Immigration Services (Visa/Residency/Citizenship)

Other

Cross Border Services (Corporate/Tax/Financial)

In the popular imaginary, digital nomads’ lifestyle is connected to a sense of freedom and carefree approach to life. Constant blog and Instagram posts show highly mobile professionals enjoying idyllic locations around the world, simply assisted by their personal computers and phones.  

Precisely, digital nomadism has reached the mainstream through a pitch that emphasizes the benefits of living in the fringe of traditional careers and corporate standards. There is some truth to that but, in many cases this pitch simplifies the strings attached to a digital nomad’s life. Even when moving around different locations, enjoying a more adventurous routine, digital nomads still need to maintain a discipline that allows them to operate with some certainty. 

What happens in case of illness? How to respond to unforeseen but plausible life events without the stability of a fixed geographical position? Answering these questions require research, preparation and consistency. Health care and insurance are some those issues that complicate the otherwise ‘chill nomadic lifestyle’ of some modern professionals. The experience with healthcare systems varies depending on the country or even the region of temporary residence. 

In some cases, local healthcare systems function at a very efficient level for foreign nationals. This is particularly the case in more developed countries. However, the dynamic can be very different in other locations. The same thing happens when trying to understand the insurance options.
If digital nomads move with their families, this adds a new layer of complexity. There is always an assumption that digital nomads work as freelancers. But in the case of a location-independent individual under contract with a particular company, insurance options can become tricky to navigate for the employer as well. 

These are some of the main factors to consider when trying to make it as a digital nomad. 

#### The need and cost of health insurance 
Digital nomads usually work as freelancers and travel on a budget as they constantly have to be looking for the next source of income. Lacking a fixed salary that can be expected on a regular basis, digital nomads need to control their expenses. Buying travel, health or emergency insurance can be an effective way to avoid unexpected bills in case of accidents or sickness. The free-spirited lifestyle of digital nomadism doesn’t have to clash with managing insurance and payments in an affordable way. 

Beyond obtaining peace of mind and the certainty of coverage in case of any problem, buying health insurance may be a requirement to travel. Many new digital nomad visa schemes require individuals to buy health insurance and, in some cases, other kind of protections. Receptive countries also want to have the certainty of insured individuals during their stay and will demand a policy that must cover the duration of the visa. 

The [Covid-19 pandemic](https://www.bing.com/search?q=Covid+19+pandemic+and+digital+nomadism&qs=n&form=QBRE&sp=-1&pq=covid+19+pandemic+and+digital+nomadism&sc=1-38&sk=&cvid=9EB89BB2A8E9437CB87E054BCB3A58E7) has introduced new requirements to health insurance policies. Basically, local authorities would like to avoid the associated cost with testing, treatment of illness produced by coronavirus, including vaccination in some cases. This increases the need to fully research and understand insurance options depending the location and individuals’ diverse circumstances. 

#### Your passport influences the type of coverage you’ll get. 
Not only your passport, which is an expression of your nationality but the specific country of residence determines health insurance policies. This makes it harder for digital nomads; a group of people that frequently changes their location. If you’re moving around constantly, it isn’t practical to switch insurance policies all the time or wonder what type of coverage you can get in each place. There are available insurance options that will provide comprehensive international coverage or that will have special alternatives for location independent people. 

#### Duration, payments. 
Income influx patters are important to considered as well. Not every digital nomad receives weekly or monthly payments. Those that work on longer projects, and only get paid after completion, should adapt their insurance payments accordingly. Part of the research before buying insurance should include payment options because some policies allow people to pay regularly, based on annual subscription, etc. 

If you’re using a digital nomad's visa program, like the Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) program, you know that you can stay in the country for up to a year. However digital nomads not always know how long they’re going to be moving around. Insurance options that can be renewed while being abroad are ideal. In this way you can choose a month-by-month option when uncertain about the duration of travels without any major inconvenience.

#### International vs. local? Private vs. public? 
The first instinct of almost every digital nomad is to acquire international private insurance. However other options may be available depending on the circumstances. The answer to this question comes down to how long are you planning to stay in a country. For longer periods it might make sense to go with local private insurance. Local companies and policies are in a better position to help you navigate local healthcare systems and emergency situations. Some countries, such as [Costa Rica](https://www.relocate.world/articles/digital-nomad-visa-costa rica) have robust public national insurance options. 

Many countries already have a well-structured system to deal with the needs of expats. Though digital nomads have different travel patterns, it should be easy to find the right option and accommodate it to the particular needs of individuals. As digital nomadism continues its ascension toward the mainstream, new insurance and healthcare options will arise to satisfy the growing demand for these services. It is all about dedicating time to research and find the option that accommodate your needs. 

### The Solution
**The evolution of insurance for the revolution of travel. [Insured Nomads](https://www.insurednomads.com) aims to change the way people travel, with safety and assurance.**



*Jürgen Pretsch is a professional researcher and consultant, but first and foremost, he is a "serial expat" and contemporary "digital nomad". Having lived in nearly a dozen countries, Jürgen has produced extensive research for major private institutions and governments. At the moment, Jürgen is pioneering work relating to expatpreneurship, and will continue to provide resourceful articles in the global mobility space.*

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Insurance and health care for digital nomads: Some things you should know. 

Even when living abroad provides you with the exact life you were in search of, one will still find aspects of home which they dearly miss. This is a natural phenomenon which all expats are likely to experience to some degree. 

America is home to many great things. The Statue of Liberty, hamburgers, and sugar cereals are just some examples. Here are 5 things that I miss about America while I live in Argentina.

#### 1. Everyone speaking English.

I know you are probably saying, "But if you miss the English-speaking people in America, why don't you just speak to the Argentines in English? Don't worry about other people's feelings!" However, this is not as easy as it sounds. When I try to speak to someone who does not know how to speak English, they just stare at me blankly. As embarrassing as this is, I am still tempted to speak with the person in my own language. After all, if I have trouble expressing myself in a different language, how can they?

#### 2. Public transportation

Although public transportation is not available everywhere in America due to various reasons (lack of space, lack of funding, etc.), it is still very much appreciated. The subway systems in New York City and Washington D.C., for example, are truly wonderful. They allow people to easily get around without having to worry about traffic or gas prices.

#### 3. Being able to watch American television programs whenever I want

I am not complaining about the American shows that **are** available on television in Argentina. However, when I want to watch a new episode of my favorite show, I have to go online and search for it. This is because not many tv channels air American television programs since they cost money to rebroadcast them.

#### 4. The fact that there are no nuclear weapons in Argentina

This may seem weird, but yes, I do miss the fact that there are no nuclear weapons in Argentina. There are many reasons for this. I feel safer when knowing that there is no chance of a nuclear attack happening. However, it also allows me to know what life would be like without them and how different it would be if countries all over the world disarmed themselves.

#### 5. The American flag reminds me of the varied and colorful history behind the stars and stripes.

This is a simple reason, but it represents America very well. Just seeing this piece of cloth makes me feel reassured that although I am an continent away from my home country, at least there is something that keeps me connected to home.

*Jerry Nelson is an American writer living the expat life in Argentina and winner of the Revi 2021 Reader Award. You can find him at any of hundreds of sidewalk cafes and hire him through Fiverr, join the quarter-million who follow him on Twitter. Interested in his writing? [Send Jerry an inquiry](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/128).*



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5 Things I Miss About America

FLEE is beautifully made, a cross-over movie in many ways.  This is illustrated by its nomination for Academy Awards in the Best Documentary Feature, Best Animated Feature and Best International Feature Film categories for 2022. 

Amin Nawabi is an Afghan citizen, arriving in Denmark as a child after an arduous journey across Asia and northern Europe. His adult self – a successful academic prevaricating about committing to married life with fiancé Kasper – narrates the story, which mixes different styles of animation with live news footage, some disturbingly uncensored, from Afghanistan, Moscow and the seas between Estonia and Scandinavia. 

This is a story of loss – of Amin’s once-comfortable Kabul home, his pilot father under the Communist regime – and of the search for a new home following a flight from Afghanistan that was as necessary now as that which took place when the country fell under Taliban control in autumn 2021. En route his family is separated, difficult decisions being taken as to who should join their older brother in Sweden; who should face the risk of crossing the Baltic Sea in an unseaworthy boat. Human traffickers are a fact of life – their fees becoming the sole object for the family as they bide their time in Russia. 

The themes the movie tackles have universal resonance – how we are spared the difficult choices Amin and his family must take by a simple accident of birth.  From an immigration lawyer’s point of view, however, what rings particularly true are the blurred lines in Amin’s account, the (false) dichotomy of the deserving versus the undeserving refugee.  He arrives in Denmark as an unaccompanied child, and his story has been drilled into him by people-smugglers. The story he is primed to give, however, is nowhere near as compelling as the truth: his knowledge from an early age that he was attracted to men – and to Jean Claude van Damme in particular. That as a gay man he would undoubtedly face serious harm if revealed as such in Afghanistan. 

*Amin’s journey is starkly illustrative of the need for us – as legal representatives – to focus on the account rather than the individual.*  In the UK the Home Office will often, in refusing asylum, describe someone as ‘not credible’.  This misses the very important point that truthful people can tell lies; and the truth can on occasion be more incredible than the lies that mask it. 

#### Need Help with Your Own Immigration Journey?
*The immigration lawyers at Latitude Law have been providing invaluable specialist advice and legal representation to clients since 2007.*

The author is an English-qualified solicitor with more than 30 years' experience advising corporate and private clients on UK-inbound mobility. 

[Connect with Gary](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/67) and request a consultation today.

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An Animation for our Times – Flee

Following from the announcement of the Government on 3 February 2022, the New Zealand borders are finally reopening. After a long two years of fighting for both visas and Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) places, we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

However, the borders are not being opened immediately. It will be a staged re-opening, over five steps.  

### Step one

**Step one begins on 11:59 pm Sunday 27 February 2022.**

It permits fully vaccinated New Zealanders and other eligible travellers under current border settings (such as people with border exemptions) from Australia to travel into New Zealand, without having to go through MIQ.

Eligible travellers include:

Critical Health Workers
Short term ‘other citical workers’
Long term ‘other critical workers’
Border exceptions
Dairy farm mangers and assistants;
Shearers and wool handlers;
Deepwater fishing crew;
Rural contractors;
General practice veterinarians;
Teachers;
International students;
Government approved events and programmes, for example Antarctic programmes;
Major infrastructure projects;
Tech sector workers; and
External auditors.

### Step two

**Step two begins on 11:59 pm Sunday 13 March 2022.**  

It permits fully vaccinated New Zealanders, and other eligible travellers under current border settings from the rest of the world, to travel to New Zealand. It may also permit skilled workers earning at least 1.5 times the median wage, $84,240.00 and their families, to enter New Zealand, without having to go through MIQ. During this step, some of the Working Holiday Schemes will also reopen. This allows people to come to New Zealand to work and travel.

Key sectors who benefit from this will be people in Information and Communication Technology, agriculture, education and office professionals.

### Step three

**Step three begins on 11:59 pm Tuesday 12 April 2022.**  

It permits the following to enter New Zealand: 

Temporary visa holders who still hold a valid temporary visa;
Up to 5,000 students, for semester two; 
Professional sports players and team members; and
Performers and support crew for cultural events with significant national/regional benefits.
The government will also consider granting entry to further classes of critical workers who do not meet the skilled worker salary mentioned above.

### Step four

**Step four is anticipated to begin in July 2022. It may occur earlier.**

This step sees the removal of the critical worker border exemption process, replaced by the new accredited employer regime. It also sees entry for any person from a visa-waiver travel country (consisting of visitors and shot-term business travellers) and finally, the entry for all Australians, whether it be family, friends, tourists or short-term business travellers.

### Step five

**Step five is anticipated to begin in October 2022.**

Step five is when New Zealand fully opens it borders to the world. It reopens to visitors from anywhere in the world, and all visa categories will be fully opened. Normal visa processing will resume during this step.

#### What of MIQ?

MIQ has caused a lot of heartache. From 27 February 2022, MIQ will be completely abolished for vaccinated people.

MIQ will however, still be around. It will be used for high-risk travellers, such as those who are unvaccinated.

#### Isolation periods

While there will no longer be the MIQ requirement for vaccinated people, people travelling to New Zealand must still go through periods of self-isolation.  

Every person travelling to New Zealand must self-isolate for 10 days. Once New Zealand moves into phase two of the Omicron response, people traveling to New Zealand will only need to self-isolate for seven days. 

#### Testing

Upon arriving into New Zealand, the person will be given three rapid antigen tests. One will be used on day zero or day one, the second one is to be used on day five or six, and finally the third one is a back-up.

If a positive result occurs, the person will be requested to obtain a follow up PCR test at a community station.

After a long two years, we finally see New Zealand opening its arms to the world again. We can finally see families reuniting, the benefits of having skilled workers in our economy, and visitors seeing our beautiful country. 

### Been Waiting to Migrate to New Zealand?
*Duncan Cotterill is a full-service law firm with locations in five distinct markets in New Zealand resulting in an immigration sector that is highly informed on local markets. From initial eligibility scoping and visa or work permit applications through to confirmed residency -- Cotterill gives tailored advice at every step of the process.*

For advice on which step you meet or how you can meet each step, [contact Nicola](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/91)

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New Zealand’s reconnection with the world 

The Bahamas was one of the pioneering nations to join the phenomenon of Digital Nomad Visas in 2020 with their Bahamas Extended Access Travel Stay (BEATS) program. However, a recent newsflash and at least one personal experience unveiled that BEATS is now a dead-beat, aka suspended. 

Originally launched through the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, nomads wishing to temporarily settle in the Bahamas through BEATS simply had to apply online, potentially do some follow-up with their application to secure timely approval, and then pay a fee of $1000 USD plus an additional $500 USD for each dependent for the 365-day digital nomad visa. Overall, a minimal process to set up home in a Caribbean Island for one full year. 

As residents of the Bahamas, digital nomads were also free to enter and exit the country as any other lawful resident. A common pastime to not only experience the country they’re residing in, but other nearby destinations as well. Additionally, they can secure local housing, potentially rent a car and settle into their new home. (Though not open a bank account....)

In a previous article announcing the opening of [Brazil’s digital nomad visa](https://www.relocate.world/en/articles/Brazil-opens-digital-nomad-visa), I wrote that digital nomad visas appear to be a *win-win for everyone*—nomads and host countries. In full transparency we must be reminded that [Digital Nomad Visas](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/digital-nomad-visas) are still very much untested waters. This uncharted world of visas may turn out to have some negative implications after all. The suspension of the Bahamas BEATS may be showing us the first signs of potential downfalls. 

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> BEATS suspension flyer released on Facebook 

#### What does this suspension mean?
The announcement of this suspension only consists of a vague single page flyer released through Facebook. The key detail to note is that it has a stamp from the Ministry of Immigration rather than the Ministry of Tourism, who originally launched the program. Furthermore, the flyer was unclear whether the suspension was for new applicants, or also affected those currently living in the Bahamas on the BEATS program. Unfortunately, it appears to be suspended for both new and existing applicants. 

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If someone currently living in the Bahamas on a BEATS Digital Nomad visa leaves and tries to re-enter, they will now be given a 90-day tourist stamp. Not only is this unsettling, but not all passport holders are eligible for a visitor’s visa upon arrival. In addition, folks who held a Digital Nomad Visa, and left the country, were not given prior warning that this suspension was to occur. The news came as they tried to re-enter on paid for and secured Digital Nomad Visa only to be told it was no longer valid.  What happens then? Considering the logistics those on digital nomad visas have secured in their host country — rental home, car, etc. — this could potentially leave some digital nomads astray, unexpectedly costing them significant amounts of money and a logistical nightmare. Beyond this, a fee of $1000+ was paid to secure the visa which now turns out to be invalid. 

#### So, what happens now? 
It seems the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Immigration are still sorting this out. Hopefully the problem will soon be solved without much backlash, if not we can speculate nomads will be seeking out new destinations with a hint of skepticism related to the security of a Digital Nomad Visa. Nonetheless, *the Bahamas is still the beloved Bahamas*, known for beautiful beaches and open hearts, so the love affair between the islands and digital nomads shall carry on despite these current murky waters.

##### Stay tuned as we dig deeper into the matter to provide you with the full story.   


*This article is a [Relocate Community](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/119) Article written by [Kathryn Funk](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-funk-87a2a6202/), Content and Community Director at [Relocate](https://www.relocate.world/about).*


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Uncharted Waters — The Bahamas Digital Nomad Visa Suspended

Ireland is recognised as one of the most open economies in the developed world. Notwithstanding ongoing moves towards the globalisation of corporate taxes, Ireland continues to attract foreign direct investment (FDI).  

#### WHY SET UP IN IRELAND
Ireland’s international competitiveness is built on strong foundations, including:

- A 12.5% corporate tax rate on trading activities;
- Generous tax reliefs for technology companies, including the Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit and the Knowledge Development Box;
- A wide network of international tax treaties, which are central to attracting FDI;
- An educated workforce, who speak English as a first language;
- A great location on the edge of Europe, and a member of the European Union.

In recent years, there has been exponential growth in the tech sector in Ireland, both from foreign companies investing in Ireland, and within the domestic economy.  In this article, we explore the generous tax relief available to tech companies -- the R&D tax credit.

From our experience, companies in the following industries are ideally suited to best avail of these reliefs and are thriving in the knowledge economy in Ireland at present:

- IT – Software and Hardware;
- Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices;
- Design & Manufacturing;
- Engineering;
- Construction & Architecture.

### RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT TAX CREDIT
The Research & Development (“R&D”) Tax Credit is a lucrative incentive aimed at promoting expenditure on R&D activities by Irish resident companies and branches of foreign companies.  The R&D Tax Credit is a valuable relief, and this brochure summarises the incentive, enabling companies to establish whether your business might be entitled to relief under the regime.  

#### QUALIFYING COMPANY
Before reviewing the activities being carried on by a company, first consideration should be given to the requirements to be considered a “qualified company”. 

A company is eligible for relief where it is: 

- Within the charge to Irish corporation tax; 
- Carrying on a trade or is a member of a trading group;
- Carrying out qualifying R&D activities in the period; 

Where a trading company within the charge to Irish corporation tax engages in R&D, it may be entitled to claim the R&D Tax Credit in respect of eligible expenditure incurred in the period. 

#### QUALIFYING ACTIVITIES
For research or development efforts to be eligible for relief under the R&D Tax Credit regime, activities must be systematic, investigative or experimental, in a field of science or technology, and be describable under one or more of the following headings: 

- Basic research; often blue-sky thinking; 
- Applied research; generally what we consider traditional R&D, i.e., labs and white coats; or, 
- Experimental development; from our experience, most R&D claims fall within this category.  The aim often being to bring a product or solution to market, building on earlier basic or applied research.

