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Negotiating an expat contract in Melbourne

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Submitted by germanborn on
Destination: Melbourne

My company has offered me a 3-year expat assignment in Melbourne (moving from New York City). The company is relatively small and I am their first expat. Therefore, there is no standard expat contract and me and the HR VP have to negotiate it from scratch. I have done a lot of research, but was hoping to get some advice on a number of things that could become sticking points:

Do I need to apply for a South African ID number?

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Submitted by Daria_Ras on
Destination: South Africa

I am about to move to SA with my husband and dog. We both have business visas. I am wondering about what identity document we can use to e.g. buy a car or rent a place. Is our passport with visa enough or do we need to apply for ID number in SA? 



I don't seem to find any information about this online. Thanks for any help.



Daria

What difficulties can we expect when moving to Sweden?

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Submitted by Sarem on
Destination: Sweden

Hello everyone! 

My husband has received a job offer from a Swedish company and was planning to move in there with me. They would be applying for his work visa, as we are in an Asian country.

His employer is recommending that he come alone at first and call me later after a period of 6 months. They are saying that it is time consuming to find good house arrangements, make all administrative work with banks etc.

I would like to know your opinions regarding this topic. Will there be any difficulties in moving in and setting up if both of us come together?

Recommendations needed regarding living and working as a woman in Saudi Arabia.

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Submitted by Seraphina on
Destination: Saudi Arabia

I'm seeking advice regarding the simplest way to get a job as an expat in Saudi Arabia. I have no education other than the equivalence of a high school diploma, and what I seek is advice regarding what the easiest and fastest way for me to become an expat in Saudi Arabia might be.



I'm capable of getting a bachelor, but seeing as how I'd like to move within the next two years, it might be difficult for me to complete a bachelor's degree in time. Also, I have no idea what kind of degree would be best for me to get regarding getting a job there.



Schools for 17 year olds in Toronto with British curriculum?

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Submitted by Waitinffortoronto on
Destination: Toronto

Hoping to move to Toronto next year from UK but oldest son will be 17, halfway through A-Levels.  Has anyone done this, have any advice?  He is very keen on modern music and is an excellent guitar player.  Would love a high school that catered to his interest in this but worried this might all be too disruptive... Cheers for any input.

Primary schools that cater for ADHD children in Wellington

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Submitted by AmandaR on
Destination: New Zealand

My daughter has ADHD and has been coping in a mainstream school in South Africa with small classes. I am struggling to find schools like this online in Wellington.

Can anyone recommend specific schools in Wellington that cater for kids that may need a bit of extra time and attention? She doesn't have any learning difficulties.

Thank you!

Work permit for trailing spouse in Taiwan

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Submitted by terrall22 on
Destination: Taiwan

I will be moving to Taiwan in 1 month, as a trailing spouse (my wife is doing an expat assignment).  My company is interested in having me work remotely from Taiwan while I am there, and I'm trying to understand how to go about the work permit for my specific situation.  It's a bit different, as I'll be living there either way, and I'm not taking a Taiwan-based job.  Seems like it should be a no-brainer for Taiwan...

Any advice on schools in Barcelona?

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Submitted by sit1975 on
Destination: Barcelona

HI - Am considering relocating to Barcelona as result of my employment.  I have 2 boys aged 8 and 12 and wanted to ask peoples advice on schooling in Barcelona.  We won't move until Summer 2019 so they'd enter Y5 and Y9 in UK system if so. Welcome any advice on state system and private/independant also.

What are the benefits of public or international schools in Brussels?

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Submitted by Magnusmolb on
Destination: Belgium

Hi

We are moving tom brussels in January and are looking for schools for our children 10 and 5. We are lloking at both public and international/private schools. What is best? We will be stayhing in Brussels 2-3 years.

thankful for ur replies

Magnus

Thinking of relocating to Malta - do we need visas?

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Submitted by bigvee19 on
Destination: Malta

Hi, we are thinking of relocating to Malta.  We are uk citizens (born). We are aiming to be permanent in 3-4 years. In the meantime we want to get the process started. What do we need to do eg do we need visas, if so what permanent or residency?. We plan to work as well so will we need ID cards “NI” numbers?. We’re  thinking however of perhaps looking to rent an apartment in the near future on a long let so we can come over whenever until we fully relocated. Can we do that as obviously the property wouldn’t be occupied full-time.

Will I be eligible for a visa for Qatar?

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Submitted by kulrahul2000 on
Destination: Qatar

Hi,

I worked in Saudi Arabia for two years and back to India without collecting the NOC and permanent exit. It’s been more than two years now. And now, I got a job offer from Qatar and willing to move there but before applying for visa I want make sure that I will get Qatar visa or not because of no proper exit from Saudi Arabia.

I will be looking for kind help by having suggestions or comments from the experts and experience people here.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Rahul

Is moving dogs to Houston difficult?

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Submitted by evpooole1 on
Destination: Houston, TX

Hello,

I'm planning on moving to Houston with the family next year and had a question regarding dogs.  I have two big dogs and wanted to know how dog-friendly the city is.  Can you walk your dogs in places other than designated dog parks? Are there any national parks where you can walk dogs off lead/leash.  Finally, have you moved with your dogs and how have they coped with the heat in summer?  We currently live in the countryside where most dog walks are off lead/leash.

Will my cats have a good quality of life in Taipei?

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Submitted by jenniejam74 on
Destination: Taipei

Hi everyone!

My husband and I are possibly moving to Taipei in 2019 and will be bringing our two beloved cats with us. I’m hoping to get some information on what life might be like for them? Are cats liked/tolerated ok in the city? We would be likely living in an expat community, close to friends and colleagues. My cats are my family so I’m hoping they can have a happy life along with us, if we move. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this-any help or info would be greatly appreciated:-). 

Old Vietnamese Bank Notes - Worthless?

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Submitted by poet on
Destination: Vietnam

My brother was in Vietnam over a decade ago and didn't get to spend around 8 million in these 100,000 notes before he left.



They were forgotten but turned up again recently, so, I took them in case I happened to visit Vietnam.

I arrived at HCMC Airport today and, when trying to buy a bus ticket to the airport, was disappointed to be told that those notes are no longer valid.

Would anyone know if there any mechanism to exchange old Vietnamese notes, as the Bank of England does in the UK?

Are homosexual and transgender people safe in Dubai ?

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Submitted by Shizumi on
Destination: Dubai

In 2018, is it safe for homosexual and transgender people to live there ? Do you think things are changing ? I recently heard some people saying it’s very safe and laws have changed, and some outdated articles says it’s illegal (I can’t find a recent one), so I don’t really know...

What can I expect from the job market in Cambodia?

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Submitted by jrdwyer3 on
Destination: Cambodia

Hello,

Looking to move to Phnom Penh in the coming months. What is the process like for expats to enter the work force once they have arrived in Cambodia. Is there a job market available once a work visa has been attained?

What would be the best way to look for a job once arriving in Phnom Penh?

Thank you,

Josh

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