Expat news
Everyday life
Some countries have already implemented requirements for vaccination passports or proof of vaccination from travellers, and some others are going even further by requesting health passports to attend regular day-to-day activities. The health passport requirements may encourage more people to get vaccinated, but not everyone is happy with such restrictions.
Everyday life
As if the COVID-19 pandemic were not enough, several countries in Europe and America, including the United States and Spain, and even Morocco, are currently facing unbearable heat waves. Expats living in these countries shared their feelings with us.
Everyday life
During the month of June, more than 3000 expats took part in an Expat.com survey on vaccination. Of the 3000 expats surveyed, 49% said that they had already been vaccinated against the COVID-19 while 26% said they intended to get vaccinated in the future.
Health system
The survey carried out during the month of June called on more than 3000 expats from everywhere around the world. Of the American expats who participated, 51% had already been vaccinated and 32% intended to get vaccinated in the future.
Cost of living
Asia is a popular expat destination, and the increase in remote work may allow more expats to relocate to the region. While some parts of Asia are widely known for their cheap cost of living, the Mercer 2021 Cost of Living City Ranking indicates that certain cities are becoming expensive to live in. The majority of the top 10 most expensive cities in 2021 are in Asia.
Health system
The Expat.com survey was carried out in June this year and revealed that an estimated 62.9% of British expats have indeed received the COVID-19 vaccine. Most of them had received either the Oxford-AstraZeneca or the Pfizer-BioNTech shot.
Everyday life
As of June 30, 2021, living and working in the United Kingdom have only 28 days to regularise their situation and declare their residence. So the countdown has started for those who intend to stay permanently.
Work
Despite being a popular expat destination, New Zealand is reviewing its immigration policies to become more selective. The expected changes will come into force from November 1, 2021. Any employer who wishes to hire foreign professionals must obtain an Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Everyday life
It's official! Australia will not reopen its international borders before mid-2022. This decision, obviously, breaks the hopes of thousands of expats who had travel plans or were hoping to reunite with their families. Hence, many of them are packing their suitcases while some have already left.
Everyday life
Many nations worldwide have been able to breathe again for the past few weeks after spending months in lockdown. In early May, the easing of lockdown restrictions in several countries has allowed people to get back into their routine. However, Taiwan, Malaysia and Turkey have locked down once again following a new COVID-19 surge.
Work
For many years, Ottawa has been attracting mainly English-speaking expats. But faced with a labour shortage, Quebec, the French-speaking province, is introducing a new policy that's likely to be a game-changer.
Everyday life
Figures are alarming. Since the start of the year, Portugal is being devastated by a new wave of COVID-19. The country has a record of more than 840,000 cases and nearly 17,000 deaths, with hundreds of new cases reported every day. Still, Portugal has kept its appeal for expats.
Colombia
Colombia is slowly coming out of nearly two weeks of tension. The recent protests got 1,506 persons injured and 26 dead. The Colombian government and international organisations made an urgent call for peace.
Everyday life
Things are getting worse in India, with a death toll of over 218,000 deaths and more than 20 million positive COVID-19 cases. As the health system crumbles under the rising pressure, several countries have expressed their concerns. Some have closed their borders to travellers from India, while others are setting up aid plans.
Everyday life
Nordic countries, especially Finland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden, stand out in many global rankings for years. In fact, they are some of the world's happiest countries, offering unparalleled quality of life in spite of the pandemic. Recently, they also topped the freedom of the press report by Reporters Without Borders. What is so special about these countries?
Everyday life
The Freedom of the Press Index gives an insight into the importance of freedom of opinion and freedom of expression in different countries around the world -- which is crucial for those who wish to relocate abroad. Let's have a look at countries the press is free and where it is censored.
This week, Mauritius lost five spots in the Freedom of the Press ranking by Reporters without Borders. Last month, the Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) report produced by the V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg ranked Mauritius in the top 10 autocratizing countries. What does this mean about the state of democracy on the island? Should you be worried?
Visas
Canada recently launched six new immigration programs that are paving the way to permanent residency. These programs are mainly intended for essential workers, international students and French-speaking expats who are already on its territory.
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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