Expat news
France
The French tax filing campaign started last month and will continue until early June for online filers. This year, a new feature has been added - the declaration of property assets in addition to the income tax return. As an expatriate living in France, you may be wondering which tax rules apply to you. This article breaks them down for you.
Netherlands
According to Karien van Gennip, the Dutch Minister of Labour, many workers with flexible contracts and self-employed are uncertain about their employment status. Having a job is a good thing, but it's even better to have job security and career prospects. With this in mind, the government proposed new rules in April to ensure a more stable and balanced labor market. Here are some of the key details.
Portugal
Good news for expatriates who own property in Portugal! The Portuguese tax authorities have finally ended a practice that was widely viewed as discriminatory and will now treat residents and non-residents equally. Here's what you need to know about the new tax rules on capital gains and how they will impact you.
Work
The world is hiring, but shortages of skilled workers continue to pose a challenge this year, prompting governments to ease visa requirements, shorten processing times, and attract foreign talent. Urgency is the new watchword, as these shortages are a drag on economic growth. Governments must act decisively and quickly against international tensions such as the war in Ukraine, energy and economic crises, and inflation coupled with aging populations.
England
The UK government has been considering putting various restrictions on international students. Among these is a proposal to prevent some international students, those considered to be doing “low value” degrees, from getting dependent visas for their spouses and children. This proposition has been criticized both within and outside the government for being vague, discriminatory and counterintuitive for the economy.
France
Campus France reports that the number of international students in the country has increased by 8% over 2021-2022. There are now over 400,000 international students there, the highest number in 15 years. The growth has been driven by big leaps in the number of students from the Americas (+15%) and Europe (+13%). The affordability and quality of education in France could well be among the reasons behind this.
Saudi Arabia
Are we witnessing another positive step towards the welcoming of foreign talent in Saudi Arabia? It is now a reality: the spouses of expatriates in Saudi Arabia can now seek employment locally. But this measure is nevertheless subject to conditions. Let's explore the hows and whys.
China
At the end of March 2022, Shanghai went under a stringent lockdown. Its 25 million citizens were then unaware of what they would endure for more than two months, even when the authorities announced that they had come to terms with the COVID pandemic. It was mostly the morale of the inhabitants that got affected. Among them were expats who were increasingly worried about their future in the cosmopolitan Chinese city. One year later, China is back on the international scene. Tourists are expected to flow in again. But will the expatriates come back to Shanghai? Many observers believe that the wound will be hard to heal.
Norway
In March, the Norwegian parliament approved a policy to introduce tuition fees for international students from outside the European Union and European Economic Area. This will apply from Fall 2023. However, critics from within the higher education sector are protesting that it will damage the reputation of Norwegian universities and Norway's image as an egalitarian society.
China
Since Wednesday, March 15, China has officially reopened completely to the world. The country has indeed resumed issuing all types of visas, including tourist visas. This is a relief for the people concerned and for all prospective expats to China. It can be considered a strong signal sent by Beijing to the rest of the world, but should we expect a massive comeback of expats in China?
USA
Is the American dream getting more expensive? Well, the country recently announced a rise in fees for a couple of visas. They expect this measure to help them continue providing their services. But how is this rise going to affect immigration to the US and the country's attractiveness?
Work
Economies across Europe have been having a hard time due to labor shortages since 2022, and 2023 doesn't look better. Since last year, many of these countries have also embarked on immigration reforms to attract foreign talent. But the battle isn't over yet, as retaining these talents is another challenge. Here's an insight into their strategies.
Vietnam
As Vietnam continues to emerge as a key player in the global economy, the country is facing a significant challenge - a shortage of skilled labor and talent. With a rapidly growing economy and increasing demand for skilled workers across a range of industries, Vietnam is struggling to keep pace with the needs of its businesses. In this article, we will explore the causes of Vietnam's labor and talent shortages, the impact on the economy, and potential solutions for addressing this pressing issue.
Egypt
How can a country regain foreign investors' confidence? How can it boost its attractivity in the eyes of foreigners and its own citizens? The Egyptian government believes it has found the right formula. However, due to the successive crises that have hit the country, the Egyptian economy is in a critical situation. The country needs to find funds quickly to stabilize. In response, a new campaign aimed at investors has been designed precisely to replenish the country's treasury while reinforcing the country's image as a reliable economy.
Kuwait
On Wednesday, March 8, the Kuwait Public Manpower Authority announced that long-term expatriates would be eligible for residency renewal under certain conditions. While Kuwait seems to be relaxing its measures regarding long-term expatriates, this new measure doesn't apply to all expats. Still, it's a significant change for a country that has recently been in the news headlines for its job nationalization policy.
Work
The United Arab Emirates is still facing significant labor shortages despite its multiple strategies to fill in the gaps. In Dubai, the impacted public sector is opening its doors to international talent. But the Emirate doesn't want to limit itself to simply recruiting foreign workers. Behind this vast recruitment campaign is a broader project to attract more investors and foreign talent.
Russia
On Wednesday, March 15, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs announced a large-scale recruitment campaign for foreign computer scientists and other technology specialists. For successful candidates, there are promises of easier immigration procedures, a stay without a fixed end period, and the possibility of bringing one's whole family. Yet, behind this semblance of openness lies the reality that has caught up with Russia since it declared war on Ukraine. Here's an analysis of the situation.
Work
Choosing your expat country needs proper planning as it's not something that can be improvised. Whether you are going to study, work or start a business abroad, there are many criteria like professional opportunities, living environment, inclusiveness, salary levels, and taxes, amongst others, to consider before taking the leap. The 2023 edition of OECD's Indicators of Talent Attractiveness (ITA) focuses on countries' ability to attract expats. The degree of attractiveness varies according to the expatriate's status and requirements. Here's an insight into the key findings.
Other Types
Accommodation
Buying your own property is a major milestone, and for many expats, an exciting new chapter. But purchasing a home abroad involves more than finding the right property. Your relationship status can have a significant impact on your rights as a buyer and the legal protections available to you. Whether you're married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, are you equally protected when buying property overseas?
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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.
Work
Imagine that after months of frustrating job search, you finally get an offer that can change your life. Not only is it the perfect match for your skills and experience, but it is also coming from a different country. The pay is great, and relocation expenses are covered. You are excited, you are making arrangements to leave. And, most likely, you are not at all ready for one of the following scenarios.
Work
Parenting is one of the most (if not THE most) life-changing experiences one can go through. But as much as this responsibility is shared, it is often the mothers who experience this change tenfold. And if you experience motherhood whilst working abroad, this transformation can feel even more profound. And for many expat women, motherhood in a foreign country marks a professional turning point.
Everyday life
Europe is sweltering under record-breaking heatwaves, Canada is battling increasingly frequent wildfires, and parts of Asia are lurching from extreme heat to devastating floods. Once considered exceptional, extreme weather events are becoming a defining feature of daily life across the globe.
Schools & studies
For many families, choosing where to live means considering the quality of local schools. Some parents, however, take that logic much further and decide to move abroad altogether. Known as educational expatriation, this growing trend refers to families who relocate to another country primarily to secure a different educational path for their children. The motivations vary: a more flexible curriculum, alternative pedagogical approaches, reduced academic pressure, homeschooling opportunities, or simply an environment perceived as more conducive to learning and well-being. Although still a niche phenomenon, educational expatriation is attracting increasing attention as parents rethink what education should look like in an increasingly globalized world.
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