5 Tips For Those Thinking About Becoming An Expat

Thoughts of Donald Saunders

Every year thousands of people make the decision to move permanently abroad and to make a new life for themselves and their families in a foreign land. For many this proves to be one of the best decisions they have ever made, but for others the dream quickly turns into a nightmare. Here are just a few of the many things that you will need to consider.

Tip 1. Make certain that you really do want to live permanently abroad.

The grass is always greener on the other side and it is very easy to paint an idyllic picture of life in your chosen country. However, once you get there, you may well find that the grass is now a lot greener back home. It's also normally the case that your view of a country as a holidaymaker is very different from your view as a resident.

Not only should you visit the country several times before deciding to move there, but you should also do so at different times of the year and for increasingly lengthy periods of time. You should also try 'living' in the country by renting a house or apartment and living as far as possible as you would as a resident rather than a holidaymaker. If you still feel that moving is the right choice after you've spent six months or so 'living' in the country, then there's a good chance that you won't regret your decision.

Tip 2. Make sure that you understand the immigration policy of your chosen country.

Check out the current immigration requirements of your chosen country and also look at its past history on immigration and any known or rumored plans for change.

In many cases you will be required to meet strict visa requirements and these may be inconvenient, costly and leave you with little security. The last thing you want to do is to cut your ties with home, buy a house and settle the kids into school only to find that you cannot extend your visa and are given forty-eight hours to leave the country.

Tip 3. Examine your finances carefully.

Think carefully about how you will support yourself in your chosen country. Do you, for example, intend to seek employment in your new country to provide you with an income, or will you fund yourself from sources at home, such as savings, investments or a pension.
If you're going to look for employment abroad then how easy will it be to find a job? If you can get a job, what sort of salary can you expect? Will you be allowed to work at all? Many countries will require you to apply for a work permit and these are often issued only in exceptional circumstances or for employment requiring specific skills or qualifications. In many cases your visa will expressly state that you may not seek employment.

If you're going to fund your stay from sources at home, do you have sufficient resources not simply for today but for the next ten or twenty years or more? If you're taking a pension abroad will it keep pace with the rising cost of living? In many countries you may draw a pension abroad but, if you do so, you will lose any cost of living increases and your pension will be fixed at the level at which you start to draw it overseas.

Tip 4. Think about what you will do with your assets back home.

If you own your home will you sell it, rent it out or simply leave it empty? What will you do with your car, furniture and other possessions?

Your home of course is much more than simply an asset, it also gives you a tie to home and affords you an address back home which may be extremely useful if you don't have family or friends who are happy to let you use their address. Just wait until your credit card runs out and your bank tells you that they can only send the new card to the address to which the account is registered in your home country.

As far as your other possessions are concerned you can of course dispose of many of them if you wish, keeping only those or particular real or sentimental value, or you can take them with you. But how easy is it to ship things out and what will it cost? Look carefully too at the rules in your chosen country. Some countries will let you bring more or less whatever you want into the country, while others will have strict limits or impose high import taxes. In many cases for example it's a lot cheaper to buy a new car than to ship your own car out, pay high import duty and than have to have the car adapted to meet local requirements for registration.

Tip 5. Examine the provision of healthcare.

You may be fit and healthy now but, if you're thinking about moving abroad permanently, then a time is going to come when you will need to avail yourself of the local healthcare facilities. Just how good are those facilities, how do they compare to the facilities that you are used to and will the doctors speak English?

Another very important consideration is the availability of public healthcare. If you come from a country with a publicly funded healthcare system, such as the UK, then you might be more than a little shocked by the cost of medical treatment when you find yourself in a country with only private healthcare. On the other hand, if you're used to paying for your own healthcare, you might be pleasantly surprised to find that you can get the same of better medical treatment at a fraction of the cost.

Whatever the case, however, this is something that you need to check out very carefully and you will certainly need some form of expat health insurance policy.
This short list of just five tips is far from exhaustive but hopefully it will give you a starting point and set you in the right direction. Becoming an expatriate is a very big step and one that needs a great deal of careful thought.

Learn more about Expat Medical Insurance from GlobalHealth Asia.

