"Several countries, including Dubai, Iceland, Namibia, Ecuador, Belize, Malaysia, Albania, Colombia, Estonia, Bermuda, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Cayman Islands, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, and Germany, offer visas supporting the digital nomad lifestyle, which has grown in popularity as a means of attracting global talent and tax revenue."

The digital nomad lifestyle is suited to various types of work, including writing, marketing, web3.0, remote work, user experience design, computer programming, social media management, content creation, and freelance work, which can be done remotely and are often associated with IT or digital spaces.

The digital nomad lifestyle offers advantages such as broadened perspectives and new experiences, flexibility and freedom, making it an attractive option for remote workers.

Japan and Spain are among the countries that have introduced digital nomad visa programs to attract global talent and tax revenue.

Japan's digital nomad visa requires a minimum annual income of ¥10 million, approximately $68,300.

The digital nomad lifestyle requires skills like time management and self-discipline, and can be facilitated by having a laptop and a stable network, allowing individuals to work from anywhere.

"Japan will launch its digital nomad visa in April 2024, with the program initially available to citizens of 50 countries and territories."

Career progressions in DAOs are focused on meritocracy, outputs, and KPIs, providing employees with the freedom to experiment and find their niche.

36% of Americans still believe in the American Dream, which is the idea that if you work hard, you will get ahead.

Remote work can pose challenges for young people, including career progression, due to limited opportunities for networking and professional development.

Digital nomads can work from anywhere in the world with a laptop and stable network.

"Several countries, including Dubai, Iceland, Namibia, Ecuador, Belize, Malaysia, Albania, Colombia, Estonia, Bermuda, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, Cayman Islands, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, and Germany, offer visas supporting the digital nomad lifestyle, which has grown in popularity as a means of attracting global talent and tax revenue."

Title:

Content: Digital Nomad Visa Programs: An APAC Update

K
Klasko

Contributor

Klasko Immigration Law Partners is dedicated to providing industry-leading employment-based, investment-based, and litigation immigration services to our clients. We help our clients achieve their goals by providing comprehensive immigration legal services. We have a reputation for creative solutions to difficult immigration problems through cutting-edge strategies. Our clients value our extreme responsiveness and our innovative, practical, and effective immigration strategies.
Digital nomad visa programs have grown increasingly popular. Seen as a means of attracting top-tier, global talent and tax revenue, this trend is especially prevalent in the Asian Pacific region.
United States Employment and HR
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Digital nomad visa programs have grown increasingly popular. Seen as a means of attracting top-tier, global talent and tax revenue, this trend is especially prevalent in the Asian Pacific region. Indeed, Japan recently announced it joined the digital nomad visa party – its policy to be officially rolled out in early April 2024. Below, we discuss this new development and provide a summary of the current state of digital nomad programs in the APAC region.

Japan's new digital nomad visa program: a sumo-sized development

Japan's Ministry of Justice announced that Japan created a digital nomad visa. Situated as the 4th largest economy in the world, Japan began issuing digital nomad visas at the beginning of April 2024 to the citizens of 50 countries and territories.

The short-list of eligible countries includes at least the United States, Australia, and Singapore. The visas are valid for up to six months and available to those earning more than ¥10 million (app. $68,300) per year. Nomads may work from anywhere in the country and bring their spouses and children with them. Their work must be tied to "a sales contract or non-provision contract...with a public or private company in a foreign country". Carrying private health insurance will be obligatory to participate in the program.

Behind only China and Thailand, Japan is consistently ranked as one of the largest recipients of international visitors in APAC. In 2024 alone, it is forecasted that Japan will receive a total of 33.1 million visitors. With the aperture of this new program, coupled with sustained global interest in Japan's rich cultural heritage, the country is projected to receive thousands of digital nomads for years to come.

Thai-tanic-sized companies are welcomed in the Kingdom

Visa options for digital nomads in Thailand remain limited. Whereas the B visa program allows visitors to enter the Kingdom for up to 90 days to engage in a short list of activities, the government has gone to greater lengths to attract international corporate investment.

Indeed, under its "Remote Workers for Well-Established Overseas Companies" program, employees of publicly traded companies (or private companies with combined revenue of over $150 million in the last three years) will be able to apply for a 10-year long resident permit. The employee must (i) make an annual salary of at least $80,000.00 USD per year for two consecutive years or (ii) if holding a master's degree, make no less than $40,000 USD for the last two years. Alternatively, the individual may be self-employed provided they own productive intellectual property or have received Series A funding of no less than $1 million USD. Like Japan, visa applicants must carry personal health insurance.