Activities will not be considered qualifying unless they seek to advance existing scientific or technological knowledge and involve the resolution of a scientific or technological uncertainty. 

#### QUALIFYING EXPENDITURE 
Eligible expenditure is determined by reference to the activities carried on by a company and typically includes:

- Wages and salaries (fully loaded, to include bonuses, pension, health insurance, etc.),
- Direct overheads such as light and heat, direct facility costs such as rent and maintenance,
- Direct costs, including materials used in the course of the R&D activities being carried out,
- Sub-contractors and third-level institutions may also be included in the claim; however, there are limits as to the amount of expenditure which may be included.

In addition to Revenue expenditure, a claim can include expenditure on plant and machinery to the extent that the assets are used for the R&D effort, once the assets are eligible for capital allowances. 

Likewise, the capital cost of buildings may be included in a claim in the year of expenditure, to the extent that a facility is purpose built to facilitate R&D activities. 

#### CLAIMING THE CREDIT 
The R&D Tax Credit regime operates on a self-assessment basis, submitted on the Form CT1 form the period in which the qualifying expenditure is incurred. 

A claim must be submitted to Revenue within 12 months of the end of the accounting period in which the expenditure was insured. Timeliness of claims is therefore imperative.

#### UTLISING THE CREDIT 
First, the R&D Tax Credit can be used to reduce a company’s current year corporation tax liability, or can be carried back to the generate a refund of corporation tax paid in the immediately preceding accounting year.

Once Corporation Tax offsets have been exhausted, a company may then choose to either carry the credit forward or elect for a refund of the remaining credit over a three year period, by reference to payroll taxes paid.

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TAKE AWAYS 
- R&D tax credits at 25% of qualifying expenditure, in addition to a 12.5% Corporation Tax deduction. 
- Qualifying expenditure includes fully loaded wages, subcontractors, direct and overhead costs, and capital expenditures. 
- Refundable credit, loss making companies may also get a cash benefit. 
- Not just white coats – credit is aimed at problem solving disciplines, seeking an improvement on the norm.
- Software and IT are key areas for R&D claims in Ireland. 
- Claim must be made within 12 months of end of accounting period. 

*“The R&D Tax Credit is an incentive which provides a refundable tax credit of 25% of qualifying expenditure carried out in a period.  The credit is in addition to the usual corporation tax deductions and capital allowances claims, such that the total tax saving is potentially 37.5%.”*

### Explore Tax Relief in Ireland
*Hughes Tax & Advisory is a boutique tax practice principally serving the needs of Irish businesses and entrepreneurs. Their blend of corporate and personal experience allows their advisors to understand, address and meet the needs of both the entrepreneur and also their companies, to deliver bespoke tax solutions.*

[Connect with James](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/178) to inquire about taxes in Ireland and how he can help ease the burden.

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Ireland R&D Tax Credit

When I was 12 years old, my brother, who’s 10 years older than I am, got a call that changed both our lives. I still remember that day, he rushed into the living room on a hot summer afternoon with a huge playful smile on his face.

“Guess what?” He asked enthusiastically while probing my parents’ faces.
My dad engaged him first. He put down his newspaper hurriedly and shot my brother an eager, inquisitive look.

“You got it?” He was already at the edge of his seat.

My brother nodded vigorously and screamed a loud “Yes” which caused my parents to jump out of their seats and rush to hug him. I joined the joyful wave and embraced them all in a big family hug that seemed to be way overdue. 

My Dad’s face was washed with pride while my mom’s was beaded with tears that my brother gently whisked away.

“I’m going to miss you Habibi!” The words seemed to leave her lips and hang heavily in the air between us. 

I was confused. 

“What did you get? Where are you going? Why is mom going to miss you?” I asked irritably.
“I’m moving to Qatar Hadi! I got a job there!”

#### The truth of the matter
When you are born in a country like Lebanon, your goal is primarily to get out of it. When I was 12 years old, I did not know that. I did not know much about geopolitics, and I had no idea about job opportunities in Lebanon, or the lack thereof to be more precise.

The truth of the matter is if you’re Lebanese, geopolitics, corruption, assassinations, inflation, starvation, and economic breakdown are headlines you’ve been watching, hearing, reading, and unfortunately living and breathing for the past 50 years. If you’re Lebanese you know very well that your only chance at survival is packing your bags and making a go at it in another country. 
That’s why when my brother got the call, he was ecstatic. That’s why whenever any Lebanese gets this golden opportunity, we congratulate them, hug them and secretly pray that one day we will get the call ourselves.

#### Mabrook! (Congratulations)
15 years later, at 27 years old, I got a similar call. I was moving to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I remember that day just as vividly as my brother’s day. I had him in mind when I walked into the same living room, but this time only to my mom sitting there quietly, lost in the sea of her thoughts. 
My dad had passed away only months earlier, and she was still coping with the loneliness of a heart filled with sorrow.

Unlike my brother, I did not have a joyful look on my face, however, my announcement did wash my mother’s eyes with heavy tears. 

“Mabrook Habibi!” she hugged me like only a mother can hug her son. I embraced her like only a son can embrace his loving mother, and we stood there silently letting the news of my departure engulf us with the inevitability of being Lebanese.

#### On a jet plane
I boarded my plane with a broken heart and a mind cluttered with emotions I could not process. I wasn’t just leaving my mother, my family, and my friends; I was also leaving behind the memories of my youth. My first love, my first heartbreak, the smell of the wet asphalt after the first September rain, the feel of the golden sun on the hills of our village grounds. All of it left behind. 

There was resentment in my heart, there is no doubt about that. Why should I leave everything I loved to the people who have driven generation after generation out of the safety of their homes? Why should I leave? Why don’t the traitors and the corrupt, evil men leave? Why don’t the ones who have depleted us of our resources and plunged us into one crisis after another leave?

Those were the thoughts going through the maze of my mind when the plane lifted off Lebanese soil, and with it stole the swollen heart of another Lebanese youth.

#### Hope
I am now 34 years old. I have been living abroad for 7 years. 4 years in Riyadh and now 3 years in [Dubai](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/uae). My mom is living with me, and my brother moved from Qatar to Saudi Arabia. All my friends have also boarded their planes and found new homes somewhere in the GCC, Canada, the US, or Europe. All of us are happy and grateful that we got that call, packed our bags, and left home in search of a better future.

It is what it is! There is no more sorrow in my heart, no more resentment, no regret, and definitely no hope that I will one day return.

And the memories? The memories that once felt heavy on my heart, have now dwindled to afterthoughts or reminisces that trigger little moments of nostalgia, but that’s it… They’re little moments that take me back, but then I’m grounded in the reality of my situation, and I feel thankful and blessed!

So… If you’re Lebanese and you got that call, Mabrook!
If not, my heart goes out to you, and I pray that when your day comes, you’re ready to accept the inevitability of being Lebanese.

*Hadi El Talje is one of 7 billion human beings living on a tiny blue ball floating in the vastness of space. He hopes his writing intrigues your mind and inspires you to be true to who you really are. For writing opportunities, [connect with Hadi](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/214).*

### The Necessity of Relocation
We understand that there is a profound difference between those who want to relocate versus those who are forced to move and maintaining a humanitarian approach to our efforts is part of our genetic composition. Stay tuned for more [Relocate](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/119) articles as we explore this topic more. 

Do you have a relevant story to share about your own global mobility or immigration experience? Tell us more [here](https://www.stories.relocate.world).


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The Inevitability of being Lebanese

The Australian Government has announced that the country’s borders will be fully reopened on 21 February 2022.  Is this a return to the pre-COVID normal?

Australia will reopen to all **fully vaccinated** visa holders, welcoming the return of tourists, business travellers, and other visitors from 21 February 2022. Those who are not vaccinated will be required to apply for a **travel entry exemption** and undertake quarantine if granted permission to enter the country.

The announcement by the Prime Minister created enormous excitement across a nation weary of enduring 2 years of isolation from the rest of the world.  Tourism operators expect less risk-averse younger backpackers and students to swiftly return to Australia and fill jobs in sectors experiencing chronic worker shortages.

The news was also welcomed by the business community, which is experiencing significant shortages of skilled labour.  The business community in Australia has seen strong competition for staff and falling unemployment result in the number of skilled job vacancies hitting a 13-year high in January.

![temporary-visa-holders-graph.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/temporary-visa-holders-graph-wfjveP2g-F.webp)

Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) analysis shows a significant decline in temporary visa holders in Australia during the pandemic.  As the local economy has progressively re-opened following high vaccination levels, the absence of a foreign national workforce has significantly hampered business recovery, with many employers struggling to fill vacant roles from the local workforce.

It’s important to note however that permanent migrants such as skilled and family visa holders typically exclude temporary tourists and students in the country for less than 12 months.

![net-overseas-migration-graph.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/net-overseas-migration-graph-9rCKsr4ITT.webp)

### So, what’s next?
In our view, the looming challenge facing the business community in Australia is the labour market impact of international borders and markets re-opening, particularly in the key global talent hub locations such as London, New York, Toronto, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai.

The Australian skilled labour cohort repatriated home in large numbers as global markets entered protracted lockdowns in early 2020.  This cohort has largely remained in Australia because of the travel restrictions imposed by the Australian Government, which have only recently been eased.

It remains to be seen how many of this Australian cohort decide to resume their career overseas as border restrictions ease and global markets begin to live with the COVID-19 virus.

The business community seems to be preparing for a large-scale exodus of skilled Australian labour to global locations and is relying on the skill shortage gaps to be filled with foreign workers.  However, the government has said it will not use the reopening of the border to make up for lost ground in immigration levels, capping permanent arrivals at the pre-pandemic limit of 160,000 a year.

### Does this scenario translate to a worsening of the skill shortage gap for Australian businesses?
The post-COVID working world has changed the game for business leaders. The business world is trying to interpret the longer-term impacts on the workforce and workplace wreaked by COVID-19.

Factors such as the explosion of interest in remote work and work-from-anywhere, the increased use of technology for talent to deliver outcomes, and importantly an increased focus of global talent on workplace wellness has contributed to large scale migration of talent, where skilled labour look to negotiate workplace arrangements aligned to their changed priorities.  Extended periods of disruption to existing workplace arrangements, including working from home for many months, has enabled talent to assess their priorities for the future.

If business leaders are slow to respond to the evolving needs of their workforce, talent will explore their options in a market which provides them with more employment options than was the case in the pre-pandemic world.

Tapping into the use of skilled foreign talent will not be the solution many business leaders hope for.  Now, more than ever, business leaders will need to understand the drivers behind the future of work, and importantly the role which immigration can play in attracting, retaining and incentivizing talent.

### Learn More About Immigration to Australia in a Post-Pandemic World
*Gilton Valeo Lawyers is a Sydney based incorporated legal practice specialising in corporate migration, founded in 1982.*

*This article was written by Mark Wright, Immigration Thought Leader*

[Connect with Fiona](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/74) to know more about life in Australia and inquire on your personal immigration options.

**Discover more about [Australia](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/australia) as a relocation destination and the possible immigration pathways**

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Australia's International Borders Are Opening. What's Next?

In today’s society, pets are already part of families – in Portugal it is estimated that 43% of families have pets, corresponding to 5.8 million domestic animals. Being Portugal a pet friendly country, the relocation of your pet shall also be planed and it is important to know what procedures to follow.

As part of the European Union, Portugal is governed by the common framework, under which, your pet must have:

- Been micro-chipped (in line with the technical requirements of Annex II of the EU Regulation on the movement of pets) or has a clearly readable tattoo if applied before 3 July 2011;
- Been vaccinated against rabies.

When coming from a country at risk of rabies (ex: African Continent, Brazil, Venezuela, Ukraine, among others), at least 30 days after the date of rabies vaccination, your pet must take a blood sample to check the number of (sufficient) antibodies to the disease in [approved laboratories](https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/movement-pets/approved-rabies-serology-laboratories_en) and 3 months must elapsed from the date of blood collection before the animal is allowed to enter in Portugal. Consequently, besides the Identification document (Veterinary Certificate), proof of vaccination against rabies (vaccination bulletin or other), in such cases the blood test result bulletin (rabies antibody titration) shall be brought with you.

It is also important to highlight that it is not allowed the entry in Portugal of young dogs and cats from countries outside the EU (under 12 weeks of age or between 12 and 16 weeks and with rabies vaccination for less than 21 days).

- Received treatment against the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, where necessary;
- A valid European pet passport, when travelling to another EU country or an EU animal health certificate, when travelling from a non-EU country;
- In southern Europe, diseases such as leishmaniasis are common being recommendable the protection with the suitable vaccine.

The **European pet passport** is a document, which follows an EU standard model and is essential for travel between EU countries. It contains a description and details of your pet, including its microchip or tattoo code as well as its rabies vaccination record and contact details of the owner and the vet who issued the passport. You can get a European pet passport for your dog, cat or ferret from any authorized vet (permitted by the relevant authorities to issue pet passports). A pet passport is valid for life as long as your pet’s rabies vaccination is in date.

On the other hand, the **EU animal health certificate** is another type of document, which contains specific information about your pet (identity, health, rabies vaccinations) and is based on an EU standard model.

If you are travelling from a non-EU country or territory, your pet must have an EU animal health certificate endorsed by an official State vet in the country of departure not more than 10 days before your pet arrives in the EU. The certificate is valid for travel between EU countries for 4 months from this date or until the anti-rabies vaccination expires, whichever lapses first.

In addition, you should also complete and attach a written declaration to your pets EU animal health certificate stating that its relocation is for non-commercial reasons. This declaration is also required if your pet is travelling under the responsibility of a person authorized by you. In this case, your pet must be reunited with you within 5 days of your relocation.

If your pet is a [dog of a breed considered potentially dangerous](https://www.dgav.pt/vaiviajar/conteudo/animais-de-companhia/transito-internacional/fora-da-uniao-europeia/entrada-em-portugal/caes-de-racas-consideradas-potencialmente-perigosas/), although its entry is allowed, special regulations are applicable in Portugal, being mandatory to present at the Points of Entry for veterinary control of the animals concerned, one of the following documents signed by the owner:

- Term of liability – if staying in Portugal for less than 4 months;
- Notification of stay– if staying in Portugal for a period exceeding 4 months.

The only exception concern to dogs of the above mentioned breeds whose registration is contained in an officially recognized book of origins (LOP and others), in which case the owners of these animals must present proof (written proof) at the aforementioned Points of Entry for Travelers.

The following breeds and their crossings are part of this list:

1. Brazilian Line Dog;
2. Argentine Great Dane;
3. Pit Bull Terrier;
4. Rottweiler;
5. American Staffordshire Terrier;
6. Staffordshire Bull Terrier;
7. Tosa inu.

In what refers to **birds**, under the assumption that you are coming from a country member of the [World Organization for Animal Health](https://www.oie.int/en/who-we-are/members/) (OIE), your pet shall have his identification document, an official health certificate, issued by the official authority of the country of origin, according to Decision 2007/25/EC and fulfil one of the following requirements:

- An isolation for 30 days prior to travel at the place of departure in a country listed in Regulation (EC) No. 206/2010, or;
- A quarantine of 30 days after entering the Member State of destination, in approved facilities – in Portugal, this quarantine can only be carried out in the Zoo, or;
- Vaccination in the last 6 months and at the latest 60 days before the trip, and, at least once, revaccinated against avian influenza subtypes H5 and H7;
- An isolation period, under the supervision of the official authority of the country of origin, for at least 10 days prior to travel and subjected to a test to detect the antigen or genome of avian influenza H5 and H7.

In practical terms, the entry of a pet in Portugal must be preceded of an [Arrival Notice](lhttps://www.dgav.pt/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/FORM-FOR-BIRDS-and-OTHER-ANIMALS-December-2019.doc) made at the [Travelers’ Entry Points](https://www.dgav.pt/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/PONTOS-DE-ENTRADA-DOS-VIAJANTES-Dez-2020-2.pdf), made by the owner/authorized person and not by the transport company, at least 48 hours before arrival, in order to avoid any inconvenience, namely the ban on the entry of animals due to non-compliance with established health rules.

To facilitate the process, it is recommendable to legalize or apostille all the relevant foreign documents, and to guarantee the correspondent translation into Portuguese.

Before booking your flight, you shall confirm with the local authorities the validity period of the documents and with the airline company the availability and [conditions of transportation](https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/live-animals/pets/) as there is a limited number of slots for pets traveling in the plane’s hold (more thank 8kg) or cabin and the boxes must comply with the allowed size and weight.

Special highlight shall be made regarding pets coming from United Kingdom. Due to Brexit, from 1st of January 2021 pet passports are no longer valid. The EU has agreed that UK should be given “part two listed” status, allowing pets to travel within its borders providing the owners obtain an animal health certificate (AHC), which confirms that your pet has been microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.

When in Portugal, pets do not need to be quarantined as long as the entry requirements are met. However, please be aware that all dogs, cats and ferrets must be transponder/microchip tagged and registered with SIAC – Companion Animal Information System that integrates the identification of companion animals in a simplified and unified way in a single platform available to everyone, from veterinarians to pet owners. Such registration shall be done by a veterinarian accredited to the SIAC. In the case of potentially dangerous dogs that come from abroad the registration must be done by the municipal veterinarian.

Since 2019, special rules were approved regarding the rights and duties related to pets that ceased to be seen as “things” and started e to be considered living beings with feelings who are deserving of legal protection.

In this regard, important aspects shall be noticed:

- If living in a flat, you must not exceed 3 adult dogs or 4 adult cats and, in no case, 4 animals. Nonetheless, there can be exceptions to this on the express request of the owner, if it is authorized by a municipal veterinarian or by a health decree that can allow a maximum of 6 adult pets;
- Besides SIAC registration, a license shall be requested and renewed annually in the parish services of your residence area;
- If the pet is in common areas or public places, it must be on a lead and wear a collar which identifies it and has the owner’s telephone number or address. If the breed is considered violent or dangerous, it must wear a muzzle;
- Pets have judicial protection under the law against abuse and negligence, whereby owners found in acts of unjustified animal violence are punishable with imprisonment or fines;
- They are allowed to accompany you into commercial establishments, which includes shops and restaurants properly marked as “pet friendly” and when accompanied by their owners. The law requires that pets, however, must be secured with a short leash and not allowed to move around freely;
- Non dangerous pets cannot be refused on public transport as long as they are clean, free of diseases and properly secured by means of a leash or proper container;
- During the summer, dogs are not allowed on concession beaches (beaches with flags) but they are allowed on beaches with no lifeguard or in identified dog-beaches, as well as on all beaches during the winter season.

