It is not easy living as an expat. For some, it is the new place anxiety and for others, it may be a change of life. For someone who has lived in their own country for a longer period of time, living as an expat in another country is a whole new life-changing experience.

Expats living in any country face a challenge of securing themselves in the case of an emergency by investing in that country. Read on to know the factors you need to know when investing as an expat.

Though expats move away from their country, they also have benefits like more opportunities, exploring other countries, and low cost of living compared to their country.

The United States citizen expats have the facility of opening online interactive brokerage accounts to the likes of Schwab One International Account. Under this account, the investor has an access to stock options, trading in multiple currencies, ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds), Forex bonds, and much more. With Charles Schwab, an investor can link with an offshore account with their home country (US) brokerage account.

Offshore investments
Depending on the country where you are placed, you need to take investment calls. Developed countries like UK, Canada, or Australia have awesome investment opportunities and some brokerage houses even permit to invest in the US securities through them.

While that may not be the case in some developing countries in Asia or Africa. You might not have access to local investments as per the prevailing country law. But, you can still invest in your home country and even access your accounts.

Taxes
Taxes are one thing every expat has to work on. Regardless of which country they stay in; they need to pay their taxes in their home country. Even if you are working offshore, you are accountable to IRS (Internal Revenue Service), if you are a US citizen. A financial consultant, who is an expert in international investment matters, needs to be consulted on tax-related queries on how you can find a middle road for double taxation.

The United States tax law implies that IRS should have a full report of your income in foreign banks and investment history. According to the new law, now the US expats are eligible for Foreign Tax Credit if they have been taxed by their host country.

One more tax rule is that one must file FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), the United States Federal law, which requires overseas financial institutions to give information about the foreign assets held by their citizens.

Living abroad has its fair share of consequences and aftereffects. Tax, finances, and investments are some of them. Thankfully, US-based investment firms are adapted to deal with the US expats and the issues relating to their finances. These fund houses let you manage your funds, build your portfolio, and even access them remotely from any part of the world.

Even if you stay away from home as an expat in any country of the world, your investment should not take a backseat.