Features

Funding, Brexit... the challenges faced by Erasmus
Funding, Brexit... the challenges faced by Erasmus
The European Students' Union has released its policy paper and it is demanding for Erasmus to be made more accessible. Expat.com also analyses the challenges faced by students interested in the Erasmus program ahead of Brexit.
Visas: The unusual conditions
Formalities
Visas: The unusual conditions
The unusual regulation regarding American visas is about to become a reality. Indeed, it seems that in the very near future, candidates for working visas in the United States (with the exception of diplomatic visas) will have to disclose the details of their Facebook profile and their social media networks as an integral part of their application. This measure, although it is not in force anywhere else yet, reminds us that obtaining a work or residence visa is not always an easy feat...
Business acquisition: Have you given Quebec a thought?
Canada
Business acquisition: Have you given Quebec a thought?
According to a recent survey by the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), owners of Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Québec are more likely to sell their enterprises than in any other Canadian regions. Indeed, almost one in four small business owners have stated that they plan to transfer their business between the years 2017 and 2022. In other areas of Canada, only one in five business owners state they might want to sell their enterprises.
The most expensive cities for expats in 2019
Cost of living
The most expensive cities for expats in 2019
Mercer's annual report on the cost of living in cities around the world came out on the 26th of June. Eight Asian cities are featured in the Top 10.
What to expect when you're expecting... abroad
Everyday life
What to expect when you're expecting... abroad
Having a child is, in itself, quite an upheaval! So, here are a few things to keep in mind if you're, in addition, living this adventure while far from home.
Why Vietnam attracts more and more expats?
Vietnam
Why Vietnam attracts more and more expats?
In a recent survey conducted by Expat.com and global research agency,  Kantar, Vietnam came fourth in the list of popular destinations for expat professionals. Abundant career opportunities, low cost of living and a comfortable lifestyle are what seem to attract travelers to the region. Some come on a holiday, some visit for longer and some stay for years. So, is Vietnam the new up-and-coming expat hub in Asia? That's what we are looking into in this article.
Online banks: The best option for expats?
Banks and finance
Online banks: The best option for expats?
In the early 2000s, the banking sector experienced a small revolution: surfing the vibe of the internet boom, online banks started emerging. The most effective communication campaigns, ease of use, quick and efficient service, savings… what's not to like? After courting the so-called traditional customers, expatriates have become a target of choice for online banks.
Dating and expatriation: Where do you begin?
Everyday life
Dating and expatriation: Where do you begin?
According to a recent study by the international health insurance company Aetna, 76% single expats find it hard to date abroad. Language barrier, relatively small social network, lack of awareness of the dating etiquette in the new country, amongst others…
Beyond the myths of being an expat woman in the Middle East
Work
Beyond the myths of being an expat woman in the Middle East
According to an HSBC report earlier this year, two of the ten best expat destinations for international workers are in the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain give expats-to-be financial incentives to apply for jobs in the region and offer contract stability and fair workplace culture. On the other hand, the Middle Eastern lifestyle and culture are beyond many expats' ken, especially women's from Western parts of the world. But what it's like to be a woman expatriate in the Middle East? Expat.com taps into the Middle Eastern idiosyncrasies to help women expats-to-be understand the nuances of living and working in the area.
Hong Kong: The protests through the eyes of an expat
Hong Kong: The protests through the eyes of an expat
With this bill, the Hong-Kong government, seeks to allow extraditions of residents towards China would be allowed. And this does not sit quite well with residents of the special administrative region. After demonstrations and clashes with the police, the bill was suspended on the 15th of June. Nevertheless, nearly two million people took to the streets of Hong Kong the next day, demanding its full withdrawal and the resignation of the head of the executive. Alexandre, a French expat settled in Hong-Kong since 2011, takes stock of the situation...
Cities with the most cost-efficient rent costs
Cities with the most cost-efficient rent costs
The latest study by Comparethemarket ranks the best and worst cities for cost-efficient rent. That is, the ratio of one's salary that goes into their rent. These are the best cities.
Do changes in politics affect expat relocation?
Everyday life
Do changes in politics affect expat relocation?
The right to abortion seemed set in stone in the United States of America until very recently. In just a few weeks, several states have passed abortion bans. Will the new legislation push some expatriates to move to a different state or leave altogether? How do such radical political changes affect expat decisions? What consideration do expats give to a country's politics when deciding where to settle down?
Thailand: What are the visa options for digital nomads?
Thailand: What are the visa options for digital nomads?
The place-to-be for digital nomads? You will find that most people will answer Thailand. Yet there is still a lot of debate around the legal aspects of working remotely from Thailand. Is there a visa regulating the presence of digital nomads in Thailand?
Professionals: Where they go and why?
Professionals: Where they go and why?
Expat.com and global research agency, Kantar have teamed up to explore the reasons why people want to move abroad in 2019. In this article, we will reveal where professionals want to emigrate to in 2019 and why.
Expats can no longer get married in China
China
Expats can no longer get married in China
A new legal notice issued by the ministry of Civil Affairs will prevent two foreign nationals to get married in China. Here's what expats think about this.
Where do expat retirees want to go in 2019?
Everyday life
Where do expat retirees want to go in 2019?
Expat.com and Kantar, a global research agency, set out to find out the reasons why people want to settle abroad and where they want to go in 2019. Portugal, unsurprisingly, is a top choice for retirees.
Why people emigrate: This is what our survey reveals
Everyday life
Why people emigrate: This is what our survey reveals
Expat.com and global research agency, Kantar have teamed up to explore the reasons why people want to move abroad in 2019. The research also unveils countries preferred by expats and expats-to-be and reasons that make said countries attractive.
Katharina sets out to empower expat partners
Everyday life
Katharina sets out to empower expat partners
She had to reinvent herself professionally after deciding to follow her husband abroad. Katharina von Knobloch, once an online marketing and business consultant, now has a new mission: helping other expat partners navigate through the challenging journey of finding oneself and building a career abroad. And this is why she created Share the love, a coaching business to help other expat partners out there.

Other Types

Best sectors to invest in Panama in 2026: Your gateway to Latin America
JJ Associates
Best sectors to invest in Panama in 2026: Your gateway to Latin America
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.
Expat burnout can affect your entire family
Everyday life
Expat burnout can affect your entire family
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 English language requirements for New Zealand visas
New Zealand
New English language requirements for New Zealand visas
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 tightens work permit rules for foreign workers
Sweden
Sweden tightens work permit rules for foreign workers
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.
New immigration, work and study rules take effect in Belgium
Belgium
New immigration, work and study rules take effect in 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.
Can you keep a UAE visa after more than 6 months overseas?
United Arab Emirates
Can you keep a UAE visa after more than 6 months overseas?
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.