The economy and services exclusively dedicated to pets is a growing area in Portugal, which, in addition to the low cost of living, safety, green spaces and mild temperature, makes it so attractive to all family members, pets included!

For such reasons and many others, Portugal has been experiencing a gradual increase in the resident foreign communities and gathering the preference of investors in view of the various investment opportunities and immigration programs available such as the Golden Visa, the Entrepreneur Visa (D2) or the authorization of residence for passive income holders (D7) which, allowing also the access to the Schengen Space, are the best way to obtain Portuguese and European nationality in the medium term and a more favorable tax regime under the Non Habitual Tax Resident Program (NHR).

### Learn More About Relocating to with your Pets to Portugal
*Caiado Guerreiro is a multi-jurisdicitonal full service law firm headquartered in the heart of Lisbon. The immigration team provides legal advice to international clients, including large corporations, governments and private individuals. The practitioners often deal with complex legal questions and restructuring projects, and maintain excellent relationships with the Foreigners and Borders Service and other public bodies.*

[Contact Sara](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/203) to further discuss immigration pathways to [Portugal](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/portugal).

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Pets Immigration to Portugal

The government is beginning a back down on border restrictions due to public pressure for life to return to normality. Hence their rather hastily created plan for the border to re-open. Much like the traffic light setting with all its different permutations and requirements, the phased re-opening is equally complex.

The announcement made on 3 February outlines the schedule for further announcements that need to be made to implement the border reopening. What will be of interest to employers and those running businesses in New Zealand will be the ability to access the international labour market.

#### New exceptions
The government has announced new border class exceptions for tech sector workers and for external auditors. However, there are caps on the number of visas available.

There is also a requirement for those in the tech sector to be approved or sanctioned by a government department. External auditors will need to be assessed by CA ANZ – the professional body for accountants, auditors, and insolvency specialists.

This demonstrates an ongoing trend by the government of dictating numbers and interfering in the operation of the labour market.

#### Other Critical Workers
We are told there will be an expanded definition of Other Critical Worker that also reduces the requirement for that person to be paid 1.5-2 times the median wage in mid-March.

Apparently, industry sectors such as ICT, agriculture, education, and office professionals will benefit. No mention here of the construction sector.

The working holiday scheme system will also be back up and running (apparently) from 13 March in a desperate effort to try and get more workers to fill seasonal roles and assist in primary industries. The intention is to try and benefit tourism and hospitality sectors. How that benefit will be delivered to businesses still suffering the significant impact of isolation requirements under phase 2 of the red light setting is anyone’s guess, particularly given tourists (and only those from visa waiver countries) can only come in July – right at the beginning of New Zealand’s winter.

In March we expect to see “class exceptions” for critical workforces – which is unclear what that will mean.

#### The new work visa system
Our Australian cousins and those from visa waiver countries will be able to enter from July. This will also mark the start of the new work visa system. That is when business ought to be able to take full advantage of the international labour market. However, it is going to be limited to those earning over the median wage which, by then, I expect to rise from the $27 per hour setting to somewhere in the vicinity of $27.70.

By this time employers needing workers from offshore will have to have accreditation status. The new labour market testing rules will also come into force and are expected to be implemented in a rigorous fashion.

#### Learn more about living and working in New Zealand. 

Aaron Martin is one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded practitioners in immigration law, with decades of experience in assisting private individuals, business, and corporate clients. Skilled in evaluating complex cases, ministerial intervention, appeals, and character or medical waivers.

[Connect with Aaron today](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/102) and dig-deeper into relevant topics for relocating to New Zealand. 

![NZ Immigration.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/NZ_Immigration_508ca2d4d7/NZ_Immigration_508ca2d4d7.png)




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NZ Immigration News February Overview

Global human mobility has never been easier. Today people constantly move around through secure, fast and affordable transportation methods. The internationalization of an increasing number of businesses and services and the standardization of many cultural practices combined with how easy it is now to reach new places, have facilitated a mass movement of people across the world. 

#### Some Cultural Issues to Consider for Expats Living in Latin America
Even the Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t been able to permanently damage international mobility. In 2020, the effects of the measures to contain the pandemic reduced global passenger traffic by 65.9% compared to 2019. By the end of 2021 global air traffic was showing strong signs of recovery, though this recovery hasn’t been consistent everywhere in the world. 

As soon as it was possible, people started traveling again. Latin America was precisely the region with the best recovery in 2021, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). 
As people continue to move, assisted by remote working conditions and broader needs of businesses to operate in different jurisdictions; how is the life for expats changing in their countries of residence? Particularly, what are the main challenges in the post-pandemic period for expats living in Latin America? 

#### Language barriers 
The first thing that comes to mind is the obvious barriers with languages. Expats that come from the US or Europe to live in Latin America might encounter large communities of English speakers, but won’t be able to fully navigate its new residence without more than basic local language skills. In Latin America knowing Spanish, or Portuguese if you’re based in Brazil, makes a big difference. 

Many expats often report a steep learning curve when first moving. Lack of knowledge of local languages usually adds to an already challenging scenario. Speaking the local language allows to develop a more fulfilling life, from accessing public services, speaking to your neighbors or having business meetings and demonstrating the ability to fully integrate in the culture. 

#### New business standards and practices   
Immersing in a new culture requires professionals to understand how to be flexible to face new business settings. The US, the UK and Europe have robust specific business traditions. These countries have very clear and even historical expectations for issues such as punctuality, productivity and personal relationships in the workplace. 

Latin Americans usually takes another approach to these matters. In general, Latin American productivity patterns and protocols towards personal relationships in professional settings diverge from the Anglo-Saxon standards. 

Many expats also describe how they feel like they have to move slower to match everyone’s else rhythm. The fast-paced lifestyle in Europe and the US may now encounter a wall of slowing moving individuals and bureaucracy’. This is not necesarly a bad thing, but it is definitely something to plan and prepare for. 

#### Crazy inflation and local currency devaluation 
This is slowly becoming less of a cultural difference. The US and Europe currently face their own share of inflation. However, the inflationary processes in the US or Europe is nothing like what has been seen in Latin America. Every major economy in the region is experiencing this problem. 
What does that mean for your life as an expat? Well... for the first time you’ll see how prices for basic services and products rise by the day. Most expats receive income in foreign currency, which offers some protection against this inflationary nightmare, but this can still be culturally and financially shocking for expats. 

#### The ugly: citizen security and corruption
This is particularly challenging, not only for expats but especially for locals. Latin American countries experience higher levels of crime, especially more violent crimes than Americans or Europeans are used to. This doesn’t mean that the region is a "lawless land of murder" but personal security precautions should always be taken.

Of course this situation varies depending on the country, city or the neighborhood you’re in. Still, the general cultural difference is one of a region that struggles to reach more acceptable levels of citizen security. 

#### Political instability like you’ve never seen before 
Another cultural difference that is slowly fading as European and American politics become more dysfunctional and in some cases vicious, but again, Latin America takes to another level. The region is in a constant battle between the left and the right. While this might be witnessed everywhere, the important and particular cultural insight into Latin American politics, is how much institutions suffer from such ideological antagonism. 

A main component of the Latin American political culture is “*caudillismo*” which comes from the wars of independence against European colonial ruling. The emphasis and reliance on strong men to lead. Individuals almost always trump the institutions. 

This problem goes beyond the political landscape and affects everyone as institutions are weak and cannot fully administer normal public services.

### Moving away from home doesn’t mean you can forget about it 
An essential part of an expat’s life, whether living in Latin America or any other location, is remaining in contact with family, friends and life in their country of origin. Constant zoom calls, visits to the local embassy for consular services and frequent (costly) travel back and forth. The pandemic added a layer of complexity with border closures and COVID-19 tests and vaccination mandates becoming the norm. 

Basic travel now requires additional preparation to comply with health requirements. Even when Latin America has recovered most of its air connectivity, there are now many extra challenges to the previous relationship norms of an expat with their country of origin. 


**Jürgen Pretsch is a professional researcher and consultant, but first and foremost, he is a "serial expat" and contemporary "digital nomad". Having lived in nearly a dozen countries, Jürgen has produced extensive research for major private institutions and governments. At the moment, Jürgen is pioneering work relating to expatpreneurship, and will continue to provide resourceful articles in the global mobility space.**


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The Expat Life: a Latin American Perspective

Mexico is a preferred location around the world for working remotely, with varied locations and climates, from one of the largest and culturally diverse cities in the world to hidden tropical paradises.
While Mexico does not have a digital nomad visa or a visa specifically for remote work, there are a couple of options for Digital Nomads to navigate Mexico’s immigration framework.

There are two viable alternatives for people that want to do that:
1. normal tourist visa
2. temporary resident visa

#### TOURIST VISA
The tourist visa is for people that are going to be in Mexico for periods shorter than 180 days.

Mexico does not require a visa for citizens of most countries.

[Here](https://www.inm.gob.mx/gobmx/word/index.php/paises-requieren-visa-para-mexico/) is a list of the countries for which a visa is required to enter Mexico.

To request a visa, you need:
1. valid passport with at least six months of validity
2. a certificate of employment (letter from your employer describing your position and monthly salary), or a letter from a school indicating you are a student; proof of income for freelancers or entrepreneurs
3. bank account statements for the last 3 months 
4. an application form filled out 
5. a photograph

You must request the visa in a Mexican consulate in your home country, before arriving to Mexico.
The process is straightforward. You request an appointment at the consulate and provide all the necessary documentation and information.

#### TEMPORARY RESIDENT
This option is for people who are staying in Mexico for periods longer than 180 days and up to four years. Temporary resident visa also allows foreigners to open a local bank account, rent and buy cars and travel in and out of Mexico without restrictions.

To request the temporary residency, you must provide proof that you can cover your living expenses while in Mexico; bank statements proving a monthly income of USD 650 or more over the last 6 months, or a bank statement with the minimum average balance of USD 12,000 over the last 12 months.

For independent entrepreneurs/freelancers, a document proving a stable, monthly income of around $1,600 USD for the last 6 months, or a bank account with the average balance of around $27,000 USD in the last 12 months.

You will also need: 
1. valid passport with at least six months of validity 
2. proof that you can cover your living expenses
3. an application form filled out and 
4. a photograph
  
The first part of the process begins at a Mexican consulate or embassy. You book an appointment, provide all necessary documents, have a visa interview, and then receive the temporary residency visa. After receiving this visa, you travel to Mexico, and exchange the visa for a Temporary Resident Card within a 30-day period.

To exchange the visa for a Temporary Resident Card, you must  fill out a few applications with personal information and a valid passport.

### Learn More About Life in Mexico and Immigration Pathways
*Abogadoai is a boutique law firm specializing in immigration matters, corporate law, commercial law and IP law. It also helps with the certified translation of documents in English, Spanish, and French.*

Contact [Jose Cosio Izcapa](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/170) to learn more about living in Mexico as a [Digital Nomad](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/digital-nomad-visas)

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Live in Mexico as a Digital Nomad

I recently had some time away from the office. My original plans involved a trip to New York, but we were forced to cancel when my health took a little decline, and I was admitted to hospital for a couple of days. I’m now on the mend, and I can’t thank the consultants, anaesthetists, nurses and assistants at the hospital who cared for me both pre- and post-op, and who ensured I was ready to return home to my husband who then turned into my temporary carer. 

Everyone I encountered at the hospital was so knowledgeable and willing to help – it’s not surprising the Home Office recognises such individuals (including nursing assistants and auxiliaries) as Skilled Workers under our immigration system. The recent addition of care workers to the Shortage Occupation List has also been a welcome change, and I’m sure my husband will testify to the endless patience and skill a carer requires!

My time away from the office quickly turned into a **Netflix binge**:

#### It started with
 **Cheer**. a docu-series about competitive college cheerleading in the USA. The cheerleaders are so talented, but as the UK doesn’t have a cheerleading endorsing body, cheerleaders cannot actually be sponsored to relocate to the UK as sportspeople. Cheerleaders would, however, be able to visit the UK in order to give performances, take part in competitions or auditions, make personal appearances and take part in promotional activities. They could also perform at specified cultural events or festivals. Remember though that being paid from a UK source – other than just expenses - is not possible unless the individual concerned is a professional.

For those who have watched both seasons of Cheer, season 2 contains an upsetting revelation. Don’t worry, I won’t be including any spoilers in this article, but suitability issues of this nature would certainly prevent a visitor from entering the UK, potentially for an indefinite period of time.

#### With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I then turned to 
**Tinder Swindler** which involves a man who scams thousands of pounds off women, and who was in several relationships at the same time.

For anyone applying for a UK partner visa, evidence must accompany the application to prove that they are in a genuine and subsisting relationship with a British citizen (I know, Simon Leviev wasn’t British), and that the couple intends to live together in the UK on a permanent basis. Our Immigration Rules also contain a requirement that the parties to a relationship cannot be in a relationship with anyone else. 

If Simon were British, the Tinder Swindler would have struggled to sponsor any of his lovers’ UK visa applications if they were hoping to secure a UK visa on the basis of their relationship.

#### I was very excited with the next one
**Snowpiercer Season 3**. In a nutshell, Snowpiercer is set after the world has become frozen. Snowpiercer is a gigantic train which constantly circles the world in order to save those onboard from the freezing cold weather. 

There is the obvious immigration question about how those on the train and those on board can enter (and potentially get off the train) in any country they want, without first considering immigration requirements. However, in a frozen world where it is believed those on the train are the only survivors, perhaps all borders became frozen and non-existent too?!

The train industry is full of skilled workers who could potentially secure permission to remain on the basis their employment in the UK. These include train conductors, train managers, signal engineers, railway engineers and ticket inspectors. It should, however, be noted that (and this came as a surprise to me in light of the roles that are recognised to be skilled) train drivers and train operators are not sufficiently skilled.

#### Wordle
OK, I know this isn’t Netflix, but I also got hooked on **Wordle** and it kept me busy for up to 30 minutes each day! For those who don’t know, Wordle was invented by a software engineer who built the game so he and his partner had something to do. It was later acquired by The New York Times. 

It’s no surprise that software engineers are skilled workers under Occupation Code 2136, so could potentially qualify for permission to enter as sponsored skilled workers. In fact, such workers are also recognised as Shortage Occupation workers in the UK. I’ve been preparing several skilled worker applications relying on this Occupation Code recently, and I’ve just today received a successful decision on an application where biometric information was enrolled just 2 days ago! We did purchase the priority service, but this actually gave UKVI 5 working days to issue their decision, so I can’t complain with the service, although it would be good if UKVI was this efficient when considering other applications too!

### Learn more about skilled worker visa sponsorship or get general assistance on your current immigration situation in the United Kingdom

*The immigration lawyers at Latitude Law have been providing invaluable specialist advice and legal representation to clients since 2007.*

This article is authored by Gemma Tracey, Partner and Associate Solicitor at Latitude Law

[Reach out to Gary](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/67) and request a consultation today.

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Netflix and… SKILLS!

The Irish government has announced that Ukraine nationals will no longer require a visa in order to enter the Irish State. Ordinarily Ukrainian nationals travelling to Ireland are required to obtain pre-entry clearance by way of an Irish visa in order to enter the State however in light of the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, the requirement to obtain an Irish visa has now been waived. This is extremely welcome news for the large Ukrainian community residing in Ireland seeking to bring their family members to safety here. Undoubtably, it would have been prudent for the government to waive this stringent visa requirement sooner in circumstances where exiting the Ukraine is now extremely difficult however we would strongly hope that many Ukrainian citizens will now be able to avail of the visa waiver and find a route to leave the Ukraine and make their way to Ireland safely.

Our immigration teams in Dublin and Cork have been contacted by numerous Irish resident Ukrainian nationals and Irish citizens (previously citizens of the Ukraine/dual citizens) seeking to bring their family members to Ireland in recent days for example parents and siblings, and we will continue to assist and support our clients in any way possible to help bring their family members to Ireland safely.

Following arrival to Ireland many persons will have questions regarding their long-term immigration options to remain in the Irish State such as applications for International Protection, Stamp 0 permission to remain and any other long term residency applications.

### Additional Questions on this Sensitive Matter 
*Sinnott Solicitors, based in Dublin and Cork, have lead the way by bringing about changes to Irish immigration law and practices introduced by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration*

[Connect with Carol](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/168) to discuss possible immigration pathways to [Ireland](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/ireland). 

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Irish visa waiver for Ukraine Citizens

Congratulations! You're about to receive your visa, and you just bought a one-way ticket to France. That barrier to relocate to France is now finalized. But now what? Now you need to find housing. 

Finding housing is infamous for giving headaches to both ex-pats, immigrants, and locals alike. The real estate market in France is fast-paced and you'll need a strong "dossier" (rental application) for agencies or landlords to even, sometimes, consider giving you an apartment visit. 

We live in a digital age where sending documents should be as easy as a click away. However, France is a bit more traditional, and it's something that you, as a new ex-pat or immigrant, should know before you pack your things and leave for this beautiful country.

In this article, we will provide you with the necessary information needed to find accommodation in France. 

### THE "DOSSIER"
Whether you're a native French person, ex-pat, or immigrant moving to France, you'll need to prepare a strong dossier. A dossier is a rental application that will be sent to agencies and landlords during your housing search and typically after a visit. There are cases where agencies will ask for your dossier before scheduling a visit to weed out the profiles that automatically fit with the agency or landlord's wants and needs. This is common practice in France.

**Please be aware!** This dossier contains very sensitive and confidential information about you as a person and your financial credibility. This can be a dealbreaker between being accepted to your dream place or not, but always stay safe when sending your dossier to strangers. Blackout your tax identification and ID numbers if you want and be smart when it comes to apartment scams as there are a lot of scammers on the internet. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

To get an indication of the price of housing (*let's say Paris*), the average is below:

- 1 room in a colocation (roommate situation): 400-1000€
- Studio (no bedroom): 700-1200€
- T2 (one bedroom + living room & kitchen): 1200 - 1600€
- T3 (two bedroom + living room & kitchen) 1600+€

These are generalized prices, which means that you can find your ideal apartment for less if you do a thorough apartment search.

