50. South KoreaClimate: Temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than in winter. Winters are very cold with frequent frost and snow. Government: Republic Population: 48,636,068 Currency: South Korean Won (KRW): 1 KRW = 0.0009 USD Language: Korean, English widely taught in middle and high school Religious Groups: No affiliation (46%), Christian (26%), Buddhist (26%), Confucianist (1%), other (1%) Ethnic Groups: Korean Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Similar |
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South Korea, perhaps because of its sizable Christian population, doesn’t offer the racy attractions of many of its neighbors. For the most part the American population here is all business. If you’re willing to learn the language and explore the country and its unique culture, many American expats have grown to love the nation’s rich blend of the ancient and the modern. In the cities, particularly Seoul, there are signs that the younger generation is finally going to shake things up.
As one of the most prosperous and well-developed countries in Asia, South Korea allows you to enjoy all the conveniences of modern life with the added plus of being able to step back in time as this ancient land is studded with rich archaeological ruins and beautiful, centuries-old Buddhist temples and monasteries. If you love beautiful scenery and like to go hiking, Korea offers a number of natural wonders and picturesque landscapes that range from eye-catching mountain ranges to Hawaii-like sandy beaches, subtropical vegetation, and dazzling waterfalls. Many foodies rank Korean cuisine among the world’s tastiest.
Governance: South Korea is a Western-style constitutional democracy governed by a president and unicameral legislature. The country holds free and fair elections and the government shows an overall respect for human rights. Korea has a very independent media and freedom of speech is allowed although the state can restrict speech deemed Communist or pro-North Korea. Korea’s National Police Agency, particularly the Combat Police Division, have been known for cracking a few heads, particularly during protests.
Infrastructure: Up to Western standards
Internet: 100% broadband penetration, most of it blazing fast. Ranked first in the world.
GPD: $1.467 trillion
GDP (Per Capita): $30,200
Sovereign Debt: 23.7% of GDP
Working There: Large demand for English teachers for which attractive packages are offered. Technical and business skills are also in demand.
Regulatory Environment: Regulatory framework designed to foster new businesses and innovation; efficient and easy to negotiate.
Taxes: Corporate: 24.2%, Individual: 35%, VAT: 10%. Residents taxed on worldwide income (some exemptions available).
Cannabis: Strictly illegal, but not unheard of around the alternative youth scene. An American English teacher spent three months in a detention facility then was fined and deported for showing traces of hashish in his bloodstream.
Homosexuality: Legal. No recognition of same-sex unions. Laws against discrimination.
Abortion: To preserve a woman’s health and in cases of rape, incest, and fetal impairment.
Women’s Issues: Women enjoy the same legal rights as men and there are laws prohibiting sexual harassment but Korea has a strong patriarchal culture. Korean women have very low workforce participation rates, there are substantial wage disparities between men and women, and sexual discrimination in the workplace is common. Domestic violence remains a problem.
Guns: Majority of guns are strictly illegal. Some firearms can be owned by hunters and sport shooters with special government approval.
Crime: Low violent crime
Real Estate: A foreigner who resides in Korea can purchase property. The process for non-resident foreigners is a bit more complicated, but still possible. Be warned: South Korea has notoriously steep transaction costs (approximately 22% of the property’s value).
Life Expectancy: 78.81 years
Visas operate on a complicated letter system:
A = Official government business
C = Short-term visas (e.g., tourist)
D = For students, trainees, investors, corporate transfers, artist/performers and journalists. Validity periods vary but are generally renewable as long as conditions of issuance still apply.
E = Longer-term but finite (non-immigrant), usually work-related (e.g. English teacher) visas. Generally issued for one year, renewable.
F = Immigrant class visa. For those who wish to stay for very long or indefinite terms. Generally for families and spouses but also open to other residents under certain conditions.
Most Americans who come here, however, hardly need to delve into the minutiae, since they have job offers (particularly English teaching) and most of the details are taken care of by the hiring company. Unless you’re reuniting with a family or mate, few people come here just to hang out or retire anyway.
Tourist Visa: Visa is not required for U.S. citizens who wish to stay in Korea for up to 90 days (extension of stay is not permitted).
Investor Visa (D-8): Korea has stiffened requirements for those wishing to set up a company and conduct business in the country. Investment should be around $95,000 (100m KRW). Visas are issued for one year and renewable as long as conditions still apply.
Work Visa: The Republic of Korea offers over a dozen different kinds of work visas that cover a wide range of professions. An in-person interview at an overseas consulate or embassy is usually required to apply. Foreign Language Instructor (E-2) is the most common among American transplants. To be employed as a language instructor in Korea, applicants must provide employment contract, résumé/CV, copy of official academic transcript and proof of college degree, job description, and a notarized letter of reference. Most employers will assist new hires in filing for visa and providing the appropriate documents and paperwork. All work visas are usually valid for one year, renewable.
Residence (F-2): Those who belong to select professions (foreign language instructors, professors, individuals working in specialized trades, etc.) can apply for residence status through a point system established by the Ministry of Justice. If you reside in Korea for one year or more, you can apply for F-2 status, and after three years, apply for
Permanent Resident status (F-5). The primary criteria are age, academic or professional background, work or study experience in Korea, and/or whether applicant has completed a Korean social integration program. Applicants scoring 80 out of a possible 120 points qualify for the visa upgrade. Investors of $500,000 (or others who are deemed to be special contributors to the Korean economy) are also welcome.
Citizenship: Applicant must have legally resided in Republic of Korea for more than five consecutive years, be of good character, show proof of economic self-sufficiency, be proficient in Korean language, and possess knowledge of Korean customs and culture.
When I arrived here many things were different, particularly as most of my bills, for housing/electricity/water, were covered by the institute I taught for. Because I am a native English-speaker I am asked for favors that I never would have been in America, usually to tutor, and all the more so because I have experience doing things, like writing articles and speaking publicly, that not all English-speakers have. In essence, living here has made me feel a lot more valuable, but at the same time creates a lot more demands on my time.
Having a Korean family has its own advantages and disadvantages. They are particularly tight-knit, and therefore my mother-in-law has provided most of the care for our son, and my brother-in-law has helped us out financially when we needed it. However, living with one’s mother-in-law is not always convenient, and my brother-in-law has had hard times of his own that we have been obliged to help him with. Since the financial crisis he has had great difficulty in keeping a job, and we have at times had to take him in.
Outside of Seoul Americans are not common, and those that live there receive a good deal of attention. In Seoul, they’re all over the place. They are easy to find at Itaewon and a few other districts, but a few Internet searches would reveal many more nascent foreign communities in Seoul and other parts of Korea.
Culture shock takes at least three months to get over, or at least make peace with. Everything is unfamiliar, and the smallest tasks require great effort due to the language barrier. Korean apartments have a thermometer that can be set to heat the floors, and there’s a separate button that must be pressed to turn on hot water for showering. No one will tell you about these things at first, Koreans don’t think about it, and other Westerners are proud to have figured it out and want you to learn it the hard way. Another word of wisdom is to bring sheets and soft pillows. Neither are readily available, and are grossly expensive. Another huge expense is coffee, $30 for a mid-sized bag of beans. Everyone drinks tea or instant coffee packs.
One lesson to learn fast is that the most important social skill here is to keep face. This means that you do not get anywhere in this country by being emotional in any way. You need to be forceful and resolute in negotiations, but getting angry gets you nowhere, and you instantly lose the respect of the other person.
Incheon is the third largest city, but has a very suburban feel. For art and culture and non-Korean food you have to travel the hour and a half to Seoul. Being a lesbian, I was very curious about the gay scene and have been to every gay bar in Seoul. Most are located in Itaewon near the army base. The neighborhood is famously seedy, and is where most Westerners and GIs go to party on the weekends. The gay area is called “homo hill” and is a little off the main drag. The first time I looked for it I took the wrong street and ended up on “hooker hill” a block over. Behind me were two army guys and all the women leaned out of dark doorways beckoning to them in lingerie. Quickly made my way over to the other hill and found a vibrant strip of bars, drag queens, and dancing. The vibe is very fresh and fun because Koreans are coming out of the closet and going through a rapid social transformation, especially after the very famous actor, Hong Suk Chon, came out.
I am in the small town of Bugu, on the east coast of Uljin City, in the Gyeongsangbukdo region of South Korea. I have a Korean apartment, which was included in my teaching contract (some are, some aren’t). I don’t need much space and this place is perfect for lounging and the occasional couchsurfer. For the most part, apartments in Korea are smaller than those in the U.S.; there’s a threshold at the door for removing your shoes; the toilet, sink, and bathing area are all in one space, not separated by a curtain or different flooring; there is no oven; there is no dryer—clothes are hung in a “room” between inner and outer windows; carpeting is rare—usually the floors are soft wood or a veneer; air conditioning is not central, if you even have it—a small unit can be turned off and on as needed; closets aren’t too common either, as wardrobes are available; during winter, the floors can be heated.
51. SpainClimate: Temperate. Summers are hot in the interior and more moderate and cloudy along the coast; winters are cold in the interior and partly cloudy and cool along the coast. Government: Constitutional monarchy |
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Population: 40,525,002 Currency: Euro (EUR): 1 EUR = 1.36 USD Language: Castilian Spanish [official] (74%), Catalan (17%), Galician (7%), Basque (2%) Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (94%), other (6%) Ethnic Groups: Mediterranean and Nordic Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Far from the most expensive country in the Eurozone, but don’t expect any bargains. Rents, particularly in Madrid, are stiff. |
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Once upon a time, life in Spain was affordable. Then came the Euro. Undaunted Americans still flock here, congregating in Barcelona and Madrid, while students head for the medieval city of Salamanca. Nightlife is excellent and tends to go late. The siesta breaks during the afternoon haven’t disappeared but the jobs have. Unemployment has soared to 20%, the real estate bubble that previously supported the economy has collapsed, and the conventional wisdom marks this country as the next bailout case and rumbles of Athens-like social unrest have begun to be felt. For all that, people for the most part seem boisterously happy. Must be the Sangria.
Governance: Spain is a Western-style democracy, with free and fair elections, independent judiciary and media, with freedom of speech and assembly guaranteed.
Infrastructure: It’s no Switzerland but still OK.
Internet: Overall Internet use slightly above European average. Broadband penetration considered average compared to rest of Europe.
Healthcare: Medical care and facilities are good throughout the country.
GDP: $1.376 trillion
GDP (Per Capita): $29,500
Sovereign Debt: 63.4% of GDP
Working There: Teach English or translate, if you can. Some opportunities in the tourist trade.
Regulatory Environment: Spain recently eased its regulatory guidelines and licensing requirements to make it easier for new businesses. Spain still averages over a month to launch a business.
Taxes: Corporate: 25–30%, Individual: 0–42%, VAT: 18%. Residents are taxed on worldwide income.
Cannabis: Decriminalized; possession and home cultivation for personal use allowed but you can still be fined if you light up in public. Judging by the odor that wafts through many a Spanish street, this hasn’t discouraged many people.
Homosexuality: Same-sex marriage legal, laws against discrimination. Spain is tolerant toward gays and lesbians and open communities exist all over the country.
Abortion: To preserve mental health, to save the woman’s life and physical health. Also in cases of rape or fetal impairment.
Women’s Issues: Women’s rights are protected by the government, though cultural habits mean that violence and harassment are still problematic. Nonetheless, women are well presented in all levels of business and government.
Guns: Some pistols, rifles, shotguns legal to own with permit.
Crime: Some violent crime in Madrid and Barcelona. Pickpocketing and other petty crime common in tourist areas.
