Features
Work
Last week, Shanghai announced a series of measures to attract foreign professionals to boost its economy following the COVID-19 crisis. With these measures, highly qualified expatriates will be able to stay in China for up to 10 years.
Work
South Africa is on its way to becoming the new hub for remote workers. In fact, the list of countries offering remote work visas is growing, with most countries around the world facing high unemployment rates. What are those visas all about, and what are the pros and cons of having such visas?
Everyday life
To facilitate travel within the European Union, the European Commission is considering the introduction of a Covid passport. But Europeans and expatriates, in particular, have mixed feelings about this proposal. They shared their views with us.
Work
Citlalli has been living and working as a biodiversity scientist in Ecuador since October 2015. After completing her master's and PhD studies in the UK, Citlalli moved to Ecuador to work on a conservation project she had developed during her PhD research at the University of Sussex.
Work
Camilla is from Vienna, Austria, and for the past 2,5 years, she has been living with her husband and three children (six, five, and four months old) near Bilbao in the north of Spain. Camilla started her expatriation journey when she was 18 — first as an undergraduate student in the UK and then as a graduate student and professional in Spain. She met her Spanish husband upon repatriating to Austria, and ever since, she has been following the trail of his international career, which has taken them to Munich, Madrid, Vienna, and now Bilbao.
Work
Barbara is a two-times expat and a forever devotee of travelling and getting out of her comfort zone. The first time she became an expat was in 2006 when she followed the love of her life and now husband to Brazil, São Paulo.
Work
Flo, a self-deprecating, determined, and focused woman from Kenya, moved to Rwanda in 2015 due to her partner's work. Two years later, she founded Kigali Farmers´ and Artisans´ Market, which bridges the gap between MSMEs and consumers, and maximises businesses' reach through different platforms.
Work
The benefits of international mobility are great for organisations and expat employees who want to develop their career through international experience and come out of their comfort zone. Of course, global mobility comes with many challenges for all stakeholders involved. With the pandemic still in the picture, there's a lot of re-evaluation and adaptation to be made.
Moving
Thailand, in particular popular beach resorts like Phuket, is looking to welcome international travellers again by October 2021. Thai authorities recently revealed their new plans that do not require quarantine for travellers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Moving
Do you consider yourself an expat or an immigrant? Don't really see the difference? Here's what Jerry Nelson, a long term expat, who currently lives in Argentina, has to say about this.
Everyday life
Science has proven that climate change is the result of human activity and the industrial revolution, which started with the steam engine and continued with mass production and digital technology. Hence, it's widely agreed that a radical shift in human behaviour is needed to fight the threats against the environment and humanity due to climate change. How can you, expats, help?
Telecommunications
While most countries around the world have their own COVID-19 tracking apps, some have made theirs compulsory for travellers, locals and residents. So which are the must-have apps for anyone who's looking to travel overseas amid the pandemic?
Everyday life
This week, Facebook announced that new stories will be restored on its platform following a ban last week for all its users in Australia. The Australian government, which was trying to make digital companies pay Australian publishers, finally came to an agreement with Facebook. But while Facebook took this step in its own interest, it's worth noting that along with other social media, it is restricted or banned in many countries.
Accommodation
Buying a property abroad is a process that requires proper planning, especially in terms of financing. So what are the different options for financing your real estate purchase as an expat?
Everyday life
We discuss the impact of movement limitations on expats' mental health with psychotherapist and seasoned expat, Lisl Foss. Moreover, we talk to sisters Hannah and Miriam Mold about their stay in the UK during the pandemic and their plans to return to their expat locations, Vancouver, Canada and Melbourne, Australia respectively.
Health system
The COVID-19 vaccination campaign is progressing in many countries, mainly in Europe and the United States. However, there's one question that still needs to be addressed. Are expats entitled to vaccines in their host country and under what conditions?
Accommodation
Like most sectors, the global real estate market has also been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. So what should you keep in mind if you're a property owner or you're looking to buy or rent a property as an expat amid the crisis?
Formalities
There are almost as many reasons to move overseas as there are people willing to become an expat. People often become expats because of two unique, but complementary goals: attainment of second residences and second citizenships and the benefits second citizenships can give.
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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