At EasyStart, we ensure that our clients are aware of this information. We also make sure we have all the necessary documents prepared before doing the apartment search. These documents include (but are not limited to):

- A "cover page" explaining (in French) your name, birth date, place of birth, profession/what you do, your monthly salary, if you're on a trial period, and who your guarantors are.
- Copy of your passport/ID (passport for non-EU and ID card for EU citizens)
- Copy of your visa (if non-EU resident)
- Copy of your work contract if you're on a CDI (permanent) or CDD (temporary) contract. If you're a student, you'll need an *attestation* or some type of proof of being a student from the school and/or convention de stage (internship contract). The contracts must be signed by both parties.
- Copies of your last 3 payslips - For those who do not have French payslips, you will need to provide bank statements proving that you have money coming in every month to pay your rent.
- Copies of your *avis d'impots* (tax declaration) of the previous year (Those who aren't French won't have this document. They can provide a tax declaration from their home country)
- Copy of your previous housing lease. If not, an attestation *d'hebergement* from your previous living situation along with their ID.
- Copy of your electricity/gas bill from previous housing situation with your name on it. If you lived with someone and did not pay the bills or have your name on the electricity or gas bill, you will need to provide the ID of the person who was on the bill. You can create an attestation for the person to sign [here](https://www.service-public.fr/simulateur/calcul/AttestationHebergement)

- French guarantor documents:
- Copy of their ID
- Copy of their past 3 payslips
- Copy of their declared taxes 2020
- Copy of work contract
- Proof of living situation (electricity or gas bill)

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### WHAT DO I DO IF I DON'T HAVE A FRENCH GUARANTOR? 
Having a guarantor in France is mandatory. But for internationals moving to France, this can be almost impossible to have if you don't have any personal relationships in France. There are a few options available to you if this is the case.

#### Your company sponsors you
If you're working for a French company, sometimes they will agree to be your guarantor. You will need to ask your Human Resources if this is something they can provide in parallel with your onboarding at your company. 

Be aware that not all companies are willing to do this, especially if you're on a trial period at work! However, it's always worth a shot if you're a foreigner moving for your job.

#### Insurance companies
If the above solution does not work for you, the other option you have is getting a private insurance company such as [Garantme](https://garantme.fr/en/easy-start) to act as your guarantor.

Insurance companies such as Garantme will provide a guarantee certificate that you will present with your dossier. You only pay once you sign a lease and the yearly fee depends on your monthly rent budget! For example, if your monthly rent is 700€, you will have to pay a yearly fee of 297€. You can calculate the amount you will have to pay on the link provided above.

The majority of agencies and landlords already know and trust this company that opened up in 2017. Our relocation agents at EasyStart have partnered with Garantme to ensure a higher housing acceptance rate with this certificate. 

For those under 30 years old, there is also an option called [VISALE](https://www.visale.fr) that is free of charge. VISALE also acts as a guarantor the same way as Garantme. However, the difference between the two is that one is a private company and the other is provided by a public French organization called Action Logement. Although VISALE is a great free option, be wary that landlords aren't always interested in accepting this certificate because of the long administrative process if there happens to be a problem with non-payment of rent. Private companies like Garantme will be more likely accepted because landlords will get their money back faster. 

We understand that the housing search can be a long and tedious process. This is why EasyStart is here to help you with the housing search so that you can arrive in France less stressed and start to enjoy your life in your new country or city!

### Get Help Finding Housing in France and More Relocation Needs
*EasyStart, a France based relocation agency that helps internationals and domestic locals relocate to or within France. EasyStart provides everything from A to Z services in terms of immigration and relocation, including, but not limited to, housing search, visa options and procedures, school search, getting set up in the French healthcare system.*

[Connect with Ann](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/216) at EasyStart for support on all your relocation needs.  

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Finding Housing in France

You’ve finally made it, you’re in the heart of Brazil’s Amazon jungle!
It was hard taking the time off from work and finding the money for such a vacation, but that’s the last thing on your mind right now. You are completely immersed in the moment, navigating through the thriving landscape and immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, smells, and even tastes of the jungle.

Your guide Paulo is right in front of you cutting through the thickness of the trees with his trusty harvest knife when all of a sudden he stops in his tracks. You peer over his shoulder, and you find a small clearing right ahead. Paulo examines his surroundings cautiously before stepping into the clearing and signaling for you to follow.

You both stand inside it facing each other, separated only by a puddle of water. You examine the environment, and it seems as though you have entered a dimension not belonging to the Amazon. As if you have slipped through a crack in time and now existed independently.

You notice for the first time that the jungle has subdued. You don’t hear the animals fighting for survival anymore, and you don’t sense the persistent danger that comes along with being in the wild. An eerie sensation takes over you. Paulo seems confused but not panicked. A sly smile forms on his face as he seems to finally make sense of the situation.

“Senior... this puddle! I think we found it. It’s the Elixir of life!” His smile now transformed into a guttural, almost maniacal laugh.

You look at the puddle and notice the clear water almost alive in its movement. Before you can ask Paulo what the heck is going on, he drops to his knees, cups his hands, and drinks a handful of the mysterious potion.
“Drink it, Senior! You will become immortal! Everybody in the Amazon is searching for this little puddle and we found it!”

Confused, you question Paulo’s logic, but your instincts pull you towards the puddle, and before you know it you are drinking from the alleged Elixir of life.

And just like that, in the middle of an Amazonian adventure, you became... Immortal.

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#### The Brevity of Life
How many times were you out with your friends and wanted to call it a night, when one of your buddies persuaded you to stay for one more drink? “Life is short” they would say, and just like a magic spell, you find yourself downing another beer knowing you’d regret it the next day.

“*Life is short*” is one of the most overused yet effective clichés in our human vocabulary. It seems to incite some sense of urgency in us, a profound contemplation on the brevity of our life. And before we know it, we’re downing another drink, buying another unnecessary thing, or in your case taking an overdue vacation to [Brazil](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/brazil)!

But you out of all people know that it’s not so easy to dive into that pool of the unknown. Sure life is short when it’s about a night out with the boys or a staycation with the girls. But what about quitting that draining job to chase your dreams? Is life short enough for you to take that risk?

#### Self-Preservation
As a human being, in fact, as a living organism, you have instincts. And your two most primal instincts, the ones shared with all other living creatures that have ever donned this planet are survival and reproduction. In other words, your brain is unconsciously making sure that you continue living and that you leave behind more versions of yourself.

#### Let’s focus on the first for now.
What would happen to you if you quit your job? Could you survive without a stable income? What about the lifestyle that you’ve become accustomed to? How will you support your family? What will you tell your friends? The uncertainty that comes along with asking these questions is daunting, and the fear of the unknown is crippling. So what do you do? You spend your life in the gray area of mediocrity, strung in a deadlocked tug of war between the call to action, and instinctual self-preservation.

#### The Clutch of Immortality
Luckily for you though, you are immortal! And when you came back from your vacation you felt very energized. Nothing could harm you or threaten your survival, so you lived your life accordingly. You took more risks and dived into life’s experiences with a disregard for consequences.

And you enjoyed it... for a while.
But even though you are immortal, you could never defeat the arrow of time. As the years faded by, so did your sense of wonder, and more importantly so did your loved ones. Your family, your friends, and everyone you cared about passed away in what seemed like a blink of an eye. Then the world around you changed, and you were left behind as a bitter, outdated, and timeless creature desperate for the cold, yet sweet clutch of death.

#### The Gift that is the End
Sitting alone with the darkness of your thoughts, you now live that day over and over again. If only you thought about life’s true purpose before you let that potion lock you in its eternity. If only your days were numbered again so you could appreciate their fleeting nature.

The only reason you took that trip to the Amazon in the first place was because you wanted to experience your world when you still had the chance. How meaningful is your life now with no time stamp on it? What’s the point of it if it doesn’t one day end? These questions will remain with you forever. Life is precious precisely because it is finite, and now after tasting immortality, you truly know the meaning of that.

So to whoever finds themselves wasting their precious days, there will always be reasons for you not to take that leap, and most of the time your reasons will be sound. But you will one day be gone, so rejoice in this fact! Take your chances and make every moment count.

Travel the world, relocate to a new city, and discover the opportunities available at your fingertips. The world has never been more equipped to support the life of a [digital nomad](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/digital-nomad-visas). So go on your adventures and make them count. But whatever you do, please don’t drink from the Elixir of life.

*Hadi El Talje is one of 7 billion human beings living on a tiny blue ball floating in the vastness of space. He hopes his writing intrigues your mind and inspires you to be true to who you really are. For writing opportunities, [connect with Hadi](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/214).*

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The Elixir of Life

Following the visa waiver announced by the Irish Department of Justice last week for Ukrainian citizens, the Sinnott Solicitors immigration team has received a substantial number of queries from Russian citizens and non-EEA national persons residing in Russia seeking to apply for visas to travel to Ireland.

Examples include:
- spouses of Irish citizens seeking to obtain Long Stay D visas to travel to Ireland
- partners of Irish citizens looking to obtain pre-clearance as the de facto partner of an Irish citizen
- non-EEA National employment permit holders who have been issued with employment permits from the Department of Enterprise who require an employment visa (D visa) in order to enter the Irish state to take up the employment
- family members of EU Nationals currently exercising or planning to exercise EU Treaty rights in Ireland 
- Other family members of Irish citizens and/or Russian citizens currently residing in Ireland

At present, the Embassy of Ireland Russia remains open and is currently processing applications for Irish visas and Irish passports as normal. Irish citizens residing in Russia who are seeking to apply for a first time Irish passport or renew their Irish passport should submit the application directly to the Embassy of Ireland Russia which is located in Moscow.

Russian citizens or residents seeking to apply for a visa to travel to Ireland should submit the application to their local VFS Global office in Russia who will then forward the application to the Embassy of Ireland in Moscow for processing. Further information on travelling to Ireland from Russia is available on the Embassy of Ireland Russia page [here](https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/russia/).

Sinnott Solicitors is continually monitoring the ever-changing situation and will provide further updates as they are announced.

### Additional Questions on Processing Visas for Ireland
*Sinnott Solicitors, based in Dublin and Cork, have lead the way by bringing about changes to Irish immigration law and practices introduced by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration*

[Connect with Carol](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/168) to discuss possible immigration pathways to [Ireland](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/ireland). 

![logox1.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/logox-o_LfFJS6l9.webp)



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Irish Visas and Irish Passport Applications from Russia

At the Comisión Mexicana de Ayuda a Refugiados (COMAR) or Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance in English, located in the Juarez neighborhood of Mexico city, stands a long line of individuals who have been forced to flee, expecting to apply for asylum. 

**A guide to seek protection in Mexico and special tips from my experience in the field**

With 131,448 applications registered in 2021 as of November 2021 (Data COMAR December 2021), 86.84% more than in 2019 according to the Head of COMAR, Andrés Alfonso Ramírez Silva, Mexico became a country of destination and not only of transit nor origin. 

Most of the asylum seekers are from Haiti, the Northern Triangle of Central America (Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador), followed by Cuba, Venezuela, and other countries such as Nicaragua, running away from gangs’ violence, criminal organization, violence against women, extortion, poverty, and natural disasters to escape to safety. 

#### Who can apply? 

Anyone, due to well-founded fears of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, gender, belonging to a certain social group or political opinions, could be recognized as a refugee in Mexico under the law of Refugees, Complementary Protection, and Political Asylum, including people who have fled their country of origin, because their life, safety or freedom have been threatened by generalized violence, foreign aggression, internal conflicts, massive violation of human rights or other circumstances that have seriously disturbed public order. 

Mexico’s definition of a refugee or beneficiary of complementary protection is broader than the United States, making Mexico a more attractive destination for people in need of a new home. 

#### How to seek asylum in Mexico? 

If your life is in danger in your home country, you can apply at one of the 9 COMAR offices around the country or at the Immigration Regulation of the National Institute of Immigration (*Instituto Nacional de Migración - INM*) within 30 business days following your arrival to Mexico. But in reality, the start date can be the date you knew about COMAR or the asylum process. An exception applies if it was materially impossible for you to submit an application, but you would have to prove it. 

You will be then requested to fill out a form explaining why you left your country. You should be as precise as possible. COMAR will give you an important document called “constancia” with a unique number “CURP”. With this precious document, you cannot normally be returned to your home country or in any country where your life is in danger, and you will be entitled to a work permit, a social security number, and have access to other public services in Mexico.  

COMAR will then conduct two interviews: the “assistance interview” to identify your needs to facilitate your access to procedures and services and the most important, the “eligibility interview” to understand the reasons you left your country and why you are in danger if you go back to your home country. Since the pandemic, COMAR has conducted the assistance interview the same day you complete the first form.  

COMAR has 45 business days to make a decision, but due to the global pandemic and until further notice, these terms are suspended. However, COMAR can process “urgent” applications for highly vulnerable populations in the context of global mobility more quickly. 

*Personal note: I remember accompanying an LGBTQ+ couple from Honduras. The entire procedure for them took approximately 3 weeks. They risked their lifes to arrive in Mexico and would have been in danger if they went back to their home country because of their sexual orientation. When they received a positive answer, I was waiting for them outside of the building. They screamed “yes we made it:'' it was a pure moment of joy!* 

3 scenarios: 
1. You are recognized as a refugee in Mexico and are eligible for Permanent Residency; 
2. You are given “Complementary Protection” and are entitled to apply for Permanent Residency; 
3. Your petition is denied and you have the right to appeal the decision within 15 business days, starting the date of the notification. 

#### Which organizations can assist you? 

As a legal advisor for a Civil Society Organization, I did not have special access. In fact, when you look at the website of COMAR they explicitly tell you that you do not need the assistance of a lawyer to apply for asylum to prevent scams. 

But please note that several actors can assist you for FREE. For a non-exhaustive list and depending on where you are in Mexico: UNHCR Mexico, Asylum Access Mexico (AAMX), Instituto para la Mujeres en la Migración (IMUMI), Kids in Need of Defense (KIND),  Sin Fronteras I.A.P.

Although you have a risk of being detained, the waiting time can be extremely long, and you have to remain in the State where you submitted your application, Mexico continues to attract people in search of a better life. 

On February 29, the chief of INM announced that Mexico will offer refuge to Ukrainians arriving and also that Ukrainians in the country will receive special attention "in order to understand and solve their legal stay". 

*To be continued…*

### Learn More About Seeking Asylum in Mexico
[Alicia Marie Salhi](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/137) is a French citizen and cross border Immigration Lawyer. Admitted to the Paris Bar, though her immigration law experience widely covers the U.S. and Mexico.  


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Mexico: a new refuge for asylum seekers? 

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia seems to worsen with each passing day. Sanctions and other measures have been put in place for the country of Russia, creating an infallible amount of different reactions. People in Ukraine are fleeing their homes out of fear of the explosions, raids, and bombs throughout their city. Some civilians, who have never been military trained, have decided to fight for their country and are handed weapons to fight off Russian invaders. 

France has been attentively watching the crisis, but citizens and businesses can no longer sit and watch. Many French have taken a stand by going to protests, volunteering, donating, and offering their services to help those in need.

#### How we can help
To take part in supporting Ukraine, EasyStart has decided to offer its services for **free** to Ukrainian-speaking individuals and families who seek refuge in France. Our relocation agents are advising refugees and volunteers on the necessary procedures to legally seek asylum in France and help the displaced find housing. Although we aren't NGOs, we found it our duty as relocation agents to use our skills and knowledge to help those in need in times of crisis. Other French advisors and businesses have taken a humanitarian step as well. We do live in the country of liberty, equality, and fraternity, n'est-ce pas?

#### Donating Initiative
Apart from our services, EasyStart has also taken another initiative but on a donative approach. On March 6, 2022, we will be holding an all-day Instagram live stream with woodworking designer, Julien, of Five Cuts Design in association with Médecin Sans Frontières. Julien will be creating one of his signature flags (typically the French one). During the live event, he will carve a beautiful and uniquely designed UKRAINIAN flag made out of the finest French woods. Viewers will also have the possibility to access a Leetchi link, found on EasyStart and Five Cuts Design Instagram bio, in which the funds raised will be entirely transferred to the NGO, Médecins Sans Frontières — Special Ukraine fund, to support the civilian casualties in Ukraine. The single most generous donation will receive this beautiful wooden carved flag as a reward. 

This all-day live stream will be an opportunity to witness the step-by-step work of an artisanal, real wood craftsman whilst doing the right thing by supporting and donating to help the Ukrainians affected by the conflict. In this artistic and educative live event, Julien will showcase the multiple techniques and facets of ancestral wood craftsmanship so that you can be inspired and do the same at home. Whilst watching the live progress of the carving, we will also be hosting multiple speakers on topics ranging from the importance of expression in art during a crisis, to the current unbiased happenings on the ground in Ukraine.

### Get Help Finding Housing in France and More Relocation Needs
*EasyStart, a France based relocation agency that helps internationals and domestic locals relocate to or within France. EasyStart provides everything from A to Z services in terms of immigration and relocation, including, but not limited to, housing search, visa options and procedures, school search, getting set up in the French healthcare system.*

[Connect with Ann](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/216) at EasyStart for support on all your relocation needs.  

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Ukrainians Relocating to France

Dear Sophie,

Can you please provide guidance and counsel for companies to support Ukrainian team members who are evacuating to the U.S.?

Greatly appreciated!

— Magnanimous VC

#### Dear Magnanimous,

The practice of immigration is subject to the ever-changing tides of geopolitical changes, and now, the battles in Ukraine. Ultimately, immigration is all about the human journey to freedom: We transcend border walls, the circumstances of our births, and current conditions (sometimes literally, sometimes figuratively) to cross through liminal spaces on our journeys to the birthright of actualizing our human potential.

It’s easy to feel fear when we face the uncertainty of world events, including everything happening in Ukraine. One way to get out of our own heads and get back to listening to our hearts is through acts of service, by heeding the call to support one another to find safety, security and the freedom to live our dreams. Our actions seeded with love in the microcosm always support the macrocosm.

Because of the flood of inquiries we’ve been receiving on the topic of Ukrainian immigration to the U.S., below are some guidelines for how U.S. founders, tech companies, and VCs can support Ukrainian citizens with U.S. immigration.

Namaste,

Sophie

### 10-step checklist for U.S. tech companies to support Ukrainians with immigration

#### Make a list of all of your team members who are Ukrainian citizens.
Indicate their last known location; whether they have any other citizenships; whether they have a visa to the United States and, if so, what category it is in; whether you are aware of any family members; whether they were employees or contractors, and any other notes.

If you have contact with these individuals, make a plan for backup communication methods if necessary.

Ukrainians can safely store and share documents digitally through A26 Backpack from UC Davis.

#### Help with travel arrangements.
If any of these individuals who are outside the United States currently have valid visas that allow them to enter the United States in any status, support them with travel arrangements to come to the United States.

You can go above and beyond by providing food and shelter for their trip.
In parallel, talk to your immigration attorney ASAP about what arrangements can be made to support them after they arrive, such as a change of status.

The U.S. government has already made an exception in the national interest and Ukrainian citizens with valid visas do not need to have COVID vaccinations or a negative COVID test to enter the United States.

#### Support qualifying folks with ESTA applications.
If any of these individuals have dual citizenship in a country that allows for ESTA, the U.S. Visa waiver program, support them in applying for this electronic travel authorization to come to the United States.

Keep in mind that people cannot qualify for ESTA based on Ukrainian citizenship.