With some of the lowest corporate tax rates in all of APAC, Thailand is situating itself as one of the region's premier hotbeds for foreign investment and, consequently, international talent.

Malaysia welcomes entrepreneurs from backgrounds as diverse as their landscapes

Maylasia arguably presents one of the most agile digital nomad visa programs in APAC. Offering temporary residence through the "De Rantau Nomad" program, employees of local or foreign employers, freelancers, and independent contractors are welcome. The nomad must be coming to work in an IT or digital space and earn at least $24,000 USD per year.

Pursuing a K-drama storyline in South Korea remains tricky

Early this year, South Korea made a splash on the global stage by launching its own version of a digital nomad visa: the "Workcation" visa. Whereas the visa program does offer a two-year period of validity, it is available only under a niche set of circumstances. For example, the minimum income threshold is KRW 85,000,000, or approximately $63,683.53. Digital nomads availing themselves must not only refrain from assuming gainful employment in South Korea, but must also refrain from earning money in South Korea associated with the South Korean economy (e.g., entering contracts with local businesses). In addition to having at least one year of work experience, nomads must also carry health insurance coverage valued at KRW 100 million, or about $75,000 USD. Given these restrictions, we anticipate S. Korea's digital nomad visa program to be leveraged only by the truest of K-POP fans.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Digital Nomad Visa Programs: An APAC Update

United States Employment and HR

Contributor

Klasko Immigration Law Partners is dedicated to providing industry-leading employment-based, investment-based, and litigation immigration services to our clients. We help our clients achieve their goals by providing comprehensive immigration legal services. We have a reputation for creative solutions to difficult immigration problems through cutting-edge strategies. Our clients value our extreme responsiveness and our innovative, practical, and effective immigration strategies.
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What are critical aspects of the digital nomad lifestyle?

Knowledge of visa and other legal requirements

What are the criteria of the top 20 digital nomad locations?

A digital nomad visa program or the equivalent

What countries does "Visa Guide" rank as the top destinations for remote work?

The digital nomad lifestyle is suited to various types of work, including writing, marketing, web3.0, remote work, user experience design, computer programming, social media management, content creation, and freelance work, which can be done remotely and are often associated with IT or digital spaces.

What is driving the digital nomad lifestyle?

The digital nomad lifestyle offers advantages such as broadened perspectives and new experiences, flexibility and freedom, making it an attractive option for remote workers.

Japan and Spain are among the countries that have introduced digital nomad visa programs to attract global talent and tax revenue.

What are the criteria of the top 20 digital nomad locations?

A digital nomad visa program or the equivalent

What countries does "Visa Guide" rank as the top destinations for remote work?

Japan's digital nomad visa requires a minimum annual income of ¥10 million, approximately $68,300.

What are critical aspects of the digital nomad lifestyle?

Knowledge of visa and other legal requirements

The digital nomad lifestyle requires skills like time management and self-discipline, and can be facilitated by having a laptop and a stable network, allowing individuals to work from anywhere.

Title:

