Expat news
Work
In September, Malaysia's Immigration Department issued a new policy requiring employers to pick up foreign workers at the airport no more than 6 hours after they land. The lack of clarity and very short time limit left the management of Malaysian companies feeling confused. In response, in early October, the department gave a leeway of 4 extra hours and allowed agents to represent the employers at the airport.
Work
Austria is facing labor shortages like many European countries and the rest of the world. As a response, the government announced the introduction of short-term work permits intended for foreign workers with short-term contracts, hoping to attract skilled workers. What are the conditions to be met for obtaining this permit, and what does the Austrian labor market currently look like?
Work
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is keeping its pace in terms of openness. After introducing the unemployment insurance scheme for expatriates, the government recently introduced the "Golden Pension Scheme", a retirement savings plan intended for foreign workers. How does it work, and what are the benefits for expats?
Visas
In September, two Democrat senators introduced a bill in congress that could make over 8 million people in the United States become Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). The “Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929” would transform the immigration registry cutoff date of 1972 into a permanently evolving one. This way, irrespective of when they entered the country, immigrants who've been in the US for at least 7 years can obtain a Green Card.
Work
In October, Germany increased the minimum wage for the third time in a single year. It also raised the income cap of mini-jobs, a form of short-term employment. These are efforts by the government to help people adapt to inflationary trends and the cost of living crisis.
Work
The end of the pandemic has changed many things in the international labor market. Many developed countries seek highly-qualified economic immigrants to compensate for the workforce lost due to increased mortality, border closures and the Great Resignation in the USA. On the other side, countries providing these highly-skilled immigrants are losing them through a brain drain.
Work
Although France is trying hard to boost economic immigration, its main driver of growth, it has been facing a brain drain for many years. So how does France keep on attracting international talent while the local talent is looking for greener pastures?
Everyday life
On November 1, Canada will announce its 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan. Each year, this plan resets permanent immigration targets for the next coming years. It gives a breakdown of how many newcomers of each migration class the country wants to welcome. The federal government is also intent on increasing immigration in Quebec despite the Quebecois government's opposition to it.
Work
Immigration to the United States has nearly rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. In spite of that, some sectors, namely hospitality, construction and services, are still experiencing severe worker shortages. These sectors have historically been staffed by working-class migrants, especially from Central and South America. Some analysts say that increasing legal immigration pathways for that demographic is a solution.
Visas
Spain and Portugal, the sunny Iberian countries of southern Europe, have both recently launched new one-year digital nomad visas to attract full-time remote workers. On another continent, Costa Rica, another destination that is popular for its great weather and lush nature, is converting short-term tourist visas into longer digital nomad visas. The post-pandemic world has new work and travel trends that these countries want to make the best of.
Formalities
This is, by no means, a ranking list! One will always find both good and not-so-good elements in any comparison exercise. Nevertheless, it must be said that some countries are especially known to have a cumbersome bureaucratic system. This can be experienced in all aspects of daily life, affecting locals and expatriates. Here is an overview of the countries known by expats for their lack of bureaucratic efficiency.
Work
The Health Service Executive (HSE) of Ireland, the country's public healthcare system, has announced that it will now offer relocation packages worth over €4,000 to foreign health professionals who want to move to the country. This is the latest in a series of measures to solve the labor shortage in Irish public healthcare.
Work
China has been losing foreign investment and expat talent since 2020 when the country imposed strict lockdowns and border closures which are still ongoing in 2022. Meanwhile, in the last two years, other Asian destinations have proved themselves to offer excellent conditions for expats: Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, the Indian city of Bangalore and, to a lesser extent, Singapore.
Visas
In an attempt to boost immigration numbers, the Canadian government has announced a new series of measures to encourage temporary foreign workers and international students to convert their residence status to permanent. On September 20, the Immigration Minister unveiled these measures in a “five-pillar plan.”
Tax
The sunny autonomous community of southern Spain, Andalusia, has scrapped the wealth tax that used to be levied on assets. It wants to attract expats and boost the economy with its tax attractiveness. Other autonomous communities, Galicia and Murcia, are following suit, while the central government plans on adopting measures that will cancel out the advantages of Andalusia's fiscal reform.
Work
Like many countries, Ireland has been suffering from a labor shortage since the pandemic. This situation is aggravated by a rapidly aging population and a brain drain of the young Irish. In response, the government has implemented new measures to attract global talent. Why does brain gain co-exist with brain drain in Ireland, and what are the state's new measures?
Work
Here's some great news for all prospective immigrants to Spain. On August 16, the country finally passed new laws concerning immigration. Spain is currently facing a labor shortage. Some industries are particularly affected. By inviting foreign workers, the country wants to revitalize its economy. Below is an explanation of the main features of these legal amendments.
Everyday life
In March, the German government announced that it would be disbursing a one-off relief payment of 300 euros to help households face the rising cost of energy. This relief payment was meant to be debited in September and originally concerned everyone. But since then, things have changed. Not all people residing in Germany will be eligible for the relief payment. So who is currently eligible and under what conditions? Are expats concerned?
Other Types
Paraguay
A new investor residency rulebook landed last month, and for anyone weighing Paraguay as a place to actually live, the numbers are surprisingly friendly. If you've been quietly researching Paraguay as a possible new home base, for the taxes, the cost of living, the easy residency, or just because the rest of the world feels increasingly expensive and complicated, this one is for you.
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.
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