SJP Expatriate services

At St. James’s Place, our professional financial advisers can help you manage your financial matters and protection arrangements, making your transition smoother. 

Living as an expatriate offers exciting opportunities for career advancement and increased international business exposure. However, it also involves the challenges of separation from friends and family and adjusting to a new culture and work environment.

Expatriate financial advice

Careful consideration and planning are required before you take up an overseas position. Thus, it’s very important to plan at least 12 to 18 months ahead of your move.

Your circumstances can be wide ranging. Surrendering investments at the wrong time or arranging them in an inappropriate manner can lead to significant and unexpected tax consequences.

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Investment management

Our expat financial advisers provide personalised investment strategies to grow and protect your wealth, taking into account international market opportunities and risks.

Learn about investing
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Retirement planning

We help you plan for a secure retirement, offering advice on cross-border pension schemes and strategies to ensure financial stability in your later years.

Plan your retirement
tax planning
Tax planning

Our experts offer guidance on navigating the complex tax regulations of both your home country and the UAE, optimising your tax liabilities for maximum benefit.

Planning your taxes
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Estate planning

We assist with structuring your estate to ensure your assets are managed and distributed according to your wishes, complying with international inheritance laws.

Passing wealth on

Understanding your financial needs as an expat

As an expat in the UAE, understanding your financial needs is essential for effective wealth management. Expat financial advisers at St. James’s Place specialise in providing expatriate financial advice tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities in Dubai. Navigating currency exchange rates, local and home country tax compliance, and cross-border retirement planning are crucial aspects we address. 

In Dubai, expat investment advice also includes international investment strategies, estate planning, and ensuring access to essential banking and financial services. Our comprehensive financial planning for expats ensures that you are well-prepared for your financial future, whether you're planning for repatriation or establishing long-term residency in the UAE.

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As an expat, are you aware of how living internationally can impact your existing protection arrangements and whether they remain valid in your new location? It’s crucial to review your insurance policies and other protective measures to ensure they provide adequate coverage while you’re living abroad. Policies that were suitable in your home country may not offer the same protection in another jurisdiction, potentially leaving you exposed to risks. Our advisers can help you assess and offer financial advice to ensure continuous and comprehensive coverage.

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Expatriates

Did you know expatriates may require additional cover to take into account liabilities such as mortgages on multiple properties, higher international school fees, and the repatriation cost of your family in the event of illness or death? Living abroad often brings unique financial responsibilities and risks that necessitate tailored insurance solutions. Moreover, the potential need for repatriation in emergencies underscores the importance of having adequate coverage. Our advisers are equipped to help you identify and address these additional coverage needs, ensuring your financial stability and peace of mind.

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Understanding your financial needs as an expat

Understanding your financial needs as an expat is crucial for effective management of wealth abroad because every country and jurisdiction has unique opportunities.

  • Navigating currency and exchange rates
  • Compliance with local and home country tax laws

    Compliance with local and home country tax laws

    Tax obligations can be more complex for expats due to the need to navigate the tax laws of both your home country and your country of residence. Double taxation agreements can offer relief, but understanding eligibility and how to claim benefits is crucial. Expat financial advice will include tailored tax planning to ensure compliance and optimise your tax situation, avoiding potential pitfalls and penalties.

  • Retirement and pension planning across borders

    Retirement and pension planning across borders

    Retirement planning is more complex for expats who may have pension schemes in multiple countries or need to transfer their pensions across borders. Understanding the regulatory and tax implications of pension transfers is vital for ensuring a secure retirement. Consider how your retirement plans align with your lifestyle choices and long-term residency plans. Our expatriate financial advisers help you navigate these complexities, ensuring your retirement plans are robust and aligned with your future goals.

  • Estate planning and inheritance laws

    Estate planning and inheritance laws

    Estate planning for expats is critical, especially given the potential for different inheritance laws and tax implications in their country of residence compared to their home country. The complexity of laws and regulations across different countries means that expats face unique challenges and opportunities in planning their estates effectively. Our services cover compliance with international laws, strategies to minimise global tax liabilities, assistance with cross-border asset distribution, inheritance planning, and setting up internationally recognised wills*. We offer comprehensive expatriate financial advice to ensure your estate is managed effectively, protecting your assets and ensuring your wishes are honoured. 

    *Advice relating to a will, matters of guardianship, and trust involves the referral to a service that is separate and distinct to those offered by St. James’s Place.

  • Planning for repatriation

    Planning for repatriation

    Repatriation involves returning to your home country after living abroad, bringing unique financial challenges and opportunities. Expats should consider the impact of repatriation on their investments, retirement savings, and tax status. Planning for repatriation involves reassessing financial goals, repatriating assets in a tax-efficient manner, and re-establishing financial foundations in your home country. Understanding your financial needs as an expat requires a holistic approach to cross-border wealth management, considering taxation, investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning, and day-to-day financial management.

