Relocation news digest - January 10, 2025

🇰🇿 Kazakhstan stops issuing tax IDs to foreign nationals at its embassies

As of 1 January, issuance of the document has been suspended following the expiry of the pilot programme Assigning individual identification numbers to foreign nationals through the foreign missions of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Russians had been using the number to open bank accounts and obtain payment cards.

🇮🇹 Italy will pay you to relocate

Italian authorities are prepared to pay nearly 3.1 million roubles to anyone who moves to the seaside region of Apulia. The money is offered toward buying property there, and entrepreneurs launching a business receive an additional €28,000.

🇺🇸 New York introduces a congestion charge

Starting 5 January, drivers of passenger cars must pay 9 US dollars to enter one of New York's busiest areas during peak hours - Manhattan south of 60th Street. Officials expect the measure to keep at least 80,000 fewer cars a day out of the so-called congestion relief zone.

The cost of entering the city's most gridlocked district depends on the time of day and the type of vehicle. For cars it ranges from 2.25 dollars overnight to 9 dollars at peak hours.

Under the city's plan, these rates will stay in force until 2028, after which they will rise.

The congestion relief zone covers Manhattan south of 60th Street, taking in landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Times Square and Wall Street.

The charge is designed to ease New York's traffic congestion. A second goal is to raise money for improving the public transit system.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul first proposed a paid-entry zone for the city two years ago. Amid complaints from regular commuters and local businesses, the plan was repeatedly revised and its rollout postponed.

🇭🇺 Hungary sharply cuts its work-permit quota

Hungary has reduced the combined quota for employment-based residence permits and guest-worker residence permits to 35,000 (down from the previous 65,000).

Intended to protect local workers in the Hungarian labour market, the change will significantly limit employers' ability to recruit foreign specialists.

🇨🇦 Canada suspends the Parents and Grandparents Program

The Canadian government has issued a ministerial directive announcing that it will accept no new sponsorship applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2025.

Over the course of 2025, the government will process only up to 15,000 visa applications under the programme.

🇫🇮 Finland changes its standard processing times

Standard processing times have changed as follows:

• EU residence permit: extended to six months (up from 14 days).
• Residence permit for self-employment: shortened to two months (down from 11 months).

What has changed since this digest

Most news items in this issue have had a follow-up in 2025-2026, and some decisions have become permanent. Below is where things stand in autumn 2026. The most important change for Russians is in Kazakhstan: the number needed for a bank account can no longer be obtained through an embassy.

Kazakhstan: tax numbers are no longer issued at embassies

In 2025 the pilot project issuing individual identification numbers to foreigners through Kazakh embassies and consulates resumed, but it expired on 31 December 2025. Since 1 January 2026 missions abroad no longer issue the number. It can be obtained in Kazakhstan at a public service centre: you apply and are notified by text message when it is ready. Remotely, the number can be obtained through the state e-residency programme, which issues a digital ID with the number. Without it you cannot open an account or get a card in Kazakhstan, and since 2026 a new Tax Code applies; more on the Taxes in Kazakhstan page.

New York: the court kept the congestion charge

The charge for driving into Manhattan south of 60th Street remains in force. The federal government tried to scrap it, but on 3 March 2026 a federal court found the Transportation Secretary's decision to end it arbitrary, and the programme can continue. At peak hours a car pays $9, less at night, and rates are planned to rise only after 2028. The charge is collected automatically through an electronic tag, while owners of cars without a tag are billed by plate at a higher rate.

Hungary: the foreign worker quota stays

For 2026 Hungary kept the quota for work permits and guest workers from outside the EU at 35,000 - the same as in 2025, down from 65,000 before. After the 2026 election the new government announced further tightening of guest worker rules, so employers and candidates should check the conditions before applying.

Canada: the parents programme is paused in 2026 too

Canada is not accepting new applications under the Parents and Grandparents sponsorship programme in 2026 either: no new invitations are being sent, and only applications already submitted are processed. Under the 2026-2028 immigration plan, up to 15,000 people will receive permanent residence through this programme. For parents to stay with their children for long periods, the long-term super visa remains. Routes to Canadian permanent residence for movers themselves are on the Canadian permanent residence by investment page. The super visa is valid for up to 10 years and allows stays of up to 5 years per entry. It requires health insurance with at least CAD 100,000 of coverage and proof that the inviting children's income meets the set minimum.

What we do

News about visas and entry rules goes out of date within months. Murblz specialists check the current rules for your passport and purpose of moving, choose a country and programme, prepare the documents and support the application through to a result. A consultant will calculate the cost in the chat.

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