Dealing With Your Medical Insurer

If you ever face a medical crisis, you’ll be amazed at how quickly the bills mount up, even with great insurance.
You could argue about whether insurers are inherently evil, coldhearted, or callous, but the bottom line is that insurers are businesses that want to get the most money they can out of you. Sometimes you will have to pay and there’s no way to get around that. However, there are so many mistakes, wrongly denied claims, double bills, and unnecessary charges at times that you may be able to reduce your bills somewhat, but only if you’re prepared to fight. Your insurer isn’t going to suggest ways for you to reduce your bills and they aren’t going to help you very much. Your insurer hopes that you will just pay the bill. You want to question everything and only pay what you need to. Here are some ideas if you ever need to go to war with your insurer.
Continue Reading Dealing With Your Medical Insurer


Global Health Asia is an exceptional provider of innovative expat health insurance. Global Health Asia International Group was created with one goal in mind – to become the best personal and family medical insurance service provider in Asia.

Work While You Travel: Strange Ways to Save Money

If you’ve ever wanted to travel extensively but aren’t sure how you could afford to be on the road for months at a time, work share arrangements might be the answer you’re looking for.


When you work share, you receive either free or discounted lodgings or meals in exchange for your labor. The work you may be asked to perform can include landscaping, maintenance tasks, cleaning, receptionist work, or helping arrange/host special events or parties. If you have special skills such as photography, accounting, or design skills, you may be asked to help with the books, or design a new brochure for a bed and breakfast.
If work share arrangements don’t appeal to you, you can also find other work in many destinations. Temporary work, seasonal jobs like farm work or Christmas tree sales, and part time jobs are also alternatives. If you need to supplement your income while you’re on the road, here are some ideas:

Work camping: As a work camper you will usually receive your site rental for free and possibly a discount on any metered utilities. You may also get some meals for free if the campground hosts a special event. You may have to mow the grass, answer the phones, clean the bathrooms, or help maintain the facilities in exchange for your freebies. Some work camping arrangements can be short term (just a week) or long term (a whole season). Many campgrounds post openings on their web site, but it can’t hurt to call and ask campgrounds in your area if they need help.

Continue Reading Work While You Travel: Strange Ways to Save Money

Investigate Before You Expatriate

Retiring abroad sounds intriguing to those seeking balmy climes and cheaper living. But there are pitfalls.

Planning a postretirement move from, say, New York to Florida is relatively simple. But if you're thinking about spending your golden years abroad, there are many more unknowns. How can you check out a prospective retirement haven before you make a big move--and maybe a big mistake?

Taxation. The U.S. taxes its citizens' income no matter where they live. Those living abroad can claim an annual $91,500 exclusion of income from work, which retirees often don't have. Tax treaties usually protect against double taxation, but many countries have higher rates than the U.S.

Continue Reading this informative article at Forbes

and see resources for Expat Health Insurance

Expatriates advised to take out overseas health insurance

One in four European workers wish to retire to Spain and take up the expatriate lifestyle when they have finished work, new research has revealed.

A survey carried out by Aon Consulting found a rich source of expat health insurance opportunities for brokers in the World Cup-winning country, as a quarter of the 7,500 Europeans questioned opted for Spain as the retiree destination of choice.

France was also popular with 15 per cent of those considering becoming expatriates, while Italy and Australasia made it into the top five most popular destinations with would-be expats.

Oliver Rowlands, Aon Consulting head of retirement for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, noted that the prevalence of cheap air travel and the internet allowed individuals to remain in close contact with their family even after moving overseas.

"Not surprisingly, most people want to spend their retirement predominantly in countries with good weather and good social and government benefits, and ideally close enough so that they can get home quickly if they need to," he pointed out.

Mr Rowlands added that those thinking about retiring overseas need to consider taking out international medical insurance for peace of mind.

Online expat magazine Shelter Offshore recently advised those moving abroad to get their finances in order before they leave to save time and stress upon arrival.

Expatriate Healthcare specialise in providing international health insurance. Make sure you're protected.

Why International & Expat Health Insurance is Important For Overseas Workers

Finding yourself working overseas without the usual 'safety net' of the NHS could bring about a sudden rash of insecurity. However, most employers with staff based abroad ensure some kind of international or expat health insurance plan is in place, offering their staff (and families) peace of mind. This helps to keep sickness absenteeism to a minimum and strengthen the company's credibility as a caring organisation.