Content: Supplement
WikiProject
FEATURE
Chiangmai Coffee Shop Office Meeting on Bali Beach Digital Nomad Self-discipline for Freedom
Travel + work, is it possible?
Remote work has become a new normal in the workplace, so long as you have a laptop and a stable network, you can move the “office ” to any corner of the world.
Whether it ’ s surfing season in the Philippines or winter in Chiang Mai, the “digital nomad ” lifestyle is no longer just an imagination.
After 90 years, Kristie and Kate quit their jobs during the epidemic to join the digital nomad, living and living in a different place, and returning to the rhythm of life. Kristie said, “Nomad ’ s gift to me is to help me clean up my life and start again. ”
While the reporter was writing in the newspaper, Kristie, who had returned from Xinjiang for less than a month, flew to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Browse her sharing on social media platforms, she enjoyed the sunshine while leisurely working with her laptop in the open coffee shop, so that the reporter “grape ”“ bathed ” in the white light tube was very good. Kristie began her digital nomad career early last year. Bali, northern Thailand Chiang Mai, and then to Switzerland, a full year did not return to Hong Kong, "began the journey about 1 month, I have decided to live such a life in the future."
Get up at 8 and 9 a.m. every day, go to the beach, meditate, and work efficiently for 4 hours. After dusk, learn new things, read books, and live the creative life that many wage earners dream of.
He made $50,000 a month at the peak of his career.
Before the pasture, she worked in the advertising industry, and her body and mind were eroded by the pressure of work, and she suffered from chronic gastritis, "(sometimes) pain so that she could not eat all day, and she would vomit after eating."
Finally, the doctor said that even if the prescription of many drugs is useless, because my life pressure is too big, let her decide to change the environment, for their own life to a big clean.
At that time, she took the initiative to propose a 30% pay cut to her superiors, and switched from full-time employees to freelance workers.
There is no regular income, employee welfare, she confessed that "initially very scared, suddenly lost the sense of security", so she had saved six months of living reserve before leaving to prevent zero income during the period; and for themselves to open up a new source of income, operating from the media, doing small business.
She also became an oblique person, relying on writing advertising copy, public relations and marketing planning to maintain the nomadic living expenses, peak monthly income can reach 50,000 yuan, the off-season income is only more than 10,000 yuan, but stretched to make up for the short, life is still good.
In particular, she is mostly nomadic in Southeast Asia, where the consumption is low and the quality of life is good. Taking the island of Phangan in Thailand as an example, she lives in an independent holiday home, with a monthly expenditure of about 12,000 Hong Kong dollars, such as clothing, food, housing and travel.
Low prices, good living, Indonesia, Thailand, a hot spot
In addition to freelancers like Kristie, there are also people engaged in online teaching, design, e-commerce, programming and other remote work, as well as enterprises due to industry characteristics, full-time employees can also work remotely, such as Kate working in the web3.0 industry. Web3.0 is a decentralized Internet based on blockchain technology, NFT, cryptocurrency, metaverse and other popular technology concepts in recent years. It is based on Web 3.0 technology.
Kate, 24, who worked as an occupational therapist for a year after graduating from college, found that she did not like working in fixed locations and hours, and wanted the freedom to travel while working as a digital nomad.
She is interested in cryptocurrency, so she turned to web3.0, engaged in marketing, operation of blockchain projects and other work, usually through online communication with colleagues.
"Web 3.0 is a more international company, with employees from all over the world, most of them do not have a physical office, and many times employees can only choose to work remotely."
It ’ s like living three or four different lives.
Every time she goes to different places to participate in seminars, and after completing her work, she will stay there for 1-2 weeks, traveling all over Japan, Thailand, Australia, Singapore, France, etc. Although she is a full-time employee, she has no fixed office hours, sometimes she does not need to turn on the computer all day, she can go sightseeing, sometimes she needs to meet and meet constantly. Bring a computer, wired headphones and plenty of mobile data.
When I tried to watch animals in the Australian zoo, I suddenly had a meeting; I suddenly had to deal with work on the way to shopping in Korea, and the store has been closed for seven or eight years, which is completely different from the excellent nomadic life I imagined.
Kate, who often hangs "work first" and "have self-discipline to have freedom", admits that even the beauty of the current can not be completely relaxed and appreciated, "I think you can not because your work location is not in a fixed place, and people feel unprofessional; it should make people believe that you can complete the work wherever you are, and there is quality, and no need for others to adapt, so as to maintain this way of life for a long."
Digital nomads have bitterness and sweetness, but both say they can ’ t go back after they set foot on this road.
Read this year Kristie published in the book fair, from the nomad, to find the heart of the sea ", she met on the road only two seasons of American couples, with children wandering the world of nomadic families, Lin Lin's total lifestyle has brought her a shock," I know in Hong Kong, many of them are a life to the end, but in the nomad meet them, I ’ ve lived three or four different lives, ” and there are fascinating stories in each life.
Embark on a nomadic journey to open Second Life, their book of life, and add a few unforgettable experiences.
●
Text: Chang Shu-mei
Editor: Liang Xiaoling
Art: Hsieh Wai-ho
Facebook @ Ming Pao Supplement
Copyright © 2019 Mingpao. All Rights Reserved.
Related Words: Chiang Mai Visa Digital Nomad Visa Work from anywhere Digital Nomad
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What is driving the digital nomad lifestyle?

What issues could affect working remotely?

Access to hardware
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"Japan will launch its digital nomad visa in April 2024, with the program initially available to citizens of 50 countries and territories."

