Expat News - EasyExpat blog

Expat Package Compensation

Work abroad offers the appeal of the exotic, a change in pace, and a cushy compensation package....or at least it did. Unfortunately, the last element is a thing of the past. Rarely do overseas positions offer the financial rewards they once did. That doesn't mean expat employees should be doing any worse once they move overseas.

Different methods of compensation are available to compensate the cost of working abroad. It is up to most expats to understand the different packages offered and what makes the most financial sense for them.

What an Expat Contract Should Include

Job title
Geographic location of employment
Reporting structure
Description of the roles and responsibilities expected
Method of compensation and the currency in which any monies will be paid
Length of the contract (the majority of contracts are valid for 5 years)
How much annual leave is provided and if paid home visits for you and your family are included
Provision for social insurance including sickness, pension, and unemployment and where your taxes should be paid
Perks like company paid housing, tuition, moving costs, etc.
Clarify if expatriate employment constitutes a break in employment from the employer (it is important to retain uninterrupted employment for pensions and various benefits)
If the contract includes a provision for the company to reassign you after the contract ends, it should include economic terms that offer you an equivalent standard of living

Any expatriate contracts that are put in place in a country where the official language in use is different from the home country should be translated into the host country's language.

The Balance Sheet

The most common approach is the Balance Sheet (or buildup system). An estimated 83 percent of companies use this method for their long-term expatriate compensation. It is designed to or ensure an employee is "no worse off" during the assignment than they were at home. The employee should retain the same amount of purchasing power and savings of the same capacity as his country of origin. The expatriate neither gains nor loses from a financial perspective.

Establishing Home Spendable Income

A balance sheet starts by establishing how families spend their money at home. This is done by using statistical averages based on each national government's consumer expenditure survey.

Establishing taxes by income and family size
Apportioning the remaining disposable income between savings and consumption
Using a consumption model of Goods and Services and Housing and Utilities

Home country spendable income includes twelve categories: food at home, household supplies and services, personal care, clothing, medical care, telephone and communications, household furnishings and equipment, domestic help, transportation, recreation and entertainment, food away from home, and alcohol and tobacco. Individual items can be weighted for each nationality, like German nationals might proportionately spend more pork and potatoes and Asian nationals may purchase more rice and fish.

Compare Prices

The next step is to compare prices collected at the host location and compare the cost of that lifestyle in the last location. Of course, a family's lifestyle will never be exactly the same and elements like international telephone calls, domestic help, etc. should be calculated. This is more than establishing simple price differences and takes a bit of art as well as science.

Cost of Living Index

The "cost of living index" represents the difference in the cost between comparable goods and services at the home and host location at a particular exchange rate. A cost of living index above 100 indicates the host location is more expensive, whereas an index below 100 indicates it is less expensive. To determine the amount paid to the employee, the cost of living index is applied to the home spendable income with the resulting "cost of living allowance" (COLA) determining what supplement is required to make the employee "whole". The package should provide enough for both the home spendable income, plus the COLA.

Pay Increases

Changes to pay over time are necessary to keep up with inflation and changes in exchange rate. Calculations are usually based on studies like Mercer's cost of living. Most companies change the COLA every six months to reflect these economic changes.

The COLA will go up when there is higher inflation in the host location than in the home country and/or devaluation of the home country currency requiring a greater amount of home country currency to purchase the same amount of host currency.
The COLA will go down when there is lower inflation in the host location than in the home country and/or devaluation of host currency requiring a smaller amount of home country to purchase the same amount of host currency.

Alternative Approaches for Compensation

Localization

The localization approach involves basing the expatriate's salary on the local (host country's) salaries. While less confusing to implement, this can be a difficult position for the employee. The same position in different countries can have vastly different salaries. This approach also provides for cost-of-living allowances, which can be applied to taxes, housing, and dependents and which is similar to the balance sheet method.

An advantage to the localization approach include ease of administration and equity with local nationals. Some disadvantages include the usual need for negotiated supplements and pay based on host country economics versus performance and job responsibilities.

Lump Sum

The lump sum approach uses the home country's system for determining base salary. In addition to this salary, the expatriate is offered a lump sum of money to apply to items that he or she values versus a specific amount for taxes, housing, etc. This approach is typically used in shorter assignments of 1 to 3 years.

This approach is advantageous because allows the employee to determine where they want to spend their money. A disadvantage is that the calculation can be complex and involve time-consuming analysis.

Cafeteria Approach

Most popular for senior-level expatriates, this approach can be more cost-effective than other methods. Similar to the lump sum plan, this approach provides a single sum of money and the expatriate is offered a selection of options. These may include such benefits as a company car, company-paid tuition, or a range of other assets.

The benefits of this plan is that is provides the expatriate exactly what is needed. The disadvantage is that it is not commonly available, and only to some employees.

Tips for Contract Negotiation

Negotiating a relocation package is often necessary to secure the best deal for you and your family. First, evaluate the needs of you and your family. Is the monetary bottom line the most important? Or do you require specific benefits like company paid housing, tuition, or benefits? Once you know what you want, it's time to negotiate.

Be willing to negotiate - You're valuable! Understand what value you bring to your position and be willing to negotiate for it.
Do your research - Find out what a comparable offer might be. Have some idea of what you expect and what you are willing to accept
Don't get emotionally involved - While taking an expat position has deep impact on your life, this is not a personal discussion. Remember that for the employer, this is just business. Keep calm, patient and friendly.
Never be the first person to name a figure - Many people tend to undervalue their worth and if you start low, there is only so high you can go.
Money isn't everything - Look past the dollar signs and make sure you are recognizing all aspects of value in an offer. Perhaps there are perks you hadn't considered or a more flexible time line.

Expat Twitter Round-Up

Expats are a worldly crew, generally knowledgeable about the world around them from everyday happenings to major international news. We decided to collect some of the top tweets of the week for expats, travelers, and those interested in the global pulse.