Real Estate: Purchase of property is legal for Americans. Buyer inherits all unpaid debts on the property.
Life Expectancy: 80.05 years
Spain’s tough. Visas are not handed out willy-nilly unless they’re for students, family, retirees or spouses. Jobs are scarce and the government is not eager to see them go to foreigners, particularly those from outside the E.U. Freelance writers (or those who can produce documentation that make them appear that way), however, have an in. The wealthy, as usual, have it easy, too.
Note: Requirements for Spanish visas often vary according to applicant’s nationality, purpose of stay and other variables (e.g., having Spanish family members). Unless you are renewing or upgrading a residence permit, you must apply at the Spanish consulate here in the U.S. for the proper entry visa unless you fancy making a return trip. A Schengen (tourist) visa cannot be extended or converted in Spain. Once you arrive, you still must take your visa and apply for a Residency Permit/Card (Tarjeta de Residencia) within 30 days of arriving in the country at the Foreigner’s Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or local police station.
Schengen Visa: Maximum 90-day stay per 180-day period, no extensions.
Resident Visas/Permits are generally valid for one to five years and are renewable up to five years.
Residence Visa for Retirement: Must prove pension of a minimum of $10,000 per year and $1700 for each additional dependent.
Residence Visa/Work: Requires formal offer of work and not easy to come by in E.U., particularly in Spain, with skyrocketing unemployment.
Non-Lucrative Resident Visa: This means you have your own source of income and don’t require doing anything gainful in Spain except eat and sunbathe. Requires a minimum demonstrated income (pension, annuity, investment dividend, etc.) of $75,000 (plus $15,000 per dependent) annually.
Freelancer or Collaborator’s Resident Visa: Because Spain is an E.U. country, unless you have a direct connection with a Spanish employer, it may be hard to get permission to work in Spain. If you have a writing background, some American expats recommend you pursue this visa which is specifically designed to give legal residency to media professionals. You will need to provide documentation that you are representing an American publication (but you don’t need an actual contract, so just getting an editor or publisher to writer this on your behalf is enough) and that only you can carry out the duties you are assigned.
Student’s Visa: Per the usual requirements. Good for as long as you’re enrolled in an approved program of study or research.
Permanent Resident: Foreigners are generally eligible to apply after five years.
Citizenship: All legal residents of Spain can apply for citizenship after 10 years. Nationals of Latin American countries, Andorra, Philippines or Jews who can show proof of Sephardic ancestry are eligible to apply after two years. Descendents of exiles from the Spanish Civil War or those with Spanish family or spouse are also eligible to apply.
I live in a major city here with everything you need within a couple square blocks, whereas in the U.S. you have to depend on your car to get anywhere. Gas prices used to be much higher in Spain than in the States, but they are beginning to even out. Right now I’m paying €1.32/liter for diesel ($7.22/gallon).
I pay around €200 / year for property tax, €150 for vehicle tax and €50 for garbage tax. Three property tax references I have for the States are €3000/year, €7000/year and €30,000 year (two in California and one in Chicago), so here it is clearly a lot more affordable.
Drug prices are often less here. For example, back in the ’90s I was getting Depo-Provera birth control shots (don’t think that even exists anymore), which cost me $40 in the States and about $3 in Spain.
Years ago, it was really hard (if not impossible) to find things like peanut butter, flour tortillas, cranberry juice and all the other American comfort food we’ve grown up with, so I had my Mom send care packages so I could “survive.” Now you can get practically anything you are looking for—with the exception of sour cream—at reasonable prices. At this point, though, I no longer feel the need for most of that stuff anyway.
It took me a while to get used to the food here, especially all the canned seafood like cockles and mussels, clams and barnacles, plus a bajillion other things that were just plain weird. Meal times can be a bit tricky as well. I have no problem eating dinner at 10:00 or even 11:00 on weekends, but during the week I try to sneak a quick dinner closer to 8:00 or 8:30, which is unheard of here. I’ve tried all the things that people seem to love here—blood sausage, heart, kidney, lung, liver, brains, pig trotters, snout, sweetbreads and other assorted animal parts which I would never have considered food, and I just cannot seem to develop a taste for them. Well, blood sausage is actually pretty yummy if done right, but I just can’t do the other stuff.
Public transport in Madrid is very likely the best in Europe. The number of Metro stations has probably increased fivefold in the past 20 years, and the facilities and installations are state-of-the-art. Roads are generally good and plentiful, but a lot of local streets are full of potholes that get patched up occasionally, but then just turn to rubble a couple of months later.
Bureaucracy is no different from in the U.S.—it’s a lot of running around in circles, calling phone numbers that nobody ever answers, standing in long lines (only to find out it was the wrong one)...although it seems that things are getting a little better.
52. SwedenClimate: Temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, cloudy summers; subarctic in north Government: Constitutional monarchy Population: 9,088,728 Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK): 1 SEK = 0.15 USD Language: Swedish (official), Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities. Religious Groups: Lutheran (87%), other (13%) [includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist] Ethnic Groups: Swedes with Finnish and Sami minority; some Yugoslavs, Danes, Norwegians, Greeks, Turks Cost of Living compared to the U.S: Pricey |
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Daunting though it is in reality, many people dream of moving to Sweden. Some seek the ultimate social-democratic paradise. Others like the fact that everybody’s blonde. The weather can be a bit dreary, and the culture perhaps a bit unexciting to some, but everything works, there’s very little crime and the state sees to it that everybody’s basic needs are met. And unlike most of Europe, it’s not that crowded and still retains ample swaths of reasonably pristine nature. The downside to all this is that Sweden is not really that excited about having non-Swedes cutting themselves in on the deal. The major industries here tend to be technology-intensive (automotive, energy, telecommunications and pharma) and multinational (Volvo, Ericsson, Electrolux), and that’s good news for the highly skilled, since they have opportunities to come over, either on a job offer or by transferring over after securing a positing in the American branch first. Those with knowledge and credentials can fill posts at universities and technical institutes. Otherwise, marrying usually works and even having a Swedish boyfriend or girlfriend can be considered grounds to issue a residence permit. Self-employment permits are not easy. Established freelance journalists can swing it, but typically you need to present something that is documentable and sustainable—basically, a real business plan. Expect it to be examined with the same intensity as it would receive from a venture capitalist. Once you’re in, however, it doesn’t take long to establish yourself permanently.
Governance: Free and fair elections, independent judiciary, and a government strongly committed to respecting human rights and political liberties. Sweden has some of the strongest freedom of information laws in Europe and a thriving free press. According to Transparency International, a non-profit that monitors corruption, the Swedish government is one of the least corrupt in the world.
Infrastructure: Developed
Internet: Widely available; over 90% of Swedish residents have Internet access. Sweden enjoys one of the highest broadband penetration rates in Europe; hi-speed Internet widely available.
Healthcare: Sweden has a world-renowned public healthcare system that is considered one of the best in the world. Healthcare is available to immigrants who possess a residence visa. Small co-pays are required for some services. Private pay insurance is also available but most prefer the national healthcare system.
GDP: $354 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $39,000
Sovereign Debt: 40.8% of GDP
Working There: Some demand for advanced IT, banking and accounting, sales, marketing.
Regulatory Environment: Efficient, transparent, and designed to encourage small businesses and innovation. The World Bank Doing Business Index ranks Sweden the 14th best location in the world to start a business.
Taxes: Corporate: 26.3%, Individual: 54–61%, VAT: 25%. Residents taxed on worldwide income.
Cannabis: Illegal, somewhat available and usually discreetly consumed. Fines for small amounts, prison for large quantities. Note: consumption of cannabis is a crime in Sweden and police can make suspected users take a drug test.
Homosexuality: Legal; Sweden is considered one of the most gay-tolerant countries in the world. Laws prohibit discrimination, and same-sex unions (registered couples) and same-sex marriages are legally recognized.
Abortion: Legal without restriction as to reason (gestational limit 18 weeks)
Women’s Issues: Thanks to the strange case of Julian Assange, few people are unaware that Sweden has some of the world’s strictest laws regarding rape, domestic abuse, sexual harassment and gender discrimination in the world. Women are well represented in both business and politics. Small wage gap between men and women.
Guns: Legal to own some firearms. Strict licensing and storing requirements.
Crime: Crime rates are low in Sweden and violent crime is rare. Some petty theft in larger cities and on public transportation.
Real Estate: There are no restrictions on foreigners buying property in Sweden. Buyer must pay stamp fee that comes to 1% of purchase price. Financing is available from local lenders for up to 75% of purchase price. The average price for a one- or two- building building property is approx. $285,000. Prices are significantly lower in central Sweden.
Life Expectancy: 81.07 years
Sweden is not open to new residents and most Americans living there do so by dint of family or marriage. Failing that, bring some heavy skills, wads of cash or you’re likely to be disappointed.
Schengen Visa: Maximum 90-day stay per 180-day period, no extensions.
Residence Permit: Foreign nationals wishing to reside in Sweden for more than 90 days must apply for a residence permit. Applications must be submitted to Swedish embassy in country of origin. If you are already in Sweden, you must apply with the Swedish Migration board. Documents showing proof of employment, self-employment, or reason for remaining in Sweden (family, relationship, study, retire, etc.). If you are unemployed or retired, you must show proof of income (at least $1,100/month) and have a pretty compelling reason as to why they should let you hang around.
Work Permit: Offer of employment from Swedish firm required and earnings must be sufficient to support yourself. Employer must also provide information to Swedish Migration Board that position could not be filled by E.U. resident and other relevant data. Permit is valid for two years and in four years you can apply for permanent residency. Applications for work permits can be made online via Swedish Migration Board (see below).
Permanent Resident: Non-E.U. citizens are eligible for a permanent resident card (known as a PUT) after four years (not counting student years).
Citizenship: Minimum of five years continuous legal residency (not counting student years) and record of good conduct while living in Sweden.
Your official portal into the process of moving to Sweden and remaining there can be found here: www.migrationsverket.se
53. SwitzerlandClimate: Temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers Government: A confederation similar in structure to a Federal Republic. Population: 7,604,467 Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF): 1 CHF = 1.04 USD |
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Language: German [official] (63.7%), French [official] (20.4%), Italian [official] (6.5%), Serbo-Croatian (1.5%), Albanian (1.3%), Portuguese (1.2%), Spanish (1.2%), English (1%), Romansch (0.5%), other (2.8%) Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (41.8%), Protestant (35.3%), Muslim (4.3%), Orthodox (1.8%), other Christian (0.4%), other (1%), unspecified (4.3%), none (11.1%) Ethnic Groups: German (65%), French (18%), Italian (10%), Romansch (1%), other (6%) Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Ouch! |
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With its unbeatable standard of living and a sovereign currency that holds its own while surrounded on all sides by the mighty Euro, it’s not easy getting in on the world’s most neutral country. But if you’ve got plenty of money or an “in” at the U.N., a life of ski slopes and fine chocolates could be yours. Recent treaties and modifications have tarnished the country’s once-gleaming reputation for banking discretion, but as long as you’re not hiding your money, there are few safer places to keep it. For the young and brainy: the country boasts world-class higher education and research institutions (including the most badass atomic particle accelerator in the world) and while standards are high, tuitions, unlike almost everything else here, are a bargain by U.S. standards.
Governance: As free, democratic, and squeaky clean as they come.
Infrastructure: Developed
Internet: Hi-speed widely available
Healthcare: There is no state-run public healthcare service in Switzerland, and no reciprocal arrangements for healthcare with other countries, so health insurance is essential. Although all medical provision is private, it is heavily regulated by government, as is the health insurance system. All Swiss residents are required to take out basic health insurance within three months of arrival in Switzerland, the cost of which varies between cantons and insurance companies. All of which makes the Swiss healthcare system one of the best, and most expensive, in the world.
