Formalities - Expat Magazine
Early retirement sounds great. Early retirement in a foreign country sounds even more exciting. But before you make any plans that can't be canceled, you will need a reliable and realistic action plan. We hope this article helps.
Does moving overseas allow you to escape taxation in your home country forever? That's what many expatriates thought when they moved to low-tax or no-tax countries. The United Arab Emirates is a favorite expat hotspot thanks to its Golden Visa program, specifically tailored to attract a range of profiles, from the wealthiest to the most talented. However, according to experts, there are some risks they might not have considered. When it comes to property taxes, moving overseas is not enough to break the link. So, what are the limitations of Golden Visas?
To an expat, being granted new citizenship in a desired destination is the ultimate proof of stability. You can finally make long-term plans, buy a house, and maybe even run for office. But did you know quite a few countries reserve the right to have your citizenship revoked?
Traveling and moving abroad is the dream of many. Unfortunately, when it comes to passports, not all countries are equal. You must have heard of strong passports and weaker ones. Is there really a geopolitics of visas? How does this affect moving abroad plans?
On June 22, France's Conseil d'orientation des retraites françaises (Cor) published its report, leading to a new debate on retirement pensions. According to the Cor, the reform will not balance the books by 2030. This was a significant setback for the French government, which had campaigned on this very objective. As populations age, pension issues are leading to equally heated debates elsewhere in the world. What about retirees living abroad? How difficult is it to receive your pension abroad? Here's what you need to plan for.
China
Faced with an anti-espionage law that worries expatriates, China is relaxing its business visa rules for foreigners conducting business activities in the country. Other measures have been introduced to make it easier to obtain certain visas and residence permits. Here's how it works.
The strength of your passport can really make international travel easier and more affordable. A passport that allows visa-free entry into many countries saves expats a lot of time, stress and money when it comes to visa requirements. Singaporean, German, Italian and Spanish expats currently have the strongest passports in the world, while some countries in the Middle East, Africa and Asia tend to have weaker passports.
Get paid to move abroad? Yes, you read that right! The idea is gaining ground in countries faced with critical demographic decline and congestion in their megacities. This means that you can benefit from incentives to relocate to smaller towns. Where are such programs on offer, and what do they imply?
Labor shortages continue to be a pressing issue worldwide, prompting countries to adopt various strategies to attract foreign talent. These measures include revising visa exemption policies, streamlining procedures to appeal to foreign workers, and introducing new visa options. Here are the latest updates on visa-related developments from the past month.
Living abroad does not necessarily mean that one is no longer attached to their home country; quite the contrary. For instance, the Dutch living outside the Netherlands just voted for their first electoral college. Many expatriates worldwide are more than willing to voice out their choices, and governments are themselves well aware of the weight of their overseas constituencies in various elections. But how do expatriates vote from abroad? Electronic voting remains a crucial issue.
By late 2022, most countries have already eased all Covid-related travel restrictions. However, a few countries, for instance, the US, the UAE and Indonesia, still require vaccination. Japan even requires a booster shot to consider a foreign national fully vaccinated. Some countries also accept a negative PCR test or a quarantine period as an equivalent to vaccination.
Have you decided to take the leap of faith and are getting married? Congratulations! Of course, a wedding is always a wonderful life event, but as far as the planning is concerned, especially when you are an expatriate, it doesn't always go as smoothly as one may want. Depending on the country where you are currently living, you might encounter more or less daunting challenges and unforeseen obstacles along the way. But don't panic! Proper planning will avoid disappointments.
This is, by no means, a ranking list! One will always find both good and not-so-good elements in any comparison exercise. Nevertheless, it must be said that some countries are especially known to have a cumbersome bureaucratic system. This can be experienced in all aspects of daily life, affecting locals and expatriates. Here is an overview of the countries known by expats for their lack of bureaucratic efficiency.
The Financial Times (FT) recently published a list of issues British expats have to consider before moving back to the UK. If expats are uninformed and unprepared, they risk facing “astronomical” visas, shipping, tax and housing costs in the process of returning home. By choosing the right time to move back, becoming tax-compliant and dealing with their overseas assets and benefits in an informed way, they can make their transition back home smoother and more affordable.
After the border reopening of most countries, many people are resuming their moving abroad plans. The passport is one of the most crucial formalities. Administrative offices have been taken by storm in the past few months by future travelers who want to renew their passports or make new ones. What rights are attached to a passport? Which are the world's most powerful passports? And what if you have a weak passport?
Since May 1, British expats living in Spain for more than six months are facing chaos due to the invalidity of the UK driving licenses in the country after negotiations failed to reach a post-Brexit agreement.
Expats' profiles can vary -- there are the ones who do know and love to organize their moving abroad paperwork alone, and there are the expats who have never been through this process and need assistance for immigration. Although it might seem a perfect idea to have a hand, immigration agencies or agents can deceive expatriates and ruin their dream of moving abroad.
Italy
From October 15, 2021, the health pass, also known as the “Green Pass”, will be mandatory for all employees in Italy. This new measure has been unanimously approved by the Council of Ministers. Italy is thus paving the way for the rest of Europe. It is indeed the first European country to make the Green Pass compulsory for all public and private workplaces.
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