Relocation news digest - November 8, 2024

🇹🇷 Turkey: authorities plan to launch a unified transport card, Türkiye Kart

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure has announced the imminent launch of the Türkiye Kart system. According to the minister, the card will be operational in 18 Turkish cities by the end of the year.

Türkiye Kart will also be usable for paying for parking and as a bank payment card.

A card without a chip will cost 40 Turkish lira, while one with debit-card functionality will cost 60 lira.

🇦🇪 UAE: grace period for foreign nationals with irregular status

The grace period has been extended to 31 December 2024. The programme was originally due to end on 31 October 2024.

Foreign nationals are now entitled to regularise their immigration status during the current amnesty period.

🇳🇱 Netherlands: delays in processing short-term work permits

Standard processing times for short-term work permit applications have risen to roughly nine weeks, up from five.

The increase is being driven by a significant rise in the number of applications for this type of permit.

Employers should factor in the longer processing times when planning project timelines.

🇨🇦 Canada: authorities temporarily suspend permanent residence intake

The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) has presented Quebec's 2025 immigration plan to the National Assembly.

As part of the plan, the ministry has suspended applications to the Regular Skilled Worker Program and to the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) for graduates of Canadian institutions.

🇧🇯 Benin: mutual visa-waiver agreement with several countries

Benin's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced its intention to sign a mutual visa-waiver agreement with Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe, and the Seychelles.

No timeline for implementing the agreement has yet been announced.

🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: amendments to temporary work visa rules

From the start of 2025, holders of a temporary work visa will face a shorter permitted stay of 90 days, down from the current 180. As now, holders of such visas will be able to apply for a further 90-day extension.

Those who breach immigration rules will face tougher penalties, ranging from SAR 5,000 for minor violations to SAR 50,000 - compared with the current maximum fine of SAR 15,000.

🇳🇬 Nigeria: online passport renewal service expanded

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has extended its online digital passport renewal service, available on the agency's portal, to citizens living in Canada. Following Canada, the NIS will open the service to Nigerian citizens living in the United Kingdom, the United States and Italy. It will also become available in other countries from 1 December 2024.

🇮🇶 Iraq: new social security contribution obligations

Employers are now required to make social security contributions for foreign workers who are already covered by their home country's social security system. Previously, employers were exempt from making such contributions for these workers.

🇮🇩 Indonesia: increased checks on foreign employees

In light of more frequent spot checks, the Indonesian government is reminding foreign nationals that they must provide complete information to the immigration department, reporting any change in civil status, place of work, sponsor or address within 30 days of that change.

Companies should ensure their foreign employees report any changes within the deadline. Otherwise, the company will receive a warning letter, and a failure to comply within the following 30 days may result in legal sanctions.

🇨🇴 Colombia: delays in issuing identity cards

Delays in issuing identity cards for foreign nationals in Colombia are continuing. On top of this, Colombia's Migration Service is currently offering foreigners only a limited number of appointment slots to apply for identity documents, which is compounding the problem.

🇵🇱 Poland: authorities cut the number of visas issued to Russians

Since the start of the year, 1,821 visas have been issued to Russian citizens, compared with a total of 4,294 issued to Russians over the previous year.

🇪🇸 Spain: authorities are ending the golden visa

The bill to end the golden visa programme could take effect as early as 1 January 2025.

Spain's Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) and its parliamentary allies used the passage of a justice law to repeal Article 63 of Law 14/2013, thereby legally closing off the route to Spanish residency through real estate investments of €500,000 or more.

🇹🇭 Thailand: new facial recognition system at airports

The Thai government has rolled out new facial recognition technology to make passenger identification more efficient and cut waiting times at major airports.

Since 1 November 2024, six airports - including Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang / Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai - have been using automated biometric identification for domestic travellers. International travellers will gain access to the system from 1 December 2024.

What has changed by autumn 2026

Since this issue was published, several items have had important follow-ups. Below is where things stand in autumn 2026.

Spain: the golden visa is closed

The closure went ahead: on 3 April 2025 Spain abolished residence for buying property from €500,000 and other investment routes. Applications filed before that date were processed under the old rules. People now move to Spain on a remote work visa, a non-lucrative residence permit with passive income, or through work; more on the Spanish residence page. Those who received a golden visa before 3 April 2025 can renew it under the old rules as long as the investment is kept.

UAE: the grace period has ended

The amnesty for visa violators ended on 31 December 2024. Overstays now incur a daily fine, and employers hiring people without status face large penalties, so visa renewal should be started early. The overstay fine is up to AED 50 a day, and an employer hiring someone without status faces up to AED 1 million.

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