Blog · 2025-01-03

Relocation news digest - January 3, 2025

Azerbaijan cuts visa-free stay for Russians to 90 days per year

As of 1 January, Azerbaijan is changing its rules on how long Russian citizens may remain in the country: visa-free stays are now capped at 90 days per year. The order was signed by Prime Minister Ali Asadov.

"Citizens of the Russian Federation, as well as persons permanently residing in the Russian Federation who do not hold Russian citizenship, may stay in Azerbaijan without a visa for no more than 90 days within a single calendar year," the document states.

Previously, Russians could stay in Azerbaijan visa-free for up to 180 days per year.

United Kingdom: Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) introduced

From 8 January 2025, all non-European foreign nationals must obtain electronic authorisation to enter the United Kingdom. ETA applications are typically processed within a few days.

Malaysia: New requirements for changing work permit category

Malaysia's Immigration Department now requires employers whose foreign workers are changing their Employment Pass category to submit a "category change letter" at the application approval stage.

The new policy is part of a process that obliges employers to cancel their foreign worker's existing work permit when applying for a category change (Category 1, 2 or 3).

UAE: Two-month grace period for foreigners with illegal status has ended

The amnesty programme ended on 31 December 2024. Individuals remaining in the United Arab Emirates without legal status now face fines of up to 50 dirhams per day and possible deportation, while employers who hire them can be fined up to one million dirhams.

Israel: Electronic travel authorisation system takes effect

As a reminder, from 1 January 2025 Israel's Ministry of the Interior requires all foreign nationals entering the country for tourism, business or other non-work and non-medical purposes to hold a valid electronic travel authorisation (ETA-IL), the "Marom ETA-IL".

Foreigners can apply for the ETA-IL online no later than 72 hours before entering Israel.

UAE: Golden Visa for the yachting industry

As part of the continued expansion of its Golden Visa scheme, Abu Dhabi is now offering a 10-year residence permit to superyacht owners and senior figures in the yachting industry.

Eligibility extends to private owners of yachts measuring 40 metres or more, as well as chief executives and major shareholders of yacht-building companies, yacht agents, yacht service providers and yacht insurers.

EU: Checks at internal Schengen borders

The following countries have extended checks at their internal borders through March-June 2025: Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Slovenia and Sweden.

In December 2024, the Netherlands introduced checks at its internal borders, currently scheduled to run until June 2025.

In January 2025, Bulgaria introduced checks at its internal borders, likewise currently scheduled to run until June 2025.

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