Expat News

@IWasAnExpatWife
You know you're an expat mom when.... http://wp.me/pYS11-Gc

@BellaKay
Pests on Dubai's beaches. Thieves, jellyfish and D-list celebs. My Telegraph - Expat: http://tgr.ph/Jck2f5

@Now_Health
Are you an #expat living and working in #China? How are you finding using the internet there? http://t.co/R4Ih0Xbn

@thesmartexpat
How did relocation change your identity? http://j.mp/IjYf5r

@nytimes
Expatriate Bloggers Chronicle Details of Home Renovations http://j.mp/JwT3dP

@koangirl
Hey, look, new post! What Does it Take For a Girl to Get a Passport Around Here? Adventures in Being #Canadian Abroad http://www.ephemeraanddetritus.com/2012/05/04/what-does-it-take-for-a-girl-to-get-a-passport-around-here-adventures-in-being-canadian-abroad/

@TravelEditor
Ever dreamed of living abroad? Here are 4 ways to make it happen: http://bit.ly/KKA3Kl #travel

@MajorcanPearls
Why Spaniards tick off other people’s children: In our local park the other day a group of teenagers listlessly ... http://tgr.ph/JMaSId

@headbloom
"Yes, I can use chopsticks." The everyday microaggressions that grind us down: http://t.co/m4zY1uTZ #crosscultural #expatriate

@lifehacker
Here's how to hit the ground running when you come back from vacation: http://lifehac.kr/m7Va

@BootsnAll
Going Abroad in Your Own Country http://bit.ly/KNO5wF #travel

@MatadorNetwork
No passports for US citizens owing taxes? http://su.pr/2Ggmq1

Tweets from our Featured Bloggers

@percheroma
Expat in Rome, Italy
Night of the Museums happening this weekend in Europe! Enjoy the free museums! http://whyrome.blogspot.com/2012/05/free-entrance-with-night-of-museums.html?spref=tw

@ilainie
World Traveler
Couch Surfing – Still Not Sure? - Is it for me? We love Couch Surfing! Why? Because we love people. We love... http://is.gd/C8wfmI

@Krystina_Nguyen
Expat in Cameroon
An interview I did about #peacecorps #life & #career choices http://wp.me/p24jhN-wY via @GoodGenBlog

@nicolenewblack
Expat in Berlin, Germany
Have you thought about traveling with your mother? Why or why not? http://www.nicoleisthenewblack.com/2011/09/traveling-with-mom-dukes.html #woctt

@RachelsRantings
Expat in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I find it disgusting how much Cariocas in particular attempt to take advantage of a situation. #rio20 #rio http://j.mp/KTeSVU

@in_expatland
Expat in the Netherlands
Following hot button issues at home & abroad http://wp.me/p1iIk2-iE Politics, Near & Far #expat #elections #international #voting #blogging

@RussellVJWard
Expat in Sydney, Australia
*NEW POST* My Big News | In Search of a Life Less Ordinary http://www.insearchofalifelessordinary.com/2012/05/my-big-news.html #big #news #ISOALLO #in

@shoegirlinDE
Expat in Germany
New blog post: Finally, some lovely spring weather http://americaninwiesbaden.blogspot.de/2012/05/spring-glorious-spring.html

@sthieme
Expat in Johannesburg, South Africa
Education Around the Globe http://t.co/JUcpc1ln

@Ju1i4n
Expat in Beijing, China
Weather is incredibly hot in Beijing, it is a perfect moment to publish my photos of my trip to Harbin Ice Festival - http://flic.kr/p/bVaAtA

@RunawayBrit
Expat in transistion
*NEW* When Plans Don't Work Out (Why I said Goodbye to #Tenerife ) http://bit.ly/Jdy4zv - #TTOT #travel #LP #heybackpacker

@MarinaLMaxwell
Expat in London, UK
Don't stand too close or you might get pregnant! http://bit.ly/IU3qMt #UK #travel

@groundedtravelr
Expat in Germany
NEW POST: No Nomad Here http://t.co/w2r4TFze #expat #travel

@leavyrdailyhell
Former Expat
What to do if your U.S. passport is stuck at the Charleston Passport Center, http://ow.ly/aIAvb #travel #lp #passport #ttot

@GiddayfromtheUK
Expat in the UK
On The Move... http://nblo.gs/xA98W

You can follow our news on Twitter with: @EasyExpat
Blog news and interviews of expat bloggers are also on Twitter: @BlogExpat

Hollande is France's Next President

Popular opinion won out in the French presidential election. François Hollande won the second round with 51.63 percent to current president, Nicolas Sarkozy's 48.37 percent. All major polling agencies had predicted the results of Hollande winning with 51.5 percent to 53 percent, based on projections made on the vote count at select voting stations around the country. French expats voted in favour of Sarkozy with 53,05% (but it is nearly 1 point less than in the last presidential election in 2007). Around 46 million French voters participated in the vote (19,65% abstention).

Hollande is the Parti Socialiste (Socialist Party, PS) candidate. The two had advanced to a runoff election after first-round elections held on April 22. Sarkozy has already wished his competitor "good luck" as the country's new leader and conceded defeat just minutes after the polls closed. Sarkozy has been president since 2007.

Hollande is France's first leftist chief of state since François Mitterrand was president from 1981 to 1995. Hollande is expected to make transformative changes in the European treaty on budget cuts arranged with Germany's Angela Merkel (although she repeated her opposition to any re-negociation this morning), how long French troops stay in Afghanistan, modifying the retirement age to 60 instead of 62, and increasing government spending to trigger growth.

Crowds of supporters filled the Place de la Bastille to celebrate Hollande's victory. Hollande is due to be sworn in as France's president on May 14 or 15.

Using the data published today on the offical website for diplomatic affaires, we created a helpful map to help readers understand the history of voters abroad. Countries in pink mark places where Hollande received more than 50 percent of the vote; blue marks countries in which he received less than 50 percent (or where Nicolas Sarkozy, got more than 50%).

You can compare with the last result in 2007 and see the changes HERE.

