Features
Everyday life
Have you been offered a job abroad? Do you feel the need to get out of your daily routine? Do you dream of going away? But are you really ready to leave everything behind and move abroad? Here are five questions you need to ask yourself to find out...
The United Nations Climate Summit took place this September in New-York and the summit itself was largely overshadowed by the presence of young climate activist, Greta Thunberg. The young Swedish woman advocates for more efforts to reduce climate change. She even refused to take the plane to the United States in an attempt to encourage people to cut down their flying and therefore, help reduce carbon emissions. What can expats do to follow in the steps of young Greta Thunberg?
Everyday life
Climate is often a decisive factor when it comes to choosing an expatriation destination. Who would not want to move to a sunny, tropical island? Circumstances, however, often mean that you are most likely to end up in a country with harsher weather conditions than that. Here are some tips for choosing your destination and preparing for your new life.
Formalities
Whereas a retirement plan should be a concern for every adult who wishes to spend their golden years in relative comfort, expats have a lot more to organise when it comes to their pension. Precisely, if you have been living and working abroad for many years, you cannot rely on what your home country's national pension scheme has to offer. To make things clearer and your expat life easier, we have put together some insightful information about retirement planning when working outside your home country.
England
The United Kingdom is known to have one of the strictest immigration policies. This October, however, settling down in the UK will be made a little easier. Conditions to apply for the Tier 2 (General) visa, the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa as well as the Start-up visa will change to make them more accessible.
Everyday life
When a couple decides to settle abroad, very often there is the person who leaves for work and the one who follows. And while both partners have usually properly thought through their decision, the entourage is not always very open-minded regarding the role of the “trailing spouse”. What are the questions expat partners get asked all the time but cannot stand?
New Zealand
The changes are part of a bigger immigration reform in New Zealand. The requirements for the Talent Work Visa, one of the most sought after ways of settling in New Zealand are toughening up. The changes will come into effect on the 7th of October this year.
Switzerland
Ahead of the 'Welcome to Switzerland' forum, happening on October 1st, 天美麻豆 talks to Pierre-Marie Durécu, Communications Officer of the France-Switzerland Chamber of Commerce. He tells us about the business climate, and will make you consider moving to this beautiful country.
Work
Moving abroad is often motivated by the quest of new career prospects, attractive wages, a higher standard of living, as well as quality of life. However, not everyone chooses the same path; some prefer to donate their time and energy instead of having materialistic rewards. International volunteering is a great way not only to boost your resume but also to benefit from an extraordinary experience abroad by helping to improve the lives of different communities. Three international volunteers share their views with 天美麻豆.
China
Ahead of the Expat Show Shanghai which will be on from the 20th to the 22nd of September we have had a chat with Christophe Rouillon. He is the director of ESSCA Shanghai, the Chinese branch of a French business school.
Many expatriates neglect proper planning for the event of passing away in their new country of residence. Some do not at all contemplate, neither plan for such an event. Even if there are a lot more exciting things to plan for when deciding to settle abroad, expats would avoid unimaginable problems and misery for their next of kin, friends, or embassies and consuls that have to deal with their passing away in their host country if they planned for the worst case scenario when going abroad.
China
Ahead of the Expat Show Shanghai to be held from September 20 to 22, we offer a series of expatriate profiles living in this Chinese city. Meet Annick-Ange Logmo and Laura Miens. They're both foreign students at the ESSCA School Shanghai but their experiences are different...
Everyday life
The Friday the 13th superstition is thought to originate from the last supper of Jesus where 13 individuals were present. Today, the superstition is alive and kicking and the fear of Friday the 13th even has a scientific name- triskaidekaphobia. It has given rise to a famous and very successful franchise of movies and it is also known to cause significant loss to businesses in the United States as a lot of people refuse to travel to work. But this is not the only, or even the strangest superstition. What are other superstitions around the world you should absolutely know about?
China
Ahead of the Expat Show Shanghai which will be on from the 20th to the 22nd of september, 天美麻豆 has met entrepreneur Mike. After four years of living and working in Shanghai, Mike decided he wanted to offer visitors a unique way to discover the city. In 2015, he created Culture Shock- a company offering bike tours to visitors but most importantly, a complete immersion in the day-to-day life of this vibrant city.
USA
The changes will only be operated as from the 26th of September. From this date on, visas E1 and E2 granted to French entrepreneurs will have to be renewed every 15 months instead of every 60 months. What are the implications of this change? Two experts give us their insight.
Work
Countries on the African continent have come a long way from being a slow growing economy to a rapidly growing one capable of joining the rest of the world's giants in the global economic arena. Today, it is a continent to watch for as investors continue to be drawn to African countries. What makes Africa so appealing? And what countries should we watch out for?
Spain
Almost half of Barcelona's residents are foreign-born and this is a record. This was revealed last week by the Municipal Register of Inhabitants of the city. Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, an autonomous region in Spain, seems to be a haven for expatriates. This is due to two reasons: firstly there is record growth of expats joining Barcelona's multicultural composition that is rapidly changing the face of the city and secondly there are the deliberate efforts by the City Administration to transform the existing multiculturalism into an interconnected, intercultural community for all its citizens.
Everyday life
Announcing your moving abroad plans to your loved ones is no easy feat. Apprehension, fear of hurting them and causing sadness, fear of not being understood… It is often a difficult first step and you will almost always have to deal with a few very simplistic reactions. Reactions that expats could definitely do without! Here are ten things that expatriates hate to hear when announcing their departure.
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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