D6,
Depends on the country. Most require you jump through their hurdles but your flying hours will count towards the experience required for the licence. Many Pacific countries will honour your licence and issue an equivalent, including ATPL once you have it, you might need to sit a written test (eg Vanuatu). Not sure about Asia. The US want you to sit all written exams and fly the flight tests. Aussi.e ATPL subjects don't amount to a hill of beans to them. If you have done them, then the US ATP written test is easily studied for and completed in less than a week (only one test!).
Where are you thinking of going?
Other things to consider are visa requirements/work permits, medical insurance(especially the Pacific).
Remember, the grass only seems greener...
WP