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.

What has changed since this digest

The news in this issue has not gone stale, but almost every item has had a follow-up in 2025-2026. Below is where things stand in autumn 2026.

Azerbaijan: 90 days a year and a closed land border

The limit remains: Russian citizens and stateless people permanently residing in Russia may stay in Azerbaijan visa-free for no more than 90 days in a calendar year, with days added up across all trips. The land border with Russia is still closed for entry into Azerbaijan, and the authorities extend the closure every few months, so entry is possible only by air. Leaving Azerbaijan for Russia overland is possible.

United Kingdom: the travel authorisation got more expensive

Since 2 April 2025 the Electronic Travel Authorisation has also been required for visa-exempt Europeans. The fee rose to £16, about $22, on 9 April 2025 and to £20, about $27, on 8 April 2026. Since 25 February 2026 a strict rule applies: airlines and carriers will not board a passenger without one. It does not apply to Russian citizens, who still need a visa to travel to the UK. The authorisation is valid for two years or until the passport expires and allows multiple entries for stays of up to six months.

Malaysia: new salary thresholds from 1 June 2026

Malaysia raised the minimum salary for a foreign specialist's Employment Pass. From 1 June 2026 Category I requires at least RM20,000 a month, about $4,900, Category II RM10,000 to 19,999, about $2,450, and Category III RM5,000 to 9,999, about $1,230, or from RM7,000 in manufacturing-related services. Category changes still go through the employer.

Israel: an entry authorisation for 25 shekels

Since 1 January 2025 an electronic travel authorisation for Israel has been mandatory for all visa-free visitors, including Russian citizens. It costs 25 shekels, about $9, is issued online, and the application should be submitted at least 72 hours before travel. The authorisation is valid for two years or until the passport expires, but it does not guarantee entry: the decision rests with border control.

Schengen: border checks and the new entry system

Internal Schengen border checks have become almost permanent: in 2025-2026 they were extended by Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Slovenia and Poland, and Germany checks all its land borders at least until mid-September 2026. Since 10 April 2026 the Entry/Exit System has been fully operational at external borders: instead of passport stamps, the face and fingerprints are recorded. The European travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers is due to launch in the last quarter of 2026, while Russian citizens still need a Schengen visa to enter.

What we do

Entry rules change every few months, and what worked a year ago may now end in a refusal at the border. Murblz specialists check current requirements for your passport before a trip or move, and if you need a visa, residence permit or work permit, they prepare the documents and support the application. A consultant will calculate the cost in the chat.

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