GDP (Per Capita): $42,900
Sovereign Debt: 38.2% of GDP
Working There: It is difficult to find a job in Switzerland unless you are employed by the United Nations, are posted there by an overseas employer or have specialist or technical skills that might be in demand in Switzerland, such as IT. Salaries are well above European averages.
Regulatory Climate: Efficient, transparent, and relatively easy to negotiate. You can start a business in Switzerland in under three weeks.
Taxes: Corporate 13–25%, Individual: 0–13.2% (federal), VAT: between 3.6% and 7.6%. Residents taxed on worldwide income (earnings from foreign permanent establishments and real estate are exempted).
Cannabis: Technically illegal, but enforcement is spotty
Homosexuality: Legal. Legally-recognized domestic partnerships. Some laws against anti-gay discrimination. Although the Swiss tend to be culturally conservative, there is nevertheless no real harassment or intimidation of gays and lesbians.
Abortion: Legal without restriction as to reason
Women’s Issues: Despite Switzerland’s sterling international reputation, the country is dogged by concerns about domestic violence. One in five women in Switzerland (especially immigrants) will likely experience sexual or domestic abuse. Despite laws against employment discrimination, advocacy groups contend that Swiss women are still underpaid compared to men.
Guns: No permit required for single-shot or semi-auto long gun. Most other firearms require Weapons Acquisition Permit. Permit required to carry concealed weapon.
Crime: There have been rumors that such a thing exists, but most Swiss have yet to witness any.
Real Estate: Legal residents with a Permit C have few restrictions on their ability to buy property. Other foreign nationals are restricted to holiday homes or designated investment properties and must receive approval from their local canton. Mortgages are available to residents usually with a 20%–40% down payment. Interest rates are below 5%. In some cases, property may not be sold for five years.
Life Expectancy: 80.85 years
Have a job, and offer to study at a university or a few mil in the bank. Otherwise, your stay will not exceed 90 days on their precisely-calibrated chronometers.
Schengen Visa: Maximum 90-day stay over 180-day period.
Residence/Work Permit: If you would like to prolong your stay or establish residency in Switzerland, you must apply with the cantonal immigration and labor market authorities where you hope to stay. Each canton has jurisdiction over immigration and labor policy. Permits are issued for short-term residence (less than one year), annual residence permits, and permanent residence permits (unlimited stay).
If you have a specific part of Switzerland where you would like to work or settle, consult the web page for cantonal immigration and labor market authorities: www.bfm.admin.ch
Student Visas are available, requirements are somewhat cumbersome, but if you’ve been accepted and enrolled at a Swiss university, you should be able to swing it, provided you promise to leave when your schooling ends.
Citizenship: Twelve years legal residency required and must have lived in Switzerland as resident at least three of previous five years prior to application. Depending on residence, you must be proficient in German, French, Swiss German, Italian, or Romansch. You must also possess sufficient knowledge of Swiss history, customs, and traditions. Note: In Switzerland, citizenship is not granted by the central government but by the authorities in the canton where you reside.
Life in Lausanne is incredibly beautiful and balanced. Great weather, refreshing lake, majestic mountains, flowery parks, cobblestone streets, authentic bars, efficient transportation, fresh food, authentic dining, super street musicians, tasty street markets, crunchy baguettes. The shops close on weekdays at 7 p.m. and on Sundays every dad goes to the park to play games with their children and all you can hear are bells.
The most difficult part of establishing residency in Switzerland is finding an apartment. You must be accepted by the agencies who control the apartment rentals, all of whom have dozens and dozens of other candidates. There are a lot of steps you need to take before you can even start to apply, and even after you apply it can take many months to be accepted. In many ways, the whole process can be a bit of a Catch-22. The best way to make the transition is to sublease an apartment for the first three to six months after arriving and while you are living there get your forms (housing permit, etc.) and start applying for apartments. This is nearly a full-time job and I have met people who took more than six months to find an apartment. It took us three months, while renting a one-room flat without a kitchen for $2000/month. The best place to find a sublet is the Swiss website anibis.ch. Craigslist-switzerland and petitesannonces.ch are full of scams. Don’t use them.
Everything is about as expensive as it was in Chicago. A two-bedroom apartment costs about $1300–2000+/month. Some things are much more expensive, such as meat which can be 10 to 20 times the cost in the USA. Eating out at a “sit-down” type of place will cost at least $50 for two people. If you have a drink, it can easily be more than $100. Public transportation is super and costs about $70/month. Owning a car requires a job that pays at least $100k/year unless you are very frugal.
54. ThailandClimate: Warm and tropical monsoon with temperatures averaging between 75 and 82 degrees. Three seasons: the cool season (November to January), hot season (April to May), and the rainy season (June to October). Government: Constitutional monarchy Population: 67,089,500 Currency: Baht (THB): 1 THB = 0.03 USD Language: Thai (official language), English is second language of elites, regional dialects Religious Groups: Buddhist (95%), Muslim (3.8%), other (1.2%) Ethnic Groups: Thai (75%), Chinese (14%), other (11%) Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Very cheap |
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The land of a thousand smiles, scuba fanatics and sex tourists has seen its fair share of political turmoil in recent years, though it doesn’t seem to have scared much of the expat community away. Not when a modern one-bedroom beachfront condo in Pattaya can be had for under $100,000 and $20 will buy you a nice dinner for two with plenty of change left over. Outside of late winter/early spring monsoon season and the occasional visit to a local temple, t-shirts and shorts are all you need.
Governance: The ousting of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a military coup in 2006 plunged the previously stable democracy into political turmoil. Due to the political unrest, Internet and press censorship are becoming common, and clashes between protesters and police are a frequent occurrence.
Infrastructure: Needs improvement
Internet: Broadband expanding out of cities and developed tourist areas. Connection speed slightly slower than in the West. Many Thai users still rely on dial-up access.
Healthcare: Adequate in most parts of the country
GDP: $580.3 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $8,700
Sovereign Debt: 42.3% of GDP
Working There: Teach English, volunteer.
Regulatory Environment: Overall, Thailand’s regulatory requirements are less costly and time-consuming than many countries in the region. Some corruption.
Taxes: Corporate: 30%, Individual: 5–37%, VAT: 7%. Residents of Thailand are taxed on worldwide income if money was derived during period of residency.
Cannabis: Strict laws but widely available
Homosexuality: Legal. No legal recognition of same-sex unions, No laws prohibiting discrimination. Thais in general are very tolerant toward gays and lesbians and there is a thriving gay scene in some of Thailand’s larger cities.
Abortion: Legal to save a woman’s life or to preserve mental or physical health. Allowed in cases of rape or fetal impairment.
Women’s Issues: Sexual harassment strictly illegal in both public and private sector and laws are enforced. There is a significant wage disparity between men and women. Domestic violence, human trafficking, and child prostitution are problems.
Guns: Pistols, rifles, and shotguns legal to own. License required. Strict limits on ammunition.
Crime: Low, except for the typical petty crime nuisances
Real Estate: Foreigners cannot own land in Thailand unless they invest an additional $1.3 million for five years in Thai government-authorized investments (such as government bonds). This restriction only applies to land and foreigners frequently and legally buy, sell, and invest in condos, especially in resort areas. Condo building must be over half Thai-owned and the money to pay for the condo cannot have been earned in Thailand. None of these restrictions apply to permanent residents and they are also commonly circumvented by forming a holding company. The transferring fee is 2% the registered value of the property and there is a .5% Duty Stamp from either the appraised value of the property or actual purchasing price, whichever is higher. These taxes can be paid by either the seller or buyer, depending on the agreement. If you are selling a property after fewer than five years, the tax rate is 3.3% of the selling or assessed price of an asset (whichever is higher).
Life Expectancy: 75.02 years
Very open to retirees. Investment visa requirements can be steep but if you’re starting a business the bar drops appreciably, though that’s more than made up for in your tax liability. Most freelancers get by on regular border runs.
Tourist Visa: Copy of round-trip ticket and proof of adequate finances for stay (approximately $500) required for one that’s valid for 60 days (one extension between 7–30 days allowed; most expats who don’t advance beyond this visa opt for a border run). Visa enables three entries into Thailand. For shorter visits, citizens of most Western countries are given a 30-day entry stamp upon arrival to Thailand via airline. Your return ticket must show that you will leave prior to 30 days to get this visa.
Investment Visa: Requires investment of 10,000,000 baht (approx. $330,000) in Thai bank. Valid one year, renewable.
Non-Immigrant Visa for Retirees: Must be 50 years or older and show proof of Thai bank assets of at least 800,000 baht (approx. $26,000) or monthly income of 65,000 baht (approx. $2,100). Valid one year, renewable, though retirees must report to immigration every three months to verify their address.
Non-Immigrant Visa: These come in many familiar flavors—employment, study, teach, conduct business, unite with family, etc. Documentation, such as letter of invitation from a sponsor, nature of the business you will conduct and business license, company profile, number of employees, shareholders, etc. Those coming with a letter of employment will still need to apply for a work permit, as well. Applicants must show proof of adequate finances (at least 20,000 baht, or approx. $667). Work permit and letter of approval from Ministry of Labor are also required (this is usually arranged through employer). Prospective business owners must provide evidence of financial status (if self-employed), and company information if planning on working with Thai firm. Valid for one year, renewable, but you must exit the country (simply crossing the border and returning will do) every 90 days.
Immigrant Visa (Permanent Residency):
Must have a total of at least three years on a Non-Immigrant Visa with three extensions.
Permanent Residency is granted on the basis of business (judged on the size and nature of the business), employment (three years valid work permit); investment (between $100,000–300,000 in property, government or state enterprise bonds, as a deposit in one or more Thai banks, and other investments in accordance with the specification of the Immigration Commission), expert or academic purpose (must have annual income above $10,000); supporting a family who are Thai citizens; being a dependent of a husband or father who is a Thai citizen; being accompanied by a husband, father or son/daughter who already has a residence permit.
Thai citizenship is seldom granted to those outside family and spouses of Thai citizens and most citizen functions and activities are open to Permanent Residents.
I moved to Thailand around 8½ years ago. I came first on vacation and fell in love with the place and wanted to spend time here long-term.
People aren’t running scared here like they are in the States. There is not a sense of impending doom that I feel when I am in the U.S. Politicians are generally not trusted or liked here, but the Thai people don’t rely on government to the extent that Americans do. Social services are minimal, and there is no Social Security after retirement. Family is the cornerstone of Thai society, and that’s where financial support is expected. Contrary to the States though, the children (specifically, the daughters) are obliged to support their parents and brothers.
Laws in Thailand are only applied if the police choose to do so. For instance, prostitution is illegal but you’d never know it walking into any one of thousands of bars where the bar girls make it abundantly clear that the customer can go with them for a fee.
Cost of living is significantly less here in Thailand. The only thing that’s about the same as in the States is gasoline. I drive a motorcycle most of the time, which is far more economical than the vehicles I drove in the U.S.
I speak enough Thai to get what I want, although not well enough to have a conversation. Here in Phuket, one has less motivation to learn Thai because it is a tourist area and many Thais speak varying degrees of English. The same goes for Bangkok. There are many places where understanding Thai is not necessary.
I have both an account in the U.S. that I can withdraw from using an ATM, and a Thai bank account. To establish my Thai account, I had to show a passport and address of residence.
