Expat news
Visas
In a statement issued on October 18, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that it was suspending the issuance of 30-day visas for 20 African countries and one Caribbean country with immediate effect. Here is the story.
Everyday life
With the midterms just a few days away, the Democratic party is holding its breath. Will the Biden administration keep the majority? What is the performance of the Biden administration like when we look back on the infrastructure bill, student debt, inflation, and abortion rights, amongst other issues? How do expatriates in the US feel about the current policies?
Visas
Indonesia has just reached a new milestone with its new secondary residence visa, which allows foreigners to stay in the country for up to 10 years. The new permit will allow foreigners to reside on Indonesian soil for a minimum of 5 years, provided that they comply with a set of conditions. Here's an insight into this new law and how expats see it.
Visas
On 25 October, Australia's recently elected Labour Government announced its first budget. To solve the country's labor shortage and visa backlog, they've increased the number of permanent visas as well as the funding of the Department of Home Affairs.
Visas
2022 is well on its way to becoming the year of digital nomads. With Brazil, Portugal, and Mauritius among many, the list of countries open to remote workers is growing. Namibia is set to become the newest member of the trendy club of digital-nomad-friendly countries. But what are the characteristics of this Namibian digital nomad visa?
Accommodation
Thailand has been one of the most popular expat destinations for many years. The country recently announced a new property law intended especially for wealthy expats. Thanks to this law, expats would be allowed to buy a portion of land, and not only residential complexes. But while the government expects to reap huge profits from this lawn, there are certain conditions to be met by expats.
Work
Due to the delays of the Swedish Migration Agency in issuing Work Permits, many non-EU/EEA expats are currently unable to get a personal identification number that allows them to find housing, open a bank account, receive their salary or even leave the country.
Schools & studies
Going to study abroad is a dream for many. However, it comes with a hefty price tag. For international students, finding a small job in the host country is an essential condition to pursue their stay and studies. What are countries' stand regarding this? How many hours working hours are allowed for international students?
Everyday life
While Switzerland's great quality of life keeps attracting new expats, a new study by the Federal Statistical Office reveals that most are likely to leave within a decade. This might partly be explained by how integrating into Swiss culture in the long-term presents many challenges.
Work
In September, Malaysia's Immigration Department issued a new policy requiring employers to pick up foreign workers at the airport no more than 6 hours after they land. The lack of clarity and very short time limit left the management of Malaysian companies feeling confused. In response, in early October, the department gave a leeway of 4 extra hours and allowed agents to represent the employers at the airport.
Work
Austria is facing labor shortages like many European countries and the rest of the world. As a response, the government announced the introduction of short-term work permits intended for foreign workers with short-term contracts, hoping to attract skilled workers. What are the conditions to be met for obtaining this permit, and what does the Austrian labor market currently look like?
Work
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is keeping its pace in terms of openness. After introducing the unemployment insurance scheme for expatriates, the government recently introduced the "Golden Pension Scheme", a retirement savings plan intended for foreign workers. How does it work, and what are the benefits for expats?
Visas
In September, two Democrat senators introduced a bill in congress that could make over 8 million people in the United States become Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). The “Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929” would transform the immigration registry cutoff date of 1972 into a permanently evolving one. This way, irrespective of when they entered the country, immigrants who've been in the US for at least 7 years can obtain a Green Card.
Work
In October, Germany increased the minimum wage for the third time in a single year. It also raised the income cap of mini-jobs, a form of short-term employment. These are efforts by the government to help people adapt to inflationary trends and the cost of living crisis.
Work
The end of the pandemic has changed many things in the international labor market. Many developed countries seek highly-qualified economic immigrants to compensate for the workforce lost due to increased mortality, border closures and the Great Resignation in the USA. On the other side, countries providing these highly-skilled immigrants are losing them through a brain drain.
Work
Although France is trying hard to boost economic immigration, its main driver of growth, it has been facing a brain drain for many years. So how does France keep on attracting international talent while the local talent is looking for greener pastures?
Everyday life
On November 1, Canada will announce its 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan. Each year, this plan resets permanent immigration targets for the next coming years. It gives a breakdown of how many newcomers of each migration class the country wants to welcome. The federal government is also intent on increasing immigration in Quebec despite the Quebecois government's opposition to it.
Work
Immigration to the United States has nearly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. In spite of that, some sectors, namely hospitality, construction and services, are still experiencing severe worker shortages. These sectors have historically been staffed by working-class migrants, especially from Central and South America. Some analysts say that increasing legal immigration pathways for that demographic is a solution.
Other Types
Work
Labor shortages in some sectors are playing out alongside unemployment rates that, depending on the country, remain stubbornly high. Young people are particularly at risk of failing to find work in their field or anywhere else. So, how are young professionals thinking about moving abroad in this climate?
Argentina
As an expat who has made South America's Southern Cone my home, I explained last year why Latin America is the new frontier and how to get residency here. This year, I've been spending a lot of time in the new Land of Opportunity: Argentina. After taking a chainsaw to inflation, President Milei is now wielding the magic wand of citizenship by investment to foreign investors in Argentina.
Everyday life
Expat life is often seen as an exciting adventure: a new country, new opportunities, and a rich cultural experience. Moving abroad represents, for many, a major life project — one filled with hope and the promise of a fresh start. When you make that move as a couple, it can feel even more reassuring. You're not going it alone; you have each other, with the shared belief that this change will bring you closer and create lasting memories together. And it truly can. But living abroad also brings profound upheaval: the loss of familiar landmarks, constant cultural adjustment, distance from family and friends, and sometimes a complete professional reinvention. All of these factors can unsettle not only your individual sense of balance but also the foundation of your relationship.
Everyday life
In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), stated that the current energy crisis is "worse than those of 1973, 1979, and 2022 combined." Compounded by the war in the Middle East, the crisis is pushing governments to fast-track their energy transition policies, from fuel taxes and vehicle use restrictions to incentives for remote work. Should expats brace for lasting disruptions to their daily lives? And how can they adapt to this new reality?
Costa Rica
It is the 4th-happiest country in the world. For the first time, Costa Rica has broken into the top 5 happiest countries on the planet, and it is the first Latin American nation to reach the upper ranks of the list. This strong showing mirrors Costa Rica's reputation among expats: the country consistently ranks among the best places to live abroad. So what makes Costa Rica so appealing? And how do you go about settling there as a foreigner?
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