If you’ve ever boarded a plane in search of better opportunities, you know the idea of relocation could be as frightening as it is exciting. On one hand, you’re leaving the safety of the familiar, but on the other, you’re exploring new worlds and engaging your sense of freedom in a way you can never do while rooted in one location.

Well, the landscape of new world discovery has been changing over the past few years with the rise of the Metaverse. Instead of boarding planes and traveling the globe Columbus style, new virtual worlds are now offering users unique opportunities and immersive experiences from the comfort of their homes, or parents’ basements to be more exact.

But what is the Metaverse and is it truly a game-changer?

#### The future of reality is virtual
While generation Z seems to fully grasp the concept of the Metaverse, older generations are still somewhat confused as to what it actually entails. If you’re a millennial like I am, you might be almost scared to ask about it fearing the same looks you used to give your parents when they used to ask what Skype is.
Simply put, the Metaverse is a virtual reality where you can live, work, travel, play, and much more. Its purpose is to digitize our few remaining undigitized activities and add a whole bunch of new ones. 

For example, you, or a virtual version of you, can attend work meetings, go to concerts, sports events, or art shows. You can also travel to magical lands filled with unicorns, without having to consume recreational drugs. 

The spectrum is wide to say the least, just like what the internet brought us back in the 90s. 

#### Who’s investing
Even though the Metaverse is still being developed, businesses are heavily investing in it claiming it’s the next big thing. 

Think of it like a newly open shopping mall; every day you pass by and see another business set up shop. Big corporations like Apple, Nike, Coca Cola, Gucci, and of course the company formerly known as Facebook – Meta, have all made sizable investments in the Metaverse. 

Facebook’s name change is a clear indicator of the company’s commitment to this revolutionary concept. Zuckerberg has already invested billions in the Metaverse pushing the notion that it’s a futuristic utopia set to revolutionize the time we spend online by making it more interactive and fun.

What Zuckerberg conveniently left out, is that it’s also going to revolutionize how companies like Facebook, excuse me Meta, are going to make boatloads of money, I’m talking Russian Oligarch boatloads!

The Metaverse economy could be worth between 8 to 13 trillion dollars by 2030. That’s just a couple of years from now. However, these numbers are heavily reliant on big investments from big corporations. 

So what are they investing in exactly?

#### The Meta real-estate boom
You know what they say, real estate is the best long-term investment. Well, big corporations are apparently extending this adage into virtual real estate inside the Metaverse. 

Ever since Meta started investing in the Metaverse, virtual real-estate prices skyrocketed.  The average real-estate parcel inside the virtual world called “Sandbox” jumped from around 2,600$ to over 11,000$ after Zuckerberg’s announcement. 

In November 2021, the crypto investor Tokens.com bought virtual property worth 2.4M$ in the fashion district of the virtual world called “Decentraland”. Earlier this year, they hosted the first-ever virtual fashion show headlined by big brands such as Dolce and Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger, Elie Saab, and others.

Real estate companies are looking to develop these virtual properties and then rent them to luxury brands as retail space. Then you can go to Gucci’s virtual shop, buy your avatar some slick threads, and attend a virtual concert for your favorite virtual band all while eating Nachos in your underwear. 

It all sounds very alluring, but it does not come without consequences.
With real estate sales in the Metaverse topping 500M$ in 2021 and expected to double in 2022, many experts are saying we are witnessing a first-of-its-kind Metaverse bubble. 

So what kind of risks should we keep an eye for?

#### High-risk high reward
With pretty much everyone crowning the Metaverse as the next big thing, people have rushed to make substantial investments in an untested landscape, to say the least. Corporations and real-estate developers are looking to be disruptive and will most probably cash out big, but for the average joe investor like you and me, we have to be more prudent.

The biggest “what if” of investing in virtual real estate is the land you buy may not become a popular destination in the future, or even worse it could simply cease to exist. 

Another big risk is the fact that cryptocurrency is the only way you can invest in the Metaverse, and considering its volatility, its value can fluctuate with something as simple as an Elon Musk tweet. 

Imagine buying virtual land worth 5M$ in the virtual equivalent of Beverly Hills and then watching its value plummet to 5$ because Elon got bored and decided to pull out and sell all his Bitcoins.

The point is, there are always risks with investing in something new and untested, but still this does not mean you can’t make the big bucks and cash out before the bubble bursts.

#### The many worlds of the Metaverse 
Even with all the doubters, the Metaverse is shaping up to be a gamechanger, especially when it comes to consumer technology. Think of it as the next iteration of social media, education, work, advertising, shopping, and **even traveling.** Everything could potentially be moved into the Metaverse. 

But just like there are many social media apps to choose where you spend your time, many worlds will pop into the Metaverse to tend to different niches. For example, Sandbox is centered around gaming, and an arcade-type experience, while Decentraland provides more of an augmented reality experience. 
With time, whatever world you are interested in diving into, chances are it will pop into existence so it can capture your precious time and attention and probably sell you a virtual product you don’t really want or need.

If Mark Zuckerberg gives you the heebie-jeebies with his cyborg-like character, you’re not alone. But companies like Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and others are also taking the leap of faith into this new virtual world. 

So whether you’re an early adopter, a cynical doubter, or just as oblivious as most normal human beings are about the Metaverse, it looks like it’s here to stay. So might as well step into the matrix now and start exploring these new virtual realms before we’re all left behind in the real but irrelevant world of obscurity. 


medium_2-1-1024x571.webp

small_2-1-1024x571.webp

thumbnail_2-1-1024x571.webp

The Metaverse: Your Next Destination

Immigration lawyer Aaron Martin explains why NZ businesses are suffering a shortage of both skills and labour – and why immigration policies fall well short of addressing the issue.

Our labour market is tight and is only going to get worse.

A recent Sense Partners report canvassed employers to discover sentiment about worker shortages and put some data behind what the BusinessNZ network had been hearing since the pandemic began; businesses are desperately short of skilled employees and are having significant difficulties filling vacancies.

The report highlighted what we have also been hearing from employers in the last year.

#### Demand for workers is near record highs
Job ads show demand for labour is at record highs. This, combined with a record low number of people out of work, means it is getting increasingly harder to find workers.

The NZIER’s Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows firms are finding it very hard to recruit (hardest on record), and lack of labour is the biggest constraint to growing their business (meaning they cannot make or sell more products without more workers, which is a limit to business and thus economic growth).

#### Future immigration policy uncertainty
The biggest uncertainty is around the current ‘immigration rebalance’ the government is designing. The data clearly shows our labour market has long been used to tapping into the global labour market through the immigration channel.

An income criterion will limit the global labour pool to a handful of industries
While there are acute skill shortages, there is also a generalised labour shortage across skill and income brackets.

Their analysis of Trade Me job ads showed 86% of job listings in the last year were for an advertised salary of $80,000 or less. Or, 14% of vacancies meet the immigrant pay criterion of 1.5x median income. Vacancies were widespread across all incomes, qualifications, and industries.

Similarly, when they mapped annual median income by industry and qualifications (a good proxy for income potential), they only found a handful of industries and qualifications qualify under the new income criterion.

#### What is Immigration NZ doing to help employers fast-track visa applications?
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has 20 percent fewer staff than before the pandemic and has been juggling the surge in one-off residence visas and an overhaul of work visas.

INZ figures show it has 179 fewer workers than before the pandemic. A quick Trade Me/Seek search shows there are no extra jobs being advertised to increase the numbers of INZ processing staff.

#### Visa applications overwhelming the system
Since December, INZ has received 91,000 applications for 181,000 people to get residence under the government’s fast-track scheme. And next month, the twice-delayed Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) will begin to replace six work permit categories, with the first visas due in July.

#### What should the government do to resolve this crisis?
New Zealand needs immigration at all skill levels, and we need to welcome migrants back to New Zealand and acknowledge the contribution they make to the economy and our communities.

If you need help or advice with your visa application, speak to our team.

### 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.*

If you need help or advice with your visa application, [Connect with Aaron today](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/102).

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

small_new-zealand-instagrammable-places-nelson-lake-national-park-800x528,jpg.webp

thumbnail_new-zealand-instagrammable-places-nelson-lake-national-park-800x528,jpg.webp

Data shows NZ has a labour shortage not just a skills shortage

What we know, and don’t know, about a rare government program to help Ukrainians fleeing war.

On April 21, 2022, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) [announced](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/04/27/2022-09087/implementation-of-the-uniting-for-ukraine-parole-process) the Uniting for Ukraine initiative - a pathway for displaced Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily for a two-year period of parole. Parole, meaning entry to the United States, is granted either for urgent humanitarian reasons or because the entrance of an individual is determined to be a significant public benefit to the U.S. 

The breadth of this parole program is very rare. In the past, parole has been granted to specific subsets of a population in emergency situations, such as Iraqi interpreters fleeing significant danger after Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007, or U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, [National Immigration Forum](https://immigrationforum.org/article/explainer-humanitarian-parole-and-the-afghan-evacuation/). This Ukrainian parole, as it has been announced, is a blanket program open to all Ukrainians who were residing inside Ukraine on February 11 and who are **currently outside** the United States. And this parole comes with a price tag.

#### Eligibility
To qualify for the parole, Ukrainians must have a U.S. “Supporter” who is a person (not an agency), in a lawful status in the United States, demonstrate financial resources to receive, maintain, and support the individual(s) whom they commit to support for the duration of their stay. In addition, Ukrainian citizens need to have cleared background checks and have the U.S. Supporter file a Form I-134, a Declaration of Financial Support, and be vetted by the U.S. government. There is no fee for filing the Form I-134 and it can be filed online. 

USCIS has not yet announced estimated processing times, however in less than three weeks since the program was announced, USCIS states that it has approved more than 6,000 applications, with another 13,000+ still pending.

There is a plethora of critical information still unknown:

- **How much money is needed to support Ukrainians for Parole?** The application process requires the U.S. Supporter to prove income and assets through sufficient documentation. There is no exact amount of income or assets which will be deemed sufficient; no definite list of documents to prove the income and assets.
- **Can Supporters use financial resources of Ukrainians they sponsor?** The U.S. Supporter may use the financial resources of the Ukrainian being sponsored for the parole, but the documentation required may be difficult to obtain from the war-torn country. It is unclear what evidence will be accepted in these circumstances.
- **Can families be approved for Parole together?** The current online portal requires a separate application for each family member. It is not clear whether some family members will be approved while others are denied.
- **How long will it take for those approved to enter the U.S.?** The program states that once the parole is granted, the Ukrainian beneficiary can travel to the U.S. to be paroled for up to 2 years. However, there has not been any formal explanation of how one with an approved parole application from USCIS can obtain a travel document in his/her passport to permit the parole entry. With the U.S. Consulate in Kyiv closed, it may be up to the U.S. consulates in neighboring countries to assist with placing a parole stamp into the passports of those yearning to come to the United States. It is not yet clear what will be needed to permit the Ukrainians to board an airplane to the U.S. and to enter the U.S. We are still waiting for more information from the government about security checks, admissibility checks, review of vaccination records and the stamping necessary from a U.S. Consular officer.
- **How soon can Ukrainians on Parole work in the U.S.?** The program states that Ukrainian parolees may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), but there is no indication if these EAD applications will be expedited. Currently USCIS is taking 12 months+ to process EAD applications.

With so many questions unanswered, it remains to be seen if the Uniting for Ukraine program was announced with the intention of rapid success, or rather to appease relatives in the United States who are desperate to help bring family over. In the meantime, we are cautiously optimistic that this parole will be a life changing opportunity for those who are paroled in, and for all who benefit from the Ukrainians arriving in the U.S. Recent [reports](https://news.rice.edu/news/2022/immigration-reform-key-keeping-us-economy-competitive-says-baker-institute-report;) from NGOs, academia, and the U.S. government confirm that the American economy needs talented high-skill foreign workers and hard-working low-skilled immigrants from all sectors to remain competitive on a global scale. Uniting for Ukraine is a good start.

#### Learn More About Uniting for Ukraine and other possible visa pathways to the US for Ukrainians
*Open Avenues Foundation is dedicated to building pathways for global talent to contribute to the US innovation economy and educate the future STEM workforce.* 

*Goldman & Partners Immigration Law is a nationally recognized law firm devoted exclusively to all aspects of business-based and family-based immigration law.*

This article is co-authored by Danielle Goldman and Jeff Goldman 

[Connect with Danielle](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/314) to find out more about Uniting for Ukraine.

thumbnail_images.webp

Uniting for Ukraine: US Immigration Program

It’s a common story.

A team comes up with an idea for a product. It’s convinced that the product will fill a gaping void and capture at least 1% of the market.

It approaches venture capitalists and raises funds. In the meantime, the team (now a startup) adds and removes features from its Minimum Viable Product (MVP). When the MVP functions smoothly, it ships a mature and stable product.

Next, goaded by VCs, the sales team goes to the market, positioning the product as an innovative alternative to existing products.

#### So What’s Wrong With This Strategy?
In the beginning, this strategy is good. But with time, this is how events follow.

Flush with VC funds and hungry to “blitz-scale”, the startup offers deep discounts to onboard customers. Profit gets ignored because the founders hope to “make it up later.”

In the short term, revenue and customers flow in quickly. The startup raises more funds, the media declares it next in line to become the next unicorn, and everything seems great.

Suddenly growth stops. The product stops selling because of 3 critical reasons.

1. The product remains a cheap nice-to-have for most customers. But it doesn’t address a pain point and barely affects user behavior. As a result, the startup rarely gets constructive feedback to improve its product.
2. The startup doesn’t know how many customers will stick after the discounts run out. That’s why it cannot fix a price or fee for its product. Nor can it raise fees to become profitable.
3. In spite of not raising prices, customer churn remains high. This forces the startup to spend most of its resources on customer acquisition and little on product improvement. This is another reason why the startup does little to make its product world-class.

