Blog · 2025-03-28

Relocation news digest - March 28, 2025

Estonia to stop recognizing Russian non-biometric passports from 31 March

Holders of residence permits from Estonia and other European Union countries who currently travel on a non-biometric Russian passport must apply for a biometric passport by 30 September 2025.

Non-biometric passports do not meet the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and pose a range of security risks. Because they contain no electronic data carrier, there is no way to match the holder's personal details against information stored on a chip.

Unlike a Russian biometric passport, the authority that issued a non-biometric document cannot be readily identified, which makes it harder to detect passports that are not officially recognized. Russian passports - biometric ones included - issued in unrecognized regions are not accepted as valid travel documents by Schengen countries.

As of 20 March 2025, Denmark and the Czech Republic either do not recognize Russian non-biometric passports at all or recognize them only conditionally.

Luxembourg raises salary threshold for the EU Blue Card

The threshold has been increased by 7.53%, from $58,968 to $63,408, effective 18 March 2025. All applications filed after that date must meet the new salary level. Applicants must also hold a valid passport, a visa to enter the Schengen area, and confirmed high-level qualifications.

United Kingdom raises fees for several visa categories

Fees have gone up for tourist, student and work visas, as well as the Global Talent visa.

• Six-month visa: £127 (previously £115);
• Two-year visa: £475 (previously £432);
• Five-year visa: £848 (previously £771);
• Ten-year visa: £1,059 (previously £963).

Russian tour operators warn against exchanging currency abroad via messengers, chats and social media

The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) and the Russian Union of Travel Industry (RST) have warned travelers about a rise in fraud involving cash handed over in exchange for transfers from Russian bank cards. ATOR advises tourists to steer clear of the "services" offered by dubious individuals in messengers, chats and on social media.

Tour operators always warn travelers about this. Package tourists on holiday abroad can always turn to their operator's on-site hotel representative for help finding trusted currency exchange points.

RST recommends using reliable exchange offices and banking services. A number of Russian banks not under sanctions also offer QR-code payment options, provided the traveler's mobile operator has working roaming.

Peru: opening a bank account is about to get easier

Peru's banking and insurance regulator has issued a resolution expanding the list of accepted identity documents for foreign nationals who wish to open savings accounts at Peruvian banks and financial institutions.

From 16 June 2025, foreign nationals will be allowed to use a variety of forms of identification - including passports, national ID cards from their home country, or other legally recognized documents - as an alternative to the Peruvian ID card. At present a Peruvian ID is required to open accounts at most financial institutions, and obtaining one can take up to three or four weeks.

The change is expected to benefit foreign nationals, particularly given the ongoing delays in issuing Peruvian ID cards.

Bali bans revealing clothing for tourists

The authorities in Indonesia's Bali province have introduced new rules for foreign tourists.

The rules require foreign visitors to respect local cultural traditions, including wearing modest clothing at sacred sites, attractions and in public areas, hiring only accredited guides, exchanging currency exclusively at official outlets, and paying only in Indonesian rupiah. The measures are intended to maintain order and show respect for local customs.

New Zealand: dependent children with health conditions may be denied visas

From 17 March 2025, children who are dependents of work, student or other visa holders will no longer be eligible for student or visitor visas if they have serious cognitive impairments or developmental conditions that require significant support.

In particular, an application for a temporary visa may be refused if it is deemed that during their stay the applicant is likely to require hospitalization, inpatient treatment, costly pharmaceuticals or disability services.

An application may also be refused if the person is found to have cognitive impairments requiring significant support. Such conditions include, among others, physical disabilities, intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders.

Turkey eases rules on the ratio of local to foreign workers

Companies may now calculate the ratio of local to foreign workers - 5:1 - across an entire enterprise, rather than under the previous approach, where the ratio was applied at each individual workplace. Previously every worksite had to meet the ratio separately, which led to administrative delays.

Companies can now aggregate their total workforce across all sites to satisfy the 5:1 requirement. The change is expected to encourage foreign investment and large-scale projects by lowering bureaucratic barriers for employers.

Vietnam restructures its work permit process

Responsibility for overseeing foreign nationals working in Vietnam has been transferred from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

As part of this transition:

• Work permit application intake has moved to municipal Public Service Centers;
• Applications for work permits and work-exemption certificates no longer require the applicant to appear in person;
• Issuance of police clearance certificates has moved to the Ministry of Public Security.

These changes may cause processing delays of several weeks while the departments adjust to the new procedures.

Mexico tightens requirements for family reunification applications

The National Migration Institute (INM) has introduced new rules for family-based residence procedures.

The foreign applicant and the Mexican citizen or permanent resident - and, in the case of minors, both parents - must now appear in person to obtain residency. Previously only the applicant had to be present, and for minors only one parent.

In addition, at every stage - including the first residence application and any renewal - applicants must present the original marriage or birth certificate (depending on the situation) each time. These documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish. Previously this requirement applied only to first-time residence applications.

Malaysia to introduce a new pass for investors

From 1 April 2025, the Malaysian government will introduce a special pass to make it easier for foreign investors to stay in the country for extended periods.

The pass will allow an initial six-month stay in Malaysia, extendable for a further six months depending on individual requirements. Holders will also receive a multiple-entry visa (MEV), giving them greater flexibility in arranging travel. At present, foreign investors are issued passes valid for 14 to 90 days depending on their country of origin.

Applicants will be able to apply for the special investor pass online through the Xpats Gateway platform.

Nigeria prepares a citizenship-by-investment program

Nigeria could become the third country in Africa to launch a citizenship-by-investment (CBI) program. At present, only Egypt and Mauritius officially offer such passport schemes.

A citizenship-by-investment program would allow foreign investors to obtain Nigerian citizenship in exchange for a significant economic contribution. If the country introduces such a scheme, it could become a key player in attracting wealthy investors, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals seeking access to Africa's largest economy.

Although the specific details of the program - the minimum investment threshold, priority sectors and eligibility criteria - have not yet been published, experts suggest it may include investment in real estate, government bonds, or key industries such as oil, manufacturing and technology.

Paraguay - a strategically located country of opportunity, open to the world

Paraguay offers a unique program of investment in major projects that makes it possible to obtain the country's passport on an accelerated basis - in just 6 to 12 months.

The program gives investors and their families the benefits of holding a Paraguayan passport, including visa-free travel to 146 countries - for example, the Schengen area, the United Kingdom and Singapore; the opportunity to obtain an E-2 visa to the United States; the ability to optimize taxes (a 10% rate); and the chance to live in a country with a high standard of living and a favorable climate.

Mexico streamlines its passport application process

Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reduced the number of documents required to obtain a passport, speeding up the process.

The ministry can now access civil registry records directly, which means most passport applicants no longer need to provide birth, marriage, death or adoption certificates, or other documents previously required. Passport offices will request these documents only in specific cases - for instance, when digital systems cannot access the necessary records.

Simplifying the procedure is expected to save applicants both time and money.

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