Expat news
Schools & studies
International students are officially allowed back into China after more than 2 years of autarky. Is this a tangible sign of a return to normality? Be careful, though. For even if the official announcement was made on August 24, borders haven't reopened for everyone.
Everyday life
Rising inflation is very likely to be a pain to households and families in Europe.” On Friday, August 26, the Chair of the Federal Reserve System (FED) of the United States, Jerome Powell, warned of a difficult future for millions of Americans – difficulties that are also threatening Europe. For now, a full-blown recession has been avoided. But ominous signs keep cropping up. Winter will be cold, and we're not only talking about the temperature. Moreover, the deterioration of European economies is raising fears of a slide into recession. This is raising significant concerns among expats and prospective expats.
Visas
New Zealand has recently increased the number of working holiday visas for the year 2022/2023 as a temporary measure to deal with its skills and labor shortage. Since Covid, some sectors like tourism and construction have struggled to recover their workforce. An additional 12,000 working holiday visas will allow foreigners to fill the labor gap in these sectors, at least in the short term. The terms of the Accredited Employer Work Visa have also been relaxed to attract foreign labor.
Visas
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is continuing its extensive immigration reform. After the introduction of new categories for the Golden Visa, the relaxation of residency rules for expats, the extension of the grace period after a visa's expiration date, and the creation of unemployment benefits for locals and expats, the UAE has just announced new immigration reforms applying to tourists and expats. But not any of them. The UAE is targeting international talent and wealthy foreigners. What are the new visas offered and their benefits?
Tax
Its borders have reopened, but tourism is struggling to come back to life. Two years into the pandemic, Cyprus is again facing a summer with very few holidaymakers. A bad sign for the economy, which is battling against inflation and the repercussions of Covid. The government believes it has found a solution: attract more expats, especially well-off ones. Cyprus is luring foreigners with new tax breaks. What's changing for expats? Why is Cyprus counting on them?
Cost of living
Since the 1970s, the private sector of Gulf countries has been relying on expat labor. However, as Arab Times and the Jerusalem Post report, expats are now leaving massively because of the pandemic's impact on both the oil and non-oil sectors, the lack of subsidies for non-citizens, and job nationalization. The most affected are middle-class expats, who rarely receive a support package from their employers.
Accommodation
The Bank of England has relaxed mortgage eligibility criteria from August 1, 2022. The affordability test to take out a mortgage now only requires the buyer to prove that they can afford a 1% rise in the variable interest rate over the repayment period. Previously, it was 3%. This is good news for expats who want to buy property in the UK, especially first-time buyers who only have a small deposit.
Visas
On Thursday, August 4, 2022, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa issued a new "legal framework of entry, permanence, exit and removal of foreigners into and out of the national territory." How will these changes affect expatriates and people who are looking to relocate to Portugal? How will this affect immigration to Portugal?
Work
All countries around the world are keeping a close eye on inflation. In fact, the levels are particularly alarming in certain countries. Other countries are faring better, but none of them can rejoice for being out of the red zone. Workers are sour and are seeking raises. This would be counter-productive, according to some economists, but is vital, according to others.
Everyday life
Six years after the 2016 referendum, the full consequences of Brexit are still unfolding. Expatriation has become complicated for UK citizens. International media report that expats are being informed by British banks that their EU-based accounts will soon be closed. In Spain, British driving licenses were also recently rendered invalid.
Work
An inevitable reconfiguration of the labor market is brewing in Europe. According to the European Commission, the number of digital workers will almost double by 2045, leading to profound changes in the relationship between employers and employees. Given the growing trend of its cross-border workforce, the European Union recognizes the need to step up its legislation to better protect European workers, regardless of the nature of their jobs.
Everyday life
Recent research from the University of Washington points out that more than 160 million women worldwide didn't have access to contraception methods as of 2019. This can be a significant concern for women planning to move abroad with or without a partner and not looking to give birth and make a family.
Work
Major changes are on in South Africa. In 2021, the government started the reform of its work visa system. On the one hand, South Africans are being prioritized in the labor market, which means that there are even more restrictions on the recruitment of global talent. On the other hand, it wants to tap into the wealth generated by digital nomads by creating new visas to attract them. One thing is for sure: expats should expect sweeping changes in the upcoming months and years.
Everyday life
According to a Quartz article published on June 13, 2022, Hong Kong is struggling to maintain its appeal as an international finance hub. Faced with an expat exodus, the government is considering new ways to attract and retain global talent.
Visas
CIC News, a leading website on immigration to Canada, reports that the country's new Super Visa for the parents and grandparents of permanent residents has come into effect on 4 July 2022. This new visa has increased the length of stay of parents and grandparents from two consecutive years to five, with the possibility of renewing for an additional two years, bringing the maximum length of stay to 7 years.
Visas
Australia is a trendy expat destination considered one of the best places to live because of its high standard of living. Currently, the country faces a labor shortage as its skills crisis is worsening, with businesses struggling to fill nearly half a million jobs amid a mismatch between people's expertise and the work available. With that, the country is looking for work migration, and it's easing some Australian visa classes.
Work
There are approximately 4.76 thousand international migrants living in Vietnam. The country has become increasingly popular as an expat destination in recent years, and it is recognized as a safe place for foreigners to live and work. However, the local Labour department has tightened the required explanation of enterprises for employing expats, to focus on national labor, according to lawyer specialists.
Everyday life
According to Radio New Zealand, as of late June 2022, the number of residency visa applications to live in the island nation has surpassed government forecasts by over 50,000. Over 200,000 migrants and expats currently residing in New Zealand want to obtain the one-off permit to stay indefinitely. So why is the Land of the Long White Cloud, as the Maori toponym goes, so popular among expats?
Other Types
Everyday life
Moving to a foreign country changes you and alters family relationships. You are no longer the same as before, and your family changes, too. How do you find your new bearings? How do you accept the changes induced by these long-distance relationships?
Everyday life
An expat's life seems to be a constant game of push and pull. Working and living abroad offers unique opportunities for personal and professional growth and cultural immersion. But it is also filled with challenges: emotional, financial, and personal. So, what should expats do to find balance? And is it even achievable?
Everyday life
Moving abroad is a chance to build a new life. You get to learn a new language, meet new people, and adjust to a new culture. But with all the "new" around, some expats can't help but cling to the "old". For some, relocation makes them understand and appreciate the value of their home cultures in a way they never did before.
Everyday life
Combining a new life abroad while practicing your religion is not always straightforward, especially when you choose to wear a visible sign of your faith. It significantly depends on how open the host country is. Many Muslim women who choose to wear the veil say they are particularly sensitive to how their religion is received in a foreign country.
Formalities
Air travel can be stressful. You need to arrive early, check the size of your luggage, and go through customs. And then there are flight delays. But, apparently, some airports can raise your cortisol levels higher than others.
Work
Your expat life might be different from the dream you imagined in a poor workplace atmosphere with poor communication, excessive hierarchy, etc. There's a rift between you and your company, and the toxic environment makes you reconsider your stay in your host country. How can you get through this? Here are some tips.
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