When growth stagnates, founders initially make promises to keep investors at bay. Then they avoid investors and eventually, find themselves on the outside looking in. The product stops selling and investors pull the plug.

It’s no surprise that no market need and lack of investment are the largest reasons for most startups to fail.

![facing-failure-how-to-overcome-and-find-success-again-810x380.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/facing-failure-how-to-overcome-and-find-success-again-x-DycIaWA-el.webp)

How can startups avoid this deathtrap and build a sustainable business model? The answer lies in first identifying the right customers.

#### From Zero to Enough Customers
*“If you’re not embarrassed with your first version, you’re not shipping fast enough.” — Reid Hoffman*

Startups often assume that their first MVP should be a feature-laden, best-in-class, market leader-beater. They target the largest audience in order to **make a dent in the universe** and provide the biggest ROI for their investors.

But that’s not how an MVP works.

**An MVP should focus on an unaddressed pain point of a specific customer type that has tried a solution without much success, and has the budget to pay for a better solution.**

Such customers don’t just pay for the product; they also help the startup refine and improve the product (and business model) by providing constructive feedback from the perspective of customers. A startup should make such expert customers a part of their advisory panel, welcome their feedback, and work on it.

Updates to MVPs should be “speedboated” out and customer behavior observed. Is the product solving a burning problem or one that customers don’t notice? is the product a nice-to-have or a must-have for users? How much are customers willing to pay? Are they willing to pay at all?

The outcome is a business model where:

1. Customers place a high value on the startup’s solution
2. The startup knows what makes its product unique and better than the competition
3. Customers become the most dominant source of the startup’s revenue.

#### You Will Go Wrong

![istockphoto-1257797797-170667a.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/istockphoto-a-AglFQ6zjle.webp)

And that’s okay.

A startup cannot function in the same way as a large corporation. Corporations can afford failed products, startups cannot.

That’s why they must go back-and-forth to discover their first customers, work with them and refine their business model before building sales processes and driving end-user growth.

For Content Sutra, I initially identified business leaders who spoke at seminars as our easiest audience because our offering could complement their personal brand. Prospects found our service novel and we enjoyed a 100% conversion rate.

But our offering remained a nice-to-have. Our clients kept getting invited to speak at events, so they didn’t need our service. We rarely got feedback on our work and content marketing kept taking a backseat to daily firefighting for them.

On the other hand, organizations that had “burned their fingers” with other agencies:

1. Had a pressing need (meaningful content marketing to align with their business goals)
2. Had tried a solution (handling content in-house), but
3. Were facing challenges (lack of time and expertise).

Such clients converted quickly, paid better, and helped us improve our services.

We experimented with a series of customer types before identifying one that we can serve best right now. If we had stuck to our original targeted customer segment and offering and hadn’t gone back-and-forth with customer identification, I wonder which ditch we would’ve been in today.

#### Summing Up
The best pockets to grow your startup are those of your customers. When they readily part with their money, it indicates that they find what you offer valuable. Identifying the right customers helps you build a viable business model and take your startup to the next level.

When you apply such a model consistently, your startup will add value to its customers, investors, and people who are a part of it.

### Learn More About Building a Successful Startup for your Canadian Start-up 
*Investor Quotient Canada is a premier professional services firm offering a suite of business, legal, logistical and related services to foreign innovators and entities looking to establish and/or expand their operations into Canada or invest in Canadian businesses.*

IQ works with start-ups at all stages and welcomes an opportunity to speak with you about any of your start-up needs, from helping to develop the concept to raising the necessary funds to move forward. **[Contact Upasana](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/166)** and book a consultation.

![startup visa canada](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/startup-visa-canada-lRu5QxBR6Z.webp)

small_startup-accelerator.webp

thumbnail_startup-accelerator.webp

How to Identify the First Customers for Your Startup

Relocation can be simply perceived as an Exodus. So, let’s move

Do you know that Immigration in the 21st century emphasizes procedures? These processes may seem like an impediment but are merely safety protocols for the receiving country. The foregoing makes concrete plan helps you to navigate the process easily and avoid surprises which can frustrate your relocation goals. 

Different countries in Africa’s commonwealth and non-commonwealth offer a wide spectrum of immigration options for different categories of persons and groups. It’s important for you to have access to specific information tailored to achieve your relocation goals

 Most countries have immigration pathways for the following categories:

- International Student & Scholarships
- Visitors
- Business Immigration Package
- Investment immigration Packages
- Permanent Residency
- Citizenship 
- Employment/Work Class
- Family Reunification

#### Preliminary Evaluation Report (PER)
Your immigration purpose dictates your plans and obtaining a detailed Preliminary Evaluation Report (PER) from your consultant helps give you a blueprint of your relocation. 

It can also include insights from an insider’s perspective.

Your Preliminary Evaluation Report is a solid foundation to build on and it must give details on three basic elements.

#### Why you need a report:

**1. Your Eligibility**

Countries have different eligibility requirements, acting on a detailed report will enable you to make informed decisions and obtain all necessary documents or take certain actions before starting your immigration processing to avoid delays or setbacks.

**2. Your best Immigration Pathway**

The immigration laws and policies of various countries provide various immigration pathways for different categories of people. 

An example of immigration pathways is the economic class like Canadian Express entry, entrepreneur & business pathways or Humanitarian class refugees and asylum seekers or educational pathways. It is possible for an individual to be a potential candidate for more than one pathway in different immigration class at a time. 

Though your pathway is largely dependent on your needs, choosing the most viable pathway for you will boost your chances for a successful relocation.

**3. Cost Analysis based on your immigration plans**

This aspect contains the cost summary for all your immigration process based on your best immigration pathway.

This aspect will contain details on: Pre-relocation cost- Passport, Permits and other required documents. This cost depends on prior steps taken for the purpose of relocating.
 
**Relocation cost:** Aviation options, Point of Entry requirements and additional costs

**Post-relocation costs:** Settlement and Housing cost, required registrations, issue of Health insurance, Employment/Job related applications, Banking Options, Taxes, Social Security, Weather etc. 

This section helps you to make the necessary arrangement of funds required for your relocation.

It helps you to make a concrete financial plan for your entire immigration processing including settlement plan after actual relocation. 

Additionally, it is advised that active steps should be taken on the report within three months of obtaining a PER. This is due to frequent changes in immigration laws, policies and foreign exchange volatility which impact the cost of immigration processing.

#### Start your Immigration Process with a Plan

*Adedoyin Adebayo is a Nigerian based immigration lawyer delivering premium immigration services to people immigrating to Commonwealth countries: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Bahamas etc.. He offers practical solution to legal problems peculiar to individual clients.*

small_Nigeria.webp

thumbnail_Nigeria.webp

Relocate with a Plan: Preliminary Evaluation Report

I am an eternal optimist – and it’s not easy to make this claim. There is so much in life that drains you. Knocks the air out of you. Keeps you down. There is struggle. Perhaps being a realist is more comforting – you know what to expect. Or maybe a healthy dose of cynicism, right? At least you don’t have expectations.

Nope, I am plagued with being categorized (and I strongly dislike categories) as an eternal optimist. It is in my nature. I can’t shake it. So what’s this all about anyway? Well, I wanted to start this article with a simple sentiment – “What is happening around us now is inspiring.” And I genuinely feel this way. Yet in the same breath, even the eternal optimist takes a pause – considering the world at large and knowing the struggles and menacing headlines that challenge our tenets to be decent human beings. Often we forget that the sun casts but one shadow on us all. Often we forget that we are so intricately woven as people. And nobody is to blame – the realist would understand that life gets in the way. The cynic would empathize with those who struggle. And the optimist, well, they would be inspired by where we have the potential to go. 

Never before has the world seemed more tenable. We have overcome so much in a compacted period of time. Our ancestors lived through several World Wars – dragging on through volumes of recent history. And our ancient ancestors survived multitudes of plagues, power struggles, and disasters that threatened longevity through the ages. It is the first time in **our generation** that we have been faced with such omnipresent threats – threats to our livelihood encroaching into the most sacred places. Threats to our freedom of movement. And never in our history have we joined together as a world to actually confront these threats in a uniform way that almost feels universal. These present-day challenges that swept the globe are passing. We are overcoming these worldly struggles. Sure, more will surface and some in the most unpredictable ways. Yet still, I believe in a brighter way. And I'm nearly certain that my friends, the realist and cynic, would agree. As we move towards a more tenable world, the promise of life beyond our individual borders will not wait. It is for the taking. 

I guess this is where I #transcendborders and #remotework, right?

[David](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/315) is a passionate advocate for the freedom of movement, a father of two, and a licensed immigration lawyer.

**Do you have something to share with a global community interested in matters revolving around migration and mobility?** Check out our limited-enrollment [Contributor Program](https://www.relocate.world/contributor) and submit an application to join Relocate as a global influencer today.

small_Brigher Future II.webp

thumbnail_Brigher Future II.webp

✈ A Brighter Future

Relocate is on a mission to connect you with leading migration practitioners in top-destinations around the world. Take a moment and learn more about those pioneering the way for global mobility today.

### Have a Question for Upasana? Get involved in the Conversation!

- **Ambassador: Upasana Sharma**
- **Profession: Angel Investor and Entrepreneur**
- **Location: [Canada](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/canada)

**Relocate Community:** How many years have you been working with "international clients"?

**Upasana** I've been serving international clients to make their journey to Canada for the last 5 years.

**Relocate Community:** Over those last five year, what has become your core area of expertise?

**Upasana** I specialize in business consulting for immigration to Canada.

**Relocate Community:** Where do you find your inspiration in your field?

**Upasana** As an immigration myself, I understand the needs of fellow immigrants.

**Relocate Community:** Who is your ideal client?

**Upasana** I best support investors and high net worth individuals, as well as those founding startups.

**Relocate Community:** Why is now an ideal time for people to immigrate to Canada? 

**Upasana** Canada is a highly sought after destination. Canada boasts a stable government and financial system which supports new businesses and startups. Plus, Canada is open to migrants!

### Have a question for Upasana about Moving Your Business to Canada? 

[Get in touch with Upasana](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/166) to discuss your options for moving your business to Canada or founding your own Canadian start-up.


large_advisor_bgr_blue___2.webp

medium_advisor_bgr_blue___2.webp

small_advisor_bgr_blue___2.webp

thumbnail_advisor_bgr_blue___2.webp

xlarge_advisor_bgr_blue___2.webp

Ambassador Spotlight: Upasana Sharma

On 4 November 2019, the Global Talent Independent (GTI) program was officially launched to provide a streamlined, priority pathway for highly skilled and talent individuals to obtain Australian permanent residency.

This program is another layer of the “Global Talent” initiative that the Department of Home Affairs (Department) have rolled out to support innovation in Australia, which joins the renamed “Global Talent – Employer Sponsored” (GTES) scheme. 

The below describes what this scheme is, what visa it utilises, and how to apply.

#### What is the Global Talent – Independent program?
The GTI program is designed to attract skilled migrants at the top of specific key sectors to Australia. It operates through an additional layer on top of an existing visa – being the Global Talent (Subclass 858) visa (discussed further below).

The GTI program involves the Department taking on a more active role by engaging “Global Talent Officers” (GTO) in key locations overseas to invite targeted individuals to apply for an Australian visa. GTOs will work with countries in their regions and attend key events/expos to promote this program.

Individuals interested in this program, should submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs (Department) to be invited to apply for this visa. A successful candidate would receive a unique identifier and be invited to apply for a Global Talent visa. Their visa application would receive priority processing (around 2-3 months). For the:

- 2019/20 migration program year – there were 5,000 spots;
- 2020/21 migration program year – there were 15,000 spots;
- 2021/22 migration program year – there were 15,000 spots;
- 2022/23 migration program year – there will be 8,448 spots.

In particular, the Department aim to target individuals with profiles relevant to the following 10 sectors (set out in Direction 89) (see below).

The Department are also looking to target certain student cohorts with research that is internationally recognised and relevant to those targeted industries, including those who have recently (in the last 3 years) completed a PhD.

#### What is a Global Talent visa?
The Global Talent visa aims to attract individuals who have an “internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement” in either a profession, sport, the arts, or academia and research. The GTI program utilises the “profession” or “academic and research” aspects of this visa.

It also requires the applicant to still be prominent in the area, be an asset to the Australian community, demonstrate that they’d have no difficulty in obtaining employment (or being established independently) in the area, and be nominated by either an Australian individual or organisation with a national reputation in the area.

#### Am I eligible under this program?
Broadly speaking, to be eligible under this program, a candidate must:

- fit under one of the 10 targeted sectors outlined above; and
- have an “internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement” in their field, and either:
 - be able to attract a salary equivalent to the Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT), currently AUD $158,500; or
 - have completed their PhD in the past 3 years

If you do not satisfy the above, you would not be eligible under this program. Please note that being eligible is not necessarily the same as being likely to receive an invitation given the highly competitive nature of the program.

#### What are the 10 target sectors?
Though we are not aware of any official definition of the 10 target sectors, Direction 89 represents a departure from the original 7 target sectors which largely related to “Tech”. This broadening moves away from that “Tech” emphasis and more into the Department’s other priority sectors.