Making a living locally is difficult (Thailand pays very poor wages), and dealing with cultural, political and religious differences can sometimes be a problem. Foreigners cannot “own” land in Thailand, but I do have investments in several properties. I have built and sold two homes.
Public transportation is adequate, affordable, and reliable. Stores are not always well-stocked, and customer service can either be very good or almost non-existent. Also consider quality of healthcare and sanitation (I am more tolerant of bacteria here after a few high fevers).
The Thai people are generally very friendly to Americans (as well as all foreigners) and accept us being there. The ladies and men are open to conversation and smiles are abundant. I believe that there is far less crime here, and I feel quite safe. I love it here, even with the frustrations of not always being understood and sometimes getting something different than what I’d expected. If you are impatient, demanding or short-tempered, Thailand is not the country for you.
After living there for 3½ years, I can say I’m a big fan of Bangkok. Once my friend showed me how easy it was to navigate Bangkok using the subway, skytrain and taxis (and how economical it was to use any combination of the three transportation venues) Bangkok became my favorite city in the world, replacing Singapore, which had been my favorite city since 1955.
Because I moved into the Lumpinee area, close to JUSMAG, the military compound where I received my U.S. Mail privileges (I am a retired military person), and also changed my lifetime VFW membership from Udon Thani to Bangkok, I attended their monthly VFW meetings, occasionally had lunch there and almost always attended their “Steak Night” function on the last Friday of each month. My furnished one-bedroom apartment only cost $270/mo, and had several acceptable restaurants within walking distance, as well as Internet cafés, a flea market, etc.
I’ve visited all the new super huge shopping malls, favoriting Paragon, Central World, Emporium, Esplanade, or MBK, and saw over 200 movies each year in the huge, clean, inexpensive movie complexes. There are over 200 restaurants, serving American or Continental food, as well as many serving Thai and Asian entrees.
I’ve become close friends with so very many Thais and farangs (including Americans) that owned businesses in Bangkok and more importantly befriended so many staff members that worked in restaurants, shops, stores within the malls and other Bangkok locations.
55. TurkeyClimate: Northern coastal region (Black Sea): cooler, more rain; southern and western coastal regions (Mediterranean and Marmara Sea), mild; central interior region (Anatolian plateau); cold winters, hot, dry summers. |
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Government: Republican Parliamentary Democracy Population: 76,805,524 Currency: Turkish Lira (TRY): 1 TRY = 0.66 USD Language: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek Religious Groups: Muslim [mostly Sunni] (99.8%), other (0.2%) Ethnic Groups: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Arabic, Armenian, Greek Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Generally cheaper; more so outside Istanbul and a few resorts |
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Fascinating, exotic, ancient but quickly modernizing, Turkey has plenty to offer those with the means to live there—and outside of Istanbul, it doesn’t take all that much. Technically part of Europe, its Islamic/Ottoman feel gives the place an aura more in line with what you find in the Middle East. Nonetheless, it’s a secular nation, and there is strict separation between mosque and state, though outside the cities, particularly Istanbul, and the resort areas along the Aegean and the Mediterranean (the “Turkish Riviera”), conservative cultural values prevail. The country’s desire to enter the E.U. means the government has great incentives to keep things chill. Though the law generally protects them, women and gays might still find the cultural milieu less than optimal.
Governance: Turkey’s candidacy for full membership status in the E.U. has been a catalyst for many reforms that have broadened democracy here. Recent elections have been judged to be free and fair, the military’s role in civilian affairs has been reduced, and torture and other forms of judicial brutality are decreasing. Government and judicial corruption is still widespread, stifling of media and free expression still goes on, and while freedom of religion and expression are matters of law, the treatment of the minority Kurdish population leaves much to be desired
Infrastructure: Developing rapidly. The Turkish government is giving high priority to infrastructure projects in the hopes of expanding the economy and achieving E.U. membership by 2014.
Internet: Approximately 44% of the Turkish public enjoys regular Internet access. Broadband penetration expected to reach 19% by 2012.
Healthcare: Turkey’s healthcare system is not as advanced as those in many Western European countries. Although the situation is improving, the funds allotted for medical and healthcare resources are insufficient considering the need.
GPD: $958.3 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $12,300
Sovereign Debt: 48.1% of GDP
Working There: Teach English, summer tourism jobs, au pairs. By law, foreigners cannot practice as: medical doctor, dentist, midwife, sick-attendant, pharmacist, optician, veterinarian and chemist, judge and public prosecutor, attorney, notary public, director at newspapers, or a member, representative, assistant or commissioner at the Stock Exchange. Foreigners are also forbidden from selling monopoly products. Recent unemployment is spurring calls for a further crackdown and more laws restricting the number of foreign workers in the country.
Regulatory Environment: Despite recent changes, regulatory procedures are still bureaucratic and inefficient.
Taxes: Corporate: 20%, Individual: 15–35%, VAT: 18%. Foreign residents are considered full taxpayers and are taxed on their worldwide income. Nonresidents are viewed as limited taxpayers and are only required to pay taxes on their Turkish sources of income. Professional tax advice is an essential requirement for every expat.
Cannabis: Illegal. Individuals found in possession of small amounts are fined, forced to attend rehab and undergo drug screenings. Additional offenses merit harsher penalties. That said, the stuff is everywhere.
Homosexuality: Legal. No recognition of same-sex unions. No laws against discrimination. There are open homosexual communities in Istanbul, along the Aegean coast, and in Ankara, though cultural biases are strong and homosexuals are often persecuted under vague morals laws. Tops need not worry; Turks only consider “passive” homosexuality as taboo.
Abortion: Legal up to 10 weeks, requires spousal notification, parental notification/authorization.
Women’s Issues: Women are guaranteed equal rights but culturally they are often treated as second-class citizens. Half the women under 15 do not attend school and there is large-scale discrimination in the workplace. Sexual harassment and domestic violence are not uncommon.
Guns: Rifles are illegal but shotguns permitted. A permit is required to own or carry a pistol.
Crime: Low
Real Estate: Americans can buy property in Turkey, as long as it is outside of village boundaries and other designated off-limits areas. These laws do not affect most city housing and those in resort areas such as Antalya where most expats choose to live. Although mortgages were once unavailable to foreign buyers seeking to purchase Turkish property, recent legislation has allowed local brokers to provide 30-year loans at varying rates (4–7%). Purchase tax of 1.65% is due upon the sale and a yearly property tax of between 0.1 and 0.3% is assessed. Individuals do not have to pay capital gains if they own the property for at least one year. Laws are slightly different for corporate owners and income property.
Life Expectancy: 71.96 years
Best chances of getting legal residency are to demonstrate that you’re there for business or cultural reasons. Retirees on a livable pension are also generally welcomed. Only those with a valid work permit or who are retired can bring an automobile permanently into Turkey. You can apply for a visa at your local Turkish consulate and then apply for a residence permit at the local police station during your first month in Turkey. Foreigners in Turkey on a tourist visa may apply for residency while in Turkey under certain conditions. Work permits are scarce (slightly more common in tourist-related industries) and there are many complicated criteria and certain types of employment (particularly medical, legal and financial positions) are off limits to foreigners. Academics, on the other hand, can work without a permit.
Tourist Visa: Can be issued at port of entry. Valid for 90 days.
Residence Permit: Foreigners who wish to stay in Turkey for more than three months are required to apply for a Residence Permit by filling out a Declaration of Intent form with the police. Applicants must have proof of financial capacity to meet basic standard of living. Preference is given to those who already hold a work permit or are the relative or spouse of someone who does. Residence Permits are issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and valid one to five years, renewable.
Student Visa: Valid one year. Get it before you arrive. The usual rigmarole prevails.
Work Permits: For applicants with an offer of work. Employee applies at a Turkish mission, submits an application form and a letter from the employer, and that employer files the rest of the paperwork to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. The procedure is very complicated and must be carefully coordinated between employer and employees. Academics who come to Turkey to teach at a university, conduct research or other scholarly activities are generally exempt. Those who come to Turkey to conduct business are also eligible but here, too, criteria are numerous and complicated. Generally, you’re expected to own a minimum of 20% of a company and generate sufficient income so it’s clear that the business is actually viable. Detailed requirements can be found on the Turkish Investment Support and Promotional Agency website: www.invest.gov.tr.
Citizenship: For those without family ties to Turkey, anyone wishing to apply for citizenship must have five years of legal residency, be self-sufficient, speak decent Turkish and be of satisfactory physical and moral health.
56. United Arab Emirates (UAE)Climate: Desert; cooler in eastern mountains Government: Federated with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates Population: 4,798,491 |
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Currency: Dirham (AED): 1 AED = 0.27 USD Language: Arabic (official); English is also spoken, along with Hindi, Farsi, Tagalog, Urdu, Malayalam, Russian, Tamil and others Religious Groups: Muslim (96%) [16% Shia], other [includes Christian and Hindu] (4%) Ethnic Groups: Emirati (19%), other Arab and Iranian (23%), South Asian (50%), other expatriates [includes Westerners and East Asians] (8%) Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: About the same |
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To maintain its status as the playground of the Muslim world, ultra-modern Dubai, in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates (which also includes Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain), imports 80% of its labor. That means Americans can earn living wages in various skilled industries such as IT, engineering, architecture, construction, business and teaching English. Although Dubai’s debt meltdown in 2009 may have put any future skyline-altering megaprojects on temporary hold, there’s still a lot of high-powered oil money oozing into the UAE. There is also booze, the largest shopping mall on earth, planned residential communities that come complete with canals, waterfalls, and nearly as much swimming pool area as living space. Next door in the more low-key Abu Dhabi, the Sheikhs have poured massive amounts of money into English-language publishing, often raiding large (but downsizing) U.S./U.K. media institutions for talent. Oh, and taxes? They don’t need no stinking taxes.
Governance: The UAE has the distinction of being one of the few countries never to have held an election in its entire history. They have no political parties. All power emanates from a band of sheikhs known as the Supreme Council of Rulers. Laws prohibit criticism of the government and other institutions by the media and individuals; large political gatherings are out of the question, as are labor unions. The government is run as efficiently as a corporation with a minimum of corruption. “Morally objectionable” Internet sites are often blocked. Just go about your business and let the government go about theirs and everything will be jake.
Infrastructure: Excellent
Internet: Hi-speed widely available
Healthcare: First-world
GDP: $199.8 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $40,200
Sovereign Debt: 44.6% of GDP
Working There: Opportunities in many skilled areas, from programming to graphic design, business, editing and publishing, marketing, architecture and teaching.
Regulatory Environment: Overall, the process of starting a business and obtaining the necessary licenses is straightforward and efficient. The UAE is dotted with dozens of Free Trade Zones that are laissez-faire capitalist utopias with no corporate taxes (for 15 years, renewable), no income taxes, no import/export taxes, no restrictions on foreign ownership and 100% repatriation of capital and profits. If you can’t make it here, you can’t make it anywhere.
Taxes: Almost none
Cannabis: Forget about it.
Homosexuality: Illegal; prison sentences common, death penalty possible.
Abortion: Only to save a woman’s life. Spousal and/or parental approval required.
Women’s Issues: Gender discrimination is widespread.
Crime: Very little
Real Estate: The emirates have relaxed laws restricting the purchase of property by foreigners. Property values are coming down in the aftermath of Dubai’s recent debt crisis, but prices are still quite high. Mortgages available from both international and local lenders.
Life Expectancy: 76.11 years
More than likely, you’re here to work, in which case most matters are taken care of on your behalf. Preference also seems to be given to disgraced icons of the Western capitalist oligarchy.
