Several years later and you’re still on the move abroad… are you addicted to expat life? If these telltale signs are true, it’s time to admit you’re a serial expat.
1. Your passport is an adventurous read
You have wings, not roots, and your passport pages prove it. Even your dog’s passport has more stamps than the average tourist but who’s counting anyway.
2. Your furniture and home decoration are a testimony of where you once lived
A couch from South Africa, carpet from the Middle East, artwork from Brazil, blankets from Scotland. Home is everywhere.
3. You’re a master at packing up and unpacking your house
Excel sheets, checklists, customs forms, bubble wrap: No worries, you’ve got this, ninja style.
4. You always crave that dish you can’t have
Because that one restaurant is located on the other side of the world. Or that one ingredient is just not available where you live now.
5. You have to save money to attend the weddings you’re invited to
They take place in all corners of the world.
6. Your friends are scattered all over the globe
And you dream of having them all together in one place some day. Maybe you should get married and have a wedding.
7. You forget which side of the road the cars drive
Left, right, right, left, you lost track a while ago. Best to go with the flow – and remember to look both ways when crossing the street.
8. You keep track of what goes on in all the countries you’ve lived
Politics, economy, gossip from around the world: it’s a day job. In fact, you’d make a great reporter. Anyone know if CNN has any vacancies?
9. You are an unofficial ambassador of your ‘home’ country – and the ones you’ve ever lived in
Again, it’s practically your (second) day job: making business connections, joining embassy events, explaining local customs and comparing political party viewpoints. Why isn’t anyone paying you for this?
10. Your parents think you work for the CIA
And you should be (see #8 and #9).
11. You can answer the question ‘where are you from’ in less than 30 seconds.
Although, it could easily take 10 minutes because where you live now is not where you lived before, nor is it where you were born nor where your passport’s from. What was home some years ago is not home now, and what is home now will not be home some years from now. Ain’t nobody got time for that, though.
12. You don’t know who to support in the World Cup or Olympics
Passport country? Current country? Country you spent most time in? Partner’s home country? Kids’ home country? Pets’ home country? Sigh. May the best team win.
13. You include words from several languages into one sentence
Some things are best described with that one word that just doesn’t translate. But that’s just an excuse – in reality your brain just can’t juggle it all anymore.
14. You easily adapt your English verbiage and accent as necessary
Pavement/sidewalk/footpath, toilet/washroom/loo, jersey/sweatshirt/jumper, dummy/pacifier/soother – you have ’em all down. It’s just that your parents now think you speak with an accent.
15. You know it’s of utmost importance to befriend someone with access to international shipping perks
There are some places even top online shopping platforms doesn’t deliver. Hello Embassy staff!
16. You list all your past addresses and dates you lived there in a special document
Someone needs to keep track.
17. You pray your children will not apply for the foreign service
And have to answer questions such as ‘list all foreigners you’ve been in contact with’. At least you’ll have #16.
18. You fear the day you have to get a certificate of good conduct from all the places you’ve ever lived
And make sure it’s certified, with all the right stamps and then some, and also translated by an official translator. Again, at least you’ll have #16.
19. You have to track bank accounts in various countries
They come in handy all the time.
20. You’re a master in converting currencies
Pound, dollar, euro, rand, metical, dirham; divide, multiply, add, subtract. You have a phone app that does it marvelously well.
21. You have a bag full of change from different countries
You’ll use it… some day.
22. You met some of your best friends through Facebook
Thanks and hallelujah to the makers of social media!
23. You realise it isn’t the easiest life you’ve chosen
The goodbyes, the hellos, the making new friends, the finding of new accommodation, the selling of stuff, the buying of stuff, the breaking of stuff by the movers, the stuff that gets hijacked by customs, the stuff that isn’t allowed into the new country, the new jobs, the new languages, the settling in, the getting bored, the having to leave too soon, or not soon enough.
But you wouldn’t want it any other way.
The original article was posted here.
TheMIGroup – Are your employees prepared for their relocation to Africa?
Given the broad cultural, political, language, and religious diversity within Africa, proactively implementing mobility best practices can help mitigate potential issues and ultimately ensure assignment success for both the employee and the corporation.
The African continent remains an emerging market for many industries and global organizations. As the need grows for more companies to conduct business in Africa, so grows the need for them to have teams of employees working there on the ground. Due to the nature of the skills required, rarely can the necessary talent can be locally sourced, so companies must rely instead on their ability to relocate members of their global workforce to Africa on both short-term and long-term assignments.
This is not an easy task. Regardless of location, an international relocation assignment can be complicated by any number of issues that may arise. However, relocation within the various regions of Africa is acknowledged as the most challenging in the world. Thus, it is critical that both the employer and the relocating employee are well-informed and well-prepared about the process prior to their deployment.