- **Resources:** Engineering, Geology, Metallurgy, Waste Management, Energy Saving Technology, Extraction and Processing
- **Agri-food and AgTech:** Seed technology, nanomaterials, biofuels, supply chain and packaging, wearable technologies
- **Energy:** Clean energy, resource robotics, computational metallurgy, geostatistics, beneficiation, battery / energy storage
- **Health Industries:** Medical and biomedical technology, pharmaceutical and vaccine research and development, IT biochemistry, digital health, implantables and wearable devices, genomics
- **Defense, Advance Manufacturing and Space:** Astrodynamics, satellite systems, rocket and avionics systems, urban mobility, military equipment acquisition and sustainment, automation and robotics, nano-manufacturing, sustainable manufacturing and life-cycle engineering
- **Circular Economy:** Bioenergy, sustainable production, recycling, waste treatment, waste to energy technology, emissions technology, ecologically sustainable manufacturing
- **DigiTech:** Quantum computing, cyber sciences, cyber security, artificial intelligence, blockchain, IoT, big data, disruptive technologies, smart cities, machine learning, network engineering, cloud computing
- **Infrastructure:** Water infrastructure, Energy infrastructure, regional development
- **Tourism:** Travel and tourism infrastructure
- **Financial Services and FinTech:** Neobanking, payment systems, wealth and regtech, blockchain
- **Education:** Cutting edge skills in emerging fields of the industry, developing advanced educational systems and curricula, improving the education infrastructure in Australia, digital data and eResearch platforms

#### How do I apply?
To access one of the 15,000 positions under the GTI for priority processing, there are three steps:

the unique identifier and code issued by the Department
a nomination and
the visa application itself.
Unique identifier and code
Nomination
Visa
Presently, to be considered under the GTI program, you would need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) here directly to the Department.

In our view, your EOI should submit a covering letter, a CV, and evidence of your claimed achievements.

Once the referral has been assessed, the Department would email the candidate a unique identifier number and code to make the visa application and be considered under the GTI provisions.

#### How much does it cost?
The government lodgement fees for this application are as follows:

**Main applicant:** $4,180
**Dependent (18+):** $2,095 each
**Dependent (<18):** $1,045 each

Over-18 dependent applicants who do not have “functional English” also have to pay an additional $4,890 when the visa is ready to be granted.

Our professional fees for an individual applicant are set out as follows (note that fees are subject to your individual circumstances as determined in a consultation):

#### Conclusion
With immigration uncertainty in other countries, the Global Talent Independent program is a positive initiative to try and attract some of the best and brightest talent from around the world.

Hannan Tew Lawyers have had a significant amount of enquiries about the GTI program, and have been at the forefront of this program since conception. We have been interviewed by various media outlets including ITnews, and SBS regarding our insights and views on the GTI program, and on our insights on immigration more broadly which can be read here. We have also delivered sold out CPD sessions via industry bodies to educate other Migration Agents / Lawyers on this program.

With significant experience advising the tech and start-up industries in Australia, we have the knowledge and experience to understand your profile and convey the importance of your research, experience and skill sets to the Department to improve your prospects of receiving an invitation and/or the visa itself.

### Learn More About Australia's Global Talent Visa
*Hannan Tew Lawyers is a full service Australian immigration law firm with an Accredited Specialist and years of experience.* 

**To further discuss the global talent visa Australia, or other matters related to living in Australia, [reach out to Mihan and request a consultation.](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/100)**

![Transparent Logo.png](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/Transparent_Logo_47b4e7a1a6/Transparent_Logo_47b4e7a1a6.png)

small_instagrammable-places-in-australia-bay-of-fires-800x534,jpg.webp

thumbnail_instagrammable-places-in-australia-bay-of-fires-800x534,jpg.webp

How do I apply for a fast tracked Australian Global Talent visa?

The Ireland Investor Visa programme has become known as the “Golden Visa” which is an excellent way for families residing outside of the EU to obtain residency in Ireland in exchange for making an approved investment in the Irish Economy. The Ireland Investor Immigration Programme doesn’t automatically provide Citizenship by investment but once the appropriate conditions are met, residency permission can be renewed every few years for an indefinite period. Long term residency in Ireland can be used to support a Citizenship application under the Citizenship Naturalisation Rules.

The Immigrant Investor Programme was introduced by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (now known as the Immigration Service Delivery) in 2012 to enable high net worth non-EEA nationals to invest in the Republic of Ireland in order to obtain residency in the Irish State along with their family members.

The  Immigrant Investor Programme offers the following four different investment options for prospective investors as a means of obtaining permission to live in Ireland.

- **Endowment** – A single donation of at least €500,000 to a public venture which benefits the arts, sports, health, culture, or education. Alternatively, the donation can be €400,000 per person if it is pooled by at least 5 people.
- **Enterprise Investment** – A minimum €1,000,000 collective investment into a new or existing Irish business/company for a minimum of 3 years.
- **Real Estate Investment Trust** - A minimum €2,000,000 investment in an Irish Real Estate Investment Trust that is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange. The €2,000,000 does not need to be in one single trust and can be made in a number of different Real Estate Trusts provided that a minimum of €2,000,000 is invested
- **Investment Fund** – A minimum of €1,000,000 in a managed fund which finances Irish businesses and ventures.

#### Why invest in Ireland in order to obtain residence permission/Irish citizenship?

Irelands low corporation tax rate, highly skilled workforce and status as the only English speaking country in the Euro Zone are just some of the reasons why Ireland is such an attractive investment option to non-EU/EEA nationals who are seeking to be granted immigration permission to live in Ireland.

At present many of the world’s largest top performing companies are based in Ireland and it is fast becoming a global powerhouse in the Worldwide Web, Big Data, Information Communication Technology Skills, Energy and Renewable Resources, Pharmaceutical and Biological Science as well as the Financial Services Sector.

There is no better time for non-EU/EEA nationals to invest in Ireland in order to be granted residence permission and Irish citizenship after five years of residence.

#### Criteria for the grant of immigrant investor permission to reside in Ireland

As well as the investment or donation, Applicants must be able to show that they have a net worth of at least €2,000,000 and must show that they are of good character through police reports.  They must also submit a due diligence report from a reputable international risk management and security screening organisation.

The Immigration Service Delivery undertake an extremely comprehensive examination of the sources of funding for each application in order to verify where the finances have come from and require significant supporting documentation to be submitted verifying the source of an Applicants funds.  A loan cannot be relied on as the source of funds and any applications relying on a loan as the source of finances will be refused.

A detailed business plan is required as part of the supporting documentation and the ISD charge a non-refundable fee of €1500 in order to process each application.

Applicants  are required to transfer the appropriate funds to their preferred investment option only after the application has been approved by the Minister for Justice and Equality, however they will need to prove that they have access to the funds for the purpose of the application being processed.

Applications are submitted via email to the Department of Justice and Equality and all supporting documentation must be apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy in the Applicants country of residence before submission.

One of the benefits of the scheme is that it is not only the primary investor who is granted permission to reside in Ireland – permission is extended to immediate dependant family members (spouse/partner, children under the age of eighteen years and up to twenty four in certain circumstances). This is of particular benefit where Applicants wish to relocate their entire family to Ireland.

Applicants are granted a “Stamp 4” permission to reside in Ireland.

A “Stamp 4” permission to remain allows non-EU/EEA nationals to reside in Ireland, to study, work and set up businesses without restriction.  Initially permission will be granted for a period of two years, however will be renewed for a further three year period provided that the investment is still in place, the investor has not had recourse to public funds or become a financial burden to Ireland, or come to the attention of the authorities in Ireland or abroad.

Non visa required nationals can enter Ireland immediately following the grant of Immigrant Investor permission to reside in Ireland. Visa required nationals must apply for an entry visa however this will be processed in an accelerated fashion provided all of the relevant documentation is submitted.

After five years of residing in Ireland the investor is no longer required to maintain their investment and permission to reside in Ireland (along with family members) will be renewed in five years periods thereafter.

*Most attractively*, after five years of residing in Ireland, Applicants are eligible to apply for Irish Citizenship, which if granted, opens even more doors and opportunities as the holders of an Irish/EU passport guaranteeing free movement residence rights in Europe.

### Ask Additional Questions about Irish Investor Visas
*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 investor visas or other possible immigration pathways to [Ireland](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/ireland). 

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

small_cropped_cropped_dublin-city-skyline-GettyImages-816502318.webp

thumbnail_cropped_cropped_dublin-city-skyline-GettyImages-816502318.webp

Advantages of the Ireland Investment Visa

If you are an American living in Europe you may benefit greatly from financial and wealth management across borders. This article addresses a few important questions I believe you should ask a potential financial adviser or banker before starting a new relationship:

1. **What is your experience with American clients and helping them overcome the unique challenges they face?**

2. **How do you address the issue of Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFICs) in your investment portfolios?**

3. **Can you provide the US tax reporting that I need for my portfolio?**

4. **What is your expertise or knowledge of the Tax Treaty between the US and my country of residence?**

5. **Are you a fiduciary?**

Advising Americans abroad is complicated with many moving parts. As a result, it can require specialist knowledge, not just of the US system, but also the country where you live. Make sure your adviser understands the importance of making sure any investment product is suited for US connected clients.
 
Note: Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training and does not imply endorsement by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or any state. No promises or guarantees are offered that you will attain your financial or investment goals or objectives.)

#### Reach out for a free initial consultation or with any questions. 
*Chase Buchanan provides unbiased financial solutions across many jurisdictions to both private and corporate clients. We provide impartial wealth management and tax solutions to clients from many walks of life, locations and nationalities*

*Advisory services in the United States are offered and provided through Beacon Global Advisor Network, LLC, a registered investment adviser.*

[**Connect with Alex**](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/311) today to discuss your personal situation and understand how to best move forward to manage your wealth.



small_americans-visiting-europe-biggest-shock-8-6242c6426d7ec__700.webp

thumbnail_americans-visiting-europe-biggest-shock-8-6242c6426d7ec__700.webp

American living in Europe? Here's why you need a financial advisor

I’m 66, and in about six years, I can retire in Argentina. But what about those who have retired and are looking for a low cost of living, outstanding food,  natural landscape diversity, or value-for-money real estate?

Come on down. I’ve been here ten years, and this article covers most of the questions I’m frequently asked by American friends back ‘home.’

#### Is it a good idea to retire to Argentina?
Able to boast of stunning natural landscapes, a surprisingly European feel, and a cost of living up to 75% lower than the U.S. — Argentina offers retirement-friendly visa options and is one of the least restrictive countries for foreigners to buy property.

#### How much money do you need to retire in Argentina?
Argentina has a meager cost of living, and for this reason, it is desirable as an expatriate retirement destination. Prices may vary from location to location, but it is entirely feasible and possible to live comfortably in the country for less than USD 1000 per month.

#### Can foreigners buy property in Buenos Aires?
As of this writing (May 2022), there currently are no restrictions on foreigners buying or owning property. Buyers must first acquire a CDI tax registration number before completing their purchase. Buyers are also required to have a bank account in the country — if they don't plan on becoming a resident.

#### Do expats pay taxes in Argentina?
All individuals earning income in Argentina, whether residents or not, are subject to income tax. Residents are taxed on worldwide income, and non-residents are taxed on Argentine-source income.

#### What is the best place to live in Argentina?
***Buenos Aires***

The most common and popular place to live in Argentina is its central city: Buenos Aires. It's the best place to live in Argentina for both locals and foreigners alike. Nearly a third of the entire country are residents in or around Buenos Aires! 

If you want to be where the action is, this is where you want to be.

#### Can US citizens live in Argentina?
U.S. and Canadian citizens can stay in Argentina for up to 90 days on a regular tourist visa, which can typically be renewed without difficulty. This makes it easy to sample the Argentinian lifestyle before committing to longer-term residency.

#### In Conclusion
Whether you move to Argentina for the low cost of living, the outstanding food, the natural diversity, the value-for-money real estate, the European feel of its cities, or an uncontrollable desire to learn to tango, you won’t be disappointed.

*[Jerry Nelson](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/128) is an American writer living the expat life in Buenos Aires. Some of the adventures Jerry has enjoyed, he jumped into the ocean from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Aden, cut off a goat's balls as part of a mating ritual in Indonesia, raced a NASCAR around the oval in Charlotte, created a small coin purse out of live Tarantulas in Australia's outback, spent six-weeks with the Sinaloa cartel along the U.S./Mexican border and sailed a 16th century schooner through the sound and into the open ocean.*

*Never far from his coffee and Marlboros, Jerry is always glad to discuss future working opportunities. Email him at jandrewnelson2@gmail.com and join the quarter-million who follow him on Twitter*.

small_m9wc2a,jpg.webp

thumbnail_m9wc2a,jpg.webp

Can I Retire in Argentina?

A visit visa is required by a visa national who is wishing to visit the UK. The list of visa nationals can be found in paragraph VN1.1 of the Immigration Rules. In contrast, a non-visa national, such as an EU national or US national, can arrive in the UK without a pre-approved visa and will be granted permission to enter as a visitor on arrival.

#### What are the requirements for a visit visa?
In considering a visit visa application, an Entry Clearance Officer on behalf of the Home Office will be assessing the application against the following requirements:

- Whether the applicant is suitable for a grant of entry clearance – criminality or a poor immigration history can cause problems here
- Whether the applicant is a ‘genuine visitor’ i.e. whether their activities fit within visitor rules and they will return to their home country after the visit
- Whether the applicant (or their sponsor) has sufficient funds to maintain and accommodate themselves during the trip

#### What are the chances of success?
In recent years, visit visa applications have become notorious for their high rates of refusal. We specifically see high numbers of refusals for visit visa applications made by citizens of countries that produce substantial refugee flows, such as Pakistan, Nigeria, Iran and Afghanistan. We also often find that visit visa applications made by elderly applicants, or persons financially dependent on their UK-based family members, to be extremely difficult. This is essentially because the Home Office distrusts that such applicants are ‘genuine visitors’- instead there is a preconception that these applicants may try to remain in the UK after their visa expires.

