Blog · 2024-09-13

Relocation news digest - September 13, 2024

🇨🇿 Czech Republic: citizenship only after renouncing a Russian passport

Czech authorities have proposed granting citizenship to Russians only once they give up their Russian passport. The amendment was tabled by Martin Exner, a member of the parliamentary security committee, and backed by Interior Minister Vít Rakušan.

Asylum seekers and other special cases could be exempt.

🇧🇷 Brazil: delays in immigration services

High demand is causing delays for foreign nationals seeking services at the Federal Police office in São Paulo.

The São Paulo Federal Police office is currently scheduling visa registration appointments roughly a month after the request, while appointments to change immigration status in-country - including Mercosur residency and family reunification applications - are running two to three months out.

🇺🇸 United States: parole-in-place suspension extended

The Eastern District Court of Texas has extended the suspension of parole issuance under the Keeping Families Together parole-in-place program until September 23. The original deadline had been September 9.

Applicants may continue filing Form I-131F parole requests with USCIS during this period.

🇩🇪 Germany: border controls introduced to curb illegal migration

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has ordered border checks on all of Germany's land borders starting September 16. The move is intended to limit the number of people entering the country illegally, and the controls will run for six months.

🇲🇩 Moldova: banks stop accepting Zolotaya Korona transfers

In August, the developer of Zolotaya Korona - the Center for Financial Technologies - came under US sanctions.

Zolotaya Korona's website lists three Moldovan banks that still accept transfers: EuroCreditBank, Comertbank and Energbank.

🇱🇻 Latvia: authorities plan to bar Russians from buying property

Latvian authorities intend to restrict Russians' ability to purchase real estate in the country.

Latvia is following Finland's lead. On September 2, Finland drafted a bill banning Russians from real estate transactions. The document does not name Russia directly, but the restrictions would apply to countries that "may pose a threat to Finland's national security."

🇺🇸 United States: EB-2 visas unavailable until the end of the fiscal year

The EB-2 immigrant visa category has become unavailable after hitting its annual cap and will remain so until the end of fiscal year 2024, which closes on September 30, 2024.

🇰🇿 Kazakhstan: Home Credit cuts ties with VTB Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's Home Credit has announced that it is ending its dealings with VTB Kazakhstan, a subsidiary of VTB.

The step is meant to eliminate the risk of secondary sanctions, including for the bank's clients. All transfer operations in tenge and foreign currency to and from client accounts at VTB Kazakhstan have been halted.

🇶🇦 Qatar: discount on fines for leaving the country extended

The 50% discount on traffic fines required to leave Qatar - originally set to expire on August 31, 2024 - has been extended until November 30, 2024.

🇸🇧 Solomon Islands: citizenship-by-investment bill drafted

The bill is currently under review in the Attorney General's office and will then be presented to the administration.

Under the program, an applicant and their family members would be able to obtain a Solomon Islands passport through investment. The Solomon Islands offer visa-free entry to the Schengen area and the United Kingdom.

🇫🇮 Finland: restrictions on changing status from within the country

Under a new government regulation, foreigners will no longer be able to apply for a work permit or Finnish residence permit while inside the country.

Foreign nationals wishing to change their immigration status will have to leave Finland and apply from abroad.

🇹🇷 Turkey: digital nomad visa opens up

Turkey's digital nomad visa is now available to citizens of Russia, Belarus, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and EU countries.

Applicants must be university graduates aged between 21 and 55.

🇬🇾 Guyana: airport now requires proof of fee payment

Following a policy change, Guyana's immigration authorities at the airport now require foreign nationals applying for a visitor visa on arrival (VVOA) or an employment visa on arrival (EVOA), as well as those arriving with a work permit approval letter, to present a receipt of the government fee payment as proof that their application was processed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

FAQ

Do you have to renounce Russian citizenship to become Czech?

The Czech Republic introduced a requirement for applicants from Russia to prove with certified documents that they have given up their previous citizenship, with exceptions for children, asylum seekers and people with special merit. Dual citizenship used to be accepted here, so this is a real reversal. Practice is still settling, so check exactly which evidence the interior ministry accepts before applying.

How long is the wait for a Federal Police appointment in Brazil?

It depends on the city and the backlog - in Sao Paulo, visa registration slots ran about a month out, while status change, Mercosur and family reunification appointments ran two to three months out. Book as soon as you arrive rather than near the end of your registration deadline. Slots are released in waves, so check the portal several times a day.

Are there passport checks inside the Schengen area?

As a rule there are no internal borders, but a country may reintroduce checks temporarily on security or migration grounds, as Germany did on all of its land borders. These regimes run for months and get extended. Carry your passport and residence card even on a bus ride between neighbouring countries.

Can Russians buy property in Latvia?

Baltic and Nordic countries have debated and passed restrictions on property deals by nationals of states they treat as a security threat. The wording is usually neutral, but Russians are who it lands on in practice. The measures arrived piecemeal and at different times, so check the current law of the specific country.

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