Key Questions to Ask when Buying Your International Health Insurance

So, you have decided to make the move and work abroad for some time. You may be excited about the prospect of meeting new people, a great new job and enjoying the culinary treats in your guest country. Next thing is to plan that move.

In tough economic times, we tend to save as much cash as possible. Exercising regularly and eating healthily will definitely help you and your loved ones in different ways. But, a healthy lifestyle will not protect you and your finances against an unexpected event or from an old injury or illness. For example, the bill for just an injured elbow in Hong Kong could cost you £10,000 or more. 

Now, health insurance is not the easiest product to shop for, but it is not as hard and daunting as it may look like at first glance. We thought we put together the key questions to ask your health insurance broker. Got any more questions, just ask!

1.     Do I need worldwide cover?
This will depend on your circumstances at that moment. If you're a contractor and are looking to live in different countries, then your options may be different from expats on a company transfer. This becomes particularly important if your family is travelling with you. Your domestic health insurance cover is not likely to cover you abroad.

2.    What benefits are provided?
Benefits range from regular medical check-ups to maternity cover and expatriation. All you need to do is assessing your circumstances and decide what benefits your health insurance plan needs to include. Your broker can help you with this.

3.    Will my medical history be taken into account?
Any previous injury or illness history will have a bearing on your health insurance policy. This is what we call pre-existing conditions in insurance.

It is important that you tell your broker about any condition or injury that you might have received treatment for in the last five years, including those that are controlled by medication, such as hypertension. The reason for this is that you may not be covered for any of these conditions nor for any derived consequences of them. Your broker will help you choose an insurance cover that best suits your needs.

4.    Why do I need international health insurance?
The chances of you or your family having an unexpected illness or an accident may seem small. But, road accidents or injured limbs can easily set you back a couple of thousand pounds anywhere in the world, which would add to the anxiety of needing to perform well in your new job. An adequate international health cover will enable you to have prompt access to quality treatment or being evacuated home if needed.

5.    Am I covered for routine medical check-ups and dental treatment?
An international health insurance will include a variety of treatments, including medical check-ups and dental treatment. It is generally a good idea to include dental treatment in your policy, as it can be quite expensive to arrange when abroad.

6.    Would I be covered if I become pregnant?
Yes, you may be covered, although insurance plans worldwide may cover different aspects of pregnancy.

7.    Can I choose doctors and hospitals?
Yes, you can choose both the doctors and hospitals or clinics where you wish you to be treated.

8.    When would I be seen?
A qualified healthcare professional would see you as soon as you need it. Even in industrialised countries, such as Canada, waiting periods can be long and bureaucracy overwhelming. Your international health insurance policy will enable you to avoid the hassle.

9.     How much will I pay?
That would depend on various aspects, such as the benefits included and on the number of people who would be included on your policy. Your broker will help you find the plan that best suits your needs and budget.

10.  Can my family or spouse be covered with my insurance?
Health insurance plans can include family members or spouses.

Still in doubt? Then, please ask us!

Thanks for reading this post.

The Medibroker Team


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Photo credit

Technology in Insurance

This week, we wanted to focus on technology in the insurance sector. At Medibroker, we have just published our first video (please see below), and so we thought it would be useful to discuss briefly how the use of technology is changing the landscape in insurance for both insurers and policyholders.

The insurance sector is not as heavily engaged in technology and social media as other sectors may be. We need to bear in mind that we all are learning how to interact effectively with other people and companies. This also involves a change of habits, which might not be as easy nor quick to do.

However, recent research shows that times are definitely changing. Consultancy firm Deloitte has found that technology is one of the five driving market forces that they are facing. They say that customers may now want to interact with companies in more than one way. In fact, on a  different survey, it was found that a quarter of the 2,000 people surveyed said that they would be comfortable with the idea of engaging with an insurance provider on social media.

Technology has become so important, that an insurance publication has launched their own technology awards.

For expats, video is the perfect way to record their experiences to keep in touch with their loved ones back at home or to remember their life abroad. Many expat blogs have published videos where they tell us about exciting and invaluable experiences abroad.

Video is part of this boom in communications. Research company comScore report that 84.7% of the total population in US saw a video during April 2013, and the numbers keep growing up every month worldwide. So, it is not surprising that many insurers have decided to use video to explain complex insurance concepts.

In our video, we briefly explain who we are and how we can help expats and companies who are sending their employees abroad for some time. Please see below (You Tube channel coming up soon!).

At Medibroker, we aim at providing value to our customers, so please connect with us and let us know how we are doing! Have you got any comments? If you need UK or international health insurance, let us help you!