The most common reasons for refusal cited in applications are refusal to accept that a person is a genuine visitor, or that they have suitably demonstrated their financial situation. In my experience, where an applicant does not have employment in their home country and instead relies on financial support from their UK sponsor, an application is at high risk of refusal unless evidence of alternative strong links to their home country can be provided.

#### What can I do to ensure the best chance of success in my last application?
In any application, it is vital to ensure that you provide strong evidence of the applicant’s circumstances in their home country; you need to create a picture of what their life at home is like a and highlight the reasons that they will return to that country. So submit proof of their employment, property, family members. A covering letter can also be very helpful to draw the decision maker’s attention to the evidence provided and how this meets the relevant immigration rules. We are often instructed by families who have faced numerous past refusals – legal advice and representation in such cases can certainly help.

#### What are my options if the application is refused?
Unfortunately, a visit visa refusal does not attract a right of appeal or administrative review. This means there are limited options if your application is refused. Applying for permission to bring judicial review against the decision is an option; this is a remedy which is available where the decision maker has made material legal errors in the decision. Unfortunately, judicial review is a long and expensive procedure, akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. A pre-action protocol letter (the first step of

a judicial review) will sometimes do the trick, for example where there has been an obvious failure to consider relevant evidence, or an irrelevant matter has been taken into account; but that’s not always the case.

Beyond judicial review, the only other option would be to re-apply, however this would only be advisable if you can clearly deal with the reasons for refusal in the last application. Sadly, we often see clients come to us who have had multiple visit visa applications refused each time for the same reasons, simply because their circumstances do not lend well to the application (e.g. they receive cash income which they are unable to evidence in the application).

It’s difficult to comprehend that such a short-term visa is fast becoming one of the most difficult to obtain. We’re seeing an increasing number of new clients whose visit applications have been refused because of a very poor standard of decision making, which is frustrating for clients who simply want to visit their family in the UK for a short period.

As a result, to avoid risk of refusal as far as possible, we would recommend that legal advice is taken at the earliest opportunity. Ideally, before your first attempt at a visit visa application to ensure the best chance of success, or at the latest, following a first refusal decision. Our experience in these applications allows us to consider your circumstances in detail and suggest evidence which can be provided which you may not have considered previously.

### Learn more about UK sponsor license compliance 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 Caroline Bagley, Solicitor at Latitude Law

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

![Latitude Law.svg](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/Latitude_Law_94d2641fc7/Latitude_Law_94d2641fc7.svg)

small_shutterstock_549964228-1.webp

thumbnail_shutterstock_549964228-1.webp

Visit Visas – the most difficult application of them all?

Are you considering a relocation to the Netherlands, or perhaps you've recently moved already. Either way, you'll need to be aware of how the tax system works. This article answers some questions on common matters you'll need to tick off the list. 

**30% Ruling**

Persons with a 30% ruling, can receive 30% of their wage exempt from tax for up to 5 years. Also: you are exempt from wealth and dividend tax from non-Dutch source.

**Buying a House**

The ‘Habitual Abode’-regime allows the deduction of costs related to any purchased main dwelling. This includes interest payments on the mortgage, but also the fees incurred for obtaining said loan or those for the Notary’s documentation.

**Arriving halfway through the year**

Wealth tax is calculated on an annual basis, and is paid pro-rata if you aren’t a tax resident during the full year.

![1638222.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/-x9m_KgOD8s.webp)


#### FAQs

**Can I incorporate a Dutch company?**
Tax law does not inhibit this!

**Do I pay gift tax on gifts from abroad?**
No, the giver pays' this tax, not the receiver. 

**Are my foreign savings taxed?**
Yes (if you aren’t under a 30% ruling). Dutch tax law taxes your worldwide income, and under tax treaties, the resident state ‘gets to tax’ its resident’s savings. So: it does not matter when the bank is situated that maintains your account. You may need to fill in the aacount balance manually.

**Is my foreign real estate taxed?**
Generally speaking: no. Although Dutch domestic tax law does include your worldwide assets, treaties often allocate the right to tax to the source state; the state in which the real estate is located. Therefore, said real estate should not be included in your taxable base.

**Can I deduct my childrens’ tuition?**
Dutch taw law allows for the deduction of ‘schooling costs’, which are costs incurred for classes and courses that foreseeably lead to increased earning capacities (i.e.: flute lessons generally no, accounting classes generally yes). Your childrens’ tuition, however, is not deductible.

### 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.

![Picture1.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/picture-Ii_c82QwG0.webp)

small_istockphoto-1159467874-612x612.webp

thumbnail_istockphoto-1159467874-612x612.webp

Dutch Tax FAQs and Low Hanging Fruits

After two years of limited travel during the pandemic, we’ve all acquired a degree of virtual fatigue plugging in remotely. While this newfound accessibility is empowering, we’re all still desperate for some face-to-face interaction. 

Relocate Advisor,[ Rohan George](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/153), an Immigration Lawyer at Glassbox Law LLP out of Toronto, [Canada](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/canada) felt inspired to consult with people on the ground during his recent travels. A business trip to the UK led him to spontaneously veer off his itinerary and visit Kraków, [Poland](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/poland) where a large part of the 2M Ukrainians that were displaced by the war were likely to end up. 

Once there, Rohan quickly observed a mix of misinformation and predatory immigration practices with respect to Canadian immigration for Ukrainians. Having interned with the Ontario Justice Education Network ([OJEN](https://ojen.ca/en)) during law school he quickly identified the value public legal education could have in this space. With that formative experience in mind and mesmerized by the vast European public squares, the idea to set up a pop-up booth for public legal education took form.  

Last Saturday afternoon while the square was buzzing with Poles, Ukrainians and tourists alike he provided public legal education about the Canada Ukraine Emergency Travel Authorization (CUAET) visa program. 

Rohan, [supported by a local restaurant](https://sukiennice-restauracja.pl/) that provided a table and chair, spent the day educating and sharing resources for Ukrainian passerbys.  This included a one-pager summary of the program and QR codes for the CUAET, [Job Bank for Ukrainians](https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/findajob/resources/jobsforukraine) and news articles on [Newfoundland’s special efforts in Poland](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-ukrainian-refugees-head-to-newfoundland-from-poland/). He was also able to share his strong views on how Canada’s program compares to other nations’ efforts (i.e. Authorization to Travel in Canada vs Parole in the US) 

*“This trip taught me that some people thrive with mission of home-building—stability and security bring them joy. Others thrive with the mission of boat-building--mobility and wanderlust to keep them going. “Relocaters” are definitely the latter. I’m amped to be part of a community of boat-builders.”*

### Get More Information About Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel Program
*Glassbox is a Toronto based boutique law firm focused on employing technology and innovation to change the way clients experience law. The practice areas include immigration, real estate, family law and corporate (small business).*

[Connect with Rohan](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/153) today to further discuss your immigration options to Canada and general questions about life as an immigrant in Canada. 

![image001.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/image-la5Dnu62gh.webp)




large_IMG_9974.webp

medium_IMG_9974.webp

small_IMG_9974.webp

thumbnail_IMG_9974.webp

xlarge_IMG_9974.webp

Canadian Immigration Lawyer Visits Poland to Give Free Immigration Advice

Relocate is on a mission to connect you with leading migration practitioners in top-destinations around the world. Take a moment and learn more about those pioneering the way for global mobility today.

### Have a Question for Heather? Get involved in the Conversation!

- **Ambassador: Heather Segal**
- **Profession: Immigration Lawyer**
- **Location: [Canada](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/canada)

**Relocate Community** How long have you been supporting International clients?

**Heather** I've been practicing immigration law between the US and Canada for over 25 years!

**Relocate Community** What are you areas of speciality in working with international clients?

**Heather** We are a boutique firm providing excellent service and process in corporate immigration law, family and indiviudal applications. We are experienced, capable and creative in strategizing and problem solving immigration issues.

**Relocate Community** How do you find your work?

**Heather** Facilitating opportunities is always gratifying. Enabling indiviudals and companies reach their goals by navigating bureacracy and successfully seeing them achieve their objective, makes my work worthwhile.

**Relocate Community** Tell us about the type of clients you typically serve.

**Heather** My clients are in human resources, corporate counsel, entrepreneurs and families. We also deal with indivual admissibility issues when there is criminality or otherwise. We are about making our clients lives easier by eliminating the burden of immigration processing and ensuring that they can use their time to focus on their expertise.

**Relocate Community** What does the current landscape for immigration into Canada look like?

**Heather** Excellent! Canada has 36 million people with a very small tax base in the future. Canada wants and needs people.

**Relocate Community** What would you say to people who are thinking to begin their immigration process to Canada now?

**Heather** Come! Canada has many opportunities for immigrants right now. We welcome immigrants to our country!

### Get to know Heather and her practice better

[Connect with Heather](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/63) today to learn more about her work and discuss how she can help you migrate to Canada

large_advisor_bgr_green___2.webp

medium_advisor_bgr_green___2.webp

small_advisor_bgr_green___2.webp

thumbnail_advisor_bgr_green___2.webp

xlarge_advisor_bgr_green___2.webp

Ambassador Spotlight: Heather Segal

What items can we safely take with us when we travel, without having problems at customs? When we make purchases abroad and then bring them back to Italy, what can pass through customs? Here are all the rules to follow for foreign investments and travel within the EU and Extra-EU.

When we go abroad for a trip, we often ask ourselves what we can take back to Italy without having problems with customs. *For example, how many of us have been on holiday and wanted to take some souvenirs to relatives and friends?*

To avoid you running into unpleasant surprises, we decided to dedicate this article to check the rules to take abroad or bring to Italy, goods, items, money, or animals. Therefore, here is our guide with all the valuable information for your foreign purchases.

### Foreign purchases from non-EU countries: what to bring into Italy?
Let’s dive into the rules associated to import of goods in the EU.

#### Traveler’s personal effects
Valuable personal effects (such as, for example, photographic equipment, video cameras, personal computers, watches), brought by the traveler when leaving for countries outside the European Union, require documentation (purchase receipt, certificate of guarantee, or import bill) that demonstrates, in case of control at the time of return, their regular purchase or their regular importation into Italy.

Personal items which the traveler, arriving from a non EU country, brings with him in his baggage do not attract custom duties, if destined for the personal or family use of the traveler. The goods value must not exceed € 300 per traveller, increased to € 430 if the arrival is by air or by sea, and reduced to € 150 for travellers under 15 years of age.

The traveller holding goods exceeding the above mentioned threshold must report it to customs, declare the goods value and pay the required custom duties.

#### Currency
The carriage of cash or similar valuables is free for total amounts of €10,000 or less. Should the amount exceed € 10,000 the traveller must fill in a declaration when entering or exiting the country.

The measure applies to all movements to and from non-EU countries. Failure to make a declaration constitutes a breach of currency regulations and entails:

- For movements of cash above € 10,000 – administrative seizure to the extent of 30% of such excess and the application of an administrative penalty of 10% to 30% of the amount exceeding the limit;
- For cash movements above €10,000 – administrative seizure to the extent of 50% of such excess and the application of an administrative penalty of 30% to 50% of the amount exceeding the limit.

#### Oblation
The offender may apply for the oblation, allowing the offense extinction paying the fine:

Immediately at the customs office, of a sum equal to 5% of the amount exceeding the fixed limit, if the excess is not greater than €10,000 and equal to 15% of the excess if between €10,000 and €40,000, with a minimum amount of €200;
Within ten days from the infringement by executing the payment amount due, favoring the Ministry of Economic and Finance.

Should the offender opt for the oblation and pay immediately to the Customs Office, the Office cannot seize the goods. The offender cannot opt for the oblation if the goods are worth € 40,000 or more or if the same offender already claimed the oblation in the previous 5 years.

#### Pets
Pets can cross the national borders upon reaching 3 months of age, alternatively the competent authority must investigate the case. In any case, the pet must have a health certificate issued by the competent health authorities of the country of origin.

The certificate must contain the identification data of the animal and the owner, it must state that the animal is healthy and has undergone a valid rabies vaccination. For several third countries, it has experienced rabies antibody titration three months prior to travel.

If performed for the first time, the anti-rabies vaccination must be carried out at least 21 days before departure. If it appears that the animal does not meet the requirements, the competent authority, in consultation with the official veterinarian, may decide to return the animal to its country of origin or to place it in quarantine.

#### Animal and vegetable products
Public health reasons forbid the import personal consignments of meat, meat products, milk, dairy products, and game and specific preparations containing milk or meat (e.g., stuffed pasta and pet food) from third countries – regardless of their total quantity – unless proven by a health certificate issued by the country of origin.

Before going to the Customs Office, the passenger with this certificate will have to go to the Veterinary Control Office, called PIF, for the required checks.

This is without prejudice to the possibility of further controls by the health authorities also in the above cases. Passengers found in possession of goods of the species not adequately certified and controlled during the controls will have them requisitioned and charged with the costs of their subsequent destruction.

##### Protected species
*Animals*

The animals listed in the Washington Convention (such as, for example, parrots, lizards, snakes, aquatic turtles, ornamental fish, certain species of birds and monkeys) constitute “protected species” under the Convention.

Travelers wishing to make foreign purchases of such animals must show the CITES certificate of export authorization in addition to the health certificate.

*Plants*

Some specimens of plants (such as cacti and orchids) have been recognized as “protected species.” Therefore, foreign purchases of these specimens will be allowed only upon presentation of an authorization certificate issued by the authorities of the country of origin.

#### Cultural Heritage
Cultural heritage goods must be reported to customs which then apply the relevant taxation upon showing the purchase invoice.

