According to a report air pollution levels in Hong Kong were at a record high last year which will comes as little surprise to the expats who live in its smog. The report published in The South China Morning Post states, air quality in Hong Kong was 10 times worse last year than in 2005, with pollution levels recorded at three roadside monitor stations above the “very high” mark more than 20 per cent of the time.
Such heavy pollution has obvious implications for the health of Hong Kong’s residents, who it is feared are at an increased risk of everything from respiratory problems to cancer, but also casts a shadow over the city-state's future as a top international business centre.
Hong Kong is home to thousands of expat workers, many filling crucial positions in its thriving banking and finance sector, but the relentless grey haze which hangs over the former British colony could be increasingly driving those who can afford it to settle elsewhere.
Last year, a report from office supplier Regus revealed that an astonishing three-quarters of companies in Hong Kong saw pollution as a problem in recruiting and retaining international talent, while a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong found that nearly half (48 per cent) of its members knew of professionals who had left to escape the contaminated air.
An expat British banker who did not wish to give her full name, claims to know many expats who have returned to their home countries because of pollution, or asked for transfers to other major Asian hubs such as Singapore – largely, she says, due to health concerns.
“A friend of mine used to get plenty of headaches and migraines when he lived in Hong Kong for a few years; when he returned to the US the migraines stopped overnight," she explains. "Another friend's husband has a job here in Hong Kong but since his wife and daughter have asthma, they live in Singapore and he commutes here during the week.”
For those expats who choose to remain in Hong Kong, the desire to escape the smog often dictates where they live. One expat Teacher, originally from Kent, has ended up seeking refuge on one of Hong Kong's outlying islands, where there are no cars. Even so, on some days from her flat she can barely see the high rise buildings just a few miles away over the sea.
“The air quality does seem to be getting worse,” they said. “When I arrived here 17 years ago, there were many more days with a blue sky but now they are few and far between. Before Christmas I had to spend about five hours walking around with a friend, waiting for his evening flight. When we walked through town I could feel my throat getting steadily worse and by evening It was painful to talk. It starts with a prickly throat and develops into a sore throat if you stay on the busy roads.
“I have four years left to retirement, and I would love to stay in Hong Kong, but I think I will have to put my health first and leave.”
So why exactly is Hong Kong's pollution so bad? A reason often cited is its location at the mouth of China’s Pearl River Delta region, a booming economic centre home to over 70,000 factories, but the city's own industrial emissions, heavy traffic and tall buildings which trap contaminated air in a so-called “canyon effect” are also major factors. The government has taken some steps to combat the problem in recent years – including introducing a ban on leaving stationary vehicles' engines running for more than three minutes – but local pressure groups such as the Clean Air Network insist that more changes are necessary.
How much damage the pollution issue could end up wreaking on Hong Kong's attractiveness as a business centre is subject to hot debate. the British expat banker admits that there is a long-term risk that "Hong Kong will lose top talent and industry to its rival Singapore,” but believes that even if many expats leave, the economy will not be seriously hurt.
“There's hundreds of Westerners arriving every day,” she says simply. “The downturn in Europe means there are more and more people seeking work, and more companies relocating their staff here. Hong Kong's economy has always been better than most; it experiences downturns but then it recovers very quickly.”
A spokesperson for Regus in East Asia is not so sure however. “Singapore is seen as a much greener and cleaner alternative, and it is gaining a competitive edge particularly when it comes to expats with families,” they warn.
"While Hong Kong's economy and job market are still extremely strong and it remains a top destination for expatriates, the quality of the environment and its effect on their health is certainly weighing heavily on the minds of those working there."
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
Showing posts with label April Medibroker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label April Medibroker. Show all posts
18 January 2012
6 January 2012
China 'to introduce fingerprinting for expat workers'
China is getting tough on foreign workers with plans to introduce fingerprinting across the country
All foreigners who stay in China for more than six months will be required to give their fingerprints to local police when applying for residence certificates, according to draft laws submitted to its National Peoples’ Congress this week.
This would affect all foreign workers, students and visitors who plan to stay in the country for more than half a year.
China already has stringent rules for resident permits which are given every year to foreigners working there – these include compulsory health screenings before starting a job.
Until last year China required foreigners to undergo mandatory AIDS tests before they applied for resident permits. However, this was scrapped following criticism that it discriminated people with HIV.
A spokesperson from CRCC Asia, which finds internships for British young professionals in China, said: “I feel as though this new change isn't really going to have that much of an impact on my privacy in Beijing because if the government wanted to find me they would definitely be able to do this. You already have to register your location at your nearest police station within 24 hours of arrival and need to update this permit on a regular basis."
He added: “Furthermore, the government plans in the future to enable free local wi-fi in Beijing that will need you to register your mobile phone to in order to use which would allow the government to track your internet usage. I feel as though this is definitely more of an invasion than the fingerprint analysis.”
Many expats are widely accustomed to biometric testing as fingerprint analysis has been used in the U.S following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and is also used by UK passport controls. Malaysia recently introduced fingerprinting for all visitors to the country.
According to China’s official Xinhua News Agency, bureaucrats are also looking to force foreign nationals to obtain work permits to help control illegal foreign workers. It said that as a nation with a huge supply of labour it needed to “strictly control” the entry of ordinary foreign workers while it manages the introduction of “high-end talent".
While these are further examples of Chinese authorities making life harder for foreign workers – earlier this year it introduced a social insurance tax for foreigners – the numbers are still increasing substantially each year.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help
All foreigners who stay in China for more than six months will be required to give their fingerprints to local police when applying for residence certificates, according to draft laws submitted to its National Peoples’ Congress this week.
This would affect all foreign workers, students and visitors who plan to stay in the country for more than half a year.
China already has stringent rules for resident permits which are given every year to foreigners working there – these include compulsory health screenings before starting a job.
Until last year China required foreigners to undergo mandatory AIDS tests before they applied for resident permits. However, this was scrapped following criticism that it discriminated people with HIV.
A spokesperson from CRCC Asia, which finds internships for British young professionals in China, said: “I feel as though this new change isn't really going to have that much of an impact on my privacy in Beijing because if the government wanted to find me they would definitely be able to do this. You already have to register your location at your nearest police station within 24 hours of arrival and need to update this permit on a regular basis."
