Tag: expatriation

Poll of scientists shows large majority weighing leaving US

*This is being reported by The Hill.

More than three-quarters of scientists in the U.S are weighing leaving the country and are looking at Europe and Canada as their top relocation spots, according to a survey released Thursday. 

The scientific journal Nature poll found that 75.3 percent of scientists are considering leaving the U.S. after the administration cut funding for research. Nearly a quarter of respondents, 24.7 percent, disagreed. 

The highest contingent of researchers who are looking to move out of the country were those who are early in their careers. Nearly 550, out of 690 who responded to the survey, said they are considering leaving the U.S. Out of the 340 Ph.D. students, 255 shared the same inclination, the poll found.

The administration, along with tech billionaire and close Trump adviser Elon Musk, with the help of the Department of Government Efficiency, has terminated entire agencies and made cuts in the last two months in an effort to shrink the size and scope of the federal government.

Some of those reductions were felt at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where all grants for equity issues, which encompass studying Black maternal health and HIV, were canceled. The cap on indirect costs of NIH grants was capped at 15 percent. 

The NIH was also ordered recently to halt efforts to terminate the funding for grants intended for hospitals, universities and other institutions by a federal judge after numerous lawsuits. 

Former Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said she was concerned about the recent cuts to grants flowing through the NIH. 

“I’m worried on a lot of fronts,” Sebelius said Wednesday. “The kinds of cuts that were just announced are devastating and will set science back and set research back.”

These cuts have also affected the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which has been hit with layoffs.

More than three-quarters of Americans, 76 percent, said they have a great or fair amount of confidence in scientists to do what is best for the public, according to a Pew Research Center survey that was published in mid-November last year. The figure was a minor uptick from October 2023, when 73 percent of respondents said the same. 

Around 1,650 people responded to Nature’s survey. The margin of error and the dates the survey was conducted were not available to The Hill.

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This scenic town in Croatia is selling houses for just 13 cents—but there’s a catch

*This is being reported by CNBC. We are also unsure if it applied to legally married same sex couples, since Croatia has a different law with similar rights for same sex couples under the Life Partnership Act, which is not marriage equality.

Forget a penny for your thoughts; what about 13 cents for a house in Croatia?

Legrad, a town in northern Croatia, has been trying to get more people to settle in the area by offering houses for pennies. It’s an initiative they started in 2018.

The small town, with around 2,000 people, borders Hungary and has seen its population dwindle since the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1918.

In January, government officials announced another batch of houses is ready for sale at just 13 cents.

To be eligible to buy one of the houses, applicants must be under 45 years old, in a marital or extramarital partnership, and have no criminal record.

Most notably, if you want to snag one of these low-cost homes, applicants can’t already own property — though officials don’t specify if that means in Croatia or anywhere else in the world.

Local Croatian media outlet HRT reported that since the program started in 2018, there are more children today than there were five years ago, and as a result, they’re even building a new daycare center.

“A total of five houses ready for occupancy have been sold. Three families have already moved in, and what delights us is that all three families welcomed a new member during their move-in. This has increased the number of children in the daycare center,” Ivan Sabolić, the mayor of Legrad, told HRT.

In 2021, Legrad put up 19 empty houses and abandoned construction sites for sale at the price of 1 kuna, Croatia’s currency at the time. Seventeen were sold, according to Reuters. The houses were in various states of disrepair, so to help out, the municipality said it would pay $25,000 kuna (about $3,558) for any necessary renovations.

For new residents who wanted to buy a privately owned home, the town offered to cover 20% of the price or up to 35,000 kuna (about $5,056). It’s unclear if the town will offer the same incentives this time around.

Croatia isn’t the first country to take this kind of approach to bringing new life to their shrinking populations. Mussomeli, a town in Sicily, went viral for selling off deteriorating homes for 1 euro.

“The Sopranos” and “Good Fellas” star Lorraine Bracco also bought into this trend when she purchased a 1 euro home in a different Italian town called Sambuca di Sicilia.

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Move Abroad Con in San Antonio May 23-25. Get Your FleeRedStates Discount!

Embark on a journey to transform your future at Expatsi’s Move Abroad Con 2025 in vibrant San Antonio, Texas! 

This one-of-a-kind event is your gateway to unlocking the possibilities of living overseas. Dive into practical insights, expert advice, and inspiring stories as we empower you to turn your global dreams into reality. Whether you’re planning your first move or looking to expand your horizons, this conference will equip you with the tools and confidence to take the leap.”

And to help you make that leap, we have a referral link to use in order to register for the conference, as well as a coupon code that will get you 10% off!

Please visit the site and sign up at this link>> https://mac.heysummit.com/?ac=ihfj3xKe

During checkout, use the referral coupon code “fleeredstates”.

A little bird told us that someone from FleeRedStates may be one of the presenters at the conference. You don’t want to miss it!

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Are You Really You? Using Documents to Move Overseas

Moving overseas is a whirlwind of logistics, from packing boxes to visa applications. Amidst the chaos, you might encounter a term that sounds like a fancy pastry: “apostille.” But it’s far from edible; it’s a crucial authentication for your documents. So, when exactly do you need an apostille stamp for your international move?

The simple answer: whenever you need to prove the authenticity of a public document issued in one country for use in another country that is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. This convention streamlines the legalization process, making it easier for documents to be recognized internationally.

Think of it as a global stamp of approval. But what kinds of documents might require this stamp when you’re relocating?

Common Documents Needing an Apostille:

  • Birth Certificates: Essential for proving your identity and family relationships, especially when registering children in a new country or applying for residency.
  • Marriage Certificates: Necessary for legal recognition of your marriage abroad, especially for visa applications or property purchases.
  • Divorce Decrees: Required for legal recognition of your marital status in your new country.
  • Educational Documents (Diplomas, Transcripts): Often needed for employment or further education in your destination country.
  • Background Checks/Police Clearances: Frequently requested for visa applications or employment.
  • Power of Attorney: If you’re authorizing someone to act on your behalf in your home country while you’re abroad, an apostille is vital.
  • Business Documents: If you’re relocating your business or starting a new one, articles of incorporation, certificates of good standing, and other business-related documents might require an apostille.

Why is an Apostille Necessary?

Foreign governments need assurance that your documents are genuine. An apostille confirms that the signature, seal, or stamp on the document is authentic and was issued by a competent authority. Without it, your documents might be rejected, delaying your move or hindering your ability to access essential services.

The Process:

The process of obtaining an apostille varies by country and even by state within the US. Typically, you’ll need to:

  1. Identify the issuing authority: Determine which government agency issued the document (e.g., state registrar for birth certificates, secretary of state for business documents).
  2. Obtain a certified copy: Ensure you have a certified copy of the original document.
  3. Submit the document to the designated authority: In the US, this is usually the Secretary of State’s office.
  4. Pay the required fee: Apostille services usually involve a fee.

Planning Ahead is Key:

Don’t wait until the last minute to obtain your apostilles. The process can take time, and delays can disrupt your moving plans. Research the specific requirements of your destination country and start the process well in advance.

By understanding when and why you need an apostille, you can navigate the bureaucratic hurdles of moving overseas with greater ease, ensuring your documents are recognized and accepted in your new home.

*We are providing this as information only. Please consult an attorney and/or government officials for more detailed information on when this may be necessary.

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