#### Medicines
No regulations apply to medicines imported by the traveler, except narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and doping substances.

### Foreign purchases from EU countries: what to bring to Italy?
Since 1 January 1993, the European Union member states have been a single area of free movement for people, goods, and capital.

Therefore, travelers moving within countries of the European Union, can bring along any goods purchased in any commercial establishment with no restriction. Exceptions are alcoholic beverages and manufactured tobacco products which are allowed in restricted amounts.

The above mentioned goods might be considered purchased for commercial purposes based on the mode of transport chosen by the traveller.

Moreover, amounts of € 10,000 in cash do not require any disclosures; amounts greater require the carrier to disclose it to the customs by filling a specific form.

### Learn More About Importing Foreign Purchases to Italy and Other General Questions About Living 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 for Italian tax and general relocation to Italy advice


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.

medium_Screenshot-2019-04-22-at-21,50,47.webp

small_Screenshot-2019-04-22-at-21,50,47.webp

thumbnail_Screenshot-2019-04-22-at-21,50,47.webp

Foreign purchases: what goes through Italian customs?


Did you know that Hokkaido offers two types of startup visas? Most of us know about the standard 1-year startup visa offered across multiple cities in Japan – Hokkaido is also one of these cities to offer this 1-year startup visa.
In addition, Hokkaido has been developing a second type of startup visa through an industry-academia collaboration and offers a 2-year startup visa for those graduating from Hokkaido University.

### 1-year startup visa
As everyone planning to start a startup in [Japan](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/japan) is aware of, [the 1-year startup visa is available in multiple prefectures and cities in Japan](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/japan/starting-a-business-in-Japan), and Hokkaido is one of them. This visa is provided under the Ministry of Economic, Trade and Industry (in short, METI), and the process is as follows.

#### Process
1. Send business plans to the prefecture / city that you’re targeting to apply for a visa
2. Brush up your business plans in collaboration with prefecture / city members
3. Finalize your applications and submit officially (Hokkaido accepts applications via mail)
4. Interview
5. Result
6. Receive an approval letter from governor of municipality
7. Apply for Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) or Change of Status at immigration bureau

#### Focus industries
Each municipality and city has different industry focuses. The verticals that Hokkaido focuses on include:
- Businesses which promote growth and industrialization in the fields of agriculture, forestry, and fisheries to support local communities
- Businesses which promote the development of food-related industries that utilize regional resources
- Businesses which promote Hokkaido tourism and help to elevate tourism in Hokkaido to that of an advanced region in the tourism industry
- Businesses which promote developing manufacturing industries which generate added high values
- Businesses which promote the creation of industries that correspond to market size and shifts in market needs
- Other businesses deemed necessary by the governor

Hokkaido accepts applications from those currently living outside of Japan and is able to process these applications remotely, which means that anyone is eligible without needing to physically visit or already be living in Hokkaido!  

### 2-year startup visa for students graduating from Hokkaido University
There is a 2-year startup visa available to students graduating from top universities in Japan, but this visa scheme is not well-known yet. Hokkaido is one of the first municipalities to actively promote and offer this 2-year startup visa for students!

#### Ecosystem building via industry-academia collaboration
According to a report on the progress of ecosystem building in Hokkaido & Sapporo City by the Cabinet Office of Japan last year, Hokkaido is accelerating the industry-academia collaboration among universities and research institutes. The following universities have been actively involved in the Hokkaido startup ecosystem and, as of today, have contributed to the creation of a combined number of 79 startups!
- Hokkaido University
- Sapporo City University
- Future University Hakodate
- Hokkaido Information University
- Otaru University of Commerce
- Hokkaido Research Organization

In addition, HOKKAIDO STARTUP FUTURE CREATION (HSFC) plays an important role in acting as a platform to build startups in collaboration with 15 universities and 4 technical colleges based in Hokkaido and is currently managing programs to grow entrepreneurs, expand the startup environment, and build ecosystems around academia. 

#### Acceleration program by Open Network Lab HOKKAIDO
It is critical for young talents to acquire industry specific knowledge and get access to mentors to gain expertise in building new businesses from the ground up.
Open Network Lab HOKKAIDO has been running acceleration programs for early stage startups since 2018, and the focuses for the years  2022 to 2023 are:
- Primary Industry
- Space Industry
- Bio & Healthcare


#### Funding opportunities available in Hokkaido
Seed financing is crucial for early stage startups. One of the support systems created under “Startup Frontier HOKKAIDO” is a GAP fund that enables student startups to develop their products in the very first stage. 

*Sapporo City is the first government-designated city in Japan that created the “Sapporo Innovation Fund" (fund size ¥750 million), a public-private partnership regional fund specializing in the field of healthcare and biotechnology.*

Last but not least, Sapporo City launched a subsidy program last year to provide startup establishment support – if eligible, a large portion of set-up costs can be covered. 

### Let Sapporo City guide your startup journey today 🚀

[Connect with Miho ](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/112) and set up a consultation to discuss how to get support for your Japanese startup and more. 


large_lucas-cheng-YGYfZyGnrJ8-unsplash.webp

medium_lucas-cheng-YGYfZyGnrJ8-unsplash.webp

small_lucas-cheng-YGYfZyGnrJ8-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_lucas-cheng-YGYfZyGnrJ8-unsplash.webp

xlarge_lucas-cheng-YGYfZyGnrJ8-unsplash.webp

Startup Frontier HOKKAIDO: Two Types of Startup Visas Available in Hokkaido

One Australian immigration pathway is for those looking for employment as a skilled occupant. The Skilled Occupation list outlines which occupations are sought after, then you go through the process to ensure you fit the criteria. This article focuses on chefs and how they may migrate to Australia.
 
#### How is a chef defined in Australia?

He or she is responsible for planning and organising the preparation and cooking of food in catering establishments or dining venues.

Chefs may have one of the following titles:

- Commis Chef
- Chef De Partie
- Demi Chef
- Second Chef
- Sous Chef

#### What is the skill level?

The entry requirement for this occupation is an Australian Qualifications Framework diploma or higher qualification.

Chefs must have verification of an apprenticeship as a cook or a minimum of three years’ experience as a chef.

#### How do I migrate to Australia as a Chef?

Migration is a three-step process. To be eligible for migrating as a chef or any occupation on the skilled occupation list and in demand list, you must hold the formal qualifications. In the next step, you need to obtain the Australian standards skills assessments for chefs and become recognised in Australia. This is through the governing bodies VETASSESS and TRA.
The next step is to lodge the EOI and the visa.

This is more complex than it sounds, and it is advisable to seek professional assistance such as from experienced migration agents such as Direct Migration Experts. We have ample experience and know how to make decision ready valid visa and skills assessment applications. We get you the results in a fast turnaround time. We provide the skills assessing authority for chefs a solid decision ready application, which means the case officer can make a fast decision for stage one of your skills assessment.

#### What is the VETASSESS TRA Skills Assessment procedure?

**Step 1: Documentary Evidence**

Must be able to show:

- Full-time employment for a minimum of 12 months in the last 3 years
- Full-time employment for more than three years
- Formal qualifications / apprenticeship or equivalent
- Evidence of working including, pay slips, tax returns, references.

(Please note this is just a guideline and there is more information required)
 
**The cost for stage one with VETASSESS is currently $1280.00.**

The processing time is up to six weeks. However, at Direct Migration Experts, we do receive stage one within 5 working days. We always assist our clients by reviewing documents provided and lodging decision ready applications.

**Step 2: Technical Assessment**

Once you pass stage one and receive a positive outcome, you will be required to obtain a technical assessment of your skills and knowledge, conducted by a case officer in your nominated occupation.

**The cost for stage one with VETASSESS is currently $2200.00.**

#### Is the commercial kitchen at your work more familiar to you than your own at home? Do you spend most of your hours at work?

Have you been handling kitchen utensils and been working as a leader in your place of work for many years? Your employer knows that you hold excellent planning and management skills and you often plan and cost basic menus and carry out basic workplace calculations. Or you may already be your own boss and run your own restaurant or food business. Yet, you know that there is a better quality of life in Australia, and it is your dream to migrate to live and work permanently. Australians value eating out in restaurants and cafes highly, therefore there is plenty of work for skilled and qualified chefs in Australia. The hospitality and food industry in Australia, whether it be Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Perth, Brisbane, or Cairns, is huge due to the love of Australians of eating in restaurants as well as the tourism industry.

You know that you can easily plan and create new menus either from reading and interpretations of recipes or being creative with your mind. Developing menus for those with special dietary requirements is easy for you. You know you work effectively with others and can coach others and monitor their work operations in a kitchen environment. Well, we got good news for you at Direct Migration Experts: Chefs are desperately needed in Australia as skilled migrants.

Whether you work in a five-star hotel, Michelin star restaurant, medium sized restaurant, or a small café, if you are familiar with working and using your cooking skills, then migrating as a chef to Australia is for you. A chef, no matter his or her place of work, will use the same cooking skills such as preparing dishes using basic methods of cookery, preparing poultry dishes, preparing seafood dishes, preparing meat dishes, being able to prepare stocks, sauces, and also soups, appetisers, and salads.

Chefs must be able to prove that they can work using hygienic practices for food safety, be able to implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices, and be able to work in a clean kitchen, premises, and with clean equipment. Australian standards are high when it comes to health and safety as well as working in a clean environment. Why not use your planning and management skills and your years of experience as a qualified chef to obtain your permanent residency in Australia? Being a permanent resident gives you endless work opportunities as well as lifestyle opportunities.

#### Do I need to find a sponsor or a work visa to stay in Australia as a chef?

So, you are in Australia and you thought your employer was going to sponsor you and it has fallen through. We hear this too often from our clients onshore who loved their time here so much on their working holiday visas that they do not want to return home. The employers often promise them to sponsor them so they can stay here. As this article shows, this is only a temporary pathway to stay in Australia. However, being a chef, there is a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. Direct Migration Experts have assisted hundreds of chefs in obtaining their visa and permanent residency.

#### Do I need a job to obtain permanent residency?

You do not need a job. However, depending on if you are onshore and offshore, this will differ. It also depends on which state and territory in Australia you are going to live in. Generally, in most cases you do not need employment to apply for permanent residency. Permanent residency and the skilled occupation list are based on points and meeting the points criteria. This is not limited to chefs but concerns all occupations on the skilled occupation list.

#### Do I need experience in Australia as a chef to obtain permanent residency?

You do not need to have experience as a chef in Australia to apply or obtain permanent residency. Nor do you have to have completed your studies in Australia. However, you do need formal qualifications and to hold a valid skills assessment in Australia as a chef to obtain permanent residency.

#### Do I need to be in Australia to apply for my permanent residency?

No, this is a misconception. We have helped many clients at Direct Migration Experts over the years in obtaining permanent residency from all over the world, including but not limited to the UK and Ireland, Asia, and South Africa.


#### Is it difficult to find a job once I arrive in Australia as a chef?

Once you have your permanent residency, it is extremely easy to find work as a chef. Many employers in Australia want staff and workers in all fields that hold permanent residency. It is particularly important that you understand that the reason you will obtain your permanent visa is because the occupation of chef is in high demand. This means that there are NOT enough local people to fill the number of vacant hospitality positions and chef positions in Australia. Carpenter and joiners are well paid as permanent residents in Australia. There are many vacant positions ranging from working for hotels, large restaurants, catering companies, to small and medium sized businesses, restaurants and cafes, all looking to employ chefs. Not to mention the freedom of being a permanent resident and having the opportunity and flexibility of starting your own business. Having your own business, you will be able to find as much work as you can handle.

#### Do I need a skills assessment as a chef for a sponsorship 482 visa?

A requirement for the work sponsored visa 482 is for persons of the countries listed and who are passport holders to have a positive skills assessment.

If you are from the following countries, a TSS skills assessment is required: *Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, SAR, India, Macau, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam, Zimbabwe.*

If you are from any of the above countries, if you are being sponsored on a short-term visa although your occupation does fall under the MTSSL.

Generally, applicants for 482 visas must demonstrate that they hold at least two years relevant work experience.
 
#### Where do I start on my migration journey to Australia?  How do you help?

The good news is that you are in safe hands.  We will guide and support you every step of the way.

1\. **Your CV – The first step is to send us your CV**, we can then assess you and ensure that you meet the Australian qualifications framework for the skills assessment. This is part of our Free Preliminary Visa Assessment. We will review your formal qualifications, age, work experience, English level, and ensure that you meet the basic criteria.

2\. **Consultation – We will then contact you to arrange a consultation with you**. We will provide you with individual legal advice and guidance on the process. If you are serious about migrating to Australia, we suggest you start as soon as possible, as the skilled occupation list changes and requirements can become more difficult.

### Find out more about Skilled Immigration to Australia
*Direct Migration Experts provides expert advice and migration services and solutions for businesses and individuals in Australia. Staffed by Immigration Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents with over 20 years’ experience, Direct Migration Experts connect businesses to international talent and help individuals navigate the complexities of visa applications to ensure a speedy outcome.*

[Connect with Arnela](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/312) to discuss your Australian immigration options.

![DME-logo.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/dme-logo-pA06vmDBQz.webp)


[**Learn More About Australia**](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/australia)


large_duane-mendes-JrRoJlGyZwk-unsplash.webp

medium_duane-mendes-JrRoJlGyZwk-unsplash.webp

small_duane-mendes-JrRoJlGyZwk-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_duane-mendes-JrRoJlGyZwk-unsplash.webp

xlarge_duane-mendes-JrRoJlGyZwk-unsplash.webp

Chefs Migrating to Australia

New Zealand's government has announced a new immigration reset designed to rebalance the immigration system and make it easier for the skilled migrants we need to get a fast track to residency. Unfortunately, rather than make it easier for migrants to be eligible, it appears to have been designed to do the exact opposite.

