About Odem

Status:

Considering a Move Abroad 

Gender:

Male

Currently Lives:

Tampa Bay, United States

Citizen Of:

United States

Past Expat Posts:

Australia

Canada

Aruba

HR/Relo
Professional:

Provider of Expat-Related Services & Products

Education:

University of South Florida
  1988 to 1993

Some Forum Posts:

Iceland: ANYONE HERE!?:

Yes. I'm half Icelandic. Where are you?

Iceland: apartment:

I'm half Icelandic, related to everyone in Iceland but live in Florida. I don't know any real estate person but I can find out. Where do you live now? Thanks.

Belize: Hello everyone:

Welcome, Stewart ! ! !

Belize: Work:

Note that "Belize has a "protectionism" attitude toward licensure for pretty much all work permits / licenses ..." There is nothing unusual about that. Think what you went through to get licensed. That system you worked with and, in a sense, grew up with. Every country I am familiar with has their own variation so we must work with it - after all, changing it will have it's own system. Good luck ! ! !

Belize: Banking & Business:

As for banking in Belize, you need to contact one or more of the banks. US reporting of the aggregate maximum balances of all non-US financial accounts (bank, investment, insurance, precious metals, and such) if $10,00 or more TOTAL is required NOT LATER than June 30 of the following year - NO EXTENSIONS. Penalties are obscene, and may includie felony charges. US tax returns on GLOBAL income are required, presumably 1040 and including your business(es), incorporated or otherwise. If you own foreign property or interests in foreign businesses or most foreign real estate, that must be reported to IRS, often separate from your 1040. The US has over 60 tax treaties that generally provide for exchange of tax information, but no treaty with Belize. However, IRS, through the State Department, has or is negotiating Tax Information Exchange Agreements with numerous other countries. I'm not aware of the status of such with Belize, but there was one just concluded with Cayman Islands and Switzerland, for example. Pursuant to the recent Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and the Bank Secrecy Act, US banks are extremely limited in transactions with banks that do not cooperate with such agreements. In short, if a foreign bank doesn't report, you probably can't put US money into it. You will almost certainly need a work permit in Belize. It's been a while and the requirements may have changed so you need to do some research. I strongly urge you to engage an attorney in Belize. I'll be happy to further discuss the interactions with US tax matters with you directly, or your attorney with proper authorization.

Belize: will it work?:

You will need to obtain a work permit. You can find the requirements on line but I have the impression that, if it is issued, it will take at least 6 months.

Belize: Exchange Rate:

Belizian law says it's $1 US equals $2 BZ, As with many other countries, if you can negotiate something better, it seems to happen.

Iceland: How can australian immigrate to Iceland:

I'm half Icelandic (US citizen, have lived in Australia) and related to all native Icelanders by blood. For me to get Icelandic citizenship I must live there 7 years. The population totals about 320,000, mostly in or near Reykjavik Citizens of the Nordic countries, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland, have the most privileged status in Iceland and do not need to apply for residence permits. Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) countries can stay in Iceland for up to six months without a permit if they are looking for work and three months if they are not. Citizens from nonmember countries can only obtain one-year residence permits at a time and must apply before their arrival. Their residence permits are contingent upon their purpose in the country. Here is a link to the Directorate of Immigration ( in the Ministry of Interior): http://www.utl.is/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17&Itemid=18&lang=en The Directorate issues residence permits, in your case not longer than a year at a time, the first must be issued before you arrive in Iceland, and may be renewed. A means test and the Icelandic citizenship exam are generally required for cietizenship. This exam is administered twice a year, to demonstrate you have a working knowledge of the Icelandic language and the history of Iceland. Depending on skills and education, unemployment is still high but things are getting better. Cheers, mate ! ! !

Iceland: How are my chances to immigrent to Iceland from Egypt ?:

See my post earlier today in reply to someone from Australia

Belize: 30% Taken From Social Security:

I agree with Sharon. I may be a bit old-fashioned but I also strongly suggest having such deposits made to your US bank, then transferred to your foreign bank.

Date Joined:

8/1/2009

Total Posts:

29

Posts/Day:

0.01