Findings published by TIGA, the trade association that represents the UK games industry, show that 40% of employees who were made redundant between the years 2009 and 2011 moved overseas to work.

The report, dubbed “Making games in the UK today: a census of the UK develop and digital publishing sector” disclosed that nearly half of Britain’s game industry workforce has shrunk 10% because they’d relocated to a foreign country to find work.

Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said of the findings: “Our industry is suffering from a serious brain drain. Our competitors in Canada and elsewhere are able to recruit highly skilled developers from the UK largely because they benefit from tax breaks, which effectively reduce the cost of game development.”

If you are thinking about setting up roots abroad, check out Robinsons overseas removals today for help with packing, shipping, and storage needs.

For stress free international removals, we should be your first point of call and we have a dedicated International division which focuses only on moving overseas to any country worldwide including to and from Canada, Australia, shipping to India, USA, New Zealand and Europe and many other locations.

Starting a new part of your life and career in another country can be an exciting and scary prospect but here at Robinsons we can help give you plenty of advice about the local culture as well as ease the strain be undertaking many of the tasks. So ‘get in touch’ today to find how we can assist in your life-changing move overseas.

As a result, the BBC have launched a new series  where they will look at the problems and successes that come with uprooting to a foreign country.

‘At Home Abroad’ will explore all the trials and tribulations of moving overseas from marital issues to relocation dreams and migration numbers.

The first part of the series discusses how an overseas job can affect family life and it interviewed many adults to find out how it affected the spouses and home life in general. On average, about 80% of expatriate workers move with their spouses.

Moving an employee abroad is expensive with regards to relocation allowance, benefits and living expenses.

TRAILING SPOUSES

One case included a woman called Nicki Thorogood, when in 2008 her husband’s company moved him from England to New York and the transition wasn’t easy. She moved four months earlier because she didn’t want to move the three children halfway through a school year and the mother had to move the boys into a new house, a new town and country she didn’t know by herself.

Situations like this can be extremely difficult, especially because she had to leave her own job and many can find suburban life a struggle when compared to living in a small village in England. Even three years later, she still dreams about returning to the UK.

LACK OF SUPPORT

According to a 2011 study of global employment trends, 60% of trailing partners were employed before relocating but only 15% found work after moving. And according to a 2009 survey conducted by the Permits Foundation, only 18% of spouses felt they had been adequately supported by their partner’s companies.

Andrew Walker, the director of global mobility at WorleyParsons, which oversees more than 3,000 employees who move abroad, told the BBC: “The number one reason for assignment failure is the family’s inability to acclimatise and adjust to the new location.”

VISAS

Another issue highlighted in the series is spouses being given visas and even the workers themselves have to reapply for working visas every few years. It is said that countries China, Japan, Brazil and India are the hardest places for spouses to look for work after relocation. Australia is reportedly the best place that is the most hospitable to expatriates’ significant other.

And BBC reports that the stress of visas and culture shock can lead to marital discord. During and after a move there is emotional fallout and one interviewee said that couples usually come home very married or extremely divorced.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

But the series has pointed out the benefit which is an increase in entrepreneurship among trailing partners in creating business opportunities for themselves.

Robinsons overseas removals can ease the strain by helping in all stages of the move!

There are many tasks to fulfil from relocating bills, changing kids schools, cancelling the TV licence, noting the energy ratings, preparing the pets and more. So imagine the difficulty when instead of moving down the street you are moving to another country.

Hiring an expert international removals company can really aid in the entire moving process. A dedicated moving manager can help with regards to setting up foreign bank accounts etc. so moving overseas is stress-free.

They can assist in the packing, storage, shipping and insurance stages so you can be rest assured that your precious belongings are in super safe hands the entire time.

And many removal companies run international divisions which focus purely on moving overseas so you can breathe easy and be confident in the knowledge that specialists are helping you move.

There are varying issues you should contemplate depending on where you move be it within Europe, USA or Asia but a common top tip is six weeks prior to the move to check that your passport and visa is valid.

Make sure all documentation is legally acceptable including any travel documents, tickets, medical records, birth certificates etc.

