Features
Formalities
Does moving overseas allow you to escape taxation in your home country forever? That's what many expatriates thought when they moved to low-tax or no-tax countries. The United Arab Emirates is a favorite expat hotspot thanks to its Golden Visa program, specifically tailored to attract a range of profiles, from the wealthiest to the most talented. However, according to experts, there are some risks they might not have considered. When it comes to property taxes, moving overseas is not enough to break the link. So, what are the limitations of Golden Visas?
Work
Strong words like "surge", "wave" and "avalanche" are being used in the international media to describe a worrying phenomenon. Entrepreneurs' businesses are not as flourishing as they used to be. This is mainly due to the health crisis, but it's not the only cause. This is an even more delicate situation for many small business owners. What solutions are available for expat entrepreneurs in difficulty?
Visas
When a family is moving abroad, only one of the adults might have a work visa. That adult is the main applicant, and their spouse or partner is granted a dependent visa. Many countries around the world allow the dependent spouse to work, even if some require an application for a permit or impose restrictions concerning that work. Unfortunately, across Asia and Africa, many countries still do not permit the dependent spouse to work at all.
Formalities
To an expat, being granted new citizenship in a desired destination is the ultimate proof of stability. You can finally make long-term plans, buy a house, and maybe even run for office. But did you know quite a few countries reserve the right to have your citizenship revoked?
Work
There are several ways to start or grow your career overseas. You can secure a local contract with a foreign company or an expat contract or even request an international transfer. Others may prefer remote working or even digital nomadism. But what if you need independence and job security at the same time? Wage portage, a form of employment created tentatively in the 1980s and becoming increasingly popular among employees, can address this issue. What are the benefits of wage portage for those seeking to work abroad?
Schools & studies
Studying abroad can be an incredible opportunity to learn, not only academically but also via experience. But this journey can be quite overwhelming. This is where overseas education counselors come in. They can help you manage student loans, find accommodation close to your university, purchase health insurance, and much more.
Work
Losing one's job and trying to find a new one is stressful, even in your home country. In a foreign country where your visa status might depend on your employment and where your support network might be tenuous, it's even more stressful. How can you job hunt and take care of your mental health simultaneously? Here are some tips.
Visas
While most countries offer different types of visas for people who want to live and settle there, some people don't fit into the programs set up between their home and targeted countries. So what are their options? The Working Holiday Visa (WHV) has been the most attractive program for many years, but countries are currently developing new strategies to address their economic crisis. Let's delve into these options.
Everyday life
Workplace socialization has significantly evolved in recent years, especially with new technologies, societal changes and events such as the Covid-19 pandemic, which have compelled companies and employees to adapt to remote working. However, although remote working is a growing trend, it significantly impacts expats' everyday lives.
Moving
Moving abroad is a significant change, whether you are a “professional expat” or if this is your first relocation. One of the decisions you will need to make before moving is whether you will need help with it. So, should you seek help when planning your relocation or handle everything on your own? Here are some factors to consider.
Health system
An extended stay abroad with ongoing medical treatment requires careful planning. How will you get your medication if you're abroad for more than six months? What if there is a shortage of medicines in your host country? How do you adapt your treatment to the medications available in the foreign country?
Formalities
Traveling and moving abroad is the dream of many. Unfortunately, when it comes to passports, not all countries are equal. You must have heard of strong passports and weaker ones. Is there really a geopolitics of visas? How does this affect moving abroad plans?
Work
Remote working has been on the rise for the past few years. Since the Covid pandemic, most of us have spent a few days a week away from the office. While we've heard of working remotely in the next town or region, remote working from abroad is gaining ground. Large companies are even offering turnkey packages to their employees. But what are the risks, and how do you make sure you're covered at all times?
Work
Labor shortages are at an all-time high in many countries, such as Canada, Japan, Australia, the UK, France, Israel, Indonesia, Spain, Germany, etc. These ever-increasing needs open up opportunities for those considering a career abroad. But how do you stand out from thousands of job applicants in a foreign country? Here are our tips.
Everyday life
Moving abroad as a family can be the adventure of a lifetime, a couple's or personal challenge, a choice for the two or not, with or without each others's support. The couple can sometimes bear the brunt of this choice unless their life abroad has further fractured an already fragile relationship. When it's no longer possible to pick up the broken pieces and stick them back, divorce seems to be the last resort, but an expat woman can be in an even more precarious situation between legal considerations and the weight of culture and tradition.
Formalities
On June 22, France's Conseil d'orientation des retraites françaises (Cor) published its report, leading to a new debate on retirement pensions. According to the Cor, the reform will not balance the books by 2030. This was a significant setback for the French government, which had campaigned on this very objective. As populations age, pension issues are leading to equally heated debates elsewhere in the world. What about retirees living abroad? How difficult is it to receive your pension abroad? Here's what you need to plan for.
Accommodation
Finding suitable accommodation will be a priority when planning your move abroad. It's important to understand that the housing landscape can vary significantly from country to country, with different types of accommodation and varying levels of services included. Let's look at some of the nuances that can be observed in different countries.
Work
Working on a farm abroad is a popular option for many travelers seeking new experiences in contact with nature and simple things. In most cases, participants can have a lot of benefits from it, including cultural enrichment. However, this experience has turned into a nightmare for others. Learn about the benefits and risks of working abroad on a farm and how to make sure it is a safe option.
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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