Features
Everyday life
The coronavirus pandemic has impacted expats lives around the globe, and it still has implications on the plans of people who are planning to move abroad. If travel conditions and visa processes were not very fun, it can currently cause a lot of distress and even make some give up on their plans. Still, there are things to consider before moving abroad during the pandemic.
Work
Cross border workers are people who live in a country and work in another, and they might as well be expats. When you live near a border, you might have to travel and work in another country for various reasons (better career opportunities, more attractive working environment and wages, etc.). In Europe, hundreds of thousands of people cross borders every day to work in France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy or Spain. While it is a well-established system, it wasn't spared by the Covid pandemic.
Everyday life
January 20, 2021-January 20, 2022. Since Joe Biden swore in as the new President of the United States, he has faced a lot of challenges, both nationally and internationally. Trump protested against the results and had his supporters' back. After the invasion of the Capitol, Joe Biden promised to reunite Americans. Today, Biden has engaged to unravel Trump policies, bring the population together, revive the economy, among others. While his ambitions are high, the opposition is strong too. Add to that a never-ending pandemic, inflation, etc. What should expats expect from Biden for 2022?
Everyday life
For decades, societies have conveyed the image of women as trailing spouses, but things are changing worldwide. More and more women are travelling and moving abroad alone, as a couple, as a family. Indeed, women no longer have to hide their ambitions in a patriarchal world. Today, more and more men are encouraging their spouses to follow their dreams and careers, sacrificing theirs. Who are these men, and how do they get along with their new role as trailing spouses?
Banks and finance
A change in the exchange rate can instantly change an expat's life, especially if they earn in one currency but spend in another. Exchange rates are directly linked to expats' budgets. Currency convertibility works in a similar way to stocks and shares. The more attractive the currency is, the more it is in demand, and the greater the value will be. Likewise, the opposite is also true, which leads to the currency being devalued.
Everyday life
Higher food costs and the energy bill crisis drove inflation in the UK to 5.4% in 2021 until December, up from 5.1% the month before, in another blow to struggling expats. Expatriates might be facing a hard choice between heating or eating.
Work
Getting a working visa is a big challenge, especially for expats from abroad interested in living in the north of the globe. During the pandemic, the visa process has increased its bureaucracy. Therefore, freelancing has been an opportunity for many expats to perform their dreams of moving to their hosts' countries and finding a way to make ends meet.
Everyday life
Fear has arisen just a few days before the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games. Covid has managed to filter through the "sanitary bubble". This means more tests, more control, and more restrictions for locals and expatriates. Borders remain closed, affecting international exchanges, whether commercial or educational. More and more foreigners seem keen to leave. Is mainland China about to experience an expat exodus too?
Everyday life
"Thank you Erasmus". Words of gratitude are raining on social media in millions of former participants in all languages. Founded in 1987, Erasmus is an international mobility program and marked its 35th anniversary on January 20th. On this occasion, here is an insight into the benefits of this program through expat testimonies.
Everyday life
In December 2021, Poland's parliament passed a media bill that aims to silence a news channel critical of the government in an unexpected move that will stoke media freedom concerns and reopen a diplomatic dispute with the US. With all that, how is it like to be an expat from Poland or one wishing to live there?
Health system
Since the early days of the pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been multiplying alerts regarding the cost of health care, especially in countries where the healthcare system has weakened. Health expenditure, already on the rise before Covid-19, have increased considerably and become a burden for many countries. In such circumstances, how should expats deal with healthcare, especially those with health insurance?
Schools & studies
The pandemic hit each corner of the world differently but had an impact on everyone. It is difficult to remain indifferent while riding the waves of unplanned changes, cancelled flights and lockdown regulations. Some of the most challenging changes have been the limitations imposed on international students, who had to spend (at least a part of) their studies from home due to the current situation.
Everyday life
"Retire in Dubai" was launched more than a year ago by the government. This program is intended for foreign professionals who have worked in the territory and do not wish to leave. This program is, in fact, part of a new strategy set up by the United Arab Emirates to meet the needs of expatriates. But other countries like Argentina, Thailand, Mexico, etc., already have similar programs to retain expats beyond their careers.
Everyday life
Haven't you ever dreamed of working close to the paradise beaches of Phuket or the Terrasses de Lavaux in the Swiss canton of Vaud, or treat yourself to a chic evening in Dubai and admire the view from the Atmosphere, the tallest restaurant in the world? Many of us have been waiting to grab our chance of living the expat life. Still, there are many things to consider before actually moving to some of the world's most popular expat destinations.
Everyday life
Expat life is often idealized, especially on Instagram, where you can see amazing exploration photos. This lifestyle can indeed make people envious, yet there is a setback that expats do not always publish on social media. Living abroad also involves dealing with loneliness, poor well-being, or even culture shock. Expats talk to Expat.com about how their dream turned into a nightmare.
Visas
Students and workers as expats are constantly searching for working visa information online, with experts and in social media groups to try to connect with others with common experiences. But, the working visa process that was already complicated during the pandemic has been worsened.
Work
YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Tik Tok, etc., are part of our daily lives. Indeed, social media has transformed our way of consuming, creating new professions, new ways of reaching an audience, of getting a message across. Are they showcases or multi-faceted creators? And what if you are an expat who also wants to become a social media influencer?
Work
The pandemic has definitely shaken the world. Still, many countries are stepping up policies for economic recovery. Employers are calling for more straightforward measures to hire foreign talent. However, the situation differs from one country to another. So what are the current labour market trends? What are the opportunities for expats around the world?
Other Types
Portugal
The Golden Visa has not had its final say. Despite the visa controversy, several countries keep relying on it to attract foreign capital. Let's discover which countries are relaunching or reforming the program and what has changed.
Work
The European Union is in need of healthcare professionals. Although this isn't publicized within European institutions, a behind-the-scenes battle is clearly underway among various European countries. These countries are treading carefully, balancing more restrictive immigration policies with chronic labor shortages. What does this mean for medical professionals from around the globe?
Sponsored
EURES
For 30 years, EURES has been connecting jobseekers and employers across Europe. Launched in 1994, this European network of employment services has played a pivotal role in facilitating the free movement of labour within the EU, overcoming employment barriers, and promoting career opportunities across Europe. Check it out and learn more about what this service is about and how jobseekers and employers can benefit.
Formalities
New visas aimed at attracting foreign talent are continuously being introduced as qualified professionals remain in high demand by countries that simultaneously tighten their immigration rules. The priority is clearly on highly skilled economic immigration. Here's a detailed look.
USA
The prohibitive cost of healthcare in the US is making Americans choose or consider expatriation. The latest research from the health policy NGO KFF shows that half of American adults struggle to afford medical care. It should come as no surprise that many are heading to Europe, where public healthcare systems tend to be more developed and well-funded. Others are opting for Latin America, where private healthcare is affordable for expats who earn in dollars.
England
One of the government's goals was to curb the rising trend of immigration by tightening the rules for prospective expats. April saw the introduction of new measures aimed at further filtering applications from foreign workers. What does this mean for those considering moving to the UK? Here's an in-depth look.
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