Expat news
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.
Everyday life
New Zealand is reopening its borders to international travellers but in five stages. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern presented the reopening plan on February 3. So who can now travel to New Zealand, and under what conditions? When will expats be allowed into the country?
Schools & studies
On March 10, Barcelona City Council is organizing a conference entirely dedicated to the choice of school for the children of expatriates, a meeting which will be attended by experts and professionals from the education sector.
Everyday life
Are Ukraine and Russia about to go to war? While countries like Britain have urged their citizens to leave these countries and U.S embassies have pulled their non-essential staff out of the country, expats currently in Russia and Ukraine are either choosing to fly home or staying put while waiting for further information. Russian and Ukrainian expats around the world are also holding their breaths.
Everyday life
Although the Omicron variant is still strongly present, particularly in Europe, and a "BA.2" sub-variant is spreading like wildfire, many countries are gradually shifting to a new normal by lifting their restrictions in an attempt to revive their economies. In Denmark and England, there are almost no restrictions, while in Quebec and France, many of them no longer apply. However, scientists doubt whether now is the right time to drop the mask obligation. What are these countries strategies to fight Covid in 2022?
Germany
Germany is facing labour shortages and is looking for greater immigration to avoid economic crisis, according to Peter Altmaier, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy. Germany wants to attract 400,000 skilled workers from abroad each year, and to attract skilled professionals, it is raising the national minimum wage to 12 euros per hour.
Australia
Since December 15, 2021, working-holidayers are back in Australia. Could this be the first step towards the total reopening of the borders? While some feared another postponement, the derogatory border reopening was set for December 1, although cases of the Omicron variant were detected. This marks the concrete end of the "Travel Ban", and is quite encouraging for people who are looking to travel and move to Australia in 2022.
Work
The Nigerian Federal Government has recently granted 12,000 expatriate quota licenses to foreigners seeking to establish professional activities in Nigeria.
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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