#### Consider intercompany and investor visa options.
If you have any subsidiaries in Ukraine, consult with an immigration attorney immediately about L-1 visas; use a blanket petition if possible. Be sure to use premium processing.

If you are a majority-Ukrainian-owned company in the United States, talk to your attorney about the E-2 visa for any Ukrainian citizens who have essential skills.

Learn More about Possible Immigration Pathways to the United States for Ukrainians
*[Sophie Alcorn](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/65) is an attorney and Board Certified as a Specialist in United States Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar of California.*

Connect with[ Sophie](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/65) today and request a consultation to address the specifics of your immigration questions.

![Alcorn Immigration Law is a leading U.S. advisory law firm for technology-based companies](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/Alcorn_Logo_fb94f18ade/Alcorn_Logo_fb94f18ade.png)


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Dear Sophie: How Can US tech companies support Ukrainians with Immigration?

Ireland is recognised as one of the most open economies in the developed world. Notwithstanding ongoing moves towards the globalisation of corporate taxes, Ireland continues to attract foreign direct investment (FDI).  

#### WHY SET UP IN IRELAND
Ireland’s international competitiveness is built on strong foundations, including:

- A 12.5% corporate tax rate on trading activities;
- Generous tax reliefs for technology companies, including the Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit and the Knowledge Development Box;
- A wide network of international tax treaties, which are central to attracting FDI;
- An educated workforce, who speak English as a first language;
- A great location on the edge of Europe, and a member of the European Union.

In recent years, there has been exponential growth in the tech sector in Ireland, both from foreign companies investing in Ireland, and within the domestic economy.  In this article, we explore the generous tax relief available to tech companies - the Knowledge Development Box.

From our experience, companies in the following industries are ideally suited to best avail of these reliefs and are thriving in the knowledge economy in Ireland at present:

- IT – Software and Hardware;
- Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices;
- Design & Manufacturing;
- Engineering;
- Construction & Architecture.

### KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT BOX
The Knowledge Development Box (KDB) is a tax relief on income earned from qualifying assets.  The relief entitles a company to reduce the rate of Corporation Tax payable on qualifying profits by up to 50%.  In some cases, the Corporation Tax rate can be reduced to as low as 6.25%. 

KBD was introduced with effect from January 2016, as a tax incentive comparable to other international ‘patent boxes’.  To qualify, a company must have carried our research and development to create a usable qualifying asset and then must earn income from that same qualifying asset.

A qualifying asset is: 

- A computer program, 
- An invention protected by a qualifying patent, or 
- Intellectual Property for small companies,

that is the result of R&D.  

Any marketing related intellectual property such as trademarks, brands, image rights cannot be a qualifying asset.  Therefore, KDB very much goes hand in hand with companies who claim the R&D tax credit on their development activities.

If your business does involve the exploitation of intellectual property, then you may have a basis to claim this relief.  We would be delighted to meet with you and discuss how we can assist to maximise your benefits.

### Explore Tax Relief in Ireland for Your Company
*Hughes Tax & Advisory is a boutique tax practice principally serving the needs of Irish businesses and entrepreneurs. Their blend of corporate and personal experience allows their advisors to understand, address and meet the needs of both the entrepreneur and also their companies, to deliver bespoke tax solutions.*

[Connect with James](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/178) to inquire about taxes in Ireland and how he can help ease the burden.

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Ireland Tax Credit for Tech Companies


Are you considering working in the Netherlands? Be it to kickstart or advance your career, expand your business or build whole new company; we’re honored to be on your mind.

As a small state with a high-income economy and limited natural resources, the Netherlands adopts policy to facilitate the knowledge-economy. At the same time, the Netherlands has an expansive welfare state that can only persist if its boundaries can be safeguarded.

This means that immigration procedures are generally focused on one main question: will the Dutchie-to-be add to the economy and thrive self-sustainably? Different moving-for-work situations link to different visas and their underlying application procedures and test. We highlight the three predominant ones:

### A tax advisor’s 101 to entering the Dutch labor market
#### Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM) Visum
**What is it and who does it apply to?**
- This is a permit for employed persons and is a work and residency permit in one.

**Persons can apply if they:** 
- Have an ‘Immigrations
recognized sponsor’ (usually:
your future employer), and; 
*Will earn:*
- € 3,484/mo (<30 yrs age);  € 4,752/mo (≥30 yrs age).

**When does it end?**
- If the employment is discontinued or, if that comes first;
- After 5 years of living in NL. 

**What is the procedure?**
- Online request at immigration authorities (IND) & payment fees;
- Decision within 90 days
- Pick up the permit within 3
- months after the decision
- Start your employment

#### Self-Employed Visum
**What is it and who does it apply to?**
- This is a permit a for self- employed persons, regardless of incorporation status.
- The offered product or service must be ‘innovative’ in NL.
- Several clients in the Netherlands. Gross profit per month € 1,285.96

**When does it end?**
- If the activities in the Netherlands end, or, if that comes first:
- After 5 years of living in NL. 

**What is the procedure?**
- File request to the NLEA, including business plan.
- Request permit at IND & paying the fees
- Registration at the Dutch house of commerce.
- Decision within 90 days (extension of maximum 6 months)
- Pick up the permit within 3 months after decision
- Start duties in the Netherlands

#### Innovative Startup Visum
**What is it and who does it apply to?**
- This visa allows ‘Innovative’ early- stage startups and their founders to enter the Dutch market.
- Applying startups need a certified ‘facilitator’; a local mentor.
- The NL Enterprise Agency must clear the business plan. *Tests:* 
  -    Is the product ‘Innovative’?  
  -    Are profits foreseeable based on the business plan? 
  -    Does the company have sufficient funding to survive runway on its own?
  -    The startups staff must be paid at least € 1,837.08/mo.

**When does it end?**
- After one year; it can be renewed! 

**What is the procedure?**
- Find a facilitator;
- File a request at the NLEA; 
- Register with Chamber of Commerce.

### The 30% Ruling: a tax incentive to entice scarce and highly skilled workers to come over
The 30% Ruling is a facility that originates as compensation for ‘extraterritorial costs’ that incoming workers may experience on account of having to move houses internationally and perhaps maintain a cross border lifestyle. Under its application, the expat is considered only ‘partially liable to Dutch tax’. In brief:

- The 30% Ruling exempts 30% of wages above the threshold as well as all foreign shareholdings and savings from Dutch income tax.
- The facility applies for max. 5 years and is accessible for:
- People moving in from ≥ 150km from the Dutch border;
- To work for a Dutch employer, including their own entity;
- Whose skills are scarce in the Netherlands, which is evidenced by incurring a wage in excess of € 55.658/year (threshold, i.e.: € 4,638/mo, <30: €3,525).

#### Time Abroad (application time!)
- Option 1: Highly Skilled Migrants Visum (max. 5 yrs, min € 3,484 – 4,752/mo)
- Option 2: Self-Employed Visum (max 5 yrs, min. € 1,286 profit/mo)
- Option 3: Startup visum [1 yr] After 1 year: apply for option 1 or 2
- Optional & conditional: 30% Ruling (max 5yrs, min €3,525 - € 4,638/mo)
*Citizenship (Visa no longer needed)*

### Learn More About Living, Working and Paying Taxes in the Netherlands
*Archipel is a Dutch tax firm in The Hague, they are Tax Tech on the front end, a quality boutique at the back. Archipel Tax Advisors translate between real life and taxation to provide tailor made solutions and a personal approach.* 

[Connect with Richard](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/246) for tax and financial advice as an expatriate/immigrant in the Netherlands.

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Visas for Working in the Netherlands

You have found your dream property in paradise, now what? 

It is important as a foreign investor to conduct your research and due diligence on the property, the seller and actual market value. 

**Here is a list of key things you should always request and plan for in advance before committing to an offer:** 
- Property number (or “folio') 
- Are there any current liens or risks? Is the property mortgaged? Are there any disputes regarding the property? 
- Property boundaries 
- Is the person selling authorized to do so? 
- How am I going to pay for the property? 
- How would I secure my payments? 
- Am I paying a fair price? 
- What are the contigencies? 
- Can I back out of this commitment if something goes wrong? What are the penalties if any?

A typical real estate purchase or sale of a property ready to move in will take around 1 month to be executed. 

In Panama there is no requirement to be physically in the country to do so, or to even be a resident. Buyers and sellers can grant POA from abroad at the nearest Panamanian consulate and courier this document to Panama to execute the transaction.

How to proceed with the purchase
Payment can be arranged through a local bank transfer, international bank transfers, certified checks kept in custody at a local notary or payment guaranteed through a regulated trust agent in Panama.

Purchasing property in Panama can be very straight forward but can also be overwhelming without proper counseling as you will have to navigate through all these matters mentioned above.

### Learn More About Investing in Panama Real Estate and Immigration Pathways to Panama
*Ivette is a freelance business and immigration lawyer in Panama. She has over 9 years of experience in various legal areas concerning relocation.*

[Connect with Ivette](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/237) to be your guide in investing in Panama Real Estate, as well as immigration matters.

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Purchasing real estate in Panama 101

Wishing to live the "Dolce Vita" but scared of the Italian tax system?

Italy is one of the world top destination for living, due to its history, culture, landscape, food and wine. However, many people decide not to make the move for a simple reason: Italian taxes! Italian income tax rates rank high in among OECD countries, and High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI) are normally discouraged to move their tax residency to Italy because of adverse consequences to their personal wealth. The Italian government has tackled this problem in 2017, introducing a new tax regime tailored to new residents of Italy: flat tax. Let’s discover how it works. For more information about this read also our article about the flat tax in details.

#### Who is eligible?
New residents, who were not tax resident of Italy in the past 9 out of 10 years, can opt for the flat tax regime.

Individuals who were registered as resident of Italy in the past year can still qualify as long as the tie breaker rules included in the Double Tax Treaty protects them.
​
There are no citizenship limitations; Italian citizens and non-Italian citizens can apply indiscriminately. Citizens of countries with which Italy does not have any tax treaty in effect can also apply.

#### How does the flat tax regime work?
New residents opting for this flat-tax regime will pay, instead of ordinary tax rates, a flat-rate tax of € 100,000 per year on all their non-Italian sourced income; this option lasts up to 15 years.

The regime can also be extended to any family member, who will be subject to € 25,000 annual tax instead of € 100,000.

The lump sum payment covers any foreign income subject to the flat tax includes:

- Employment income;
- Rental income;
- Financial income;
- Self-employment income;
- Dividend income;
- Other sources income.

By opting for the new tax regime, taxpayers are exempt from:
Donations and Inheritance taxes relating to assets and real estate owned abroad;

- Wealth tax on foreign real estate and financial activities;
- Remittances tax;
- Foreign Held
- Assets reporting and, that is filing the RW reporting form (disclosure form to be attached to the
- Italian tax return with respect to any asset held abroad).

Unlike other HNWI tax regimes in Europe, individuals can remit funds to Italy without any limitation because the lump sum tax already covered income made abroad.

The flat tax does not apply to any Italian sourced income and on capital gains realised upon the transfer of non-Italian “qualified” shareholdings in the first 5 years after the election.

#### How to apply?
Tax Authorities have confirmed that the flat tax regime option can be done via tax return filing and paying the € 100,000 lump sum tax; however, the taxpayer may submit to the Italian Tax Authorities a formal ruling reporting the following information:

- Taxpayer’s personal data, including Italian tax code;
- Jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) under which the taxpayer has been tax resident during the previous fiscal years;
- Jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) that the taxpayer wishes to exclude from the flat tax.

According to the recent guidelines, it has been clarified that a formal advanced ruling with the Italian Tax Authorities is not strictly mandatory; however it is advisable to do so, giving the taxpayer a better ground against the Tax office.

Furthermore, the ruling could be requested before the taxpayer moves to Italy; Italian Tax Authorities have up to 120 (180) days to approve or deny such request and such time could be spent to plan the move to Italy.
Once a positive ruling is obtained, the tax office cannot deny or clawback the application at any time!

#### Tax regime termination
The taxpayer can terminate this tax regime at any time by option, resulting in his foreign income being taxable in Italy at ordinary tax rates. Other termination reasons occur when the taxpayer fails to pay the € 100,000 lump sum or when the taxpayer relinquishes tax residency from Italy.

#### Does the flat tax cover any Italian income?
The flat tax does not cover any Italian sourced income, and these sources will be taxable at ordinary progressive tax rates. This regime, however, can be used in combination with other new residents tax regime available in Italy. Most notably the new residents tax regime allows for a reduction up to 90% of your Italian taxable income for new residents.

#### Does the flat tax regime help with my VISA?
Despite the tax regime does not include an outright VISA grant, this regime works well combined with the Investor VISA.

This VISA grants a 2 year right to settle in Italy upon providing any of the following investments:

- € 2,000,000 in Italian 10 year Government bonds;
- € 1,000,000 in an Italian limited company;
- € 500,000 in an Italian limited company, reduced to € 250,000 if the company is an innovative startup.

You can invest the aforementioned amounts in YOUR startup or YOUR limited company in Italy; there is no requirement that the business was already active prior the application. During the whole VISA period the applicant must hold the investment in Italy.

#### Why is this regime beneficial for High Net Worth Individuals?
This particular regime has been widely appreciated by the High Net Worth Individuals community as it gives the option and the flexibility to live in Italy without much hassle and fear from the tax office investigations.

Furthermore, this regime still allows for Double Tax Treaty income tax exemptions and withholding tax waiver or reduction. In fact, we have helped many individuals to restructure their foreign assets and income, exploiting the Double Tax Treaties opportunities, to only pay € 100,000 on their worldwide income.

This regime is well appreciated by individuals who realize large capital gains, capping their tax liability to € 100,000.

A good tax planning allows you to reduce your total tax burden to € 100,000.

![max1200.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/max-4xY14xHtlB.webp)

#### Learn More About Paying Taxes in Italy as a Foreigner
*Accounting Bolla is a boutique Italian tax firm equipped with experienced accountants assisting corporations, individual and expats with their tax affairs. Specialized in international tax areas for expats and companies wishing to establish in Italy.*

[**Reach out to Nicolò**](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/118) and request a consultation to discuss the home buying process in Italy and the financial incentives in making such investment. 

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Italian flat tax for foreigners living in Italy

On March 3rd, Relocate hosted a premier soft-launch at The Hague. It was meant to be a symbolic destination, paying tribute to international institutions founded upon pillars of peace and justice. 

We were fortunate to simply be there, in-person, freely [hosting a discussion related to pressing topics revolving around global migration](https://www.series.relocate.world/). 

Several months ago, when we started planning the agenda for this roundtable event, global affairs looked very different. Kyiv was still a destination. We had relationships with practitioners, and were cultivating inroads with Ukraine, inspired by the nascent tech-scene and dense, weathered Eastern European culture. 

On March 2nd, the day before our event, I stood in front of a formidable red-brick building and stared across the green manicured grass at the Peace Palace – home to the International Court of Justice. I read the inscriptions nearby – *Peace leads to Justice. Justice leads to Peace*. Near the entrance stood a small tree, holding thin-strips of white notes on bare branches – The Peace Tree – inspired by Yoko Ono’s “Imagine Peace Wish Tree” project. 
 Literally, wishes for peace, written before the onslaught of current events and clinging on through the seasons.

The inscription nearby read: “*Over the years, the Peace Palace has become a worldwide and universal symbol of peace through justice. While armed violence is still a daily reality in many parts of the world, conflicts are also solved peacefully at the Peace Palace. A historical site with a future*.”  

"A historical site with a future." It was all very moving, and still is. 

![Wishing Tree_Relocate.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/wishing-tree_relocate-FWEEmZ6VIa.webp)
> Imagine Peace Wish Tree in Den Haag

#### CULTIVATING A COMMUNITY

When we began engineering Relocate.World in late-2020, we maintained a simple vision – to ease the burdens of migration. We focused on various pain-points in the process of migration and gained support from leading migration practitioners and stakeholders worldwide to pioneer this ecosystem. And for anyone who has ever launched a start-up, you know the mix of emotions involved – the palpable feelings swaying between firm belief to delicate survival. You learn that while you must do whatever it takes to forge your mission ahead, profound reflection is also one necessary way to accomplish this.

Well, this is no doubt one of them. And one that I wished to personally share with our community. A community composed of such diversity already – with a genetic makeup that can be compared only to the Global Citizen. And these are not just words. Dig-deeper into [the original stories and news being entrusted and shared](https://www.relocate.world/articles), reflecting both global migration trends and the human narrative. Browse [the profiles of a dense and experienced member base](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/page/1), a mix of migration practitioners and storytellers who maintain a vested interest in migration affairs both within and outside their own borders. There are meaningful, layered conversations happening throughout Relocate.World community spaces every single-day.

In fact, since our launch in November 2021 – we’ve had contributors, visitors, and members on Relocate from 185 countries – this is 95% of the world. Sure, maybe just one from Western Sahara and 20 other countries, but still, one is all it takes to plant a seed.

![The Relocate Series.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/the-relocate-series-AHx2xfTWDh.webp)
> The Relocate Series Live @ The Hague on March 3, 2022

#### Join the Conversation: Get Started. Get Going. #TranscendBorders

On behalf of our team at Relocate, I wish to thank everyone who has been part of this journey. We are in a very particular time for global migration and live in a world that is constantly moving towards the unprecedented. And if I am to hang my wish on the tree, may we find it in our hearts to strive for peace and through empathy remember this: 

*“If I am forced to choose between my country or the world, I choose the world. For borders are nothing more than fixations of man, and man is but a creation of this world.”*



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Reflections for Peace

The Portuguese Government approved a simplified procedure to support and speed up the reception of Ukrainian refugees in Portugal, with a fundamental bet on the employment dimension on March 1, 2022.

#### How To Apply
The special regime grants temporary protection, with the automatic attribution of a residence permit, for a period of one year, with the possibility of extension.

It is destined to nationals of Ukraine and their relatives (regardless the nationality), coming from their country of origin, and unable to return there, as a result of the war situation.

Any evidence is permitted, and criminal record certificate is not required for the procedure, which can be requested in person or by digital means, inside or outside the Portuguese territory.

The declaration proving the request for temporary protection will then be communicated by the Immigration Services to the Social Security, the Tax and the Health Department for the purposes of automatic allocation of a social security identification number, the tax identification number and a national health user number. The services will also communicate with the Employment and Training Institute for purposes of registration. There are already 2000 available job positions allocated for this purpose.

When the applicants have no sufficient resources, they will be provided with accommodation and support in terms of social benefits and means of subsistence and access to social benefits under the non-contributory regime.

