THIS WEEK ABROAD
Slovenia’s new digital nomad visa opened for application. And with layoffs rising in expatland, Americans abroad should know what steps to take if the worst comes to pass.
We have everything you need to know in this week’s newsletter.👇
Must-Know News
🌍 SLOVENIA OPENS NOMAD VISA FOR APPLICATION
On November 21, Slovenia officially launched its digital nomad visa, along with a new information portal on how to apply.
The digital-nomad residence permit is available to non-EU/EEA citizens and valid for one year (no extensions).
Requirements
You must be working remotely for a foreign employer, on contract, or self-employed abroad.
The income threshold is set at at least twice the average monthly net salary in Slovenia, or approximately €3,100 ($3,300).
More details are available at your local Slovenian consulate or embassy, where applications can be made.
Video of the Week
💼 GOT LAID OFF ABROAD? HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Got the dreaded call from HR while living abroad? You’re not alone.
Over 160,000 jobs have been cut this year in the tech sector, and the stats show that fully remote workers are 35% more likely to be laid off than their office-based colleagues.
Getting laid off is stressful anywhere, but losing your job while living overseas adds another layer of pressure. If you ever find yourself in this situation, here’s what to do first.
🛃 Check Your Visa Status
Your immigration status is the most time-sensitive issue. In many countries, once your employment ends, the countdown begins. Some employer-sponsored visas allow only 30-60 days of grace.
Look into whether your host country allows you to switch to a different type of visa, such as self-employment, freelancing, or even short-term tourist status.
💰 Claiming Unemployment Benefits
This is where most expats run into difficulty. Unemployment insurance is administered by each state, and all states require claimants to be “able and available” for work. Most interpret that to mean physically available in the U.S. labor market.
Even if you apply only for remote jobs, many state systems haven’t updated their rules, and living abroad is often treated as automatic disqualification. However, the exact details vary on a state-by-state basis.
Massachusetts: Says clearly that you cannot collect benefits while outside the United States.
New York: Considers anyone abroad “unavailable for work” because they can’t physically accept employment.
Washington State: More flexible—claimants abroad may qualify if legally allowed to work locally or able to return to the U.S. for work immediately.
Florida and similar states: Use language close to Washington, but sometimes apply rules inconsistently.
Note that many unemployment portals block foreign IPs or trigger extra identity checks when logging in from abroad.
Most states also require a U.S. mailing address and phone number. If you haven’t maintained a stable U.S. domicile, unemployment filings—and even basic identity verification—become difficult. A reliable U.S. address matters.
🏛️ Tax Issues After a Layoff
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) covers only income earned from work performed abroad. Severance may qualify if tied to services you provided overseas, but unemployment benefits are fully taxable.
📍 Bottom Line
A layoff abroad is disruptive, but manageable. Know your visa timeline, check your state’s unemployment rules, maintain a valid U.S. address, and understand how post-employment income is taxed. Preparation makes all the difference when the unexpected happens.
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