Expat news
Visas
To solve the country's labor shortage and visa backlog, the Canadian government has recently introduced new reforms in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) department to speed up immigration, residency and citizenship processes. The reforms cover exemption from medical exams as well as the digitalization of visa/permit applications, interviews and status trackers.
Visas
Singapore's Ministry of Manpower has announced a new 5-year Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) for top talent who earn at least 30,000 Singaporean dollars (21,400 USD) a month or have exceptional achievements in business, the arts, sports, academia, science and tech. This visa aims to attract the cream of the crop of expats after the economic impact of the pandemic. It is needed to solve the country's labor shortage, drive economic growth and bring down inflation.
Visas
On 3 September, Australia increased its permanent migration cap for the first time in 10 years. This financial year (June 2022-June 2023), the country will welcome 195,000 instead of 160,000 new permanent residents. This measure aims to solve the acute labor and skills shortage that Australia has been facing since it closed its borders during the pandemic.
Work
Estonia, Croatia, Germany, Costa Rica, Cap Verde, Brazil, Ecuador, Cyprus, Mexico, Portugal, United Arab Emirates, etc. The list of countries issuing digital nomad visas keeps growing. While these new workers kept a low profile some years ago, they are now revolutionizing the labor market. Covid has propelled them, and thousands of workers are now moving abroad to combine a comfortable lifestyle with their professional careers. But who benefits from this new way of working? Locals are clenching their teeth as they face what they call “an invasion.”
Visas
On 22 August, the British Home Office announced a new scale-up visa to attract foreign workers with sought-after skills. This visa, which is different from the existing Skilled Worker Visa, allows approved “scale-up businesses” to recruit professionals from anywhere around the world. These professionals will get a 6-month job offer. At the end of this period, they can switch to another job without any sponsorship.
Schools & studies
International students are officially allowed back into China after more than 2 years of autarky. Is this a tangible sign of a return to normality? Be careful, though. For even if the official announcement was made on August 24, borders haven't reopened for everyone.
Everyday life
Rising inflation is very likely to be a pain to households and families in Europe.” On Friday, August 26, the Chair of the Federal Reserve System (FED) of the United States, Jerome Powell, warned of a difficult future for millions of Americans – difficulties that are also threatening Europe. For now, a full-blown recession has been avoided. But ominous signs keep cropping up. Winter will be cold, and we're not only talking about the temperature. Moreover, the deterioration of European economies is raising fears of a slide into recession. This is raising significant concerns among expats and prospective expats.
Visas
New Zealand has recently increased the number of working holiday visas for the year 2022/2023 as a temporary measure to deal with its skills and labor shortage. Since Covid, some sectors like tourism and construction have struggled to recover their workforce. An additional 12,000 working holiday visas will allow foreigners to fill the labor gap in these sectors, at least in the short term. The terms of the Accredited Employer Work Visa have also been relaxed to attract foreign labor.
Visas
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is continuing its extensive immigration reform. After the introduction of new categories for the Golden Visa, the relaxation of residency rules for expats, the extension of the grace period after a visa's expiration date, and the creation of unemployment benefits for locals and expats, the UAE has just announced new immigration reforms applying to tourists and expats. But not any of them. The UAE is targeting international talent and wealthy foreigners. What are the new visas offered and their benefits?
Tax
Its borders have reopened, but tourism is struggling to come back to life. Two years into the pandemic, Cyprus is again facing a summer with very few holidaymakers. A bad sign for the economy, which is battling against inflation and the repercussions of Covid. The government believes it has found a solution: attract more expats, especially well-off ones. Cyprus is luring foreigners with new tax breaks. What's changing for expats? Why is Cyprus counting on them?
Cost of living
Since the 1970s, the private sector of Gulf countries has been relying on expat labor. However, as Arab Times and the Jerusalem Post report, expats are now leaving massively because of the pandemic's impact on both the oil and non-oil sectors, the lack of subsidies for non-citizens, and job nationalization. The most affected are middle-class expats, who rarely receive a support package from their employers.
Accommodation
The Bank of England has relaxed mortgage eligibility criteria from August 1, 2022. The affordability test to take out a mortgage now only requires the buyer to prove that they can afford a 1% rise in the variable interest rate over the repayment period. Previously, it was 3%. This is good news for expats who want to buy property in the UK, especially first-time buyers who only have a small deposit.
Visas
On Thursday, August 4, 2022, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa issued a new "legal framework of entry, permanence, exit and removal of foreigners into and out of the national territory." How will these changes affect expatriates and people who are looking to relocate to Portugal? How will this affect immigration to Portugal?
Work
All countries around the world are keeping a close eye on inflation. In fact, the levels are particularly alarming in certain countries. Other countries are faring better, but none of them can rejoice for being out of the red zone. Workers are sour and are seeking raises. This would be counter-productive, according to some economists, but is vital, according to others.
Everyday life
Six years after the 2016 referendum, the full consequences of Brexit are still unfolding. Expatriation has become complicated for UK citizens. International media report that expats are being informed by British banks that their EU-based accounts will soon be closed. In Spain, British driving licenses were also recently rendered invalid.
Work
An inevitable reconfiguration of the labor market is brewing in Europe. According to the European Commission, the number of digital workers will almost double by 2045, leading to profound changes in the relationship between employers and employees. Given the growing trend of its cross-border workforce, the European Union recognizes the need to step up its legislation to better protect European workers, regardless of the nature of their jobs.
Everyday life
Recent research from the University of Washington points out that more than 160 million women worldwide didn't have access to contraception methods as of 2019. This can be a significant concern for women planning to move abroad with or without a partner and not looking to give birth and make a family.
Work
Major changes are on in South Africa. In 2021, the government started the reform of its work visa system. On the one hand, South Africans are being prioritized in the labor market, which means that there are even more restrictions on the recruitment of global talent. On the other hand, it wants to tap into the wealth generated by digital nomads by creating new visas to attract them. One thing is for sure: expats should expect sweeping changes in the upcoming months and years.
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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