Since the countries and regions within the continent are quite diverse, companies are urged to structure policies and decisions on the specific area where the employees will be located. Although this article addresses Africa in general terms, it is important to note that as in all relocation situations, there is not a one size fits all solution to every issue.
Let’s examine the fundamental policy components that are vital to ensuring your employees are prepared for an international assignment to Africa.
The most obvious first component is immigration. The immigration processes throughout the world seems to be in a constant state of flux, with changes occurring sometimes overnight. As this process is quite an arduous one, it is critical for companies to work with a reputable global immigration firm that will act as a trusted partner and will advocate on their behalf and guide them and their employees through the rigid, complicated process. Global immigration firms are aware of the constant changes that affect the immigration process throughout the world, so their knowledge about the nuances involved can be invaluable. Otherwise, if handled incorrectly, the immigration process can become an operational nightmare that is tied together with layer upon layer of red tape.
Delays, while oftentimes unavoidable, still translate into additional costs for the company. Projects can get sidelined as employees are unable to gain legal entry into the country, and are subsequently unable to successfully begin and complete the assignment.
Cultural Training
Without a doubt, one of the best reasons to accept an international assignment is the opportunity to explore a new culture. Yet, cultural training is highly regarded as a necessary ingredient to best prepare the employee for a new work environment. Statistics show that there is a direct correlation between the cultural training and assignment preparedness that the employee receives pre-departure, and the success or failure rate of that assignment.
Not only does cultural training help employees understand the local culture where they will be living and working, but it can also prove to be an important tool for preparing employees to work on multi-cultural teams. In many cases, the global team (in Africa or anywhere) will consist of employees of varying nationalities, languages, and cultures. For team members to best work together and effectively communicate with one another, it is helpful to have training that addresses the multi-cultural work environment.
The ideal cultural training should include the information and skills needed for living and working within a specific country or region, in combination with training that encompasses the ability to work on a multi-cultural team.
Language Training
Africa is a continent of high linguistic diversity, with an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 African languages spoken there. Apart from those languages, French is the predominant language that is spoken throughout many African countries. This can pose quite a challenge for English-speaking employees.
Language barriers often come into play both in the employees’ ability to communicate with each other, and in their ability to communicate with locals in the region. Implementing a language program that addresses informal and business requirements are vital to ensuring assignment success.
Safety and Security
Another key component when moving employees into Africa is identifying and implementing an emergency and evacuation plan. While this policy component is a best practice to have in place with all international assignments, it is essential within Africa given the pockets of political, cultural, or religious unrest across the continent.
While companies obviously can neither prevent nor predict emergency situations, they do have a duty of care when it comes to the safety and wellbeing of their employees who are traveling and working in foreign countries.
As such, corporations are wise to take a proactive approach by educating employees of potential risks that they could encounter while living and working in a specific area or region. Presenting a detailed emergency and/or evacuation plan can provide the employee with peace of mind, while ensuring they know the appropriate measures to take should the need arise.
Additional Considerations
Conclusion
All relocations have their share of challenges, but they also offer unique opportunities and experiences. Many employees see international assignments as a great way to advance their career, while employers recognize the value in developing their employees and ensuring that they have the right talent in the right place at the right time.
Given the broad cultural, political, language, and religious diversity within Africa, proactively implementing mobility best practices can help mitigate potential issues and ultimately ensure assignment success for both the employee and the corporation.
Source
Immigration – Focus on Mauritius
Mauritius is strategically situated in the Indian Ocean, mid-way between the developing continents of Asia and Africa, and Australia. It is a member of the commonwealth and is associated to the EU as ACP member state. It is also a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Mauritius is a safe and pleasant place to work and live and offers a unique lifestyle, which combines traditional island living with modern facilities and amenities. The success of Mauritius as an Investment location is developing apace and the Government is investing large sums for the continuous upgrading and modernisation of overall infrastructure and support services.
The Non-citizens (Employment Restriction) Act 1973 stipulates that a non-citizen shall not engage in any occupation in Mauritius for reward or profit or be employed in Mauritius unless there is in force in relation to him a valid permit and he engages in occupation or is employed in accordance with any condition, which may be specified in the permit. The Act also stipulates that “no person shall have a non-citizen in his employment in Mauritius without there being in force a valid permit in relation to that employment”.
Employers wishing to employ an expatriate in Mauritius have the following options which best reflects the nature of his/her employment in Mauritius: Occupation Permit; Work Permit; and Exempt From Permit.
23 signs you’ve turned into a ‘serial expat’
Several years later and you’re still on the move abroad… are you addicted to expat life? If these telltale signs are true, it’s time to admit you’re a serial expat.
1. Your passport is an adventurous read
You have wings, not roots, and your passport pages prove it. Even your dog’s passport has more stamps than the average tourist but who’s counting anyway.
