Features

Brexit likely delayed; another haul for expats!
Everyday life
Brexit likely delayed; another haul for ...
Theresa May will ask the European Union for a delay regarding Brexit. In the meantime, expats in the UK and British expats abroad clench their jaws, unsure what to expect.
Malaysia: Changes aim to reduce expat employment
Malaysia
Malaysia: Changes aim to reduce expat ...
The Malaysian government is phasing out the Employment Passes Category 2 and 3 and also changing marriage laws for expatriates.
Cities with the highest rents in Europe
Cost of living
Cities with the highest rents in Europe
For those looking to work and live in Europe, finding affordable accommodation can be a real challenge. In fact, most of the popular expat destinations in Europe are known for their high rent prices. However, to help you choose wisely – especially if you have a tight budget – here are some of the most expensive European cities to live in according to the latest study by ECA International.
The 48 best cities in the world
Everyday life
The 48 best cities in the world
According to 34 000 city dwellers interviewed by TimeOut, New-York is the best city in the world! Melbourne and Chicago come next! Ranking is based on residents' feedback on food, drink, culture, affordability, overall life satisfaction and a few other factors.
Australia adds 54 new professions to it's Skilled Occupation Lists
Australia
Australia adds 54 new professions to it's ...
Thirty-six professions, including professional footballers and tennis coaches, were added to the Medium and Long-Term Skill Shortage List. 18 have been added to Regional Occupation List and 27 have been removed from the Short Term Skill Shortage List.
Why Spain is the world's healthiest country
Health system
Why Spain is the world's healthiest country
World famous for its outstanding cuisine, Spain is not just about paella, gazpacho or tapas. Did you know that today Spain is the world's healthiest country according to the 2019 edition of the Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index? While the local cuisine contributes – without any doubt – to the nation's health, here are five good reasons why moving to Spain can be the best decision you have ever taken in your whole life. According to the Spanish Ministry of Interior, over 28,000 new arrivals are recorded every year.
Atlantic Canada: 5 000 skilled workers wanted until 2021
Work
Atlantic Canada: 5 000 skilled workers ...
It was meant to come to an end this year, but the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program has been extended to 2021. The Canadian authorities are hoping this will attract 5 000 more expats to work in the provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Celebrate Mardi Gras from wherever you are!
Celebrate Mardi Gras from wherever you are!
Whether you are going to be fasting through Lent or you are just looking for an excuse to drink up and feast on fatty food… today is the day where you can let loose. Mardi Gras is celebrated the day just before Lent begins and is celebrated in many countries and regions across the globe. But it might be difficult to feel the cheer of the Mardi Gras if it is not a celebrated in your host country. So here's a few ways you can rev up an otherwise boring school night…
Five tips for the expat who does not speak the language just yet!
Everyday life
Five tips for the expat who does not speak ...
Maybe you've landed yourself a job in an English-speaking firm abroad but English is not widely spoken in your new country. You might not have had enough time to dedicate to learning the language. Perhaps, you're retiring in a country without having learnt the language. Or maybe you've just arrived and you have realized that you are having a hard time understanding the accent even though you know the language. We have asked members of the Expat community some language hacks for expatriates and this is what they answered…
Germany: 260 000 expats needed, but where?
Germany
Germany: 260 000 expats needed, but where?
Until 2060, Germany will need 260 000 foreign workers a year of which 56% will come from outside the European Union.
British universities attract more and more Chinese students
Schools & studies
British universities attract more and more ...
15, 880. These are the official numbers obtained from the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS). They show that 33% more Chinese students have applied for university in the UK this year than the year before. A record! But it does not stop here, there has also been a 9% rise in the number of admissions from international students.
New Zealand reopens 'Parent visa': What other countries offer this?
Formalities
New Zealand reopens 'Parent visa': What ...
Will New-Zealand reopen the parent visa category? The New-Zealand government could be making a decision in favor of this very soon. Indeed, according to the NZ Herald, there is a backlog of approximately 6000 applications dating back to 2016 when this category was closed. What is a parent visa and where else in the world can you apply for one? Let's find out.
Policy changes: Less chances of finding a job in Singapore
Singapore
Policy changes: Less chances of finding a ...
It could become much harder for expatriates to find a job in the Singapore services sector. It was announced on the Tuesday 19th of February during the annual budget speech session in Parliament: by 2021, the percentage of foreign workers making up a company's workforce will need to be reduced from 40% to 35% in the services sector, the sector which employs the most expatriates. This has been announced in a attempt to promote training of the Singaporean workforce to suit the demands of the industry and upgrading of positions available on the market. But what does it mean for expatriates living in Singapore today? And for individuals seeking to move to Singapore?
Global Cities: Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and Sao Paulo best for housing prices
Accommodation
Global Cities: Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and Sao ...
Every year, Knight Frank- a leading global estate agency, residential and commercial property consultancy firm releases its Global Affordability Monitor 2019 at the beginning of February. The Affordable Housing team earmarks 32 “global cities” and analyses the house price to income ratio, the proportion of an income which makes up the rent and also compares the real house price growth to the real income growth. Here are the most affordable “Global cities” shortlisted by Knight Frank.
Lower chances of work permit for those who have not studied in the US
USA
Lower chances of work permit for those who ...
The change was announced last december by the American government. Holders of a masters degree from an American institution are more likely to get a work permit than other applicants. This would mean, as the number of H-1B on offer is capped at 85,000, that other applicants would have lower chances of seeing their H-1B applications accepted.
Japan hoping to attract 340,000 foreign workers in the next five years
Japan
Japan hoping to attract 340,000 foreign ...
The Japanese government is targeting Fourteen industries. Indeed, in December last year, the government has announced a series of measures designed to attract skilled workers to cater to the shortage in 14 sectors in Japan. By 2024, the government hopes to have welcomed 340, 000 foreign workers in these sectors. Starting April this year, a new visa category will be enforced, and skill tests will be carried out on candidates for the nursing, restaurant and construction sectors. The decision comes after the Japanese government have been trying for years now to find a solution for labour shortages resulting from the declining population.
The five cheapest places to retire abroad
Everyday life
The five cheapest places to retire abroad
Spending your free time exploring a new country, understanding its culture and mixing with the locals sounds like a dream, right? You have always dreamt of retiring abroad, but you are not ready to spend your lifetime savings on relocating. Understandable. International Living has compiled a list of the five cheapest places where you could accomplish your retiring abroad dream.
The most child-friendly countries around the world
Children
The most child-friendly countries around the ...
You are all about the expat life and have always wanted to move abroad, but now that you have children, you have a lot more to consider before making the leap of faith. You cannot just leave it to chance. If you are looking for countries where your children will benefit from quality education and childcare at a reasonable price, HSBC Expat Explorer has put together just the list you need.

