Features
Children
As of August 2, all new parents in the Netherlands are now legally entitled to nine weeks of paid parental leave. It applies to both mothers and fathers, biological and adoptive parents, who will receive 70% of their wage from the Employee Insurance Agency during the leave. This legislation reinforces the Netherlands' reputation as one of the best places for expats to raise a family.
Work
Many expatriates teach their native language in their country of residence. It is essential to have diplomas to teach in schools or institutions of any kind. Still, it is also possible to do some tutoring, and this does not require any certificate, even if it is recommended. Many learners wish to speak with a native speaker about any subject, thus learning the language and the culture, without going through theoretical courses or working on the basics in an academic way.
Tax
Greenback Expat Tax Services, which helps Americans abroad file their taxes, recently conducted a survey on 3200 expats living in 121 countries. A quarter said that they plan on renouncing their US citizenship (6%) or are seriously considering it (20%). The leading reason is the tax burden they feel, followed by concern about their home country's political climate. Many feel that having to pay US taxes while not living in the country is unfair.
Everyday life
First of all, there's the official language of your host country. Getting used to it requires motivation, patience and time, the same qualities required to have a successful expat life. When we talk about languages, we're talking about all of their manifestations, regional languages, dialects and patois, jargon and slang, and body language. How should you prepare yourself for this change? What should you expect as an expat?
Everyday life
You've recently moved abroad, and you've just finished a great meal on a restaurant terrace. The weather is lovely, and the decor too. You want to leave your table to stroll around to digest your meal while enjoying the view. It's time to pay for your excellent meal, and here comes the most complex part. It's not that you don't have enough money. You've brought plenty of the local currency, and your credit card is also well stocked. But you don't know whether you should leave a tip or not.
Schools & studies
The Covid-19 pandemic shook the entire planet, and all spheres of economies and societies were impacted. The education sector hasn't been spared either, as children and parents both had to adapt to new teaching and learning methods.
Work
Nurses form an integral part of the healthcare system. However, the long hours and stressful working conditions mean that a career in nursing is only for those who truly love it. This article will look at the countries where nursing is in high demand and explore the benefits of working abroad.
Formalities
After the border reopening of most countries, many people are resuming their moving abroad plans. The passport is one of the most crucial formalities. Administrative offices have been taken by storm in the past few months by future travelers who want to renew their passports or make new ones. What rights are attached to a passport? Which are the world's most powerful passports? And what if you have a weak passport?
Everyday life
Financial Advisor reported in July 2022 that more Americans are moving to Europe to buy homes. The difficulty of becoming a homeowner on a middle-class salary in the US, political anger caused by issues like mass shootings and the overturning of Roe v/s Wade, as well as strength of the dollar compared to European currencies: these are all factors driving US expats to move to the other side of the Atlantic.
Cost of living
Health crisis, economic crisis, various political crises, the war in Ukraine, geopolitical tension elsewhere around the world, and inflation. All countries are witnessing rising prices. How are expats coping with this situation? How is the rising cost of living affecting their everyday lives? Could this rise make them rethink their moving abroad plans or their expat life?
Work
In Canada, employers are required to conduct a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) before hiring foreign nationals. In other words, they must show that they have not been able to hire Canadians, despite all their efforts. Other countries have similar rules. But do such assessments stand in times of labor shortages?
Everyday life
Preparing for retirement is an exciting stage of life, especially when considering retiring abroad. But just like retirement itself, it's important to plan ahead to understand all the aspects of retiring in a foreign country as a woman. It requires extensive preparation and retirement financial planning, besides considering thoroughly the country to retire.
Work
Careers in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) can be a personally rewarding and lucrative career path. With many countries looking to hire highly skilled workers, people in these disciplines have a great chance to explore different opportunities overseas. This article will examine the benefits of STEM careers and the prospects of working abroad.
Everyday life
Hamburg, Cape Town, São Paulo, Marseille, Agadir, Niigata... It can be quite hard to choose your expat city. Should you move to a capital city, especially if it is your first long-term stay abroad? Should you move to the city that stole your heart or rather consider objective information, such as the cost of living and wages, etc.? Here are some tips to guide you through.
Work
Whether in the public or private sector, not all jobs are available to foreign workers. This can be because of national defense or to protect the state's interest or simply to boost local participation in particular sectors. Sometimes, bans for expats on certain jobs occur after expats are already working in these positions. Here are how some of these situations have played out around the world.
Schools & studies
Denmark's Ministry for Immigration and Integration recently announced that the number of immigrants and first-generation Danes in higher education has increased exponentially in the past decade. Notably, the enrolment of Middle Eastern and North African students rose by 16% between 2011 and 2021. What about Denmark appeals so much to international students?
Everyday life
According to a media report by BBC Africa, the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, recently condemned attacks on foreign workers in the country. Workers from other African countries in the Johannesburg township of Alexandra are experiencing escalating violent attacks on themselves and their businesses. They fear a repetition of the xenophobic 2008 riots, when 62 people from Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe were killed and over 600 wounded.
Work
Recent research by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) shows immigrants in the US are more likely to start businesses than native-born Americans. The study takes a wide-ranging look at registered businesses across the country.
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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