Features

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed healthcare systems in crisis across numerous countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and France. Hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities have been recruiting foreign professionals to address the growing urgency. However, expatriates often encounter vastly different working conditions compared to their local counterparts. What factors should be considered when employment contracts contain restrictive clauses? What do the laws state, and who can be approached when faced with such circumstances?

Inflation has been a significant worry in 2022 and the first half of 2023, impacting various countries, including Europe. However, there is a glimmer of hope as recent estimates indicate that inflation is now declining and reaching its lowest points in certain European nations.

All countries are patriarchal to some extent, so it's often more challenging for expat women to adapt to their new professional lives abroad. There exist NGOs that can support them, but in some countries, notably Canada, the state itself has also created programs to facilitate the professional integration of women expats and immigrants. They provide training, develop the women's confidence and help them build networks. 

Did you know that there is a museum in Paris called the Immigration Museum, or Musée de l'Immigration? It underwent major renovations and was closed in 2020, and has just reopened. The museum aims to tell a story that connects everyone and portrays the various aspects of immigration throughout French history.

The post-Covid normalization of remote work has unlocked the possibility of working from anywhere in the world – as long as you have your employer's permission, have the correct work visa, and are tax-compliant. So many expats would love to be relaxing by the beach and sipping a cocktail while completing a report on their laptop. The trick lies in having an excellent internet connection. Fortunately, there are multiple countries that both offer remote work/digital nomad visas and excellent internet connectivity.

If you're currently 65 years old and living in the United States, you have another 20 years ahead of you — at least according to the US Social Security Administration. But here's the deal: this newfound longevity comes with some interesting twists and turns. Unlike your grandparents, today's pre-retirees and retirees are facing a totally different retirement landscape.

Here's a visa that has caught people's attention. While it may not have gained the same popularity as the well-known digital nomad visa, the jobseeker visa is steadily gaining ground among governments around the world. But what are the governments' aims with the jobseeker visa? What are the benefits of this visa for foreign professionals?

Last week, some countries in Northern Europe experienced smoke originating from numerous wildfires in Canada, following its widespread coverage over provinces and extensive regions of the United States earlier in the week. Although the dense smoke gradually diminished over the northeast during the past few days, the fires continued to present a significant hazard.

The remote working boom since the health crisis has rekindled the debate: should you be constantly available for work? How can foreign professionals set their boundaries, considering cultural differences? Let's take a closer look at countries where employees feel obliged to remain available outside working hours.

People often tend to think that all countries have the same rules in this area (or rather, they don't ask themselves the question). But when it comes to moving abroad, it's essential to find out about your host country's culture. Can you live as a couple in another country without being married? Which countries do not recognize live-in relationships?

Gulf countries have long been attractive to expats for levying zero taxes. But they are now trying to diversify their economy from the oil sector, and that requires getting revenues from taxes. All six GCC countries have slowly been implementing low taxes, starting with VAT, excise tax, real estate tax and corporate tax. They haven't introduced personal income tax, at least not yet.

Portugal is currently one of the most attractive destinations for expats. Great aspects of expat life in this country include the existence of multiple types of visas, relatively low cost-of-living expenses and real estate prices, an attractive tax regime, and sunny Mediterranean weather. It should be no surprise that the Ministry of Labor has revealed that the number of expats in the country reached a stunning 650,000 in April, a 364% increase in 5 years.

When choosing to leave your native country to move or work abroad, streamlining your professional commitments will rank highly on your housekeeping to-do list, in particular if you're a business owner. You may choose to do this by appointing an interim director or promoting your second in command to first in line. Alternatively, continuing in your role may be an option, albeit from a different location, and managing your company finances remotely, which can be facilitated if you have the right systems in place. 

Going abroad to study is not limited to young students. Various training programs and scholarships are also available for apprentices, job seekers, interns, high school students, and even young entrepreneurs. However, navigating through the numerous types of scholarships can be overwhelming. Which organization should you approach? What are the important factors to consider, and the risks?

Immigration has triggered vibrant debates in European parliaments lately, mainly in Hungary, France, Germany, the UK, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, and Denmark. Indeed, many European countries are redefining their immigration strategies for better balance. The war in Ukraine and the economic crisis resulting from the pandemic years are calling for action. But how should countries react to the urgency of labor shortages in particular? This is the crux of the debate between pro- and anti-immigration groups in Europe.

The tech world, already shaken in 2022-2023, is still in turmoil. As AI continues to develop, other sectors will come under the scrutiny of multinational corporations. What does this mean for aspiring expats? Should this be seen as a risk for international recruitment?

To stand out on the international job market and further strengthen the position of the European Union, the European Commission announced the creation of a European diploma. What does this mean for potential international students in Europe?

Looking for a new real estate investment? Futuristic cities, artificial islands, and self-sustaining megacities await you as the Gulf States roll out the red carpet for wealthy expatriates. Competing with each other, they are embarking on mega-projects to attract foreign investors. Here's an overview.