Blog · 2024-09-20

Relocation news digest: key updates for expats

🇷🇸 Serbia: authorities bring back military conscription

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has approved the return of compulsory military service.

All foreigners who obtain the country's passport automatically become liable for military service.

🇯🇴 Jordan: government prepares amendments to employment law

Jordan is close to approving amendments that will reshape the country's labor legislation.

The main provisions include:

• priority for Jordanian workers over foreign ones;
• broader participation of women in the labor market;
• expanded social protections.

🇲🇽 Mexico: online immigration application system back online

The National Immigration Institute (INM) has restored its online appointment system after a two-and-a-half-year suspension.

Foreign nationals and employers looking to file 18 different types of immigration applications - including post-arrival registration, extension of temporary stay, permanent residence applications, family visas and more - will now need to book an appointment with the INM through the online system.

In the early stages of the rollout, however, high demand may lead to delays in securing appointments.

🇳🇿 New Zealand: tighter enforcement of employment contract rules

Immigration New Zealand has stepped up scrutiny of employment agreements for Job Check applications tied to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) process.

🇴🇲 Oman: delays expected in processing immigration documents

Omani authorities have introduced additional security measures for visa processing.

Processing times have grown longer: officials are requesting extra documents and statements, reviewing applicants' travel history and verifying the identities of relatives.

🇵🇰 Pakistan: visa on arrival introduced

Citizens of 120 countries - including nationals of Russia and Belarus - traveling to Pakistan for tourism or business can now use a simplified, free electronic visa process that speeds up document handling.

Applicants must obtain prior visa authorization, a so-called "visa before arrival," through the Interior Ministry's online platform no later than 48 hours before their intended entry into Pakistan. Once approved, an electronic authorization is issued - a copy of which must be presented on arrival - allowing the holder to visit Pakistan and receive an entry stamp valid for up to 90 days with multiple entries.

🇹🇷 Turkey: Russians are leaving the country

The outflow of Russian citizens from Turkey has continued since 2023, driven by galloping inflation, rising property prices and a sharp tightening of the rules for obtaining residence permits and buying real estate. The cost of living in Istanbul has caught up with Dubai, market participants say.

In May, Turkey's annual inflation hit a near-two-year record of 75.5%. By the end of August, price growth had slowed to almost 52%. But living in the country remains expensive, especially for foreigners, so it is not only Russian passport holders who are leaving.

🇿🇦 South Africa: authorities plan to introduce a digital nomad visa

South African authorities want to introduce a visa for digital nomads in order to attract more skilled professionals to the country.

Those plans, however, are being delayed by tax complications. The introduction of visas for remote workers in South Africa has stalled because of the need to amend tax legislation.

🇧🇷 Brazil: new residence permit for graduates of Brazilian universities

Brazil has introduced a new residence permit for graduates of accredited Brazilian educational institutions.

The option becomes available on September 22, 2024, and will be open to foreign nationals who are in Brazil, have completed a bachelor's or master's program at an accredited Brazilian institution and hold an employment contract with a Brazilian company.

The new permit gives graduates who have a job offer the chance to stay and work in Brazil immediately after finishing their studies - whereas other typical work visas usually require a combination of education and several years of professional experience.

🇹🇷 Turkey: banks reject payments from Russia

Importers are once again complaining about problems with payments routed through Turkey, whose banks are in high demand among Russian businesses for transiting payments to other countries, including Europe.

Russian business last ran into payment problems via Turkey earlier this year, when banks in many countries, including Turkish ones, began refusing transactions en masse. This was attributed to the risk of falling under secondary sanctions after the U.S. Treasury gained the authority to impose restrictions on banks in third countries. Turkish banks gradually resumed payments afterward.

🇷🇺 Russia: Finance Ministry wants to tax mining profits

The Finance Ministry considers it appropriate to introduce a tax on profits from crypto mining, said Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov. According to him, an excise duty on electricity consumption could be introduced first. The ministry expects the State Duma to pass a law on taxes for miners this autumn.

🇩🇪 Germany: authorities to screen visa applicants' social media

German police have recommended that authorities begin screening the social media accounts of Schengen visa applicants.

🇮🇹 Italy: authorities want to grant citizenship after 5 years of residence

Italian authorities have proposed a referendum to cut the residency requirement for naturalization from 10 years to 5.

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