Expat news

Ethiopia is the sixth largest economy in Africa, with a GDP of $111 billion in 2022. It is, in fact, on track to overtake Kenya for fifth place by 2023. As part of its strategy to achieve this, the government has successfully resumed its drive for foreign investment to boost economic growth. Its latest initiative is the introduction of a new visa for foreign investors. Here's what it means.

New Zealand is actively seeking skilled migrants to boost its economy. Having suffered the consequences of its zero-covid policy, the country officially lifted all restrictions last September. The clock is ticking to revive growth despite inflationary pressures. Why is immigration essential to New Zealand? What measures has the government taken to attract foreign workers?

Multiple recent studies revealed that younger workers highly value flexibility in their careers. This flexibility includes the ability to work remotely and from abroad. After their university or first career years spent under pandemic lockdowns, many have an increased thirst to job-hop around the globe or become digital nomads.

Since the pandemic, the demand for experienced health professionals in many countries has increased. Canada, Ireland and Australia are currently offering attractive incentives to welcome expats working in healthcare.

Is 2022 a dark year for the tech world, as described by some experts? The list of companies laying off thousands of employees is getting longer, and they include giants like Microsoft, Meta, Twitter, Salesforce, and soon Amazon. In Singapore, the situation is worrisome since leading tech powerhouses operating there have successfully attracted many foreign professionals over the years, not to mention the country's economic dynamism. But now that the giants are pulling out, the jobs of many locals and expatriates alike are being threatened.  

Until now, Malta has been the only country in the European Union with a total ban on abortion, but that might soon change. Safe and legal abortion is available on request in most EU countries and is often even fully funded by the state. Apart from Malta, only Poland currently has highly restrictive access to abortion. Meanwhile, the rise of the far-right in Italy has awakened the fears of pro-choice citizens and expats there.

Canadian Minister of Immigration Sean Fraser's latest announcements have been reported in all international media. Professionals around the world see it as a new opportunity to grasp their Canadian dream. However, some provinces need foreign labor more than others, and the government could direct the new skilled immigrants to regions that are particularly affected. 

In October, the United Arab Emirates started implementing a series of visa reforms. In an effort to standardize work visas, in November, it reduced the free-zone visa's validity from 3 to 2 years. This visa allows expats to fully own companies in designated free-zones. While this change is not deeply disrupting the business plans of free-zone visa holders, it is indirectly increasing the cost of renewing their visas.

By late 2022, most countries have already eased all Covid-related travel restrictions. However, a few countries, for instance, the US, the UAE and Indonesia, still require vaccination. Japan even requires a booster shot to consider a foreign national fully vaccinated. Some countries also accept a negative PCR test or a quarantine period as an equivalent to vaccination.

Are you planning to boost your career overseas? Have you ever considered Taiwan? The island is striving to move ahead of its powerful competitors, namely mainland China and Hong Kong. So, how is the country attracting international talent, and what are the reactions of its competitors?

The German government might soon reduce the number of years of residency needed to apply for citizenship from 8 to 5 years. In addition, dual citizenship might soon be finally allowed for all expats, not just a select few. At a time when the country is suffering from labor shortages, these amendments will likely attract more expats who hope to become EU citizens.

The US is witnessing a close battle between Democrats and Republicans. On Tuesday, November 8, American voters were called to the polls for the midterm elections. They had to vote for the renewal of the entire House of Representatives, a third of the Senate, a series of local elected positions; they also had to decide on referendums. The results begin to fall on November 9. There was no red wave but a fierce struggle between the two camps. The proclamation of the final results is likely to take a few more days, but here's what we can already deduce from these elections.

In late October, the Sultanate of Oman issued a circular to announce that all legal residents of other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can now receive a visa on arrival in Oman. This move will help boost tourism and trade in the Sultanate.

Ministers of Labor and Interior's announcement of a new immigration law has made a buzz in France since November 3. The two French ministers have outlined the new asylum and immigration law, which aims at addressing the labor shortage and facilitating the entry of qualified foreign workers into France. The bill will soon be presented to Parliament and then to the Senate.

Which are the best or worst countries in terms of taxes in Europe and the Eurozone? The latest Eurostat study leaves little room for suspense. France, famous for its high tax regime, remains at the top of the list but is not the country with the highest tax rate. How does this affect expats and people who are looking to move to Europe? Here is an overview of the study and some answers to questions you might have.

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?

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.

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?