He added: “Furthermore, the government plans in the future to enable free local wi-fi in Beijing that will need you to register your mobile phone to in order to use which would allow the government to track your internet usage. I feel as though this is definitely more of an invasion than the fingerprint analysis.”
Many expats are widely accustomed to biometric testing as fingerprint analysis has been used in the U.S following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and is also used by UK passport controls. Malaysia recently introduced fingerprinting for all visitors to the country.
According to China’s official Xinhua News Agency, bureaucrats are also looking to force foreign nationals to obtain work permits to help control illegal foreign workers. It said that as a nation with a huge supply of labour it needed to “strictly control” the entry of ordinary foreign workers while it manages the introduction of “high-end talent".
While these are further examples of Chinese authorities making life harder for foreign workers – earlier this year it introduced a social insurance tax for foreigners – the numbers are still increasing substantially each year.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help
5 January 2012
Expat packages are they a distant memory
Lucrative expat packages are becoming a distant memory in Asia, as employers no longer need to entice top talent
Perks such as international school fees, country club membership and a car allowance were once the norm for investment bankers, fund managers and other high-flying financial services staff.
However, these generous expat packages have been axed due to strong demand from employees to head east, according to headhunting firm Astbury Marsden.
A spokesperson from Astbury Marsden in Asia Pacific, said: “Demand for jobs in Singapore and Hong Kong has now started to outstrip supply, as Asia tops the wish list as the international location of choice for an increasing number of bankers.
“An absence of political pressure on bankers’ bonuses, an increasingly attractive tax regime and the distance from the eurozone crisis are making a banking career in Asia increasingly attractive.”
Experts also say Asia experience looks good on workers' CV, should they head back to Europe.
Astbury Marsden says that the standard expat package for Asia has been reduced to one month’s accommodation in a serviced apartment at the start of the employment contract and one free flight home a year for the employee and possibly their family. It also typically includes private medical care for the employee and their family and an allowance to cover shipping and container costs.
The credit crunch of 2008 also had a negative effect, as organisations could no longer afford to pay such expensive perks.
Before 2008 expat packages would frequently include a housing and car allowance, country club fees, private school fees and help with finding a job for a spouse. On top of this would be two or three free flights home a year for the employee and their family. Most senior staff would have also enjoyed the use of a driver, cook and maid.
Recruitment firms in Asia have reported a huge spike in applications for financial jobs, highlighting how strong demand is.
One firm has received five to 10 times more CVs from Europe and the US in the past 12 months whilst another has seen a 30 per cent rise in applications.
One British expat, who works in banking, said: “To be honest I asked to move to Singapore as I wasn’t sure I’d still have a job if I stayed in London. My bank therefore knew it didn’t need to offer me a lucrative package to move.”
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
Perks such as international school fees, country club membership and a car allowance were once the norm for investment bankers, fund managers and other high-flying financial services staff.
However, these generous expat packages have been axed due to strong demand from employees to head east, according to headhunting firm Astbury Marsden.
A spokesperson from Astbury Marsden in Asia Pacific, said: “Demand for jobs in Singapore and Hong Kong has now started to outstrip supply, as Asia tops the wish list as the international location of choice for an increasing number of bankers.
“An absence of political pressure on bankers’ bonuses, an increasingly attractive tax regime and the distance from the eurozone crisis are making a banking career in Asia increasingly attractive.”
Experts also say Asia experience looks good on workers' CV, should they head back to Europe.
Astbury Marsden says that the standard expat package for Asia has been reduced to one month’s accommodation in a serviced apartment at the start of the employment contract and one free flight home a year for the employee and possibly their family. It also typically includes private medical care for the employee and their family and an allowance to cover shipping and container costs.
The credit crunch of 2008 also had a negative effect, as organisations could no longer afford to pay such expensive perks.
Before 2008 expat packages would frequently include a housing and car allowance, country club fees, private school fees and help with finding a job for a spouse. On top of this would be two or three free flights home a year for the employee and their family. Most senior staff would have also enjoyed the use of a driver, cook and maid.
Recruitment firms in Asia have reported a huge spike in applications for financial jobs, highlighting how strong demand is.
One firm has received five to 10 times more CVs from Europe and the US in the past 12 months whilst another has seen a 30 per cent rise in applications.
One British expat, who works in banking, said: “To be honest I asked to move to Singapore as I wasn’t sure I’d still have a job if I stayed in London. My bank therefore knew it didn’t need to offer me a lucrative package to move.”
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
20 December 2011
Expats in Dubai - Remember April 2012 For ID Requirements
From April next year expats in Dubai will need to register for an identification card before they can renew their residency visas, officials have confirmed.
The cards will be needed before they can complete the medical tests needed for visa applications.
Dubai is the last of the United Arab Emirates to impose the new rules. From 01 April all emirates will require expats to produce a valid identity card before beginning visa applications.
"This condition will be applicable to Dubai in co-ordination with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs by early next April,’ the Emirates Identity Authority (EIDA) said in a statement.
The new rules were supposed to start next month but they have been pushed back to April because not enough new registration centres were ready.
‘We needed more time. The centres at Al Muhaisna and Al Baraha will be the biggest in Dubai and in the country. Al Muhaisna will be able to register more than 3,600 people per day. But currently these are still under construction,’ the spokesman explained.
In July, Dubai ruled that workers in any of Tecom’s 11 free zones would need to register for an ID card before applying to renew their visa.
The Emirates Identity Authority has faced an uphill struggle in convincing UAE residents to sign up for mandatory identification cards, despite announcing a series of deadlines for applications.
The scheme, which began in 2005, was designed to integrate information from labour cards, visas and other ID documents, and to make government transactions easier.
Each card contains the holder’s address, photo, date of birth and fingerprints, and can be used as an official source of identification in the Gulf state.
In November, the EIDA introduced penalties for UAE nationals who failed to apply for ID cards before the final deadline of June 30 this year, in a bid to boost the number of card holders.
Fines of AED20 per day were to be issued for late registration, failure to renew cards and failure to update important biographical data, with a maximum fee of AED 1,000.
Expats will face daily fines from 2012 for failing to have a valid identity card. Sharjah residents will be charged from 01 Feb, Abu Dhabi from 01 April and Dubai from 01 June.The Northern Emirates applied the ruling from 01 December this year.