In general, the people you need to contact include health providers such as doctor and dentist, insurance companies for the house, car and mobile phone, the bank, service suppliers including milkman, internet, vet, or newsagent, and all energy boards.

Moreover, a top tip for moving to a foreign land is to understand the importance of respecting another country’s cultures, beliefs and laws. You need to know and obey their rules and regulations so it is best researching beforehand, so you don’t land yourself in any trouble or bother.

Follow these simple guidelines from Robinsons and have a hassle and trauma free international move!

There are varying considerations to take into account when moving out of the country, especially with regards to the house, the children, any pets and finances. As a UK national you have the right to live in any European Economic Area (EEA) country- so make sure you have got all the essentials prepared and covered before moving or retiring abroad.

Finances

If you are retiring abroad, you may want to speak to a professional regarding tax advice about the benefits of offshore banking, as this could reduce your tax liability depending on where you are living.

Inform HM Revenue & Customs Charity, Assets and Residence (Residency) and the International Pension Centre when you move and provide new contact details. Get a State Pension forecast.

Health

To protect your healthcare needs find out before you move about welfare rights abroad as some UK benefits are not payable outside the UK. The actual health care costs may differ so do some research beforehand and notify your doctor, dentist and optician of your move. Health insurance can be taken out.

House

Notify all utility providers and the local council tax department to let them know you leaving. But make sure you give a forwarding address, especially for the electoral registration. Pay all remaining bills and outstanding payments to avoid being blacklisted and inform your bank. Have all mail forwarded for a re-direction by asking the Post Office and let the children’s schools know you will be withdrawing them from the local authority.

Moving overseas with Robinsons International is stress-free as we have a dedicated international division that focuses purely on moving abroad. Be confident that you will get expert advice from the specialists and rest assured you will be assigned a Moving Manager who will help you through all the processes and removals- right from the very beginning.

The findings show that of those who move away, the parents believe their children are enjoying ‘the good life’, with better schools, cheaper lifestyles and safer security.

Belgium ranked as the top place to have the best chance of a happy family, whereas Britain was ranked at the bottom of the table by foreign families living in this country.

It was argued Britain is ‘one of the most expensive’ places to raise a child and those surveyed think their offspring are ‘less safe’ than in their ‘home’ country.

These families also believe that their children live a ‘less active’ lifestyle, spending less time outdoors, playing fewer sport and spending more time watching television.

More than 4,100 people living in 100 countries participated in the poll, by HSBC bank.

They were asked questions all about their lifestyle, with subjects ranging from the cost of childcare, the amount of junk food children ate and whether they missed their ‘home’ friends.

Overall, parents living in Britain said that they did not think their children’s quality of life had improved.

So why not give your child a better start in childhood, pack up and move overseas with Robinsons International Removals.

The number of Britons moving abroad is increasing, according to latest research.

Findings by Smart Currency Exchange shows there is a renewed interest amongst the over 50’s who are looking at buying holiday homes in France and Spain,

The number of enquiries is on the up with reasons for packing up and moving away including; for lifestyle reasons or as investments.

Popular places for the younger generation to relocate to are New Zealand, Australia and Canada.

Charles Purdy, Director of Smart Currency Exchange, said despite the recession: “The over 50s are still very wealthy. There is a confidence level coming back that previously did not exist.”

Here at Robinsons International we are experts in overseas and international removals. We have a dedicated International division which focuses only on moving overseas, to any country worldwide with regular shipments to and from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, Canada, South East Asia, South and Central America, Europe and many other locations.

And all international Removals are covered by the Robinsons Service Guarantee.

It has been revealed today that appealing a rejected UK visa application will now incur a fee.

Appealing any applications for leave to remain, leave to enter or for changing a UK visa will now incur a charge between £60 and £250.

People who qualify for legal aid, people receiving asylum support and applicants who are in the asylum “detained fast track” process will be excluded from charges.

And there will be no charges for deportation, revocation of leave and deprivation of citizenship or right of abode appeals.

Other exceptional circumstances may also be eligible for exemption.

The charges will be payable regardless of the outcome of the UK immigration appeal and the measure is intended to reduce by 25 per cent the running costs of the UK immigration appeals system; whichcost the taxpayer £115 million last year.

