Blog · 2024-09-06

Relocation news digest - September 6, 2024

Turkey: Ziraat Bank stops opening ruble accounts

Turkey's state-owned Ziraat Bank has stopped opening bank accounts denominated in rubles. The bank declined to comment on the reasons behind the move.

Holders of previously opened ruble accounts now receive their funds converted into lira. To make that conversion possible, a ruble account holder must also hold an account in the Turkish national currency.

Indonesia: new entry rules for tourists

Foreign visitors entering Indonesia are now required to complete an online form in advance.

The measure is intended to prevent the importation of monkeypox. Once the form is submitted, travelers receive a QR code that must be shown at the airport.

UAE: authorities introduce a grace period for foreigners with irregular status

Those who choose to leave the country during the two-month grace period can have all fines for illegal residence waived - provided they depart the UAE within 14 days of receiving an exit permit. Once those 14 days pass, all penalties are reinstated.

China: banks reject payments over Russian names in documents

Chinese banks have begun refusing payments because of Russian names in payment documents - even names not subject to sanctions. For now, such refusals are not widespread.

Ireland: employment law reforms take effect

As of 2 September 2024, Ireland has introduced a new employment permit for seasonal workers, streamlined its labor market testing process, and revised the rules for changing employers.

The reforms are part of the recently enacted Employment Permits Act 2024.

Japan: government plans to introduce a four-day work week

Through this measure the government hopes to boost workers' productivity and, over the longer term, help lift the birth rate.

Japan's government approved a bill on a shortened work week back in 2021, yet only around 8% of companies have adopted the arrangement.

Authorities have launched a campaign to promote reduced working hours and will also introduce limits on overtime.

Saudi Arabia: authorities to amend labor legislation

Saudi Arabia's Council of Ministers has approved amendments to the country's labor law, which will take effect in February 2025.

The key changes aim to strengthen workers' rights and clarify employers' obligations: a review of pay and compensation rules, changes to termination procedures, clearer probationary-period rules, and updated leave entitlements.

Jordan: authorities plan visa-free travel with Russia

Russia and Jordan are close to introducing visa-free travel, with the agreement in its final stage of approval. In addition, Jordanian carrier Royal Jordanian plans to resume direct flights between the two capitals in October.

Finland: changes to the documents required for a residence permit

As of 1 September 2024, applicants for a residence permit must include a valid passport issued by their country of citizenship among their documents.

Brazil: tighter visa rules for transit passengers

Brazil's Ministry of Justice has published rules stating that foreign nationals who enter the country without a valid visa must continue their journey to their destination or return to the country from which their flight departed.

Brazil does not require a transit visa, but in practice many foreigners had used the transit-visa exemption to request asylum from the Federal Police at the airport.

Belgium: easier work permits in the Walloon region

As of 1 September 2024, the Walloon region has relaxed its rules for issuing work permits.

Key changes

New exceptions to the rules for issuing work permits
More flexible conditions for low- and medium-skilled foreign workers
Relaxed requirements for EU Blue Card applications (including a shorter required employment-contract duration)
Eased rules for changing employers

Costa Rica: authorities restrict exit permits for minors

As of 1 October 2024, Costa Rica's National Children's Trust (the state body responsible for protecting children's rights) will no longer issue exit permits for minors - including through its dedicated offices at the main immigration authority and at international airports.

Instead, all applications for a minor's exit permit will have to be filed with the family court that has jurisdiction over the applicant's place of residence.

Lithuania: authorities to change rules on revoking citizenship

Lithuania's Ministry of the Interior has proposed amendments to the country's citizenship law.

Among the main points

Revoking the citizenship of people holding a second passport from countries deemed a threat to the national security of Lithuania or the EU
Revoking the citizenship of people who support a foreign state that threatens Lithuania or the EU
Revoking the citizenship of people who support the actions of a foreign state that violates international law

FAQ

Can you open a rouble account in a Turkish bank?

Turkish banks, state owned ones included, have wound down rouble business: new rouble accounts stopped being opened and money arriving on existing ones was converted into lira. That conversion requires you to hold a lira account as well. Bank positions have flipped repeatedly, so treat a rouble account as anything but a stable arrangement.

Do you need to fill in a form before entering Indonesia?

Indonesia uses electronic forms, a health declaration and a customs declaration, which generate a QR code you show at the airport. Which forms are mandatory has shifted with the health situation. Check the official portal a couple of days before departure; filling them in takes minutes.

Why do Chinese banks reject payments from Russia?

Fear of secondary sanctions pushed Chinese banks to tighten compliance, so they delay or bounce transfers, sometimes over Russian names in the paperwork alone, even when nobody involved is sanctioned. The problem eases and flares up again and varies a lot by bank. Allow extra time for payments and keep an alternative route ready.

How do you get a work permit in Ireland?

Permits are tied to a specific job, and the employer usually has to run a labour market test unless the role sits on the critical skills list. Ireland updated its employment permits law, adding a seasonal permit and easing the rules on changing employers. Categories and salary thresholds are revised, so check the current lists before applying.

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