Features
Everyday life
Being an expat isn't easy. It can be fun, interesting, eye-opening – but it comes with its share of hardships and lessons. Today, we are focusing on the lessons we learn as expats at the very beginning of the journey. Here are the six lessons you will most likely learn in your first half a year abroad.
Work
Job hunting in a new country can be a minefield. You're navigating unfamiliar cultural norms, unsure of the unspoken rules in the professional world, and uncertain where to find the right contacts who can open the right doors for you. To make matters worse, in the digital age, fake job ads clutter even well-established platforms like LinkedIn. Some countries, like South Africa, are even facing an epidemic of these fake “ghost jobs” and scams. How can you avoid these traps?
Visas
Obtaining citizenship without enduring long and complex naturalization procedures is possible through fast-track programs. However, these often come at a high cost. A country's political environment also plays a key role in shaping its stance on this form of “express citizenship.” Here's what you need to know if you're looking to acquire a second passport in less than a year.
Schools & studies
Raising children abroad often means adapting to an unfamiliar education system. For parents enrolling their children in local schools, the cultural shift can be both challenging and eye-opening. What are the key differences between educational systems? And how can you prepare your child for the transition?
Work
One of the biggest challenges for expatriate workers is figuring out how to present themselves to a foreign employer. Adapting to a different resume format, especially with a non-traditional background, can be tricky. But what if the resume is part of the problem? More companies are turning to resume-free recruitment to give all candidates a fairer chance. Here's what that means in practice.
Everyday life
You've decided: retirement abroad is the plan. Whether you're relocating permanently or spending just a few years overseas, preparation is key. Many employers offer support as staff transition into retirement—but what happens when that next chapter unfolds in another country? When should you start planning? And what timeline will help you make the most of your new life abroad?
Schools & studies
Selecting the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you'll face when living overseas. For many families, English-language education is a top priority—it can open access to leading universities around the world. In this context, the International Baccalaureate (IB) has become an increasingly popular option. Here's what makes it stand out.
Formalities
Deportation is often associated with undocumented migrants, but even legal expats can face removal from their host country. A valid visa doesn't guarantee immunity. In fact, many expats underestimate the risks — such as using substances that are legal back home but banned locally. So, what are the key reasons expats get deported, and how can you avoid falling into these traps?
Visas
Countries facing labor shortages and demographic decline are increasingly turning to foreign talent to sustain their economies. Skilled migrants help fill critical gaps, driving economic stability and long-term growth. So, where are the best opportunities for expats today? Here's a closer look.
Work
Living abroad can make it harder to gauge how your work is viewed. Many expatriates feel overlooked or under constant scrutiny. Yet recognition is essential—it builds trust with managers and directly influences performance. Here's why it matters.
Work
Studying abroad opens doors to more than just academic credentials—it shapes a global outlook. But how do you turn that into a career advantage? Beyond classic international fields like diplomacy, development, and tourism, new opportunities are emerging in innovation, design, tech, and entrepreneurship. These fast-evolving sectors value fresh ideas, cross-cultural thinking, and adaptability—traits that international graduates often bring to the table. Today, standing out in the global job market means not just having foreign experience but knowing how to frame it as a competitive edge.
Accommodation
Thinking of buying property abroad? It's a dream for many—and with the right preparation, it can become reality. But just like buying a home in your own country, investing in real estate overseas comes with its own set of rules. Before you sign anything, make sure you understand the local laws, legal procedures, and required documents. Contracts, regulations, and paperwork can vary widely—and so can the risks. So what should you look out for? What are the common mistakes to avoid?
Everyday life
In the wake of Covid-19 and ongoing economic uncertainty, more people are seriously considering life abroad. For some, it's still just a distant dream. But for others, that dream becomes a lived reality. Life as an expat, however, is rarely a fairytale. Those who share their stories know the challenges firsthand. It takes persistence—and often struggle—to find one's footing in a foreign country.
Visas
The rejection rate for student visas tends to be low compared to work, talent and investor visas. However, you can still get rejected if you neglect to submit all required documents, have suspicious financial records, show inadequate language skills, have an unclear purpose for entering the country, or fail to meet vaccination requirements. Here are mistakes you should avoid to ensure your student visa won't be rejected.
Health system
Receiving a medical diagnosis is never easy—especially when you're living abroad. Now, you're not only managing your health but also facing the emotional and practical challenge of rethinking life as an expat. How do you adjust your daily routine when loneliness becomes part of your new reality? What support systems can help you avoid navigating illness entirely on your own?
Everyday life
Foreign retirees represent a valuable demographic for many countries. They bring steady financial resources, stimulate local consumption, invest in real estate, and sometimes contribute to the local economy through entrepreneurship or volunteer work. Recognizing these benefits, many governments actively compete to attract retirees, offering special visa programs, tax incentives, and other benefits designed to make relocation easier and more appealing.
Everyday life
Euphoria, doubt, frustration, adjustment, motivation, hope — relocating overseas stirs a wide range of emotions, often contradictory. Leaving behind your country, your relationships, and your familiar surroundings marks a major life change. How can you navigate these emotional stages in the best possible way?
Work
Living abroad can sharpen the visibility of gender stereotypes, especially in professional settings. Women are often seen as following their partners overseas, expected to fill their days within expat social circles. Men face their own clichés: they are typically cast as ambitious professionals, sent abroad for a strategic career move, often into senior roles. Why do these outdated views about gender and international careers still persist?
Other Types
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?
France
The French government has recently decided to reconsider its announcements regarding differentiated tuition fees for non-EU students. What should they expect?
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