Other Types

Immigration update: Major policy shifts in the US, Canada, Europe, and beyond
Formalities
Immigration update: Major policy shifts in ...
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.
A comprehensive guide to health insurance in Germany for newcomers
KLforExpats
A comprehensive guide to health insurance in ...
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!
Southeast Asia considers Schengen-inspired travel zone: What would this mean for expats?
Visas
Southeast Asia considers Schengen-inspired ...
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.
Singapore expat exodus: Rising costs push out foreign talent
Cost of living
Singapore expat exodus: Rising costs push ...
Singapore regularly tops the list of the most expensive cities in the world. In 2023, it tied with Zurich in first place among the most expensive cities in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The same year, a report by Mercer called Singapore the best city for expats in Asia. However, in recent years, Singapore has been experiencing a continuous exodus of expats. Even those who have called it home for a long time are starting to reconsider.
Multinational layoffs: What does this mean for international job seekers?
Work
Multinational layoffs: What does this ...
The tech world, already shaken in 2022-2023, is still in turmoil. As AI continues to develop, other sectors will come under the scrutiny of multinational corporations. What does this mean for aspiring expats? Should this be seen as a risk for international recruitment?
Boosting European education: EU's plan for a European diploma explained
Schools & studies
Boosting European education: EU's plan for a ...
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?