Thanks for reading.

Most expats in UAE ‘ignorant of local culture’

The majority of foreigners in the UAE have no real knowledge of Emirati culture and traditions, a recent survey has revealed.

A survey of over 2,000 expatriates carried out by the UAE's Ministry of Interior found that 60 per cent confessed to having only a "basic" knowledge about their host country's culture, with 12 per cent admitting that they knew “next to nothing”.

Although most expats (70 per cent) said that there were enough resources available to help them learn about the local culture, only a third said they set aside enough time to research it, while 11 per cent confessed they had never tried to learn at all.

This was despite the fact that the majority of expats surveyed (77 per cent) had lived in the UAE for more than a year, while more than two-fifths (43 per cent) had lived there at least five.

When it came to the UAE's religious holidays, only four in ten (39 per cent) said that they knew when they fell and what their significance was, while the majority (61 per cent) said they were "not really" aware, or knew just "some of the time".

Writing in the Ministry of Interior's magazine 999, where the results were published, Karen Remo-Listana and Emma Procter said expats' apparent "complacence" could go some way towards explaining why stories of foreigners being arrested for offences “from kissing to swearing in public flood the papers on a regular basis”.

“The survey data suggests a serious case of ignorance of the country's moral boundaries and thus explains the increasing incidents of expats falling foul of the law,” they added.

Briton Tara Rogers, managing partner of a PR company in Dubai, said that it was very easy for expats to become segregated, but that “over the years, the UAE has created a number of initiatives and programmes that offer expats an insight into Emirati culture, inviting us to share meals, visit mosques and learn about the intricacies of the culture.

“It is true that one might have to make an effort to seek them out but they are there,” she said. “I really think that on the part of expats it is a question of attitude and interest. If you are interested you will meet the most wonderful people. If you just stick to your own, you won’t – as simple as that.“

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.

Failure to secure expat health insurance risks more than money

Insurance is now an integral part of life. When it comes to your home, you may well have both buildings and contents cover. Meanwhile, if you own a vehicle, you will have car insurance. Also, if you book a holiday, you might also take out cover in case your trip is cancelled or to protect you in the event of an emergency while you are abroad. Without such policies in place, your finances may be at considerable risk. Therefore, not taking out the relevant policies can be highly irresponsible and may cause you financial strife in the long-term. Indeed, in some cases insurance is a legal requirement.

However, when it comes to international medical insurance, the stakes are even higher. It is not only your finances you place in jeopardy if you fail to take out the appropriate cover, but also your wellbeing.

If you are living abroad and suffer an illness or sustain injuries and you are not covered for treatment, your suffering will be increased and you might even place your life at risk.

Therefore, if you are planning to make the transition to life in a new country, it is vital that you investigate the relevant expat health insurance. It is only by ensuring you have the necessary policy in place that you can protect yourself.

Health issues can seem abstract and remote if you are currently healthy and fit, but there is no way of ruling out the possibility that problems will arise and it is therefore only prudent to take out international medical insurance.

Remember, it is not only your bank balance that you place at risk by failing to secure expat health insurance. Your entire existence may be endangered.
 
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.

Expats In Turkey Face Confusing New Law

Expatriates living in Turkey scrambled this week to try to fulfill a new requirement that foreign residents register and pay for national health insurance by Tuesday, January 31, or face a fine said to be 886.50 lira, or about $495. Early reports indicated that an as-yet unspecified level of coverage would cost foreign residents about 2,500 lire per year.

Confused Americans and Britons flooded their consulates in Istanbul with phone calls and e-mails, struggling to learn how to register, or whether they might be exempt if already covered by their home country’s national health plan or a private insurer.

Others went directly to their neighborhood office of the Sosyal Guvenlik Kurumu, or Social Security Institution. The result? Hours-long lines and office workers who either hadn’t heard of the law or gave conflicting instructions on how to comply.

One American expat, who is covered by Medicare, the government insurance plan for the elderly in the United States, visited two S.G.K. Offices.

At first, the director “threw the blame for the ignorance of expats on their consulate,” they said. “He then told us we needed a signed document describing the kind of coverage we have in the States,” and to take it to another office that deals with foreign applications. At the second office, she was told that she needed a signed, notarized and translated letter from the U.S. Consulate testifying to her insurance status in the United States. Although the S.G.K. employees did not necessarily know the details, “They really did try to help us.”

In a message to Americans living in Turkey, the American Embassy in Ankara acknowledged that “exactly how this new law applies to U.S. Citizens and the foreign community is difficult to interpret.”