Career progressions in DAOs are focused on meritocracy, outputs, and KPIs, providing employees with the freedom to experiment and find their niche.

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The Advantages Of Remote Work For Decentralized Autonomous Organizations

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Remote work has taken the world by storm, transforming the traditional workspace into a virtual hub of innovation, and I helped many companies figure out their hybrid work models. And remote work couples very well with a less familiar concept: Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs). Drawing from my enlightening interview with Pavel Sinelnikov, Co-Founder of Koris by Metis, we explore the compelling benefits of this marriage.

Why DAOs are Attractive for Remote Workers

If the pandemic taught us anything, it's that remote work is here to stay. Employees are seeking opportunities that offer flexibility, and it's the millennials who are at the forefront of this transformation. After tasting the traditional work structure, they are eager to find alternative ways to grow their careers, and remote work provides that leeway.

Interestingly, LinkedIn research shows that while only 15% of positions are offered remotely, they attract a whopping 50% of applicants. This trend highlights the growing demand for remote work and a shift in the job market dynamics.

But why should someone consider a DAO when looking for remote work? Well, organizations like Metis, a DAO, are exclusively remote, boasting a diverse workforce from around the world. This diverse talent pool paves the way for a rich exchange of ideas, leading to innovation and progress.

The absence of traditional hierarchies within DAOs ensures that each voice is heard and respected. Employees have more independence, less managerial oversight, and a greater say in decision-making processes. This unique work environment fosters creativity and allows organizations to adapt swiftly to changes.

Inside a DAO: A Different Employee Experience

Embarking on a journey with a DAO can seem daunting, especially for those used to a traditional work structure. However, the onboarding process in DAOs is designed to ease this transition. They provide new hires with a plethora of resources to understand the company culture, the organizational structure, and the point of contacts.

DAOs also present a unique career progression pathway. Employees can experiment, find their niche, and take on roles that best suit their skills and interests. It's a blend of flat and hierarchical structures, offering both guidance and freedom to the employees.

The performance evaluation process in DAOs is dynamic, focusing on the outputs rather than the role you were hired for. It's a meritocracy, rewarding innovation and creativity in meeting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). This approach ensures employees are incentivized to contribute meaningfully towards the organization's growth.

Despite the potential for misalignment between individual outputs and organizational outcomes, the common goal of organizational growth ensures everyone is aligned and contributing positively.

Not everyone is ready to join a DAO. It requires a certain type of personality to thrive in such an environment. Those who have worked in traditional organizations but yearn for more autonomy and less micromanagement are usually a good fit. If you're passionate about your work and want to contribute value, a DAO might just be the place for you.

Wrapping Up

The world of work is changing, and DAOs are playing a crucial part in this evolution. By combining the convenience of remote work with the autonomy and innovation of decentralized structures, DAOs are paving the way for a revolution in the way we work. So if you're looking for a remote position and are ready to explore an unorthodox work structure, consider a DAO. It might just be the stepping stone you need to take your career to the next level.

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedInCheck out my website or some of my other work here

36% of Americans still believe in the American Dream, which is the idea that if you work hard, you will get ahead.

Title:

Content: Is the American Dream dead? Couple who moved to Ecuador say they're 'aging in reverse' after escaping 'toxic hamster wheel' culture in the US - as families head overseas amid crippling debt and soaring house prices

  • Americans are choosing to up sticks and move to countries with lower cost of living and higher quality of life
  • Only 36 percent of Americans still believe in the 'American dream' that if you work hard, you'll get ahead
  • Young people who are saddled with student loans and facing high house prices are particularly likely to move away

Americans are trading in crippling debt and soaring house prices for white sand beaches and cheap rent abroad as some expats say the 'American dream is dead'.

One middle-aged couple who gave up their house and jobs to move to Ecuador even said they lost 50lbs after escaping the 'toxic hamster wheel' culture in the US.

And they're not alone. An estimated 9 million Americans live abroad currently, up from 6.8 million in 2013, according to the most recent State Department data.

House prices, inflation and debt have driven many to up sticks and move to countries with a lower cost of living and higher quality of life.

October polling by NORC found that only 36 percent of Americans still believe in the 'American dream' that 'if you work hard you'll get ahead'.

Amelia and JP said the only thing they regret is not moving abroad sooner

JP and Amelia with friends they have made since moving to Ecuador

And half of Americans believe the 'economic and political systems in the country are stacked against people like me' and that life is worse for people like them now than 50 years ago.

