Expat Network Living & Working In

expat network

What’s Working Down Under

From Rob Flemming: The Federal Government of Australia is maintaining its migration programme to target the country’s skill shortages. Many places in the regional sponsored migration scheme are reserved for skilled workers.

Location Report: Saudi Arabia

Life in Saudi may not be the same as other countries, but considering that there is no tax of any kind and that you can repatriate 100% of your savings, working in Saudi Arabia is still attractive at least in the short-term, for expatriates.

Aberdeen – The North Sea Needs You!

From Rob Flemming: As though mirroring Britain’s wet winter weather, it seems that everyone has recently evaluated the North Sea’s oil and gas (O&G) industry, resulting in a flood of reviews and analyses.

Aberdeen – Places of Oil and Granite

From Rob Flemming: Between the Rivers Dee and Don, the golden strand of beach is an elegant curve that stretches for some two miles. Less than a mile behind those dimpled sands ground fine by the North Sea’s chill waves, lies the glittering Granite City of Aberdeen.

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.