The American expat then called the consulate’s American Citizens Services office, and was told that the Tuesday deadline was being postponed to Feb. 29 and that the “consulate was negotiating with the Turkish government to try to come up with a clear procedure.” The consulate on Thursday did not confirm the extension.

“I was very relieved when I heard that,” they said, “because we wouldn’t have to spend the next few days going nuts, getting documents copied, etc., standing in line.”

Could there be a silver lining in all the confusion?

Some expats without health insurance coverage living in Istanbul said they would welcome the chance to sign up for local health insurance, if the Turkish authorities would only clarify — and simplify — the procedure.

Meanwhile, the British Embassy in Ankara posted a statement about what it called “the sudden changes to the Turkish health insurance system.”

The statement said that after the British ambassador and a consular team met with Turkish authorities about the “the substance, cost, lack of clarity and short notice of the change,” British residents in Turkey would be exempt. But that those who had already chosen to join the Turkish system would be allowed to remain in it.

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.

Is Hong Kong's pollution driving expats away?

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.

Shanghai delays expat social insurance payments

Shanghai could be delaying the introduction of a controversial new social insurance scheme to appease foreign workers and businesses, local reports suggest.

On October 15 2011, legislation came into effect which requires all foreign workers, and the firms which employ them, to pay a proportion of their salary to the Chinese government.

The tax, which can be up to 11 per cent for employees and 37 per cent for employers, is split between five separate insurance funds, covering pensions, health care, unemployment, maternity and work-related injuries.

The South China Morning Post has reported however that while officials in Beijing have drawn up guidelines as to exactly how the money should be paid into pension funds, Shanghai labour authorities have not yet done the same. Compulsory arrangements for the other insurance programmes also appear to have not yet been finalised.

According to the newspaper, company executives close to the regulators believe that Shanghai has deliberately “slowed down the compilation of the guidelines” in response to anger about the change.

The tax has proved unpopular among foreign staff because they believe they will not benefit from the money they have paid in; many expats, for example, do not use China's state-run health care facilities, and they are expected to leave the country if they become unemployed. It has also concerned businesses, as the cost of employing foreigners in China will significantly increase.

A spokesperson for the Shanghai office of Paul Hastings LLP, confirmed that Shanghai had not yet mandated that expats enroll in all five social insurance programmes, though she added that many districts permitted them to contribute voluntarily to some.

“It appears that Shanghai is not yet ready to accept foreigners into all five schemes, [and] the government has not released an official announcement or reason as to why there is a delay or as to when foreigners can expect to have to enroll,” she said. “Most companies did not budget for the additional expense in 2011, and they have already enrolled their expats into the home country pension and international medical plans.

“As soon as the national government mandates that all localities comply with the national regulations, then Shanghai will follow suit and mandate that all companies enroll all of their foreigners. We expect this to take place by the end of the first quarter of 2012.”

A Shanghai-based expat and CEO of a company based in China, said that the scheme seemed to be “an initiative that may have been announced by Beijing's central government without due consideration or consultation with the various regional governments, and as a result there has been a mixed reaction with some regions adopting it immediately, some regions planning to adopt it in due course and back date it to the announcement date last year, and others seeking to delay its implementation.

“If Shanghai is pushing back, it is primarily due to the fact that it is the international commercial capital of China and as such has the highest number of foreign employers and employees. It therefore has the most to lose from any exodus of expats, whose employers are no longer able to justify the costs of employing foreigners in key roles. “

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.

Are expats leaving Hong Kong over lack of schools?

Hong Kong’s reputation as Asia's main financial hub is under threat due to its lack of places at international schools.

The number of expats moving to the former British colony has surged in the last two years as Europe’s struggling economies have sent talent eastbound. While there may be a good supply of top jobs, in banking, fund management and financial services, the same cannot be said for international schools.

During 2010 and 2011, the number of British expats moving to Hong Kong jumped more than 50 per cent, to 15,300. This is about half of the number of American expats relocating to the city, who are putting further pressure on good international schools.

Some Hong Kong-bound expats have now delayed or cancelled moves because they can’t get their children in good preschool, primary or secondary international schools. Hong Kong Academy, a private international school, saw a 35 per cent rise in applications last year.

While there has been a massive upsurge in demand, the number of places at English-speaking international schools has stayed relatively constant at 36,000.

A spokesperson from the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, said: “It is a fact that there now exists a shortage of places in international schools in Hong Kong and that this has been a fact for the past decade and a half, but it is a measure of the dramatic success of Hong Kong as one of the world's leading trade and financial centres.”

