Blog · 2024-08-10

Relocation news digest - August 10, 2024

🇩🇪 Germany: officials call for border controls on the frontier with Hungary

Interior Minister Michael Stübgen has proposed introducing controls on the border between Hungary and the rest of the EU.

What happened?

On 8 July, Hungary's government made it easier for Russian and Belarusian nationals to obtain the country's "national card." Citizens of these countries can now secure permission to enter Hungary for work on a fast-track basis.

Murblz advises against pursuing Hungarian residency at this time. If your goal is a move to Europe, stronger options are Germany, Spain and France. And if you simply need a second passport for freedom of travel, a passport from Argentina or Paraguay can be obtained quickly and easily.

🇹🇷 Turkey: a new online system complicates the immigration process

Turkish authorities have rolled out an online appointment system for a range of procedures - including fingerprinting, address registration and updating personal data. Previously, applicants could visit Turkish government offices without an appointment.

The system does not allow an appointment to be cancelled or rescheduled once it has been confirmed. Anyone who misses their slot can only book a new one after 30 days have passed.

🇷🇺 Russia: Raiffeisenbank temporarily stops opening new brokerage accounts for individuals

Account openings have been suspended since 26 July, as the bank announced on 5 August. The measure was taken in response to a directive from the European Central Bank (ECB). Existing brokerage accounts continue to operate as usual.

🇧🇬 Bulgaria: authorities suspend visa issuance

Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry, in coordination with the EU, is carrying out a major project to launch a new version of the National Visa Information System. The current system will be offline from 9 to 18 August.

Documents already accepted for processing will be issued as normal.

🇬🇪 Georgia: Russian nationals leaving the country

In June 2024, the number of new businesses - including sole proprietorships - registered with the National Registry under Georgia's Ministry of Justice reached 5,524. That is 32% fewer than in June the previous year.

The sharp drop in registrations is attributed to the declining number of Russian nationals setting up businesses in Georgia.

🇵🇭 Philippines: authorities clarify the rules on the 9(G) visa

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) has clarified its policy for 9(G) visa holders who receive a promotion.

If a 9(G) visa holder is promoted, the employer must file a notice of promotion with the BI, attaching the original or a certified copy of the document appointing the foreign national to the new position. The employer must then apply to renew the 9(G) visa on the foreign worker's behalf within 30 days.

The renewed 9(G) visa's validity will match that of the work permit. In addition, the employer must cancel the worker's existing Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) by surrendering it to the BI and apply for a new one. The validity of the ACR I-Card will align with the renewed 9(G) visa.

🇹🇷 Turkey: taxes on foreign goods doubled

The President of Turkey has signed a decree sharply raising taxes on goods from the EU and other countries.

Goods from EU countries will now be taxed at 30%, and those from other countries at 60%.

🇦🇪 UAE: authorities introduce a grace period for foreigners with expired residency

The UAE authorities have announced that foreign nationals residing in the country on an expired residence permit will be granted a two-month grace period to regularise their status or leave.

The fine for illegal residence in the UAE is 50 dirhams per day.

🇵🇹 Portugal: Schengen visa applications reopen

Portugal has reopened its intake of Schengen visa applications in Moscow. Appointments can be booked on its website.

🇻🇺 Vanuatu: authorities end remote citizenship applications

From 31 August, foreigners applying for citizenship must travel to Vanuatu in person to submit biometrics. This also applies to citizenship-by-investment applications.

🇮🇹 Italy: authorities plan to raise the tax on foreign income

Italy's authorities may raise the annual flat-rate tax on foreign income to €200,000, up from the current €100,000.

🇸🇳 Senegal: new requirements for obtaining a work permit

Foreign nationals working in the oil, gas and mining sectors must now submit their employer's local-content plan and other supporting documents when applying for a work permit.

Failure to provide the required documents may result in the application being rejected.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom: the electronic visa system takes effect in 2025

As part of its programme to digitise the immigration system, the United Kingdom will gradually phase out physical immigration documents, replacing them with electronic visas.

By the end of 2024, all holders of physical immigration documents will need to create an account on the UKVI portal. New applicants will no longer be issued physical documents.

🇲🇾 Malaysia: application fees increased

From 1 September 2024, Malaysia's MYXpats Centre, part of the Expatriate Services Division of the Immigration Department, will raise its application fees:

work permit - up to MYR 2,000 (from MYR 800);
dependent visa - up to MYR 500 (from MYR 450);
long-term visa - up to MYR 500 (from MYR 450);
work visa - up to MYR 1,200 (from MYR 800).

FAQ

Is a Hungarian residence permit a good idea for Russians?

Hungary made its national card easier to get for Russian and Belarusian citizens in 2024, which drew sharp criticism in the EU, including calls to reintroduce border checks on the Hungarian frontier. A status granted under a politically contested scheme is fragile: the rules can be rewritten and permits reviewed. If the goal is life in Europe, work, study or business routes in Germany, Spain or France are steadier; if you mainly want a second passport for travel, naturalisation in Argentina or Paraguay is usually faster and cheaper.

How do you book an appointment with Turkish immigration?

Turkey moved most procedures to online booking, including fingerprinting, address registration and updates to personal data. A confirmed slot normally cannot be moved or cancelled, and if you miss it you may have to wait about a month before booking again. Slots go quickly, so check the portal early and plan travel around your appointment.

Which second passport is easiest to get?

Among affordable options, people most often look at naturalisation in Argentina and Paraguay: the entry bar is lower than in Europe, but you need real presence, a complete document package and patience, since timelines depend on courts and agencies and vary in practice. Caribbean citizenship by investment is faster but far more expensive, and those programs keep raising contributions and tightening due diligence. Verify the conditions of any of these at the moment you apply, not from articles written years ago.

Can Schengen countries bring back border checks?

Yes. Schengen members can temporarily reinstate checks on internal borders for security or migration reasons after notifying the European Commission, and in recent years several have done so and kept extending the measures. Free movement formally stays in place, but in practice your documents can be checked on a bus, train or at a road crossing. Carry your passport and residence card even for short trips inside the EU.

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