Expat news
Visas
Spain and Portugal, the sunny Iberian countries of southern Europe, have both recently launched new one-year digital nomad visas to attract full-time remote workers. On another continent, Costa Rica, another destination that is popular for its great weather and lush nature, is converting short-term tourist visas into longer digital nomad visas. The post-pandemic world has new work and travel trends that these countries want to make the best of.
Formalities
This is, by no means, a ranking list! One will always find both good and not-so-good elements in any comparison exercise. Nevertheless, it must be said that some countries are especially known to have a cumbersome bureaucratic system. This can be experienced in all aspects of daily life, affecting locals and expatriates. Here is an overview of the countries known by expats for their lack of bureaucratic efficiency.
Work
The Health Service Executive (HSE) of Ireland, the country's public healthcare system, has announced that it will now offer relocation packages worth over €4,000 to foreign health professionals who want to move to the country. This is the latest in a series of measures to solve the labor shortage in Irish public healthcare.
Work
China has been losing foreign investment and expat talent since 2020 when the country imposed strict lockdowns and border closures which are still ongoing in 2022. Meanwhile, in the last two years, other Asian destinations have proved themselves to offer excellent conditions for expats: Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, the Indian city of Bangalore and, to a lesser extent, Singapore.
Visas
In an attempt to boost immigration numbers, the Canadian government has announced a new series of measures to encourage temporary foreign workers and international students to convert their residence status to permanent. On September 20, the Immigration Minister unveiled these measures in a “five-pillar plan.”
Tax
The sunny autonomous community of southern Spain, Andalusia, has scrapped the wealth tax that used to be levied on assets. It wants to attract expats and boost the economy with its tax attractiveness. Other autonomous communities, Galicia and Murcia, are following suit, while the central government plans on adopting measures that will cancel out the advantages of Andalusia's fiscal reform.
Work
Like many countries, Ireland has been suffering from a labor shortage since the pandemic. This situation is aggravated by a rapidly aging population and a brain drain of the young Irish. In response, the government has implemented new measures to attract global talent. Why does brain gain co-exist with brain drain in Ireland, and what are the state's new measures?
Work
Here's some great news for all prospective immigrants to Spain. On August 16, the country finally passed new laws concerning immigration. Spain is currently facing a labor shortage. Some industries are particularly affected. By inviting foreign workers, the country wants to revitalize its economy. Below is an explanation of the main features of these legal amendments.
Everyday life
In March, the German government announced that it would be disbursing a one-off relief payment of 300 euros to help households face the rising cost of energy. This relief payment was meant to be debited in September and originally concerned everyone. But since then, things have changed. Not all people residing in Germany will be eligible for the relief payment. So who is currently eligible and under what conditions? Are expats concerned?
Visas
To solve the country's labor shortage and visa backlog, the Canadian government has recently introduced new reforms in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) department to speed up immigration, residency and citizenship processes. The reforms cover exemption from medical exams as well as the digitalization of visa/permit applications, interviews and status trackers.
Visas
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower has announced a new 5-year Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) for top talent who earn at least 30,000 Singaporean dollars (21,400 USD) a month or have exceptional achievements in business, the arts, sports, academia, science and tech. This visa aims to attract the cream of the crop of expats after the economic impact of the pandemic. It is needed to solve the country's labor shortage, drive economic growth and bring down inflation.
Visas
On 3 September, Australia increased its permanent migration cap for the first time in 10 years. This financial year (June 2022-June 2023), the country will welcome 195,000 instead of 160,000 new permanent residents. This measure aims to solve the acute labor and skills shortage that Australia has been facing since it closed its borders during the pandemic.
Work
Estonia, Croatia, Germany, Costa Rica, Cap Verde, Brazil, Ecuador, Cyprus, Mexico, Portugal, United Arab Emirates, etc. The list of countries issuing digital nomad visas keeps growing. While these new workers kept a low profile some years ago, they are now revolutionizing the labor market. Covid has propelled them, and thousands of workers are now moving abroad to combine a comfortable lifestyle with their professional careers. But who benefits from this new way of working? Locals are clenching their teeth as they face what they call “an invasion.”
Visas
On 22 August, the British Home Office announced a new scale-up visa to attract foreign workers with sought-after skills. This visa, which is different from the existing Skilled Worker Visa, allows approved “scale-up businesses” to recruit professionals from anywhere around the world. These professionals will get a 6-month job offer. At the end of this period, they can switch to another job without any sponsorship.
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?
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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