EIDA said in November it had seen a surge in applications for ID cards since the threat of fines was introduced, with more than half the population registering for the scheme.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
16 December 2011
Expat defeats insurance company in medical bill row
An expat has won a two-year legal battle against a Spanish insurance company who refused to cover his medical bill
After suffering an emergency heart condition in Mijas, Andalucia, retired IT director Graham Otter, 58, took it for granted that his insurance company, Groupama, would pick up the bill.
Despite having no history of heart problems, he was surprised to learn that they'd refused to cover the medical costs on the grounds he was suffering a pre-existing complaint.
He supplied the insurance company with an assurance from his doctor that it was his first heart-related illness, yet Groupama refused to budge, leaving him €4,000 out of pocket and no option but to take them to court.
“Their response was just to ignore me and block any further cover for heart-related treatment.
“Thankfully for the last two years I have only needed consultations and simple procedures, but I have had to pay for these myself.
Now, after two years of fighting, he has had the money reimbursed.
“But it would not have been achieved without a huge amount of effort and emotional stress which is exactly what you don’t need when dealing with a heart condition", he said.
Mr Otter, originally from Buckinghamshire, has spent the last seven years in Mijas and always relied on private Spanish healthcare because he doesn't qualify for the country's national healthcare cover.
“In total I have been forced to pay around 4,000 euros.”
He has now recouped his losses after the judge ruled that Spanish insurance company were liable for his costs.
He said: “I just hope that my experience may be a warning to others.”
Groupama declined to comment.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
After suffering an emergency heart condition in Mijas, Andalucia, retired IT director Graham Otter, 58, took it for granted that his insurance company, Groupama, would pick up the bill.
Despite having no history of heart problems, he was surprised to learn that they'd refused to cover the medical costs on the grounds he was suffering a pre-existing complaint.
He supplied the insurance company with an assurance from his doctor that it was his first heart-related illness, yet Groupama refused to budge, leaving him €4,000 out of pocket and no option but to take them to court.
“Their response was just to ignore me and block any further cover for heart-related treatment.
“Thankfully for the last two years I have only needed consultations and simple procedures, but I have had to pay for these myself.
Now, after two years of fighting, he has had the money reimbursed.
“But it would not have been achieved without a huge amount of effort and emotional stress which is exactly what you don’t need when dealing with a heart condition", he said.
Mr Otter, originally from Buckinghamshire, has spent the last seven years in Mijas and always relied on private Spanish healthcare because he doesn't qualify for the country's national healthcare cover.
“In total I have been forced to pay around 4,000 euros.”
He has now recouped his losses after the judge ruled that Spanish insurance company were liable for his costs.
He said: “I just hope that my experience may be a warning to others.”
Groupama declined to comment.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
14 December 2011
Is Singapore becoming 'less attractive' for expats
Singapore’s reputation as a destination of choice for expats in Asia has been hit by a triple whammy this month. Two measures by the government last week have made the city less attractive to non-Singaporeans – the biggest being a 10 per cent hike in stamp duty for any foreigner wanting to buy property in the city.
Stamp duty was only three per cent at its highest rate, so this move is seen as a strong curb to discourage foreigners from buying homes in Singapore.
Foreign purchases made up 19 per cent of all private property transactions in the second half of 2011. This compares to just seven per cent for the first half of 2009. Low interest rates, political stability and a strong economy have all led to a surge in property investment from wealthy foreigners.
A spokesperson at Singapore-based estate agency International Property Advisor, worries that “we leave foreign investors with a bad taste in their mouths.” they said: “Many foreigners are here to work and settle their families down and they need to own one home for shelter over their heads."
Last week the government also scrapped a scheme that lets graduates of foreign universities stay in Singapore for one year while they look for work.
The Manpower Ministry previously granted an employment pass eligibility certificate (Epec) to foreign university graduates in the hope to encourage high-calibre students to enter the labour force. But it said the scheme was not meeting its targets.
In the third setback for the city state, Singapore has also overtaken Hong Kong as the more expensive city for expats to live in – the first time this has happened in more than 10 years, according to the latest cost of living survey conducted by ECA International.
Within Asia, Singapore is now the sixth most expensive city to live in while Hong Kong has dropped to ninth. Tokyo is still the costliest location for expats.
One British expat who has lived in Singapore for more than five years, said: “From my point of view, I have seen 'real' inflation rise steeply in the past two or three years. This is mostly in the areas of luxury goods, which are often bought by expatriates.
"Rents have obviously increased substantially but so too have items such as alcohol, groceries and taxi fares. In general, prices of imported electrical goods such as computers and cameras have also inflated strongly. It seems to me that published inflation rates seem to be out of kilter with real prices.”
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
Stamp duty was only three per cent at its highest rate, so this move is seen as a strong curb to discourage foreigners from buying homes in Singapore.
Foreign purchases made up 19 per cent of all private property transactions in the second half of 2011. This compares to just seven per cent for the first half of 2009. Low interest rates, political stability and a strong economy have all led to a surge in property investment from wealthy foreigners.
A spokesperson at Singapore-based estate agency International Property Advisor, worries that “we leave foreign investors with a bad taste in their mouths.” they said: “Many foreigners are here to work and settle their families down and they need to own one home for shelter over their heads."
Last week the government also scrapped a scheme that lets graduates of foreign universities stay in Singapore for one year while they look for work.
The Manpower Ministry previously granted an employment pass eligibility certificate (Epec) to foreign university graduates in the hope to encourage high-calibre students to enter the labour force. But it said the scheme was not meeting its targets.
In the third setback for the city state, Singapore has also overtaken Hong Kong as the more expensive city for expats to live in – the first time this has happened in more than 10 years, according to the latest cost of living survey conducted by ECA International.
Within Asia, Singapore is now the sixth most expensive city to live in while Hong Kong has dropped to ninth. Tokyo is still the costliest location for expats.
One British expat who has lived in Singapore for more than five years, said: “From my point of view, I have seen 'real' inflation rise steeply in the past two or three years. This is mostly in the areas of luxury goods, which are often bought by expatriates.
"Rents have obviously increased substantially but so too have items such as alcohol, groceries and taxi fares. In general, prices of imported electrical goods such as computers and cameras have also inflated strongly. It seems to me that published inflation rates seem to be out of kilter with real prices.”
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
6 December 2011
Expats - Is social media invaluable to you?
A survey of over 3,000 expats around the globe has demonstrated the importance of social media to those who live abroad. The research showed that while email is still the most popular way for expats to stay in touch with far-flung friends and family, an increasing number of people are finding more modern communication tools like Twitter and Skype indispensable for keeping up with the news from home.
