Expat news
Visas
Indonesia has just reached a new milestone with its new secondary residence visa, which allows foreigners to stay in the country for up to 10 years. The new permit will allow foreigners to reside on Indonesian soil for a minimum of 5 years, provided that they comply with a set of conditions. Here's an insight into this new law and how expats see it.
Visas
On 25 October, Australia's recently elected Labour Government announced its first budget. To solve the country's labor shortage and visa backlog, they've increased the number of permanent visas as well as the funding of the Department of Home Affairs.
Visas
2022 is well on its way to becoming the year of digital nomads. With Brazil, Portugal, and Mauritius among many, the list of countries open to remote workers is growing. Namibia is set to become the newest member of the trendy club of digital-nomad-friendly countries. But what are the characteristics of this Namibian digital nomad visa?
Accommodation
Thailand has been one of the most popular expat destinations for many years. The country recently announced a new property law intended especially for wealthy expats. Thanks to this law, expats would be allowed to buy a portion of land, and not only residential complexes. But while the government expects to reap huge profits from this lawn, there are certain conditions to be met by expats.
Work
Due to the delays of the Swedish Migration Agency in issuing Work Permits, many non-EU/EEA expats are currently unable to get a personal identification number that allows them to find housing, open a bank account, receive their salary or even leave the country.
Schools & studies
Going to study abroad is a dream for many. However, it comes with a hefty price tag. For international students, finding a small job in the host country is an essential condition to pursue their stay and studies. What are countries' stand regarding this? How many hours working hours are allowed for international students?
Everyday life
While Switzerland's great quality of life keeps attracting new expats, a new study by the Federal Statistical Office reveals that most are likely to leave within a decade. This might partly be explained by how integrating into Swiss culture in the long-term presents many challenges.
Work
In September, Malaysia's Immigration Department issued a new policy requiring employers to pick up foreign workers at the airport no more than 6 hours after they land. The lack of clarity and very short time limit left the management of Malaysian companies feeling confused. In response, in early October, the department gave a leeway of 4 extra hours and allowed agents to represent the employers at the airport.
Work
Austria is facing labor shortages like many European countries and the rest of the world. As a response, the government announced the introduction of short-term work permits intended for foreign workers with short-term contracts, hoping to attract skilled workers. What are the conditions to be met for obtaining this permit, and what does the Austrian labor market currently look like?
Work
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is keeping its pace in terms of openness. After introducing the unemployment insurance scheme for expatriates, the government recently introduced the "Golden Pension Scheme", a retirement savings plan intended for foreign workers. How does it work, and what are the benefits for expats?
Visas
In September, two Democrat senators introduced a bill in congress that could make over 8 million people in the United States become Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). The “Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929” would transform the immigration registry cutoff date of 1972 into a permanently evolving one. This way, irrespective of when they entered the country, immigrants who've been in the US for at least 7 years can obtain a Green Card.
Work
In October, Germany increased the minimum wage for the third time in a single year. It also raised the income cap of mini-jobs, a form of short-term employment. These are efforts by the government to help people adapt to inflationary trends and the cost of living crisis.
Work
The end of the pandemic has changed many things in the international labor market. Many developed countries seek highly-qualified economic immigrants to compensate for the workforce lost due to increased mortality, border closures and the Great Resignation in the USA. On the other side, countries providing these highly-skilled immigrants are losing them through a brain drain.
Work
Although France is trying hard to boost economic immigration, its main driver of growth, it has been facing a brain drain for many years. So how does France keep on attracting international talent while the local talent is looking for greener pastures?
Everyday life
On November 1, Canada will announce its 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan. Each year, this plan resets permanent immigration targets for the next coming years. It gives a breakdown of how many newcomers of each migration class the country wants to welcome. The federal government is also intent on increasing immigration in Quebec despite the Quebecois government's opposition to it.
Work
Immigration to the United States has nearly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. In spite of that, some sectors, namely hospitality, construction and services, are still experiencing severe worker shortages. These sectors have historically been staffed by working-class migrants, especially from Central and South America. Some analysts say that increasing legal immigration pathways for that demographic is a solution.
Visas
Spain and Portugal, the sunny Iberian countries of southern Europe, have both recently launched new one-year digital nomad visas to attract full-time remote workers. On another continent, Costa Rica, another destination that is popular for its great weather and lush nature, is converting short-term tourist visas into longer digital nomad visas. The post-pandemic world has new work and travel trends that these countries want to make the best of.
Formalities
This is, by no means, a ranking list! One will always find both good and not-so-good elements in any comparison exercise. Nevertheless, it must be said that some countries are especially known to have a cumbersome bureaucratic system. This can be experienced in all aspects of daily life, affecting locals and expatriates. Here is an overview of the countries known by expats for their lack of bureaucratic efficiency.
Other Types
Everyday life
Are retirees really the "wealthy elite" they're often portrayed as? In reality, retirement incomes vary widely, and so do living standards. For expat retirees, the picture is even more complex. Beyond everyday expenses, they must also navigate inflation, hidden costs, rising healthcare bills, and policy changes that can all have a significant impact on their budget.
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.
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