Features
Work
Flo, a self-deprecating, determined, and focused woman from Kenya, moved to Rwanda in 2015 due to her partner's work. Two years later, she founded Kigali Farmers´ and Artisans´ Market, which bridges the gap between MSMEs and consumers, and maximises businesses' reach through different platforms.
Work
The benefits of international mobility are great for organisations and expat employees who want to develop their career through international experience and come out of their comfort zone. Of course, global mobility comes with many challenges for all stakeholders involved. With the pandemic still in the picture, there's a lot of re-evaluation and adaptation to be made.
Moving
Thailand, in particular popular beach resorts like Phuket, is looking to welcome international travellers again by October 2021. Thai authorities recently revealed their new plans that do not require quarantine for travellers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
Moving
Do you consider yourself an expat or an immigrant? Don't really see the difference? Here's what Jerry Nelson, a long term expat, who currently lives in Argentina, has to say about this.
Everyday life
Science has proven that climate change is the result of human activity and the industrial revolution, which started with the steam engine and continued with mass production and digital technology. Hence, it's widely agreed that a radical shift in human behaviour is needed to fight the threats against the environment and humanity due to climate change. How can you, expats, help?
Telecommunications
While most countries around the world have their own COVID-19 tracking apps, some have made theirs compulsory for travellers, locals and residents. So which are the must-have apps for anyone who's looking to travel overseas amid the pandemic?
Everyday life
This week, Facebook announced that new stories will be restored on its platform following a ban last week for all its users in Australia. The Australian government, which was trying to make digital companies pay Australian publishers, finally came to an agreement with Facebook. But while Facebook took this step in its own interest, it's worth noting that along with other social media, it is restricted or banned in many countries.
Accommodation
Buying a property abroad is a process that requires proper planning, especially in terms of financing. So what are the different options for financing your real estate purchase as an expat?
Everyday life
We discuss the impact of movement limitations on expats' mental health with psychotherapist and seasoned expat, Lisl Foss. Moreover, we talk to sisters Hannah and Miriam Mold about their stay in the UK during the pandemic and their plans to return to their expat locations, Vancouver, Canada and Melbourne, Australia respectively.
Health system
The COVID-19 vaccination campaign is progressing in many countries, mainly in Europe and the United States. However, there's one question that still needs to be addressed. Are expats entitled to vaccines in their host country and under what conditions?
Accommodation
Like most sectors, the global real estate market has also been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. So what should you keep in mind if you're a property owner or you're looking to buy or rent a property as an expat amid the crisis?
Formalities
There are almost as many reasons to move overseas as there are people willing to become an expat. People often become expats because of two unique, but complementary goals: attainment of second residences and second citizenships and the benefits second citizenships can give.
Moving
Border closures during the past year have had a significant impact on the travel industry. But as they reopen gradually, flights are resuming, and people have started travelling again, even though the purpose of their trips have somewhat changed. So here are ten expat profile you could come across on your next flight overseas.
Work
In June last year, the IMF had predicted a 4.9% drop in global growth for 2020 — a percentage that was revised to 4.4% in October. We are in February 2021, and there are no signs of transition to normality before this year's third and fourth quarters. But innovation and entrepreneurship, accompanied by aspiration, discovery, and evolution are forces that cannot be suppressed until we wipe out Covid-19.
Schools & studies
In a climate of uncertainty and change, university students worldwide are adapting or struggling to adjust to the new educational landscape. International students are particularly prone to the unprecedented challenges brought on by Covid-19, such as isolation, online learning, and anxiety. Some students have seen their academic performance deteriorate while others are dealing with additional stress due to financial insecurity, visa hardships, career unpredictability, and lack of support network.
Formalities
Travel and population exchange has proved to be one of the pandemic's closest friends. Hence, since the outbreak, limiting international and local travel has been a top priority among governments worldwide. Expats and expats-to-be have seen their plans changing quickly; many have lost international job placements, and others have waited for months to reunite with their families or return to their home country.
Work
After the Covid-19 labour market changes, expatriate and mobile employability will never look the same. The pandemic has shaped the labour market of tomorrow in so many ways — from how we communicate with our colleagues and where we work from to job losses among low-skilled workers, child-carers (mostly mothers), and the youth.
Formalities
As countries around the world face a new surge of COVID-19, many of them have tightened their travel restrictions in recent weeks, making a negative PCR test mandatory fr all travellers. Here's a roundup of countries where you need to get tested before or after your arrival.
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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