Features
Everyday life
Time passes and looks alike in Shanghai. As in the rest of China, life seems to have come to a standstill since March 2020. The government isn't ready to abandon its "zero Covid" policy while most countries around the world have reopened their borders and eased their health restrictions. The Chinese population is desperate, and so are expats in Shanghai who are more than ever ready to relocate overseas and escape their suffocating everyday life.
Everyday life
In most countries, people seem to have got used to living with the Covid. In fact, most of us yearn to get back to a normal life. Still, Covid cases start rising again as soon as we drop the mask. There are many causes of this situation, such as people refusing to get vaccinated, non-respect of barrier gestures, carelessness, etc. Many experts believe that normal life will no longer be what it used to be. In some regions, people have started wearing masks once again, fearing new contamination.
Work
"The Great Resignation" is a phenomenon that has shaken the United States for more than a year now. The latest peak was reported in November 2021, with more than 4.5 million resignations. Fortunately, this trend hasn't spread to Europe, but entire sectors are currently facing a labour shortage. At the same time, more and more workers are looking for a change of career within a company having values that match theirs. So what if The Great Resignation was questioning the whole world of work? How important should company values be for expats?
Everyday life
The rise in oil prices around the world is affecting all economies, starting with the transport sector. Pessimistic experts are forecasting an increase to 200 dollars per barrel by the end of the year, but this would be an unrealizable disaster scenario for others. Since the early days of the pandemic, airline companies have been warning of a possible rise in flight ticket prices. Repeated crises bear a cost that they cannot fully absorb. Unfortunately, consumers at the end of the supply chain have to take the brunt. How does all this affect moving abroad plans?
Work
Medical workers are in demand in Europe, Asia, on the American continent and have decent wages. With an exceptional medical education, a list of successfully passing exams like NCLEX-RN, and experience of 2 years or more, it is possible to get a job as a nurse abroad.
Everyday life
Things are pretty uncertain in Hong Kong following the new Covid wave in March 2022, added to social and political tensions, increasingly significant influence from China, etc. International media have constantly been reporting a brain drain and an expat exodus over the past year. How do expats in Hong Kong feel about this situation?
Everyday life
Living abroad as a Muslim expat should not be a challenge, even if your host country does not historically and culturally include, for example, Ramadan in its way of life. As we are currently in the first week of Ramadan, here are tips for preserving your religious traditions as an expat in a non-Muslim country.
Tax
If expats are thinking about moving to another country to get away from financial and administrative responsibilities, they have to be careful and have a thorough look at their home countries' red tape rules. There are many countries where expats have still to declare their income even if they're no longer a resident.
Formalities
Expats' profiles can vary -- there are the ones who do know and love to organize their moving abroad paperwork alone, and there are the expats who have never been through this process and need assistance for immigration. Although it might seem a perfect idea to have a hand, immigration agencies or agents can deceive expatriates and ruin their dream of moving abroad.
Cost of living
In our globalized and interconnected world, the economy, which is just recovering from the pandemic impact, most countries are facing the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war. The cost of living for expats and nationals has been increasing in many countries as the UK and US, with the escalation of inflation, while wages and benefits fail to keep up.
Everyday life
The war in Ukraine with Russia shelling in urban and rural areas all over the country has obliged nationals and expats to seek asylum for their security. But, the humanitarian crisis that has already been challenging for locals has put a spotlight on alleged discrimination. The concern: immigrants from Africa and other people of colour are facing hate at the borders.
Everyday life
Hong Kong is an extremely active megalopolis with around 7.482 million inhabitants. Unfortunately, following a new Covid-19 peak in mid-February, the number of new cases has broken all records. To date, more than 200 deaths are being reported every day, and as of mid-March, more than 10,000 people are tested positive per day.
Everyday life
Would you rather move to the other side of the world or to the country next door? Intra-continental immigration has always been a step ahead of long-distance relocations, and the Covid pandemic has only reinforced this trend. Which are the easiest countries for intra-continental immigration, and what are the benefits?
Everyday life
The pandemic has impacted expats with international partners, as travel restrictions imposed long-distance relationships for many of them. Being apart led some couples to end their relationship or to strengthen by managing to see each other through digital tools and social media. Australia and New Zealand were some of the most strict countries in terms of Covid-19 travelling measures to control the disease. Now they are opening their borders between them and for expats overseas, and couples feel relief.
Work
This sounds like one of the best news for 2022. According to the latest economic growth figures, unemployment in Europe is on the decline. Faced with a labour shortage, the leading economic powers in Europe are looking for global talent, just like the United States, Canada, Switzerland, Australia. In Europe, too, there is a skilled labour shortage in all sectors. How are European countries dealing with the situation?
Germany
Germany's approach to contracts is known for being un-customer-friendly. It usually takes consumers three months to be able to cancel services, for example. But, the German Federal Parliament, Bundestag, has passed through a new law that seeks to reduce minimum contract terms and shorten notice periods to facilitate consumers' lives.
Australia
Expats living on the Southern Australia coast must be very scared. The New South Wales coast has been hit by dangerous weather with heavy rains and strong winds in the last week leading to severe floods on the Australian coast. The Bureau of Meteorology in Australia has expanded its warning zone for towns and communities, stretching Coffs Harbour south towards the Victorian border. The NSW State Emergency Service has warned of dangerous conditions and asked for evacuation at large parts of the coastline, including Sydney.
Work
Even in their own country, women already face a glass ceiling and several difficulties for getting opportunities in the labour market, especially in higher positions, due to gender stereotypes and sexism. According to the latest Women in Work Index by PwC, 70% of women in OCDE countries are part of the labour force, against 81% of men. Besides, women are less hired for full-time roles, with only a 76% presence, while men have 91%.
Other Types
France
This quiet reform barely made a ripple in France's political debates, yet it slipped through largely unnoticed and will tighten the rules for those who combine work and retirement.
France
A decree published on April 25 in the Official Gazette updates the rules allowing foreign workers to apply for the European Card or register on the "list of jobseekers."
France
E-invoicing (and e-reporting) was previously voluntary. From September 1, 2026, it will become mandatory for businesses to issue and receive electronic invoices. So who exactly is affected?
United Arab Emirates
The UAE's Golden Visa program has been updated. The reform, focused on simplification, aims to further cement the United Arab Emirates' position as a top destination for foreign investors and entrepreneurs.
Formalities
A new fee for expats. Quietly slipped into the 2026 Finance Act, this measure has very real consequences for foreign drivers in their everyday lives. Starting May 12, exchanging a driver's license will no longer be free.
United Arab Emirates
The emirate of Dubai is rolling out a new strategy to keep attracting wealthy expats. A minimum investment is no longer required to qualify for a two-year residency visa.
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