Visas - Expat News

Visas - Expat Magazine

Which skills allow you to move to Australia right now?

While Australia has chosen to keep its borders closed until January 2021, it is gradually opening up to highly qualified foreign professionals under certain conditions. Early September, the government announced a new priority skills list that should help boost the post-COVID-19 economic recovery. So if you have the right set of skills and you've always dreamed of working in Australia, start backing your suitcase.

New Zealand reopens its borders to stranded expats

New Zealand comes up with good news for stranded expats amidst the COVID-19 crisis. From October, the country is reopening its border to them under certain conditions according to an announcement made by New Zealand's Immigration Minister, Kris Faafoi. What does this mean?

United Arab Emirates

Dubai lures expat retirees with a five-year retirement visa

While most Middle East countries are facing an expat exodus, the UAE is looking to attract more of them. Dubai has just announced its new strategy to attract and retain expat retirees: a retiree visa that will be renewable every five years. Here's what you need to know if you've always dreamed of retiring to one of the world's most developed and prosperous cities.

What countries are luring expats with new visas?

While many countries are playing it safe regarding their border closures, others are currently introducing new visas to attract visitors and expats, skilled professionals in particular. The United Kingdom has just announced a new visa for healthcare professionals from August 2020. Canada is also coming up with a new bill along the same lines.

What countries are attracting expats amidst the crisis

While many countries have chosen to keep their borders until further notice, rejecting all new visa applications, some, like Australia and Canada, are taking a different approach. In fact, Australia has just announced a series of changes regarding student visa applications while Canada is still accepting visa applications in specific categories amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Find out more.

United Arab Emirates

UAE: resident visas holders allowed to return on June 1st

As from June 1st, holders of valid resident visas who are stranded abroad due to current travel restrictions will be allowed to return to the United Arab Emirates. This news comes as a relief for many of them who have been waiting to reunite with their families.

COVID-19: What happens if your visa has expired

Today, many expats around the world are worried about their stay abroad, especially those whose visa expires soon or has already expired. Given the current travel restrictions, they are not able to go back home. Many countries have thus resolved to grant visa extensions and other benefits to foreign nationals who are already on their territory, but this comes with certain conditions. Here is what you should know.

England

The new UK immigration policy

If you've been following the news, then chances are, you already know that after a long three years, the UK has finally decided to move forward with its divorce from the European Union. One of the main issues politicians promised to tackle with Brexit was immigration. Fearing the loss of jobs for native UK citizens, the government's introduced a new points-based immigration system that'll go into effect on the 1st of January 2021. Thinking of immigrating to the UK after that date? Then here's what you need to know.

Everything you need to know about freelancing as an expatriate

Paris is the number one city in the world for freelancing, according to Small Business Prices, a British business information site that has released, earlier in February, its ranking of the best cities to become a freelancer. When it comes to professional trends and working styles, one thing is certain: we have entered the age of the ‘digital nomad.' Around the world, professionals are abandoning office life in search of freedom and freelancing - armed with a passport and a laptop, their office might be a hammock in Thailand, a café in New York or a coworking space in Buenos Aires. But what if you don't want to move from place to place? How possible is it to establish yourself as a freelancer in a new country? What about visas and taxes? This article is a great place to start if you're thinking about making the leap into international freelancing.

Ethiopia

Ethiopia: What does it have to offer?

Last week, Ethiopia made history with Prime Minister, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, winning the Nobel peace prize for establishing a peace agreement with neighbouring Eritrea, challenging media censorship, fighting corruption, and increasing women's social and political presence, among others. But what is it like to be an expat in Ethiopia? 天美麻豆 dives into Ethiopia's profile as an expat destination and speaks with a long-term expat in Addis Ababa for a first-hand insight of what expat life in Ethiopia is actually like.

What's the deal with Brexit?

Parliament has been suspended by Boris Johnson and whether Brexit is a deal or no deal remains to be seen. Keep an eye on the news to find out more about recent developments and what they could mean for the future of UK and EU relations.

Thailand

Thailand: Expats petition against enforcement of TM 30 form rule

The petition has reached around 4000 signatures of expatriates living in Thailand. The latter are seeking the abolishment of the TM 30 rule. That is, the requirement for them to inform immigration should they spend more than 24 hours in another province.

What is a Working Holiday Visa and am I eligible?

Want some good news? Australia, which has a working holiday visa agreements with a plethora of countries, has just rolled back the age limit for applying for working holiday visas to 35 years. Indeed, most countries offering WHVs target young people aged 18 to 30 years old. This means that more people can benefit from this avenue of expatriation. But what even is a WHV?

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Immigrant Qu茅bec

Immigration to and integration in Quebec: the new regulations

Thousands of expats make Quebec their new home every year. The immigration system is, therefore, forever evolving.. To better meet the needs of the province, but also to allow better integration of immigrants to Quebec.

British people are the most open to immigration in Europe

The YouGov-Cambridge Globalism Survey found that the British were the European people the more open to immigration with 28% of those interviewed being of the opinion that the benefits of immigration outweigh the costs.

United Arab Emirates

The new long-term residency permits in the UAE: Are you eligible?

It's official. Starting this month, according to the Government Portal of the country, the United Arab Emirates are accepting applications for 10-year and 5- year residence visas. The decision was validated by the UAE Cabinet in November 2018, and honorary visas have already been assigned 20 academics who are already living and working in the UAE. The two new visa categories were set up in an attempt to attract and retain highly skilled individuals to the UAE. Entrepreneurs, investors, highly specialised talents and even outstanding students will be eligible for these 10-year and 5-year visas. But what, exactly, does it take to be able to bag yourself a long-term residency permit in the UAE? For the next five years there will need to be:

Five things you should do before moving abroad for work

If you're contemplating moving abroad for work, keep in mind that merely finding a job is not enough. Asking yourself the right questions is essential for a thriving international career. Knowing what to expect regarding formalities to be filled in and the local business culture is crucial. 天美麻豆 tells you about the main things to consider before moving abroad for work.

Canada

Digital nomads on a Working Holiday in Quebec

Elodie and Thomas are digital nomads who come from Lille. Their passion for travelling led them to a world tour in October 2016 which included Asia, Australia, and South America. Today, they live in Quebec, Canada on a Working Holiday Visa. They spoke to 天美麻豆 about their adventures, their everyday life in Montreal, and their long-term plans.