TOP 5 EXPAT FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS TO RELOCATE

Generally, when people choose to move from one location to the other, it is mostly considered to transition from average living to a better way of living in an upcoming or established metropolis. However, people choose to relocate these days opting to chase their dreams, pursue various growth opportunities and have a peaceful and happy lifestyle outside the country borders. Expats looking to emigrate from their homeland, tend to prefer weather conditions which are more favourable in comparison to the weather condition back home. When it comes to choosing a desirable country to relocate to; people prefer moving to exotic places or the ones with a decent high standard of living. 

Already confused as to which countries are both the best and expat friendly? Read our handy list of countries you could choose from to relocate to next. 

1) PORTUGAL 

Portugal claims the title of being one of the most welcoming places for expats. The expats living in Portugal, claim that it is one of the happiest in comparison to any other country as the locals are not only friendly, but they also look after expats as their own natives. Almost 4 out of 4 expats describe the Portuguese as welcoming people. 

2) TAIWAN 

The country of Taiwan strikes the wonderful balance when it comes to expat living. Not only is it less polluted but it is a lot friendlier and chipper in comparison to other east Asian countries. Taiwan ranks for its accessibility to expats and a variety of geography, outdoor culture and delicious food. Expats staying in Taiwan claim it to be a home away from home and welcoming for them. 

3)MEXICO 

When it comes to Mexico it ranks on 87% in terms of friendly attitude towards expats and close to 39% of expats feel that they are likely to stay forever in Mexico. Leaving the home country for a better work/life balance is a primary motivator for many expats for moving abroad. Many expats use the communication infrastructure in Mexico to work remotely for their organizations. Apart from this the cost of living is much lower than most of North America and hence one work’s less, and good food and better living. 

4) COLOMBIA 

Emeralds and tropical landscape are some of the best reasons one would want to move to Colombia. Apart from this it also has a strong economic outlook, where the GDP growth of Colombia is expected to reach 3.5 percent in 2022. What directly means that the country is likely to host more skilled manpower in the days to come. And hence the inflow of more expats and a health expat friendly destination for people. 

5) BAHRAIN 

The expat ration in the population that makes up Bahrain is close to 55%. This allows people from different culture to come together and work from different cultures. Not only is Bahrain rich in culture and authentic Arabic food but it is also not compulsory to learn Arabic to move around and communicate in this country. 

** The data is collected from Expat Insider’s report released in September 2017 and Business Insider

EXPAT WEALTH - THE JOURNEY

Growing Your Wealth 

When you're abroad, you may have new opportunities to add to your wealth. So how do you make the most of this situation? Living overseas can offer brand new experiences that just aren't available at home. This includes additional options and considerations for managing both your life and your wealth. 

You may find new opportunities that could help your wealth grow. However, you will still need to balance this potential against the risk and volatility of any investments you may already have - the value of your assets may fall as well as rise, particularly if you're looking to invest in emerging or more volatile markets. You'll also need to consider flexibility - for example, how you hold assets should you move from one expat posting to another. 

Plan For Growth 

"In practice, your wealth-management strategies should be tailored to your individual goals" 

Growing wealth through investment is about being able to afford to ride out short-term ups and downs for the prospect of long-term returns. This is a wealth-management principle that applies to everyone. The trade-off for higher potential long-term returns, for example, tends to be greater risk. Invest on the basis of these principles, but within the context of your individual needs. So in practice, your wealth-management strategies should be tailored to your individual goals. If you're investing in order to generate an income to fund your children's education your assets may need to deliver enough income to pay higher fees later on at school or university. You'll also need to consider the risk of currency fluctuations, since the fees could be charged in a different currency to your investment. If, on the other hand, you're investing for retirement that is still some years off, your time horizons may be much more long-term. 

Manage Your Wealth 

How you organise your assets is a crucial element of good expat wealth management. If you're going to change location regularly, you may end up with your wealth spread across different countries and currencies, and subject to different tax regulations. This may make it difficult to manage and pass on in your inheritance. So where should you hold your investments? 

You could choose to leave each investment in the place where you made it, managing your assets as a portfolio held across different countries. Alternatively, you could choose to use an international financial services provider that makes it easy for you to access and manage your finances wherever you are in the world. In part, the right answer will depend on your long-term plans. Do you intend to return home eventually to retire? Do you expect to be moving soon? You'll need to consider these issues and others such as convenience, flexibility and the impact of potential currency fluctuations. 

Think Ahead On Tax 

Tax planning is vital for expats. You must understand the rules of the country in which you live - but also in any other countries where you hold assets. Depending on the country you're living in, there may be many tax-planning options open to expats. But consider your choices carefully: taking advantage of a specific tax efficiency solution today may not make sense if you'll be moving on shortly or, if you're planning to retire in your home country in the near future. 

