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Manan Anwar

I share about life abroad, about taking care of physical and mental health and being a full-time content creator running their own (1 month old) agency

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Ever wondered how it feels to hold a powerful passport versus a weak one?

I can tell you that it feels like nothing else.I recently travelled to Malaysia with my brother. When I reached immigration it took less than a minute with my EU passport, the officer didn't even ask me anything. He yawned, and scanned through my passport and stamped it right away with a 30 day visa on arrival.My brother on the other hand, with a weaker Pakistani passport, had to apply for a visa first, (which he got 3 days before his flight), but despite having a valid visa, valid funds,...

We need to clear a few misconceptions about Estonian E-Residency Program.Firstly, it DOES NOT grant you any right to physical residency. You have no possibility to visit Estonia or the EU or in any way bring yourself or your family. This is a huge misconception.Secondly, despite the marketing, it also DOES NOT grant you a right to open a company or a bank account straight away. In fact, one of the biggest issues that many people face is opening a bank account.Thirdly, one of the questions...

Hi there, It is Christmas Eve and Tallinn is finally blanketed in snow, looks like we will have a white christmas after all. I hope you are having a good time with your friends and family. As a special thanks I have given a 50% discount on all the products on my site, you can get the discount using the code HEADJOULE24 Note that the discount is only valid this year. You can view all the products here at https://lifeinestonia.com/ Wishing you best and I will see you next year. /Manan P.S Last...

Hi there, So in the past 15 years, I have applied myself for numerous visas all across the world. Both for tourism and for work. As a (previous) holder of one of the worst passport in the world, I have seen first hand how difficult it can be for us. I have also helped many others with their applications and visa interviews in the past years. Here are some of the most important things you need to know when applying for a visa. Note that these tips are primarity written for visit visas, but...

Hi there, Lets talk about some ways you (or anyone) can move to Estonia (or Europe in general).1. Studies: Enrolling in a university program remains one of the most popular ways to move abroad. It gives you a chance to upskill, get a chance to adjust to the culture and language, and then find a job. Many countries (including Estonia) allow you to stay for a grace period to find a job after your studies are over. There are quite a few countries that offer study programs without tuition fees,...

Hi there, Every week, I receive messages like these: “I want to get a job abroad.” “Can you help me get a job in Estonia?” If this sounds like you, I want to share some hard-earned lessons to help you take that leap. 1. Understand the Competition You’re not just competing with talent from Pakistan, India, or Bangladesh. 🌍 There’s also Southeast Asia, South America, and beyond. The global talent pool is huge, so standing out is non-negotiable. 2. Be Ready to Work Relentlessly Landing a “good”...

Hi there, After almost a decade of living in Estonia, I’ve learned one thing—this country has its own unique way of doing things. What might seem absolutely wild in other places is just another day in the life here. Let me share some of the quirkiest, most fascinating aspects of Estonian life with you: 1️⃣ Silence is Completely Normal Imagine grocery shopping or picking up your ID without saying a single word. No "hello," no "thank you." For a lot of foreigners it might sound shocking or...

Hi there, After surveying over 200 expats here in Estonia, I’ve uncovered some surprising insights into the local job market, especially around salaries. I’m excited to share these highlights with you—if you’re curious about what to expect from Estonia’s job scene, read on! 1️⃣ Gambling Industry Pays Big The highest salary reported? It’s from the gambling industry! One respondent, in their late 40s with over 20 years of experience and two Master’s degrees, earns €200,000 annually, including...

In December 2022, I got fired in the most spectacular fashion. I was called to the office on Christmas Eve. A paper was put forward that said that I am being fired due to lack of performance and I have to sign this paper. I refused outrightly. I knew that my performance had no issue and this was completely wrong, and if I sign this paper I will be shooting myself in the foot. (I was actually headhunted for this job, I left my previous job because they approached me and wanted to take up this...

Hello Friends, This week marked the start of Ramazan across the world. If you don't know then in Ramazan Muslims abstain from eating or drinking from sunrise till sunset for the whole month. These days we have a day of about 13 hours. But back then when I first came to Estonia 10 years ago, the day lasted almost 19 hours. This was really challenging. Especially in the first week. There is a feeling of drowsiness and lethargy that makes you want to keep lying down. But this feeling goes away...