  • Expat tax planning

    Expat tax planning

    Expat tax planning is crucial for navigating the unique challenges of an international lifestyle. Ensuring compliance with international tax laws, reducing tax liabilities, and developing strategies for double taxation avoidance are essential aspects of expat financial planning. Guidance on tax residency, the Statutory Residence Test, and repatriation preparation are also vital. Here, our personalised tax planning helps expats secure their financial well-being, ensuring legal compliance and optimising tax positions across borders, potentially saving significant amounts of money over time.

Compliance with local and home country tax laws

Tax obligations can be more complex for expats due to the need to navigate the tax laws of both your home country and your country of residence. Double taxation agreements can offer relief, but understanding eligibility and how to claim benefits is crucial. Expat financial advice will include tailored tax planning to ensure compliance and optimise your tax situation, avoiding potential pitfalls and penalties.

Retirement and pension planning across borders

Retirement planning is more complex for expats who may have pension schemes in multiple countries or need to transfer their pensions across borders. Understanding the regulatory and tax implications of pension transfers is vital for ensuring a secure retirement. Consider how your retirement plans align with your lifestyle choices and long-term residency plans. Our expatriate financial advisers help you navigate these complexities, ensuring your retirement plans are robust and aligned with your future goals.

Estate planning and inheritance laws

Estate planning for expats is critical, especially given the potential for different inheritance laws and tax implications in their country of residence compared to their home country. The complexity of laws and regulations across different countries means that expats face unique challenges and opportunities in planning their estates effectively. Our services cover compliance with international laws, strategies to minimise global tax liabilities, assistance with cross-border asset distribution, inheritance planning, and setting up internationally recognised wills*. We offer comprehensive expatriate financial advice to ensure your estate is managed effectively, protecting your assets and ensuring your wishes are honoured. 

*Advice relating to a will, matters of guardianship, and trust involves the referral to a service that is separate and distinct to those offered by St. James’s Place.

Planning for repatriation

Repatriation involves returning to your home country after living abroad, bringing unique financial challenges and opportunities. Expats should consider the impact of repatriation on their investments, retirement savings, and tax status. Planning for repatriation involves reassessing financial goals, repatriating assets in a tax-efficient manner, and re-establishing financial foundations in your home country. Understanding your financial needs as an expat requires a holistic approach to cross-border wealth management, considering taxation, investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning, and day-to-day financial management.

Expat tax planning

Expat tax planning is crucial for navigating the unique challenges of an international lifestyle. Ensuring compliance with international tax laws, reducing tax liabilities, and developing strategies for double taxation avoidance are essential aspects of expat financial planning. Guidance on tax residency, the Statutory Residence Test, and repatriation preparation are also vital. Here, our personalised tax planning helps expats secure their financial well-being, ensuring legal compliance and optimising tax positions across borders, potentially saving significant amounts of money over time.

Please note that past performance is not indicative of future performance, and that the value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested. 

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances. You are advised to seek independent tax advice from suitably qualified professionals before making any decision as to the tax implications of any investment.

Expatriating to Hong Kong?

Financial planning for expats

Moving to Hong Kong requires careful planning, and we recommend starting the process 12 to 18 months ahead of your move. Expatriates often face complex financial circumstances, and making decisions such as surrendering investments at the wrong time or arranging them inappropriately can lead to significant and unexpected tax consequences.

Our comprehensive financial planning services and advice for expats cover a range of crucial areas:

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Investment planning

Whether you're building your portfolio for income, growth, or both, we can assist you to define your goals and risk tolerance. We aid you in crafting a diversified portfolio managed by some of the world's leading investment managers, ensuring a distinctive approach that sets us apart.

Learn about investing
retirement
Retirement planning

Your retirement could be near or far, but it's never too early or late to start long-term planning. Our financial advisers are here to help you calculate your pension targets and adjust plans to make sure you have a comfortable retirement.

Plan your retirement
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Tax planning

Our experts provide tailored guidance to help you navigate the complex tax regulations in both your home country and Singapore, ensuring your tax liabilities are optimised for maximum benefit.

Planning your taxes
woman on laptop
Estate planning

We help structure your estate to ensure your assets are managed and distributed according to your wishes, while adhering to international inheritance laws.

Passing wealth on
advice for business
Corporate financial planning

For expats running their own businesses, our corporate services include group medical and insurance coverage, personal retirement planning, and investment advice tailored to you and your employees’ needs.

Business financial planning

Our expert teams are established in key financial centres globally, including Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. This international presence ensures you have access to local market knowledge and personalised advice tailored to your specific location, ensuring you're equipped to manage dual-country finances, school fees, healthcare plans, and tax statuses.

Expatriating to Hong Kong?

Frequently asked questions about financial planning for expats

How do you tailor financial advice or plans for expatriate clients?
What kind of investments are suitable for expatriates?
Can St. James's Place manage wealth for my entire family?
What are the tax considerations for expats investing abroad?
What retirement options are suitable for expatriates?

Please note that the St. James’s Place approach to investment management only applies to St. James’s Place products. 

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested. 

The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances. You are advised to seek independent tax advice from suitably qualified professionals before making any decision as to the tax implications of any investment.