Ensuring quality medical care for people working abroad is essential, since local medical facilities could be very basic, expensive or even inaccessible.
Private healthcare plans offer varying levels of medical cover (often including the family), usually with an overseas repatriation or evacuation service as standard. Most international healthcare packages also provide access to a 24 hr confidential advice line as well as a foreign language interpretation service.

Overseas employees who are covered by private healthcare are able to receive prompt access to expert medical attention. This reduces absence due to sickness and helps to maximise corporate productivity. Where non-emergency treatment is needed in hospital, the patient will be notified of the date in advance, allowing their employer to make arrangements to cover their absence.

Read On Why International & Expat Health Insurance is Important For Overseas Workers

Hong Kong Expat Medical Insurance

The GlobalHealth Advantage Range

Advantage 100
Features
> Worldwide coverage
> Plan maximum up to US$250,000 per disability
> Choice of deductibles starting at US$500 per disability
> Lowest premiums


Advantage 200
Features
> Worldwide coverage
> Plan maximum up to US$250,000 per year
> Nil deductible up to US$5,000 per year deductible available
> Choice to add coverage for out-patient treatment


Advantage 300
Features
> Option to exclude North American coverage to lower premium
> Plan maximum up to US$2,000,000 per year
> Nil deductible up to US$5,000 per year deductible available
> Fully covered in-patient with extensive pre and post-hospitalization cover


Advantage 400
Features
> Option to exclude North American coverage to lower premium
> Plan maximum up to US$2,000,000 per year
> Nil deductible up to US$5,000 per year deductible available
> Fully covered in-patient and out-patient


Advantage 500
Features
> Option to exclude North American coverage to lower premium
> Plan maximum up to US$2,000,000 per year
> Nil deductible up to US$5,000 per year deductible available
> Fully covered in-patient and out-patient
> Maternity cover up to US$10,000 per pregnancy


 To Know About Their Optional Extra Benefits
Visit Hong Kong Expat Medical Insurance

Small-Business Lobby Joins Florida Health-Care Suit

By William McQuillen     May 14 (Bloomberg) -- The National Federation of Independent Business, a small-business lobbying group, joined Florida’s legal challenge to the health-care reform law passed in March, becoming the first private organization seeking to overturn the measure.     The group’s filing today came as the end-of-week deadline approached for amending the complaint initially brought by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum. The lawsuit’s plaintiffs now include 20 states.

The states claim the legislation places an unconstitutional burden on their budgets by expanding Medicaid, the federal-state program that provides health care for the poor. Virginia sued separately in March, contending that a requirement that people buy health insurance exceeds Congress’s powers.

Read On Small-Business Lobby Joins Florida Health-Care Suit

American Expats Giving Up Citizenship in Record Numbers

The number of Americans choosing not merely to retire but often to live and work in other countries — expatriates or "expats" — has been increasing steadily for a number of years now. According to one source, the number of American expats has risen to four million, and the steady trickle of Americans out of this country shows no signs of abating.
Americans’ reasons for leaving differ from case to case. Some are convinced that the global empire emanating from Washington, D.C. is in its declining days, as was Rome at one point, and are seeking safe havens for themselves and their families just in case economic shocks in the United States continue. Others have either been sent or have chosen to pursue desirable careers overseas. Some, finally, just desire the experience of living in a different culture.
A new report now indicates that American expats are not just relocating overseas but taking the much bigger leap of relinquishing their U.S. citizenship. According to the Federal Register, during the final quarter of 2009 502 expatriated Americans gave up their citizenship or permanent residency status to fully embrace that of a foreign land. This was the largest quarterly figure in years — and more than twice the figure for all of 2008, which saw 235 renunciations. The total figure of renunciations for 2009 was 743.

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Why do you need an Expat Global Medical Insurance?

In an era where we keep too busy with our work, health becomes a matter of concern of all of us. Especially if we live abroad, medicines and health care have become so expensive that we might have to spend half of our savings on it. You certainly don't want to do that, right? Expat Global Medical Insurance helps you to cover all that without bearing any immediate cost. It not only gives you a complete medical cover but also, makes you financial secure. By taking international health travel insurance, you can stand your medical and health expenses on your own. 