Expat Twitter Round-Up

Expat News

@BootsnAll
RTW travel Is Not for Everyone: Consider Expat life As an Alternative http://ow.ly/9LRlj

@TelegraphExpat
To get the most out of New York, you need to look up, says #expat Sophie Pitman... http://fb.me/TBFYtSqx

@rizzn
May Day in Berlin, and the Evolution of Photojournalism http://bit.ly/J8at54

@MatadorNetwork
How to quit your job and go home http://bit.ly/L4LtgB

@msnbc_travel
Welcome to #America? Ads for a #tourism campaign aimed at attracting foreign visitors launched Tuesday http://on.msnbc.com/IQ8wXx @overheadbin

@reidontravel
Yes, you can go to #Mexico. Here's why: http://ow.ly/aBXGO #lp #travel

@Wendy_Hollands
The most bizarre Defi Foly ever, due to the main event kind of going missing... http://www.lefrancophoney.com/a-fete-without-the-main-attraction/ #LaClusaz #DefiFoly

@SEAWL
#stuffexpataidworkerslike # 148 Their Expat Brats http://bit.ly/KnUlZe

@BBC_Travel
Fancy a wee dram of the finest Scottish whisky? This is the only malt whisky trail in the world http://bit.ly/ICzWmb

@Gadling
Video Of The Day: World Trade Center back on top of New York's skyline http://aol.it/IB4p77

@hobonora
just posted: The Art of Liming: Grenada’s Unofficial National Pastime [with Video]: Grenada's unofficial nationa... http://bit.ly/KxIBZd

@MajorcanPearls
May the Border Force be with you: Recently, returning to Majorca on a midday flight from Gatwick, I sauntered th... http://tgr.ph/KonnL1

Tweets from our Featured Bloggers

@definingmoves
Expat in San Francisco, USA
Expat Communication with Friends and Family.. What We Really Mean by "Fine" - http://goo.gl/E0Tv7

@madreislena
Expat in Islas Canarias
Same drive, just 7 days apart, but totally different experience #Tenerife island of variety! http://islandmomma.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/ive-looked-at-clouds-from-both-sides-now/

@sarahtalalay
Expat in Chennai, India
More of James' beautiful photos from Nepal, including an ode to Helen Levitt: http://t.co/ebJe5JZr

@phillegitimate
Expat in New York City, USA
Forget KONY; this is KIMY2012 http://t.co/0t71O4Wu

@shamozal
Expat in Doha
When is it time to go home? http://shamozal.blogspot.com/2012/05/in-back-of-my-mind.html

@TravellingToni
Expat in Beira, Mozambique
Those times I’ve been poked, pricked and proded, just for a job! http://wp.me/pMJdr-179

@groundedtravelr
Expat in Germany
POST: German Traditions around Birthdays http://bit.ly/JBBeRh #germany #expat

@3rdCultureChild
Expat in Recife, Brazil
The #Supermoon and #CincodeMayo http://wp.me/p1oMvI-6d #Brazil #photography

@missfootloose
Expat in Moldova
Would you lend your comb to a stranger in a Turkish restroom? http://t.co/PmVexywz #expatlife #ttot #travel

@LaBelleAurore1
Expat in Shenyang, China
10 things I love about #China http://wp.me/pzA9y-1xI

@GringosAbroad
Expat in Ecuador
Ecuador Expat Profile - Ben Pilgreen, Quito Ecuador http://t.co/oV67l6Qm #ecuador #liveabroad

@TourAbsurd
Expat in Rome, Italy
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie... that's the SUPERMOON! http://ow.ly/aIZ36 #italy #astronomy #photography

@loquacious7
Expat in St. Petersburg, Russia
New blog post: http://tinyurl.com/cggrqlg - Surprising Russia... Chapel, Apartments, and a Basement Supermarket in One Complex!

@AishaAshraf1
Expat in Ontario, Canada
Are you torn between two lives? Living with your decision to leave the country http://wp.me/p1J9Lk-1iB

@angelacorrias
Expat in Europe
Patriotism and questions at the Vittoriano Museum Complex, Rome http://ow.ly/aH9WD #Italy

@Christopher_All
Expat in Germany
Expat Author Interview with Tania Hershman http://www.imustbeoff.com/2012/05/expat-author-interview-with-tania.html

You can follow our news on Twitter with: @EasyExpat
Blog news and interviews of expat bloggers are also on Twitter: @BlogExpat

The Votes for Expat Brits Campaign

Currently, UK electoral law removes all voting rights from British expats who have lived outside the UK for more than fifteen years. If British citizens move abroad, they can only vote in general elections and European Union elections for up to 15 years if they are registered. (However, they cannot vote in UK local elections). The United States, Switzerland, Italy, France and many other developed countries in the world allow indefinite voting rights.

Brian Cave, a spokesperson for the campaign and British expat in France for almost 14 years, believes this shows a lack of respect from the British government for long-term expats. With nearly 5.5 million Britons abroad, Cave says that "Every expatriate represents Briton. The Government doesn't want to know us".

The campaign, Votes for Expat Brits, believes that the UK should enable all its expat citizens - not just some of them - to participate fully in the political process. The removal of a fundamental right such as voting at the arbitrary time period of 15 years is wrong, says Cave. "Frankly I detest politics!", but he obviously feels strongly about the removal of this right as do many others. Even more than the vote, this policy reflects a lack of understanding and respect for the expat citizenry. Cave said "Voting is a mechanical process. What matters is representation. We want to support Britain".

Beginnings of the Campaign

Voting rights were extended to British expats in the mid-1980s, but initially only for 5 years. Since that time, its been further extended to 20 years, and then reduced to the current 15-year-limit.

The campaign was officially launched in June 2011 as an initiative of Christopher Chantrey, who was chairman of the British Community Committee in France. However, this was hardly the first time the effort had been made to change the law. Overseas branches of the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties have all campaigned for a change in voting restrictions at one point.

The movement has continued to grow with an on-line poll gathering over 1,850 votes of support. There are over 700 associated comments from 52 countries worldwide. In addition, a number of Members of Parliament (MPs) and peers in the House of Lords have voiced their support for a change in the law. Lord Lexden spoke to the House of Lords during the debate on Individual Electoral Registration about the issue. "Equity demands uniformity," Lord Lexden said.

The British Community Committee (BCC) of France is the UK's eighth-largest expat community and the second-largest in a non-English-speaking host country (the largest is Spain). They administer the campaign's site and provide public service to British expats worldwide.

What the Campaign Hopes to Accomplish

The campaign seeks to make voting a national right wherever a British citizen chooses to live, work or retire in the world. This means repealing the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (as amended by the Representation of the People Act 2000), namely - (a) section 1(3) (c) and section 1 (4) (a) (conditions to be satisfied by British citizen in order to qualify as overseas elector in relation to parliamentary election), and (b) section 3 (3) (c) and 3 (4) (a) (conditions to be satisfied by peer in order to qualify as overseas elector in relation to European Parliamentary election).

In the last general election, only about 30,000 British expats were registered as overseas voters. This reflects a general apathy in the overseas voting population. In comparison, France extends full voting rights to its almost 3 million expats and has over 1 million registered to vote in the current presidential elections. As an auxiliary goal, this campaign seeks to increase these numbers and encourage British expats to vote. The website of the Electoral Commission educates the populace and has a goal of registering 200,000 expat voters before the next general election in 2015.