### Understand More About Immigration to Portugal
*Caiado Guerreiro is a multi-jurisdicitonal full service law firm headquartered in the heart of Lisbon. The immigration team provides legal advice to international clients, including large corporations, governments and private individuals. The practitioners often deal with complex legal questions and restructuring projects, and maintain excellent relationships with the Foreigners and Borders Service and other public bodies.*

[Contact Sara](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/203) to further discuss immigration pathways to [Portugal](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/portugal).

![Logo_Site_2021-1-1200x148.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/logo_site_-x-5GGyo5u4wA.webp)

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Ukrainians are welcome in Portugal

The Italian government has extended the ‘first home bonus’ for the whole of 2022. Here’s what those hoping to get on the property ladder in Italy need to know about the continued scheme.

In a bid to help more young people buy their first home and to galvanise Italy’s real estate market, the authorities introduced the ‘Bonus prima casa’ in June last year.

Originally set to expire in June 2022, good news came for those hoping to benefit from the incentive as the government announced in this year’s Budget Law that it would be rolled on until the **end of December this year**. This gives people even more opportunity to get financial help with purchasing their first property.

The text of the scheme’s decree law clarified details of how it works, including removing VAT on taxes related to the purchase of a new home.

It’s one of a raft of measures prime minister Mario Draghi has introduced to kickstart Italy’s economy following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

*The aim is to remove the high upfront cost of buying a house, such as the fees related to deed transfers and a mortgage – as well as providing young people with help to secure a mortgage.*

#### What help can I claim?
Certain exemptions on registration, mortgage, and cadastral tax are available under this bonus.

Here are the **potential tax benefits** you could claim, according to guidelines from Italy’s Inland Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate):

- No registration tax – usually 2% of the cadastral value;
- No mortgage and land registry tax – instead of €50 each;
- If the seller is a private individual, registration, mortgage and cadastral taxes are zero;
- If the seller charges VAT, as is the case for building companies, the sale is subject to stamp duty and mortgage taxes, amounting to a total of €320. This is also cancelled out as the buyer receives a tax credit equal to this amount;
- The 4% VAT of the selling price if you buy from a builder becomes zero as you accrue a tax credit instead;
- Exemption from the 0.25% loan tax on financing for the purchase, construction or renovation of the first home.

### Italian property purchase taxes

There’s also help with getting a mortgage as the First Home Loan Guarantee Bonus (Bonus mutui prima casa) covers **80% of the total value** of the property up to a **maximum value of €250,000**.

This provides banks with a State guarantee, making it easier to grant loans to those who otherwise may have been denied, such as the self-employed.

#### Who can claim?
Italy defines eligible young people in this instance as those **under 36**, but if you’re getting close to that age, **it will depend on when your birthday is** in order to determine whether you can access the bonus.

The law grants the discount to those who buy a first home in 2022 and who are no more than 35 years old for the whole of 2022.

### Purchasing: Do I need an Italian Bank account?
So, if you buy in May 2022 and turn 36 in December 2022, you are not entitled to the discount, whereas if a person buys in September 2022 and turns 36 in January 2023, they are eligible.

As well as the age requirements, here are the other criteria:

- You have an ‘ISEE’ (a socio-economic indicator of household wealth) of less than €40,000 per year;
- Your mortgage doesn’t exceed €250,000;
- The house purchased will be used as a main residence and not be listed as a luxury home;
- It is not necessary to have a permanent work contract (tempo indeterminato), as the state funds are also available to self-employed and temporary workers, provided they meet the above requirements.

#### Claiming tax credits
Tax credits can be used to deduct from the costs of buying a house or can be offset against your personal income taxes, known as ‘IRPEF’.

**The conditions you need to be aware of**

To claim this bonus, it needs to be your **first property** and you’ll need to keep in mind that not all properties are eligible for this scheme.

So-called luxury properties are exempt, including villas, castles and places of historical value, for instance.

#### Does the scheme really work?
**Yes, the incentive has been so popular that it’s been credited with driving the sharp increase in mortgage applications in Italy.**

First home mortgages rose by 44% in 2021 compared to the year before, according to figures from MutuiOnline.

In the last quarter of 2021, nine out ten mortgages applied for by those under 36 were reportedly for a first home.

#### How can I claim the bonus?
We have a solid record of helping our clients to secure an Italian mortgage loan for their Italian property purchase.

If you meet the above eligibility criteria and want to find out more, we can guide you on areas such as:

- Do I have to already be a registered resident in Italy to claim?
- How can I find out my ‘ISEE’?
- Can I claim the bonus if I inherit property in Italy?
- Is there any help with notary fees under the bonus?
- Can I apply jointly with another person?
- I want to apply with my partner who is already over 36. How will that affect what we can claim?
- I want to buy an Italian house at auction. Can I use the bonus for this?
- Do I have to pay the purchase fees upfront and claim them back later?
- How long does it take for reimbursements through tax credit to be paid?
- Are there any rules on how long I need to keep the property before selling it if I use the bonus to purchase it?

### Learn more about Immigrating to Italy and what to anticipate regarding life in Italy, such as property options.
*Studio Legale Metta is an internationally recognized boutique Italian law firm with experienced lawyers who handle domestic and international legal matters on behalf of private individuals, corporations and public institutions.*

The author, Nick Metta is a partner of Studio Legale Metta, heads the International Department which he founded in 2004. Nick leads the international team assisting non-Italian residents and entities with matters concerning Italian law. He focuses his practice on Relocation, Real Estate, Cross-Border Successions, Estate Planning, Tax matters, Citizenship and Immigration. 

[Connect with Nick](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/64) to explore immigration to Italy and vital matters which come with immigration. 

![logo-anniversario-studio-legale-metta-IT.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/logo_anniversario_studio_legale_metta_IT_53091675c3/logo_anniversario_studio_legale_metta_IT_53091675c3.png)

Dig deeper into the details.... [Buying Property in Italy](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/italy/buying-property-in-italy)



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Under 36? Here’s how Italy can help you buy your first home in 2022

Different visa routes often have different requirements and procedures. Once you have narrowed down which pathway might be best for you, it's time to understand the complex details. Get the lawyer answers you're seeking in this article. 

#### Self Employed Artists or Athletes
**Is it necessary to have a language degree to immigrate through SELF EMPLOYED ARTISTS OR ATHLETES program?**

*Lawyer Answer:* YES – you must pass an English or French test. There is no minimum level required but the higher your language score, the stronger your application.

The Self-Employed program is made for artists or athletes who have awards and a track record of national and international shows, competitions.

English: IELTS GENERAL
French: TEF Canada

#### Entreprenurs
**Do I need to create jobs (hire employees) in the Ontario Entrepreneur program? If yes, how many?**

*LAWYER ANSWER:* Yes, you must create at least 2 jobs if your business is in Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area, or 1 job if your business is outside Toronto.

If your business is in tech, you need to create 1 job, no matter where your company is located.

It can be any position as long as it is permanent and full-time (minimum 30 hours per week).

**What is the process to obtain permanent residency in Canada through the Ontario Entrepreneur program?**

*LAWYER ANSWER:*

1. After the province selects your business concept, you need to submit all your documents.
2. Ontario will review all your documents, including proof of your total net worth (minimum $400,000 CAD).
3. If your profile and documents are satisfactory, you will have an interview (in person in Canada or by video – depends on the pandemic situation).
4. Come to Canada with your family.
5. You have 20 months to open and manage the business.
6. After 20 months, you can apply for permanent residence. It will take approximately 12 months to obtain your permanent residency in Canada.
 
Our team of lawyers will walk you through the process, step by step until you become permanent residents.

**Can you have business partners for the Ontario Entrepreneur program?**

*LAWYER ANSWER:* Yes, you may have 1 foreign business partner or can partner with a Canadian partner.

This program is for any entrepreneur outside of Canada who wants to buy a business or start a new business in Ontario.

The applicant must have at least 24 months of experience as a business owner or manager, have a minimum net worth of $400,000 CAD and be able to invest at least $200,000 CAD into the business.

**Can I obtain permanent residence in Canada directly through my business, for myself, my spouse, and my children?**

*Lawyer's Answer:* Yes, all business immigration programs can lead to permanent residency but at this time, only the Start-Up Visa program is a direct path to permanent residence. The Start-Up Visa program is aimed at innovative start-ups mostly based on technologies.
 
What our firm helps you with:
 
- We validate your business idea
- We prepare the business plan tailored to immigration requirements
- We train you on how to present/pitch your business idea to investors
- We help you find the designated organization who will support your start
- We obtain a letter of support
- We submit an entire application for permanent residence to the government
- We provide you with business consulting advice on how to run your startup

**What is the main difference between the ICT START-UP work permit AND SIGNIFICANT BENEFIT work permit programs?**

*Lawyer's Answer:* The purpose of an ICT START-UP work permit is to open a branch/subsidiary or parent company of your business in Canada. You will obtain a 1-year work permit renewable after expiry.
 
The main goal in a SIGNIFICANT BENEFIT work permit is to open a business that will bring significant economic, social and/or cultural benefits in Canada. You will obtain a 1 to 2 years work permit renewable.

Both programs can lead to permanent residency in Canada.

### Understand the details of immigration pathways to Canada:
*For the past 6 years [Nava Elmi](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/107) has been helping individuals, employees, entrepreneurs and investors move and successfully settle in Canada. As an immigrant herself, Nava knows that immigration is more than just a visa.*

Reach out to [Nava](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/107) and request a consultation today.

![Nava Logo.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/Nava_Logo_162bb4a8e7/Nava_Logo_162bb4a8e7.png)

#### Dig Deeper into the Details about living in Canada
Read about [Starting a Business in Canada](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/canada/starting-a-business-in-canada)


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Questions About Canada Immigration? Get Lawyer Answers

The European Union Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55 EC) which allows Ukrainian nationals, their family members and certain other non-EEA nationals to apply for temporary protection in Ireland has now commenced.

### IRELAND ACTIVATES THE EU TEMPORARY PROTECTION DIRECTIVE FOR PERSONS FLEEING WAR IN UKRAINE

#### Who is eligible to avail of Temporary Protection in Ireland?

The following persons who have been forced to leave the Ukraine may apply for Temporary Protection to reside in Ireland:

Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;
Nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) or stateless persons who would have benefited from international protection (e.g. Refugee status) or an equivalent national protection status in Ukraine and have been residing there before 24 February 2022.

Family members of persons covered by a) and b) where the family already existed in Ukraine prior to 24 February. Family members include a spouse or partner, unmarried minor children of either of them, and their other close dependent family relatives who have been living with them as part of the family unit.

Persons who had been residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 with a permanent Ukrainian residence permit, who cannot safely return to their country of origin.

Temporary protection may also be extended to other people who were legally residing in Ukraine who cannot safely return to their country of origin, including nationals from non-EU countries or stateless persons.

#### How long will Temporary Protection be granted

Temporary Protection will be granted for one year and may be extended thereafter for further periods.

#### Entitlements of persons granted Temporary Protection

Persons granted Temporary Protection are entitled to:

- Seek employment or self-employment and vocational training.
- Suitable accommodation, or assistance to obtain housing.
- Receive social welfare income supports.
- Access medical care from the State.
- Access school public or post-primary education provided by the State for children under age 18.
- Access other assistance as appropriate to their special needs. For example, those who are especially vulnerable such as unaccompanied minors.
- Travel without restriction within the State.

#### Can persons apply for International Protection and Temporary Protection at the same time

The Government has advised that it is not possible for Temporary Protection to be availed of while an application for International Protection has been made. Persons can apply for International Protection at any time however such persons do not have immediate access to employment, social welfare or international travel like persons availing of Temporary Protection.

#### Who is excluded from the Temporary Protection Directive

Persons may be excluded from temporary protection in the following circumstances:

- Where there are serious reasons for considering that the person:
- has committed a crime against peace, a war crime or a crime against humanity, as defined in the international instruments drawn up to make provision in respect of such crimes, or
- has been found been guilty of acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations,
- There are reasonable grounds for regarding the person as a danger to the security of the State,
- The Minister is of the opinion that the person constitutes a danger to the community of the State because they were convicted by a final judgment of a particularly serious crime, whether in the State or elsewhere, or
- There are serious reasons for considering that the person has committed a serious non-political crime outside the State prior to their entry into the State.

#### Who needs a visa to enter Ireland

- Ukrainian Citizens
- Ukrainian citizens are currently entitled to travel to Ireland without a visa. 

Upon arrival they will be given a letter confirming that they have been granted Temporary Protection under Section 60 Section of the International Protection Act, the Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) and Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 of 4 March 2022 as above outlined.

The Irish Governments Frequently Asked Document for Ukraine Nationals and Residents can be read [here](link).

#### Non-EEA nationals fleeing Ukraine (including Non-Ukrainian Family Members)
Non-EEA nationals fleeing the Ukraine who are visa-required nationals for Ireland must apply for a visa to enter. (The list of visa-required countries can be found here.

The Embassy of Ireland Poland has confirmed to Sinnott Solicitors that persons should apply for a Long Stay Other visa and that applications are being accelerated and processed within 1-2 weeks.

**We submit that the requirement for non-EEA nationals fleeing a war torn Ukraine to apply for an Irish entry visa should be abolished immediately in light of the current humanitarian crisis which is rapidly deteriorating. It is outrageous that non-EEA nationals who are eligible to be granted Temporary Protection in Ireland are being forced to apply for a visa to avail of this protection. Sinnott Solicitors will continue to lobby the government on this issue and provide further updates as they arise.**

### Ask Additional Questions on Ukrainians Immigrating to Ireland or more general Irish Immigration matters
*Sinnott Solicitors, based in Dublin and Cork, have lead the way by bringing about changes to Irish immigration law and practices introduced by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration*

[Connect with Carol](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/168) to discuss possible immigration pathways to [Ireland](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/ireland). 

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Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainians

If there’s anything that’s come to our attention during these trying covid times, it’s that life is precious. Whether you’ve lost a loved one or not, this pandemic has put us all in check on how fragile our existence can be, and how swiftly one can slip through the cracks of life.

The planet is riddled with countless covid stories that will break your heart, but this article is not about the battles lost and the casualties mourned. It’s about the seismic shift that the pandemic has caused in the tectonic plates of work and the workplace, and the beautiful realizations that manifested themselves following this adversity.

It seems that we are on the cusp of what some are calling “the great resignation.” So, what does this actually mean, and how will it affect the workplace?

#### The before and after
Before the pandemic, you’ve probably had an 8-hour a day job that took more than 10 hours of your each and every day. But this is life, right? You work hard in your twenties and thirties, so you can reap the benefits in your forties and fifties. Sure you’re overworked and almost burnt out, but so is everyone else and the money is good, so why complain?

Then the pandemic hit, and a global lockdown shifted the tides. All of a sudden, you’re working from home, discovering Zoom calls, and spending most of your time with family instead of colleagues.

This is our 3rd year into this new unchartered territory, and a lot has changed in that time. Employees have become more galvanized, and employers more flexible. Working remotely is now becoming a key element to employment and when an employer cannot provide it at least as a hybrid option, employees are simply...resigning.

In fact, in the US alone they are resigning in great numbers. In 2021, Americans quit their jobs at a record rate, and surveys show that more plan to resign during this year.

#### The big realization
In a corporate world that’s mostly career-driven, people’s lives tend to gravitate around their job. For the longest time, our life was defined by what we do, but the scourge of covid has grabbed us by the shoulders and shaken some sense into us. There is more to our life than working hard until we’re old, especially when the carpet can be swept from under our feet any minute. Getting to our forties and fifties is simply not a guarantee anymore.
As cheesy as it sounds, **“The big realization” is simply that life is all about living**. It’s about traveling the world, spending time with the people you love, and making the most of the present moment. What’s the future of the workplace going to look like if everyone’s quitting their job and hopping on a plane to explore the world?

![01feature-martin-696x465.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/feature-martin-x-tQ5KgrAKL6.webp)

 
#### The age of digital nomadism
We’re lucky to be living in a time where technological advancements can provide solutions to problems we never knew we had. Even though this “great resignation” has been fueled by the pandemic, it’s been allowed for by modern technology. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the past 3 years is that we now have the tools for remote work and it actually works!
Productivity levels have gone up during this period! Many industries are becoming more flexible in regards to remote work and a wider range of organizations have put hybrid systems into place.

### This could be the spark of the age of digital nomadism!
When you finish reading this article, check out [Digital Nomad Visa](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/digital-nomad-visas) destinations and explore over 25 countries that offer you a long-term visa with for remote workers. Destinations include EU countries -- Germany and [Portugal](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/portugal), as well as beach destinations such as Anguilla and Barbados. The rules differ from one destination to the other, but the list is getting longer almost on a monthly basis.

*The wave of change is starting to gain traction, and you could be finding yourself surfing on it from your favorite destination in the world.*

#### Re-evaluating the challenges
Now that’s we’ve bridged the gap between an evolving workforce and an adaptive work environment, it’s not entirely fair to keep calling this movement towards remote work “the great resignation.”

Perhaps a more appropriate description would be “the great re-evaluation.”Instead of quitting, people are re-evaluating their options, and employers are re-evaluating their work structures. Although, this will not be without challenges.

There are many questions still unanswered at this point, and probably won’t be until we move on from the pandemic and fully incorporate these hybrid structures. Will remote workers be treated equal to those who show up to the office? Will they be just as considered for promotions? What about visibility and communication? How will the business of big politics evolve? These are just some of the current concerns, but there is no doubt that more will arise with time.

The good news is that through the adversity of the virus we’ve been able to set up a working infrastructure to tackle these issues head-on as they arise.
Historically speaking, after every war, we had innovation and advancement, and battling through covid has sure felt like going through war. One which cost us millions of casualties and woken us up to the fragility of our life. After every dusk, there is dawn. Change is coming, and it’s exciting to be a part of this movement towards the future, so buckle up and get ready to live your life and do your job from anywhere you want in the world!

*Hadi El Talje is one of 7 billion human beings living on a tiny blue ball floating in the vastness of space. He hopes his writing intrigues your mind and inspires you to be true to who you really are. For writing opportunities, [connect with Hadi](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/214).*

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The Great Resignation

Property prices are always a hot topic in Ireland but more so at the minute with concerns about housing stock, cost of rental and access to finance.  Significant growth has also been noted in property prices over the past 12- 24 months.

Often increasing property prices can act as a deterrent for investors to bring properties to the market for sale.  Many investors are of the view that Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is comparatively high in Ireland at present, pining for a return to the halcyon days of the Celtic Tiger and 20% tax rates.

We fully agree with the view that capital taxes are too high; high tax rates function as a barrier to transactions.  We would certainly welcome a reduction in the CGT rate from 33% and feel such a positive change would bring more properties to the market, potentially acting as a coolant to the property market.  In 2020, CGT represented only 1.67% of exchequer returns, contributing just short of €1bn to the economy.  One wonders would a reduction in the CGT rate materially reduce the tax yield, or might it instead trigger natural solutions to many of our country’s property challenges?   