We have often seen cases where in people living in abroad have to bear sudden and uncertain health costs which makes them face a financial crisis but, with such beneficial insurance scheme you can avoid such circumstances. Let's check out some more advantages of expat health insurance:

• Settlement of adequate medical expenses
• Aid to trip Interruption due to health issues
• Reimbursement of lost checked luggage
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Emergency reunion
• Emergency dental
• Settlement against accidental death and dismemberment
• Return of relevant assets

Though the facilities depend from one insurance company to another but, mostly the above mentioned services are taken care off. To a greater extent International Travel Medical Insurance companies are planning to cover more areas (as follows) to enhance their standard of health care:

· Terrorism coverage

· Hospital insurance (such as daily cash, etc.)

· Problems of pregnancy

· Natural disaster

· And, other travel support such as pre-trip safety and health advisories, immediate cash transfers, lost travel document or passport assistance, etc.

Whenever we go or live abroad, it becomes all the more difficult for us to take care of our health and all. In such a situation international travel medical insurance is the easiest way to deal with all sudden costs in this relevant field. Don't you think so?

We never know when we need a health cover, we can need a health cover anytime and anywhere in this whole world thus, it becomes essential to take such insurance schemes and be trouble-free.

Expat guide to Australia: financial management

In the first of a series of country guides designed specifically to address the problems faced by expatriates,Telegraph Expat takes a look at money management for those thinking of moving to, moving back from, or already living in, Australia

Australia is the number one destination for emigrating Brits , with 56,000 of us moving to the other side of the world in 2008, according to the latest official figures.

But if you are planning to go because of work, or simply in search of a better life for yourself or your family, there are a lot of things you need to think about to be sure your finances work as well as they can for you.

This guide will help you through the financial maze of what you need to do and how you need to do it to make your move a success.

BEFORE YOU GO

One of the most difficult things to do when you go to a new country is open a bank account, as you have no credit history in that country. If you open an account before you leave the UK, this circumvents the problem.

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know your resources - Expat Health Insurance

Guess who really pays for health care?

New York (CNN) -- If President Obama had been forthright last week at the health care summit, he would have opened the meeting by stating: "If you have health coverage, under our reform bills you are going to pay more and get less. If you are one of the 45 million elderly or disabled people on Medicare, you are going to get less. There is no such thing as free medical care. Somebody has to pay! And in the end it is you."

Those are the facts! And as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid stated to the Republicans : "...you're entitled to your opinion, but not your own facts."

However, the facts, as the president has found out, are not exactly a compelling message to persuade a reluctant Congress and public to overhaul nearly one-fifth of the nation's economy.

Adding 31 million people (45 million now don't have coverage) to the health care system will cost the taxpayers trillions over time. Many of that uninsured group can't afford health insurance, and if this legislation passes, the government will create an entitlement program to subsidize them. In the end, like the entitlement programs that have gone before them, they will far exceed any cost estimates on the table today.

Continue Reading Guess who really pays for health care?

Expat Health Insurance For Asia

Insurance Plans for Expats in Asia

The 400 / AAA Plan

* Full Refund in-patient, day-patient and out-patient treatment including chronic conditions
* Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation plus other emergency benefits
* Maternity coverage may be standard or optional
* Dental coverage is optional
* Personal Accident coverage is optional
* Available as a Family, Individual or Corporate Insurance plan


The 350 / AA Plan

* Full Refund in-patient and day-patient treatment
* Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation plus other emergency benefits
* Maternity coverage may be standard or optional
* Dental coverage is optional
* Personal Accident coverage is optional
* Available as a Family, Individual or Corporate Insurance plan


The 100 / A Plan

* Full Refund or Sub-Limit (depending on the treatment) in-patient and day-patient treatment
* Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation plus other emergency benefits
* Personal Accident coverage is optional
* Available as a Family, Individual or Corporate Insurance plan


Learn more about Global Health Asia's Expat Health Insurance

Expatriate Healthcare - Your Health In Safe Hands Wherever You Are

By Darlene Kaitlin

If you are planning to settle abroad, you need to also take a good look at your expat health insurance policy. Travelling overseas can be full of adventure and it can happen that you decide to pack your bags and move into a new place for the purpose of settlement outside own country. Since travelling abroad and starting to live there means coming across different climactic conditions and physical surroundings, you need to extra care of your health.