While 52 per cent of participants said they used email twice a week or more to catch up with loved ones, 39 per cent said that they used Facebook the same amount, while 36 per cent relied chiefly on the voice and video calls platform Skype.
By contrast, only a small proportion said they used more traditional communication methods, such of the landline (14 per cent) or mobile phone (16 per cent) twice or more a week – perhaps, the compilers of the research pointed out, “because new technologies are cheaper to use”.
The most popular social media channel was Facebook, used by nearly seven in 10 respondents, with usage among expats often far higher than in the local population.
In the Middle East for example, 68 per cent of expats said they visited the site, compared to only eight per cent of local people, while in Latin America 72 per cent of expats used it, against 21 per cent of the local community.
Twitter and MySpace were "less widely used", attracting 14 and two per cent of respondents respectively, but two-fifths (40 per cent) said that they were members of the career networking site LinkedIn. In response to the survey, many expats said that the ability to keep up easily and cheaply with loved ones at home was one of the chief draws of social media, but that it was also useful in helping them settle into their new homes.
Commenting on the survey, a British expat in Paris, said: “Social media – by which I mean my blog, Twitter, Facebook etc – has given me a unique means of contacting other Brits/expats who are over here, leading to new friends and contacts.
"With Twitter, for example, the ability to choose people whose tweet topics are of relevance or interest can be invaluable for an expatriate. Whether you are looking for accomodation or tips about your adopted country, Twitter gives you instant and direct access to people in the know; people who are likely to be willing to help because they have actively put themselves out into the Twittersphere. The Facebook 'group' is a similar principle.”
Another expat, who runs a property agency in France, said that social media was also invaluable for the many expats who set up their own businesses abroad. He chiefly uses his Twitter account and a personal blog to reach out to customers and build up an online profile.
“I'm fortunate that my move has coincided with the social media explosion; it has allowed me to work from an office in my garden, with vineyards outside my door, yet position myself among major players in the marketplace and create trust in my brand,” he said. “My work entails finding houses for clients from all over the world, and without social media my marketing budget would be enormous, in fact unmanageable. “
The survey backs up research released last month by Skype, which found that 50 per cent of people are more willing to move abroad than they would have been in the past, largely because technology has made the transition easier.
A spokesperson for HSBC Expat, which carried out the survey, said that the findings were “extremely useful” as they would help the bank reach expats "via the best possible means no matter where they are in the world”.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
While 52 per cent of participants said they used email twice a week or more to catch up with loved ones, 39 per cent said that they used Facebook the same amount, while 36 per cent relied chiefly on the voice and video calls platform Skype.
By contrast, only a small proportion said they used more traditional communication methods, such of the landline (14 per cent) or mobile phone (16 per cent) twice or more a week – perhaps, the compilers of the research pointed out, “because new technologies are cheaper to use”.
The most popular social media channel was Facebook, used by nearly seven in 10 respondents, with usage among expats often far higher than in the local population.
In the Middle East for example, 68 per cent of expats said they visited the site, compared to only eight per cent of local people, while in Latin America 72 per cent of expats used it, against 21 per cent of the local community.
Twitter and MySpace were "less widely used", attracting 14 and two per cent of respondents respectively, but two-fifths (40 per cent) said that they were members of the career networking site LinkedIn. In response to the survey, many expats said that the ability to keep up easily and cheaply with loved ones at home was one of the chief draws of social media, but that it was also useful in helping them settle into their new homes.
Commenting on the survey, a British expat in Paris, said: “Social media – by which I mean my blog, Twitter, Facebook etc – has given me a unique means of contacting other Brits/expats who are over here, leading to new friends and contacts.
"With Twitter, for example, the ability to choose people whose tweet topics are of relevance or interest can be invaluable for an expatriate. Whether you are looking for accomodation or tips about your adopted country, Twitter gives you instant and direct access to people in the know; people who are likely to be willing to help because they have actively put themselves out into the Twittersphere. The Facebook 'group' is a similar principle.”
Another expat, who runs a property agency in France, said that social media was also invaluable for the many expats who set up their own businesses abroad. He chiefly uses his Twitter account and a personal blog to reach out to customers and build up an online profile.
“I'm fortunate that my move has coincided with the social media explosion; it has allowed me to work from an office in my garden, with vineyards outside my door, yet position myself among major players in the marketplace and create trust in my brand,” he said. “My work entails finding houses for clients from all over the world, and without social media my marketing budget would be enormous, in fact unmanageable. “
The survey backs up research released last month by Skype, which found that 50 per cent of people are more willing to move abroad than they would have been in the past, largely because technology has made the transition easier.
A spokesperson for HSBC Expat, which carried out the survey, said that the findings were “extremely useful” as they would help the bank reach expats "via the best possible means no matter where they are in the world”.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
1 December 2011
How to choose the right expat health insurance plan
When choosing your plan, it's important to know what to look for. Not all plans offer you the same amount of cover or cover the same conditions, and the amounts insurers will pay towards your treatment can vary widely.
Eight points to consider when choosing an international private health insurance plan.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
Eight points to consider when choosing an international private health insurance plan.
- Some medical costs can be high. So what’s the maximum amount you can claim on the plan as a whole? Or for a particular type of treatment?
- Does the plan offer ‘paid in full’ or does it only cover a proportion of the cost for certain treatments?
- Does the plan offer a wide range of cover for many healthcare issues? You never know what treatment you may need in the future
- Can you choose (and pay for) only the cover you need, to help you manage costs while getting the best cover for you and your family?
- Does the insurer have extensive experience in international medical insurance?
- Does it have a good reputation, and is it properly regulated?
- Does the plan offer you flexible payment terms?
- Does it allow you to set a deductible (the amount that you pay towards any claim) that’s reasonable?
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
29 November 2011
Aviva teams with UAE insurer to provide expat private medical insurance
Aviva’s UK health business has set up a new arrangement with Abu Dhabi based Emirates Insurance Company to provide expats based in the United Arab Emirates with compliant international private medical insurance solutions.
The development of a UAE network is the first in a series of enhancements that Aviva says it is giving its international private medical insurance customers.
The new arrangement means that Aviva customers based in the UAE will now be offered one of four bespoke international medical insurance products.
