Formalities - Expat Magazine

The latest global immigration news and updates you need to be aware of
The latest global immigration news and updates you need to be aware of
Some countries are making efforts to attract economic immigrants, while others are trying to limit their numbers but still allowing a few select candidates to enter. Here's a world tour of the latest immigration news to help you plan your stay abroad.
Navigating post-Brexit challenges: Solutions for British expatriates in Europe unveiled
Navigating post-Brexit challenges: Solutions for British expatriates in Europe unveiled
Following Brexit, the status of British expats in Europe, as well as European expats in the United Kingdom, is often questioned. Some European Union member states are offering support to counter the effects of Brexit. 
AI's growing role in shaping economic immigration policies
USA
AI's growing role in shaping economic immigration policies
Artificial intelligence is making a remarkable entry within governments. It's impossible to ignore or do without it. Governments are passing laws and trying to regulate it. AI is even used in migration policies and strategies to fight labor shortages. How does this affect immigration in the US and around the world?
Settling in abroad: Why registering with local authorities matters
Settling in abroad: Why registering with local authorities matters
When you have recently moved to a new country, and you believe you've completed all the necessary paperwork, there is one more thing you might need to do: register with your local municipal office. And this can actually be quite beneficial.
Expats and children's nationality: Unraveling citizenship laws
Expats and children's nationality: Unraveling citizenship laws
It's often assumed that being born in a particular country automatically confers citizenship to a child. That isn't entirely true. For the children of expats born abroad, their nationality often depends on one or both parents' citizenship status as well as the number of years the parents have been expats.
The vital role of life insurance for expats
The vital role of life insurance for expats
Life insurance is deemed to be one of the preferred financial investments for expatriates, along with real estate investment, and it offers a number of advantages. Besides the financial aspect, how important is life insurance for short- or long-term plans to live abroad? What factors should be taken into account? 
Can bureaucracy be a hurdle for prospective expats?
Can bureaucracy be a hurdle for prospective expats?
Long waiting periods for obtaining your visa, a reply from the administrative services, or guidance to the correct department can be time-consuming and discouraging for prospective expats. Bureaucracy is a world apart, with each country having its own rules and contradictions, culture and way of functioning. It imposes certain restrictions on locals and expats, as well. But can excessive bureaucracy be a hurdle to moving abroad plans? We will try to answer this question in this article.
Tough immigration laws around the world: How to overcome them?
Tough immigration laws around the world: How to overcome them?
Some countries have more stringent immigration laws than others. In some conservative countries, same-sex partners or long-term unmarried partners might not be recognized as expat dependents. Other countries have small quotas for popular visas, so demand outstrips supply and the waitlist is atrociously long. It might be easy to get a short/mid-term work visa in some countries, yet difficult to become naturalized in them. Below are some difficult immigration laws and tips about how to work around them.
How to prepare for an early retirement abroad
How to prepare for an early retirement abroad
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.
The hidden risks of Golden Visa: Inheritance tax implications for expats
The hidden risks of Golden Visa: Inheritance tax implications for expats
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? 
Losing your new citizenship abroad: When and why it can happen
Losing your new citizenship abroad: When and why it can happen
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?
How passport inequalities shape international mobility
How passport inequalities shape international mobility
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?
International retirement challenges: Pensions, delays and solutions
International retirement challenges: Pensions, delays and solutions
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.
From visas to security: China's strategy to attract and reassure expatriates
China
From visas to security: China's strategy to attract and reassure expatriates
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.
What is the value of your passport when traveling abroad?
What is the value of your passport when traveling abroad?
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 to these countries
Get paid to move to these countries
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?
Global immigration: Latest visa developments worldwide
Global immigration: Latest visa developments worldwide
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.
How do expats vote from abroad?
How do expats vote from abroad?
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.