Blog · 2024-07-27

Relocation news digest - July 27, 2024

Belgium: immigration policy changes for foreign workers in Brussels

From 1 October 2024, Brussels is introducing substantial changes to its immigration policy for foreign workers.

The main changes are:

A higher minimum salary threshold for highly skilled workers.
Employers will no longer be required to submit an annual compliance notice to the authorities in order to obtain work permits.
Relaxed rules for changing employers.
Eased requirements for EU Blue Card holders, including a shorter minimum term for the employment contract.
Clearer criteria for applications for the self-employed workers' card.

Russia: Citibank cards will stop working in the country from September

From 20 September, Citibank will cease servicing bank cards in Russia. Transfers and payments via the Faster Payments System will also become unavailable.

Chad: authorities are working to introduce visa-free entry for Russian citizens

Visas for Russians travelling to Chad could be abolished before the end of 2024. The measure will first take effect for holders of diplomatic and service passports, and later for holders of ordinary passports.

Thailand: authorities launch a pilot universal basic income programme

Under the programme, the Thai authorities will hand out 10,000 baht to each low-income citizen.

Hong Kong: authorities open QR-code entry for permanent residents

Under the scheme, permanent residents of the Hong Kong SAR can use a QR code to enter each region instead of presenting physical documents, as was previously required.

At the next stage, the QR-code function is likely to be extended to visitors to the Hong Kong SAR as well.

Sri Lanka: authorities introduce a permanent residency scheme for people of Sri Lankan origin

The Sri Lankan government has announced a new permanent residency scheme that will allow people of Sri Lankan origin and their dependants to obtain permanent residence in Sri Lanka.

The programme will apply to:

People of Sri Lankan origin, or those whose Sri Lankan citizenship has been terminated in accordance with the law.
Spouses of Sri Lankan citizens who have been married for more than six months at the time of application.
Spouses of deceased Sri Lankan citizens who have not remarried at the time of application and whose marriage lasted more than six months before the citizen's death.
Children under the age of 22 of any of the above.

Russia: the State Duma passes a bill regulating cryptocurrency mining at first reading

The legislative initiative provides that cryptocurrency mining may be carried out by legal entities and entrepreneurs entered in a dedicated register. Individuals will be able to mine without registering, provided they do not exceed the energy-consumption limits set by the Russian government.

South Korea: authorities will no longer accept separate dependant visa applications

From 1 August 2024, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) will no longer accept F-3 dependant visa applications filed separately from the main D-8 corporate investment visa application.

Under the new policy, D-8 visa applicants and their eligible dependants must submit their applications at the same time.

Spain: government tables a bill to abolish the golden visa

The government has introduced a bill to repeal articles 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67 of the 2013 law on public services in the field of justice, which would remove any possibility of obtaining a visa in exchange for investment of any kind.

The bill includes transitional provisions for visa renewals. It will be reviewed on 9 September.

Vietnam: labour-management powers to be transferred to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee

The Vietnamese government has announced that the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) People's Committee and its affiliated agencies will be granted authority over certain administrative matters, including the management of labour resources.

When the new policy takes effect, the HCMC Department of Labour (DOLISA) will be authorised to receive and approve applications for job assignments, work-permit exemptions, new work permits, work-permit reissuance, work-permit renewals and work-permit deregistration.

Israel: authorities postpone the introduction of electronic entry permits

The Israeli authorities have postponed until 1 January 2025 the introduction of mandatory paid electronic travel authorisations (ETA) for entry into the country.

Thailand: authorities introduce a new visa for foreign students

From 15 July 2024, the Thai government brought into force the Non-Ed Plus visa, which allows foreign students earning a bachelor's degree or higher to extend their stay in Thailand by one year after graduation to look for work or apply for a new visa type once employed.

Universities or educational institutions may file for the extension on behalf of foreign students.

Malaysia: authorities launch a centralised platform for expatriate support applications

Companies operating in Iskandar that require supporting letters from regulators to apply for and renew Employment Passes (EP) must now submit their applications through the Xpats Gateway. Once the supporting letter is issued on the Xpats Gateway portal, the corresponding EP application is routed to the XPATNOVA portal, where companies must then complete the EP application.

Lithuania: authorities introduce new requirements for foreign workers

From 1 July 2024, Lithuania introduced new requirements for foreign workers, including:

A requirement for foreign nationals first to obtain a temporary residence permit and only then a work permit.
Stricter education and work-experience requirements as a condition for qualifying for the lower minimum-salary threshold.
A ban on working for more than four employers at the same time.
The option to change employers only six months after obtaining a temporary residence permit.

FAQ

What is the EU Blue Card?

It is a combined work and residence permit for skilled workers with recognised qualifications or experience and a salary above a set threshold. It offers easier family reunification, time counting toward permanent residence, and mobility between member states. Each country sets and regularly revises its own salary floor, minimum contract length and rules on changing employer.

Can I change employers on a work permit?

A work permit is usually tied to one employer, so moving normally requires a new permit or at least a notification, sometimes with a waiting period. The trend has been toward loosening: Belgium, among others, simplified employer changes and dropped some annual employer reporting. Exact conditions depend on the permit type and the region, and in Belgium Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia differ.

Which countries are dropping visas for Russians?

The list moves both ways: some countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America open up or simplify entry while others tighten. Waivers often arrive in stages, first for diplomatic and service passports, then for ordinary ones. Look past the headline and check the conditions, such as permitted stay, return ticket and proof of funds, plus whether realistic flight connections exist.

Do foreign bank cards work in Russia?

Foreign banks have steadily wound down services in Russia, disabling cards, transfers and payments. Do not rely on a foreign card inside the country, or on a Russian card outside it. If you are relocating, open an account in the destination country early and avoid keeping everything in one jurisdiction.

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