Benefits available through the Emirates’ International Solutions product have been designed to specifically meet the needs of the local area. The company says that this means that customers based in Abu Dhabi will no longer be required to purchase local insurance to satisfy visa requirements.
Consistent with local practice in the UAE, Aviva has also teamed up with Neuron, a specialist third party administrator based in Dubai. Neuron provides professional administration and management services to clients based in the Middle East.
The company has been specifically chosen for its extensive experience in the area and commitment to providing expert customer service. Neuron will manage all claims for Aviva customers receiving treatment in the UAE and work closely with a network of hospitals to arrange treatment and direct settlement of invoices.
The new Emirates’ International Solutions product range will be available from 01 March 2012. Full details of the products will be announced early next year. At renewal, existing Aviva customers based in the UAE will be invited to transfer to one of Aviva’s Emirate’s International Solutions policies.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
28 November 2011
New study of expats in China underway
A student of anthropology from New Zealand is spending a year in Shanghai, China, to study expats.
The doctoral student previously studied the behaviour of anti capitalists in New Zealand and says there are similarities between the two groups. And will look at everything relating to the expat life including what furniture they buy, their social life and what they eat.
‘They are both examples of urban ethnography, and they both deal with marginal identities. Expats in China are a marginal identity. They’re used to being in the mainstream and suddenly thrust into a marginal position in society. A privileged marginal position, but it’s marginal nonetheless,’ he explained.
He will look at everything relating to the expat life including what furniture they buy, their social life and what they eat.
Foote believes that by observing the expat community he will get a far better idea of who they are and what their values are, more so than any survey as people can easily give answers that they think the survey wants and even lie.
Foote, who arrived in August, will spend the first six months of his research period simply living the life of an expat in Shanghai, informally observing expats, making friends, catching up on the gossip and working out how the community ticks. Then he will conduct a series of formal interviews with expats to answer his key questions about community and identity.
I’m looking at how expats construct community, and why community is more important here than it would be at home. I’m also looking at the construction of a new identity in China, how being in China influences your construction of identity, and the role of community in that,’ he explained.
A key area he hopes to examine is that of wives who are sometimes referred to as the ‘trailing wives’ as they follow their husbands around the globe. He wants to find out if they are reluctant to move to China or find it stressful living in the city.
‘Back home, we’re more receptive to new ideas and experiences because we don’t feel they will threaten our identities. Whereas in this situation, the boundaries around our identity close down because they’re constantly being contested. We’re constantly having to face things that are outside of our comfort zone,’ Foote said.
‘And we still make choices about what we accept, but those are much more conscious choices, like okay, I like this piece of Chinese culture, so I’ll let it through,’ he added.
An example he says is an expat housewife buying a Chinese bowl to show that she is embracing her new country but that bowl might not be Chinese at all but made in Singapore to a Japanese design and is actually something that is rejected by modern Chinese people who would rather buy something from IKEA.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
The doctoral student previously studied the behaviour of anti capitalists in New Zealand and says there are similarities between the two groups. And will look at everything relating to the expat life including what furniture they buy, their social life and what they eat.
‘They are both examples of urban ethnography, and they both deal with marginal identities. Expats in China are a marginal identity. They’re used to being in the mainstream and suddenly thrust into a marginal position in society. A privileged marginal position, but it’s marginal nonetheless,’ he explained.
He will look at everything relating to the expat life including what furniture they buy, their social life and what they eat.
Foote believes that by observing the expat community he will get a far better idea of who they are and what their values are, more so than any survey as people can easily give answers that they think the survey wants and even lie.
Foote, who arrived in August, will spend the first six months of his research period simply living the life of an expat in Shanghai, informally observing expats, making friends, catching up on the gossip and working out how the community ticks. Then he will conduct a series of formal interviews with expats to answer his key questions about community and identity.
I’m looking at how expats construct community, and why community is more important here than it would be at home. I’m also looking at the construction of a new identity in China, how being in China influences your construction of identity, and the role of community in that,’ he explained.
A key area he hopes to examine is that of wives who are sometimes referred to as the ‘trailing wives’ as they follow their husbands around the globe. He wants to find out if they are reluctant to move to China or find it stressful living in the city.
‘Back home, we’re more receptive to new ideas and experiences because we don’t feel they will threaten our identities. Whereas in this situation, the boundaries around our identity close down because they’re constantly being contested. We’re constantly having to face things that are outside of our comfort zone,’ Foote said.
‘And we still make choices about what we accept, but those are much more conscious choices, like okay, I like this piece of Chinese culture, so I’ll let it through,’ he added.
An example he says is an expat housewife buying a Chinese bowl to show that she is embracing her new country but that bowl might not be Chinese at all but made in Singapore to a Japanese design and is actually something that is rejected by modern Chinese people who would rather buy something from IKEA.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
17 November 2011
Almost 90% would 'consider moving abroad' for better financial prospects
Nearly nine in 10 Britons would consider leaving the UK for a better - and wealthier - life abroad within the next five years. The current recession combined with the perception that property is cheaper overseas and job prospects better collectively accounted for nearly a third of all reasons for emigrating, according to a new survey by Skyscanner.
Sam Baldwin, Skyscanner’s travel editor, said: “For many people the idea of ‘living the dream’ abroad is very alluring. The survey revealed that our perception of life abroad is very positive – perhaps overly so – and many people come back from a holiday enamoured with their destination. Interestingly, Spain and USA were two of the most popular places even though both countries are currently suffering from their own economic problems, which suggests that the dream of moving abroad to improve financial prospects may be just that - a dream.
The dream may be more realistic if, rather than moving abroad to look for new work, you are sent abroad as part of an existing job. Around 750,000 British workers are being posted abroad on assignments with their existing employer, and a massive 84 per cent believe this is helping them to climb the corporate ladder, according to the NatWest International Personal Banking (IPB) Quality of Life Index.
They also feel they benefit from an improved lifestyle, backing up the Skyscanner research results, and the increasing use of temporary global workers means that the traditional definition of ‘expat’ is now being blurred, said Dave Isley, head of NatWest International Personal Banking.
He added: “The growth of the global worker has brought with it an opportunity to share knowledge and experience around the world. The great brain exchange is a fantastic concept of other economies temporarily sharing the strengths of British workers.
"Due to advances in travel and telecommunications, it is now much easier for international operations to run via daily phone calls, e-mail, and video conferencing. It has opened the door to sending young, talented, professionals abroad, while being supervised and coached by their managers in the UK.