Other than tourists, visas/residence permits need to be applied for in advance (though again, this will likely not be your concern).
Note: In 2011 the UAE government shortened the validity period of Residence Permits from three years to two, though there has been talk of reversing this.
Tourist Visa: American citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 30 days. Round-trip airline ticket required.
Residence Permits for Partner/Investors: Issued to a foreign investor in partnership with a local. Minimum stake: around $20,000.
Residence Permits for Employment: There are versions for private sector and public sector employees. Employer must sponsor the visa and file the paperwork.
Student Visas are available, per the usual requirements (the University is basically your “sponsor”), but few pursue this path.
U.S. Citizens (tourist and business people) may apply to the UAE embassies in the U.S. for one-to-10-year multiple entry visas. A sponsor is required and the visa will be granted free of charge. Each stay, however, limited to six months, so it’s only good for snowbirds and those who go in and out on business.
Dubai is really an expat haven. I think there must be more expats here than any other place in the world. The work environment is exciting and people are extremely friendly. Since everyone is an expat, it’s an easy place to meet people and learn about different cultures. I have friends from Moldova, Turkey, Canada, Slovakia, Hungary, and England—a pretty diverse group.
Dubai is indeed the Las Vegas of the Middle East. Alcohol, clubs, bars are everywhere and parties are common. There are some restrictions that might seem odd. Like the fact that I have to get a permission letter from my company to actually purchase liquor at one of the state-owned liquor stores. However, there are no restrictions in the bars. Anyone can drink there. It’s almost like London or L.A.
Dating and relationships is taboo as a subject. In practice, everybody does it and it’s easy to meet people of the opposite sex. Most people who live in Dubai are not natives and are from many other countries. I met my wife here, through work. She’s not American which of course adds spice to the relationship. FYI, condoms and birth control are readily available.
We all travel a lot. Dubai is in the middle of Europe and Asia. I racked up 130,000 frequent-flier miles last year.
The summer is too hot. There is not much to do. But in winter things really pick up. The city has grown so much that traffic is a nightmare. The salaries for someone entry-level or mid-career-level might be low compared to the U.S., but everything is tax-free, so it usually equals out. People who are sent out here on expat packages really rake in serious cash. Once you have experience in the Middle East, most employers tend to try to keep you and pay a solid salary. The most expensive part about living in Dubai is housing. There is an extreme shortage of affordable housing, so most people share. I lucked out and secured a one-bedroom apartment.
Life has changed in Dubai over the past seven years. The housing bubble finally burst and the biggest expense in Dubai was halved in about three months’ time. This also meant a lot of friends were forced out of the country, because their construction jobs disappeared. A crisis makes you really learn a lot of things about expat life. It’s important one lives within their means or they could get caught out. I still live here, and we are still enjoying the tax-free lifestyle. I don’t know if we will be here forever, but it was definitely a good place to ride out the economic crisis. Our jobs are stable and we survived, all the while by still being able to travel and enjoy the great weather. The government has placed reforms here for business and UAE is really open for business. I have been seeing a lot more Americans here, especially the younger generation. I believe if anyone is looking for a really interesting place, UAE is definitely a place to come for a couple of years to get some experience. You will find that companies will be very open to hiring young energetic Americans and they will in turn find they will be able to quickly move up the corporate ladder which might be slower if based in the USA.
57. United KingdomClimate: Generally mild and temperate, though often dreary; weather frequently changes but extremes of temperature are rare Government: Constitutional monarchy Population: 61,113,205 Currency: British Pound (GBP): 1 GBP = 1.63 USD Language: English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland) Religious Groups: Christian (71.6%), Muslim (2.7%), Hindu (1%), other (1.6%), none (23.1%) |
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Ethnic Groups: English (82%), Scottish (10%), Irish (2%), Welsh (2%), other [includes Indian and Pakistani] (4%) Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Steep |
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Despite the hurdles and dreary weather, the U.K. (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, and the Guernsey Islands) is still a top destination for American refugees. Most head for London, one of the most expensive cities in the Western hemisphere, where you’d be lucky to score a single-room flat on the city’s periphery for $1,500 a month. Costs go down in the minor cities and in Scotland and Wales. Obtaining residency and work permits can be daunting but not impossible. Working under the table is hardly unheard of. Previously, Her Majesty’s Government did not tax income earned outside the U.K. and whatever island nuggets remain of the Empire, but that’s fallen by the wayside as the government desperately seeks to recoup revenue lost in the financial mania of the previous decade or so. And, with a bit of effort, the language spoken here is comprehensible to those raised speaking American.
Governance: United Kingdom is a Western-style democracy with a high level of political, religious and cultural freedom. Muslim minorities do complain of discrimination. There are also privacy concerns about the proliferation of security cameras—now numbering in the millions—that conduct constant surveillance on the population.
Infrastructure: Fully developed nation
Internet: Ranked 5th in the world for total number of broadband subscribers (18 million). 12th highest number of broadband subscribers per 100 inhabitants (29.5).
Healthcare: The National Health Service (NHS), funded through taxation, provides free or relatively low-cost medical care to U.K. residents. Overseas visitors from non-E.U. countries are eligible for free emergency treatment at NHS hospitals, but have to pay for inpatient treatment and other medical services.
GDP: $2.189 trillion
GDP (Per Capita): $35,100
Sovereign Debt: 76.5% of GDP
Working There: Difficult but there are some opportunities. If you have a background in healthcare, the National Health Service often needs administrators, social workers, physical therapists, nurses and other medical staff. Recent shortages in electronics, engineering, IT, and education. Americans also land jobs in media and advertising.
Regulatory Environment: Another top location to start a business. The British regulatory system is streamlined, efficient, and transparent; you can start a business in less than two weeks. The World Bank Doing Business Index ranks England the 4th best location in the world for setting up shop.
Taxes: Corporate 21%–28%, Individual: 0–50%, VAT: 20%. Residents who are domiciled in the U.K. are subject to taxation on worldwide income.
Cannabis: Although you may not be arrested for small amounts, you will get a “cannabis warning” and your name will be entered into the government’s Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) database. If arrested more than once, you may face a fine and possible jail time if arrested again.
Homosexuality: Discrimination based on sexual orientation illegal in housing and employment. Same-sex couples permitted to adopt children. Same-sex civil partnerships legally recognized since 2005.
Abortion: Legal on the basis of socioeconomic grounds, to save a woman’s life, physical health and mental health
Women’s Issues: Women are guaranteed equal treatment, though they could be better represented in the upper strata of business and government.
Guns: All firearms must be licensed (Firearm Certificate or Shotgun Certificate). Owner must provide valid reason for purchasing weapon (self-defense is not accepted). Extensive background check and strict storage requirements.
Crime: England’s violent crime rate is currently one of the highest in the European Union. Armed robberies, muggings, and other violent crimes have been on the increase (especially in London), despite strict gun control laws.
Real Estate: Foreigners are allowed to own real estate and mortgage financing is available. Property in the U.K. is outrageously expensive and with the pound’s relative strength vs. the dollar, few can afford it. Even with plummeting home prices in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the average home price still exceeds $300,000 nationwide. In London, it’s closer to $600,000. Property (in England and Wales) can be classified as only leasehold, which means that instead of owning it outright, you lease it for up to 99 years.
Life Expectancy: 79.92 years
Unless you’re one of those people with a natural ability to negotiate through government paperwork and bureaucratic language, the U.K. immigration system is considered one of the most complicated in the world. If you’d like to get a work permit, for example, there are 22 different “schemes” offered to would-be immigrants. On the plus side, the government has a very user-friendly website that walks you through each step of the process and explains the different types of visas and requirements (www.ukvisas.gov.uk). U.K. visas have a “visa enquiry form” on the official website which can be used to determine whether you need entry clearance as well as providing details of the nearest British post where you can make your application. Some of the schemes require work permits while others do not. For brevity’s sake we’ve included information about a couple of basic visa types below. Don’t expect an easy time of it but on the plus side, regardless of your status, if you can evade deportation for 14 years, there’s a chance you can stay for good. Oh, and be aware that you will need to submit to a biometric scan to get a any kind of long-term visitor visa. Then again, if privacy concerns are paramount, you should probably avoid the U.K. altogether since its denizens are some of the most surveilled people in the world.
Visit Visas: Americans are permitted to visit the U.K. for up to 180 days over a 12-month period without a visa. You have the option of extending your stay, but you must secure the approval of British immigration officials. Avoid extending your stay beyond the allotted six-month period. If you are discovered and British immigration authorities suspect that you are attempting to get a foothold toward legal residency as opposed to visiting, you may be permanently banned from the country for up to 10 years.
There is also a long-term visit visa than can be valid for one, two, five or ten years and allows multiple unlimited entries for up to six months for the duration of the visa. You must show a “frequent and sustained need” to come to the U.K. such as a business-related concern or family links. You must also provide evidence that you can support yourself while in the U.K.
Work/Investor Visa: If a British firm is willing to employ and sponsor you and you have all your paperwork in order, getting a permit to work and live in England shouldn’t be too hard. If not, you may find the process difficult but not impossible. For example, there is a program called “Tier 1 (General)” that allows highly skilled workers, professionals, and entrepreneurs to settle in the U.K. to look for work or develop possible business prospects. A points-based system is used to determine eligibility based on your age, work and financial history, education, knowledge of English, and other criteria.
If your application is accepted, you can live in the U.K. for a maximum period of two years while looking for work or trying to start a business and you can apply for an extension if needed. Unfortunately, sometimes the British government will cease issuing these Tier 1 visas for a period of time, so if you’re thinking about applying, check the webpage mentioned above to make sure the government is accepting applications. If you don’t think you would fit in this category of visa, there are several other work permit categories that offer work visas to individuals trained in occupations that are needed by the British economy so be sure and investigate all your options.
Passive investors (i.e., those who just write a check and leave the day-to-day operations to others) can score an Investor Visa with at least a million pounds “at your disposal” and three-fourths of this amount must be invested in a British company or various approved funds (known as “unit trusts”). Active investors can do the same for a mere 200,000 GBP invested in a U.K. business. The visa is good for three and one-third years and so long as your initial investments meet the minimum requirements you can apply for renewal. If your investment falls below the minimum amount due to market fluctuations you can still apply for renewal. Then again, if you’ve even read this far, you can probably afford the kind of professional assistance that would make this information superfluous.
Student Visa: For many Americans, their U.K. experience starts as a student. Acceptance at a university means a fairly simplified (relatively speaking) visa experience and even the possibility of part-time employment, internships, etc.
Permanent Residence: Known technically as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), this is available to spouses and domestic partners after two years, most legal residencies after five years, ANY legal residency after 10 years and any residency at all after 14 years.
Citizenship: There are various forms of British nationality (much of it a result of Britannia’s far-flung territorial possessions) and a slew of different contingencies but generally speaking, after five years of legal residency, the door to citizenship (at least the ability to apply, anyway) is open.
To live here, you should consider how long you can live without seeing the sun. Are you willing to pay an enormous amount for, well, everything? If you’re planning on driving, can you deal with narrow tortuous roads, going the opposite direction that you are used to, and tons of traffic? Does irreverence bother you? Are you willing to accept a smaller range of available food and produce? Technology that’s five years behind?