How to Contribute

The campaign values your feedback and asks interested parties to vote in their poll. They would also appreciate your feedback in the comment section.

They also recommend that you contact the MP for the constituency in which you were last registered to vote. (You can find your current MP by going to Parliament's Contact your MP and entering the postcode of your last address in the UK in the box headed "Members of the House of Commons".)

Expat Twitter Round-Up

Expat News

@expatexplorer
When was the last time you visited a local sight? http://bit.ly/HZJDIm

@SleeplesinDubai
My 5 Reasons I DO NOT like living in #Dubai http://www.expatfocus.com/c/aid=450/columnists/zvezdana-rashkovich/5-reasons-i-do-not-like-living-in-dubai/#.T4uXmPujAEI.facebook #expats

@TelegraphExpat
Looking for a new #home abroad? We have some suggestions - http://ow.ly/9OgA9

@globalcoach
How to help your kids get excited about a move in 10 minutes http://dld.bz/bvGZc #expat #tcks #relocation

@findyourwayinsg
On Expat Relocation: Culture Shock http://fb.me/B0ZgbMTu

@JoParfitt
Writers Abroad radio show 38 – I talk to a PR pro about Book Promotion http://bit.ly/IuIKrE

@Independent
Cannabis tourism up in smoke? Judge backs foreigner café ban http://ind.pn/K6CxH8

@koangirl
New and fragrant! #Gardening in Shanghai and Other Indoor Sports | A Totally Impractical Guide to Living in Shanghai http://www.ephemeraanddetritus.com/2012/04/27/gardening-in-shanghai-and-other-indoor-sports/

@GertieKCostello
Whoops! Forgot to tweet about my Guide to Surviving School Holidays!! On GertiesDictums: http://gertiesdictums.blogspot.com/?m=0

@VentureVillage
Top 5 alternatives to GEMA-blocked YouTube in Germany - and why Germany's such an important battleground http://t.co/6GvWMdKs

@Gawker
'Niggas in Paris' Used in Campaign Ad of French Presidential Candidate François Hollande http://gaw.kr/cbYF

@JoyInsego
My Expat Life in the Netherlands: Pros and Cons | InsegoTips - http://t.co/T9rxnqDd

@packsandbunks
*NEW* The dwarf army or Wroclaw (Poland) http://www.backpacksandbunkbeds.co.uk/poland/the-dwarves-or-wroclaw/ #ttot #heybackpacker #eurotravel #traintravel

@vegemitevix
Do you manage to fight cleanly when people push your buttons? How? On the blog: Mad cows, Noah's ark and fighting dirty http://bit.ly/JcIWKU

@lonelyplanet
Rooftop camping in NYC, touring a particle accelerator, visiting the hair museum - How are you spending Obscura Day? http://ow.ly/azocW #lp

@travelchannel
Know someone who's traveling to Italy in May? We want them for our show #TripFlip! Details & application here: http://trvl.ch/axPt8

@pocketcultures
New: A Polish in Love with Costa Rica: The Story of Rafal Cezary Piechocinski: Like a teenager in love for the ... http://bit.ly/K0rT4t

@davidlebovitz
[new blog post] Pascal Beillevaire Fromagerie in Paris http://tinyurl.com/6r78tjq

Tweets from our Featured Bloggers

@Citizen_Stu
Expat in the Netherlands
Tomorrow the craziness starts - Queens Day: http://www.invadingholland.com/the-koninginnedag-guide/

@kjsandor
Expat in Hebei, China
**NEW Post** My Thug Life: Getting Shot At In #China http://wp.me/p1gDo1-bW #crimewave

@angelacorrias
Expat/traveller in Europe
Travel beyond tourism, visiting Palestinian refugee camp Bourj El Shamali in Lebanon http://ow.ly/ayN3Y #travel #photo

@RunawayBrit
Expat/traveller in South America
**New**- POOLS http://bit.ly/JH9jOA #FriFotos #ttot

@RussellVJWard
Expat in SYdney, Australia
*NEW POST* Finding Love When You Least Expect It | In Search of a Life Less Ordinary http://ow.ly/awTgK #sydney #love #expat

@by_jess
Expat in Malta
New Post! Canada vs. Malta: The Bedroom. http://awe.sm/5larj A room by room tour of the Maltese home before our big @HHI_on_HGTV episode!

@zurika
Expat in Munich, Germany
New blog post: http://www.zurika.com/2012/04/austria-moors-and-more-from-burgenland.html Art, food, lakes, and oxen in #Burgenland, Austria.

@tomebug
Expat in transition from Brazil to Scotland
New post: This is Goodbye - It's over. The apartment is empty, the accounts are closed and we've said all of our goo... http://ow.ly/1j6pMK

@JustKooki1
Expat in Doha, Qatar
We'll do healthy tomorrow; today we're doing the best #donut in #Doha http://bit.ly/IpxnAr

@SteveWBT
Expat in Beijing, China
New post: Less common tips for first-time visitors to China - http://j.mp/JAIj3J

@missfootloose
Expat in Moldova
Turkish pancakes: Not like Dutch ones: http://wp.me/pWIVP-jt #expatlife #food

@LivWrites
Expat in Germany
on le blog today: why you should eat, eat, eat when travelling #food #culture #travel http://a-biglife.com/2012/04/25/eat-it-creates-cultural-understanding/

@ourman
Expat in Hanoi, Vietnam
Blog post I wrote last night. On summer, sweating, power cuts and iced drinks and all of that stuff: http://bit.ly/JEC25i #hanoi #vietnam

@louisejourdan
Expat in Delhi, India
Life & Lentils: Hanging with an elephant http://lifeandlentils.blogspot.com/2012/04/hanging-with-elephant.html?spref=tw

@TravellingToni
Expat in Mozambique
Edinburgh: Much more than just the castle! http://wp.me/pMJdr-16z

@definingmoves
Expat in San Francisco
Savour the Flavour - Attributes and Acquisitions from Around the Globe - http://goo.gl/duUdX

You can follow our news on Twitter with: @EasyExpat
Blog news and interviews of expat bloggers are also on Twitter: @BlogExpat

Obtaining a Visa to Live, Study and Work: Australia

This is the second in a series of articles concerning visa options. We cover the different types of visas and how to apply. The other regions in the series are the United Kingdom, Canada, the Schengen area, and the United States. Get ready to go abroad!