You should also consider the tax situation in any jurisdiction where your finances are situated. There is the possibility that you could be paying tax unnecessarily on the same income more than once. For example, the two countries where you hold wealth could have a Double Taxation Treaty (DTT) in place to prevent this situation. In a global environment of increased tax transparency between governments, this is increasingly likely to be the case. 

You will also need to consider your future plans, for example if you plan to move home and repatriate your wealth, and how this may be influenced by your tax situation. You should seek professional advice from a tax specialist to ensure you fully understand your tax obligations and the options available to you. 

All-Change? 

As an expat, you will most likely encounter new opportunities for growing your wealth. Equally, your circumstances are likely to change over time - you may marry, have children or move to a new country. The value of investments (and any income from them) can fall as well as rise and you may not get back what you invested. For some investments this can also happen as a result of exchange rate fluctuations as shares and funds may have exposure to overseas markets. Investing should be seen as a medium to long-term proposition of at least five years. HSBC does not provide tax advice. The value of tax treatment will depend on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future. Tax rules differ from country to country. If you're unsure about your tax commitments, you should get professional advice. It's your responsibility to disclose your income to the tax authorities.

Handy Vehicle Moving Tips For Your Upcoming Move

Relocating your car from your old home to a new one can be a costly task. Not only it is time consuming but also tricky when it comes to different vehicles. The stakes double up especially when you are moving interstate or inter-country. Whether it is your usual SUV or an exquisite BMW, we understand the sentiments you have with your car. Shifting a vehiclefrom one place to another is not just about getting them on a trailer, self-driving them or getting it towed away, it is a lot more. 

Whether you are moving a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler, it might seem easy to simply drive it to your new home. Considering the distance and the fuel you’ll use to drive through different states, It can definitely end up heavy on the pocket and become a costly affair. Don’t forget to factor in the costs you’ll pay to transfer the paperwork and licenses to new state or country. Plus, more importantly the time factor is important too, which could have been otherwise used to plan a holiday or relax a bit in the new city. 

Hence, the safest bet could be moving with a professional vehicle relocation company. Not only do they have a special covered car trailers to transport your cars to your desired destination which ensure that the vehicles are safely carried to their destinations. But also, the vehicles are picked up from the customers home/office and delivered to the desired place as per the customers’ requirements. 

While you choose to move in with a professional relocation company, we give you few handy tips for a smooth vehicle moving experience. 

Preparing Your Vehicle Before Handing It to the Experts 

• 1. Ensure that the car battery is fully charged to retain through the length of the sea journey.
• 2. Ensure that the fuel-tank is below the minimum level for safety reasons.
• 3. Deactivate any alarms in the car to avoid unnecessary battery drainage.
• 4. Check the destination country’s/city’s climate and whether if you would require coolant or anti-freeze for it.
• 5. Remove all accessories to ensure utmost safety.
• 6. Check for any fluid leakage before handing the car to the vehicle relocation partner.
• 7. Keep a duplicate set of keys handy while moving.
• 8. Always ensure that you submit original PUC (Pollution control certificate) and duplicate signed copies of RC, insurance certificate with Voter id card or Aadhar card for easy vehicle relocation experience with the relocation company.

TIPS FOR MOVING WITH PETS

Moving can be stressful, so just imagine how anxious it can be for your pets. They can easily get stressed out when there's an unexpected activity at home or when they're introduced to a new environment. Pet can become just as stressed about a move as we are – as soon as you begin packing, they can start feeling unsettled. Plus, moving to a new place can cause a lot of anxiety and tension.

Well, it is quite obvious to ensure the well-being of your flurry friend while moving them with you. However, there are so many things to consider while shifting your pet. Along with the packing and moving of household as well as commercial goods, there are pet delivery service companies, which offer safe, reliable and economical pet transportation services.

At PM Relocations, we understand your love and concern towards your dog, cat, etc. Your pet’s care and comfort are important for us and at every moment we’ll treat your flurry friend like one of our own. Our team comprises of deft and experienced people who are expert in pet handling and local & international pet moving process. We are passionate about the care and welfare of the pets with all possible arrangements to make this experience as stress-free as possible for you and your cherished friend.

We facilitate and supervise easy transit of dogs from India to anywhere in the country. We will take of all the required veterinary procedures and check all the required travel documents to make your friend ready for transport. Additionally, we also check every legal document regarding your pet moving process . Since, there are so many regulations you have to go through while transporting dogs abroad. We follow strict rules and make sure that the relocations is in accordance with the all the regulations. Also, our experts will advise you the best way to transport your lovely friend and about the requirements in advance needed for your specific destination. However, the choice depends on you for choosing us, so you can be relaxed and assure that your pet is in good hands.

We have listed some moving tips which might be useful when you move with your pet!!

