Features
Shanaaz arrived in Dubai in February. The young graphic designer who is originally from Pune in India had decided to look for a job in the United Arab Emirates. She was in search of an international experience and better quality of life. Unfortunately, five months and a global pandemic later, Shanaaz is planning to board one of the repatriation flights back to her home country.
Everyday life
After four days of negotiations, EU leaders have reached an agreement on how $ 869 billion package will be spent amongst member countries. The summit was the first following the COVID-19 pandemic and its aim was to decide on how the fund would be used to help member states counter the effects of the health and economic crisis. Grants and low interest loans will be available to countries most hit by the pandemic.
Visas
While many countries are playing it safe regarding their border closures, others are currently introducing new visas to attract visitors and expats, skilled professionals in particular. The United Kingdom has just announced a new visa for healthcare professionals from August 2020. Canada is also coming up with a new bill along the same lines.
Everyday life
Long before Nia Vardalos starred as a girl who created a stir within her traditional Greek family, in the 2002 hit comedy, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, romances have blossomed across international borders. Intercultural relationships can be enchanting as two people, brought up in a different set of cultural beliefs, learn to navigate the romantic minefield… Often, though, people assume everything will be great — just as long as two people are happy together. The truth can be different.
Even with the Internet, the world is still a mixing bowl and culture shock and cultural clashes still happen. It's more than just language barriers, ideology, and social norms which cause challenges. Even with all of that in the mix, it's still possible to make it work.
Visas
While many countries have chosen to keep their borders until further notice, rejecting all new visa applications, some, like Australia and Canada, are taking a different approach. In fact, Australia has just announced a series of changes regarding student visa applications while Canada is still accepting visa applications in specific categories amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Find out more.
Work
For the next two weeks, the UAE's borders will be exceptionally opened to Indian expats. Indeed, an agreement has been reached between the two countries to allow Indian expats currently in India to return to their host country and Indians stranded in the UAE to return home.
Everyday life
South Africa, Melbourne and several cities across the world are going back into lockdown. At the same time, other countries are reopening their borders. Here's an update on the pandemic situation across the world…
Cost of living
While the health crisis and the subsequent economic crisis have caused prices across the world to rise, different countries have found different ways to deal with this phenomenon. In Abu Dhabi, for example, authorities are investing massively in the agro-industry to boost local food production. Sweden and the Netherlands have also been the least affected by the rise in prices while in Saudi Arabia, the VAT has been increased to 15%.
Everyday life
For family and friends left behind, an expat's life can seem glamorous and daring. The kind of life they wished they could enjoy if they weren't stuck in the 9 to 5 routine. There are benefits to being an expat, but the reality does not always meet the perception. Jerry Nelson, an American expat in Buenos Aires tells us why.
Everyday life
Last week, Thailand's Cabinet approved a draft bill aiming at recognising same-sex civil partnerships. If this bill is passed into law, Thailand would be the second country in Asia to back same-sex unions after Taiwan. Russia, for its part, publicly announced the prohibition of same-sex marriages. But how does it feel to be a same-sex couple abroad? Al, an American expat in Brazil, talks to 天美麻豆 about LGBT rights and his everyday life in his host country.
Moving
Moving back home is as a complex step as that of moving abroad, particularly in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, according to a survey by 天美麻豆 and April International, 38% of expats intend to return to their home country once the global health crisis comes to an end. What's their motivation for doing so, and how are they planning to do so? Here are some tips for a smooth repatriation.
Accommodation
The coronavirus pandemic gave rise to a housing crisis in many countries around the world. Being unable to pay their rent, thousands of families are at risk of becoming homeless. Tenants have been granted a moratorium for the payment of rent in some countries, but with the current economic downturn resulting in a job crisis and salary cuts, things are getting worse. Even the United Nations recommends that governments implement strategies to protect tenant rights. Let's take a look at some of the favourite expat destinations.
Leisure
Residents of the United Arab Emirates will not be able to leave the territory until the end of the pandemic. And everywhere around the world, we will be called to spend the holidays in our country of residence. So how do we enjoy our time off when we cannot travel due to the crisis? Here are our tips.
USA
Foreign students whose university classes have moved fully online will see their visas repealed and will be asked to leave the United States as early as this September this year. A decision judged unfair by many.
Schools & studies
Student exchange programs are a great option for those who are looking to discover new cultures abroad while benefiting from high-level education. Every year, thousands of students embark on a new adventure abroad thanks to these programs. However, the COVID-19 crisis altered the trend this year, even though border restrictions are being lifted gradually. If you had planned to go on a student exchange program this year, here is what you need to know.
Schools & studies
A couple of weeks earlier, the news of Australia keeping its borders closed until 2021 was quite surprising, even though it was understood as a way to prevent a second wave of COVID-19. Last week, however, the government announced that it would only welcome international students. What does this mean for Australia?
Work
Born in Newport, Vermont, in the USA, Tamara Jacobi was raised in Canada. Today, she lives in San Pancho, Mexico, where she owns an adventure business, managed by her family, in the heart of nature. An avid writer, she is the author of Wildpreneurs, a guidebook for turning your passion into business. Tamara talks to 天美麻豆 the best ideas to have right now to become a successful expat entrepreneur in the post-COVID-19 era.
Jerry Nelson, an American expat in Argentina gives us a few tips to make it through a global pandemic as an expat...
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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