“Expatriate workforces are also becoming more cosmopolitan with more than 50 per cent of companies now employing more than one nationality. Women make up 22 per cent of the expatriate workforce, up from 6 per cent, 15 years ago. In terms of the time spent overseas, the average time spent working out of the country on various assignments is 5.4 years.”
Top 10 most coveted countries to move to:
1. Australia (15%)
2. Spain (14%)
3. USA (13%)
4. Canada (8%)
5. New Zealand (7%)
6. France (6%)
7. Italy (5.5%)
8. Cyprus (3%)
9. Portugal (2.5%)
10. Thailand (2%)
Source: Skyscanner
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
Sam Baldwin, Skyscanner’s travel editor, said: “For many people the idea of ‘living the dream’ abroad is very alluring. The survey revealed that our perception of life abroad is very positive – perhaps overly so – and many people come back from a holiday enamoured with their destination. Interestingly, Spain and USA were two of the most popular places even though both countries are currently suffering from their own economic problems, which suggests that the dream of moving abroad to improve financial prospects may be just that - a dream.
The dream may be more realistic if, rather than moving abroad to look for new work, you are sent abroad as part of an existing job. Around 750,000 British workers are being posted abroad on assignments with their existing employer, and a massive 84 per cent believe this is helping them to climb the corporate ladder, according to the NatWest International Personal Banking (IPB) Quality of Life Index.
They also feel they benefit from an improved lifestyle, backing up the Skyscanner research results, and the increasing use of temporary global workers means that the traditional definition of ‘expat’ is now being blurred, said Dave Isley, head of NatWest International Personal Banking.
He added: “The growth of the global worker has brought with it an opportunity to share knowledge and experience around the world. The great brain exchange is a fantastic concept of other economies temporarily sharing the strengths of British workers.
"Due to advances in travel and telecommunications, it is now much easier for international operations to run via daily phone calls, e-mail, and video conferencing. It has opened the door to sending young, talented, professionals abroad, while being supervised and coached by their managers in the UK.
“Expatriate workforces are also becoming more cosmopolitan with more than 50 per cent of companies now employing more than one nationality. Women make up 22 per cent of the expatriate workforce, up from 6 per cent, 15 years ago. In terms of the time spent overseas, the average time spent working out of the country on various assignments is 5.4 years.”
Top 10 most coveted countries to move to:
1. Australia (15%)
2. Spain (14%)
3. USA (13%)
4. Canada (8%)
5. New Zealand (7%)
6. France (6%)
7. Italy (5.5%)
8. Cyprus (3%)
9. Portugal (2.5%)
10. Thailand (2%)
Source: Skyscanner
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
16 November 2011
New Zealand needs skilled overseas workers
Tens of thousands of skilled workers are needed in New Zealand to work on reconstruction projects in Christchurch in the wake of the town’s devastating earthquakes. Officials from the regional Canterbury Employment and Skills Board (CESB) are currently in the UK to exhibit at two job expos organised by Opportunities New Zealand in London and Manchester.
The key function of the CESB is to bring together the supply and demand sides of the local labour market and to influence the immediate recovery, rebuild and long term recovery plan for the Canterbury economy.
There are opportunities for people with skills in construction, engineering and IT roles in Christchurch over the next 10 years. In particular those with experience needed include scaffolders, quantity surveyors, urban and regional planners, electricians, mechanics and infrastructure project managers, according to the Canterbury Skill Shortage List.
Alex Bouma, CESB’s deputy chairman, said British skilled workers could play a crucial role in the rebuild. ‘There is going to be a huge economic opportunity over the next three to 10 years. The UK expos will play a crucial role in providing businesses with the employees they need,’ he explained.
With large infrastructure projects still only at the design stage, the demand for staff is expected to increase further. It is hoped that many workers will be persuaded to move to New Zealand permanently and relocation costs could be available for some of the higher level opportunities, which would be discussed on a case by case basis.
Canterbury Business Leaders Group spokesman Don Elder said the region needed to attract and retain talented workers. ‘A number of jobs have been created as a result of the earthquakes that didn’t exist three months ago,’ he explained.
The February earthquake destroyed much of the city’s business district and about 30,000 homes. The New Zealand government recently estimated the damage bill at NZ$20 billion (£10 billion).
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
The key function of the CESB is to bring together the supply and demand sides of the local labour market and to influence the immediate recovery, rebuild and long term recovery plan for the Canterbury economy.
There are opportunities for people with skills in construction, engineering and IT roles in Christchurch over the next 10 years. In particular those with experience needed include scaffolders, quantity surveyors, urban and regional planners, electricians, mechanics and infrastructure project managers, according to the Canterbury Skill Shortage List.
Alex Bouma, CESB’s deputy chairman, said British skilled workers could play a crucial role in the rebuild. ‘There is going to be a huge economic opportunity over the next three to 10 years. The UK expos will play a crucial role in providing businesses with the employees they need,’ he explained.
With large infrastructure projects still only at the design stage, the demand for staff is expected to increase further. It is hoped that many workers will be persuaded to move to New Zealand permanently and relocation costs could be available for some of the higher level opportunities, which would be discussed on a case by case basis.
Canterbury Business Leaders Group spokesman Don Elder said the region needed to attract and retain talented workers. ‘A number of jobs have been created as a result of the earthquakes that didn’t exist three months ago,’ he explained.
The February earthquake destroyed much of the city’s business district and about 30,000 homes. The New Zealand government recently estimated the damage bill at NZ$20 billion (£10 billion).
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
14 November 2011
US adds more consular staff to cope with extra visa demand
US adds more consular staff in Brazil and China to cope with extra visa demand. There has been a surge in demand for visas from China and Brazil which has prompted a decision to add 100 more consular staff to offices in these countries.
Officials have processed more than one million visa applications in China in the last year, and more than 820,000 applications in Brazil for the same period as demand for travel rose with strong economic conditions.
A spokesperson explained that the State Department has already increased the hours of its consular services in each country but it has not been enough to cope with the surge in demand for visas. And they also predict that extra staff will mean that the US can process more than 2.2 million applications for visas in China, and 1.8 million applications in Brazil by 2013.
Chuck Bennett, the minister counsellor for consular affairs at the US embassy in Beijing, confirmed that the United States handled more than one million US visas for Chinese applicants in the last fiscal year, an increase of 34%.
