An important part of settling in and felling at home is understanding the culture of your new home. This will take time to discover and learn, and it will possibly involve some ‘unlearning’ in the meantime. Adapting to your new environment is key, rather than expecting it to be like home and trying to change...

This step of your move mainly involves learning the practicalities and how to get things done with the minimum of fuss. At the same time you may develop a deeper insight into your new environment. You’ll be getting to know how things work and starting to settle into your new home and routine. Sharon Swift...

This step is crucial because, once you have done everything in this phase, you are compliant and will have more of a sense of belonging. These are the registrations, tasks and paperwork that you will have had as long as you can remember back home and perhaps even have taken for granted. Sharon Swift continues...

You’ve arrived. The weeks and months of planning have passed and you’re living and breathing the checklist. The focus of getting things done will be a welcome distraction. There is a sense of excitement at wanting to explore your new surroundings, although you’re missing home and are feeling a little anxious and scared, having to...

The prospect of moving to a new country can be exciting and daunting in equal measure. Australia has the benefit of being English speaking with a seemingly similar culture to the UK or USA, but the distance is a huge drawback. Will this hold you back from the opportunity of a lifetime? Sharon Swift shares...

Almost three quarters of expats wait until after relocating to purchase health insurance cover, with 54 per cent doing so within two months of arriving and 17 per cent doing so only after experiencing the healthcare facilities available locally. Five per cent of respondents to a survey by AXA’s international healthcare business said that they...

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...

Many people on the verge of retirement see a change of scenery abroad as the perfect life move, when relaxation and indulgence take over following long careers that may have spanned over 40 years. While retirement options differ from person to person, the general consensus is that ending your working commitments and retiring abroad is...

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...

When travelling abroad to live, work, invest or for any other reason it is important to understand the immigration processes. If you are staying for more than a few months or if you are travelling regularly to the same country ensure that you have taken appropriate professional advice and complied with all relevant laws.  Different...

If your expat assignment takes you to Africa, why not travel to these recommended places in your time off? Get away from your work assignment and truly explore your new environment, its culture and unique sights. Marrakech, Morocco The Travellers’ Choice #1 Destination in the world, Marrakech is a magical place, brimming with markets, gardens,...

With ongoing talks in Geneva between Greece and Turkey about the divided island of Cyprus, how should property investors view this otherwise idyllic Mediterranean location? The BBC reports that talks to resolve the disputed territory on Cyprus between the heads of the Greek and Turkish governments are ongoing. But at the time of writing no...