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.
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?
USA
Following years of euphoria and a strong hiring trend in the early days of COVID, uncertainty took over the US Tech sector. Successive waves of layoffs worldwide have left thousands of employees in shock. The situation is particularly critical in the United States, with foreigners forced by their visas to find a job quickly. But what led to such a huge surge in layoffs? What is the future of the US tech sector, and how are foreign workers impacted?
Other Types
Schools & studies
There is so much more that goes into the choice of a university today than even a decade ago. International students especially have the whole world to choose from. And while before students were more focused on the theoretical benefits of a certain degree, today, with so many less traditional options for learning (online, via social media, private tutoring, etc.), there is a lot more a traditional institution has to offer, especially given the price of formal education.
Banks and finance
If you are like most expats looking to purchase a home overseas, you will probably need a mortgage. This typically means applying to a bank or lender in the country where the property is located. The process can be different and more complex than in your home country, especially for non-residents, as financial institutions are cautious about lending across borders. In some places, the route from application to approval is relatively straightforward, but in others it can be much more challenging.
Work
You may be dreaming of managing your team abroad or opening or taking over a business overseas. But already, a thousand questions are challenging you. Are you really cut out for a leadership role, especially in another country? Here's some practical advice to build your confidence before embarking on the expat project that's right for you.
Work
More young professionals than ever are choosing to start their careers abroad. Driven by the rise of digital nomadism, economic uncertainty, and the promise of new opportunities, they are increasingly willing to cross borders in search of a better future. But what do young expats really expect from their first job overseas? And how do their career goals compare with those of earlier generations?
Paraguay
A new investor residency rulebook landed last month, and for anyone weighing Paraguay as a place to actually live, the numbers are surprisingly friendly. If you've been quietly researching Paraguay as a possible new home base, for the taxes, the cost of living, the easy residency, or just because the rest of the world feels increasingly expensive and complicated, this one is for you.
Tax
Postcard-perfect beaches, luxury villas, sports cars and a jet-set lifestyle: social media often paints expat influencers and content creators as financially free and permanently on vacation. Behind the filters and sponsored posts, however, lies a much more complex reality. As more freelancers, influencers and digital creators move abroad to optimize their lifestyle and income, tax authorities around the world are increasing their scrutiny. So how can content creators relocate overseas legally, optimize their taxes, and avoid crossing the line into tax evasion?
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