Instead, hundreds of people - particularly older and younger people - are choosing to move abroad in search of a 'better life'.

JP Stonestreet and Amelia Basista left Colorado to move to Ecuador in 2017 and now run a business helping other people move to live abroad.

They told DailyMail.com the only thing they regret is 'not going sooner'.

The pair were 'doing the American dream' in Colorado before they left, JP said: 'We had the house and the two cars and the mortgage'.

Amelia was out on the road four days a week for her regional sales job, while JP worked from home as a website designer, leaving them very little time to see friends or spend time together.

Amelia said: 'It was stressful, it was draining and it felt like my whole life was about my job - and it wasn't how I wanted to live my life, but I didn’t know what to do - but it’s kind of the American way of life, to be available 24/7.'

The pair have travelled more since moving to Ecuador including to Porto, Portugal

Day in the life: Colorado

4.30am: Amelia wakes up to go to a work out class before work

6.00am: Return home to get ready for work

8.30am: Set off on the road

Meetings and sales calls all day working on products while JP worked from home, he said: 'I was really a hermit, it was not good for me mentally. I just sat in front of my computer and worked all the time.'

4.00-6.00pm: Networking event

7.00pm: Home to eat dinner with JP

9.00pm: Go to bed

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Day in the life: Ecuador

No alarm set, wake up as the sun rises around 6.30am

Take the dog for a walk along the river

A yoga or belly-dancing class

Go shopping and cook lunch together

Do some work in the afternoon

Take a language class

Go out for dinner with friends or play dice at a bar

JP said: 'I still say sometimes when we’re doing something fun: "Amelia it’s Tuesday afternoon!" And we can’t believe we’re doing something so fun on a Tuesday.'

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They were earning around $8,000 a month between them, but were left with nothing after paying their mortgage, student loans and living expenses.

Then, JP got sick. He said: 'When I had my back injury and had to have two major spine surgeries in two months, I couldn’t work, I had a year of recovery, and after that we couldn’t afford the house and the cars anymore.

'We sold the cars and the house and moved into a one-bed in Denver - we were still going into the hole every month because of all the debt. We were in trouble. We didn’t know what to do, it was a very stressful time.'

The pair considered taking out a second mortgage, but they didn't want to get into more debt - already facing student loans and other bills of over $60,000 to pay off.

So they took a leap of faith, and moved to Cuenca, in Ecuador.

Their life changed completely, JP said: 'We’re able to spend our time together, we’ve paid off our debt, we’re able to save for retirement finally. We don’t set an alarm in the morning, we wake up when we wake up - we cook together.

'We were both overweight and we've lost about 50lbs combined'.

Ecuador: Cost of living

In Ecuador, the pair have a combined income between $8,000 and $10,000.

When they first moved, they only spent $1,500/month in total for rent, health insurance, food, travel and entertainment, that has now increased as they realized they don't need to be so frugal.

They paid $800/month for their first three bed, three bath home in Cuenca.

They then paid $2,500/month for a luxury beachfront condo

Private health insurance for $240/month for full coverage for both of them.

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And their cost of living has dropped substantially, meaning they are also able to save for retirement in a way they never were in the US.

JP said: 'I was really close to either dying or being paralyzed from neck down and we realized working towards a retirement we may never be able to afford wasn’t worth it.

'That was when we realized the American dream was dying - that it doesn’t exist any more. Many people are telling us they'll have to work until they die, they’re stuck in this cycle.'

The couple are one of hundreds who have fled rising cost of living in the US fueled by the pandemic and inflation.

Older people are increasingly likely to make the move when they realize they are working for a retirement they may not be able to afford.

At the end of 2021, nearly 450,000 retirees received their social security benefits outside the US, up from 307,000 in 2008, according to the Social Security Administration.

But younger people are moving too - on TikTok, young American influencers share clips from their exotic lifestyles abroad.

Cara Celeste West, 32, was living in Austin, Texas and working as a sales manager when her family decided to up sticks and become 'completely nomadic'.

The family decided to leave the US so they could pay off their debt and enjoy a higher quality of life abroad

Cara said it was hard giving up her life in the US but that she has no regrets

She told DailyMail.com: 'I was living the standard American lifestyle with a standard two-bedroom apartment in a nice area close to downtown Austin.

'My husband and I were both working full-time jobs, each had a vehicle, and could afford to go on weekend getaways from time to time.'

