Expat news
Schools & studies
During the 75th Conference of the Association of International Educators (NAFSA), which took place between May 30 and June 2, education policymakers gathered in Washington to share their plans to attract more international students. The conference's themes were centered around inspiration and inclusion. Countries have recognized the importance of investing in welcoming and training international students to retain talent. So, which countries are currently the most attractive to international students?
Netherlands
Immigration remains a central topic of debate in the European Union. As France tries to heal the wounds of a week of riots (late June to early July), discussions about immigration have fueled debates, even though the perpetrators of violence were French citizens. During the same period, the European Commission published its Eurobarometer, analyzing the perception of immigration among Europeans.
Banks and finance
In October 2022, the world feared that the dollar's rise would fuel a new inflationary spiral. It was then referred to as the "unstoppable force of the dollar," powerful enough to shake the currencies of major economies like Japan, the Eurozone, and the United Kingdom. However, in December, the tone changed: the dollar experienced a slight decline but remained strong, continuing to be the safe haven of 2023. On the other hand, other major currencies continued to weaken. Nonetheless, some countries resisted, mainly in emerging economies. What are the consequences for expats' finances?
China
A new law was enacted in China on July 1, 2023. It broadens the scope of what is considered espionage and grants the Chinese government increased authority to address perceived threats to national security. Here's what it means for expats.
USA
The Immigration Act of 1990 imposed a limit on the number of Green Cards that the United States can issue every year. Currently, about 1 million Green Cards are issued yearly. Most are Family-based Green Cards, while Employment-based Green Cards have a stricter cap of 140,000 per year. Furthermore, a maximum of 7% of these permits can go to individuals from a single foreign country. Such restrictions have created exceedingly long application backlogs for citizens of the top sending countries, namely Mexico, India, China and the Philippines.
Everyday life
The 17th edition of the Global Gender Gap, released on June 20, 2023, examines the progress of gender equality across four key areas: health and survival, education, the economy, and empowerment. Established in 2006, the Global Gender Gap Index is the longest-standing measurement of its kind. What insights can we gather from this latest edition? What transformations are occurring in various countries? Are we observing positive advancements or a concerning decline in the overall situation?
USA
Diplomatic negotiations between the US and India have paid off for Indian expats in the States. Many of these expats have been affected by the 2023 tech layoff, which put their right to remain in the US as well as Green Card applications, in danger. In June, President Biden announced a pilot program allowing laid-off expats to get a one-year work authorization document while they find another sponsor.
Formalities
Labor shortages continue to be a pressing issue worldwide, prompting countries to adopt various strategies to attract foreign talent. These measures include revising visa exemption policies, streamlining procedures to appeal to foreign workers, and introducing new visa options. Here are the latest updates on visa-related developments from the past month.
Everyday life
Are you looking to move abroad? The 2023 ranking of the world's most livable cities might give you some ideas. Last month, The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the sister organization of The Economist newspaper, published its annual "Global Liveability Index," which ranks the friendliest cities to live in. The top 10 cities include destinations expatriates already appreciate for their living environments. However, this year's results are full of surprises, particularly in Europe and Asia. What has led to these changes?
Everyday life
As an officially bilingual country, Canada must ensure that French doesn't fall behind English in all of its provinces, not just in Quebec. In June, the Canadian government adopted a new bill to foster the immigration of francophone expats as well as promote the use of French in federal institutions.
Visas
The European Parliament needs to vote on a proposal that would ease non-EU expats' access to long-term resident status. That will make it easier for them to fully enjoy the EU's freedom of movement. Currently, there are de facto restrictions on taking up work in any EU country, even if you are a (non-EU) expat in one member state. If passed, the reform will allow these expats to immediately get long-term resident status in a second EU country if they relocate.
England
Here's some good news for English football clubs. The Home Office has recently approved new visa criteria for international footballers, resulting in increased flexibility for these foreign talents. This is advantageous for football clubs as they will be able to continue recruiting internationally. Now, does the Home Office's assistance extend to other foreign talent?
Argentina
The Argentine Congress might soon pass a new tax bill that will be a game-changer for remote workers who earn money from abroad. Until now, to legally keep their earnings in an Argentine bank, they had to convert them into pesos. The depreciation of the peso and lack of regularization of freelance work has pushed the state to come up with a bill that would allow these workers to leave up to US$30,000 unconverted in their Argentine account. The Congress's lower house has already approved this bill, but the upper house's vote is pending.
Visas
How can the smooth movement of individuals be ensured while effectively managing the external borders of the European Union? The European Commission has outlined its strategy: the digital Schengen visa. It has successfully reached a groundbreaking agreement in this regard. What does this mean for travelers and prospective expats?
Everyday life
Bali remains open to tourists and expatriates but in compliance with certain rules. I Wayan Koster, the Governor of Bali, has issued a new circular to clarify things. Effective May 31, it sets out new rules for international tourists and expatriates alike. According to the governor, who has observed a "growing laxity" among some foreign visitors, this measure is essential.
Cost of living
Where to move in 2023? Many would-be expatriates tend to scrutinize the various international rankings. Those already living abroad are seeing the effects of inflation on their daily lives. In New York, you have to look twice before you shop. The same applies to other major American cities. Other expatriation hotspots are also experiencing rising prices.
Tax
Last week, Belgium's Data Protection Authority ruled that the country must stop sharing the private financial information of Americans living in Belgium with the US Internal Revenue Service. What does this mean for American expats? Will this have an impact on their decision to settle in Belgium?
Indonesia
Indonesia is currently implementing new strategies to support the strong economic recovery observed in 2022. In addition to reforming its economy and encouraging innovation, the government is counting on wealthy and skilled foreigners. The health crisis has turned the organization of work upside down, and digital nomadism is at its peak. As a country that aims to become one of the top 5 largest economies by 2045, Indonesia is also luring wealthy investors.
Other Types
Everyday life
These associations act as a crucial link between your home country and your new country, and they have proved their utility. Although their services are well-known to beneficiaries, what does it mean to volunteer in such an association? What are the benefits of volunteering as an expat, and how does one get started?
Leisure
In early 2024, the Prime Video streaming platform debuted “Expats", a drama series based on the book by Janice Y. K. Lee. It portrays the lives of three women from diverse backgrounds who are linked by a singular drama: Margaret, Hilary, and Mercy, each facing unexpected and traumatic events that upheave their existences.
France
With less than three months until the start of the Paris Olympics, expatriates are feeling a mix of excitement and concern, especially those currently living in the capital or planning to move there during this period. The media predictions are unanimous: the event will affect the daily lives of all residents. But what will the actual impact be, and how can one prepare?
Children
Your thoughts about moving abroad are becoming more frequent, but balancing the needs of your children, your family, and yourself is challenging. Embarking on expatriation alone is daunting. How can you manage it as a single parent?
Work
Yes, it is indeed possible to work abroad with a disability, and yes, there are obstacles, whether the disability is visible or not. However, these barriers do not jeopardize the expatriation plan—far from it. Here are some practical tips for moving abroad with a disability.
Accommodation
You've fallen in love with a home that's incredibly affordable but needs renovation. As an adventurous expat, you're brimming with ideas to turn a modest house into a mini-castle. But what should you consider in this type of negotiation? How can you ensure your dream doesn't turn into a costly nightmare?
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