Turkey is the latest country to introduce its own digital nomad visa. The Turkey digital nomad visa is available to nationals from a select list of countries, including: Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States. So far, we are aware of the following eligibility criteria: Appli ..read more

Spain has announced that it is planning to stop the “golden visa” program. Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez made the announcement, stating the need to prioritise affordable housing over speculative investment opportunities. The golden visa program was introduced in 2013 and allowed foreign investors to obtain residency rights in Spain by investing a minimum of €500,000 in real estate. This initiative was part of broader efforts to attract overseas investment and stimulate economic recovery following the global financial crisis. However, as housing costs soared and concerns over inequality mounted ..read more

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a huge move towards border management for the European Union.  What is the EU Entry/Exit System? This automated IT system is designed to register travellers from third countries each time they cross an EU external border, whether they are short-stay visa holders or visa-exempt travellers.  One of the primary objectives of the EES is to replace the outdated system of manual passport stamping. Manual stamping is not only time-consuming but also fails to provide reliable data on border crossings. It lacks the capability to systematically detect overstayers ..read more

As of 1st March 2024, providing proof of a COVID-19 vaccination when applying for new or renewing work passes in Singapore has been lifted. While vaccination is no longer mandatory for obtaining work passes, the authorities continue to strongly encourage foreign nationals to get vaccinated.  This update applies to all pass holders and their local sponsors or employers. Previously, pass holders aged 13 and above were required to be fully vaccinated, including receiving booster doses if eligible. The lifting of mandatory vaccination requirements signifies a progressive step towards phasing ..read more

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant expansion of automatic extension periods for certain employment authorisation documents (EADs). Effective immediately, this temporary measure extends the automatic extension period from 180 days to 540 days. The decision to extend the automatic extension period comes down to the USCIS’s commitment to ensuring that work-authorised noncitizens do not experience lapses in their employment authorisation and documentation while awaiting the adjudication of their pending EAD renewal applications. The aim is to ..read more

Germany has long been an attractive destination for skilled workers seeking new opportunities. Now, with the new act modernising German citizenship law, the country is set to become even more welcoming to individuals eager to call it home. Around 14% of the German population (more than 12 million people) do not have German citizenship. Among them, about 5.3 million have resided in Germany for at least 10 years. Despite the country’s reputation for efficiency, its naturalization rate has lagged behind the European Union average, a discrepancy that the government is eager to rectify through prog ..read more

The Italian government has introduced a new digital nomad visa for remote workers. As of 4th April 2024, third-country foreign nationals will be able to come to Italy under this new program to reside in Italy while pursuing highly-skilled work as freelancers or for employers based outside of Italy. Under this visa program, successful applicants gain the right to reside in Italy for up to 12 months, with the option to renew their visa annually, provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.  To qualify for the Digital Nomad visa, applicants must meet the following requirements: I ..read more

As of 3rd April 2024, Ireland has introduced significant updates to its immigration laws, particularly affecting certain employment permit holders. These changes promise to streamline processes, provide clarity, and alleviate potential hurdles for individuals seeking to change immigration permission within the country. One of the most notable changes revolves around the eligibility criteria for transitioning from an IRP Stamp 1 to an IRP Stamp 4. Previously, applicants were required to accumulate 21 months of IRP Stamp 1 permissions, in addition to 21 months of employment on their employment p ..read more

The following updates have been announced: Application deadline Recent announcements from the Ministry of Interior clarify details on extended deadlines for permit submissions. The submission deadline for foreign employees in the non-expert category within the industry sector will be extended until 14th April 2024 from the original 21st March 2024 deadline.  Employers who have already received recommendations from the Ministry of Economy and Welfare must submit work permit applications by this date. Missing this deadline means risking the inability to submit further applications for work ..read more

Scheduled to come into effect on 26th June 2024, Germany has recently passed legislation that will introduce key changes to its citizenship laws.  Naturalization periods One of the most notable changes introduced by the new law is the reduction of the minimum period of German residence necessary for naturalization. Previously set at eight years, this requirement will now be shortened to five years for most individuals seeking German citizenship.  In exceptional cases where individuals demonstrate exceptional integration, this period can be further reduced to just three years.  M ..read more