I’m happy I moved to London even if everything costs about 10 times as much and the weather can be dispiriting. The U.K. is attractive because it’s English-speaking, you get lots of U.S. music, films, books, TV shows, and news so you don’t feel that cut off, there are lots of Americans here, and, in London at any rate, it’s very cosmopolitan. The media climate is much better though—TV, though not what it was, is still better and we get all the best U.S. TV shows. Plus you can still get actual news. And there’s the theater of course. I feel more on the same wavelength and continue to meet people I like. Also, people here tend to have a more international outlook than people in the U.S. And the National Health Service is a big plus. For all its problems it’s great, plus it keeps private insurance prices down because there’s an alternative. A great pleasure is being able to get to France or Italy within two hours, or, even better, take a train to France.
As for minuses, it’s difficult to find workers who do things right instead of half-assedly. But there’s been a big influx of Eastern Europeans with a fierce work ethic, fortunately. Also there’s enormous amounts of litter and general dirtiness.
Americans here tend to fall into three categories: The corporate types sent over to do a tour of duty tend to congregate in St. John’s Wood, near the American school. If they’re corporate but childless, they tend to live in South Kensington, Chelsea, Belgravia—all very wealthy parts of London. There are the academics/media/creative who tend to live in not-so-affluent parts of London or in university towns. Often self-employed, they tend to be here for the longer haul. Then there are the expats who married a native or are independently wealthy.
Because of the sheer number of colleges and cultural institutions, London is in many ways the intellectual and artistic hub of Europe. On any given week, philosophers, filmmakers, scientists, politicians, historians, musicians, and artists are stopping through town, many giving free talks, cheap concerts, and world-class seminars for the general public. In London, I swear you could get a master’s level education just by showing up. I feel like my brain would atrophy living anywhere else.
A large chunk of your money will be spent on rent, but cheap housing is possible if you are flexible and have some time to look around, and tons of money can be saved on transport by getting used to riding a bike. London is trying hard to be a bike-friendly city, although it’s still a daily battle with buses and taxis. Cheap food is terrible but this only inspires one to cook, and farmers’ markets are a great way to get your produce and get to know British food culture.
The first apartment we rented was in a neighbourhood called Dalston. Despite its relative distance from the centre of London and scrappy appearance, we were living four people in a two-bedroom apartment to make it work, splitting a £360 per week rent four ways. The local area was amazing, with one of our favourite street markets on Ridley Road (with costermongers yelling ‘havalook! havalook!’), Turkish and Jamaican food on every corner, and a burgeoning constellation of small cafés and music venues. With one of the best venues for experimental music (Café Oto) and one of the trendiest summer parks just down the road (London Fields), it was just a matter of time before Dalston became the next Williamsburg. We now live in Islington, which is usually more expensive, but we found a great deal, off the books, through a friend. This is the key to finding cheap accommodation in London: never use an agent. You think they have a monopoly on housing in the city, but there is always a way around them. Although there is not so much to do or see in our little pocket of Islington, surrounded by mostly million-dollar flats, we are actually closer to school and paying about £600 (£300 each)—per month—to rent our room. That’s less than I paid in Los Angeles! Alas, the dream is over this fall, when the house gets renovated and we are chucked back out on the street looking for more of those mystical word-of-mouth opportunities.
58. UruguayClimate: Warm, temperate Government: Constitutional republic Population: 3,308,535 Currency: Uruguayan New Peso (UYU): 1 UYU = 0.05 USD Language: Spanish (official), Portunol, Brazilero (mixture of Spanish and Portuguese spoken on Brazilian frontier) |
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Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (47.1%), non-Catholic Christian (11.1%), nondenominational (23.2%), Jewish (0.3%), atheist or agnostic (17.2%), other (1.1%) Ethnic Groups: White (88%), Mestizo (8%), Black (4%) Cost of Living compared to the U.S: Cheap |
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It doesn’t offer the excitement of its neighbor Argentina, but little Uruguay has recently been catching the attention of bargain-hungry expats thanks to its fairly mild taxation system (with numerous areas designated Free Trade Zones), stable and democratic government and decent quality of life. Montevideo, Uruguay’s capital and largest city, was recently ranked as one of the most livable cities in Latin America, while along the coast, cheap beachfront property can still be yours. You’ll certainly be getting in before the rush. Not much in the way of work here, but if you can scare up a few hundred bucks a week, you can probably stay as long as you like. Oh yeah, retirees looking for a second passport can find one here, along with lots of other perks.
Governance: Free and fair elections. Constitutional guarantees of basic human rights and freedom of speech are generally respected. The judiciary is independent but the courts are often clogged leading to sometimes lengthy pretrial detentions. Although there have been abuses in the past, the country’s Transparency Law punishes a wide range of abuses by officeholders and has led to Uruguay becoming one of the least corrupt countries in Latin America.
Infrastructure: Semi-developed. Uruguay has made great strides in digitizing its telecommunications network. The country’s highway and rail centers are adequate but in need of investment. The current government is planning a variety of infrastructure projects.
Internet: Roughly 40% of residents in Uruguay enjoy Internet access but this number has been climbing in recent years. Uruguay ranks third in Latin America for broadband penetration behind Argentina and Chile. Hi-speed Internet is available mainly in the larger cities.
Healthcare: Uruguay provides healthcare to all its residents. Hospitals and clinics are available through the country and the quality of care is quite good. There are also private insurance options available that are far from expensive.
GDP: $48.43 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $14,300
Working There: Some IT, tourism, teach English.
Sovereign Debt: 56% of GDP
Regulatory Environment: Bureaucratic and time-consuming; compared to most other countries in Latin America, it takes longer to start a business and fulfill all necessary requirements.
Taxes: Corporate: 25%, Individual 10–25%, VAT: 22%. Residents not taxed on worldwide income. Non-residents must pay 2% net worth tax.
Cannabis: Possession of small amounts for personal use legally permitted
Homosexuality: Legal. Laws against discrimination, same-sex unions legally recognized.
Abortion: Allowed to preserve physical health or save life of mother. Permitted in cases of rape.
Women’s Issues: Laws against rape (including spousal rape), domestic violence, and sexual harassment. Women enjoy the same legal rights but Uruguayan courts have yet to litigate a gender discrimination case. Income disparities; on average men earn 30% more than women.
Guns: Permit required for all firearms. Concealed weapon allowed with permit.
Crime: Property crime is prevalent in Montevideo and other large cities. Recently, violent crime has increased, especially “Express Kidnappings” where a victim will be kidnapped at gunpoint and led to an ATM to withdraw funds.
Real Estate: Foreigners are allowed to buy property in Uruguay. Transaction costs generally average about 9% of purchase price. In Punta del Este, a beachside resort area popular among foreigners, apartments can be had for under $100,000. Smaller homes begin in the high $100,000s. Homes and apartments are significantly more affordable away from the fashionable areas and resorts.
Life Expectancy: 76.21 years
Uruguay has not experienced any kind of immigration rush and hasn’t erected many hurdles to those seeking a new life there. So unless you come across as a mooch or troublemaker, you’ll likely not encounter much resistance. The retiree package offers tax-free import of household goods and an automobile, and a passport to those who qualify.
Tourist Visa: U.S. citizens do not need a visa to stay in Uruguay for up to 90 days (extensions are available).
Residence Permit: There are many categories of temporary residence permits but the process is essentially the same. Applications must be filed with the Dirección Nacional de Migración (DNM). For example, if you plan on working in Uruguay, you must show a notarized letter from employer. Students must provide an acceptance letter from a university prior to arrival. The DNM will request proof of sufficient funds to stay in Uruguay. This is generally considered to be about $6000 a year but a little extra doesn’t hurt since applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who wish to stay permanently can apply for a permanent residency within six months of arriving in Uruguay.
Retiree Second Passport: Uruguayan law allows retirees to receive permanent residence and a Uruguayan passport as long as they can prove they receive a permanent fixed pension of over $18,000 a year, plus a $100,000 investment in real estate or other approved securities (or combination of the two). This is not technically citizenship and under the program, retirees cannot seek or take employment.
Citizenship: Citizenship available to legal residents after five years (three years, for families), with proof of self-sufficiency (if you don’t have a Uruguayan spouse, that is).
59. VanuatuClimate: Tropical Government: Parliamentary Democracy Population: 221,552 Currency: Vatu (VUV): 1 VUV = 0.01 USD Language: Bislama (Pidgin), English, French (over 100 tribal languages) Religious Groups: Presbyterian (36.7%), Anglican (15%), Roman Catholic (15%), Indigenous Beliefs (7.6%), Seventh-Day Adventist (6.2%), Church of Christ (3.8%), other (15.7%) Ethnic Groups: Melanesian (98%), other [including French, Vietnamese, and Chinese] (2%) Cost of Living compared to the U.S: Similar. Most manufactured goods including food are imported and expensive. Rented accommodation is also expensive. |
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Unless you’re part of Hollywood royalty and earning seven digits a picture, chances are chucking it all and putting down roots in Tahiti à la Marlon Brando might be out of your price range. That doesn’t mean life in a South Pacific paradise is beyond your means. A similar dream can be lived out on the equally charming island of Vanuatu at a slightly lower price tag and with more manageable entry hassles.
Governance: Free and fair elections, an independent media, and a government which shows a general respect for human and political rights. Critics complain that the judicial process is far too slow and prison conditions are poor.
Infrastructure: Typical developing nation
Internet: Less than 10% of residents enjoy Internet access. Wi-FI and DSL available primarily in developed urban areas.
Healthcare: Hospital accommodations are inadequate throughout the country and advanced technology is lacking.
GDP: $1.216 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $5,500
Sovereign Debt: N/A
Working There: Probably not
Regulatory Environment: Despite recent changes, the regulatory process remains complicated, somewhat costly, and burdensome.
Taxes: No income tax, no withholding tax, no capital gains tax, no inheritance taxes, or exchange controls. VAT: 12.5%.
Cannabis: Illegal; use and cultivation on the rise
Homosexuality: Legal. No recognition of same-sex unions. No laws against discrimination.
Abortion: Legal to preserve physical health and to save the woman’s life
Women’s Issues: Women enjoy equal rights under the law but still suffer discrimination in employment, credit, and wages. Laws against domestic violence.
Guns: Civilians can only purchase shotguns and .22 caliber rifles. License required.
Crime: Low
Real Estate: You do not have to be a resident of Vanuatu to purchase property and there is no capital gains tax on the sale of any real estate. All property in Vanuatu is leasehold. Most leases are for 75 years.
Life Expectancy: 64.33 years
Retire if you’re old, start a business if you’re young. Immigration policies are fairly liberal but don’t expect much in the way of work.
Tourist Visa: Residents of the United States with valid passport, return ticket home, and proof of sufficient funds do not require a visa for a short-term stay. Visitors are allowed to stay for 30 days with the possibility of extending a visit for up to four months.
The government of Vanuatu limits residency permits to investors, retirees, and employees:
Investor Visa: Vanuatu is interested in immigrants who will contribute financially to the country’s economy. If you invest anywhere from $60,000 to $1.2 million, you can apply for a residence permit ranging from one to 15 years. Renewal may be dependent on investment status and other considerations. Applicants must first obtain approval from Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority (VIPA). Consult: www.investvanuatu.org
Retirement Visa: Retirement permits are available to immigrants providing they can show proof of a monthly income of at least $3,500 per month that will be transferred to a financial institution in Vanuatu. Applicants must provide medical certificate, letter of authorization from Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority (VIPA), and document from local bank showing proof of monthly revenue transfer of approximately $3,500. Once awarded, retirement permits are good for a lifetime.
Work Permit: Permit required for all non-citizen employees to work in Vanuatu. Employer and Employee must apply to Department of Labour with copy of work contract and supporting documents showing employee experience and/or qualifications. The permit is renewable each year by Commissioner of Labour. Persons employed in Vanuatu qualify for one-year residency permit, renewable annually.