Do’s & Don’ts While Moving Neighbourhoods

Ready or not, whether you are moving around the world or across the street; moving is definitely one of life’s most stressful tasks. But the good news is that with just a little bit of planning a lot of last minute frenzy can be avoided. Here is our do’s and don’ts guide to help you avoid the last moment confusion. 

Do’s: 

• Start planning in advance
• Hire trusted packing and moving professionals
• Always notify the surveyor for any special requirements pertaining to pets/ piano/ bikes/ plants etc
• List down the items you would want to keep in storage while moving
• Pack important documents etc in a hand carry baggage to avoid losing them
• Pack at least a day’s clothes and other necessities such as toiletries, snacks etc to open when at your new home
• Declutter/ discard unnecessary items which you don’t plan to take along to avoid misunderstandings while packing
• If you are planning to pack few boxes yourself, make sure that you leave them open for the supervisor to check them. Otherwise such boxes are labelled as ‘PBO or Packed by Owner’ which can create problems with the custom authorities and with insurance companies.
• Go through each documents/checklist prior to moving to avoid confusions
• Fill in insurance values of your household goods as correctly as possible for easy claim processing
• Always reach out to your dedicated relocation consultant to clarify any doubts and concerns during the movement

Don’ts: 

• Avoid carrying liquor and other liquid items such as oils, juices, liquid soaps etc as they can damage the shipment due to spillage
• Avoid packing jewellery, expensive watches, money, coins or stamp collection along with the shipment as they cannot be insured for transit
• Carrying expensive silverware, ivory, animal skins, antiques, narcotics and psychotropic substances are strictly prohibited as per law
• Avoid taking books, periodicals, maps and literature banned/prohibited or detrimental to the interest of your destination country
• Packing perishable items is strictly non-advisable
• Any country specific restricted items would be advised by your dedicated relocation consultant during your move.

Extra Moving Day Tips

• Do not let your moving company leave your old home without checking each room to make sure large items haven’t been left behind.
• After you’re finished moving, carefully check the moving truck to make sure nothing was left onboard.
• You can’t be in two places at once. Make sure you have a responsible packers team overseeing the moving process in either your old or new home.
• Please remember to tip your logistic company team, especially if you feel as though they did a good job. They did a lot of physical work on your behalf, saving you a ton of time, potential injury, and fatigue during an already tiring process.

Hire trusted packers and movers

Moving from one place to another is the most tiring and hurdle task. If you are moving from one location to another, then it is suggested to hire the best movers and packers and prepare well for a smooth and hassle-free moving experience. Previously, the moving task was the most daunting one. But, today there are countless professional packers and movers relocation services in India, available to make this work simpler and smoother.

Japan & Singapore Tops The List Of World’s Most Powerful Passports!

Yes, you read it right Japan and Singapore, two Asian countries are stepping up neck-to-neck with their European counterparts when it comes to dominating the World’s most powerful passports list. After all its not just the colour of the passport or the pages inside it that distinguishes it from country to country but the access to different countries which makes it special and powerful. Whether one is looking for preferential rights such easily walking through the customs or getting an easy access to visa upon arrival, all the passports have something unique in them to present an upper edge to their natives. 

According to the latest reports by Henley Passport Index, published in February 2018, Japan and Singapore tops the list of world's most powerful passports. Giving their citizens access to enjoy visa-free access to almost 180 destinations from around the world. Often wondered whether it was the colour of the passport which makes it more special, then we have some interesting fact for you. It is not the colour but the legal ties of the country from the passport is obtained that dictates the visa-free movements of its citizens. 

If you are one of those who are constantly relocating across borders on global assignments, then this list helps you identify the number of countries which is accessible to you. Here is a closer look at the top 10 world’s most powerful passports along with bottom 5 powerful passports in 2018: 

Top 10 

Rank 1 : Japan and Singapore | Can access 180 countries 

Rank 2 : Germany | Can access 179 countries 

Rank 3 : Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Sweden and South Korea | Can access 178 countries 

Rank 4 : Portugal, Austria, United Kingdom, Norway, Luxembourg, Netherlands | Can access 177 countries 

Rank 5 : Canada, Switzerland, Ireland and united states | Can access 176 countries 

Rank 6 : Australia, Greece and Belgium | Can access 174 countries 

Rank 7 : Malta, New Zealand and Czech Republic | Can access 173 countries 

Rank 8 : Iceland | Can access 172 countries 

Rank 9 : Hungary | Can access 171 countries 

Rank 10 : Latvia | Can access 170 countries 

Bottom 5 

Rank 101 : Somalia | Can access 32 countries 

Rank 102 : Pakistan | Can access 30 countries 

Rank 103 : Syria | Can access 28 countries 

Rank 104 : Iraq | Can access 27 countries 

Rank 105 : Afghanistan | Can access 24 countries 

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EXPAT GUIDE FOR MOVING TO SWITZERLAND