More than half of the businesses questioned in new research said sending staff on global assignments has improved the performance of their international operations and 44% said it improved employees’ skill level. However, the research by international health insurer AXA, conducted among 250 multi-national firms headquartered in eight different countries and 372 expat workers across...

Business leaders still view an international mobile workforce as key to meeting their strategic objectives, according to new research by global mobility specialists, Santa Fe Relocation Services. This is despite mounting concerns around immigration and an increasingly uncertain geopolitical climate following changes implemented by the new US administration and the anticipated impact of Brexit. Santa...

Research has shown that 30 per cent of expats said that they relocated for better career opportunities and a quarter listed increased pay and benefits. A further 15 per cent relocated for an improved work/life balance. The research, by global healthcare provider AXA, also found that 14 per cent moved for a better environment to...

More than one in three expats mention their job or business as their most important reason for relocating. 15 per cent moved abroad because they found a job on their own, and 13 per cent were sent abroad by their employer. Not all destinations where expats are particularly satisfied with their individual career options are...

South Africa is one of the expatriate jurisdictions where proactive planning makes a significant difference to the tax and exchange control implications of an international mobile employee. The primary reasons for this proactive planning are: Unlike most other countries, with good planning you only become ‘tax resident’ in the beginning of your sixth year in...

Jobseekers could find it harder to land expat assignments as the US, Australia and New Zealand bring in new expat visa rules. Temporary skilled worker laws are facing change. Australia announced that the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (known as the 457 visa) will be abolished and replaced with a new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in...

If you are considering working overseas you should find out before you go how far your salary is going to stretch. Luckily there is new research showing the relative cost of living in major cities worldwide. Singapore retains its title as the world’s most expensive city for a fourth consecutive year in a top ten...

Relationship breakdown is always stressful, but if your marriage has run into trouble after moving overseas, the thought of sorting out finances and child issues in a less familiar setting can feel overwhelming. Based on our experience advising expats at Morton Fraser, these are our top three tips for dealing with a separation when you...

The UAE government has approved a new visa system designed to attract top foreign talents in fields such as medicine, science and research to the country, Bloomberg reports Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as saying. “The United Arab Emirates is the land of opportunities,” Sheikh Mohammed said after a cabinet meeting. Attracting...

Europe is rated the best destination for those looking to progress their career abroad and benefit from great working conditions. According to new data released from the latest Expat Explorer survey from HSBC, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Austria and the UK are among the top ten countries for a successful expat career. For the second...

When moving abroad, it can be exciting to learn along the way, but there are some aspects ofour lives that we cannot leave to chance. For parents, one of these is the education of our children. Most countries provide public school options, but measuring their quality beforehand can be challenging. By Jason Agins, Master Teacher...

A study of oil and gas workforce perceptions since the start of the global downturn has revealed which operators and service companies are rated highest by oil and gas professionals – based on key issues including values, performance and pay rates. Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP and Halliburton make up the top five in the wide-ranging Ideal...