Features
Work
It is a known fact, there are more expats than citizens in the UAE. For the past 7 years, however, the UAE Government has pushed for more Emiratis to be hired, especially within the private sector, than expatriates. How has this move changed the dynamics for expats?
Formalities
Frédéric Varin et Valérie Marmey-Ravau, from The High Council of French Notariat, answer Expat.com's questions on the recent changes in how matrimonial regimes are regulated in Europe.
Everyday life
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
The Malaysian government is phasing out the Employment Passes Category 2 and 3 and also changing marriage laws for expatriates.
Cost of living
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.
Everyday life
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
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.
Health system
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.
Work
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.
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…
Everyday life
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…
Canada
What will happen to the 18 000 visa applications threatening to be cancelled by the Quebec government? Earlier this month, the government announced it would scrap 18 000 visa applications in order to clear the backlog. But following the approval of an injunction request by an association of immigration lawyers, the ministry of Immigration of Quebec will continue processing applications.
Germany
Until 2060, Germany will need 260 000 foreign workers a year of which 56% will come from outside the European Union.
Canada
Two new programs announced on the 23rd of February will allow caregivers who want to move to Canada to bring their families along and apply for permanent residence.
Schools & studies
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.
Formalities
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.
Singapore
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?
Accommodation
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.
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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