Features
Work
Your aim is straightforward: to work abroad and earn more money. You're not looking to relocate permanently but rather to return home with a fair amount of money. Achieving this goal involves considering various aspects. Here's a list of essential steps to ensure your project goes smoothly.
Everyday life
You could argue that it's unrealistic to relocate to a new country without knowing its language, as integration would be challenging. However, learning a language without physically being in the country is also possible. Language enthusiasts often support this notion. Finding a balance between the two is crucial for a successful move abroad. What factors should you consider when preparing to move to a country where you're not fluent in the language?
Formalities
Giving up your nationality is a weighty decision. Expatriates may face situations that compel them to lose their citizenship voluntarily, but other reasons can also motivate this choice. Ultimately, renouncing nationality is a personal one, requiring careful reflection.
Everyday life
More and more cities are taking steps to make themselves more accessible. Infrastructure, signage and specific markings are designed to enable everyone to get around. Indeed, moving abroad should be an option for everyone, whether or not you have an illness or disability. But what is the reality like? The first obstacles are not always where we imagine them to be. Even before considering the accessibility of cities, administrative constraints make moving abroad more difficult for travelers with disabilities or pathologies.
Work
Traditionally, the term "trailing spouse" has often referred to women accompanying their partners on international work assignments. However, this can be limiting. For these spouses, navigating a new career landscape abroad can be challenging, especially when faced with societal stereotypes. The image of a "stay-at-home spouse" often overshadows their professional aspirations. But the reality is far more nuanced. How do women, and men, approach their careers when following their spouse abroad? What factors should they consider when pursuing professional opportunities abroad?
Work
The rapid shift in work structures, accelerated by the pandemic, has given rise to a new breed of adventurers: the digital nomads. This new generation of nomads is making headlines with their unconventional lifestyles. But who exactly are these modern expatriates, and what defines their diverse work styles?
Everyday life
While laws authorizing same-sex marriage have been enacted in many countries, discrimination against LGBTQI + couples persists. Although some nations promise further LGBTQI + rights, they often backtrack or maintain an unsteady status quo. However, progress has been made, and it's worth examining the current landscape.
Visas
Affected by the pandemic, artists have been gradually resuming their activities over the past couple of years. However, not all are in the same boat, as younger artists have been more affected. Because of their predicament, Japan lowered the requirements for artist visas last year. But what are your options if artist visas are not available in the country where you plan to perform?
Everyday life
Living in countries where tattoos and piercings are easily visible can make us overlook the fact that this isn't the norm everywhere. In many countries, such body modifications are either formally or morally prohibited. If you're planning a move to a country where such practices are frowned upon, here's what you should consider.
Work
You've got a job, but it's not always in one location. Your idea of a fulfilling career involves working both in your home country and abroad. Now, the challenge is finding a company that aligns with your work philosophy. The question is, how do you balance your search for a local job with your aspirations to relocate in the near future? More importantly, how do you identify companies receptive to remote work?
Work
Many things are taken into consideration when accepting a job, such as the available opportunity, your potential career growth, and your overall package. Paid leave entitlement is another factor that might affect your overall decision-making process.
Everyday life
The voting rights of overseas citizens have often been a contentious issue. For many, it is an inalienable right as a citizen that should not be affected by moving to a foreign country. Others, meanwhile, think that because expats are not affected by most policies back in their home country, especially if they've been abroad for a very long time, it's not important or even ideal for them to vote.
Work
Perhaps your employer has recently presented you with an opportunity for a short-term assignment overseas, or they've mentioned several short-term assignments throughout the year. The challenge lies in ensuring that these professional commitments align with your family responsibilities. How can you strike a balance between the two? Should you undertake these work assignments alone, or is it feasible to involve your family? Let's delve into the key considerations you should explore and offer some guidance.
Schools & studies
If you're considering relocating overseas with your children, you might be curious about what their future school will be like. Will your host country be overcrowded or have a more intimate atmosphere? Will the teaching style speak to you, or will it be different from what you're used to yet still satisfactory? Here are the primary factors you should take into account before making a decision about your children's education.
Work
Have you been dreaming of leaving everything behind to live abroad, enjoying expat life, but without working? Does this sound feasible? Maybe it does, and if you're keen on doing so, here are a few pointers to guide you in making your dream come true.
Everyday life
Women's status varies globally, and when a woman moves abroad alone, she may encounter different customs in various countries. How do you navigate these challenges and adapt to different situations? We address these issues in this article.
Work
Having a work visa is often the key to working in another country. However, the ease of obtaining a work visa varies by country. For many expatriates, securing a work visa is crucial for joining the labor market. Nevertheless, there are circumstances where you can work without a work visa. Let's find out how.
Everyday life
Taiwan, Finland, Comoros, Indonesia, and seven other countries have already held their elections since the beginning of 2024. Over 50 other states are yet to go, with elections scheduled almost every month throughout the year. Portugal in March, South Korea in April, South Africa in May, the European Union in June, and undoubtedly, the most awaited election globally: the American presidential election. How do expats feel about all this?
Other Types
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.
USA
Another blow for foreigners in the United States. On May 22, a memo from the US immigration services introduced a new rule aimed at limiting legal immigration. Apart from a few exceptions, Green Card applications will now have to be filed from the applicant's country of origin. What is the current situation?
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