Expat news
Japan
Here's some good news for prospective expats. Japan is opening its doors to foreign talents. The country is currently faced with a critical situation, with an aging population and growing economic tensions. Supporting growth through immigration has thus become an urgent priority. To attract and, above all, retain foreign talents, Japan announced its intention to simplify immigration policies.
France
2023 is sure to bring its share of positive and negative changes. On the negative side, property taxes will continue to rise. But on the positive one, savings are picking up, thanks to the increase in the "Plan Épargne Logement (PEL)" or the "Livret A". The withholding tax scale has also been revised to take account of inflation. Property tax on main residence, previously paid by tenants and owners, has been suspended. Other arrangements are also planned for parents to help reduce their expenses and give them greater purchasing power.
Visas
Are Golden Visas living their last days in the European Union? Spain plans to restrict the conditions under which people can obtain a golden passport. Portugal and Ireland have already announced the end of their programs intended for wealthy foreign investors. Between the countries that are abolishing their Golden Visa programs and those that are pursuing it, let's take a look at this much controversial scheme.
Australia
Starting on July 1, 2023, international graduates holding eligible qualifications will receive an extended two-year post-study work period, according to an announcement made by the Australian government. The limit on working hours for international students will also be raised from 40 hours per fortnight to 48 hours per fortnight beginning on the same date.
Germany
In the face of acute labor shortages, Germany is reforming its migration policy to attract skilled immigrants. The announcement was made on February 20 by the Federal Minister of the Interior and Community (BMI) and the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS). So what new measures does Germany intend to deploy to gain attractiveness?
Visas
Are we witnessing the last days of the Spanish Golden Visa? While Portugal and Ireland have announced the end of their Golden Visa programs intended for wealthy foreign investors, Spain's political left wing is proposing a law to abolish access to citizenship through real estate investment. How is this going to affect immigration in Spain?
Saudi Arabia
Multiple Gulf countries are currently replacing expats with locals in many jobs. Saudi Arabia's situation looks paradoxical because the kingdom is both creating new measures to attract expats and continuing the “Saudization" (nationalization) of the local workforce. How are these two seemingly diametrically opposed policies working together?
England
The Times reports that the UK's Home Office is considering reducing the post-study work rights of international students from 2 years to 6 months. This follows discussions within the government since late 2022 about capping international student numbers. If these are actually applied, they might drastically reduce the attractiveness and accessibility of the UK for overseas students and expats.
South Korea
The Hallyu visa to South Korea is finally available after one year of discussions. Officially branded "K-culture training visa", it should allow foreigners to stay up to two years in South Korea to either discover its unique artistic scene or realize their dream of breaking into the entertainment industry. The government is also considering the introduction of a digital nomad visa.
Saudi Arabia
As economies around the world prepare for an oil-free future in their own way, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia could take an extra step in favor of expatriates. According to the British newspaper The Economist, the two major oil producers are planning on diversifying their sources of wealth. This diversification could involve granting more rights to foreigners, including citizenship.
Germany
Through the newly announced one-year paid educational leave, Germany wants to fight skills shortages. The country wants to revitalize lifelong learning through apprenticeships, internships, and training programs, to ensure a better match between job supply and demand. But what are the outlines of this new measure? Are expatriates concerned by these new incentives?
China
What if studying abroad was a passport to achieving a new level of freedom? In China, the idea is becoming more and more widespread. In the wake of the pandemic and, most importantly, with the consequences of the zero-covid policy, Chinese students are now keener on studying abroad. But the once-popular destinations for studying abroad have changed. As China reopened its borders in early January 2023, hoping for a return to normalcy, many Chinese students are hoping for a brighter future elsewhere.
Work
Canada wants to attract more entrepreneurs. The "startup visa" was officially launched on April 1, 2013, in response to the 2012 Economic Action Plan. With this plan, Canada committed to supporting "world-class entrepreneurship, innovation, and research." The 2023-2025 Immigration Plan relaunches the business startup visa with a target of 3,500 new immigrant entrepreneurs.
Italy
The Italian government is looking to grant 82 705 work permits to expat workers this year. According to the latest Decree on Migration Flows (Decreto Flussi), published on January 26 in the Italian Official Gazette, this measure aims to address the shortages in various sectors. So what kinds of jobs can expat workers expect in Italy, and what would be the benefits of moving there?
Denmark
Denmark is heavily relying on immigration to counter the acute labor shortage in certain sectors. The Danish government has come up with a special scheme to attract qualified foreign talent and created a list of jobs that are under pressure. So what are the opportunities that are currently available in Denmark for prospective expats?
Finland
A recent study by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) found that, among 15 high-income countries, Finland was the only one that didn't have a lower immigration rate in 2020 when measured against predicted immigration in the absence of Covid. Data from the OECD suggests that freedom of movement within the European Economic Area (EEA) contributed to that.
Poland
One could call it the "Polish economic miracle". With sustained growth and low unemployment, the country presents many benefits for foreign workers. The war in Ukraine has also played a major role in the increase in the number of migrant workers. But what are the opportunities available for foreigners in Poland?
Luxembourg
Attracting international talent is no easy thing. Faced with a severe labor shortage, Luxembourg is finding it hard to hire foreign talent. Aware of the current situation, the government recently introduced a new tax incentive for highly qualified foreigners. But will that be enough to attract foreign talent?
Other Types
Everyday life
Who are “people of color”? What is “Asia”? What are these never-ending gazes? This article aims to explore terms that are controversial and raise questions about our relationships with others and with ourselves as expats.
Everyday life
Moving to a new country almost always comes with a set of shocks. You may run into them right away or several months and even years into your stay. Out of all the shocks of an expat journey, culture shock is the most known and talked about. There are lots of resources online that will tell you how to manage culture shock, typically labeling it as something negative and unpleasant. But what if the culture shock you are experiencing is actually making you raise your own standards? It turns out that for some expats, culture shock can be a push.
Work
On one hand, labor shortages continue to hinder economic growth in many countries. On the other hand, immigration policies are increasingly selective, prioritizing the recruitment of skilled and highly skilled foreigners. What impact does this have on moving abroad plans? Is there a decline in immigration rates? Which nationalities are most affected?
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Work
Long considered a significant drawback, gaps in a CV are gradually becoming more accepted in the international job market. Championed by young foreign talents and increasingly accepted by employers, career breaks have become a new trend. Young professionals are taking time off to find a better position, whether locally or abroad. How do international job seekers justify their choices, and how do employers react?
Cost of living
As you settle into your new expat life, you begin to find your bearings. Between housing, transportation, food and extras, how do you spend your money? What are your priorities for keeping control of your budget?
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