expat network

Moving to Canada – What You Need to Know

So, you are moving to Canada!

Whether you are emigrating, taking a short term assignment or joining family in Canada we have put together the information you will need to make your move a smooth one.

How Expats Can Stay Fit And Healthy At Home

As expats across the globe continue to be isolated in their homes, keeping up with physical fitness is quickly becoming an overwhelming concern, especially for those who are used to regularly visiting the gym and enjoy staying active. Exercise is not only important for physical fitness, however. Getting your heart pumping is also extremely beneficial…

Nine In Ten Expats Feel Isolated

This World Mental Health Day, new research from AXA – Global Healthcare suggests that many expats have struggled with life overseas. The research reveals that almost nine in ten (87%) expats have felt isolated during their time abroad, with half (48%) of those saying that missing friends and family was the primary reason. Written for…

New Visa To Bring Your Parents To Australia

A new Parent Visa option is opening for eligible Australian citizens or permanent residents to bring their parents to Australia temporarily for up to ten years. The new visa will however be capped to only 15,000 people per year. Read on to discover more and find out if you could be eligible to sponsor your…

New Pathways To Permanent Residence In Regional Australia

Businesses have long been advocating for more flexible migration laws to accommodate for labour shortages in regional areas – and it looks like the Government is listening. As part of its focus on alleviating population pressures in Sydney and Melbourne, various regional migration agreements are being fast-tracked across the country. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 19…

5 Australian Visa Changes Expected In 2019

Immigration was the subject of contentious political debate in 2018 and discussions shifted from the size of Australia’s permanent migration intake to how to distribute issues of apparent overcrowding in Sydney and Melbourne. Interstaff expect many of the discussions that began in 2018 will continue this year and could result in further visa changes in…

On A Skilled Visa? The Government May Request Access To Your Tax Affairs

Those applying for or holding a skilled Australian visa may have to provide information about their tax affairs to the Government. Interstaff set out the rule changes and the implications. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 20 December, 2018 If you are on a skilled visa or applying for one you may be interested to…

Plans To Cut Australia’s Permanent Migration Intake: PM, Scott Morrison

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is calling on State Premiers to prepare individual population policies for their state with an aim to reduce Australia’s permanent migration intake of 190,000 migrants per year. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 3 December, 2018 Australia’s permanent migration intake is historically reviewed by the Department of Home Affairs as a national…

Changes to Australian Skilled Migration

We have certainly seen a number of changes to Australia’s migration landscape since Interstaff was first established in 1988 three decades ago. One of the most significant changes recently has been the replacement of the 457 Visa scheme with the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 Visa. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 11 December,…

Australia Visa Refusals Up: What Every Applicant Needs To Know

Migrating to Australia has become more complex than ever with statistics showing visa refusals increased by 46% in 2017-18. As part of their 30 year anniversary special, Interstaff takes a closer look into how the growing refusal rate is impacting individuals wanting to live and work in Australia, as well as businesses requiring migration solutions….

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…

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.