However, CGT rates are not the focus of this commentary, or are they…?

Budget 2011 introduced a CGT incentive in December 2011 allowing a 7-year exemption for properties bought between December 2011 and December 2014.  The 7-year period has now expired for all properties acquired in that period.  Properties are now subject to CGT on a proportionate basis, with 7 years of the total period of ownership remaining exempt from tax.  Over time, this proportionate tax benefit will erode, in particular if property prices fail to grow at rates experienced in the past 10 years.  In effect, there could well be an increasing tax cost accruing the longer properties are held for.

The Residential Property Price Index in Ireland has grown from 76 in 2012 to 155.3 in November 2021.  The statistics suggest that the average property bought between 2011 and 2014 may well have doubled in value.

We wonder if that rate of growth can be sustained, or if investors might be better served cashing in their chips in the near future?  Certainly, there is a tax benefit to a timely exit, and we would encourage all clients to review their property portfolio’s, with a particular focus on properties bought in that 2011 to 2014 window.  

Might it now be an opportune time to sell on those properties or to transfer to a connected party?  Of course, gifting property could give rise to Capital Acquisitions Tax in the hands of the recipient but that is a separate conversation!!!

### Learn More About Capital Gains in Ireland and More General Ireland Tax Advice
*Hughes Tax & Advisory is a boutique tax practice principally serving the needs of Irish businesses and entrepreneurs. Their blend of corporate and personal experience allows their advisors to understand, address and meet the needs of both the entrepreneur and also their companies, to deliver bespoke tax solutions.*

[Connect with James](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/178) to inquire about taxes in Ireland and how he can help ease the burden.

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Capital Gains Tax – The Perfect Time to Sell Property in Ireland?

The great immigration reset announced mid-2021, but never implemented, is now being repackaged as a “rebalance”

In a heavily redacted Cabinet paper titled “Long-term Direction for the Immigration Portfolio: a rebalance” The immigration minister Kris Faafoi warns New Zealand businesses of what is to come.

**Opinion piece: Aaron Martin Immigration lawyer NZIL**

There is no doubt the Government has enjoyed what they see as “benefits” from the border shutdown including allowing for a re-engineering of immigration policy to, in his words, “incentivise businesses to lift working conditions [read wages], improve the skills training and career pathways for workers … and reduce the economy’s reliance on lower-skilled migrant workers.”

Despite the Productivity Commission finding that there was no basis for saying migration places downward pressure on New Zealand workers’ training, wages, or conditions, the Cabinet paper claims that it in fact does have exactly that impact. I wonder where Minister Faafoi is getting his facts from, if not from the Government’s own research and insights?

Disturbingly the Minister also says, “the closed border offers an opportunity to accelerate the direction we had put in place prior to COVID-19”. That meant making it more difficult to recruit labour paid below the median wage while clearly favouring certain industry sectors.

The approach of the Government in the upcoming revamp of the work visa scheme is best described in paragraph 38 of the report: “This halt on migration flows gives us the opportunity to rebalance our immigration priorities to change the profile of migrants coming into New Zealand, before the inflow resumes when the borders reopen.”

The restrictive nature of the intended approach is best summed up by the comment “… the proposed rebalance work will mean that we hear ongoing reports of labour and skill shortages from some businesses after the borders are reopened”. So, it looks to me that the Government is quite prepared for the pain businesses have experienced to continue over the longer term in order to achieve an ideological goal.

I am in agreement with the recent news item published on *Stuff* that suggests there will be a limit on application numbers and perhaps these will be linked to a measure of the “absorptive capacity” of the economy. Officials are allegedly exploring measures to better measure this link, including linking residency places to long-term trends around building consents, or the infrastructure deficit.

When Labour was initially elected in coalition with New Zealand First, there was talk of moving away from using Immigration as an economic lever.

Frankly that was fanciful thinking, it is now clear that the current ideology is to focus on sociological outcomes, with economic impact secondary in importance.

Restricting the free flow of labour, undermines our ability to compete on a global stage for skilled workers. More importantly it is out of step with the rest of the first world countries who understand that the issues confronting the labour markets are not just about skill shortage, but also worker shortages. In reality, we just don’t have enough people in New Zealand to fill those jobs whether high skilled or low skilled.

Pathways to upskill people take time to develop and more often than not the fast-paced change in skills means the training systems will still not deliver enough people to fill the vacancies available.

It appears this government’s approach is to limit New Zealand’s economic development in the hope that it will limit the need for the business community to draw on the international labour market, and somehow, in the meantime we can play catch up on skills development.

Sadly, that is a recipe for limiting opportunities to New Zealanders.

If you don’t have the skillset available (or time and funding) to train your kiwi workers, then how can you achieve the governments’ goal for businesses to develop the local talent?

And if you don’t have the capacity to expand your business, (cobbled by the lack of skilled workers) how can you provide more opportunities for training?

The ideological approach has all the hallmarks of being created by people who have never run a business in their life, but certainly had a great time at university developing their ideological philosophy.

#### Learn more about living and working in New Zealand. 

Aaron Martin is one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded practitioners in immigration law, with decades of experience in assisting private individuals, business, and corporate clients. Skilled in evaluating complex cases, ministerial intervention, appeals, and character or medical waivers.

[Connect with Aaron today](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/102) and dig-deeper into relevant topics for relocating to New Zealand. 

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What is the NZ Government’s Secret Agenda for Immigration?

Latitude Law has volunteered as immigration lawyers to be part of the Ukraine Advice Project UK. They are a group of volunteer legal professionals with immigration and asylum expertise. Providing a free service to connect Ukrainian citizens (and others fleeing Ukraine) with free legal advice on UK immigration, visas and asylum from qualified and regulated lawyers.

#### Get immigration advice 
The information in this article is provided by the [Ukraine Advice Project UK](https://advice-ukraine.co.uk/) 

For this information translated to [Читайте українською](https://advice-ukraine.co.uk/%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%BA%D0%BE%D1%88%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BD%D1%96-%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%81%D1%83%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%86%D1%96%D1%97-%D0%B7-%D0%BF%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%8C-%D1%96%D0%BC/) | [Читайте на русском](https://advice-ukraine.co.uk/%D0%B1%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F-%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BD%D1%81%D1%83%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%82%D0%B0%D1%86%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D0%B8%D0%BC/) | [Polski](https://advice-ukraine.co.uk/bezplatna-porada-dotyczaca-imigracji-do-wielkiej-brytanii-dla-ukraincow/)

To request advice, please contact [projectu@dlapiper.com](projectu@dlapiper.com) with some details of your circumstances and what advice you need. 

Advice is only available in English. If you do not speak English, you will need to ask a friend or family member to translate for you.

The lawyers who have volunteered to give advice are experts in UK visas and refugee rules but not how to travel out of Ukraine or around Europe. There is some information about travel on the [Work Rights Centre website](https://www.workrightscentre.org/solidarity-with-ukraine).

### How to come to or stay in the UK
#### Coming to the UK
##### You need a visa
If you have a Ukrainian passport, you need a visa to travel to the UK. You are almost certain to be refused entry without one. 

##### If you have family in the UK
There are special visa arrangements in place allowing any British person or immigrant who is settled in the UK to sponsor Ukrainian family members to come to the UK, including parents, siblings, adult children, in-laws and cousins. This “[Ukraine Family Scheme](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-ukraine-family-scheme-visa)” opened for online applications on 4 March 2022.

Unfortunately, Ukrainian citizens with only temporary permission to live in the UK, such as a Skilled Worker or Student visa, cannot sponsor relatives under the Ukraine Family Scheme.

There is a special UK government immigration helpline for Ukrainians with family in the UK who want to ask about visas: call +44 808 164 8810 and select option 1 (0808 164 8810 if you’re in the UK).

##### Work or study visa
If you don’t have a British sponsor but might qualify for a normal UK work or study visa, these can also be granted without providing the [usual documents](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukrainian-nationals-on-work-and-study-routes-concessions-to-the-immigration-rules).

##### Visitor visas
You can apply for a visa to enter the UK as a visitor and include “clear compelling or compassionate reasons for your visit”. You must intend to leave the UK at the end of the visit – a maximum of six months.

##### Claiming asylum
You cannot apply for asylum from outside the UK. 

#### Already in the UK
##### Visa extensions
The UK government has [made it easier](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/support-for-family-members-of-british-nationals-in-ukraine-and-ukrainian-nationals-in-ukraine-and-the-uk#ukrainians-in-the-uk) for Ukrainian citizens already in the UK to stay on within the mainstream immigration system, including by applying to switch from a visit visa to another type of immigration permission (such as a work or study visa).

##### Claiming asylum
If you do not already have indefinite leave to remain in the UK you may wish to apply for asylum but should speak to a lawyer first. 

Ukrainian citizens in the UK may be entitled to refugee status and/or humanitarian protection. This may also apply to stateless people normally resident in Ukraine.

There is more information about the asylum process in the UK on the [Right to Remain website](https://righttoremain.org.uk/toolkit/asylumintro/) and the [Free Movement website](https://www.freemovement.org.uk/how-to-claim-asylum-in-the-uk/).

### Learn more about securing residency in the United Kingdom as someone affected by the Ukraine war

*The immigration lawyers at Latitude Law have been providing invaluable specialist advice and legal representation to clients since 2007.*

*The information in this article is provided by the [Ukraine Advice Project UK](https://advice-ukraine.co.uk/)* 

[Reach out to Gary](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/67) and request a consultation today.

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Free UK immigration advice for people fleeing Ukraine

We, along with many others, breathed a collective sigh of relief when the Government announced a visa pathway for family members of Ukrainians in New Zealand.

The 2022 Special Ukraine Visa provides a pathway for Ukrainians permanently living in New Zealand, to sponsor their family members. However, there are several caveats, which will exclude many.

#### Sponsors need to be permanently in New Zealand

The most notable caveat is that only Ukrainians living permanently in New Zealand can sponsor their families. Therefore, many Ukrainians, who have had temporary visas for many years, cannot sponsor their family members.

Don’t forget that the Government has suspended the main residence visa application programme for well over two years, so many of these people had no ability to obtain residence. The 2021 Resident Visa programme only opened to many on 1 March 2022. This has effectively left many Ukrainian citizens, who are long-term residents of New Zealand, unable to help their families in the Ukraine.

#### Does not confer refugee status

The 2022 Special Ukraine Visa also does not provide refugee or protected person status. Therefore, the applicants receive limited protection.

#### Benefits

The temporary visa does reunite family members for two years. It also provides work rights for those over 18, and study rights for those under 18.  

It is presumed that applicants aged 19 years or older will not be permitted to study, which will undoubtedly cause problems for those part way through their degrees in the Ukraine.

The visa allows the nominated family member, to include their partner and children in their application.

#### Process

Applications for the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa, can only be made by the applicant after they have been invited to apply by Immigration New Zealand.

To obtain an invitation to apply, an expression of interest must be submitted by the sponsor (or their representative), who lives in New Zealand. That sponsor must be an ‘acceptable sponsor’ and agree to cover all accommodation/ living costs.

Applications must be submitted by 15 March 2023. There are no application fees.

If the application for the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa is approved, an eVisa will be issued. The holder can then immediately enter New Zealand and must do so within nine months.

Immigration New Zealand has indicated that these applications will be prioritised, with a streamlined approach requiring minimal documentation.

#### Requirements

A sponsor can support their parents, grandparents, siblings, or adult children for the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa.

#### Who can be a sponsor?

**The sponsor must meet the following criteria:**

- ordinarily live in New Zealand
- be a New Zealand citizen or have a current residence class visa
- have been born in Ukraine, or have held citizenship or be a permanent resident of Ukraine, and
- be an ‘acceptable sponsor’ for a temporary visa, which means:
- not be formally insolvent or bankrupt
- not be liable for deportation
- not be serving a custodial sentence or waiting to be sentenced for a crime that involves a custodial sentence

#### Who can the sponsor nominate?

The family member must:

- meet the standard temporary visa health and character requirements, although evidence such as medical checks and police certificates will not be required; and
- have been ordinarily resident in Ukraine, as of January 2022.

#### Summary

We are relieved that there is a pathway for some Ukrainians to find safety in New Zealand. However, we sincerely hope that the Government will consider expanding this to family members of Ukrainians with temporary visas, given many of them have not had any opportunity, until very recently, to apply for residence themselves.

### Been Waiting to Migrate to New Zealand?
*Duncan Cotterill is a full-service law firm with locations in five distinct markets in New Zealand resulting in an immigration sector that is highly informed on local markets. From initial eligibility scoping and visa or work permit applications through to confirmed residency -- Cotterill gives tailored advice at every step of the process.*

For advice on which step you meet or how you can meet each step, [contact Nicola](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/91)

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New temporary visa for family of Ukrainians in New Zealand: 2022 Special Ukraine Visa

When President Joe Biden began urging US citizens to leave Ukraine as tensions with Russia over its military buildup on the border intensified, the US Embassy in Kyiv had already been urging citizens to look at leaving. Some American expats took to heart the advice, others did not.

As over two million Ukrainians flee war in their motherland, a much narrower, quieter exodus took place from Russia. There is no data tracking foreigners fleeing Russia, and their journeys are mostly less painful than those faced by the historic wave of war refugees flowing across and out of Ukraine. But since the war started, many non-Russians with the measures have pushed to leave the country—some forever, others for awhile. Reasons include the financial, logistical and moral.

Concerned about the possibility of sealed borders, a Chilean academic made a split-second call to leave his belongings and catch a cab to Estonia. A British teacher left for Istanbul in part because she didn’t want her daughter growing up somewhere that condoned such a war. The Anglo-American School, a Moscow haven of Pop-Tart deliveries and softball games that worked throughout the worst of the Cold War, moved classes online because so many foreign teachers fled.

For American expats, the thought of war breaking out in their host country is a terrifying one. What would happen if they were stuck there when it happened? How could they leave? 

**Here are six tips** for American expats who want to leave their host country in the event of a war. We will cover everything from planning to what to do if you can't get out. So read on and learn how you can protect yourself and your family during times of conflict!

- Plan. If you know that war is looming, start forming your exit strategy as soon as possible. Have a substitute plan in case the first falls through.
- Make sure you have all of your paperwork in order. This includes passports, visas, and other identification documents.
- Know where you're going. Have a list of safe countries to flee to and make sure you have the visas and documents in order.
- Have enough money saved up to sustain you for at least a few months. You will need to live abroad until the conflict is over.
- Pack light. You'll want to travel quickly and easily.
- Stay safe. Once you're out, stay away from the conflict zone and don't go back until it's over.

#### In Conclusion

Following these tips will help you be prepared if war breaks out in your host country. While it's impossible to predict what will happen, being prepared will give you a better chance of making it through. So don't wait - start planning now!

*[Jerry Nelson](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/128) is an American writer living the expat life in Argentina and winner of the Revi 2021 Reader Award. You can find him at any of hundreds of sidewalk cafes and hire him through Fiverr, join the quarter-million who follow him on Twitter or contact him at jandrewnelson2@gmail.com*

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How to Leave Your Host Country If War Breaks Out: American Expat Survival Tips

Dear Sophie,

I’m a U.S. citizen who has been living and working temporarily in Germany for the past year.

I got engaged last month to my amazing partner — a German citizen — but I now need to return to the U.S. in a few months for work.
Should I get a K-1 visa for my fiancée so she can come with me when I return to the U.S., or should we get married and live apart until she can get a green card and join me in the U.S.?

— Searching for a Speedy Solution

**Dear Searching,**

*These days, very few things are speedy when it comes to immigration — the deep backlogs created by the pandemic are the most recent challenges causing delays. My law partner, Anita Koumriqian, and I chatted about the backlogs, the K-1 fiancé/fiancée visa, and marriage-based green cards in a recent podcast episode, “Love and Immigration.”*

*Before the pandemic, it was faster for a fiancé or fiancée to get to the United States via a K-1 visa than for a spouse to get to the U.S. via a green card. But things have shifted.*

#### K-1 visa
Currently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is taking as long as one year to process K-1 visa cases. Following processing, getting a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate will take even more time. Many U.S. embassies and consulates are open and processing routine visas and green cards, and interviews are being scheduled for several months out.

If you choose the K-1 visa, here is what to expect: Once your fiancée receives her visa, she will have to arrive in the United States within 60 days (the date will be printed on the visa foil in her passport).

When the pandemic was declared in 2020 and travel restrictions were put in place, many individuals who had approved K-1 visas could not travel to the U.S. and therefore missed that 60-day window. If your fiancée misses the 60-day window, she will have to schedule another appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate, as well as get police clearance letters and another medical exam.

When your fiancée arrives in the United States on her K-1, you will have 90 days to get married. When married, you can then file for a marriage-based green card, which is typically the quickest green card to get. However, backlogs at USCIS have meant processing times have risen for marriage-based green cards as well. Depending on the state where you are living when you file for the green card, it can take anywhere from about five to 39 months — quite a broad range!

#### Marriage-based green card
Hopefully we have moved beyond any additional pandemic-related travel restrictions. Still, we often find it’s best for many couples to avoid any potential risk of a prolonged separation while waiting for a K-1 visa. At the moment, we are often recommending that people who get married in their country of residence apply for a marriage-based green card as soon as possible. A U.S. citizen can get married and start the green card process outside of the United States.

Your fiancée might still be able to visit you in the United States on a B-2 visitor visa for pleasure or ESTA while her green card is pending. One of the things she would need to be able to demonstrate to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the airport or other port of entry would be that she intends to return to Germany before the expiration of her status.

Keep in mind that once you’re married, you and your wife will need to show that you married for love and not for a green card. You prove that by showing you have “braided your lives together,” as Anita says. Providing photos of your wedding, your travels together, and events with family and friends; showing a joint bank account that is actually used for the expenses of daily living; and listing both of your names on a lease agreement or mortgage loan and utility bills are some of the types of things that can be used to demonstrate that you married for love. Listen to my podcast episode “Engaged, Now What?” to gain more insight into the process.

#### Alternative strategy
Alternatively, if your fiancée qualifies for a work visa, such as an H-1B or O-1 visa, she could consider securing a job offer from a company in the United States that is willing to sponsor her.

Dual-intent visas are best because they permit somebody entry even if they have the intent of staying permanently in the U.S. The O-1A is often considered essentially dual-intent, and the H-1B is explicitly dual-intent.

Holders of single-intent nonimmigrant visas cannot intend to seek a green card in the U.S. They must demonstrate they intend to return to their home country before the visa expires. The U.S. Department of State has given consular officers the discretion to waive the interview requirement for H-1B, O-1, and a few other nonimmigrant visas through the end of this year. If your spouse is legally working in the U.S., you could consider filing an adjustment of status based on marriage after that.

