Expat news

Kuwait updates visa and residency rules for expats
Kuwait
Kuwait updates visa and residency rules for expats
While Kuwait continues to pursue its job nationalization policy, the country is also seeking to attract investors and highly skilled professionals. Here's what you need to know if you're planning a move to Kuwait.
US suspends immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries and introduces visa bonds
USA
US suspends immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries and introduces visa bonds
Immigrant visa suspension, visa bonds, tighter H-1B rules and higher entry barriers: the United States is pressing ahead with policies aimed at curbing both legal and illegal immigration. What will the “American Dream” look like in 2026, and what should expats expect?  
New Greek Golden Visa rules aim to attract more investors
Greece
New Greek Golden Visa rules aim to attract more investors
The Greek government has introduced new measures to streamline the Golden Visa process. Its goal is clear: make the programme more accessible, attract more foreign investors, and boost tourism.
Business Investor Work Visa: New Zealand's new pathway for expats
New Zealand
Business Investor Work Visa: New Zealand's new pathway for expats
New Zealand has rolled out a new visa aimed at attracting foreign investors since November 24, 2025. Unlike previous schemes, applicants won't need to set up their own company. Instead, the visa targets high-net-worth expatriates who want to invest in existing New Zealand businesses.
Oman extends residency to 10 years and introduces new workforce regulations
Oman
Oman extends residency to 10 years and introduces new workforce regulations
By easing residency renewals, Oman aims to attract more skilled professionals and investors. The change is a key step in advancing Oman Vision 2040 and its push for a more diversified economy.
Germany approves record minimum wage increase for 2026
Germany
Germany approves record minimum wage increase for 2026
The Merz government signed off on the decision on 29 October 2025—an unexpected step given the country's deep economic troubles. Yet the independent commission that issued the recommendation argues that the increase should boost household spending and, in turn, support overall economic growth.
Canada cuts temporary immigration by 43%: What's changing in 2026–2028
Canada
Canada cuts temporary immigration by 43%: What's changing in 2026–2028
Canada continues to captivate expatriates, but entering and staying is becoming increasingly difficult. The immigration slowdown is confirmed. The 2026-2028 plan prioritizes long-term economic immigration and curtails temporary immigration to Canada. Temporary expatriate workers and students are directly targeted by this slowdown. 
Pay Transparency Directive: New rules for workers in Europe
Work
Pay Transparency Directive: New rules for workers in Europe
The European Union's Pay Transparency Directive, passed on April 24, 2023, introduces strict new rules to tackle gender pay inequality. Employers must now make salary information public and close any unjustified gender pay gap above 5%.  
Thailand makes online work permits mandatory for foreign workers
Thailand
Thailand makes online work permits mandatory for foreign workers
The Thai government has launched an ambitious plan to simplify and modernize visa and work permit processes. The goals are clear: reduce paperwork, streamline procedures, enable real-time tracking, and speed up responses.
Portugal ends job-seeking visa for foreign workers
Portugal
Portugal ends job-seeking visa for foreign workers
Portugal has abruptly suspended its work seeker visa. A new law, published on October 22, 2025, officially ends the job-seeking visa program. The decision took immediate effect: all existing applications and scheduled appointments were cancelled by the government the following day.
China launches new visa to attract foreign tech talent
China
China launches new visa to attract foreign tech talent
It's no longer just tariffs fueling tensions between China and the United States. As the latest round of Trump's retaliatory measures takes effect on November 1, a new front has opened: the global competition for talent. Both nations are now racing to attract the world's brightest minds, and China's latest move in this contest is the launch of a new “tech talent visa.”
UK tightens visa and permanent residency rules
England
UK tightens visa and permanent residency rules
The government continues to take a firm approach to immigration, strengthening legal requirements and clamping down on illegal entry, yet acknowledging the UK's ongoing dependence on foreign labour. The Starmer administration has outlined a new strategy to reconcile these priorities and support economic growth.
Foreign workers in Japan are essential but resisted
Japan
Foreign workers in Japan are essential but resisted
A new development plan has divided opinions in the quiet town of Kutchan, bringing immigration debates back into the spotlight. At the same time, a recent incident has fueled fresh controversy. What does this mean for expatriates in Japan?  
What's new in the UK's Tax-Free Childcare scheme
England
What's new in the UK's Tax-Free Childcare scheme
Childcare costs in the UK remain a heavy burden for many families. To ease the pressure, the government introduced the Tax-Free Childcare scheme in 2017, offering financial support to working parents. The scheme isn't limited to one type of childcare — it applies to a broad range of options, from registered childminders and nurseries to playgroups and holiday clubs. The government has recently introduced practical updates to make the scheme more accessible: faster application processing, simpler online management, and a smoother experience for parents.
Why Finland wants skilled expats and their families
Finland
Why Finland wants skilled expats and their families
Will countries ever escape the cycle of labor shortages? It's a question that continues to haunt nations struggling with workforce gaps. Waves of retirement and falling birth rates are draining the labor pool, leaving governments once again turning to foreign talent. But attracting expatriate families is no easy task. Finland, however, is experimenting with a new approach to win them over.
UAE unveils new visas for AI experts, tourism, and events
United Arab Emirates
UAE unveils new visas for AI experts, tourism, and events
The UAE is doubling down on its ambition to draw the world's best talent. A new wave of visa reforms aims to create a more flexible labor market and easier access for skilled professionals. With these measures, the Emirates are strengthening their position as a crossroads for trade, innovation, and opportunity.
Why now is the best time to rent or invest in Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Why now is the best time to rent or invest in Dubai
Now is the time to invest in Dubai real estate. On the one hand, new housing projects keep springing up. On the other hand, tenants and buyers are becoming fewer and harder to find. This slowdown in demand works in their favor, forcing landlords to roll out generous incentives.
Malaysia simplifies work visas with Xpats Gateway
Malaysia
Malaysia simplifies work visas with Xpats Gateway
A fresh destination is rising on the horizon for expatriates. Following in the footsteps of Thailand, Singapore, and Taiwan, Malaysia is positioning itself as Southeast Asia's next “expat-friendly” state. How? By simplifying and accelerating visa procedures. 