### The Green List shortfall
The foundation of the reset is the [Green List](https://nzil.co.nz/news/a-guide-to-the-green-list-visa/), which contains a small number of highly skilled roles that New Zealand is struggling to fill. Eligible migrants working in these occupations will have clear pathways to residence, either through a direct to residence application or after working in New Zealand, depending on the role.

One of the most glaring shortfalls of the Green List is that it omits nurses and midwives. [New Zealand](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/newzealand) has a shortage of 4000 nurses – why are we making them wait two years before they can get residency? We’ve included psychiatrists, surgeons, and other medical professionals – why not nurses? We’re hearing stories everyday about growing hospital waiting lists, about nurses being burnt out, and about care facilities having to close because there’s no staff. There’s an easy and obvious solution – why isn’t the government taking it?

The Green List has been presented as a tool to “make it easier for employers to hire and attract migrants for specified high skilled, hard-to-fill occupations, with guaranteed residence pathways for eligible people.” Unfortunately, not only is the list too narrow and prescriptive, but the job titles are still associated with an ANZSCO job description which is defined by reference to a minimum qualification – something that Immigration New Zealand (INZ) claimed it wanted to move away from.

We now have a situation where someone overseas may have a qualification such as a diploma, along with six or seven years of experience – which a New Zealand employer really wants and needs –, but because they don’t have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, they can’t get on the Green List.

### Uncertainty for partners of visa holders
Spouses of workers on AEWVs will no longer be able to get a work visa (unless the AEWV holder has that issued under the Green List or they are paid 200% above the median wage), instead they’ll only be eligible for a visitor visa. The spouse can get a work visa if they also qualify for an AEWV. Do INZ and Minister realise the hardship that will cause and how much that will discourage workers from coming here. Who would want to reduce to a 1 income family when moving to a new country?

[Given we have such a huge labour shortage in New Zealand](https://www.relocate.world/articles/nz-skill-and-labor-shortage), isn’t this an opportunity? This approach closes the door to urgently needed potential workers, while also proving that our immigration policies appear to be designed with the purpose of making New Zealand unattractive to migrant workers.

#### Attracting migrants – or limiting access to an elite?
The purpose of these new rules is to attract needed skills and talent. To do that, New Zealand needs to be easy to migrate to. As Brett O’Riley, Chief Executive of the EMA pointed out on Radio NZ recently, “The New Zealand employment brand has been a bit damaged.”

If you are trying to repair that, why make changes that remove the ability for partners of workers to enter on an open work visa? The open work visa makes them “work ready”. It assists the family to settle quickly by facilitating employment of the partner.

The immigration minister tried to dress it up as something beneficial because the work visa will allow part time work – which the open work visa already does! It’s not hard to imagine how difficult it is searching for work holding a visitor visa.

How are employers going to attract workers when their family must go from two incomes to one for an undetermined length of time?

#### The good news (sort of!)
The only silver lining in the new policy (and that’s being generous!) is that the opening date for student visa categories has been brought forward to October, although rules around their ability to work part time are still unclear.

Families of migrant workers can be reunited, and hopefully they’ll be able to stay here for a long time.

INZ are extending some work visas and are removing visa conditions and allowing open visas – perhaps this is an acknowledgement that finally migrants are entitled to participate in a free labour market, which is good news. However, I think this is really just smoke-and-mirrors – a lot of those people are only getting their visas extended because INZ is struggling to process applications.

At the end of the day, people don’t actually want a new work visa, they want the residency visa that they were told they’d get within 12 months.

#### The non-existent New Zealand dream
The government needs to realise that to attract migrant workers, they need to feel welcomed, to feel valued, and to feel that they have a pathway to living in New Zealand. That’s the dream we’re supposedly selling them. But without a clear pathway, why would people choose to invest their time and money in moving here, when other countries make it so much easier.

New Zealand is competing with the rest of the world to attract migrants, and this announcement is doing little to make us look like an attractive place to come – especially with our high inflation and costs of living, low wages (comparatively), and no certainty about the potential for residency.

Perhaps they have forgotten how competitive the global labour market is?

### 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)

**Dig deeper into the details....** [**Read How To Obtain A Work Visa in New Zealand**](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/newzealand/how-to-get-a-work-visa-in-new-zealand)

large_dan-freeman-hIKVSVKH7No-unsplash.webp

medium_dan-freeman-hIKVSVKH7No-unsplash.webp

small_dan-freeman-hIKVSVKH7No-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_dan-freeman-hIKVSVKH7No-unsplash.webp

xlarge_dan-freeman-hIKVSVKH7No-unsplash.webp

New Zealand Immigration Reset a Damp Squib

Expat life is not an exception. Every life has its own soundtrack. The expat life is full of extreme highs and lows. It's difficult to describe the joy and excitement that comes with living in another country, or the feeling of being lost and lonely when you experience culture shock.

The first days or weeks of an expat's new life, the soundtrack is easy to hear and sounds suspiciously like the William Tell Overture from The Lone Ranger.

A few weeks later, life takes on the soundtrack of Meltdown: Three Mile Island.

But regardless of where an expat calls home, between William Tell and Meltdown, the music of the host country can filter in and become familiar. 

#### Costa Rica

[Costa Rican](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/costarica) calypso music is one of the most famous musical styles to come out of Costa Rica, along with soca, salsa, merengue, and cumbia. 
 

#### Shanghai

Shanghai folk music is a special part of Shanghai culture. 


#### Mexico

Mariachi, also known as Música Ranchera or Ranchero, is the best known regional [Mexican](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/mexico) music genre in the world, making it a global Mexican symbol.

![nick-fewings-VfL8c53nscM-unsplashRESIZE.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/nick-fewings-vflcnscm-unsplashresize-wOGxFs461T.webp)


#### Taiwan

The music of Taiwan reflects the diverse culture of Taiwanese people. Taiwan has undergone several economic, social, and political changes through its cultural history, and Taiwanese music reflects those issues in its way. 


#### Sweden

The music of Sweden shares roots with its neighboring countries in Scandinavia, as well as Eastern Europe, including polka, schottische, waltz, polska, and mazurka. The Swedish fiddle and nyckelharpa are among the most common Swedish folk instruments.

![scott-broome-BcVvVvqiCGA-unsplashRESIZE.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/scott-broome-bcvvvvqicga-unsplashresize-5-D12Xy5FV.webp)


#### Ecuador

The music of Ecuador is a diverse aspect of Ecuadorian culture. Ecuadorian music ranges from indigenous styles such as pasillo to Afro-Ecuadorian styles like bomba to modern indie rock. The Andes mountains house several indigenous styles of music, such as that of the Otavalo. 

#### Argentina

Some of the most famous examples of traditional folk music genres that have originated or have been extensively evolved in [Argentina](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/argentina) are carnavalito, cumbia, candombe, polka, media caña, rasquido doble, and of course tango which has managed to capture the worldwide attention in the second half of the 20th century.

![Carnavalito_en_Humahuaca.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/carnavalito_en_humahuaca-b60wu974HF.webp)


#### In Conclusion

It’s also worth mentioning that homesickness and culture shock can sometimes strike when you’re visiting “home” – after you’ve settled in as an expat, visiting or returning to your home country can feel difficult. 

*[Jerry Nelson](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/128) is an American writer living the expat life in Buenos Aires. Some of the adventures Jerry has enjoyed, he jumped into the ocean from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Aden, cut off a goat's balls as part of a mating ritual in Indonesia, raced a NASCAR around the oval in Charlotte, created a small coin purse out of live Tarantulas in Australia's outback, spent six-weeks with the Sinaloa cartel along the U.S./Mexican border and sailed a 16th century schooner through the sound and into the open ocean.*

*Never far from his coffee and Marlboros, Jerry is always glad to discuss future working opportunities. Email him at jandrewnelson2@gmail.com and join the quarter-million who follow him on Twitter*.

large_namroud-gorguis-FZWivbri0Xk-unsplash.webp

medium_namroud-gorguis-FZWivbri0Xk-unsplash.webp

small_namroud-gorguis-FZWivbri0Xk-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_namroud-gorguis-FZWivbri0Xk-unsplash.webp

xlarge_namroud-gorguis-FZWivbri0Xk-unsplash.webp

Life Needs a Soundtrack

It’s a truism that babies grow to little children, little children to young adults… Since visa applications from one’s home country will usually take too much time, it can easily happen that a youngster turns 18 – right in the middle of the application proceedings. Does this “child” now have to apply on their own merits as an adult, or does the application continue as a family reunion for adult family members? The European Court of Justice answered this question in its judgment of 16 July 2020.


#### Applications for the subsequent immigration of minors constantly rejected
In 2012, a refugee (recognized in Belgium) applied for residence permits for the purpose of family reunification for his three minor children who were still in their home country. These applications were rejected. In 2013, he submitted similar applications to the Belgian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. The [Belgian](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/belgium) authorities again rejected the applications in 2014.

#### Children reached the age of majority
The children represented by their father decided to challenge the rejections. The Belgian court declared the lawsuits inadmissible at the end of January 2018 for lack of a valid interest in legal protection. According to national law, legal protection is admissible when the merits are valid at the time the action is brought and must continue throughout the whole proceeding. In this case, in the meantime the children had reached the age of majority on the day of the pronouncement of the court decision and thus no longer fulfilled the requirements laid down in the provisions governing family reunification for minors. The parties appealed to the ECJ.

#### ECJ: date of application decisive for determination of minority status
According to the ECJ, the point in time at which the application for entry and residence for the purpose of family reunification is submitted controls whether a child is a minor for this type of application. The point in time at which the competent authorities of the Member State decide on the application is irrelevant. This remains true in the reported case, where the overall process took several years.

#### Right of minors to family reunification would otherwise be jeopardized
The ECJ states that it would not be compatible with the objectives of Directive 2003/86/EC or with the requirements of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights to set the age of the applicant on the date on which the competent authority decides on the application. This would not lead the competent national authorities and courts to give priority to the actions of minors with the urgency necessary to take account of their need for protection. They could therefore jeopardize the rights of these minors to family reunification.

#### Continued interest after reaching the age of majority due to possible action for damages
Moreover, rejecting an appeal as inadmissible cannot be based on a finding that the persons concerned no longer had an interest in obtaining a decision. A third-country national whose application for family reunification has been rejected could, even after he or she has reached the age of majority, continue to have an interest in a decision of the court on the merits of the case. In some Member States, such a court decision is necessary in order for the applicant to bring an action for damages against the Member State concerned.

#### Understand the German Immigration law system better and get relevant information for your needs

*Alexander von Engelhardt specializes in legal services for immigration, the migration of foreign investors and professionals as well as for companies wanting to expand their business to Germany.*

[Reach out to Alexander](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/292) to discuss your immigration needs and set up a consultation. 

![logo_unten.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/logo_unten-p44bzQ4OFn.webp)

large_sarah-medina-KmHBlHFAtms-unsplash.webp

medium_sarah-medina-KmHBlHFAtms-unsplash.webp

small_sarah-medina-KmHBlHFAtms-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_sarah-medina-KmHBlHFAtms-unsplash.webp

xlarge_sarah-medina-KmHBlHFAtms-unsplash.webp

EU Family Reunification of Children Becoming Adults

Dear Sophie,

I co-founded a startup in Pakistan with a couple of cofounders a few years ago. One of the co-founders and I want to move to the United States, accessing the U.S. market. What visa options are available to us? Thanks in advance for your help!

*— Purposeful in Pakistan*

---

**Dear Purposeful,**

Congrats on making the decision to grow your business in the [United States](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/usa)!

Before I dive into the visa options that may be available to you and your co-founder, it’s super important to set up your company so that it can successfully sponsor you and your co-founder, and other hires for visas and green cards while also attracting investors. I recommend you consult an immigration attorney and a corporate attorney for assistance. In addition, many companies help founders both in the United States or abroad incorporate their business in the U.S., open a business bank account in the U.S., and coordinate handling legal paperwork and other tasks in the U.S. I recently chatted with Mark Milastsivy, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Firstbase[]().io — Mark received an O-1A extraordinary ability visa in 2017, and Firstbase[]().io supports international entrepreneurs with incorporation and company setup. What a great conversation!

Your and your co-founder’s visa options will largely depend on:

- The ownership structure of your U.S. business
- How much will be invested to establish your U.S. business
- Your abilities and experience
- The success you and your company have achieved or are anticipated to achieve
- Who needs to come to the U.S. and what activities they will need to do while in the country
- Your timeframe
- Your ongoing international travel needs

Moreover, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:

- All work visas, which allow you and your co-founder to live and work temporarily in the United States, will require your startup or an agent to petition for you and your co-founder.
- Some work visas will require your startup to demonstrate that you and your co-founder are like any other employee at your startup, meaning that you are supervised by someone who also has the ability to fire you and your co-founder, and neither you nor your co-founder owns a controlling stake in the startup. This is known as an employer-employee relationship.
- You may be waiting several months before you can get to the United States. While the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulate General in Karachi have resumed processing work visas and have the authority to waive visa interviews, they can only waive interviews if the visa candidate has previously applied for a visa. Currently, the wait time to get an interview is several months. (There are some consulates that still have multi-year wait times.)

Here are the work visas that my firm most often considers for startup founders:

#### O-1 visa
The O-1A extraordinary ability visa is aimed at individuals who have achieved national or international acclaim and are at the top of their field. It’s the visa that Firstbase’s Milastsivy received. He recommends that international founders be “vocal about your story early on.” It’s helpful “to contribute content around your expertise” to various publications, he says. “Getting press that promotes you and your company and developing a personal brand is helpful.”