Adventure also means increased chances of events that may affect your health adversely at times. You may encounter a whole new set of issues that your body may take time to accommodate. And in case, any accidents occur and hospitalisation is required, the bills in a foreign place can come as a bad surprise. And before the medical bills deliver a knockout punch, you need to fight back with pre-protection, that is with a health care policy in place.

This is often the best option specially designed keeping in mind situations like this, and the people who would need to avail to it to ensure good health. Even if, by good grace, you do not come to require medical assistance, it will always serve to give you a peace of mind that you will be safe with proper medical care, no matter where you are.

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Expat Medical Insurance News: Expats disappointed by Kuwait's Hala February

Expats living in Kuwait have expressed their disappointment at the Hala February shopping festival, with many claiming that it is "not worth the wait".

Speaking to Kuwait Times, Mercy, a Filipina expat who has lived in the Middle Eastern country for more than a decade, said there is no marked difference in the price of goods during the festival, which runs until February 23rd.

"I can shop anytime in the malls and anywhere in Kuwait and enjoy huge discounts. I don't know what the Hala festival is for. I cannot understand," she declared.

Meanwhile, Indian expat Margaret said the organisers should focus on creating a vibrant, exciting experience that would inspire shoppers to spend their cash.

The Kuwait Times has also recently alerted expats to iniquities in the country's healthcare system, with nationals afforded a more comprehensive level of care than expat workers.

Such limited access may encourage employees to obtain expat health insurance as a priority.

Ignoring Expat Health Insurance is Dangerous to Your Wealth

Expat Health Insurance - You insure the house without hesitation; you insure the car too, so why do so many expats refuse to insure their own health?

Maybe you are perfectly fit and healthy, never been ill apart from the odd hang over or two, and besides somewhere in your wallet there is a plastic card with some foreign writing that your boss gave you assuring you it covers you in the event of being sick! Or does it?

The vast majority of us enjoy good health everyday of our working lives and any thoughts of illness or injury seldom stir the back of our minds. The reality is that we are all vulnerable and the prospect of becoming ill or damaging limbs is not as unlikely as we would care to imagine. Visiting the busy urban areas of Asian cities we have all seen the motorcycles with 3 passengers weaving amongst the traffic, normally loaded with a few live chickens and a full size colour television and driven by the ten year old daughter with her left arm pressed against her ear listening to her friends gossip on the latest mobile phone-and then the inevitable coming together with another motorcycle or expatriate who thought the traffic lights actually meant something!

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By Jackie Needham

Expat Health Insurance For US Citizens

Expat health insurance is something that you should take a close look at before you move overseas. There are many people who travel overseas every year on vacation and find themselves falling in love with their vacation destination. This is something which happens everyday and you have to remember that your need for health insurance is not going to change no matter where in the world you are.

You will still face all the same accident risks overseas that you will face here at home but you may well encounter a very different set of issues when it comes to the cost of your own healthcare and the healthcare of your family. One of the things that you certainly do not want to end up with is being caught up in limbo. Let's say for example that you are working abroad and that while driving to work you are involved in a car accident and sustain a number of minor injuries. The local police who attend the scene of the accident take you to the local hospital for treatment and, once the hospital has finished attending to your injuries, they present you with a bill for their services. How are you going to pay?

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Expatriate Health Insurance Tips

If you choose to live away from your home country, it is vital that you get expat health insurance. Too many individuals have encountered problems abroad, then regretting not having ample support from their place of origin. There are a variety of premiums available specifically for the traveling individual. Here are some helpful tips on how to stay secure when going away.

Initial Steps to Take

Always stay safe when traveling abroad by keeping your documents in check and having the right resource persons or agencies ready during cases of emergency. The emergency assistance service is responsible for authorizing major health service provision and the conduction of tests even after your condition is already stable.

The claims should be covered by your chosen insurance company. Prepare the name and telephone number of your doctor and carry it with you at all times. You also have to prepare and constantly secure a list of your medications and serious conditions together with prescription notes. When you are traveling to third world countries, bring a copy of your prescription just in case customs ask for it.

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