Blog · 2024-08-24

Relocation news digest: banking, work permits and visa changes worldwide

🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan: MBank, one of the country's largest banks, halts transfers via Russian banks

Money transfers through Russian banks (Sberbank, Tinkoff and MTS) have been suspended in both directions.

Incoming transfers will now be routed through banks that are not subject to sanctions.

🇲🇾 Malaysia: delays in issuing work permits

The issuance of work permits at the satellite office of the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport has been temporarily suspended.

Foreign nationals can complete their visa approval and obtain a work permit at the Expatriate Services Centre in Cyberjaya.

This will delay an applicant's ability to start work immediately upon arrival in Malaysia.

🇦🇪 UAE: authorities tighten penalties for labour-law violations

The following offences now carry a fine of between 100,000 and 1,000,000 dirhams (previously such fines ranged from 50,000 to 200,000 dirhams):

• Hiring a worker without a work permit
• Employing people without providing them with actual work
• Using a work permit for purposes other than those for which it was issued

In addition, the offence of "false Emiratisation" - an employment practice that creates a misleading impression of how many UAE nationals an employer has hired - is now punishable by a fine of between 100,000 and 1,000,000 dirhams (previously 20,000 to 100,000 dirhams).

All of the above fines are multiplied by the number of workers affected by the violation and may be imposed in addition to penalties for breaching other UAE laws.

🇦🇺 Australia: changes to labour legislation

The Australian government launched its Workplace Justice pilot programme on 1 July 2024.

The programme allows relocators who have faced workplace exploitation to remain in Australia for 6 to 12 months (extendable for up to 4 years) in order to pursue justice - for example, through criminal or administrative proceedings.

🇸🇪 Sweden: authorities aim to simplify the EU Blue Card process

The Swedish government has proposed changes to the rules for obtaining the EU Blue Card which, if adopted, would take effect on 1 January 2025.

The proposed changes include:

• Lowering the salary threshold to 49,875 Swedish kronor per month
• More opportunities to obtain a Blue Card for specialists
• More opportunities to obtain a Blue Card for holders of another immigration document

🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan: Keremet Bank halts transfers via sanctioned Russian banks

Money transfers via the mobile apps of Sberbank, MTS Bank, T-Bank and Russia's national payment-system operator, NSPK, have been suspended indefinitely.

Keremet Bank is one of Kyrgyzstan's largest banks by capital and is owned by the country's National Bank.

🇨🇳 China: banks return payments for goods already received by importers

Some Chinese banks have begun returning payments for goods that Chinese counterparties have already delivered to Russian importers.

🇷🇺 Russia: Aeroflot resumes direct flights from Moscow to Bali

From 17 September, Aeroflot will launch direct flights from Moscow to Denpasar (Bali).

Flights will operate twice a week - departing Moscow on Tuesdays and Saturdays at 14:40, and returning on Wednesdays and Sundays at 10:05. From 3 October, a third weekly flight will be added, departing Moscow on Thursdays and returning on Fridays.

🇷🇺 Russia: authorities to fine citizens who have left the country

The Russian government has backed a bill that would grant the power to draw up administrative reports against Russian citizens who live abroad and commit offences from there. This concerns articles related to extremism, discrediting the Russian army and similar matters.

🇦🇪 UAE: new activities opened up for freelancers in Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi freelance licence now covers an additional 30 activities, including, for example, artificial-intelligence development, electronic-hardware and software design, software for oil and gas extraction, data classification and analysis, 3D imaging, innovation in computer systems and programs, and online-player support services. With these additions, the freelance licence now covers 100 different activities.

The freelance licence allows foreign nationals to work independently and enter into contracts with companies in Abu Dhabi. To apply for a freelance licence, applicants must demonstrate relevant experience or hold a qualification in their chosen field.

🇭🇺 Hungary: additional visa requirements

To obtain a Schengen visa, Hungary's visa centre now requires applicants to provide purchased tickets, hotel reservations and an insurance policy. Further requirements can be found on the official website.

🇳🇿 New Zealand: authorities to raise immigration application fees

From 1 October 2024, Immigration New Zealand will increase certain government fees for immigration applications, including for the most commonly used work visas. A full list of programmes with the new prices is available on the official resource.

Applicants are advised to submit their visa applications before 1 October 2024 in order to benefit from the lower government fees.

🇮🇶 Iraq: mandatory blood tests can now be booked online

Foreign nationals wishing to reside in Iraq can now book their mandatory blood test online through the government platform "urportal".

As part of this reform, it is no longer possible to book tests in person. The new online-scheduling requirement does not apply to Iraqi Kurdistan, where appointments can still only be made in person.

Foreign nationals residing in Iraq are required to take a blood test every three months, and newcomers must do so within 10 days of arrival.

🇿🇲 Zambia: authorities raise fees for immigration services

On 15 April 2024, Zambia's Ministry of Finance revised all government fees in line with inflation. As a result, charges for processing immigration services have risen. A list of the new processing fees can be found on the official resource.

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