But it wasn't perfect, they were paying $1530 per month for a two-bedroom apartment, and were in about $70,000 of debt.

She said: 'Because we were in so much debt, we did not have the funds to put our daughter in day care so we were working opposite schedules to avoid paying for childcare, which meant we often never saw each other.'

So they made the decision to become 'completely nomadic', she said: 'We decided to sell almost everything we owned and live abroad because we wanted to spend more time together as a family rather than working so much to pay for our living expenses.'

She added: 'And most importantly, living abroad has provided us with a much more sense of safety than in the US'.

@caracelestewest

So many people told me it would be impossible to find a job that would let me work from anywhere. And yes while those jobs are rare it doesnt mean it’s impossible. With the right skills, preparation, networking, and determination you can find one too. Don’t give up, it took me almost 6 months to find the right job for me. Follow for more daily digital nomad inspiration ✈🥰 #digitalnomadlife #digitalnomadgirl #digitalnomadlifestyle #workremote #workfromanywhere #remotework #remoteworklife

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The family travel professionally and are planning to visit the UK and Mexico next

She started a new job as a luxury travel concierge and the family are currently in Greece.

She said: 'Because we are able to bring our U.S. based income to other countries where the cost of living is more affordable we can stretch our income further for our basic needs such as food, healthcare, housing, and child care.'

She said: 'Living in America has, for many families and individuals, become a life of living paycheck to paycheck or borrowing money in the form of loans or putting basic necessities on credit cards.

'Many people are just trying to get by and the financial stress has diminished the quality of life for many.

Inflation hits The American Dream: It now costs a staggering $3.4 million to get married, buy a home, raise children, cover healthcare and retire (plus there's $8k for a funeral!)

The so-called 'American Dream' is the benchmark that many people hope to achieve in their lifetime - getting married, buying a home and a car and raising children.

But new analysis has found that achieving these milestones now costs a staggering $3,455,305 - much more than most Americans will make in their lifetime.

One of the biggest amounts is for paying off a mortgage on a property. The average homebuyer will fork out $796,998, according to Investopedia - assuming a 10 percent down payment and a 30-year fixed loan at 7.2 percent interest.

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'It has not been an easy journey for us, it’s been honestly one of the most challenging things we’ve ever done to part with so many of the material things we worked so hard to obtain but we realized that our main goal was to have a life that aligned with our morals and values.

'Although we live a very minimalistic lifestyle now, living in countries that allow our income to stretch and living below our means, and giving up on achieving the American dream in America, has allowed us to achieve something better abroad - Freedom.'

Last week it was revealed that Americans need an extra $11,400 a year on average to afford the same quality of life they enjoyed in 2021, according to analysis from Republican members of the US Senate Joint Economic Committee.

Colorado is the worst hit state, where residents must fork out an extra $14,995 to afford the same quality of life as two years ago.

Housing affordability slumped to a multi-decade low this year. During the pandemic house prices ballooned from $329,000 in January 2020 to $433,000 two years later, according to US census data.

Mortgage rates have also soared, somebody purchasing a $400,000 home two years ago would pay around $1,623 a month for their mortgage.

The same buyer today faces monthly payments of $2,585 - more than $1,000 extra.

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Between October 2022 and October 2023, car insurance, white bread and shelter were up 19.2, 7.1 and 6.7 percent respectively

As well as negative factors in the US, there are also positive factors pulling Americans abroad.

The process has also gotten easier and for Americans, getting a visa is relatively straightforward.

Forty-three countries - including Greece, Portugal and Spain - have put in place Digital Nomad visas, where you can work remotely for a year or there are Golden Visa pathways, Entrepreneur visas or retirement or work visas.

According to relocation company, Lexidy, the most common country Americans move to is Mexico, followed by Canada and then there are smaller populations in France, Italy, Germany and Israel.

Close to 800,000 Americans are in Mexico alone, 200,000 in France and 72,000 in Greece.

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Remote work can pose challenges for young people, including career progression, due to limited opportunities for networking and professional development.

