expat network
the IB

Getting More Out Of The IB

A guide to the International Baccalaureate for parents whose children want to create social change… Is the IB the right fit for your child? Helping your child choose the next step in their education can be a particularly stressful time for parents. There are so many options available but the most important piece of advice...

retiring abroad

Retiring Abroad – The Joys And The Practicalities

For many Brits retiring abroad provides the opportunity to turn their dream holiday destination into a permanent lifestyle. Surveys indicate that around one in ten people in the UK are considering retiring abroad and although many will not follow through to actually make the move the numbers are increasing. Choosing a retirement destination Expats often...

expatriate children adjusting

Expatriate Children: Adjusting to a New Environment and Taking Over the World!

While there is no denying that expatriate children have certain invaluable opportunities by being exposed to different (and often multiple) cultures, there can also be a big price to pay: these children may find themselves feeling sad and alone a great deal of the time while being challenged to make new friends and integrate into...

negotiating your salary

Top Tips For Negotiating Your Salary

Negotiating your salary should whenever possible be left until you have received a job offer as this is the time when you are in the best position: they have indicated that they want you to take the job, but you have not yet accepted. The salary is often not specified in job adverts and what...

accepting a job

Should I Take The Job? Considerations Before Accepting A Job

When you are applying for a job abroad there can often be a prolonged selection process. When you have finally made it from the initial application through to the shortlist and receive a job offer the natural instinct is to accept the offer and look forward to your exciting new life abroad. However, before accepting...

Skilling Australia Fund

Skilling Australia Fund Levy Comes Into Effect

On 12 August the Skilling Australia Fund levy commenced. The SAF levy is a levy payable by employers nominating overseas skilled workers for Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482), Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187). The SAF levy replaces the Training Benchmarks, which required visa sponsors to show that they had...

Australian Expats Returning Home:  How To Prepare

Simon DePaoli of Moore Stephens lays out the issues regarding financial planning and expat life that Australian expats returning home need to consider – writing from the perspective of an Australian who has done it. Expatriate life is a heady existence. There’s the opportunity to fast-track career aspirations, the novelty of travelling to new countries...

insurance

Expats’ Special Insurance Needs

Everyone faces risks that require reliable insurance coverage.  Expats face the same risks as well as additional risks caused by their decision to live abroad.  It is important to recognise the risks that you face and to be sure that the coverage does not have terms invalidating the insurance because of your location or because...

Great Move

How To Achieve A Great Move Abroad

Katia Vlachos, born of Greek parents in Cameroon, has lived as an expat in Paris, LA, the Netherlands, Vienna and Zurich and so is well placed to write on living the expat life. At the London book launch of her new book, A Great Move, she outlined her top seven tips for a successful expatriate...

insurance premiums

Why Do Insurance Premiums Always Seem To Rise Each Year?

Expats that secure their own health insurance quickly learn that their premiums will rise year-on-year. Health policies aren’t like motor policies where, given you’ve made no claims, you’ll find a discount on your premium for the next coverage period. This article from our sponsor, Pacific Prime Dubai, will help explain why health insurance premiums always...

investor visa

Australia’s Investor Visa

For those in a position to invest or set up a business in Australia there are a number of routes to gaining permanent residence and/or citizenship in Australia. The most common route is via a temporary 188 visa which allows you to become a permanent resident after four yeas or there is the direct route...

renting abroad

Renting Abroad: How To Choose The Best Option

There are so many decisions to make and things to plan when you’re moving abroad, so we’re here to make at least one of those things easier for you – choosing somewhere to rent. It can be difficult enough renting in your own country, so throw different customs and languages into the mix and you’ve...