To qualify for an O-1A visa, your startup must be established in the United States and must demonstrate that an employer-employee relationship exists between you and the startup, or you must identify an alternative agent for sponsorship purposes. An individual must meet three out of eight criteria, some of which include:

- Winning a nationally or internationally recognized award, including venture capital funding.
- Employment in a critical capacity or an organization that has a distinguished reputation.
- Being featured in a major media or trade publications for your work in the field.
- Writing articles that have been published in professional journals or major media.
- Evidence you command a high salary or other compensation.

O-1A requirements are more stringent among the work visas, but it is the quickest visa to obtain, particularly if you pay the additional fee for premium processing. The O-1A allows for an initial stay of three years and unlimited extensions. The Biden administration recently made it easier for STEM engineers and founders to qualify for O-1As!

#### L visa
If you and your co-founder have been employed at your startup in Pakistan for at least one out of the last three years, your company could sponsor you for an L-1A visa for intracompany transferee managers and executives. You and your co-founder can come to the United States to establish an office here on an L-1A. The L-1A also offers a path to an EB-1C green card for multinational managers and executives.

#### E-2 visa
Citizens of Pakistan are eligible for an E-2 visa for treaty investors thanks to the trade treaty between Pakistan and the U.S. To qualify, at least 50 percent of the owners of your startup must be Pakistani, and your startup must also make a substantial investment in the U.S. to create your startup. Employees who are Pakistani citizens are also eligible for an E-2. While the E-2 visa allows an initial stay of two years as well as an unlimited number of renewals, an E-2 visa holder cannot stay in the U.S. indefinitely, so you will need to demonstrate that you intend to return to Pakistan. If your and your co-founder’s combined ownership in the startup dips below 50 percent due to venture capital or other investments, you both may need to change to another visa.

#### International Entrepreneur Parole
While we wait for Congress to create a Startup Visa, [International Entrepreneur Parole (IEP)](https://www.relocate.world/articles/IEP-startup-visa) offers international startup founders the next best thing. To qualify for IEP,

- Your startup must be a U.S. company founded in the last 5 years.
- You and your co-founder must each have at least a 10% ownership interest in the startup.
- Both you and your co-founder must be central and actively operate the startup.
- Your startup must have received at least $265k from qualified U.S. investors or at least $106k in government grants or show potential company growth and job creation.

Based on my firm’s experience, IEP takes more than a year to obtain.

#### H-1B visa
The H-1B specialty occupation visa requires advance planning. The H-1B requires that your startup:

- Already be established in the U.S.
- Show an employer-employee relationship between the sponsoring company and the H-1B candidate.
- Demonstrate it has the ability to pay the prevailing wage to you and your co-founder.
- Consider that the digital H-1B lottery is held only once a year in March to determine who can apply for one of the 85,000 H-1B visas available, so the next lottery your startup could register you for would be in March 2023, and the earliest you could start working in the U.S. for your startup if your H-1B application got accepted would be Oct. 1, 2023.

The chances of getting an H-1B through the lottery process have dropped significantly during the past few years: USCIS received a record 483,927 registrations for the March 2022 lottery and 308,613 in March 2021!

For the H-1B lottery, your startup must register you and your co-founder in March 2023. If you and your co-founder are selected in the lottery, and USCIS approves your H-1B applications, the earliest you could start working for your startup in the U.S. would be Oct. 1, 2023.

There are also limited opportunities for cap-exempt (no lottery) H-1Bs, such as if your cofounder is CTO and has a Master’s degree or higher, you can consider the Global Talent Fellowship at [Open Avenues](https://www.openavenuesfoundation.org/).

As you can see, you have many options!

*Best wishes!*

*Sophie*


**Learn more about **[creating a business in the U.S.](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/usa/guide-to-starting-business-in-usa)** or about acquiring your **[work visa](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/usa/how-to-obtain-us-work-visa)** to make your dream of immigrating to the U.S. a reality.**

*[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)


large_lindsay-O9IUmrPuZGE-unsplash.webp

medium_lindsay-O9IUmrPuZGE-unsplash.webp

small_lindsay-O9IUmrPuZGE-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_lindsay-O9IUmrPuZGE-unsplash.webp

xlarge_lindsay-O9IUmrPuZGE-unsplash.webp

Dear Sophie: What are the Visa Options for International Founders in the U.S.?

Non-EU nationals applying for a Czech long-term visa are obliged to provide proof of meeting specific financial criteria for their stay in the Czech Republic. What are these criteria and how to calculate the required amount?

 

The applicants are obliged to prove they hold 15 times the amount of the existential minimum for the first month and double the amount of the existential minimum for every month afterwards. At the moment, the existential minimum is EU 110.61.

 

#### How to calculate the exact amount?
**A student who is applying for a long-term visa based on studies** would need to provide funds as follows: for a school semester which would be calculated from September 1 until February 28, a student would be required to provide funds in the amount of EUR 2765.25. This is calculated as follows: 15 x EUR 110.61 for the first month and 10 x EUR 110.61 for the following 5 months.

 

**In case of family members** who are usually applying for the long-term visa for a period of one year, the amount to be proven is EUR 4096.36.

 

#### How to present proof for the funds?
The proof of financial means should be provided through a bank account statement proving the balance on the bank account OR saving account. Additionally, foreign nationals must provide the authorities with a valid internationally accepted payment card enabling the foreign national to access his/her funds.

 

In case of minors, the parents are also obliged to sign a statement of financial support to confirm the children would be financially secured during their stay in the [Czech Republic](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/czechia).

So now that you learned about the financial requirements for obtaining a long-term visa to live in the Czech Republic, find out [10 reasons why living in the Czech Republic](https://www.relocate.world/articles/digital-nomad-in-prague) is attractive, especially for [Digital Nomads](https://www.relocate.world/articles/digital-nomad-czech)!
 

### Find out more about acquiring residency in an EU member state such as Czech Republic, Austria, or Slovakia
*Relocation 4 You has more than 20 years of experience in the immigration and relocation field, true experts who help companies and employees smoothly overcome the hassle of the Czech bureaucracy.*

[Contact Deniz](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/239) for support in your immigration process to Czech Republic, or for general questions about immigrating to Czech Republic. 

large_sadie-teper-lcwHFIi5lCA-unsplash.webp

medium_sadie-teper-lcwHFIi5lCA-unsplash.webp

small_sadie-teper-lcwHFIi5lCA-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_sadie-teper-lcwHFIi5lCA-unsplash.webp

xlarge_sadie-teper-lcwHFIi5lCA-unsplash.webp

The Financial Criteria to Obtain a Long-Term Visa in the Czech Republic

Argentina has joined the ranks of countries offering digital nomad visas aimed at boosting the economy in a post-COVID era.  In many ways this is a win-win for those thinking about one of Latin America's hotspot destinations. 

#### First of all, what do you get?

**The Benefits of Argentina’s Digital Nomad Visa (What is known):**

- 6-month visa, with 1 optional renewal
- No Argentine local or national taxes paid
- Freelancers and full-time remote enabled employees are included
- Minimum income requirements are not outlined in the basic details

**What is Unknown (As is always the case with visas):**

- Minimum salary/bank balance requirements. 
- The details on the exact benefits package that will be included along with the visa.
- When the application process will be fully concrete/take shape.  It is said to be active as of May 20, 2022, but the online application linked to the digital nomad section of the Argentine Ministry of the Interior website still seems to be available in Spanish only, and certain portions are unclear or mention they can be determined as needed by the authorities.  

#### How do you qualify for the Argentina Digital Nomad Visa?

**Basic Requirements of the Argentina Digital Nomad Visa:**

- The visa only applies to passport holders from countries who currently do not require a visa to enter Argentina.  That list currently contains 80 countries.  (The current policy is these passport holders can stay up to 90 days without obtaining a visa)
- **Cover Letter:**  This should contain your personal data and the remote-enabled work you intend to perform.
- **Curriculum Vitae:**  This should cover your education/training and all experience acquired in your chosen field.
- **Passport:** Must be valid and current passport.  (All pages, including the personal data and photo in a JPG format).
- **Passport Photo:** Including your face on a white background.  It needs to be taken at the time of uploading the procedure and not the image of another photo in a JPG format).
- **Proof of work:**  This will depend upon the particulars of your application.  Proper proof is needed and the consulate has the right to request additional documents/proof.  This proof will include one or a combination of all of the following:  contracts, company endorsements, proof of request of services, paid billing invoices, receipts of income/fees, tax documents).  At least one reference linked to the services you provide is also required.
- **Fees:**  Immigration Fee:  120, Consular Fee:  80.  Fees are noted on the website in UC (consular units) that can be paid in USD/Euros when appropriate.
- All documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish.
- Additional proof of the above or other documentation may be required by the Ministry of the Interior or the consulate.

#### Applying for the Argentina Digital Nomad Visa

1.	You must apply outside of Argentina at the following website: Electronic Entry Processing- TIE 24H
2.	Attach all relevant proof/documentation.
3.	Once you have successfully completed the two-step process online, (multiple steps involved of course), the Ministry of the Interior will notify you by email with your proof of your entry authorization, which you will show to border control upon entering Argentina.

#### Benefits Continued: What’s in it For the Argentine-bound Nomad?

**1. Streamlined Online Application.** The above process seems to have been tailored to the digital nomad and is more straightforward, and simpler than most.  Final authorization is even digital, as we noted earlier, and can simply be brought to border control upon entry into the country.  The website seems to cover residency permits linked to the visa as well.  At this time it seems the application is only in Spanish.  We expect that to change in the future as requirements become clearer.  

**2. Buenos Aires partnership with Airbnb/hotels targeted to court nomads**.  Back in 2021 the city began to work with both Airbnb and local hotel chains to ensure that accommodations were available without disrupting the local housing market and driving up the prices.  These accommodations geared toward nomads, taking into consideration things like dedicated work spaces/fast internet connections, and discounts on co-working spaces, accommodations, tours and the like were offered.

**3. Fringe benefits.**  The Argentine government did not clarify, but hinted that a series of additional benefits such as the Argentina Card offering points toward food and experiences were to be part of the visa, as well as discounts on flights with Aerolíneas Argentinas, their state-owned airline.

**4. Incredible Currency Exchange Rate.** As of May 28, 2022, the official currency exchange rate is 1 dollar = 119 Argentine pesos.  The unofficial rate, which foreigners call the “blue rate” is closer to 220 pesos for every dollar, however, and foreigners can often find a Western Union in Buenos Aires offering this rate.  In fact, even Argentina’s central bank is promoting buying power of the dollar in Argentina by allowing digital nomads to create temporary bank accounts and exchange dollars for pesos at the “blue rate”.

**5. Culture on the cheap.**  Buenos Aires is international, cosmopolitan, on the safe side for South America, and their cuisine is every foodie’s dream.  Think Mediterranean (Spanish and Italian influences) with a twist of Creole, blended with the local indigenous peoples, upscaled by some of the best steak the world has to offer.  A steak at Don Julio, ranked #13 on the list of “The World Best 50 Restaurants” will run around 3950 pesos.  At the official exchange rate that’s around $33, but at the “blue rate” it runs closer to $18. 

**6. Flipped seasons.**  The climate is moderate and most importantly, for those who live in the northern hemisphere, Argentina’s summer months are in January and February when northerners want to escape, and their winters are moderate and take place in the summer months when those from the north are looking to escape the heat.  

**7. A kaleidoscope of landscapes.**  You will find all terrain in Argentina:  desert, mountains, rivers, jungles, wetlands, urban cities.  You can hike through Patagonia passing Alpine villages or even visit the End of the World, Ushuaia which is the last stop before you hit Antarctica.  For Argentina?

**8. Freedom.**  In general, they are less serious about laws.  (The unofficial currency exchange rates is one example.  Another example is overstaying a visa in Argentina, whether it’s 1 or 100 days, results in no legal consequences other than a fine of 12,500 Argentine pesos, which converted to ~$105 at the time of writing).  We don’t recommend testing these waters too far.  If you do, however, and fall into a bit of a situation, we can connect you with incredible attorneys…
#### What’s in it For Argentina? 

**1. Revenue.** The Ministry of the Interior estimates that the average nomad spends around $3,000 a month, which is double what a normal tourist would spend.  Florencia Carignano, the national director for migration, estimates there are 40 million digital nomads in the world and Argentina is looking to attract 22,000 of them by 2023.  That’s some serious cash.

**2. Keeping Argentine jobs open for Argentinines.** Historically, the only way foreigners were legally able to work within the country was through an Argentine employer/sponsor.  The remote work nature of this new initiative brings in workers and their purchasing power without taking away local jobs.
**3. New tourism strategy.** Tourism has not recovered to pre-COVID levels. This new initiative proves Argentina’s desire and willingness to adapt and change in step with worldwide trends.  This is proof to the Argentine people affected by the lack of tourism that the government has acknowledged the type of travelers as well as their habits have changed, and so Argentina is adapting in order to attract those dollars.  People are often staying longer, and they simply want a freer life at a lower cost.  They are willing to try small and even remote places, as long as the internet is strong, and want to experience daily life along with local populations. 

**4. International collaboration on a local level.** When digital nomads enter a community, they generally become more involved than tourists.  They interact with locals at neighborhood events, yoga classes, small cafes, beach bars and many are even interested in volunteer activities.  They bring with them their passions, ideas, and knowledge and are able to share that with the communities they join.  

#### Interested in the digital nomad life? Why not [speak with one of our community experts](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/105) and get tailored insight into making it a reality. 
written by [Kari Wiedenhaupt](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/325), Project Manager for [Relocate](https://www.relocate.world/)


medium_10-Caminito.webp

small_10-Caminito.webp

thumbnail_10-Caminito.webp

On the Map! Argentina Introduces the Digital Nomad Visa.

