Expat news
Qatar
Competing with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Qatar is launching a new program to attract foreign talent. Entrepreneurs and highly skilled professionals will soon be able to benefit from a 10-year residence visa.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is expected to drive more changes in 2026. One of the biggest shifts is the opening of the property market to expat residents and Emirati nationals. At the same time, authorities are tightening the tone toward self-employed expats, reminding them that being self-employed is only possible if residency rules are fully respected.
Malaysia
Malaysia has adopted a new reform that will significantly raise the minimum salary required to employ foreign workers. The government is also introducing additional measures to better regulate expatriate hiring.
Bahrain
On 20 January, Bahrain's Parliament approved an amendment that would tie an expat's identity card to the duration of their residency permit. The decision was adopted despite concerns raised by the Foreign Affairs Committee. What should expat expect?
Oman
Oman is expanding its Omanization policy, which aims to prioritize local employment. The Ministry of Labour has confirmed that more than 200 additional roles are now closed to foreign workers.
Thailand
The Thai government is stepping up immigration enforcement with a new measure aimed at reducing visa overstays.
England
The UK government plans to prioritize British nationals for NHS (National Health Service) roles. Health Secretary Wes Streeting says the move is intended to put the system back on track after what he called the previous government's “catastrophic” handling of the NHS.
New Zealand
If you have been dreaming of moving to New Zealand, here's some big news: the 2026 work visa season is now open. Following the success of the Specific Purpose Work Visa introduced in 2025, the government is relaunching the scheme this year.
France
As France's political crisis continues to dominate headlines, following yet another rejection of the government's draft budget, sweeping changes to immigration rules have gone largely unnoticed. A new mandatory civics exam for foreign nationals has been in force since January 1, 2026.
Kuwait
While Kuwait continues to pursue its job nationalization policy, the country is also seeking to attract investors and highly skilled professionals. Here's what you need to know if you're planning a move to Kuwait.
USA
Immigrant visa suspension, visa bonds, tighter H-1B rules and higher entry barriers: the United States is pressing ahead with policies aimed at curbing both legal and illegal immigration. What will the “American Dream” look like in 2026, and what should expats expect?
Greece
The Greek government has introduced new measures to streamline the Golden Visa process. Its goal is clear: make the programme more accessible, attract more foreign investors, and boost tourism.
New Zealand
New Zealand has rolled out a new visa aimed at attracting foreign investors since November 24, 2025. Unlike previous schemes, applicants won't need to set up their own company. Instead, the visa targets high-net-worth expatriates who want to invest in existing New Zealand businesses.
Oman
By easing residency renewals, Oman aims to attract more skilled professionals and investors. The change is a key step in advancing Oman Vision 2040 and its push for a more diversified economy.
Germany
The Merz government signed off on the decision on 29 October 2025—an unexpected step given the country's deep economic troubles. Yet the independent commission that issued the recommendation argues that the increase should boost household spending and, in turn, support overall economic growth.
Canada
Canada continues to captivate expatriates, but entering and staying is becoming increasingly difficult. The immigration slowdown is confirmed. The 2026-2028 plan prioritizes long-term economic immigration and curtails temporary immigration to Canada. Temporary expatriate workers and students are directly targeted by this slowdown.
Work
The European Union's Pay Transparency Directive, passed on April 24, 2023, introduces strict new rules to tackle gender pay inequality. Employers must now make salary information public and close any unjustified gender pay gap above 5%.
Thailand
The Thai government has launched an ambitious plan to simplify and modernize visa and work permit processes. The goals are clear: reduce paperwork, streamline procedures, enable real-time tracking, and speed up responses.
Other Types
Tax
Postcard-perfect beaches, luxury villas, sports cars and a jet-set lifestyle: social media often paints expat influencers and content creators as financially free and permanently on vacation. Behind the filters and sponsored posts, however, lies a much more complex reality. As more freelancers, influencers and digital creators move abroad to optimize their lifestyle and income, tax authorities around the world are increasing their scrutiny. So how can content creators relocate overseas legally, optimize their taxes, and avoid crossing the line into tax evasion?
Tax
Living in a country without paying taxes: a dream for many expats who choose their destination specifically based on its tax policies. But does a truly "zero tax" country for foreigners actually exist? And what hidden financial risks should you watch out for?
Transport
"Once this war is over, fuel prices will collapse," Donald Trump declared. The U.S. president believes he has "very good chances" of reaching a deal with Iran, while also stating he is prepared to take military action if talks fail. In the meantime, prices at the pump continue to break records worldwide, with variations from country to country. How are expats coping with this situation? How are they managing their daily commutes and travel? The 大咖福利影院 community shares its experiences.
Banks and finance
Online banks and neobanks market themselves as the perfect solution for expats: open an account in a few clicks, fully digital, accessible from anywhere… at least in theory. What are the real advantages and limitations of these banking options? And what should expats watch out for?
Everyday life
For decades, the traditional idea of retirement was simple enough. You work until a certain age, then stop. The assumption was that a workplace pension, a state pension, or a private pension, and perhaps a little nest egg, would provide sufficient income to enjoy a good quality of life. However, for some, the new retirement reality is much more complex.
Work
Cold emails are a powerful way to show your drive and determination, provided you know how to stand out and reach the right person. Which countries are most receptive to unsolicited job applications? And how do you capture the attention of a foreign company?
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