Features
Everyday life
Hong Kong is an extremely active megalopolis with around 7.482 million inhabitants. Unfortunately, following a new Covid-19 peak in mid-February, the number of new cases has broken all records. To date, more than 200 deaths are being reported every day, and as of mid-March, more than 10,000 people are tested positive per day.
Everyday life
Would you rather move to the other side of the world or to the country next door? Intra-continental immigration has always been a step ahead of long-distance relocations, and the Covid pandemic has only reinforced this trend. Which are the easiest countries for intra-continental immigration, and what are the benefits?
Everyday life
The pandemic has impacted expats with international partners, as travel restrictions imposed long-distance relationships for many of them. Being apart led some couples to end their relationship or to strengthen by managing to see each other through digital tools and social media. Australia and New Zealand were some of the most strict countries in terms of Covid-19 travelling measures to control the disease. Now they are opening their borders between them and for expats overseas, and couples feel relief.
Work
This sounds like one of the best news for 2022. According to the latest economic growth figures, unemployment in Europe is on the decline. Faced with a labour shortage, the leading economic powers in Europe are looking for global talent, just like the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Australia. In Europe, too, there is a skilled labour shortage in all sectors. How are European countries dealing with the situation?
Germany
Germany's approach to contracts is known for being un-customer-friendly. It usually takes consumers three months to be able to cancel services, for example. But, the German Federal Parliament, Bundestag, has passed through a new law that seeks to reduce minimum contract terms and shorten notice periods to facilitate consumers' lives.
Australia
Expats living on the Southern Australia coast must be very scared. The New South Wales coast has been hit by dangerous weather with heavy rains and strong winds in the last week leading to severe floods on the Australian coast. The Bureau of Meteorology in Australia has expanded its warning zone for towns and communities, stretching Coffs Harbour south towards the Victorian border. The NSW State Emergency Service has warned of dangerous conditions and asked for evacuation at large parts of the coastline, including Sydney.
Work
Even in their own country, women already face a glass ceiling and several difficulties for getting opportunities in the labour market, especially in higher positions, due to gender stereotypes and sexism. According to the latest Women in Work Index by PwC, 70% of women in OCDE countries are part of the labour force, against 81% of men. Besides, women are less hired for full-time roles, with only a 76% presence, while men have 91%.
Schools & studies
International students who want financial independence abroad have to work during their studies. Moreover, some must work to pay for their studies since not all of them have financial support from their families. And even for those who do, their budget might not be enough for enjoying their host country at the most.
Work
The percentage of female expats is rising, but it is still far away from gender parity. Did you ever ask yourself why that is? Till the 80s, researchers are stating that there is a global glass ceiling similar to the corporate glass ceiling, making it more difficult for women to pursue a career abroad. In this article, you will learn about the global glass ceiling and how women who broke through this glass ceiling experienced life on the other side.
Everyday life
When companies send their employees abroad, it is usually still the men who are asked for these projects. Despite ubiquitous discussions, it is still mostly women who leave their own job and follow their partner abroad for his job.
Everyday life
Most countries currently have their borders open to people vaccinated against Covid-19. To contain and fight the pandemic, they also require quarantine, PCR tests, tracing applications, health declaration, etc. Still, no country is safe from another epidemic outbreak - which is why other vaccines (against hepatitis, rabies, etc.) remain essential for travellers.
Work
Travelling and living as an expat is a passion for all genders, although women might not feel as safe as men for the massive violence cases all around the globe. But, on the other hand, that reality is changing. According to Harvard Business Review 2019, the number of women travelling alone has increased by more than 230%.
Everyday life
Thursday, February 24, 2022, will be a memorable day for Ukraine and the rest of the world. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and Dnipro are attacked by the Russian military forces. The Russian president decided to ignore the warnings of the UN Security Council (convened to resolve the crisis between Ukraine and Russia) and announced the beginning of a military operation while the Ukrainian president called for peace. The rest of Europe condemn an unfair war started by Russia. Locals and expatriates in Ukraine are plunged into uncertainty and fear. One week has gone by, and the population prays for peace. Here are some testimonies from members of the Expat.com community.
Children
Are you an expat or planning to move to one of the following countries while considering to start a family in a non-traditional way? Adoption is another way to create a loving family by welcoming a child that couldn't be raised by its birth parents. However, many are disheartened due to the lengthy and expensive adoption process. Expat.com has made a list of the countries that encourage international adoption and support applicants in every step, making the process smoother and less costly.
Work
Too old to travel? Too late for a new adventure? Why would it be? Too late to settle down? Never! This is a message for all the aspiring expats doubting if age is a limit to their possibilities to move and pursue their career overseas. The real answer is: it will be a limit only if you want it to be.
Tax
Remote working and digital nomadism have been on the rise since the beginning of the pandemic. More and more people are starting a new life abroad without necessarily being aware of the tax rules and requirements in their expat country. Taxes are far from being their primary concerns. And yet, tax residency is a crucial factor, considering that there are tax treaties between your expat country and your home country, and depending on your personal situation. How can expats be in line with tax rules?
Everyday life
Love is one of the strongest feelings in the world. It is a game where heroes show that they are stronger than time, distance and adversity. This occurs every day, even if we don't know it, but now it happened on a large scale as a consequence of the pandemic. The closed borders and the difficulties to see our loved ones made this situation almost unbearable for many, but the protagonists in this story, nothing less than heroes, work hard to overcome the difficulties and are here with their valuable testimonies.
Everyday life
An ultimate weapon to constrain countries, embargoes affect all spheres of the economy. While most negotiations are done between central economic and political authorities, little consideration is given to the population, including expatriates. Yet, they are direct victims of these measures that often result in a lack of resources, shortage of raw materials, medical emergencies, insecurity, etc.
Other Types
Work
The latest trends in international mobility present a paradox. Restrictive immigration policies do not deter foreign applicants; on the contrary. The strong economic health of traditional lands of immigration and the positive image of economic powers are among the factors that encourage workers to try their luck abroad. Here's an analysis.
Everyday life
One of the top destinations for expats from around the world for decades, Canada continues to welcome foreign nationals despite its recent immigration reforms. However, a growing number of Canadians are choosing to move abroad. While this is not a new trend, it has been steadily increasing, which is quite troubling for a nation grappling with an aging population and seeking to retain its citizens. So why are more and more Canadians moving abroad?
Work
Although they are not often ranked among the top countries for expatriates, Malta and Hungary can boast more straightforward entry and residence requirements compared to more popular destinations like the United States and Canada. How is moving to Malta or Hungary easier, and what are the benefits for expats and prospective expats?
Formalities
Labor shortages and ongoing housing crises are heating up immigration policies. Should work permits be extended, or should there be a cap on the number of foreign nationals? It's a significant challenge for countries, with each one trying to introduce new policies to attract expatriates while combating rising living costs. Here's an overview of the latest changes.
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If you're planning to move to Germany, you've likely heard that Germany's healthcare system is one of the best in the world and is renowned for its efficiency, accessibility, and high standard of care. However, if you're new to Germany, understanding the nuances of its health insurance system can be confusing and complex - especially if you don't know the language!
Visas
As tourism industries continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit slowly, Southeast Asian nations are exploring the implementation of a visa system modeled after the European Schengen Area. This initiative aims to revitalize tourism and stimulate economic growth across the region.
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