Expat news
Everyday life
Has the UK come a long way? 2020 has been a dark year with the pandemic and Brexit, leading to an expat exodus. But the British government reassures that 2021 has marked a slow return to normal, according to official figures.
Everyday life
With the new pandemic wave worldwide, vaccination against Covid-19 remains a major concern. The booster dose adds to the ongoing debate. States are stepping up their vaccination campaign, with some considering making the booster dose a mandatory entry condition. Others prefer to reserve this third dose for vulnerable categories of people.
Work
The United States administration recently settled a new police guidance for spouses of immigrant visa holders, clearing them for work. H1B, E-visa and L-visa holders spouses are allowed to have up to 180 days auto extension on work authorization.
Everyday life
Who would have thought that Covid-19 would strike back so brutally this year? November 2021 sounds like a sad reminder that the virus is still omnipresent. The recent discovery of the new Omicron variant is shaking the planet. Caught in its 5th wave, Europe is tightening health and sanitary restrictions.
Everyday life
Named "Omicron" by the World Health Organization (WHO), the new Covid-19 variant revives the traumas of 2020. According to experts, the 5th wave of the Delta variant, which is likely to be more severe and to last longer than the previous ones, could be even more tragic with Omicron.
Everyday life
Xi Jinping is determined to impose his vision on the world. Economic, political, diplomatic leader, or of the future according to Xi Jinping. Utopia or realistic project? Still cut off from the world with its zero Covid policy, does China still have the means to achieve its ambitions?
Work
The Quebec 2022 Immigration Plan, the call for foreign talent in Canada, the United States, Australia... The biggest economies are opening their doors to qualified foreign workers. And there is nothing new here: many are lands of immigration and rely on foreign talent to boost their growth, and do so with success. What about France?
Work
After an economically difficult 2020, 2021 seems to be putting most countries on the road of economic recovery. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects global economic growth of 5.9%. The recovery will be driven mainly by the major powers: the United States (+6%), Canada (+5.7%), the Euro zone (+5%)... In this race for competitiveness, countries are competing for international talent.
Work
The latest edition of Africa's Pulse, a World Bank report, is optimistic. With an estimated growth of 3.3%, Africa is officially emerging from recession. This is still less than in other continents (5.9% in Latin America, or 6% in Asia), but it is happening.
Tax
To prevent the relocation of big companies and corporations to countries with low tax rates and stop the offshoring of their profits to tax havens, America's 46th president, Mr. Joe Biden, advocates a global minimum corporation tax of at least 15%. The Group of Seven has also backed Biden's proposal. The finance ministers of the G7 agreed to battle tax avoidance by making companies pay more in the countries where they do business.
Visas
Oman, an Asian country in the Arabic Peninsula, rich for its unique heritage, ancient history and culture, has been drawing attention lately for its easy immigrant regulations, as the Sultanate government grants special residency to expat investors and their families.
Work
Are things finally improving for the United Kingdom? Mass hiring is picking up again and is likely to break records. The current economic situation suggests a better winter than expected in 2021. Does this mean that 2022 will be even better for the UK job market? Is this a new opportunity for expats to consider a career in London?
Everyday life
On October 27, the US dollar was depreciated compared to the Canadian dollar, the euro and the yen. The announcement was made by the Bank of Canada. Tiff Macklem, the governor of the Central Bank, announced a series of measures, including keeping its key rate (short-term interest rate set by a central bank) at 0.25%. How do these fluctuations affect expats plans?
Everyday life
The end of the US Travel Ban means the reopening of borders. The United States is thus working on a return to normalcy. The White House clarified its new policy on October 15, with strict controls to avoid a new Covid-19 surge. So here is what expatriates and international travellers should expect.
Visas
Everything has changed since January 1, 2021, when Brexit came into effect. While some have simply given up their plans of relocating to the UK, others were cooled off by the new administrative procedure. Yet, others are still keen on moving to the UK. So how do you go about it from now on?
Everyday life
On October 3, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), a non-profit organization, released a damning new report on global tax evasion. The same organization is behind the Panama papers (2016), which shook economies and political systems worldwide. In 2021, the Pandora papers scandal reveals that the promises of 2016 were far from being kept.
Everyday life
On October 12, the declaration of the Belgian Prime Minister looked like a Marshall Plan. The objective is to reduce budgetary costs while relaunching employment in the country. Even though the Prime Minister has not mentioned expatriates, this does not mean that the tax reform will spare them. So what is changing in 2022, and what should expats expect?
Work
The announcement that Australia is preparing to gradually reopen its borders after 18 months of “travel ban” caused a stir. This might be a great opportunity for people who are looking to live and work abroad. Indeed, border reopenings symbolise growth. But it is also true that the hotel industry, which is highly exposed to the Covid-19 pandemic, was already in crisis before the pandemic? So what should you expect if you wish to build a career in the tourism industry?
Other Types
Australia
For years, Australia has been one of the world's most sought-after destinations for international students. Its world-class universities, high standard of living, and generous post-study work opportunities have attracted hundreds of thousands of young people hoping to build a future abroad. But that appeal is beginning to fade. As the government continues to tighten its immigration policy, it has once again increased the cost of its post-study work visa, making it one of the most expensive of its kind in the world. Combined with stricter eligibility rules and fewer pathways to long-term residency, the changes are forcing many prospective and current international students to rethink their plans. Is Australia slowly becoming a study destination reserved for those who can afford to pay the price?
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?
Sponsored
JJ Associates
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.
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