expat network
customs requirements

Customs Requirements In Portugal

Portuguese customs require that the owner of goods be present in Portugal before your the shipment arrives for inspection, and that the shipment arrive no later than 90 days from the date of the owner’s arrival. All household effects and furniture belonging to those relocating to Portugal are admitted duty-free, if proof can be presented...

Driving In Spain

Driving In Spain

Driving in Spain is allowed on a foreign licence as a visitor but non-EU residents need to exchange for a Spanish licence after six months. What is involved? You will also need to understand what items and documentation you need to carry in the car with you and what the penalties for traffic violations....

Customs Requirements On Moving To The USA

Everyone entering the US has to complete the Customs and Border Protection Form (CBP Form) 6059B, “Customs Declaration,” for accompanying goods. If your goods are arriving separately you will need to complete the CBP Form 3299 “Declaration For Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles. “You cannot simply give a statement that the goods are “household effects”, but will need...

Taking your pet to America

Taking Your Pet To America

There is a lot to consider when taking your pet to America. In the US, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responsible for the regulations that govern the importation of animals and animal products that might cause human disease. The CDC does not require certificates of health for pets that enter America. However, they may...

Taking A Pet To Spain

Pets entering Spain must be fitted with an ISO microchip for identification. Citizens of EU countries should bring their pets’ passports. What are the rules for British pets now that we are no longer members of the EU? If you have a pet passport issued by Spain or another EU member state, you can use...

Moving to Germany

Moving To Germany: Tips To Help You Start Your Life As An Expat

Relocating anywhere can be challenging, but moving to Germany might seem more rigid due to all the German paperwork you have to go through and, yes, the language. However, if you follow this checklist step-by-step, you will have everything you need to get started and quickly settle in – from health insurance to phone plan,...

UK based adviser

Can a UK-based adviser continue to support you from 2021?

The UK has left the EU and as there has not been an agreement on services the UK is no longer subject to EU financial regulation and as  this has had an impact on British residents living in the EU.  In this article from Blevins Franks they look at the implications for British citizens who...

federal budget

What The Federal Budget Announcements Mean For Australia’s Migration Program

If you are seeking the expat lifestyle in Australia, you may be keen to know how international travel restrictions impact your plans. Australia’s 2020-21 Federal Budget has confirmed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to be felt by the nation’s migration program for years to come. Interstaff set out the implications. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 20...

critical work

Critical Work and Compassionate Travel – Migration in the COVID-19 Era

In the Covid environment it seems travel to Australia over the next 12 months will continue to be restricted to people with a valid Travel Exemption. Interstaff set out what employers and visa applicants/holders need to know. Written by Sheila Woods of Interstaff 20 October, 2020   When is it possible to apply for an international Travel Exemption?  At this time, Travel Exemptions are...

Sponsorship Law

UAE’s New Income-Based Family Sponsorship Law

New rules in the UAE allows foreign nationals to sponsor their families to join them in the country.  The new rule makes income, not profession the sole criteria for men and women to sponsor family members.   The new rule allows any UAE resident, male or female, to sponsor family members (spouse, under-18 sons and unmarried...

US Expats

US Expats Seek Changes To Tax Rules

Citizen-based taxation of US expats is a controversial subject and the annual survey carried out by Greenback Expat Tax Services shows it is the major issue for expats and is the major reason causing growing numbers to consider renunciation of their US citizenship. Nine million US expats live and work abroad, but since they...

Permanent Residence

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...