Donald Jacobson of consular affairs at the US embassy in Brasilia, confirmed that the United States dealt with more than 820,000 visa applications in Brazil in the last fiscal year, a jump of 42%.
Bennett and Jacobson said the United States, which has already increased the hours of its consular services in each country, will start by adding 50 more consular officers in China and Brazil in the next year to cope with demand.
Jacobson said visa demand increased in Brazil as the country experienced strong economic growth and the rise of its currency against the dollar. Walt Disney World and shopping proved to be strong lures for Brazilians, he added.
Bennett said the China’s growing middle class showed an increased interest foreign travel as their economy grew.
Some 160,000 of the one million processed visa applications were Chinese student visas as they represented the largest foreign national group at US universities and colleges, he added.
The change comes as tourism promoters have been lobbying the federal government to address visa processing, especially in Brazil and China, saying difficulty obtaining permission to visit the US deters tourists and hurts the US economy.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
Officials have processed more than one million visa applications in China in the last year, and more than 820,000 applications in Brazil for the same period as demand for travel rose with strong economic conditions.
A spokesperson explained that the State Department has already increased the hours of its consular services in each country but it has not been enough to cope with the surge in demand for visas. And they also predict that extra staff will mean that the US can process more than 2.2 million applications for visas in China, and 1.8 million applications in Brazil by 2013.
Chuck Bennett, the minister counsellor for consular affairs at the US embassy in Beijing, confirmed that the United States handled more than one million US visas for Chinese applicants in the last fiscal year, an increase of 34%.
Donald Jacobson of consular affairs at the US embassy in Brasilia, confirmed that the United States dealt with more than 820,000 visa applications in Brazil in the last fiscal year, a jump of 42%.
Bennett and Jacobson said the United States, which has already increased the hours of its consular services in each country, will start by adding 50 more consular officers in China and Brazil in the next year to cope with demand.
Jacobson said visa demand increased in Brazil as the country experienced strong economic growth and the rise of its currency against the dollar. Walt Disney World and shopping proved to be strong lures for Brazilians, he added.
Bennett said the China’s growing middle class showed an increased interest foreign travel as their economy grew.
Some 160,000 of the one million processed visa applications were Chinese student visas as they represented the largest foreign national group at US universities and colleges, he added.
The change comes as tourism promoters have been lobbying the federal government to address visa processing, especially in Brazil and China, saying difficulty obtaining permission to visit the US deters tourists and hurts the US economy.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
9 November 2011
Norway named as the best place in the world to live
According to the annual index produced by the United Nations, Norway is the best place in the world to live followed by Australia and the Netherlands. These three countries lead the world in the 2011 Human Development Index (HDI) which measures health, education, gender equality and political freedom, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger and Burundi are at the bottom.
The United States, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Germany and Sweden round out the top 10 countries in the 2011 HDI, but when the Index is adjusted for internal inequalities in health, education and income, some of the wealthiest nations drop out of the HDI’s top 20.
The United States falls from fourth to twenty third, the Republic of Korea from fifteenth to thirty second and Israel from seventeenth to twenty fifth. The United States and Israel drop in the Report’s Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI) mainly because of income inequality, though health care is also a factor in the US ranking change, while wide education gaps between generations detract from the Republic of Korea’s IHDI performance.
Other top national achievers rise in the IHDI due to greater relative internal equalities in health, education and income. Sweden jumps from tenth to fifth, Denmark climbs from sixteenth to twelfth and Slovenia rises from twenty first to fourteenth.
The IHDI and two other composite indices, the Multidimensional Poverty Index and the Gender Inequality Index, were designed to complement the Human Development Report’s HDI, which is based on national averages in schooling, life expectancy, and per capita income.
The 2011 HDI covers a record 187 countries and territories, up from 169 in 2010, reflecting in part improved data availability for many small island states of the Caribbean and the Pacific.
The 2011 report notes that income distribution has worsened in most of the world, with Latin America remaining the most unequal region in income terms, even though several countries including Brazil and Chile are narrowing internal income gaps. Yet in overall IHDI terms, including life expectancy and schooling, Latin America is more equitable than sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia, the Report shows.
The 10 countries that place last in the 2011 HDI are all in sub-Saharan Africa: Guinea, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Chad, Mozambique, Burundi, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Gender Inequality Index (GII) shows that Sweden leads the world in gender equality, as measured by this composite index of reproductive health, years of schooling, parliamentary representation, and participation in the labour market. Sweden is followed in the gender inequality rankings by the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Germany, Singapore, Iceland and France.
Yemen ranks as the least equitable of the 146 countries in the GII, followed by Chad, Niger, Mali, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, Liberia, Central African Republic and Sierra Leone.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
The United States, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Germany and Sweden round out the top 10 countries in the 2011 HDI, but when the Index is adjusted for internal inequalities in health, education and income, some of the wealthiest nations drop out of the HDI’s top 20.
The United States falls from fourth to twenty third, the Republic of Korea from fifteenth to thirty second and Israel from seventeenth to twenty fifth. The United States and Israel drop in the Report’s Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI) mainly because of income inequality, though health care is also a factor in the US ranking change, while wide education gaps between generations detract from the Republic of Korea’s IHDI performance.
Other top national achievers rise in the IHDI due to greater relative internal equalities in health, education and income. Sweden jumps from tenth to fifth, Denmark climbs from sixteenth to twelfth and Slovenia rises from twenty first to fourteenth.
The IHDI and two other composite indices, the Multidimensional Poverty Index and the Gender Inequality Index, were designed to complement the Human Development Report’s HDI, which is based on national averages in schooling, life expectancy, and per capita income.
The 2011 HDI covers a record 187 countries and territories, up from 169 in 2010, reflecting in part improved data availability for many small island states of the Caribbean and the Pacific.
The 2011 report notes that income distribution has worsened in most of the world, with Latin America remaining the most unequal region in income terms, even though several countries including Brazil and Chile are narrowing internal income gaps. Yet in overall IHDI terms, including life expectancy and schooling, Latin America is more equitable than sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia, the Report shows.
The 10 countries that place last in the 2011 HDI are all in sub-Saharan Africa: Guinea, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Chad, Mozambique, Burundi, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Gender Inequality Index (GII) shows that Sweden leads the world in gender equality, as measured by this composite index of reproductive health, years of schooling, parliamentary representation, and participation in the labour market. Sweden is followed in the gender inequality rankings by the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Germany, Singapore, Iceland and France.
