Relocation news digest - May 4, 2024
Netherlands: authorities scrap the residency-by-investment programme
In 2024, the Netherlands is discontinuing its residency-by-investment programme, under which applicants could obtain a three-year visa with the option to renew.
Officials said the scheme had seen too little uptake and had failed to give a meaningful boost to the Dutch economy or its startup sector. Current visa holders will still be able to renew, and applications submitted before 17 April 2024 will be processed.
Egypt: the MIR payment system could launch in the country by the end of 2024
Egyptian authorities have indicated that MIR cards could be accepted for payments across the country as early as the end of this year.
Canada: authorities announce caps on the Start-up Visa programme
From 30 April 2024, the IRCC is capping the number of permanent-residence applications under the Start-up Visa Program at up to 10 startups per designated organisation.
To qualify for the Start-up Visa, an applicant's business must secure backing from a designated organisation in Canada. Designated organisations are venture capital funds, angel investor groups or business incubators approved by the government.
Germany: changes to the document application process
From 1 May 2025, applicants will be able to request that finished documents be sent by post; information about the PIN code or its deactivation will be provided at the initial appointment and will no longer be mailed. From the same date, only digital biometric photographs - now the standard for German identity documents - will be accepted for new document applications. Paper passport photos will no longer be accepted.
Sri Lanka: free visas for Russian citizens extended indefinitely
In October 2023, Sri Lankan authorities announced free visas for citizens of a number of countries, including Russia. The scheme ran until 31 March, was then extended to 30 April, and has now been extended indefinitely.
Peru: authorities extend the validity of the national passport
The Peruvian government has published a decree, effective 7 May 2024, extending passport validity to 10 years (up from the current 5).
Passports previously issued with 5-year validity remain valid until they expire.
Thailand: new visa-free regime for Russian citizens takes effect
The new visa-free stay for Russian citizens is 60 days. The regime will remain in force until 31 October 2024.
Russia: Raiffeisen Bank to begin exiting the country in the third quarter of 2024
Group chief executive Johann Strobl announced the move. The bank plans to cut its loan portfolio by 65% by 2026.
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What has changed by October 2026
- Netherlands. Residence by investment never came back: the programme has been closed since 17 April 2024. Founders still have the 1-year start-up permit with a €423 fee and about €21,200 in the bank for the year. More on the Netherlands start-up visa page.
- Canada. After the 2024 cap the start-up visa was closed entirely: no new applications since 1 January 2026, with about 43,000 applications waiting. A new entrepreneur pilot is promised, but its conditions are not published. More on the Canada start-up visa page.
- Thailand. The 60-day visa-free stay for Russian citizens has ended: from 15 September 2026 it is back to 30 days, extendable in the country for another 30.
What replaces the closed programmes
| Closed | Replacement | Main condition |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch residence by investment | Hungarian residence | a real estate fund from €250,000 for 5 years, a 10-year permit |
| Dutch residence by investment | Netherlands start-up visa | an accredited facilitator, ~€21,200 in the bank |
| Canada start-up visa | Canadian provincial programmes | regional streams ask for an investment from 100,000 Canadian dollars |
| Canada start-up visa | Spain start-up visa | project approval, €7,200 a year per founder |
Exchange rates: $1.12 per euro and 1.43 Canadian dollars per US dollar on 6 October 2026: €250,000 is about $280,100, 100,000 Canadian dollars about $70,200.
Thailand: how to stay longer than 30 days
After 30 visa-free days you can extend your stay in the country for another 30 days. Longer stays need a visa. For a long stay without work there is a long-stay visa programme for a one-off fee from 650,000 baht, about $19,300, for 5 to 20 years: up to 1 year per entry with in-country extensions, but no right to work. More on the Thailand residence page.
What to check before moving in 2026
- whether the programme is open on the filing date: in 2024-2026 Dutch residence by investment, the Canada start-up visa and Maltese citizenship by investment were closed;
- whether applications from your country's citizens are accepted;
- how many visa-free days you can spend in the country while waiting for a decision;
- whether there is a path from the first permit to long-term status and citizenship.
We will find a programme that works on the filing date in the chat.
FAQ
Can you still get Dutch residency by investment?
What happens to my residence permit if the program closes?
How does the Canada Start-up Visa work?
Do Mir cards work abroad?
Can I get Dutch residence by investment in 2026?
Does the Canada start-up visa work in 2026?
How many days can you stay in Thailand without a visa?
Which immigration programmes closed in 2024-2026?
What replaces Dutch residence by investment?
Can the visa-free stay in Thailand be extended?
The Netherlands closed investor residence - what's still open?
We compare the investor residence programmes still open against your budget and goals and prepare the documents for the one you choose. The catalogue covers every country.
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