Expat news
Visas
In the process of reopening its borders, New Zealand faces a shortage of labor. Although the country will permit international travelers only on July 31 and visas in October this year, it has announced major reforms to immigration settings, 'the green list', to "increase the available pool of labor, while also speeding up our tourism recovery", said the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern earlier this month.
Visas
The United Kingdom, a dreamland for many international students, is introducing a new visa to bring talented graduates to the country. On the other hand, the new policy targets mostly expats from high-level universities in the north of the globe.
Everyday life
On Saturday, May 14, the G7 Ministers of Foreign Affairs agreed to a further extension of economic and diplomatic sanctions against Russia. These leaders firmly believe that the solution is to free their countries from Russian power. Pressure is also building up against states that are supporting Russia, such as China and Belarus.
Work
With the end of the pandemic in most parts of the world, many organizations have been requiring hybrid roles and a partial return to the office. But many employees do not want to say goodbye to the cherished freedom of remote working, and ideally, some would like to work from holiday destinations.
Formalities
Since May 1, British expats living in Spain for more than six months are facing chaos due to the invalidity of the UK driving licenses in the country after negotiations failed to reach a post-Brexit agreement.
Everyday life
Are there lessons to be learned from the recent riots in Sweden? Yet, the country is renowned for its good quality of life, especially for expatriates. There were clashes in many towns in Sweden during Easter week as the far-right political party and rioters challenged the police. Since then, the situation seems to have calmed down, but Swedes are left with many unanswered questions. Where has the integration of immigrants failed?
Australia
Bargain £10 flights to Australia are brought in for Brits this month, and that can increase tourism in the country, but also expats looking for a long-term experience in Oceania. According to key Australian Government findings from 2020, there are 7.6 million migrants living in Australia. This means that 29.8% of the population was born overseas.
Visas
Ireland is very international as it has 650,000 foreigners in a country of 5 million people. In general, expats going to Irish lands are looking for good quality of life and job opportunities and are attracted by its open culture to immigrants. That has been highlighted recently after the Covid-19 recovery as the country has expanded eligibility criteria for multiple-entry visas.
Everyday life
The number one city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai stands out in terms of immigration. Its economic prosperity has left everyone speechless. After a sudden demographic drop in the early days of the pandemic, Dubai started welcoming new immigrants in the fall of 2020. So how has this city become a favorite expat destination within the past two years?
China
From May 5, Covid tests will be mandatory for accesss to many public places such as transport, cultural sites, sporting events, restaurants, etc. According to this new regulation, anyone who wishes to attend a sporting event, for example, needs a PCR test of less than 48 hours and a vaccination certificate. From May 3, PCR tests will be made available free of charge to the population, but this doesn't sound convincing. Expats in China wonder whether they should leave or stay in such conditions.
Accommodation
Determined to put an end to real estate speculation, the Trudeau government announced a ban on real estate transactions for foreign buyers. Housing has been declared a "great national cause" by the government, which aims to create 400,000 new social housing units per year, compared to 200,000 today. This massive project is expected to support the country's economic growth, faced with multiple crises.
Work
After nearly 2 years of restrictions on international travel, Malaysia has finally decided to reopen its borders. With fully vaccinated travellers now allowed to enter the country, the government is making plans to restabilise the economy - starting with addressing the issue of the migrant labour shortage.
Everyday life
After more than two years, Covid-19 seems to have become part of our everyday life. Canada has just encountered its 6th wave, and the situation doesn't seem to be improving. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and France still have high contamination rates. After Israel, many countries have introduced the 4th dose, the 2nd booster dose, for some categories of people.
Visas
After two years of crisis and uncertainty, many countries have reopened their borders and started welcoming visitors and expatriates. Since remote working has become the new norm in pandemic times, governments are considering making entry more flexible for digital nomads. Italy has also announced the introduction of a digital nomad visa to attract foreigners.
Work
While Hong Kong is experiencing an exodus of foreign workers, Saudi Arabia started to reverse the trend after a year and a half as the economy recovers from the pandemic and oil prices rally. The private sector added more than 250,000 jobs for expats in the country, according to the kingdom's General Authority for Statistics.
Everyday life
As fuel prices rise to record highs, governments look for solutions. Retail petrol and diesel prices marked record highs in many countries across the world, including Brazil and France, which are considering elevating subsidies or cutting taxes to protect consumers from the financial strain.
Everyday life
While most countries in the world are recovering from the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic and have been easing anti-covid measures such as opening borders, eliminating masks and reopening schools, Hong Kong faces an outbreak of Covid-19, and expats find themselves in uncertainty.
Work
As the expat exodus from Hong Kong gathers pace, Singapore tightens its visa process. The government recently set up difficulties on visa rules for white-collar workers. It raised the minimum salary requirements and introduced a points system similar to what is used in the U.K. and Canada. Expat workers interested in moving to Singapore have to carefully go through its new working visa requirements before considering it as a 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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