The Hong Kong government takes the problem seriously and wants to create 5,000 new international school places this year and again in 2013. It also plans to limit the number of local students who can be enrolled in some international schools in the future.

Two new British international schools will open this year, Harrow International School and Kellett, to help ease the pressure but, like most things in Hong Kong, the problem boils down to lack of space. Land is at a premium among the glittering skyscrapers and developers would rather build exclusive apartments than schools.

The situation has got to the stage where some expats have considered moving to Hong Kong’s main rival Singapore, where places at top international schools are slightly easier to find. The opening of Dulwich College in Singapore and Marlborough College in nearby Johor Bahru this summer will make the city even more appealing to expats and their families.
 
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.

British expats claiming £50m a year in sickness benefits

At least 10,000 British emigrants are receiving sickness benefits of up to £94 a week while living abroad, according to figures published yesterday by the DWP.

The combined total could cost the taxpayer close to £50million a year.

Over the next three years, major changes are being introduced to incapacity benefit, including a tougher medical test for claimants and the re–testing of existing recipients.

But officials have admitted that about 4,000 older recipients of the benefit living in Spain, Jamaica and elsewhere will be able to continue drawing the payment until they reach retirement age.

This is due to a decision by Iain Duncan Smith's Department of Work and Pensions not to retest the entitlement of claimants aged over 60.

Under EU rules the Government is obliged to continue to pay some benefits even when claimants decide to move abroad within Europe.

The deal also includes countries outside the EU including Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland.

Last month (December 2011) it emerged that expatriate pensioners received about £13.4million a year in winter fuel payments despite many living in much hotter climates than that of Britain.

Even though about 5,800 expatriate sickness benefits claimants will be reassessed, ministers will have to trust the opinions of foreign GPs.

A spokesman for the DWP said those who are genuinely too disabled or ill to work are entitled to the new Employment Support Allowance under EU rules.

If someone from the UK now living abroad has paid enough in National Insurance contributions, he or she can receive contribution-based ESA subject to the same checks as someone living in the UK.
He said: ‘Incapacity Benefit is an outdated benefit which is now closed to new claimants. We are currently reassessing everyone of working age on IB, whether they live in Great Britain or abroad.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

New study suggests expat wealth robust in face of global recession

Expat wealth has remained largely unaffected by the global economic downturn, a report has revealed

Even in countries where economical problems have been compounded by political unrest and natural disaster, such as Bahrain, Egypt and Japan, expat finances appear resilient. As a result, the majority of expats worldwide are opting to stay in their current postings rather than return home.

The findings, revealed in HSBC Expat's 2011 Expat Explorer survey, show that while expats may have little confidence in the strength of their adopted countries' economies, their earning levels, disposable inomes and ability to accumulate luxuries remain largely unchanged.

In fact, the study shows that expats living in Bahrain, Egypt and Japan are all living to a better standard than they were accustomed to in their mother country.

"More than half of expats in Bahrain have much higher disposable incomes than they did in their home country, as well as 58 per cent of expats in Egypt and 38 per cent of expats in Japan, compared with the global average of 35 per cent", said the report.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Singapore, Russia and Switzerland made up the top five most lucrative expat destinations, while Italy, New Zealand, Netherlands, France and Germany were considered the least prosperous.

Despite the general affluence enjoyed by expats worldwide, countries which provide the highest expat salaries and economic rewards don't necessarily provide the best quality of life for children and families.

According to the study, made up of surveys from 3,385 expatriates from over 100 countries around the world, the most lucrative expat destinations are often those where it is hardest for families to integrate and where childcare and healthcare are lowest.

The study's Raising Children Abroad league table judges countries on the three factors considered most important for expat parents: childcare, health and wellbeing and integration, with France, the Netherlands and Australia coming out on top.

A spokesperson at HSBC Expat said: "Expats with children will obviously be putting their children's needs at the forefront of their relocation decision. For many expat parents, the knowledge that their children will be able to easily integrate into their new community will outweigh any potential increase in earnings and saving potential when moving."

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.

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.

1. 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?
2. Does the plan offer ‘paid in full’ or does it only cover a proportion of the cost for certain treatments?
3. Does the plan offer a wide range of cover for many healthcare issues? You never know what treatment you may need in the future
4. 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?
5. Does the insurer have extensive experience in international medical insurance?
6. Does it have a good reputation, and is it properly regulated?
7. Does the plan offer you flexible payment terms?
8. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.