Is it permissible for an expatriate to shorten and combine prayers if their stay abroad is prolonged and they face difficulties in performing prayers in the foreign country?

The permissibility of shortening prayers (qasr) for a traveler depends on the duration of stay. The majority of scholars hold that if a traveler intends to stay for more than four days, their journey ceases, and they must perform the prayers in full from the first day. This is the preferred opinion. Therefore, it is not permissible for you to shorten the prayers as long as you will be staying for nine months. As for combining prayers (jam') for a resident, it is permissible in specific situations such as rain, illness, fear, and need, provided that it is not taken as a regular habit.