If you've ever wanted to live or work (legally) in Australia, you've come to the right place. Below you will find information on visa regulations for long-term visitors, students, and individuals moving to Australia to work or to join spouses, partners or other family members. This is the third in a series of five articles: in the coming weeks there will be installments that investigate visa requirements for permanent residents, students, workers and certain other visitors to the United States and the Schengen Area of western Europe. Each article will focus on how to meet the requirements for obtaining a visa and/or work permit for the country or region.

Every effort has been made to provide accurate information; however, you should consult with the appropriate consulate or embassy to obtain the most recent information and to discuss your specific circumstances. In addition, fees have been deliberately omitted because this information often becomes outdated very quickly.

Do You Need a Visa?

Everyone who enters Australia must have a valid passport or other acceptable travel document. Citizens and residents of all countries (besides New Zealand) must apply for a visa prior to entering Australia. Once you have obtained a visa and have entered Australia, you may apply to extend your visa for up to an additional six months if necessary.

Citizens of New Zealand who have New Zealand passports may enter Australia by presenting their passports and completed Incoming Passenger Cards. They will be issued a Special Category Visa (SCV) upon entry into the country.

Military personnel from certain designated countries, along with their their partners and their dependents may enter Australia without a visa by presenting their military ID cards and Movement Orders along with valid passports and completed Incoming Passenger Cards to border officials.

For questions about your particular entry requirements, research country specific information.

Visitor Visas

If you are a citizen or legal resident of any of the countries listed below, you are eligible to apply for a ETA (Visitor) (Subclass 976) visa online, which allows you to remain in Australia for up to 3 months. ETA visas are electronically stored records linked to your passport number and are accessible to airlines, travel agencies and Australian border agents. There is no charge for the visa, however, a service charge for processing the visa applies.

You will not receive a paper visa or a stamp on your passport, however, you will receive confirmation of the visa for your records. The visa is valid for 12 months after the date of issue or the expiration date of your passport, whichever is shorter, and cannot be extended. If you want to remain in Australia after your ETA expiration date, you must apply for a new visa at least two weeks before your visa expires. After you complete your application, you may remain in Australia legally until the processing for your visa extension application is completed, even if the date falls after the expiration date of your original visa.

Countries whose citizens are eligible for an ETA visa:

Brunei
Canada
Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region)
Japan
Malaysia
Singapore
South Korea
United States of America

If you are not eligible for an ETA visa, you may qualify for an eVisitor visa. Individuals who hold passports from the European Union, Iceland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom as well as passport holders of several other European countries qualify for eVisitor visas. The eVisitor visa allows stays of up to three months and is free of charge.

All other visitors to Australia must apply for the e676 Tourist visa. The e676 Tourist visa allows stays of up to three, six or 12 months, depending on the purpose of the visa and the personal circumstances of the applicant.

Permanent Resident Visas

Certificate of Resident Status and Certificate of Status for New Zealand Citizens in Australia

If you are a permanent resident of Australia, you may apply for Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status (CERS) to verify your eligibility to live and work in Australia. CERS is useful as an alternative to the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system for permanent residents who arrived in Australia prior to the mid-1980s. You may not use your CERS to apply for an Australian passport. Citizens of New Zealand may apply for a Certificate of Status for New Zealand Citizens in Australia (CSNZCA), however, New Zealand citizens who hold a SCV do not need to apply for a CSNZCA to work in Australia or remain in the country indefinitely.

Resident Return and Five Year Resident Return Visas

If you are a present or former permanent resident of Australia who lived in Australia during at least 9 of your first 18 years or if you completed at least 3 months of service in the Australian armed forces before January 19, 1981, you may qualify for a Resident Return visa to reside in Australia permanently. You may also include your spouse or de facto partner and dependent children under the same visa application. This visa allows you to work and study in Australia without restriction. You are also eligible to receive subsidized healthcare under Australian Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), draw social security payments and eventually earn Australian citizenship status. You may also sponsor other applicants for permanent resident status, subject to waiting periods.

If you are a permanent resident and plan to travel outside of Australia, you should obtain a Five Year Resident Return Visa (Subclass 155). This visa allows you to travel to and from Australia without restriction during a five-year period while retaining your permanent resident status. You should apply for the visa before leaving Australia.

Studying in Australia

If you wish to study in Australia, you must apply for a Student Subclass visa within one of the following categories.

English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS)
Primary or Secondary School Course
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Higher Education (Bachelor's Degrees and Post-Secondary Certificates)
Postgraduate Research (Master's or Doctoral Degrees)
Non-Award (Full-time Nondegree Granting Programs)
AusAID and Defence

Parents or guardians may also apply for a Student Guardian visa to accompany minor children who are studying in Australia.

For all Student Subclass visa applications processed on or after April 2, 2011, visas will be assigned according to one of five assessment levels. Your assessment level is dependent on your country of residence and your planned study program. Nearly all student applicants from the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan and western Europe, along with applicants from some South American countries will be assigned assessment level 1 visas. Applicants from the People's Republic of China, Lebanon, Pakistan and many countries within southern Asia, Africa and the Middle East will be assigned assessment level 4, 3 or 2 visas.

You may also bring immediate family members with you while you are studying in Australia. Immediate family members include unmarried, dependent children or stepchildren under age 18 and either legally-married spouses or de facto partners (heterosexual or same-sex partners). You must have been living with your de facto partner for at least 12 months prior to applying for your partner to accompany you to Australia under a Student Subclass visa.

If you were granted a Student Subclass visa on or after April 26, 2008, you will also be allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while your program is not in session. Work that is included in your educational program and most volunteer work is not included in this limitation. Family members traveling with you are also eligible to work up to 20 hours per week at any time while you are enrolled in school. If you are enrolled in master's or doctoral level studies and have submitted your thesis, you may work unlimited hours. Your family members may also work without weekly hourly limits.

As a student enrolled in an educational institution within Australia, you must have health insurance. If you do not have a policy that will cover you while you are in Australia, you may purchase coverage through the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme for up to five years, with the option to renew coverage if necessary.

Family Migration Stream Visa Rules

Although Australian citizens and permanent residents (as well as New Zealand citizens) may sponsor eligible family members for permanent resident visa status, the regulations involved are strict and waiting periods can extend for more than 10 years under certain circumstances. Visas for certain family member categories are subject to capping and queuing, or imposed limits with waiting periods for applications received after category limits have been reached. However, exceptions to capping and queuing visa limitations may be made in extraordinarily compelling cases on compassionate grounds.