Other Types

How Americans abroad can vote in the 2026 midterm elections
Center for U.S. Voters Abroad Turnout Project
How Americans abroad can vote in the 2026 midterm elections
If you're an American living abroad, you can vote in the 2026 elections for US Senate, House, and more! This guide will walk you through the simple process and direct you to a simple form that makes requesting your ballot easier than ever.
Off to work abroad? Avoid these cultural office mistakes
Work
Off to work abroad? Avoid these cultural office mistakes
You might assume that office life is much the same everywhere: fairly standard working hours, the occasional overtime, and organizational differences from one company to another. But moving abroad can quickly challenge that assumption. Workplace habits are deeply influenced by local culture, from what people wear to how they interact with colleagues. So what is considered perfectly acceptable in your new country, and what might be frowned upon? Here are seven workplace habits that reveal just how differently office culture can be understood around the world.
Could AI ruin your plans to move abroad?
Everyday life
Could AI ruin your plans to move abroad?
Using AI to plan a move abroad may seem like a quick and convenient solution. It can compare destinations, explain visa procedures, and help organize your relocation. However, inaccurate information, outdated advice, and a lack of human understanding can put your expatriation project at risk. So, how much should you really rely on AI?
Student visa fees soar: Is studying in Australia still worth it?
Australia
Student visa fees soar: Is studying in Australia still worth it?
For years, Australia has been one of the world's most sought-after destinations for international students. Its world-class universities, high standard of living, and generous post-study work opportunities have attracted hundreds of thousands of young people hoping to build a future abroad. But that appeal is beginning to fade. As the government continues to tighten its immigration policy, it has once again increased the cost of its post-study work visa, making it one of the most expensive of its kind in the world. Combined with stricter eligibility rules and fewer pathways to long-term residency, the changes are forcing many prospective and current international students to rethink their plans. Is Australia slowly becoming a study destination reserved for those who can afford to pay the price?
Can you still afford to retire abroad?
Everyday life
Can you still afford to retire abroad?
Are retirees really the "wealthy elite" they're often portrayed as? In reality, retirement incomes vary widely, and so do living standards. For expat retirees, the picture is even more complex. Beyond everyday expenses, they must also navigate inflation, hidden costs, rising healthcare bills, and policy changes that can all have a significant impact on their budget.
Buying property abroad: How your relationship status can affect your purchase
Accommodation
Buying property abroad: How your relationship status can affect your purchase
Buying your own property is a major milestone, and for many expats, an exciting new chapter. But purchasing a home abroad involves more than finding the right property. Your relationship status can have a significant impact on your rights as a buyer and the legal protections available to you. Whether you're married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, are you equally protected when buying property overseas?