If you decide to explore any of these strategies further, consult with an experienced immigration attorney who can guide you and your fiancée on the best options. The registration period for this year’s H-1B lottery begins on March 1, so if this is the route she decides to take, an employer will need to act fast!

*All my best,*

*Sophie*

#### Learn More about Possible Visa Pathways for Foreigners Married to Americans
*[Sophie Alcorn](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/65) is an attorney and Board Certified as a Specialist in United States Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar of California.*

Connect with[ Sophie](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/65) today and request a consultation to address the specifics of your immigration questions.

![Alcorn Immigration Law is a leading U.S. advisory law firm for technology-based companies](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/Alcorn_Logo_fb94f18ade/Alcorn_Logo_fb94f18ade.png)








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Dear Sophie: Should we seek a K-1 visa or marriage-based green card?

We are closely monitoring the tragic events in Ukraine and the refugee crisis unfolding as a result of the military conflict. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine during these dark times.

If you or your loved ones are fleeing the war zone in Ukraine and require legal advice on UK immigration, visas, and asylum, please, contact Ukraine Advice Project UK, a group of volunteer immigration practitioners providing a free service to those in need. Read the information [here](https://www.relocate.world/articles/Ukrainians-to-UK). 

#### Russians and Belarusians Fleeing as a Result of War
It is necessary to note, we have also received a large volume of enquiries from citizens of Russia and Belarus affected by the war in Ukraine. There have been unverified reports that Russians and Belarusians looking to enter or remain in the UK might be banned from applying because of the immigration sanctions imposed by the UK and EU states. 

According to our sources, at present the **UK government does not plan to terminate applications for Russian and Belarusian nationals**, which is a welcome reassurance for many of our existing and prospective clients from Russia and Belarus. We will continue to keep you posted on developments – watch this space! 

### Be Informed About UK Immigration Matters


[Connect with Evgenia](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/174) to discuss immigration pathways into the UK and general questions about life in the UK as an immigrant.

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Access More Article About Visas for Ukrainians on our [Ukraine](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/ukraine) destination page.

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Ukrainians seeking to migrate to the UK

Employees and managers relocating to France to work for a French company may benefit from personal income tax (“PIT”) exemptions of the “impatriate regime”.  This article will discuss the benefits, conditions, and more.

#### Main benefits of the scheme:

✅	Impatriation bonus PIT exemption, which may be assessed at a flat rate of 30% of the total net income. 

⚠️ 	further limitations may apply on the tax free bonus amount;

✅	PIT exemption for the portion of the income linked to the activity carried out outside of France for the employer’s interest;

✅	50% PIT exemption of the income from foreign sourced dividends, interest, income from life insurance contracts and capital gains;

⚠️	conditions regarding the income payer location apply ;

⚠️	social security contributions (at a current rate of 17,2%) remain applicable on 100% of the income;

✅	50% PIT exemption on foreign sourced intellectual or industrial property income;

#### 📅	PIT exemptions are applicable for a period of 8 years.

#### 💡	Also:
- an exemption for 5 years from the French real estate wealth tax (IFI) on the real estate located outside of France;
- a possible exemption from the registration to the French compulsory social security schemes for basic and supplementary retirement/pension insurance for 3 years, renewable once.

#### Main conditions of the scheme:

➡️	duties carried out in France via (i) a recruitment from abroad by a French company, or (ii) an intra-group mobility (e.g. from a parent company to its subsidiary);

➡️	not to have been tax domiciled in France during the 5 years preceding the hire;

➡️	file a tax return n°2042, n°2042 C and n°2047 the year following the hire.

### Understand More About the France Tax System 
*Yatax is a French law firm which operates in tax law, advising companies, managers and individuals. The firm provides practical, quantified and innovative solutions meeting client expectations in the context of a demanding and fastly evolving tax environment.*

[Connect with Julien](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/206) to assist you with the confirmation of your eligibility to the impatriate tax regime and the assessment of the tax breaks.  

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French impatriate tax regime

Is Italy introducing a Digital Nomads VISA? The answer is Yes and we couldn't be more excited about this news. Italy is not the first EU country to allow Digital Nomads from non EU to secure a VISA to enter the country. Estonia, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, and Czech Republic are ahead of Italy. However Italy program sounds very promising as it has little to no limitations, and the procedure to apply looks very smooth.

The Italian parliament is converting the government decree n. 4/2022 (Decreto Sostegni Ter), introducing various tax breaks, and confirming other law amendments made by the government to tackle the covid pandemic as well as its economic consequence. The draft law 2505 introduces a digital nomads VISA at art. 6-quinquies.

Let's take a look at this article more closely. It adds another letter to the art. 27 of the Italian immigration code allowing 

*“q-bis) nomadi digitali e lavoratori da remoto, non appartenenti all'Unione europea”;*

#### Who Qualifies
First of all, this program aims to attract two categories of workers:

1. Digital nomads
2. Remote workers

This may sound redundant, however you can claim an Italian Digital Nomad VISA if you are a freelancer or you work remotely for a foreign company; this, without creating any taxable presence for your foreign employer.

At the moment Italy already have a self employment, however it has multiple exceptions and caveats, and it is only available to certain professions (accountants, lawyers, doctors etc.).

#### Visa Process
The VISA process is not clear yet, as it will be defined by the ministers cabinets within 30 days from the law approval.

The Italian Digital Nomads VISA requirements appear quite easy to meet, you must:

1. Currently run a freelance business
2. Have a qualifying health coverage

You don’t need any Nulla Osta from the Italian authorities, and the whole procedure can be done at the foreign Italian consulate with no need of any clearance certificate from any Italian authorities (tax office, Chamber of Commerce, Labor department etc.).

#### Taxes for Digital Nomads in Italy
Now that hard immigration is no longer an excuse given the brand new Italian Digital Nomads VISA, taxes are the main obstacle for Digital Nomads to move to Italy. This couldn’t be more wrong!

As a new comer of Italy you can basically pick between two very attractive regimes:

1. Regime Forfettario;
2. New residents regime.

The Regime Forfettario allows you to pay a flat 5% tax on your earnings, while the new residents regime allows for a reduction of your taxable income between 70% and 90%! **If you are a new resident in Sicily and you make € 100,000 in taxes you won’t pay a single € in taxes.**

#### Learn More About Paying Taxes as a Digital Nomad in Italy
*Accounting Bolla is a boutique Italian tax firm equipped with experienced accountants assisting corporations, individual and expats with their tax affairs. Specialized in international tax areas for expats and companies wishing to establish in Italy.*

[**Reach out to Nicolò**](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/118) and request a consultation to discuss the home buying process in Italy and the financial incentives in making such investment. 

### Still Deciding Where You Want to go Next?
Check out other [Digital Nomad Visa](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/digital-nomad-visas) destinations and the requirements.

If you're sure [Italy](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/italy) is the place for you, then read more about other immigration pathways to Italy. 




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Digital Nomads VISA to Italy

You are researching countries to relocate to, and while Panama's beautiful weather might be your initial attraction, there are other beneficial key factors to sway one to chose Panama.

#### The tax regime
Panama’s tax regime is territorial, this means that Panama will tax all income that is sourced locally, regardless of residency status. This presents a great advantage for foreign investors and digital nomads, as their income most likely is sourced outside of Panamanian territory, thus their income tax will be 0%.

**No requirement to have a work permit** if your job is done remotely for a foreign company, this applies if you own your business too.

**The local currency is the US Dollar**, so your assets held in local banks will be protected from drastic currency fluctuations.

In Panama, to be consider a tax resident, the interested person can opt to comply with one of the following requirements: 
- spend 183 days in Panama, or;
- Proof to the tax office that they have strong links with the country that they do not have with any other country.

You can make a case for the latter by becoming a resident of Panama, having a physical address (that could be a long-time rental), and certifying that you hold businesses in Panama. This requirement might seem elaborate but is very simple with the assistance of a qualified attorney. 

#### Ease of business
In Panama, when compared to other jurisdictions, you can be in business in an expedite time. For reference, opening a legal entity takes approximately 2 weeks, a business license for services takes 3 days to be issued and municipality registration takes about 2 weeks. There is no requirement to liquidate the investment, and for most businesses the declared initial investment is USD $10,000, for nominative purposes. 

If you are looking to operate your business from Panama but offer your services in offshore jurisdictions, you can declare your activities as such, and your business will pay 0% of income taxes. Note that there are other applicable taxes, that will apply to your business if it falls under this category, such as the dividend tax (5% for foreign sourced income), and complimentary tax (10% if the company chooses to hold dividends for the fiscal year).

#### Easily Maintain your Residency
And finally, one of my favorite benefits is that when you become a resident of Panama, you do not have to stay in the country for certain number of days to maintain your residency. You can make Panama your hub to travel the world and come back a few days every 2 years and still be in good standing to maintain your residency status.

There are a lot of benefits in becoming a resident in Panama, here I list the most relevant from an expats point of view. If you want to learn more about moving to Panama permanently or even occasionally to take advantage of what this beautiful country has to offer, do not hesitate to contact me to discuss this matters further.

### Learn More About Obtaining Residency in Panama
*Ivette is a freelance business and immigration lawyer in Panama. She has over 9 years of experience in various legal areas concerning relocation.*

[Connect with Ivette](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/237) to be your guide in investing in Panama Real Estate, as well as immigration matters.

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Benefits of Becoming a Resident in Panama

In support of those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Canada has introduced the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) to help Ukrainians and their family members come to Canada as quickly as possible and to provide them with the ability to work or study while in Canada.

Those already in Canada have the option to extend their visitor status, work permit, or study permit through the [CUAET.](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/ukraine-measures/cuaet.html)

*This article is written to provide Ukrainians and their family members with clarification regarding the application process. If you require further assistance regarding the CUAET, please [reach out](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/62) to us.*

#### Eligibility for the CUAET
Ukrainian nationals and their family members are eligible to apply for the CUAET. Family members can be of any nationality and are defined as:
- The spouse or common law partner of a Ukrainian national;
- Their dependent child;
- The dependent child of their spouse or common-law partner; or
- A dependent child of their dependent child (grandchildren).

Family members must prove that the are a family member of a Ukrainian national. Documents that can be used to prove a family relationship include:

- a marriage certificate or proof of common-law status (documents showing a shared address)
  - shared ownership of residential property
  - joint leases or rental agreements
  - bills for shared utility accounts, such as:
    - internet
    - electricity
    - telephone
    - joint utility accounts
  - driver’s licenses
  - insurance policies
  - tax documents
- a birth certificate for dependent children and grandchildren.

When applicants travel, they should bring the documents above proving their family relationship to a Ukrainian national.

If applicants do not have a valid Ukrainian passport or national identity document, they can still apply. An immigration officer will determine eligibility based on the explanation and documents provided.

Canada will also allow entry to applicants who are not fully vaccinated, although applicants will have to meet other public health requirements, such as quarantine and testing.

Ukrainians and Family Members Outside of Canada
The CUAET gives applicants and their family members a visitor visa to come to Canada temporarily. The visa:

- is fee exempt; 
- is valid for ten years or until their passport expires; 
- allows travel in and out of Canada if the visa is valid; and
- gives applicants the option to apply for an open work permit at the same time. 

It is strongly recommended that applicants apply for the open work permit option at the same time, even if they do not intend to work in Canada upon arrival. The open work permit allows applicants to work for any employer they choose, and work experience in Canada will significantly increase the opportunity to qualify for Canadian permanent residence.

Upon arrival in Canada, applicants will be given status as either a:
- visitor;
- worker, if they applied for the open work permit; or
- student, if they’re under 18 and want to study in Canada.

If applicants are over 18 and want to study, they should first apply to the CUAET. After they arrive in Canada, they can apply for a study permit. More information on study permit applications under the CUAET can be found here.
Ukrainians and Family Members Inside of Canada

The CUAET is fee-exempt and gives Ukrainian nationals and their family members the option to extend their stay in Canada as a:
- visitor for up to three more years or uuntil their passport expires;
- worker for up to three more years or until their passport expires; or
- a student for the duration of their studies.

The same eligibility and documents required to prove a family relationship apply to those in Canada.

#### How to Apply
Applications can be submitted online through this [link](link).

#### Additional Program Details
These temporary residence programs are intended to help those affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine to seek temporary safe harbour in Canada, until it is safe to return to Ukraine. This program does not grant permanent residence in Canada, and it is not a refugee immigration stream. 

CUAET applicants will have their electronic visa application processed within 14 days of receipt of a complete application.

Ukrainians and their family members working and studying in Canada will be able to gain valuable Canadian work or education experience to help set them up for future success should they eventually choose to seek permanent residency through [Canada’s immigration programs](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada.html).

Canada is developing a special family reunification sponsorship pathway for immediate and extended family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The details of this program are not yet available.

Employers wishing to support Ukrainians through offers of employment can register available jobs using [Job Bank’s Jobs for Ukraine webpage](https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/report_note.do?cid=18538).

Applicants can also contact the Canadian immigration department directly, before or after applying through this [dedicated service channel](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/ukraine-measures/contact.html).

### Get Further Assistance with the CUAET or other Canadian Immigration Programs
*BinHimyar Law Group is a full service immigration law firm with multilingual staff offering services in English, Arabic, Portuguese, & Spanish. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, trades-person, student, or tourist, our firm can assist you navigate Canada’s complex immigration system.*

**Contact [Miguel Martins](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/62) should you require assistance with the CUAET or any of Canada’s other immigration programs.**

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New authorization for emergency travel for Ukrainians seeking to migrate to Canada

The Home Office has recently published information about civil penalties that were imposed between 1 July to 30 September 2021. Civil penalties are imposed on organisations which have employed an individual who does not have permission to work. If found to be employing workers who do not have the right to work, employers can face a penalty of up to £20,000 per worker. During the 3-month period that the Home Office’s guidance covers, 8 civil penalties were imposed on employers in the North West of England. 

The Home Office’s guidance on right to work checks is extensive; it’s currently 72 pages long (!), and Brexit and Covid have resulted in significant changes over the last couple of years. Just last week I received an enquiry from an EU national who was undertaking employment in the UK. I quickly came to realise that he had no permission to work, and he couldn’t have passed a right to work check if one had been completed correctly by the employer. 

It’s very important that employers understand how to conduct right to work checks. If a right to work check is undertaken correctly, employers are likely to have a statutory excuse against liability for a civil penalty. If not undertaken properly, a civil penalty may be imposed. 

#### How can I conduct a right to work check?
Migrant workers can generate a share code which will give an employer online confirmation of their immigration status. Alternatively, specified documents can be checked (although see below for further changes that will take effect from 6 April 2022). 

Usually, original documents should be reviewed in the presence of the worker, but due to Covid, the Home Office recognised that checks can be carried out via a video call and that job applicants / workers can electronically provide documents to their employer. This temporary adjustment will end on 30 September 2022; from this date, original documents will need to be checked in the presence of the applicant / worker. Retrospective checks on those who relied on the Covid-19 adjustment will not be necessary. 

What if an applicant / worker cannot provide the acceptable documents?
You can use the Employer Checking Service to ask the Home Office to check an employee’s / potential employee’s immigration status.

#### Does an EEA passport mean an individual can work?
No. EU free movement into the UK ended at 11pm on 31 December 2020. Any EEA workers arriving after this date – and who hadn’t lived here previously - was admitted under UK domestic law, meaning if no status was already held, they were likely admitted as visitors. The Home Office imposed a grace period of 6 months (until 30 June 2021) which protected the rights of EEA nationals and their family members who were lawfully resident in the UK prior to 31 December 2020. Due to this grace period, regardless of when the EEA national arrived in the UK, an EEA jobseeker could rely on their EEA passport to secure work until 30 June 2021.

#### Are retrospective checks needed on EEA nationals post 30 June 2021?
No, employers are not required to undertake retrospective checks on EEA nationals who were employed on or before 30 June 2021. If the initial right to work check was undertaken in accordance with relevant legislation and guidance, employers would maintain a statutory excuse (and avoid a civil penalty) if a worker was subsequently found to be unlawfully present in the UK.

#### What about EEA workers employed from 1 July 2021?
They can no longer solely rely on a passport or ID card. Just like other foreign nationals, they are now required to provide evidence of lawful immigration status. This can be done by providing a share code or by providing physical documents such as a Biometric Residence Card or Biometric Residence Permit.

#### What if the individual doesn’t have the right to work but I want to employ them?
You’d need to consider how to secure the worker permission to remain in the UK – you could sponsor the worker as a Skilled Worker, but you’d need to hold a sponsor licence. The individual may also qualify for permission to remain on another basis – we’d be happy to undertake an initial assessment for you.

#### What about Irish citizens?
Irish citizens have unrestricted access to work in the UK – Brexit did not change this. Irish citizens can continue to rely on their Irish passport (or other specified documents) to prove their right to work in the UK.

#### What if the worker has limited permission to remain in the UK? 
You should ensure that you diarise this key date as you’ll need to undertake a follow-up right to work check when the worker’s documents expire.

#### Will the right to work requirements be changing?
Yes, the process will be changing from 6 April 2022. From this date, workers who hold a Biometric Residence Card (BRC), Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), or a Frontier Worker Permit (FWP) can only evidence their right to work by using the Home Office’s online service. To use this service, employers will need the job applicant’s date of birth and right to work share code. Employers will not be able to accept physical cards from 6 April 2022. Once again, retrospective checks are not required; if an employer undertook a manual check prior to 6 April 2022, as long as the check was undertaken correctly, they will in law have a statutory excuse against any future civil penalty for illegal working.

From 6 April 2022, employers can also use certified Identity Service Providers (IDSPs) to undertake digital checks on British and Irish citizens who hold a valid passport. IDSPs will use Identification Document Validation Technology (IDVT) to confirm a prospective employee’s identity, check their ID is valid, and will confirm that the document belongs to the employee. IDSPs will impose a small fee to assist with the checks. Using an IDSP is not mandatory; employers can instead continue to check a British or Irish national’s physical documents and conduct the check themselves. 

#### How can employers prepare for the changes?
In order to prepare for the changes, employers are advised to:

- update internal policies and procedures relating to carrying out right to work checks; and
- provide relevant HR staff with training to ensure that anyone who is responsible for carrying out right to work checks is confident in using the online checking service.

#### Get Your Right to Work Questions Answered and More
*The immigration lawyers at Latitude Law have been providing invaluable specialist advice and legal representation to clients since 2007. Latitude Law’s specialist team helps many organisations with their right to work enquiries and can provide training to your organisation.*

[Reach out to Gary](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/67) and request a consultation today concerning the right to work or sponsoring workers or any UK immigration programs.

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