Questions and Answers Forum

I have sent some money over to Malaysia to open an account as aparently I had to do that. The account has been opened and the money i sent over to open the account is in the account however when I try to transfer my money back (not all of it) they say I owe taxes on it. Is this correct as the money I earned here in NZ and only sent it over as they insisted I needed to, to open the account but I don't understand why I have to pay taxes on it.

I've been living in South Africa for the past few years, but would still like to vote in the fast-approaching 2012 US elections. How and by when do I request an absentee ballot?

I can work anywhere in the world - but only if the internet quality is good enough to talk via skype. I would like to visit Forteleza - i was considering the Quality Hotel - it has internet access advertised, i would need to work during US office hours via the internet using Skype and email. I need to be on a timeline that allows me to work Chigaco EST hours. I depend on the Internet for business so its a critical requirement for me. A survey suggested Brazils internet was 35th ranked in the world due to heavy usage of an infrastructure that needs to grow.

I am a resident in Albufeira but work for a LTD company in the UK, no sales revenues are received/conducted in Portugal, US based and UK websites provide company revenues. I work daily from home in Portugal via the Internet, answering emails, skype conferencing, technical support for US based customers and writing software etc. I never perform transactions of any kind on Portugese soil.

Hi. I am looking for an international bank account which I can use dollars in but have a Scandinavian (not Norway, btw) address. Know any good ones? The website here has great advice for using one, but doesn't offer any suggestions of actual names. Thanks!

I have my Spanish residence visa and now I would like to buy a car with which to get around Spain. I'd prefer to buy from a private seller, as I don't have a huge budget. Can anyone recommend some online listings or print publications that can point me in the right direction - I'm based in Madrid.

Are the French really as rude as they're rumoured to be? I'm thinking about spending next summer there, and I'm worried about being made to feel like an outcast.

Where are the best places to live in Moscow of working in the city centre. I assume I'll have to live in an apartment, as houses seem only to be in the far suburbs.

Hi All, I am newbie to the forum...native of India..will appreciate if any of you guys help me out with the below query. few days back got an offer from one of the firms in Abu Dhabi.

My husband is working as an engnieer in Ras Laffan, Qatar in a technip company. He is living in camp, but his room is not so bad. Do you think i can live with him there? I'm thinking about this, but my dad was working in Qatar before, and he told me that it is not allowed for women to live in this compound. It is only for men. Is this correct? I really miss my husband, and I want to stay with him.

 

I am currently working as a Global Purchasing Manager living in Indiana. I am being asked to move to China to run our China office and continue with my current duties. I am tryin to find what is normal as incentive/bonus for moving to China. I have hear everything from 10-30%. any advise?

Hi, I would like to know is it really necessary to hire a immigration lawyer/ consulting firm to file papers to secure work permit. I would have all the papers, made available by my employer, so could I proceed myself? Especially if the papers work in clean or do I still need a middleman to manage the home affairs dept.? When I inquired with a leading immigration agency, they quoted me fee which is 4 times of actual amount charged by the home affairs. Is it really so high or there are plenty of service providers in this arena?

It is looking likely that we may be moving from Seattle to Chengdu for work and I am wondering if anyone knows of a move from the states involving bringing dogs. I have the feeling it will complicate things greatly, but the idea of not bringing them is completely heartbreaking.

My family and I have been in Austria since August and my wife is having a baby in about a month (beginning of Jan). We still haven't recieved our e card and we are being told we have to pay for the birth out of pocket. My employer says it's because we had to recieve our Visas first. The govt offices we have contacted said we DON'T need a Visa for an e card, just proof from our employer that I am working in Vienna. Please let me know what is the truth so we can be properly advised when dealing with the birth of our child. Thank you very much, Jon

I would like some advice on what I can do with regard to a Managed Savings and pension account that I took up with Royal Skandia when I was working in Botswana. I believe I was misled into believing that it was a savings account which would grow over the years. In fact, this account has been losing money over the 6 years that I have had it. Now that I have decided to surrender it, in fear of it losing all the money that I am hoping to save for my retirement, Royal Skandia have taken more than half of the money I have saved as penalty.

What is an average driver's salary in Nigeria? Is a driver absolutely necessary?

Coming from South Africa, what do I need to get a business visa for Nigeria? Please be specific about documents and fees.

Is it safe to drink the tap water in Nigeria? If not,  is bottled water easy to come by, and is it inexpensive for the most part?

Hi, I am planning to move to Cape Town, and would be interested in knowing how much  I should set aside for a family of three (husband, wife & infant), if we set aside medical expenses, how much should be approximate? Few points to consider are:

- We intend to live in Claremont/ Newlands.
- We intend to rent a secure 1 or 2-bed apartment furnished or unfurnished.
- Is walking a safe option in Claremont? Say in morning & evenings?

Thanks in advance for your advises... Regards, A-

I will have 10 -12 expats coming to Riyadh for 3 to 6 months. I have been told that I am unlikely to find compound accommodation for this short period. Is this the case? What might be some alternatives?

My wife and 12 year old daughter arrived into Brighton, Victoria this week and I wanted to ask is there anything in the area for new arrivals, meetings, clubs or social events to try to get my family and I adapted as soon as possible. regards Dean Theobald

We are thinking about moving to Auckland in 2013, to give our son the experience of living in another country and to try New Zealand on for retirement. We own our own business (internet based) and home school our teenage son. First, is there any problem with homeschooling (internet based high school)? And second, continuing our business there?

What's the difference between a non-resident and a resident bank account in Spain, and what documents will I need for each. If I'm an EU citizen (British) do I automatically qualify for a non-resident account?

Hiya- We're moving to Madrid with our 14-year-old son, and as he doesn't know any Spanish (apart from a few terms that I won't repeat) we want to put him in either the American International School or a school with a curriculum that's taught mostly in English. Are these kind of schools concentrated in a particular area, and if so, should we look to move close to the school. Also, can anyone make any recommendations for good bilingual schools that teach mostly in English. Also any advice about the application process is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Bill.