2. Your furniture and home decoration are a testimony of where you once lived
A couch from South Africa, carpet from the Middle East, artwork from Brazil, blankets from Scotland. Home is everywhere.
3. You’re a master at packing up and unpacking your house
Excel sheets, checklists, customs forms, bubble wrap: No worries, you’ve got this, ninja style.
4. You always crave that dish you can’t have
Because that one restaurant is located on the other side of the world. Or that one ingredient is just not available where you live now.
5. You have to save money to attend the weddings you’re invited to
They take place in all corners of the world.
6. Your friends are scattered all over the globe
And you dream of having them all together in one place some day. Maybe you should get married and have a wedding.
7. You forget which side of the road the cars drive
Left, right, right, left, you lost track a while ago. Best to go with the flow – and remember to look both ways when crossing the street.
8. You keep track of what goes on in all the countries you’ve lived
Politics, economy, gossip from around the world: it’s a day job. In fact, you’d make a great reporter. Anyone know if CNN has any vacancies?
9. You are an unofficial ambassador of your ‘home’ country – and the ones you’ve ever lived in
Again, it’s practically your (second) day job: making business connections, joining embassy events, explaining local customs and comparing political party viewpoints. Why isn’t anyone paying you for this?
10. Your parents think you work for the CIA
And you should be (see #8 and #9).
11. You can answer the question ‘where are you from’ in less than 30 seconds.
Although, it could easily take 10 minutes because where you live now is not where you lived before, nor is it where you were born nor where your passport’s from. What was home some years ago is not home now, and what is home now will not be home some years from now. Ain’t nobody got time for that, though.
12. You don’t know who to support in the World Cup or Olympics
Passport country? Current country? Country you spent most time in? Partner’s home country? Kids’ home country? Pets’ home country? Sigh. May the best team win.
13. You include words from several languages into one sentence
Some things are best described with that one word that just doesn’t translate. But that’s just an excuse – in reality your brain just can’t juggle it all anymore.
14. You easily adapt your English verbiage and accent as necessary
Pavement/sidewalk/footpath, toilet/washroom/loo, jersey/sweatshirt/jumper, dummy/pacifier/soother – you have ’em all down. It’s just that your parents now think you speak with an accent.
15. You know it’s of utmost importance to befriend someone with access to international shipping perks
There are some places even top online shopping platforms doesn’t deliver. Hello Embassy staff!
16. You list all your past addresses and dates you lived there in a special document
Someone needs to keep track.
17. You pray your children will not apply for the foreign service
And have to answer questions such as ‘list all foreigners you’ve been in contact with’. At least you’ll have #16.
18. You fear the day you have to get a certificate of good conduct from all the places you’ve ever lived
And make sure it’s certified, with all the right stamps and then some, and also translated by an official translator. Again, at least you’ll have #16.
19. You have to track bank accounts in various countries
They come in handy all the time.
20. You’re a master in converting currencies
Pound, dollar, euro, rand, metical, dirham; divide, multiply, add, subtract. You have a phone app that does it marvelously well.
21. You have a bag full of change from different countries
You’ll use it… some day.
22. You met some of your best friends through Facebook
Thanks and hallelujah to the makers of social media!
23. You realise it isn’t the easiest life you’ve chosen
The goodbyes, the hellos, the making new friends, the finding of new accommodation, the selling of stuff, the buying of stuff, the breaking of stuff by the movers, the stuff that gets hijacked by customs, the stuff that isn’t allowed into the new country, the new jobs, the new languages, the settling in, the getting bored, the having to leave too soon, or not soon enough.
But you wouldn’t want it any other way.
The original article was posted here.
NIS: Many foreigners have obtained PVCs for Edo election
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) says intelligence at its disposal has revealed that many foreigners in Edo state are in possession of permanent voter cards (PVCs).
David Adi, comptroller of the service in Edo, said this while addressing leaders of the Nigerien, Malian and Chadian communities in the state.
Adi warned foreigners in the state to stay off Wednesday’s governorship election.
“Intelligence reports available have it that many foreigners in the state are in possession of the Nigerian permanent voters card (PVC) with a view to using them for the election.
“No foreigner is allowed to participate in the election because it is for only Nigerians. The Nigerian Immigration Service will not tolerate any attempt by any group of foreigners to truncate this election.
“Any foreigner caught with a PVC will not only be prosecuted but will also be repatriated. We want this election to go down in history as the most transparent, credible and freely-conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“We have resolved to assist INEC to succeed; there is a synergy among security agencies to ensure that the Edo governorship election is free, fair, credible and conclusive.
“Every polling unit in the 18 local government areas will have an immigration officer and they have been deployed to man polling units and are well trained to fish out any foreigner.”
Source