Relocation news digest - June 15, 2024

🌎 Digest of key news for relocators 🌍

🇦🇿 Azerbaijan: MIR payment cards are now up and running

Cash can be withdrawn at VTB ATMs.

🇷🇺 Russia: Turkish Airlines begins refunding Russians offloaded from flights

Since late February 2024, Turkish Airlines has been offloading Russian citizens from flights out of Istanbul bound for Latin America.

The airline agrees to refund the ticket price after a pre-trial claim.

🇭🇺 Hungary: authorities toughen penalties for illegally employing foreign nationals

Fines for the illegal employment of foreign nationals have risen fivefold - to 150,000 forints (about 390 euros) for a single violation and up to 25,000,000 forints (about 65,000 euros) for multiple violations. Previously the fines ranged from 5,000 to 500,000 forints per foreign national.

🇸🇪 Sweden: authorities look to tighten citizenship rules

Among the proposed changes:

• eight years of residence for naturalization (currently five);
• a Swedish language test;
• a test on Swedish culture.

The government's proposal will be under discussion until 30 September 2024. If approved, the new rules will take effect on 1 January 2025.

🇷🇺 Russia: consulates to start certifying electronic documents

From 1 July 2024, Russian consulates will begin certifying electronic copies of paper documents. Applicants will now be able to transmit documents from abroad to Russia promptly.

🇨🇿 Czech Republic: applications to obtain or change employment status now accepted online only

From 1 July 2024, all applications related to employment (for example, changing employers) must be filed online rather than by post or in person.

These changes are part of a Europe-wide trend toward the gradual digitalization of bureaucratic systems.

🇨🇿 Czech Republic: authorities launch an online portal for foreign specialists

The Czech authorities have launched the Work in Czechia online portal, designed to attract highly qualified foreign specialists.

On the portal you can find:

• available vacancies across various industries;
• step-by-step guidance on obtaining a visa and work permit;
• advice on naturalization in the Czech Republic.

🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan: banks suspend transactions through Russian money-transfer systems

Several commercial banks in Kyrgyzstan have suspended their work with Russian money-transfer systems.

These banks include Mbank, Kompanion, the Kyrgyz-Swiss Bank, the Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank (KICB), and Kyrgyzkommertsbank.

🇷🇺 Russia: Transport Ministry announces the launch of direct flights to several countries

The Ministry of Transport plans to launch direct flights by the end of 2024 with the following countries:

• 🇹🇿 Tanzania;
• 🇰🇼 Kuwait;
• 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia;
• 🇮🇩 Indonesia.

🇱🇰 Sri Lanka: a new electronic visa is introduced

Foreign nationals must now submit an online application for an electronic visa for tourism or business, instead of an electronic travel authorization. The e-visa offers faster processing and a simplified application procedure.

The applicant will receive an email notification confirming approval of the e-visa, which must be presented on entry to Sri Lanka.

🇩🇰 Denmark: authorities introduce a simplified visa regime for the family members of Danish citizens

From 1 July 2024, dependents of certain Danish citizens will be eligible for a standard dependent permit. Previously, only dependents of foreign nationals could obtain such a permit, while dependents of Danish citizens had to apply under a more complex family reunification program.

🇨🇦 Canada: authorities raise the minimum savings requirement for Express Entry permanent residence applicants

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has published new minimum amounts of funds that foreign nationals applying for permanent residence under the Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades programs must have in their accounts. Detailed information on the required amount is available on the department's official website.

What became of these stories by October 2026

Sweden: the new citizenship law is in force

The proposal we reported in June 2024 has become law. Sweden's parliament approved the biggest citizenship reform in half a century on 29 April 2026, and the new rules have applied since 6 June 2026:

• the standard residence requirement is 8 years instead of 5; for refugees, applicants under 21 and spouses of Swedish citizens it is 7 years;
• Swedish language and civics knowledge are now required; civics tests start in August 2026 and the language test no earlier than 1 October 2027;
• applicants aged 18 to 67 must support themselves with income from work or their own business above a set threshold.

Electronic entry and exit records in Schengen

The Entry/Exit System began a phased roll-out at the external Schengen borders on 12 October 2025 and has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. Passport stamps have been replaced by a facial image and four fingerprints taken on first entry; children under 12 give no fingerprints. The system counts the 90/180 days itself; more in our article on entering Europe in 2026.

Schengen: single-entry visas for Russians

On 7 November 2025 the European Commission tightened Schengen visa issuance for Russian citizens living in Russia: a single-entry visa is now the default. Multiple-entry visas remain for close relatives of EU citizens and of Russians legally living in the EU, transport workers and those who prove a need to travel frequently. Long-stay national visas for study, work and relocation are not affected.

Kyrgyzstan: new rules for citizenship applications

Kyrgyz Presidential Decree No. 219 of 17 June 2026 took effect on 29 June. Applicants for citizenship now need legal status in the country, such as a residence permit, plus residential registration, and applications are filed only in person. More on the Kyrgyz citizenship page.

How Murblz helps you keep up with changes

Entry, residence and citizenship rules change every year, and transitional provisions often decide which rules apply to your case. Murblz specialists check your situation against the rules in force on your filing date and warn you about upcoming changes. The first consultation is free, with an instant answer in the chat.

FAQ