Family Migration Stream Visa Categories NOT Subject to Capping and Queuing

Partner (subclasses 309/100 and 820/801) temporary and permanent visas
Child (subclasses 101 and 802) visas
Dependent Child (subclass 445) visas
Orphan Relative (subclasses 117 and 837) visas
Adoption (subclass 102) visas

Family Migration Stream Visa Categories Subject to Capping and Queuing

Prospective Marriage (fiancé ) (subclass 300) visas
Aged Dependent Relative (subclasses 114 and 838 ) visas
Remaining Relative (subclasses 115 and 835)
Carer (subclasses 116 and 836) visas
Parent (subclasses 103, 143, 173, 804, 864 and 884) visas

Visa Status for Children

Children born within Australia automatically receive Australian citizenship if at least one parent is an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the time of the child's birth. Children born outside Australia to parents who are not Australian citizens do not receive automatic Australian citizenship and must be hold an appropriate visa before being admitted into Australia. If one or both parents of a child born outside Australia holds permanent resident status, the child is eligible for a Child (subclass 101) visa. As of March 2012, approximate processing time for the visa is 14 months.

Eligible children must be under age 18, or under age 25 if enrolled as a full-time student in a post-secondary degree program. Dependent children who have disabilities that prevent them from working are not subject to age limitations. Children must also be single and not engaged to be married or involved in a de facto partnership relationship. They must not be employed full-time. Children must be the biological or legally-adopted offspring of one or both sponsoring parents. Stepchildren may also be eligible for inclusion under a family stream migration visa if the child is under age 18 and the sponsoring stepparent has legal responsibility for the child's care.

Australia has imposed especially stringent measures aimed toward the protection of children included in migrant visa applications. Specifically, Prospective Marriage (fiancé ) (subclass 300) visa applications where at least one partner is a minor are subject to police clearance before a visa will be issued.

Working In Australia

Skilled Workers

Most temporary visa holders are allowed to work legally while they are in Australia. However, a work visa is required to obtain the permanent right to work, unless you qualify for permanent resident status under another category. To qualify for a provisional skilled worker visa under most circumstances, you must be under age 50 at the time of your visa application unless you are sponsored by a specific employer within Australia or otherwise qualify under a specialized work visa category. To find what skills are recognized, consult the Australian Skills Recognition Information (ASRI).

The Skill Select program allows skilled workers to register an Expression of Interest (EOI) as part of an online database. Workers may submit an EOI before entering Australia or while legally present in Australia, which will remain on file for two years. Many Professionals and Other Skilled Migrants (PDF) are evaluated under a points system; applicants for provisional worker visa status must receive a minimum score to qualify. Skilled workers who hold provisional visa status may apply for their spouses or partners and dependent children or other dependent relatives to accompany them to Australia.

Workers who have held qualified provisional worker visa status for two years, and have worked full-time for at least 12 consecutive months may be eligible to apply for Skilled - Regional (Residence) visa (subclass 887) visa status which allows permanent residence in Australia. Skilled - Regional Visa status also allows workers to collect social security, received subsidized healthcare, sponsor other applicants for permanent resident status and be eligible for eventual Australian citizenship.

Categories Eligible to apply for Skilled - Regional (Residence) Visas (subclass 887)

Skilled - Independent Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 495)
Skilled - Designated Area - Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 496)
Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 475)
Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 487)

Specialist Entry Worker Visas

Specialist entry worker visa applicants are not subject to evaluation by the points system, although in many cases applicants must be sponsored by an eligible Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident or Australian organization. Applicants under specialist entry worker visa categories may also be required to undergo a health examination, be required to demonstrate proof of adequate financial means of support while in Australia, or both.

Specialist Entry Worker Visa Categories

Distinguished Talent visa (Offshore) (subclass 124)
Distinguished Talent visa (Onshore) (subclass 858 )
Domestic Worker (Executive) Visa (Subclass 427)
Exchange Visa (Subclass 411)Entertainment Visa (Subclass 420)
Foreign Government Agency Visa (Subclass 415)
Government Agreement Visa (Subclass 406)
Media and Film Staff Visa (Subclass 423)
Religious Worker Visa (Subclass 428 )
Special Program Visa (Subclass 416)
Sport Visa (Subclass 421)
Visiting Academic Visa (Subclass 419)

Working Holiday Visas

Young people between the ages of 18 and 30 may apply either for a Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) or a Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462), depending on their country of residence. Each working holiday visa allows the holder to work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months. Holders of holiday visas may enter and leave Australia multiple times during the validity period for the visa. Working holiday visas cannot be used to migrate to Australia permanently.

New Zealand Citizens Work Visas

New Zealand citizens who wish to work in Australia should apply for an offshore General Skilled Migration visa either before entering Australia or once they are in the country. New Zealand citizens who hold a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) automatically qualify for an offshore General Skilled Migration visa while they are in Australia. New Zealand citizens may qualify for one of the following four categories:

Skilled - Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 175)
Skilled - Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)
Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 475)
Skilled - Recognised Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 476)

Other Specialized Visas

Other workers with specific skills, or workers who are willing to work in areas outside major metropolitan areas may qualify for specialized visas. In most cases, workers must be sponsored by a company within Australia. Business People, doctors and nurses, and workers admitted under regional initiatives are permitted to bring their spouses or partners and dependent children with them to Australia. However, workers admitted under the Pacific Seasonal Worker Scheme are short term workers hired for harvesting and similar work and are not permitted to bring family members with them.

