Visas - Expat Magazine
Canada remains a magnet for expats worldwide, but recent policy shifts are putting extra financial strain on those considering the move. Relocating there was already costly, and new visa changes are set to hike expenses further. Will this deter potential expats?
Germany
With the Skilled Immigration Act of 2023, Germany has been enacting new immigration reforms to make immigration easier for highly-skilled expats. Applications for the Opportunity Card will start from June 2024. This visa allows skilled expats who pass a points test to move to Germany for one year without any work contract. They can use that year to look for a job in the country itself.
Embarking on a gap year abroad has become an increasingly enticing prospect for individuals seeking respite from the daily grind or contemplating a career shift in a foreign country. Planning a sabbatical year involves various considerations, with one crucial aspect being the selection of an appropriate visa. Whether you are interested in a Working Holiday Visa (WHV), au pair, tourism visa, or other options, finding the ideal choice is essential for a fulfilling gap year overseas.
Another country has decided to withdraw from the contentious Golden Visa program. As governments continue their efforts to attract foreign talent and affluent expatriates, they are exploring alternative approaches such as family visas, permanent residency, and employment programs. Let's explore these different strategies.
Will aspiring expatriates need to give up their dreams of living in the United Kingdom? The latest government announcements suggest that new restrictions may be implemented this year.
USA
The world's leading power continues to attract as many people as ever. While the job market is not as intense, labor shortages are still real. The nation heavily depends on immigration, an essential factor for sustaining both economic and demographic growth. What changes have we observed in recent years?
If you're an expat who hopes to get a job in Europe, a new report from the European Labour Authority (EURES) will be of great help to you. It has analyzed the jobs that are the most and least in demand across all countries of the EU. The jobs requiring the most expat labor are in skilled manual trades, medicine, IT, engineering, transportation and education. Meanwhile, less expat labor is required in administration, the arts, communications and the social sciences.
What's happening around the world in terms of immigration? Labor shortages persist in many countries; new visa regulations have been introduced, a biometric breakthrough has been announced, changes in immigration laws, etc. Here's what you need to know.
Today, we are looking into digital nomad visas that have minimal requirements. This means that even if you are just starting out in an office-free adventure and still developing your client base, you may be able to find a stable temporary base with digital nomad perks.
Can you imagine moving to Kenya without needing a visa? The Kenyan President is planning this for all foreign travelers, regardless of nationality. Here's a look back at the announcement and what it means. Let's also have a look at the most visa-liberal countries.
In a world context profoundly marked by labor shortages, countries are deploying their strategies to attract foreign talent. On the contrary, others intend to better regulate relations between expatriates and national workers. Here's an overview.
When a family is moving abroad, only one of the adults might have a work visa. That adult is the main applicant, and their spouse or partner is granted a dependent visa. Many countries around the world allow the dependent spouse to work, even if some require an application for a permit or impose restrictions concerning that work. Unfortunately, across Asia and Africa, many countries still do not permit the dependent spouse to work at all.
While most countries offer different types of visas for people who want to live and settle there, some people don't fit into the programs set up between their home and targeted countries. So what are their options? The Working Holiday Visa (WHV) has been the most attractive program for many years, but countries are currently developing new strategies to address their economic crisis. Let's delve into these options.
Labor shortages and demographic crises are driving states around the globe to reform their immigration policies. While some are introducing new visa policies to attract and retain expatriates on their territories, not all foreigners are treated equally. Let's have a closer look at the latest measures and how they affect international travelers, workers and students alike.
While the European Commission is fighting to put an end to the Golden Visa within the European Union, other states are keen on pursuing the Golden passport adventure. As a means of attracting foreign investors while boosting the economy, the Golden Visa continues to appeal to a range of expatriates, not just the wealthiest. So how do you qualify for a Golden Visa if you're not an investor?
In multiple Western countries, prospective international students from Africa face visa rejection rates of over 30-50%. Data from Canada, the United States and France show extremely different visa acceptance rates for international students from different parts of the world – even if they've all been accepted by recognized universities. Those from Europe and North America are rarely rejected; those from Asia and Latin America have a higher visa rejection rate, while over half of qualified Africans don't manage to get a visa. Africans are often required to submit more documents with their visa application, and they face racism-driven suspicion from visa officials.
Governments are taking action in a world still facing significant labor shortages and grappling with inflation that is pressurizing budgets. Some are opting to relax the rules for hiring foreign talent, while others are moving in the opposite direction by imposing restrictions to curb immigration. Here's what you need to know.
Canada has been facing a severe skills shortage for several years. Some fields, particularly Tech and innovation, are in a particularly critical situation and are seeking help from the government. The authorities subsequently unveiled new measures to attract and, more importantly, retain foreign talent.
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