Features
Schools & studies
Summer schools are back. Their winter counterparts, called winter schools, are also preparing to welcome back international students. What are the perks of these programs? Who are they intended for, and what types of courses are provided?
Banks and finance
Many expats move abroad not only to have a new experience in a different culture but to save money. However, life as an expatriate might mean having a lot of expenses, especially for those coming from Southern countries where the currency is devalued compared to the Dollar, Euro and Pound, for instance.
Cost of living
The quarterly survey of Totaljobs' Hiring Trends Index indicates that the rising cost of living in the UK, especially an upcoming 80% hike in energy bills, is making Britons keener to move abroad. 13%, who represent 4.5 million people, responded that they are strongly considering leaving the UK. Young people and Londoners are keener on relocating abroad. They cite a lower cost of living, career opportunities, a better quality of life and a desire to travel as motivating factors.
Work
Finance firms in Hong Kong are prioritizing the recruitment of Chinese speakers over English speakers, reports eFinancialCareers. This might come as a surprise to those who assume English to be the most important lingua franca for working abroad. As a matter of fact, the rise of strong regional economies and the localization experienced by these economies during the pandemic has increased the importance of other languages like Chinese, French and Arabic.
Work
Canada, the United States, Australia, Switzerland, Finland, Japan, France, etc. Since last year, countries have started recruiting foreign talent again following the crisis. So if you're looking for new work opportunities abroad, here's how to build your career and grow as an expat.
Formalities
The Financial Times (FT) recently published a list of issues British expats have to consider before moving back to the UK. If expats are uninformed and unprepared, they risk facing “astronomical” visas, shipping, tax and housing costs in the process of returning home. By choosing the right time to move back, becoming tax-compliant and dealing with their overseas assets and benefits in an informed way, they can make their transition back home smoother and more affordable.
Children
As of August 2, all new parents in the Netherlands are now legally entitled to nine weeks of paid parental leave. It applies to both mothers and fathers, biological and adoptive parents, who will receive 70% of their wage from the Employee Insurance Agency during the leave. This legislation reinforces the Netherlands' reputation as one of the best places for expats to raise a family.
Work
Many expatriates teach their native language in their country of residence. It is essential to have diplomas to teach in schools or institutions of any kind. Still, it is also possible to do some tutoring, and this does not require any certificate, even if it is recommended. Many learners wish to speak with a native speaker about any subject, thus learning the language and the culture, without going through theoretical courses or working on the basics in an academic way.
Tax
Greenback Expat Tax Services, which helps Americans abroad file their taxes, recently conducted a survey on 3200 expats living in 121 countries. A quarter said that they plan on renouncing their US citizenship (6%) or are seriously considering it (20%). The leading reason is the tax burden they feel, followed by concern about their home country's political climate. Many feel that having to pay US taxes while not living in the country is unfair.
Everyday life
First of all, there's the official language of your host country. Getting used to it requires motivation, patience and time, the same qualities required to have a successful expat life. When we talk about languages, we're talking about all of their manifestations, regional languages, dialects and patois, jargon and slang, and body language. How should you prepare yourself for this change? What should you expect as an expat?
Everyday life
You've recently moved abroad, and you've just finished a great meal on a restaurant terrace. The weather is lovely, and the decor too. You want to leave your table to stroll around to digest your meal while enjoying the view. It's time to pay for your excellent meal, and here comes the most complex part. It's not that you don't have enough money. You've brought plenty of the local currency, and your credit card is also well stocked. But you don't know whether you should leave a tip or not.
Schools & studies
The Covid-19 pandemic shook the entire planet, and all spheres of economies and societies were impacted. The education sector hasn't been spared either, as children and parents both had to adapt to new teaching and learning methods.
Work
Nurses form an integral part of the healthcare system. However, the long hours and stressful working conditions mean that a career in nursing is only for those who truly love it. This article will look at the countries where nursing is in high demand and explore the benefits of working abroad.
Formalities
After the border reopening of most countries, many people are resuming their moving abroad plans. The passport is one of the most crucial formalities. Administrative offices have been taken by storm in the past few months by future travelers who want to renew their passports or make new ones. What rights are attached to a passport? Which are the world's most powerful passports? And what if you have a weak passport?
Everyday life
Financial Advisor reported in July 2022 that more Americans are moving to Europe to buy homes. The difficulty of becoming a homeowner on a middle-class salary in the US, political anger caused by issues like mass shootings and the overturning of Roe v/s Wade, as well as strength of the dollar compared to European currencies: these are all factors driving US expats to move to the other side of the Atlantic.
Cost of living
Health crisis, economic crisis, various political crises, the war in Ukraine, geopolitical tension elsewhere around the world, and inflation. All countries are witnessing rising prices. How are expats coping with this situation? How is the rising cost of living affecting their everyday lives? Could this rise make them rethink their moving abroad plans or their expat life?
Work
In Canada, employers are required to conduct a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before hiring foreign nationals. In other words, they must show that they have not been able to hire Canadians, despite all their efforts. Other countries have similar rules. But do such assessments stand in times of labor shortages?
Everyday life
Preparing for retirement is an exciting stage of life, especially when considering retiring abroad. But just like retirement itself, it's important to plan ahead to understand all the aspects of retiring in a foreign country as a woman. It requires extensive preparation and retirement financial planning, besides considering thoroughly the country to retire.
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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