Blog · 2024-07-15

Relocation news digest: visa and immigration updates around the world

South Africa: extra relief for applicants stuck in processing backlogs

Foreign nationals whose long-term visa applications were still pending as of 30 June 2024 have been granted a further temporary extension of status through 31 December 2024. The concession does not apply to holders of short-term visas issued for 90 days or less: they must leave South Africa within 90 calendar days of their original short-term visa's expiry.

Guyana: work-permit holders now need a valid visa to enter the country

Guyana's immigration authorities now require holders of a valid Guyanese work permit to also hold a valid electronic visa on arrival (EVOA) in order to leave and re-enter the country during their authorised period of employment. To obtain a work permit in Guyana, nationals subject to visa requirements must first enter the country on an EVOA and then apply for the permit locally.

Previously, a work permit alone allowed the holder both to leave and to enter without a valid EVOA.

Denmark: authorities update the "positive lists" of occupations eligible for residence

The "positive lists," updated twice a year, define Denmark's shortage occupations. Holding a qualification on the list confers eligibility for a residence and work permit.

On 1 July 2024, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration refreshed the positive lists for graduates and skilled workers.

The higher-education list now includes construction managers, IT project managers, electrical engineers, data analysts, programmers and systems developers.

Added to the "skilled work" list were production managers and technicians, IT support specialists and webmasters.

Slovakia: authorities to streamline employment for foreigners

From 15 July 2024, Slovakia will shorten processing times for work-permit applications to roughly 30-60 days, down from 70-135 days. Foreign nationals who have filed an application will also be allowed to work while the authorities review their case.

Luxembourg: new rules for the EU Blue Card take effect

From 1 July 2024, Luxembourg eased the requirements for the EU Blue Card.

The main changes are:

Relaxed professional-experience requirements.
New rules for changing employer and field of activity.
A shorter minimum term for the mandatory employment contract and a lower minimum salary threshold.

New Zealand: children of international students gain free places in local schools

Children of international students enrolled in bachelor's programmes are now classified as domestic students. This lets them apply for a dependent student visa and exempts them from school tuition fees.

Australia: government raises fees on most visa categories

From 1 July 2024, the Australian government increased application charges for most visa types, including: the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482); the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494); the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400); the Training visa (subclass 407); the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186); and the Global Talent visa (subclass 858).

The fee for applying for Australian citizenship also went up.

Hungary: authorities relaunch the "golden visa"

From 1 July 2024, the golden-visa programme is back in operation. Investors have three routes to qualify:

Purchasing residential property.
Investing in local real-estate funds.
Making a donation to a higher-education institution.

Ecuador: authorities launch an online visa system

Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility has introduced an electronic visa system (eVISAS) intended to make it easier for foreign nationals to enter the country. Those wishing to visit Ecuador for tourism, investment or to see family can now apply for a visa online, without a trip to the consulate.

Although the system is already live, users are running into numerous technical problems when applying.

Singapore: authorities ease the rules for Student Pass holders

Student Pass holders can now apply for permanent residence in Singapore if they have passed at least one national examination - for example, the Primary School Leaving Examination or the "N", "O" or "A" level certificate exams - or are enrolled in the Integrated Programme, regardless of how many years they have studied in Singapore.

Previously, Student Pass holders had to wait at least two years before they could apply for permanent residence.

Costa Rica: authorities amend immigration law

The main changes include:

Entry without a consular visa for those holding an approved temporary residence permit.
The option to apply for residence from abroad.
The option to apply for a visa or residence extension after the authorised period of stay in Costa Rica has ended.
Longer validity for birth certificates.
Simplified biometric-data requirements.

France: authorities to simplify renewal of the residence-application receipt

From 15 July, a revised residence-permit renewal procedure takes effect in France, allowing foreigners to request an extension of their residence-application receipt online.

The receipt lets holders enjoy the same rights and privileges as residence-permit holders while their application is under review. It is valid for four to six months, though applications are sometimes not processed within that window.

Peru: delays in issuing identity cards for foreigners

Owing to high demand and a shortage of printing materials, the National Superintendency of Migration is delaying the issuance of Peruvian identity cards to foreign nationals by three weeks or more.

Peruvian identity cards are normally issued within a week of an application's approval.

Applicants may face travel restrictions, since they need special authorisation to leave Peru while their immigration applications are being processed and until their identity card is issued.

FAQ

What happens if my visa expires while my application is pending?

If you filed on time, many countries treat your status as extended until a decision is made, and when backlogs get bad the authorities sometimes announce a blanket temporary extension for everyone in the queue. These reprieves usually do not cover short stays of 90 days or less, where you are still expected to leave on time. Rules differ by country and change often, so check the immigration service website before your visa runs out and keep proof of filing with you at the border.

How do I get a Danish work residence permit?

The main route is a job offer from a Danish employer under one of the work schemes, and one of them is built on the positive lists of shortage occupations. If your job is on the list, you can apply under a simplified track without a labour market test. Denmark revises these lists a few times a year and the education and salary conditions attached to each entry move too, so check the current version right before you apply.

What is a positive list of occupations?

It is an official list of jobs a country is short of, where work permits are issued faster and with lighter requirements on the employer. The lists are refreshed regularly, and a profession can drop off once the shortage eases. Read the entry in full, not just the job title: the required degree level and minimum salary usually come attached to each listed position.

Do I still need a visa if I have a work permit?

A work permit and an entry visa are two different documents, and one does not always replace the other. Some countries require a valid work visa on top of the permit to enter or re-enter, and the sequence can be strict: enter on the visa first, then apply for the permit locally. Before you travel out, confirm your paperwork lets you come back, or you can end up stuck abroad holding a valid permit you cannot use.

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