Student Visa is available, per the usual requirements.
Our story is a bit strange. We met a man a few years back when we used to go boating. At the time he owned a boutique resort in Vanuatu and was in the process of buying a small island. We got to know him and started investing. After a year of nothing really happening, my husband (Doug) went to visit Vanuatu. He was impressed with the country but thought that there really needed to be somebody on the ground here to get things going. So we packed up our life, Doug quit his high-paying engineering job and we headed on down. It took about six months to prepare for the journey, which I think is record time. We leased out our house, sold off most things and packed a 40-foot container with a Ford Excursion and furniture.
I think it is very difficult living outside the States but we have adjusted pretty well. We live on the island of Efate and it has everything we need. I had a really hard time getting used to shopping, Aussie slang among other things, and just being away from the real world. The majority of expats here are from Australia and New Zealand. There is quite a large community of Chinese and some Americans; mostly Peace Corps, Bible translators and pastors. My kids are learning to speak French, Bislama (local language), and of course a little Aussie, mixed with some Kiwi.
I really didn’t know what to expect but it has been an interesting journey. We have never done anything like this before but we don’t regret the decision. We also have two children, ages six and eight. It has been great for them.
There are banks here that are based out of Australia that we use for local bills. We also do online banking for U.S. stuff. I pay credit cards, mortgage etc. online.
We buy insurance that is good here but not in the States. It also includes medevac so if something serious arises they will fly you out. We have no U.S. health insurance so when we do come back for a visit we pay out of pocket. OUCH! We do our taxes every year since we do own property in the States.
About the only thing that is helpful to us is the Internet. We stay in touch with people and try to keep up with the current events.
60. VenezuelaClimate: Tropical; hot, humid, more moderate in highlands Government: Federal Republic Population: 28,814,843 Currency: Bolivar Fuerte (VEF): 1 VEF = 0.23 USD Language: Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects |
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Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (96%), Protestant (2%), Other (2%) Ethnic Groups: Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Cheap |
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Venezuela is home to the cheapest gas in the world, miles of beaches and lush rainforests. Getting behind the Chavez revolution is much facilitated by the fact that the professional and business classes have been fleeing the country and their jobs, leaving a vacuum to be filled by expat labor. So come thumb your nose at the Yanqui imperialistas from the safety of these distant shores, but keep in mind that “safety” in this case is relative: Crimewise, the rate, even by urban U.S. standards, is downright murderous.
Governance: Free and fair elections. Economy heavily regulated by government. Judiciary and other key institutions are strongly influenced by the Hugo Chavez-led Unified Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). Some censorship and government intimidation of journalists and independent media. Freedom of expression and academic freedom protected by law but in practice, threats and attacks by pro-government groups are not uncommon. Venezuela routinely ranks as one of the most corrupt countries in Latin America but let’s not forget who’s doing the ranking.
Infrastructure: Telecommunications good. Highways good. Rural roads unreliable.
Internet: Internet and broadband penetration lower when compared to other countries in the region. DSL is provided by CANTV, a state-owned subsidiary, which is slower and more expensive than other Latin American providers. You may need to rely on wireless or satellite.
Healthcare: Medical care at private hospitals and clinics in Caracas and other major cities is generally good. Public hospitals and clinics generally provide a lower level of care, and basic supplies at public facilities may be in short supply or unavailable.
GDP: $344.2 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $12,600
Working There: The post-Chavez brain drain of the professional and business class makes for more opportunities for people with skills than you’re apt to find in most of Central and South America.
Regulatory Environment: Stifling, bureaucratic, and lacking transparency; it takes over four months to start a business and fulfill all regulatory requirements.
Taxes: Venezuela relies on a progressive income for both personal and corporate income. Corporate taxes range from 15%–34% and personal income taxes range from 6% to 34% depending on income. Venezuela recently raised its VAT from 9% to 12%. Capital gains earned by non-residents are taxed at a flat rate of 34%. Residents of Venezuela are taxed on worldwide income.
Cannabis: In January 2004, Hugo Chavez decriminalized the possession of any “euphoric substance” for personal use; under 20 grams allowed.
Homosexuality: Legal. No nationwide recognition of same-sex unions. There are laws prohibiting workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation but no nationwide laws upholding gay rights. Despite great gains made by activists in Venezuela, culturally, many of the old taboos remain; police harassment and discrimination are common.
Abortion: Prohibited except to save a woman’s life
Women’s Issues: Women are well represented in business and politics. Cultural prejudices do exist; domestic violence, rape, and sexual harassment are not uncommon.
Guns: Under 2002 Disarmament Law, most firearms outlawed. Only non-military calibers, some shotguns. Strict registration and limits on ammunition and number of guns.
Crime: Venezuela has one of the world’s highest murder rates. There are parts of Caracas that police only dare enter in force. Political demonstrations often descend into violence. Property theft, armed criminal gangs, muggings, and “express kidnappings” in which individuals are taken at gunpoint to withdraw funds from ATMs are a problem. Narcoterrorism has rendered the Venezuela/Colombia border a no-go area.
Real Estate: Non-residents can buy property with a valid passport, tourist visa, and a Registro de Informacion Fiscal (RIF). These can be obtained from government tax authorities or through a local attorney. Buyers must pay a tax of 5% on purchase price.
Life Expectancy: 73.77 years
Piece of cake, although you might be suspected of being a spy or agent provocateur.
Tourist Visa: Tourist visas can be issued for up to one year, with multiple entries, though only up to 90 days per entry. Applicant must demonstrate they don’t intend to immigrate (proof of foreign address, bank account and employment).
Work Permit: Work permits are issued to individuals who are looking to work or conduct business in Venezuela. A company letter stating that the firm will pay expenses while in Venezuela is required. If you own your own business you will need to provide financial documentation showing that you have sufficient funds. The work permit is usually granted for one year with multiple entries. Renewable. Note: Artists, foreign correspondents of a news service, and professional athletes are exempt from Work Permit requirements, though they must register with the Ministry of the Interior and Justice which will establish requirements on a case-by-case basis.
Investor Visa: To be granted this type of visa, you must provide to immigration authorities a legally-attested document that you have made an investment that was approved by the government of Venezuela. This visa is granted for three years with multiple entries. After three years you must apply for a two-year visitor extension, and, if this is granted, you can apply for Resident status providing you meet the requirements of the Ministry of the Interior and Justice.
Fixed Income Visa: You must show proof of a permanent monthly income of more than $1,200 per month (plus $500 per dependent) from interest income, retirement benefits, or investments from outside Venezuela. This visa is granted for one year and can be renewed multiple times.
Student Visas are available for students attending university or technical schools in Venezuela. The typical requirements prevail. Valid for one year with multiple renewals allowed so long as you are pursuing your studies. Religious visas (one year, renewable) are also available. Venezuela also offers Business and Entrepreneur visas but these are of limited use since they don’t allow more than a six-month stay in the country at a time. Those with Venezuelan spouses or family can obtain one-year visas with unlimited extensions upon valid documentation.
Resident Card (Cédula): Foreigners with a valid visa can apply at the Ministry of the Interior and Justice for a separate Resident Card (Cédula). These are valid for five years and renewable. Holders receive a tax ID number and are eligible for social services.
Citizenship: Foreigners can apply for citizenship after 10 years legal residency. Spouses of Venezuelans are eligible after five years of residency and marriage. Spouses and dependents of visa holders are generally issued visas whose terms match those of the original visa holder.
61. VietnamClimate: Tropical monsoon Government: Communist party-dominated constitutional republic Population: 89,571,130 Currency: Liberation Dong (VND): 1 VND = 0.00001 USD Language: Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer, mountain-area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) Religious Groups: Buddhist, Christian, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, indigenous beliefs, Muslim Ethnic Groups: Vietnamese (85–90%), other [including Chinese, Muong, Tay, Meo, Khmer, and Cham] (10–15%) Cost of Living compared to the U.S: Cheap |
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Vietnam has forgiven all that napalming. In fact, the sons of some of America’s Vietnam vets are now slacking in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), working in Hanoi, or teaching English in the jungle. The living is cheap, the sun ever-present (except during monsoon season) and thanks to the French colonization of the 19th and 20th centuries, the cuisine and architecture are outstanding. Pollution and urban traffic (the two not unrelated) are high on the list of hazards. Most expats find life there ridiculously cheap, but if you’re locked into the local currency (the VND), you’ll suffer the consequences of the highest inflation rate in Asia.
Governance: While most American expats speak highly of their experience living in Vietnam, recent reforms have not scaled back the prevalence of big brother-style Communist rule. Many types of free speech (particularly criticism of the government) can result in arrest, the judiciary is often a rubber-stamp for the whims of party officials, and censorship is quite common.
Infrastructure: Developing
Internet: Approximately 10–12% of the population enjoys regular Internet access, a number the Vietnamese government would like to increase to 35% in the next year or so. Hi-speed Internet mainly in major cities.
Healthcare: Lacking. Facilities often do not meet Western standards, especially in rural areas. Although adequate for most minor injuries and illnesses, evacuation may be required for more serious conditions. Most physicians and facilities require immediate cash payment for treatment.
GDP: $278.1 billion
GDP (Per Capita): $3,100
Working There: Teach English. Some IT and business positions.
Regulatory Environment: The Communist bureaucracy has initiated reforms to stimulate private sector business, but the regulatory process is often opaque and can be time-consuming. Some corruption.
Taxes: Corporate: 25%, Individual: 0–35%, VAT: 10%. Worldwide income is subject to taxation (real estate transactions involving family members, remittances, and scholarships are exempt).
Cannabis: Marijuana is illegal in Vietnam, as well as most other social vices, though you could hardly guess that from walking the streets. Penalties are technically stiff, but the police seem to look the other way or will negotiate an informal “fine” paid on the spot. The big problem in this country is opium and heroin, so marijuana hardly registers on the law enforcement radar.
Homosexuality: Legal. No recognition of same-sex unions. No laws against discrimination. In 2002, homosexual behavior was deemed a “social evil” by one of the government’s media organs.
Abortion: No restriction as to reason
Women’s Issues: Laws prohibiting sexual harassment and domestic violence. Although there are laws granting women equal rights to men, women aren’t always given equal treatment and domestic violence remains a problem.
Guns: Illegal to own firearms
Crime: Low. Some petty crime in the cities.
Real Estate: Non-citizens cannot own land in Vietnam but can take out 50-year leases on plots of land and build their own home, or in some instances, purchase apartments in specifically designated developments. Mortgages are rare and most purchases are done in cash or gold.
Life Expectancy: 71.94 years
Vietnamese immigration have begun cracking down on the layabout expatriate class and restricting visas to people whom they feel have some connection to Vietnam or will otherwise contribute to the economy. Their ability to enforce that is another matter. Also, like everything else in this so-called “Communist” country, there is an industry built around pushing your paperwork.
Tourist Visa: Up to three months. Applicant must either apply by mail or go to nearest Vietnamese Consulate. You have the option of extending your stay once you arrive in Vietnam or make regular border runs.
Business Visa: This has been the easiest and most popular option but recently the government has cut back the maximum stay from six months to three months. Once approval has been granted, you can then apply online or through the Vietnamese embassy. The visa can be renewed three times before you have to leave and start the whole process again.
Work Permit: Takes a bona fide job offer and documentation that this job could not be filled by a Vietnamese national. Generally, the employer handles most of the details.
Temporary Residence Cards: After a one-year legal stay in Vietnam, you can apply for a Temporary Residence Card (TRC), valid for up to three years. Those without family here and/or without a work permit, functioning business or a substantial amount of money in a local bank and a Vietnamese sponsor, will find these hard to come by.
