Blog · 2024-10-11

Relocation news digest - October 11, 2024

🇪🇬 Egypt: authorities raise the residence-permit application fee

The fee for filing and renewing a residence permit has risen to 150 US dollars, up from 70.

🇨🇴 Colombia: the deadline to exchange the R visa is extended

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a decree extending the deadline to swap the old R visa for the new one until 31 October 2026.

Foreign nationals must apply for the new R visa online through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Those who fail to obtain the new visa risk losing both the visa and their legal status in Colombia.

🇨🇦 Canada: new language requirements for post-graduation work

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published further details on the new language requirements for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) programme, which take effect on 1 November 2024.

Applicants who have completed a bachelor's, master's or doctoral university programme must demonstrate English at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7, or French at Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7, across all four skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.

College graduates - and graduates of any other programmes not listed above - must demonstrate English or French at CLB or NCLC 5 across the same four skills.

IRCC also clarified that it will accept only language-test results that are no more than two years old at the time of application.

🇦🇪 UAE: VAT scrapped on cryptocurrency transfers and conversions

The UAE's Federal Tax Authority (FTA) has amended its tax rules to remove value-added tax (VAT) on the exchange and transfer of cryptocurrencies.

🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina: the country may introduce visas for Russians

The EU is pressing Bosnia and Herzegovina to introduce a visa regime for citizens of Russia, China and Turkey.

🇳🇱 Netherlands: the government has unfrozen most Russian assets

The Dutch government has released the bulk of frozen Russian assets: with the Foreign Ministry's approval, local banks unblocked more than 560 million euros in 2024.

🇺🇸 United States: a return to the military draft is on the table

The US military has faced recruitment shortfalls for several years running, and a growing number of experts argue that conscription should be reinstated. Among the many proposals is a nationwide database of potential recruits, so that people with the required skills could be selected precisely if needed. Some versions of the draft bills would require women to register for military service as well.

🇺🇬 Uganda: the electronic-visa system is suspended

Uganda's Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control has announced that the electronic-visa system is temporarily suspended until further notice while it is being upgraded.

Travellers eligible for an e-visa are temporarily exempt from having to apply for and obtain one before visiting Uganda. Instead, a visa on arrival will be issued.

🇲🇾 Malaysia: visa-sticker collection resumes at Kuala Lumpur airport

The satellite centre of the Expatriate Services Division has resumed issuing visa stickers at Terminal M of Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

🇰🇪 Kenya: a digital-nomad visa is introduced

Kenya has launched a Digital Nomad Visa, allowing people employed by companies based outside the country to work remotely from within Kenya.

Applicants must meet a minimum income threshold set by the government, provide proof of accommodation in Kenya, and have no criminal record.

🇦🇪 UAE: foreigners who excel in education can qualify for a golden visa

From 15 October 2024, foreigners who have shown exceptional results in Dubai's private education sector will be eligible for a Golden Visa.

This covers heads of academic departments, full-time teaching staff, senior university administrators, as well as directors, teachers and managers of schools and kindergartens.

Close relatives will also be able to apply for a golden visa, valid for the same period as that of the main holder.

🇪🇸 Spain: authorities aim to speed up paperwork for immigrants

Spain will change some of its immigration rules to accelerate the processing of documents for immigrants already living in the country.

The authorities plan to streamline bureaucratic procedures, though it is not yet known exactly which changes will be introduced.

🇷🇺 Russia: VTB cleared to trade shares of companies from "unfriendly" countries

VTB, the country's second-largest bank, and its subsidiaries will be able to trade shares of both the state bank and its subsidiaries when those securities are held by investors from "unfriendly" countries. This follows the text of a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, 9 October.

FAQ

How much does a residence permit in Egypt cost?

The government fee for filing and for renewing a residence permit in Egypt more than doubled, to roughly 150 dollars from the previous 70. That is the state charge alone: translations, document legalisation and any agent you hire come on top. Egypt revises its tariffs regularly, so confirm the amount at the time of filing.

What is the R visa in Colombia?

The R (residente) visa is Colombia's residence visa, giving long-term stay and a path to permanent status. When the visa rules were reformed, holders of old R visas had to exchange them for new ones through an online application to the foreign ministry, and those who missed the window risked losing legal status. The exchange deadline was extended, so anyone still holding an old document should check the current date in the Cancillería rules.

What is a PGWP in Canada?

The Post-Graduation Work Permit is an open work permit for graduates of Canadian universities and colleges: it lets you work for any employer and build the Canadian experience that immigration programmes count. It is issued once, and its length depends on the length of your study programme. Canada has been tightening the rules and trimming the list of eligible programmes, so check IRCC before you enrol.

What English level do I need to work in Canada after studying?

A language threshold now applies to the post-graduation work permit: graduates of bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes need CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French, while college and other graduates need CLB or NCLC 5. The level must be proven with an approved test across all four abilities: reading, writing, listening and speaking. IRCC revises both the thresholds and the list of accepted tests from time to time.

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