Other Specialized Visa Categories

Researched by Audrey Henderson
-- freelance writer based in Chicago

Expat Twitter Round-Up

Expat News

@IamExpat
[IamExpat Archive] The Political Expat: Let’s talk tolerance http://t.co/T31LhBAA

@gatewaysing
What salary could you expect working in #Singaore? Find out - http://t.co/9DSAItqx #relocate #expat

@TheExpatHub
An #Expat Guide to Moving Your Pension Overseas. #expat #pensions #qrops http://bit.ly/ICvWzS

@TheMicMovement
Sweden's Chocolate Mess: 5 Ways To... http://fb.me/13VilG5V5

@FrommersTravel
World's Best Cities for Outdoor Dining http://frm.rs/nNxVgi #travel #frommers #foodies

@globalcoach
How to help your kids get excited about a move in 10 minutes: If it’s difficult for us, adults, to m... http://t.co/MxAIvPS7 #expatriate

@ottsworld
How to eat #pizza like an Italian - look like a tourist no more! http://ow.ly/akure #italy #video #lp

@IM2Green
Popular Side Trip for Foreigners in China: Visa Runs http://t.co/SXfs8FGK #foreigndirectinvestment #expat #relocation #fdi #China #brics

@ExpatEchoDubai
Want local knowledge? Ask Louise Expat Echo Dubai, she has all the answers! http://t.co/iTcpzlqj

@MatadorNetwork
How to travel to Gaza http://su.pr/2zkUa2

Tweets from our Featured Bloggers

@texkourgan
Expat in Berlin, Germany
Back to Berlin...and BEYOND: The Real Berlin Bears http://ianandebe.blogspot.com/2012/04/real-berlin-bears.html?spref=tw #expat

@drhamptn
Expat in the Netherlands
Today's Random Walk: Back along the Maas http://t.co/zzdWALr0

@unefemmeparis
Expat in Paris, France
Morning papers at Gare de Lyon in the midst of the French election. http://instagr.am/p/JtpRearHSD/

@AGinChelsea
Expat in London, England
Update on @OpenSquares Weekend. Discount for AG readers!... http://fb.me/1iYh05EzE

@by_jess
Expat in Malta
New Post Up! Marsaxlokk market morning. http://awe.sm/5kfzv

@mstarr1188
Expat in Bergen, Norway
It Took Me 5 Minutes to Fall in Love with Venice http://suitcaseandstilettos.blogspot.com/2012/04/it-took-me-5-minutes-to-fall-in-love.html?spref=tw #venice #italy #travel #ttot #lp

@sthieme
Expat in Johannesburg, South Africa
Why posh lunch at Westcliff hotel in #Joburg was better than the Flyover show in Soweto http://www.joburgexpat.com/2012/04/just-another-outing-in-joburg.html

@whitneypiper
Expat in Bulgaria
Sh*t My Bulgarian Husband Says http://nblo.gs/ww8Os

@3rdCultureChild
Expat in Recife, Brazil
Day 625 in #Brazil: More resources to entertain our #children [and avoid going crazy!]: http://t.co/W0SSV6ds #parenting

@essentialerin
Expat in England
BLOG POST: The Eagle has FINALLY Landed! - My mom's chaotic journey to #Heathrow. http://bit.ly/HEhYh9 #QuintessentiallyEnglish #expat #blog

@LivWrites
Expat in Germany
new on the blog, bilingual relationship's and their mother tongues http://a-biglife.com/2012/04/17/the-language-of-a-relationship/ #expat #livingabroad #germany

@louisejourdan
Expat in Delhi, India
Why pigeons gross me out: Sky Rats http://lifeandlentils.blogspot.com/2012/04/sky-rats.html?spref=tw

@Michelloui
Expat in England
Weird food in other countries... http://nblo.gs/wz8e6

@Sapphire
Expat in Stockholm, Sweden
Baby showers in Sweden? Why yes, of course! http://ow.ly/am5wG

@the_hedonista
Expat in Dubai
Night Treasure at Petra: I'm in a womb, with three hundred siblings. It's dim, warm, quiet. All I can hear is the reba http://bit.ly/HOP8z7

@Christopher_All
Expat in Munich, Germany
Expat Author Interview with Robin Graham http://nblo.gs/wCO48

@in_expatland
Expat in the Netherlands
New #expats share thoughts on cultural differences http://wp.me/p1iIk2-hE In Their Own Voice: Intercultural Meaning in Everyday Stories #in

You can follow our news on Twitter with: @EasyExpat
Blog news and interviews of expat bloggers are also on Twitter: @BlogExpat

In-vitro Twins of American Expat Denied Citizenship

The issue of citizenship is always a tricky one when living abroad. Countries may offer citizenship through several ways.

Parents are citizens - If a person has one or both parents who are citizens of a given nation, then the person is generally presumed to be a citizen. This is refereed to by the Latin legal term jus sanguinis meaning "right of blood".
Born within the nation - Many people are presumed to be citizens of a nation if they were born within the physical geographic territory of the nation. This is refereed to by the Latin legal term jus soli meaning "right of soil".
Marriage to a citizen - Citizenship can be obtained by marrying a citizen, which is termed jure matrimonii.
Naturalization - Citizenship can be obtained by immigrating to a nation and fulfilling its requirements for citizenship.

However, there are cases that fall out of these clear cut guidelines. The media is currently following one American mom in Israel, Ellie Lavi, who is finding it difficult to bestow American citizenship to her twins. MSNBC's Today News reported "Born to American mom, in-vitro twins denied citizenship"
"The twin babies of an American woman, born abroad through in-vitro fertilization, are being denied U.S. citizenship because there is no proof that either the egg donor or sperm donor is American. "

A Chicago native, Lavi received IVF treatment in Tel Aviv and gave birth to twin daughters in 2009. Under certain circumstances, children may acquire U.S. citizenship from their parents.

If both parents are U.S. citizens, the child is a citizen if either of the parents has ever legally resided in the U.S. prior to the child's birth
If one parent is a U.S. citizen and the other parent is a U.S. national, the child is a citizen if the U.S. citizen parent has lived in the U.S. for a continuous period of at least one year prior to the child's birth
If one parent is a U.S. citizen and the other parent is not, the child is a citizen if: the U.S. citizen parent has been "physically present" in the U.S. before the child's birth for a total period of at least five years and at least two of those five years were after the U.S. citizen parent's fourteenth birthday.

This becomes even more complicated for children born overseas out of wedlock.

Title 8 U.S.C. 1409 paragraph (c) provides that children born abroad after December 24, 1952 to unmarried American mothers are U.S. citizens, as long as the mother has lived in the U.S. for a continuous period of at least one year at any time prior to the birth.

8 U.S.C. 1409 paragraph (a) provides that children born to American fathers unmarried to the children's non-American mothers are considered U.S. citizens only if the father meets the "physical presence" conditions described above, and the father takes several actions. Though Lavi would seem to qualify under Title 8 U.S.C. 1409, the inability to biological link the children in the anonymous process has proved a major obstacle.

An issue here appears to be the development of technology. Most citizenship laws do not address the sophisticated process of in-vitro fertilization. In contrast, babies that are adopted are automatically eligible for citizenship. All hope is not lost for Lavi and her children as there is a process in place for her to establish citizenship, but it does involve time, effort, and moving back to the United States of America for a period of time.

