Expat news
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?
Schools & studies
Staff shortages, combined with budgetary cuts, have even directly affected the smooth running of immigration procedures at the Department of Home Affairs. There is currently a backlog of over 15,000 visas, including international student visas for those who want to move to Australia to study.
Visas
Although it might sound like an ambitious promise, Indonesia proposes a remote working visa for freelancers across the globe with no taxes for five years, and that would apply to its islands as Bali. Also known as the “Land of the Gods”, Bali appeals through its sheer natural beauty, and it's usually a place for tourism and celebrations such as honeymoons. But how about working remotely from there?
Everyday life
The European Commission's "Green New Deal" is at stake as countries switch back to the use of fossil fuels, such as coal, the world's most polluting source of energy. NGOs, already disappointed with COP26, are even more worried as countries blame it on the war in Ukraine, energy transition, economic crisis, etc. But is it the only solution?
Cost of living
Mercer published its annual expats' cost of living report last week. The 2022 edition was particularly anticipated since the Covid pandemic plunged the global economy into uncertainty. Added to that are rising inflation, the oil crisis, the war in Ukraine and political instability. So, where should expats move, and how should they consider their next destination?
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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