Title:

Content: Tuesday, 12 September 2023 08: 05 GMT
Effat Sherif writes: Promises and dangers of temporary online freelancing in developing countries
(MENAFN- Al-BoNews) Decent work for all is the surest way out of extreme poverty, as well as promoting shared prosperity for all.
As new technologies transform global economies, we must expand our thinking about jobs in developing countries.
The temporary online freelancing economy, through digital platforms that match available labor with customer-driven tasks, accounts for up to 12% of the global labor market.
In developing countries, online freelancing platforms open up unique avenues for employment, as well as offering great potential to young people, women and people in remote areas who may have been excluded from traditional labor markets.
Besides, temporary online freelancing provides a necessary source of income in times of shock and transition, helps build digital skills for younger workers and provides flexible earning opportunities for all.
Moreover, temporary online freelancing platforms also provide a cost-effective source of talent for small and emerging businesses, thus supporting businesses to maintain productivity and flexibility, and adapt to rapid shifts in market demand.
In line with the growth of the digital economy and the spirit of innovation around the world, the demand for online free labor in low- and middle-income countries is rising and moving at a faster pace than in industrialized countries.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, job ads posted on a large digital labor platform increased by 130 percent, while in North America, their growth rate did not exceed 14 percent from 2016 to 2020.
Interestingly, among middle-income countries, the lower tier of these countries contributes more to the demand for temporary free labor online than the upper tier of these countries, mainly because of the needs of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Interestingly, the impact of temporary online freelancing in emerging economies is largely poorly understood and more attention is needed to identify the potential of this type of work.
What are the best policies to maximize the benefits of online freelancing in developing economies?
And what regulations and controls are needed to protect free labor online?
What role do local and regional freelance platforms play?
A new World Bank report, “Work Without Borders: The Promises and Dangers of Temporary Online Freelancing, ” tracks temporary online employment worldwide, including those working across local platforms or using languages other than English, and this employment is often overlooked in most research.
The global prevalence of temporary self-employment online is much greater than previous estimates, and as many as 435 million people perform this work as secondary work.
Nearly 3 billion people globally did not use the internet in 2022, mostly in developing countries.
To address this challenge, the World Bank is working with governments and the private sector to bridge this gap.
This includes policy reforms, public and private financing, and smart support programs for specific segments of the population to stimulate the deployment of digital infrastructure in rural areas and increase the affordability and use of high-speed Internet services and digital devices.
In addition, building digital skills is very important.
In Bangladesh, Malaysia and Kosovo, governments offer online entrepreneurship training specifically to support young people, women and the poorest 40% of the population.
The vast majority of temporary online freelancers, like most informal workers in developing countries, face risks such as income instability, difficult working conditions, and limited ability to save.
Such employment does not enjoy social protection, especially in low-income countries.
More than 90% of the workforce are not covered by social insurance and therefore are not subject to labour regulations.
As outlined in the World Bank's social protection system, Governments should pursue innovative ways to extend coverage to informal and self-employed workers, including temporary self-employment via the Internet.
Digital technology can provide new types of solutions, and online freelance platforms can help increase the visibility of online employment, supporting the government ’ s efforts to expand the social protection umbrella.
Many countries are taking steps in this direction and are working with platforms to encourage workers to register and participate in social insurance.
For example, the government in Malaysia has teamed up with a temporary online freelancing platform to offer a corresponding 5% contribution to the temporary online freelancing market for those who subscribe to the government ’ s retirement savings program.
In addition, it is necessary to design more modern forms of collective bargaining for informal labor such as temporary free labor online.
Evaluations by the public of employers, companies and platforms, or the use of social media to aggregate disparate labor groups, are examples of the use of technology to create new models and solutions.
Although more women participate in the temporary online freelancing economy than in the general labour market, mainly because of the flexibility of working online, the gender pay gap persists.
For example, in some online freelance platforms in developing countries, women earn less than men – in Argentina, women earn 68% less than their male counterparts.
Although temporary online freelancing is still a new and rapidly evolving form of work, it has taken root in low- and middle-income countries and even offers a possible escape from poverty, linking employment to employment globally.
It also provides an opportunity for a growing group of motivated young people to learn and expand digital skills with the aim of earning from work, as well as being a practical option for women facing significant constraints in traditional labour markets.
This work has become a flexible source of talent that entrepreneurs and companies need to grow their businesses, thus creating more jobs.
By focusing on expanding digital connectivity, building digital skills and supporting efforts to expand social protection coverage, we can increase the number of people who thrive in the new online world of work.
By: Effat Sherif
Global Director of Social Protection and Jobs
Kristin Jinwai Chiang
Director of Global Practice for Digital Development
Source: The World Bank Blog
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