This story has brought criticism from some expats.

@atlanticist
"@BlogExpat @todayshow If THE EGG were HERS, they'd be US citizens. Because they'd be "of her". She's essentially a surrogate, who adopted."
"@BlogExpat @todayshow And they aren't "children without a country." They're Israelis. If she domiciles in the US., they can be US citizens."

A valid point, and reminder about the sensationalism of journalism. What's your opinion? Have you struggled to have your child recognized for citizenship? Share your experiences, questions, or comments below.

For a guide to the immigration process, explore EasyExpat's city guides and Expat FAQ with extensive information on visas and citizenship.

First Round of French Elections

The first round of French Presidential elections approaches and it's not just the French that are interested. The globe is a buzz with speculations about who will win this vital election. The April 22nd election is between ten qualified candidates (they need to get the support of at least 500 elected politicians) including incumbent president, Nicolas Sarkozy.

Candidates

Nicolas Sarkozy

The incumbent candidate, Sarkozy is a member of the Union for a Popular Movement (Union pour un Mouvement Populaire, UMP). As the president of France Sarkozy has garnered international attention for his politics as well as personal life with his wife Carla Bruni. It has been widely reported that Sarkozy will receive less expat support than in 2007 when he received 53.99% amongst French voters living abroad (and 53.06% of the votes overall).

François Hollande

Parti socialiste (Socialist Party, PS) is the largest French centre-left party. Along with the UMP, this is one of the major contemporary political parties in France and Hollande and Sarkozy are the front runners in the race (both voting intention figures now stand at 28% according to recent polls).

Marine Le Pen

Member of the National Front, Le Pen is President of the party. This party is known for its right wing politics, though Marine Le Pen has sought to distance herself from some of the party's past after taking over for her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. They have regularly scored between 10% and 17% for the past presidential elections.

Jean-Luc Mélenchon

Candidate for the Front de Gauche (Left Front). This is a coalition created for the 2009 European elections, composed primarily of the French Communist Party, the Left Party and the Unitarian Left. His results in the polls have been constantly raising and some expect him to reach 15% (in 2007, the Communist Party achieved only 2%).

François Bayrou

Mouvement démocrate (Democratic Movement, MoDem) is a centrist, social liberal and pro-European French political party. Founded by centrist politician François Bayrou, he had a strong showing in the 2007 presidential election with 18.57% of the votes; however current voting intention show figures closer to 10%.

Eva Joly

Candidate of Europe Écologie-Les Verts (EEVL = The Greens), Joly is a Norwegian-born French magistrate.The Greens party has signed an alliance with the Socialist Party for the parliament election in June. The presidential has never been a success for the party and they are currently standing at 2% in the polls.

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan

Dupont-Aignan is a French gaullist and souverainist politician. Once a member of the center right-wing UMP party, he is the founder and president of Debout la République (Arise the Republic, DLR) and co-president of the European political party EUDemocrats - Alliance for a Europe of Democracies. Voting intention about 1%.

Philippe Poutou

The Nouveau Parti anticapitaliste (New Anticapitalist Party, NPA) is a French political party that was intended to be temporary. The party seeks to unify the fractured movements of the French radical Left. Voting intention about 1% (in 2007 they did 4%).

Nathalie Arthaud

Lutte Ouvrière (Workers's Struggle) is a French Trotskyist political party. Voting intention about 1%.

Jacques Cheminade

Solidarité et progrès was founded by Jacques Cheminade in 1996. The small party is associated internationally with the politician American Lyndon LaRouche. Voting intention close to 0%.

The Process

The two-round runoff voting is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate. In the first round, all candidates are listed on the ballot and voters indicate their preference of one of them. The votes are added up and if a candidate receives a majority of the vote (50% + 1 vote), that candidate is declared elected. If no one receives a majority, the two candidates who received the highest number of votes are entered into a second runoff election.

The second election is typically held two weeks after the first. The idea behind this system is to ensure that the ultimate winner obtains an outright majority of all votes cast.

Expatriate Vote

French nationals abroad will be playing an important part the upcoming election. France has about 1.1 million expats that are registered to vote out of a total of around 44.5 million registered voters. Turnout is expected to surpass 2007's 42 percent amongst the voters abroad. The United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Canada and the United States hold the largest populations of overseas French voters.

The election is of concern globally, not least of which because of the success of French extremist parties. Many voters complain that there is not a clear distinction between front runners Sarkozy and Hollande, allowing for more extremist parties to take hold.

It appears that the expat vote may be slipping from Sarkozy's grasp. The French expatriate newspaper Le Petit Journal and TV5Monde published a survey that shows Sarkozy ahead by two points in the voting intention of French abroad, but this is one of the only polls to clearly place him in front. This is a much tighter gap than in the 2007 ballot, when Sarkozy won 54 percent of the overseas runoff vote to 46 percent for the Socialist candidate.

Using the voting results for French overseas in 2007, we created a helpful map to help readers understand the history of voters abroad. Countries in blue mark places where Sarkozy received more than 50 percent of the vote; pink marks countries in which he received less than 50 percent (or where Ségolène Royal, Socialist Party candidate, got more than 50%).

How to Vote

French expats are allowed to vote if they were registered to a consular before December 31, 2011.

Options for Voting

In person at ballot boxes arranged by French consulate (there are over 786 different polling stations including embassies, consulates and sites rented by the French government).
Proxy voting (the proxy must be given to someone voting in person at the same polling station).

Note that while EU citizens with resident status are legally entitled to vote at French elections such as Élections Municipales (Local Municipal Elections) and European Parliamentary Elections, but are not eligible to vote in Presidential or Parliamentary elections.

To read more about the election from a French Expat's perspective, read our Editor's piece [in French], "Election Présidentielle 2012: Le vote des Français de l'étranger indécis".

UPDATE: 23 April 2012 - 9.30am GMT

Results 1st round French presidential elections 2012:

François Hollande: 28,63 %
Nicolas Sarkozy: 27,18 %
Marine Le Pen: 17,9 %
Jean-Luc Mélenchon: 11,11 %
François Bayrou: 9,13 %
Eva Joly: 2,31 %
Nicolas Dupont-Aignan: 1,79 %
Philippe Poutou: 1,15 %
Nathalie Arthaud: 0,56 %
Jacques Cheminade: 0,25 %