Features
Visas
In 2021, France was the country in the Schengen area that rejected the most visa applications from Algerian nationals (32 000 applications). It was also the country that accepted the most (44,032 applications). The reason for this increase in the number of refusals is essentially political. France decided to reduce the number of visas granted to Algerians in response to Algeria's refusal to take back its nationals who were staying illegally in France.
Cost of living
Driven by a thirst for adventure, the lower cost of living abroad, and political dissatisfaction, Americans are moving abroad in rising numbers again in 2022, when most of the world's border restrictions have been lifted. Mexico and Portugal, in particular, have recently gained a lot of popularity as expat destinations for Americans, especially digital nomads.
Visas
Does being the holder of a work permit in your expat country mean that everything is possible? In the era of remote work and digital nomadism, the work permit is quite likely to be mistaken for a visa with all possibilities. Although it does grant rights to foreign workers, it also comes with a set of rules. What are the risks in case of infringement? Are you allowed to leave your host country for as long as you want?
Schools & studies
Two major events disrupted international student mobility during the past years – Brexit and the Covid pandemic. However, international mobility has picked up again with border reopenings worldwide, and some countries are among the new favorites among students. Which are they, and how are they beneficial for international students?
Work
Presented as one of the new flexicurity solutions, the four-day week seems to have a lot of benefits. Young workers, especially generation Z, are especially favorable to the option. While physicians and sociologists are researching the phenomenon, countries are experimenting with the new system by conducting full-scale tests. How does the four-day work week impact the lives of expatriates? Should it be part of the criteria for choosing your next destination?
Everyday life
The whole world has eyes on Qatar for this 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup, which is taking place from November 20 to December 18h. How do expats in Qatar feel about this major event? How is the stay organized for those who make the trip to be with the soccer world? What is the general feeling among those who are attending the matches? And what about those who are calling for a boycott?
Banks and finance
British expats in countries without social security agreements with the UK receive “frozen pensions.” This means that their pension is locked at the level it was when they first relocated abroad. Many feel it is unfair because they had contributed to the National Insurance only to get back low amounts. This reduced pension amount makes some struggle financially amidst rampant global inflation.
Work
Are you tempted to start a business abroad or create one in your home country with the possibility of working from anywhere in the world? With the boom of digital nomadism, more and more freelancers are taking the leap. But are they covered by their home country's social security? Are they entitled to some form of social assistance?
Visas
Some work visas explicitly target younger applicants in their 20s and 30s. Some visas with age cutoffs are working holiday visas, Australian permanent skilled work visas, and work permits in Gulf countries. Canadian points-based immigration systems also grant more points to younger applicants.
Schools & studies
International education was one of the sectors most affected by the lockdowns and border closures of 2020 and 2021. In 2022, it is picking up again in the most popular education destinations. However, the number of international students from China has decreased. Vaccination and quarantine requirements, arrangements for hybrid classes, political stability and post-work study rights are also affecting the popularity of each destination.
Everyday life
Whether you're seeking a great adventure, new career prospects and a professional challenge or to fulfill a childhood dream, so many reasons can lead one to want to move abroad. But what is it about a culture that attracts individuals to the point of motivating them to move abroad? What are these inspiring cultures?
Work
As work-from-home becomes the new normal, more expats feel tempted by the possibility of being a digital nomad who works from a Brazilian beach or a European summer house. However, some expats are doing it without the prior consent of their employers. This can create serious compliance and regulatory issues for the company, issues for which the worker can get sacked.
Everyday life
Canada is set to welcome 450,000 immigrants yearly by 2024. The country is looking to keep attracting international talent and is counting on its excellent track record to stay on top of the list of the most popular expat destinations. Which other countries have the highest immigrant populations and what are their current policies?
Cost of living
Inflation continues rampaging over the world's economies, causing significant rises in commodity prices, soaring real estate values and growing inequalities almost everywhere. Earlier this year, Mercer published its 28th ranking of the most expensive African cities for expatriates, and the results are quite discouraging. Here's what expats have to say about the cost of living in African countries.
Visas
Some governments are increasingly tightening their migration policies, and at the same time, their respective economies are facing labor shortages. These shortfalls have reached global proportions and are threatening economic growth, becoming alarming for some countries. Others are opting for a broader opening to skilled foreigners, considered essential engines of prosperity.
Formalities
Have you decided to take the leap of faith and are getting married? Congratulations! Of course, a wedding is always a wonderful life event, but as far as the planning is concerned, especially when you are an expatriate, it doesn't always go as smoothly as one may want. Depending on the country where you are currently living, you might encounter more or less daunting challenges and unforeseen obstacles along the way. But don't panic! Proper planning will avoid disappointments.
Everyday life
When you have been living abroad for years, and you are fully integrated into your new country, it can be difficult to stay in touch with your native culture. As the years go by, you become more and more detached from the current events in your country of origin, you watch fewer and fewer films or series produced there, you see less and less of your compatriots, and sometimes you barely speak your native language. So, what can you do to avoid searching for words in your native language and feeling completely disconnected from your former life?
Visas
Multiple countries on all continents offer residence permits to retirees who have a secure source of passive income from abroad. A retirement visa allows elderly expats to enjoy the country's lifestyle and boost its economy as consumers without putting pressure on its public services.
Other Types
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If you've been searching for a stable, profitable, and strategically located country to grow your business or diversify your investment portfolio, Panama should be at the very top of your list. Panama is not just a country with a famous canal. It is one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America, a regional financial hub, and a proven gateway for companies looking to expand across North and South America. With a dollarized economy, a territorial tax system, world-class logistics infrastructure, and investor-friendly immigration policies, Panama offers a unique combination of advantages that few countries in the world can match.
Everyday life
Moving abroad is often associated with adventure, discovery, and new opportunities. While it can be a deeply enriching experience, there is often a less visible reality behind the excitement of starting a new life abroad: exhaustion. In my consultations, expats sometimes describe a fatigue that never seems to lift, unusual irritability, a sense of disconnection, or the feeling that they are no longer quite themselves. What I have also observed is that this distress is rarely confined to one person. In expat families, when one parent begins to struggle, the entire family often has to adapt. Partners may feel isolated or lose their sense of direction, while children can pick up on their parents' stress, worries, or emotional fatigue, even when these feelings are never openly discussed.
New Zealand
Since June 1, foreign workers seeking certain work visas in New Zealand have been subject to new English language requirements. The government says the changes are intended to improve migrant integration and help prevent workplace exploitation.
Sweden
Since June 1, Sweden has tightened its work permit regulations. The new rules introduce higher salary requirements, stricter conditions for seasonal workers, mandatory health insurance in some cases, and increased scrutiny of employers.
Belgium
Belgium's latest reforms, which took effect on June 1, bring greater flexibility to the labor market in an effort to support job creation. At the same time, the government has introduced stricter requirements for non-European students.
United Arab Emirates
Foreign residents in the United Arab Emirates should take note: under UAE regulations, residence visas are generally canceled if the holder remains outside the country for more than 180 consecutive days. In most cases, affected residents must apply for a new visa before returning. However, several categories of expatriates are exempt from this rule and can retain their residency status despite an extended stay abroad.
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