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Skipton Return To The UK Buy To Let Remortgage Market

Skipton International, the UK Buy to Let mortgage lender for overseas residents, has returned to the remortgage market. Due to COVID-19 restrictions preventing physical property valuations, Skipton International had previously stopped accepting mortgage applications. With a limited number of mortgage providers offering Buy to Let mortgages to British Expats and Foreign nationals, this is...

How To Apply For A Visa Online

Applying for a visa to travel to many countries can be done online, but this can involve completion of complex forms and an error can lead to applications being delayed or rejected. Written for e-Visa.co.uk Today travel abroad is popular for a range of reasons and whether it is for business or pleasure it is...

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...

Moving Abroad Checklist

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.