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Everyday life
The United Arab Emirates looks like they are quickly achieving its goals! In the early months of the Covid pandemic, the country soon became an ideal destination for expatriates. But today, the communication campaign is coupled with long-term and ambitious changes to attract more foreigners. There are the new visas, the extension of the categories of eligible applicants for the Golden Visa, along with the relaxation of some rules regarding the consumption of alcohol, etc. The new measures confirm the trend.
Japan
Here's some good news for prospective expats. Japan is opening its doors to foreign talents. The country is currently faced with a critical situation, with an aging population and growing economic tensions. Supporting growth through immigration has thus become an urgent priority. To attract and, above all, retain foreign talents, Japan announced its intention to simplify immigration policies.
France
2023 is sure to bring its share of positive and negative changes. On the negative side, property taxes will continue to rise. But on the positive one, savings are picking up, thanks to the increase in the "Plan Épargne Logement (PEL)" or the "Livret A". The withholding tax scale has also been revised to take account of inflation. Property tax on main residence, previously paid by tenants and owners, has been suspended. Other arrangements are also planned for parents to help reduce their expenses and give them greater purchasing power.
Visas
Are Golden Visas living their last days in the European Union? Spain plans to restrict the conditions under which people can obtain a golden passport. Portugal and Ireland have already announced the end of their programs intended for wealthy foreign investors. Between the countries that are abolishing their Golden Visa programs and those that are pursuing it, let's take a look at this much controversial scheme.
Australia
Starting on July 1, 2023, international graduates holding eligible qualifications will receive an extended two-year post-study work period, according to an announcement made by the Australian government. The limit on working hours for international students will also be raised from 40 hours per fortnight to 48 hours per fortnight beginning on the same date.
Germany
In the face of acute labor shortages, Germany is reforming its migration policy to attract skilled immigrants. The announcement was made on February 20 by the Federal Minister of the Interior and Community (BMI) and the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS). So what new measures does Germany intend to deploy to gain attractiveness?
Visas
Are we witnessing the last days of the Spanish Golden Visa? While Portugal and Ireland have announced the end of their Golden Visa programs intended for wealthy foreign investors, Spain's political left wing is proposing a law to abolish access to citizenship through real estate investment. How is this going to affect immigration in Spain?
Saudi Arabia
Multiple Gulf countries are currently replacing expats with locals in many jobs. Saudi Arabia's situation looks paradoxical because the kingdom is both creating new measures to attract expats and continuing the “Saudization" (nationalization) of the local workforce. How are these two seemingly diametrically opposed policies working together?
England
The Times reports that the UK's Home Office is considering reducing the post-study work rights of international students from 2 years to 6 months. This follows discussions within the government since late 2022 about capping international student numbers. If these are actually applied, they might drastically reduce the attractiveness and accessibility of the UK for overseas students and expats.
South Korea
The Hallyu visa to South Korea is finally available after one year of discussions. Officially branded "K-culture training visa", it should allow foreigners to stay up to two years in South Korea to either discover its unique artistic scene or realize their dream of breaking into the entertainment industry. The government is also considering the introduction of a digital nomad visa.
Saudi Arabia
As economies around the world prepare for an oil-free future in their own way, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia could take an extra step in favor of expatriates. According to the British newspaper The Economist, the two major oil producers are planning on diversifying their sources of wealth. This diversification could involve granting more rights to foreigners, including citizenship.
Germany
Through the newly announced one-year paid educational leave, Germany wants to fight skills shortages. The country wants to revitalize lifelong learning through apprenticeships, internships, and training programs, to ensure a better match between job supply and demand. But what are the outlines of this new measure? Are expatriates concerned by these new incentives?
China
What if studying abroad was a passport to achieving a new level of freedom? In China, the idea is becoming more and more widespread. In the wake of the pandemic and, most importantly, with the consequences of the zero-covid policy, Chinese students are now keener on studying abroad. But the once-popular destinations for studying abroad have changed. As China reopened its borders in early January 2023, hoping for a return to normalcy, many Chinese students are hoping for a brighter future elsewhere.
Work
Canada wants to attract more entrepreneurs. The "startup visa" was officially launched on April 1, 2013, in response to the 2012 Economic Action Plan. With this plan, Canada committed to supporting "world-class entrepreneurship, innovation, and research." The 2023-2025 Immigration Plan relaunches the business startup visa with a target of 3,500 new immigrant entrepreneurs.
Italy
The Italian government is looking to grant 82 705 work permits to expat workers this year. According to the latest Decree on Migration Flows (Decreto Flussi), published on January 26 in the Italian Official Gazette, this measure aims to address the shortages in various sectors. So what kinds of jobs can expat workers expect in Italy, and what would be the benefits of moving there?
Denmark
Denmark is heavily relying on immigration to counter the acute labor shortage in certain sectors. The Danish government has come up with a special scheme to attract qualified foreign talent and created a list of jobs that are under pressure. So what are the opportunities that are currently available in Denmark for prospective expats?
Finland
A recent study by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) found that, among 15 high-income countries, Finland was the only one that didn't have a lower immigration rate in 2020 when measured against predicted immigration in the absence of Covid. Data from the OECD suggests that freedom of movement within the European Economic Area (EEA) contributed to that.
Poland
One could call it the "Polish economic miracle". With sustained growth and low unemployment, the country presents many benefits for foreign workers. The war in Ukraine has also played a major role in the increase in the number of migrant workers. But what are the opportunities available for foreigners in Poland?
Other Types
Work
Deciding to take a vacation while living abroad can sometimes prompt surprising reactions. People might wonder why you need a break when you're already in scenic locations like Bali, Los Angeles, or Victoria, the captivating capital of the Seychelles. Is it acceptable for an expat to take a vacation? Here's how you can enjoy your time off without feeling guilty.
Everyday life
Are you considering moving abroad but hesitant about doing it alone? Imagine embarking on this journey not by yourself but with a close friend or sibling. This trend of relocating with loved ones is gaining momentum. What are the benefits and potential hurdles of such an adventure? To give you a clearer picture, we spoke to a couple of people who've made the leap. Here are the insights from Alexia and two sisters, Noa and Lou, who shared their firsthand experiences.
Formalities
In general, you can choose to give up your nationality if you already hold citizenship in another country, as giving up your nationality shouldn't leave you without any citizenship at all. However, the rules for renouncing citizenship can vary widely depending on whether a country allows dual citizenship.
Accommodation
Expats and prospective expats are increasingly confronted with a severe housing crisis. Landlords are responding to market trends by offering accommodations at discounted rates, striving to stay competitive. However, this race to the bottom often carries hidden costs that exceed expectations. Here's a detailed analysis.
Work
Labeled "digital natives" or Generation Z, these young individuals born from the late 1990s to the early 2010s represent the emerging and future workforce. Often perceived as "less prepared" professionally and more "volatile" compared to their predecessors, it raises the question: is it a myth or reality? What are the professional aspirations of this generation, and how can international employers adequately equip them for the challenges of roles overseas?
Everyday life
When you are moving abroad for your career, your family will be those coming along. This typically puts them in a somewhat vulnerable position – as they are moving to a new location where nothing awaits them. And while the move may be a great thing for your career, the transition you will be making affects everyone.
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