Features
Formalities
In India, the principle of citizenship has been largely discussed in the media and on the political sphere in the last few weeks. We seize the opportunity to talk about dual citizenship. An opportunity which often arises for expatriates. What is it? And what the pros and cons?
Children
For many expats, the excitement of moving to a new country and upgrading our career is lessened by the concern for the family we leave behind — especially aging parents who are more likely to be dependent on us. So how can we chase our expatriation dream while making sure our aging parents receive the love and support they deserve? I have been an expat since 2007 and lucky enough to have self-sufficient and healthy parents. However, since I am planning to continue my expatriation journey, I am continuously thinking of better ways to strengthen my relationship with my parents in spite of the physical distance between us and see to it that the older they grow, the more care and comfort they will get.
Everyday life
When we think of “moving abroad”, we often think of living the big life in a big city. There does not even seem to be a need to explain why moving to a big city would make sense. Everything is just easier in a big city. In small towns, everything is more complicated. Do the residents themselves not “go up to the city?” But, far from the clichés, small towns have many advantages.
Moving
Home is not a place. It's a feeling. The air smells funny. People drive on the wrong side of the street. Vendors sell bread on the sidewalk. The prices are in local money so quick mental calculations must be made.
Everyday life
New year, new decade. Time for some change, something fresh and new. Have you decided to relocate this year? Or have you, finally, decided to learn the language of your host country? Here are what the expats we have contacted have said…
Uber has found itself under a lot of criticism in the past year and has seen threats of its licence being stripped in several cities across the planet. The taxi service has become an essential tool for anyone living in a big city. But what happens when Uber's licence gets revoked? And what happens when a frequent Uber user moves to a country where there is no Uber?
Everyday life
In many places around the world, the holiday season is an opportunity to share good times with family and friends. However, each country has its own peculiarities! Here are some traditions that make Christmas and New Year's Day super exciting...
Everyday life
No matter where expats are, they are always striving to go home for Christmas. Afterall, nothing beats being with family and friends during the holidays. Airfares are the most expensive during the time and the holiday rush is enough to drive anyone crazy yet home is still the best place to spend Christmas.
Everyday life
One of the worst times of the year to buy tickets for a flight is around Christmas. Ticket prices usually hike up to three times as much as its regular rate. This is because there is usually a mad rush for travelers around the world to get home in time for the festive season. While some expats have no problem shelling out that much for tickets just to go home, some ride out the Christmas rush and wait until the peak passes instead. This means traveling on Christmas or New Year's day itself.
Everyday life
Music makes the season even merrier no matter where you are from the world. It has the ability to spread the festive cheer and make anyone's mood instantly lighter. We looked into various songs from different nations around the world to check out the famous Christmas songs.
Everyday life
Some countries in the world do not celebrate Christmas such as those in the Middle East. Such countries are Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates and the rest of the Gulf States. Other non-Arab countries that do not celebrate Christmas are: Mongolia, China and Brunei. However, these countries are also most frequented by expats from all over the world. While some countries are stricter than others, a number of these are also receptive of Christmas celebrations.
Everyday life
Christmas is a season where expats feel the blues the most. The nostalgia of spending the season surrounded by family and friends, reliving traditions passed on from one generation to another, gift giving and the sumptuous food on the table are all enough for one to go mad when away from home. Unfortunately, sometimes expats have to stay in their host countries over the holidays. But who says this means you cannot offer presents to your loved ones?
Everyday life
In this feature we interview a first time expat, Mary Christianne who recently made a big move from Manila, Philippines to Pennsylvania, United States. In our Expat.com interview with her, she talks about how it is spending the holidays alone for the first time in her twenty plus years in life, her plans for the holidays and how she will cope with being away from home this Christmas.
It's been almost two years since thousands and thousands of expats in Saudi Arabia started making their exit due to the Kingdom's newest Saudi Nationalisation Scheme (also known as Nitaqat). According to the saudization policy implemented by the Ministry of Labour & Social Development, companies must hire Saudi nationals and expats on a quota basis, which favours the former. Almost two million expats have left Saudi Arabia since 2017 within the scope of a 2020 National Transformation Program, with no signs of an end to the mass exodus.
Taiwan
More and more qualified professionals are betting on Taiwan as an expat destination.
The country seems to be coming out of the shadows making a notable entry into the top 20 countries that are attracting more and more qualified professionals. The study published last month, and conducted by the Institute for Management and Development (based in Switzerland), looks at the capacity of states to grow, to become more attractive, and to attract new foreign talent. How can we explain spurt of attractiveness of Taiwan to foreign professionals?
Health system
On 25 November, the Kingdom of Kuwait added diabetes, a non-contagious health problem, to its existing list of contagious diseases that prevents expats from living in the country. This, however, is not an unusual move. A lot of countries deny entry to expats having specific medical conditions...
France
They said they would so they did. December 5th, marked the beginning of a new general strike movement in France. Causing mayhem is the pension reform announced for the end of year. The government is following the case closely. A year after the beginning of the yellow vest movement, is it regaining momentum?
Germany
The "Skilled Worker Immigration Act", introduced earlier this year by the German Federal Government, will be coming into effect as from March 1, 2020. The aim would be to cut down labour immigration to Germany regarding third-country nationals. In short, not everyone will be able to move to Germany for work or vocational training. Profiles will be screen individually to meet the country's needs.
Other Types
Schools & studies
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?
Accommodation
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.
Sponsored
Milano 3.0 - Next Generation Living
The new residential complex of Milano 3.0 is the latest addition to the Milano 3 neighborhood, located in the south-west of the city, nestled in the lush greenery.
Health system
According to the current Italian prime minister, it could soon be possible for Italian expats to benefit from healthcare in Italy while living abroad. In fact, a bill proposed by the Fratelli d'Italia party aims to allow this against an annual contribution of 1,500 euros to the national health system (SSN).
Banks and finance
If you're planning to move abroad, you're perhaps in the middle of the process of obtaining your visa and residency permit. One of the required documents is proof of financial means. Apart from the often exorbitant amount, how can you prove you have sufficient funds to live in your chosen country?
Everyday life
Happiness is a complicated matter. Philosophers have tried to define it, economists have tried to measure it, and expats, well, expats are trying to find it. Several surveys look at happiness from a geographical angle. Their goal is to determine whether location has an impact on your emotional well-being. And, as it turns out, it does. But the rest isn't that clear.
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