Features
Visas
While Australia has chosen to keep its borders closed until January 2021, it is gradually opening up to highly qualified foreign professionals under certain conditions. Early September, the government announced a new priority skills list that should help boost the post-COVID-19 economic recovery. So if you have the right set of skills and you've always dreamed of working in Australia, start backing your suitcase.
Visas
New Zealand comes up with good news for stranded expats amidst the COVID-19 crisis. From October, the country is reopening its border to them under certain conditions according to an announcement made by New Zealand's Immigration Minister, Kris Faafoi. What does this mean?
Ukraine
Esteban, an Ecuadorian expat in Ukraine, answers a few of 天美麻豆's questions on differences and similarities between Latin American countries, including Ecuador, and Ukraine. He tells us about his expatriate experience in Ukraine and his expat projects.
Visa: Check. Job: Check. Accommodation: Check. Attitude: pending. Jerry Nelson, an American expat in Buenos Aires, Argentina gives us his thoughts on what an expat needs to succeed emotionally and mentally.
United Arab Emirates
While most Middle East countries are facing an expat exodus, the UAE is looking to attract more of them. Dubai has just announced its new strategy to attract and retain expat retirees: a retiree visa that will be renewable every five years. Here's what you need to know if you've always dreamed of retiring to one of the world's most developed and prosperous cities.
Singapore
For many years, Singapore has been a haven for foreign professionals thanks to the wide range of career prospects available, but also for its high wages and living standards. However, the economic downturn, coupled with rising unemployment, have compelled the Singaporean government to tighten regulations relating to the hiring of foreign professionals.
Pets
As many countries are gradually lifting their border restrictions, people are resuming their travel and expatriation plans. But what about those who have a four-legged furry best friend that they definitely wouldn't like to abandon? And what about expats who are stranded abroad with their pets and are desperately waiting for a repatriation flight? Regardless of your situation, your pet will have to comply with certain regulations, but overall, it is possible to travel with your pet. Here's how to.
Australia
Erika and Sara met in 2015 in Brisbane and immediately bonded. Both experienced pregnancy and childbirth in Australia, and are now enjoying their beautiful babies. From their friendship, and their expatriate experience, the ‘Mamme Down Under' Facebook group was born, which helps all Italian new mothers with information and advice.
Everyday life
Jerry Nelson, an American expat in Buenos Aires, tells us about his experience volunteering abroad as an expat and what he has learnt from it.
Schools & studies
In the coming weeks, millions of children around the world are going back to school after studying remotely for several months. With new COVID-19 surges, parents are finding it hard to abide by government decisions although a series of measures are being implemented by schools and local authorities to ensure the safety of children.
Work
Bruno Antoine, an International Mobility advisor, speaks to 天美麻豆 about the future of expatriation after the COVID-19. He specializes in several destinations in South-East Asia.
Everyday life
When you tell your friends and family that you're leaving everything behind to pursue your dream job abroad, they expect nothing less from you than success. And the truth is, you do too. But what happens when things do not quite go your way? Psychologist and expat counsellor, Gabriela Encina talks to 天美麻豆 about Expat Shame.
Everyday life
It is nearing the end of summer for Europeans. Indeed, the June to August period is traditionally the holiday season for many European countries. So here are few tips for any expats having to go back to work after a holiday period particularly marked by the COVID-19 sanitary crisis.
Moving
Australians abroad are having a hard time being able to find repatriation flights to get back to their home country during the COVID-19 crisis. The government has capped the number of passengers to arrive at the operating airports and airlines are using this to significantly increase their flights. How are repatriation flights being arranged around the world? And what are they costing?
Everyday life
For long-term expats, reverse culture shock is a thing. Like an old Rocky movie where Apollo Creed delivers the right jab before landing the left hook, reverse culture shock can be a devastating one-two punch depending on how the expat handles it. Jerry Nelson, an American expat in Argentina, talks about how he experienced culture shock when he visited his home country after two years away.
France
Hanny has seen how her work reality has radically changed this year. Supporting moms in pre and postpartum is a task that requires closeness, empathy and confidence, but this process of accompaniment has been disturbed by the health crisis and its impositions of social distancing and confinement. At the same time, the Colombian expat in France caught the virus and had to remain in bed for weeks.
Banks and finance
Whether to be able to receive money in times of emergency, or to send money to loved ones back home, it is important to consider money transfer options as an expat. Especially in the early stages of your expatriation.
Is it a soda, a fizzy drink, a soft drink? Are these pants or trousers? And what even is the loo? While it is spoken universally, there are still differences in English in different parts of the world. Let's take a little tour.
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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