 Jonathan Djanogly, under secretary of state at the Ministry of Justice, defended the new charge saying it is reasonable to ask non-UK citizens appealing against some categories of immigration and asylum.

The move has received stiff opposition from the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, which stated: “The cost of the immigration appeals system is in no small part a product of the poor quality of decision making by the UK Border Agency… applicants should not be penalised for this particularly given that their appeals will often concern matters of life and death and other fundamental rights.”

There is currently no fee for lodging a UK immigration appeal.

For more information on Removals and International Removals, vist Robinsons today. ]]> http://www.robinsons-intl.com/blog/uk-visa-appeal-for-international-removals/feed/ 0 http://www.robinsons-intl.com/blog/british-travel-industry-boosted-by-packing-up-and-adventuring-out/ http://www.robinsons-intl.com/blog/british-travel-industry-boosted-by-packing-up-and-adventuring-out/#comments Wed, 20 Oct 2010 09:36:54 +0000 custard http://www.robinsons-intl.com/blog/?p=605

When action packed adventurers spring to mind the words students or young hippies usually spring to mind but it seems a new wild pack are in town.

Research found that around 40 per cent of UK workers would move abroad to improve their health and wellbeing, as well as 36 per cent seeing other countries as a healthier environment and more varied lifestyle.

25 per cent said that they are not fully aware what state healthcare they would be entitled to of they were to move abroad, and a further 17 per cent believe that they would automatically qualify for free healthcare.

Almost half of the respondents (41%) wrongly believe that as a UK citizen, they automatically qualify for state-funded healthcare in the EU and Commonwealth.

Over a third of young workers (34%) wouldn’t take out additional health insurance if they were going to move abroad.

Teresa Rogers, international sales and marketing manager at Aviva UK Health, said, “In the UK we are in the enviable position of being able to choose to complement the ‘free at the point of delivery’ health services available from the NHS with a private health insurance policy.

“However, in many countries private health insurance is a necessity you can’t afford to be without.

“Healthcare provision varies greatly around the world and even routine medical care can prove costly in countries that don’t offer a similar service to the NHS.

“While we’re delighted to see that the majority of people would consider taking out additional private health insurance if they move overseas, our research clearly shows that many people have a very limited understanding of overseas health provision which could result in them choosing inappropriate cover or worse still, wrongly believing that either the state will provide cover or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is sufficient.”

If you are considering a move abroad and need help with the planning and packing of your personal belongings as well as the shipping and delivery of your products, then why not speak to Robinsons overseas removals today.

• Start the process of sorting out your personal belongings as soon as possible. This goes for everything and try to be as ruthless as possible with it all. Don’t forget that the more you are taking with you, the more it is all going to cost, so a wise move would be to make sure you only take the essentials and leave the rest behind by giving to charity or family and friends.
• If you have children and are moving abroad as a family then try to arrange it so that you move near the beginning of the summer holidays so they have plenty of time to settle into to their new home before school term starts. If you are moving to a none speaking English country then teach them the basics of the new language so they feel comfortable and familiar with it when they arrive.
• Make sure that you learn the language yourself as when you arrive you may not be meeted and greeted by someone who speaks good English or any at all.
• Make sure you have a European Health Insurance card (EHIC) which can be obtained from the Post Office and check what you are covered for under your own medical health insurance.
• Make sure that you fill in a P85 which you will then need to take to your nearest tax office or employer. You may need to claim tax rebate.
• Visit your bank and fill out an ‘not ordinarily resident’ form to ensure that you don’t have to pay tax on your savings. Give them the new details of your address.
• Tell everyone you are leaving. Dentist, doctor, optician, children’s school, current home energy providers, bank, friends, family, local council. Make sure you post is redirected to maybe a friend in the UK who you can trust.
• If you are considering taking your car abroad then make sure that you are covered by the insurance for driving abroad.

For more advice and information on moving abroad, make sure that you speak to Robinsons removals today, the team are dedicated to overseas removals to any international destination. With many years experience in the removals industry then can assist you in a professional and hassle free move.