Five-Year Visa: American spouses and children of Vietnamese nationals can return to Vietnam and receive a five-year visa (technically, a visa exemption).
Student Visas are available and do not have to be applied for before arriving in-country. Even enrolling in a Vietnamese language school will make you eligible.
The cost of living compared to America is quite low. If you really want to you can eat hearty meals for about $1 and household items are consistently cheaper. The only deviation from the rule is typically with electronic items. This is changing however with a devalued VN dong and rising inflation. For example gas prices just increased by 24% and electricity by 15%.
In terms of infrastructure, roads linking cities are not up to good standard but slowly improving. Within the cities, traffic is a problem and the streets just aren’t made for the population they now handle. Coming from the L.A. area it’s no more a hassle here than it is there except if you are on a motorbike you are outside with all the exhaust and pollution. Internet is usually decent and no problems with access. You can go just about everywhere in the country and find a café with an open wi-fi network and particularly in the cities you are hard-pressed not to find wi-fi networks nearby you. Facebook is about the only issue expats rail against as Vietnam performs a “we don’t, but we do” type blocking. There are plenty of workarounds that get passed between blogs and Twitter so most people still access it. Unless you are keen on reading overseas Vietnamese anti-Communist websites there’s very little you can’t access. Cellphone service is great and the three major phone companies (Vinaphone, Mobifone, Viettel) operate on SIM card-style service where you can buy cards when you run low on funds. There is also 3G service here but it’s spotty and not as nice as it sounds when advertised from what I hear.
By product availability I would clarify that big supermarket chains like Metro provide nearly every imported item you could hope to find and smaller places in the big cities provide hard-to-find goods that they don’t.
There are most definitely English-speaking enclaves. District 2 has developed as a kind of expatriate hub. There is a range of speakers from basic to quite fluent in terms of speaking the local language. I would say the average is on the lower side in the cities with Vietnamese being a difficult language and city life not a good environment for learning it. There is a significant population of Americans.
District 1 offers lots of restaurants, cafés and bars catering to the international scene and this is where most people congregate but as mentioned above District 2 is slowly becoming an international enclave unto its own. Most Americans are here working and I believe primarily in business but there are still plenty of opportunities to be had for the traveler turned English teacher. I know some retired Americans who have come here because of family connections or historical connections (i.e. veterans) and have stayed.
If you live in Saigon or Hanoi then you can get by quite easily without Vietnamese (particularly in certain downtown areas). Even in areas with large tourist flow there is sufficient English ability among local Vietnamese (Hue, Nha Trang, Dalat, Can Tho).
Vietnam operates outside all the time. My neighbors are always sitting in front of their gates. We know each other’s names and about each other’s children and there is a sense of looking after one another too. I believe it’s easy to make friends but perhaps due to cultural limitations and language it is nice to have international friends to complement the Vietnamese friendships. On the other hand, my Vietnamese friends and the Vietnamese in general are some of the kindest people ever, going out of their way to assist in the little things.
Living in Saigon there is definitely a presence of crime like any big city, but I feel safer at night here than I would in, say, Los Angeles.
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Government: Take your pick Population: 7 billion Currency: Varies Language: All Religious Groups: All Ethnic Groups: Everyone Cost of Living compared to the U.S.: Depends |
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Getting Out doesn’t necessarily mean settling down somewhere else. If the journey is more important than the destination, or you feel like you need to always stay one step ahead of a cascading global collapse, or you simply don’t want to hassle with establishing long-term foreign residency, you can drop down, hook up your Internet connection, and hang out wherever as long as the hanging is good and your visa lasts. Some people chase the next scene, others opportunity and still others flee the crowds who have once again “discovered” the little gem you once had practically to yourself. There are dozens of networks of Permanent Travelers, Mobile Bohemians, Digital Nomads and other fellow Americans afflicted with wanderlust and dedicated to a life that is constantly on the move.
Just go.
Tourist Visa: All you need, if that.
For more information on nomadic living consult:
www.digitalnomad.org, www.ptclub.com, www.howsthewifi.com,
www.almostfearless.com, www.exilelifestyle.com
There are a whole bunch of us who live aboard our boats which are in “foreign” lands, er, waters. We “boat people” fall into two groups:
1) Retired geezers. They have homes in the States (or Canada) and who spend the winter in the Bahamas (or the Caribbean). Think of them as floating snowbirds.
2) Boat bums. Me, for instance. People of all ages, from 18 to 90-something. Some work, some are trust fund babies, some just hustle. A lot of people hustle jobs off the books, as work visas are scarce. Boat deliveries, carpentry, diesel repair and fiberglass repair are all available jobs for boat bums with a skill set.
Some marry locals and can then enter the local economy. Others, me again, exploit loopholes in the laws. I write software for a company in California. There is a work exemption in almost all the islands for “writers.” The point is, I’m not competing for jobs with locals, so no one cares what I do.
Clusters of these folks can be found in the Bahamas (Abaco), St. Maarten (world headquarters of boat bums), St. Lucia, and Grenada. The French bums cluster in St. Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique.
And yes, we all have our own boats. These can be surprisingly cheap. I almost picked up a 30-foot sloop for my son for $4000. That’s with Bahamian duty already paid! A friend just had a boat given to him by a fellow who has a new boat and didn’t want the hassle of dealing with the old one.
People without boats are suspect.
Most folks just rely on the standard tourist visa. When time’s up (usually three months), you just sail to another island.
As for living expenses, it’s a wash. When I visit the States, I find myself out spending money just to pass the time. This does not happen in the out islands! Food is a little more expensive, but manageable. I don’t eat out much. Fish are, of course, free.
You usually pay a permit fee for the boat. This ranges from free (the French, God bless ‘em) to $300 a year in the Bahamas. Anchoring is generally free, although St. Maarten is now charging a slight fee for anchoring in the Lagoon. Moorings are the next step up. More secure in a blow, but not free. These range from $10 a night in most places, up to $25 a night in the British Virgin Islands (ouch!). Needless to say, the BVI are not on my list of places to hang out.
Most of this community do not park at a dock. I do, at the moment, but it’s a special deal with a buddy. Marinas are expensive pretty much everywhere. Besides, marinas are like trailer parks (not this one, I’m usually the only boat here).
I try to make myself agreeable and entertaining, and find myself dining aboard yachts and in finer homes and restaurants. I’m not poor, nor am I a hustler, but I also will not turn down good food and company.
Supplies are not a big deal. Any island of more than 100 people has SOME kind of grocery/general store. Special boat parts can be a problem in the Bahamas. But a local will probably have a friend flying in or boating in from the States, and they’ll carry it in for ya.
Support networks consist mainly of the “dock bar telegraph.” I don’t do Facebook. I don’t think many here do. We just yak, and if somebody needs a hand or advice, it is offered willingly. Quid pro quo, but nobody keeps score.
During my senior year of high school I started getting interested in politics and Austrian economics, and the more I learned the more worried I became about the future of the United States. Back then the debt was only 11 trillion dollars, but it was enough to scare the shit out of me. For the next two years I was constantly thinking about the deteriorating state of the economy, the increasing debt, the rising prices of commodities, the continuing war on our civil liberties, the increasingly totalitarian laws being passed and that things would only be worse when I graduated. I needed to take action. After assessing my options I did what any sane individual in my position would do: I bought a one-way ticket to Mexico.
It’s also true that I wanted to see the world, experience new things and speak different languages. I joined an organization called WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms: www.WWOOF.org), which connects volunteers with organic farms, and went to work on a farm a few miles south of Cancún. Since I was in the area I decided to go to Cuba, and I symbolically chose Nov 2, 2010, election day in the U.S. as the day to go. After a month working on the farm, I realized that by teaching English I would be able to go almost anywhere in the world and find work, so I took a TESOL class in Oaxaca, Mexico. After the course was finished I returned home for the holidays and began thinking about where I would go next. I chose Colombia because it seemed dangerous and exciting, though I would later learn that most of the reports about Colombia being dangerous were just media hype. I wanted to leave right after the New Year.
I landed in Bogotá with the idea of staying there for a few months and teaching English. After two days of nonstop rain and cold weather I realized the flaw in this plan and moved on to Cartagena. I stayed there for a few days enjoying the beaches, but I couldn’t stand the heat and humidity so I left for Medellín.
I came to Brazil because my brother was visiting his friends here, and since we were on the same continent, I figured I would come and visit him. I would like to stay in Brazil for a while, but without citizenship or a special visa the longest I can stay in a year is six months. If I can’t figure out a way to stay here longer then I will start looking into the next country that I will go to. I like learning languages and immersing myself in other cultures, so I like to live in places where English isn’t widely spoken and there aren’t too many gringos around to ruin the experience. The next country I go to will either be somewhere in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia or Southern Africa.
I’ve been heavily influenced by Simon Black of SovereignMan.com and Grandpa of ByeByeBigBrother.com who write about the PT or Permanent Traveler lifestyle. If you haven’t already heard of Six Flags theory, this article explains it. (www.byebyebig-brother.com/pt_six_flags_theory.php). I think PT lifestyle is not only a way to escape the tyranny of the American government, but it is the best way to maximize freedom in this life.
The two flags that I am pursuing right now are the Citizenship flag and the Internet business flag. I’ve been living off of my savings for a while, but they won’t last forever and I need to find a way of making money that is consistent with the lifestyle that I want to live. I tried teaching English but ultimately I gave up on it because I realized that the income I could earn from teaching would never be enough to pay for immigration lawyers and the other things I want in life. So now I’m focusing my energy on building an online business that will provide me with passive income and free up my time to pursue my other projects.
I love the Toward because of the way it has revolutionized the way we can connect to each other. I can find people with whom I share a very specific common interest. For example, www.rooshv.com. His writing on Colombian and Brazilian women influenced my decisions to travel there, and now that he’s in Poland, he’s got me thinking about going there as well. Another expat nomad I follow is www.exilelifestyle.com.
Unless you’re a mercenary, dedicated humanitarian aid worker, or hardcore journalist, you can easily scratch these 10 names off your list of countries to consider:
The country has been without a central government for over two decades, been ravaged by civil war, separatist schisms, drought, famine and more than a few issues with an international piracy industry. Generally considered the “most failed state” by international experts.
If political violence, corruption and the worst poverty on planet Earth suits your taste, this sunny, dusty land is for you.
Poverty, periodic outbreaks of brutal bloodshed, and famine land this country year after year on the failed state list. The recent secession of South Sudan has international observers talking about an entirely new concept: the pre-failed state.
Rich on paper (thanks to abundant resources) but abjectly poor in practice, the people of Africa’s most populous country have been living a nightmare of war and human rights abuses, not to mention disease, famine and the usual blights, killing as estimated 45,000 people or so per month.
Already an international basket case, thanks to U.S. meddling, internal corruption and the worst poverty in the Western hemisphere, a devastating earthquake in 2010 delivered a knockout punch from which the country has still to recover.
Poverty, unemployment, medieval human rights abuses and AIDS. There is some optimism that the 2009 unity government can pull the former colony of Rhodesia out of its tailspin, but you’d probably want to give this place a few years of wait-and-see.
The traditional graveyard of empires has a few thorny problems to work out between NATO, the resurgent Taliban and various warlord/druglord factions before its stunning natural beauty and ancient culture can be appreciated.
Poverty, political instability and widespread violence and torture add up to your typical post-colonial horror.
Though President Barack Obama announced the end of all combat operations in Iraq in 2011, the killing continues apace.
If intractable civil war is your thing, this is the place for you.