Yemen ranks as the least equitable of the 146 countries in the GII, followed by Chad, Niger, Mali, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, Liberia, Central African Republic and Sierra Leone.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
4 November 2011
Shanghai launches expat recruitment drive
China has developed a five-year plan to turn Shanghai into an international financial hub, relying on a foreign recruitment drive to increase its financial sector workforce by 40 per cent.
Shanghai has long-held ambitions to create a finance district capable of rivalling the likes of New York, London and neighbouring Hong Kong but has struggled with finding enough skilled financial professionals, especially high-level managers and sector specialists.
The news comes at the same time as economists forecast a loss of 27,000 jobs in London's Square Mile by the end of 2011.
According to the "five-year plan for human resources development in Shanghai's financial sector" released this week, China's second biggest city aims to take on 90,000 financial employees, 70 per cent of whom would have a BA degree degree and 15 per cent an MA degree.
This would mean that by 2015 Shanghai would have a total number of 320,000 employees working in finance, if things go to plan. As things stands, less than two per cent of Shanghai's total workforce work in finance, compared to 10 per cent in New York. An improved medical care system, social insurance, and children's education services have been built into the plan in a bid to lure expats who would have previously favoured Singapore or Hong Kong.
A British Expat, who has been running his own education company, in China since 2003 said: "If it has been decreed by the government it will probably get done.
"As China drives towards an economy fuelled by domestic consumption, then they will have the opportunity to put in place huge incentives to make things work for firms that are keeping the money onshore.
"Logistically, Hong Kong was the gateway to China but now China is open, it’s almost superfluous and only has the advantage of the legal system left over from the UK."
Shanghai's income tax rates appear to present the main stumbling block: they are as high as 45 per cent in certain cases. Compared to Hong's maximum of 15 per cent and Singapore's 20 per cent, it means exceedingly generous expat packages will be required to coax financiers across the waters.
Coupled with this is new legislation that will require expat workers and their employers to pay into China's social welfare pot, although it is yet to be made clear exactly how much of their salaries they'll be required to hand over.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
Shanghai has long-held ambitions to create a finance district capable of rivalling the likes of New York, London and neighbouring Hong Kong but has struggled with finding enough skilled financial professionals, especially high-level managers and sector specialists.
The news comes at the same time as economists forecast a loss of 27,000 jobs in London's Square Mile by the end of 2011.
According to the "five-year plan for human resources development in Shanghai's financial sector" released this week, China's second biggest city aims to take on 90,000 financial employees, 70 per cent of whom would have a BA degree degree and 15 per cent an MA degree.
This would mean that by 2015 Shanghai would have a total number of 320,000 employees working in finance, if things go to plan. As things stands, less than two per cent of Shanghai's total workforce work in finance, compared to 10 per cent in New York. An improved medical care system, social insurance, and children's education services have been built into the plan in a bid to lure expats who would have previously favoured Singapore or Hong Kong.
A British Expat, who has been running his own education company, in China since 2003 said: "If it has been decreed by the government it will probably get done.
"As China drives towards an economy fuelled by domestic consumption, then they will have the opportunity to put in place huge incentives to make things work for firms that are keeping the money onshore.
"Logistically, Hong Kong was the gateway to China but now China is open, it’s almost superfluous and only has the advantage of the legal system left over from the UK."
Shanghai's income tax rates appear to present the main stumbling block: they are as high as 45 per cent in certain cases. Compared to Hong's maximum of 15 per cent and Singapore's 20 per cent, it means exceedingly generous expat packages will be required to coax financiers across the waters.
Coupled with this is new legislation that will require expat workers and their employers to pay into China's social welfare pot, although it is yet to be made clear exactly how much of their salaries they'll be required to hand over.
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
3 November 2011
Expat housing tax rules tightend in Dubai
Rules are being tightened in Dubai to make sure that expats pay housing fees by the end of June next year in a crackdown aimed at reducing the numbers not being billed for the tax.
Dubai Municipality said that it is going to be more efficient in terms of sending out bills and tracing people as well as chasing non payers.
According to Addullah Hashin Abdulghafoor, fees and revenues officer at Dubai’s housing fee department the new rules should be in place by June 2012.
He defended the decision not to backdate fees.
‘Customers who haven’t been billed up until now are not going to be backdated. If we did that would mean customers facing a large bill through no fault of their own and it’s not something we feel is not appropriate to do,’ he explained.
Housing fees, billed through residents’ monthly utility bills, are calculated at 5% of the tenant’s annual rent or 5% of the property’s freehold value.
It was introduced in 2005 but Emiratis do not pay the charge, leading some residents to dub the fee an expat tax. Expats have long criticised the tax as unfair.
Dubai authorities are currently collecting fees from 17 out of a possible 27 zones across the emirate, Abdulghafoor said, including all new residents in the remaining 10 areas.
Among the areas not yet fully covered include Al Barsha, Discovery Gardens, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa area and Dubai Marina.
Plans are underway to issue non paying residents with reminders to fill in online forms to ensure they are correctly billed. Those that fail to complete the application will see their housing fee calculated on estimated rent or property values from the city’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
Dubai Municipality said that it is going to be more efficient in terms of sending out bills and tracing people as well as chasing non payers.
According to Addullah Hashin Abdulghafoor, fees and revenues officer at Dubai’s housing fee department the new rules should be in place by June 2012.
He defended the decision not to backdate fees.
‘Customers who haven’t been billed up until now are not going to be backdated. If we did that would mean customers facing a large bill through no fault of their own and it’s not something we feel is not appropriate to do,’ he explained.
Housing fees, billed through residents’ monthly utility bills, are calculated at 5% of the tenant’s annual rent or 5% of the property’s freehold value.
It was introduced in 2005 but Emiratis do not pay the charge, leading some residents to dub the fee an expat tax. Expats have long criticised the tax as unfair.
Dubai authorities are currently collecting fees from 17 out of a possible 27 zones across the emirate, Abdulghafoor said, including all new residents in the remaining 10 areas.
Among the areas not yet fully covered include Al Barsha, Discovery Gardens, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa area and Dubai Marina.
Plans are underway to issue non paying residents with reminders to fill in online forms to ensure they are correctly billed. Those that fail to complete the application will see their housing fee calculated on estimated rent or property values from the city’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.
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