for the work permit themselves. This permit is valid for the period stated by the government and must be renewed after expiring, or else the expat shall be deported.
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