The provisions of the Law on Foreigners ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 24/2018 and 31/2019) regulate the conditions and procedures for issuing a temporary residence permit, extending the validity of temporary residence, and the reasons for terminating temporary residence in Serbia.

Temporary residence is a residence permit for a foreign national in the [Republic of Serbia](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/serbia) granted to a foreigner who intends to stay in the Republic of Serbia for over 90 days on the grounds of:

1)	Employment;
2)	School or learning the Serbian language;
3)	Studies;
4)	Participation in international exchange programmes for pupils or students;
5)	Specialist, professional training and practice;
6)	Scientific research or other scientific or educational activity;
7)	Family reunification;
8)	Performing religious service;
9)	Treatment or care;
10)	Ownership over immovable property;
11)	Humanitarian stay;
12)	Status of a presumed victim of trafficking in human beings;
13)	Status of a victim of trafficking in human beings;
14)	Other legitimate reasons under the law or an international treaty.

As an exception, temporary residence on the grounds of employment may be granted to a foreigner intending to stay in the Republic of Serbia for under 90 days, but this work needs a work permit following the regulations on the employment of foreigners for this employment.

A foreigner who has been granted temporary residence on one of the grounds prescribed by the Law on Foreigners is obliged to reside in the Republic of Serbia following the basis for which his or her residence was granted.

Irrespective of the grounds for granting temporary residence, the temporary residence may be given to specific categories of foreigners. Criteria for determining the types of foreigners and the categories of foreigners themselves are determined by an act of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

#### Application for temporary residence and timelines
 
A foreigner's application for a temporary residence permit or the extension thereof shall be submitted personally to the competent authority on a prescribed form.
 
A foreigner who has entered the Republic of Serbia legally and does not require a visa for entry and a foreigner who has entered the Republic of Serbia with a long-term visa shall apply for temporary residence. When there are humanitarian reasons or force majeure, or this is in the interest of the Republic of Serbia, the foreigner that has entered the Republic of Serbia legally and is staying in the Republic of Serbia legally on a short-term visa may apply for a temporary residence permit, if he provides evidence of the existence of the said reasons.
 
A foreigner may submit a request for temporary residence in the Republic of Serbia electronically from abroad.
The grounds for applying for temporary residence must be identical to those for issuing a long-term visa. The application for extension of a temporary residence permit shall be submitted no earlier than three months and no later than 30 days before the expiry of the temporary residence permit.
 
A foreigner who timely applies for a temporary residence permit or an extension of a temporary residence permit may stay in the Republic of Serbia until the finalisation of the first-instance procedure, or until the finalisation of the second-instance process in case of an appeal against the decision on refusal of the application. If the competent authority approves the extension of the temporary residence permit, then the time between the expiry of the previous temporary residence and the application for the extension of the temporary residence shall be considered a legal and continuous stay.
 
If this is in the interest of the Republic of Serbia, if it is determined that humanitarian reasons or a force majeure exist, the competent authority may review an application for the extension of a temporary resident permit submitted after the expiry of the temporary residence permit, if the time between the expiry of the previous temporary residence permit and application for the extension of the temporary residence permit is under three months.

#### Combined application for temporary residence and work permit
 
The request for approval, i.e., the extension of the temporary residence of an alien with the demand for a work permit, shall be submitted by the alien in person or electronically to the competent authority on the prescribed form. The appearance and content of the document and the documentation submitted with the request shall be prescribed by the agreement between the minister in charge of internal affairs and the minister in charge of employment.

#### Decision-making authority
 
The competent authority shall decide on the approval or extension of the temporary residence permit within 30 days of applying.

Upon deciding on the submitted application for the temporary residence permit, the competent authority shall, in addition to assessing whether general criteria referred to in Article 43 of this Law have been met, also acquire an assessment by the state authority responsible for the protection of the security of the Republic of Serbia about whether the stay of the foreigner on the territory of the Republic of Serbia presents an unacceptable security-related risk. The deadline for issuing the assessment shall be 25 days from the day of applying for review.
 
#### General eligibility criteria for a temporary residence permit
 
 Alongside the application for approval or extension of a temporary residence permit, a foreigner shall submit:

1. Valid personal or service passport;
2. Evidence of means for subsistence during the planned stay;
3. The registered address of residence or residential address in the Republic of Serbia;
4. Evidence of health insurance during the planned stay;
5. Evidence that the application for a temporary residence permit follows the grounds for issuing a temporary residence permit prescribed by the Law on Foreigners as well as other documents at the request of the competent authority;
6. Proof of payment of the prescribed administrative fee.

More detailed criteria for temporary residence approval, the layout of an application for the temporary residence permit, and the layout and manner of affixing a temporary residence permit sticker onto a foreign travel document shall be prescribed by the minister responsible for internal affairs.
 
#### Duration of temporary residence
 
Temporary residence may be approved for up to one year. Depending on the grounds for stay and existing reasons for approving temporary residence, it may be extended for the same period.
 
A temporary residence permit shall be granted by affixing the temporary residence sticker to a foreign travel document. Travel documents in which a temporary residence permit is attached shall be taken over in person. Exceptionally, if legitimate reasons exist, the travel document with the affixed temporary residence sticker may be taken over by the foreigner's proxy.
 
The validity period of the travel document must be at least three months longer than the expiry date of the temporary residence permit.
 
Exceptionally, if humanitarian reasons exist, the interest of the Republic of Serbia, or force majeure, temporary residence of a foreigner who does not have a valid travel document, but meets the general criteria for issuing temporary resident permits prescribed in the Law on Foreigners, shall be approved or extended by a decision.
 
#### Refusal of temporary residence application
 
The application for a temporary residence permit or extension of a temporary residence permit shall be refused when:

1. The validity period of the person or service passport is not at least three months longer than the expiry date of the temporary residence permit;
2. One or several general criteria for issuing temporary resident permits prescribed in the Law on Foreigners have not been met;
3. A protective measure of removal, security measure of expulsion, or issued entry ban to the foreigner is in effect;
4. Reasons require this to safeguard the security of the Republic of Serbia and its citizens;
5. There are valid reasons to believe that the foreigner will not use the temporary residence for the intended purpose;
6. The foreigner submits a forged travel document;
7. It is determined that the evidence submitted with the application for temporary residence is false or acquired illegally;
8. There are reasons to believe that he or she will not act following the legal system of the Republic of Serbia.

If inspection of the travel document or records kept in accordance with the regulation on records and data processing in the area of internal affairs shows that a foreigner spent less than half the period approved to him or her during the validity period of a previous  temporary residence permit in the Republic of Serbia, the competent authority may refuse the application to extend the temporary residence permit if the foreigner does not submit evidence to justify his or her absence from the Republic of Serbia.
An appeal statement may be filed by a foreigner against the decision on refusal of application for the temporary residence permit or the extension of the temporary residence permit within 15 days of receipt of the decision.  The appeal shall be lodged in writing, in Serbian, having paid the prescribed fee. The appeal against the decision to refuse the application for the temporary residence permit, or to extend the temporary residence permit, shall be decided on by the Ministry of Interior. The appeal shall delay the enforcement of the decision.
Administrative proceedings may be initiated against the decision made in the second-instance procedure. The initiation of the administrative proceedings shall not delay the enforcement of the decision of the second-instance authority.

#### Termination of temporary residence
 
If it should be subsequently learned that there are one or more reasons prescribed for refusing an application for temporary residence related to a foreigner who has been granted temporary residence, the competent authority shall issue a decision on termination of rights to temporary residence and set a deadline for his or her departure from the Republic of Serbia, which cannot exceed 30 days. The decision to terminate rights to temporary residence may also include a ban on entry.
 
Article 78 of the Law on Foreigners, which regulates issuing a ban on entry into the Republic of Serbia, shall apply accordingly to the issuance of the ban.
 
When deciding on the termination of rights to temporary residence, the competent authority shall evaluate the particular circumstances of each case, particularly the duration of prior temporary residences of the foreigner and his or her personal, family, cultural, economic, and other ties to the Republic of Serbia.
 
A foreigner may file an appeal statement to the competent authority against the decision to terminate rights to temporary residence within 15 days of receipt of the decision. The appeal shall be lodged in writing, in Serbian, having paid the prescribed fee. The appeal against a decision on the termination of rights to the temporary residence shall be decided on by the Ministry of Interior. The appeal shall delay the enforcement of the decision.
Administrative proceedings may be initiated against the decision made in the second-instance procedure. The initiation of administrative proceedings shall not delay the enforcement of the decision of the second-instance authority.

#### Learn more about the requirements and procedures to receive your visa for the Republic of Serbia

*Law Office of Dragana Lj. Djordjevic has over 26 years of experience in assisting companies and persons who plan to set up business in Serbia and need legal representation. Company foundation, representative offices foundation, and branch offices foundation are a few areas of specialty.*

Contact [Dragana](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/316) today and request further information on how to set up your business or branch office in Serbia.

large_ljubomir-zarkovic-xHnomVS0SiU-unsplash.webp

medium_ljubomir-zarkovic-xHnomVS0SiU-unsplash.webp

small_ljubomir-zarkovic-xHnomVS0SiU-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_ljubomir-zarkovic-xHnomVS0SiU-unsplash.webp

xlarge_ljubomir-zarkovic-xHnomVS0SiU-unsplash.webp

Temporary Residence Permit in Serbia

The EU Blue Card is a residence title that gives highly-qualified workers from outside the EU the right to live and work in an EU country, provided they have higher professional qualifications, such as a university degree and an employment contract or a binding job offer in the country where the job position is. The EU Blue Card applies in 25 of the 27 EU countries, and amongst them Portugal.

#### Who is eligible? 

**To apply for a Blue Card, the applicant must:**

- Prove to have higher professional qualifications, by showing a higher education qualification (such as a university degree). Some Member States may also accept at least five years of relevant professional experience;
- Have a valid work contract or binding job offer for a highly qualified employment with a duration of at least 1 year;
- Meet the minimum salary threshold in the Member State concerned (in Portugal this corresponds to €665.00);
- For regulated professions: present documents proving that the national legal requirements are met;
- For unregulated professions: present documents proving that the relevant higher professional qualifications are met;
- Present the necessary travel documents;
- Present a proof of health insurance (or a proof of having applied for it);
- In addition, the applicant must not be a threat in the view of the country for which he or she is applying.

After the 2009 Blue Card Directive (Council Directive 2009/50/EC) had been evaluated as not been sufficiently successful in attracting highly skilled migrants into the EU, the European Commission decided to revise and improve it.

So, on 7 June 2016, the Commission presented an action plan to support Member States in the integration of third-country nationals and their economic and social contribution to the EU, as well as a legislative proposal to reform the Blue Card scheme.

The aim of the revised EU Blue Card scheme is to make it easier and more attractive for highly skilled third-country nationals to come and work in the EU, thus supporting European businesses in attracting qualified and talented people from around the world. Improvements include, inter alia, less stringent admissions criteria such as lower salary thresholds and shorter required length of work contracts, better family reunification conditions, facilitated mobility, and the abolishment of parallel national schemes.

The 2020 New Pact on Migration and Asylum stresses the importance of completing the unfinished work on the directive and states that the Council and the Parliament should conclude negotiations on the file.

#### With these objectives in mind, the following changes were agreed to take place

- The EU Blue Card is now accessible for more people, since the salary threshold will be reduced between 1 and 1.6 times the average gross annual salary, and the minimum duration for a contract of employment will also be reduced to 6 months – instead of a year;
- The new rules also facilitate the recognition of professional skills for occupations in the information and communication technologies sector, and applicants with professional experience equivalent to a higher education qualification in some specific sectors will also be eligible to apply;
- During the first 12 months, EU Blue Card holders only need to complete a new labour market test if they wish to change position or employer. Solely after this period, EU Blue Card holders may be subject to an obligation to notify a change in their situation to the relevant national authorities;
- Highly skilled beneficiaries of international protection will be eligible to apply for an EU Blue Card;
- To attract and retain highly skilled workers from outside the EU, family members of EU Blue Card holders will be able to accompany them and access the EU labour market (although a labour market test may still be carried out before giving access);
- The EU Blue Card holders and their family members will be able to move to a second Member State based on simplified mobility rules after 12 months of employment in the first Member State. Also, periods of time spent working in a different Member State will be taken into account, facilitating easier access to the EU long-term resident status;
- Finally, to increase the popularity of the new scheme and to address the inconsistencies in the previous scheme, the revision proposes to abolish parallel national schemes.
 
#### Important notes with regards to Portugal

Some Member States apply a Labour Market Test (LMT). This is a mechanism that aims to ensure that migrant workers are only admitted after employers have unsuccessfully searched for national workers, EU citizens (in EU Member States this also means EEA workers), or legally residing third-country nationals with access to the labour market according to national legislation. Portugal does not apply a labour market test, which is a plus, since it makes it easier to obtain the EU Blue Card.

Also, the standard period of validity of the EU Blue card in [Portugal](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/portugal) is one year. The EU Blue Card is initially issued for a period of one year and it can be renewed for two years at a time.


#### Regarding the next steps for the changes in the EU Blue Card

The European Parliament and the Council still need to formally confirm this political agreement by adopting the EU Blue Card Directive. Once the Directive is formally adopted, Member States will have 2 years to transpose the rules into national law.


### Learn More About Relocating to Portugal
Another visa you may be interested in especially in light of Brexit is the [Golden Visa](https://www.relocate.world/articles/golden-visa-crptocurrency-brexit-nhr-portugal). Also read on to find out why Portugal is a great destination for [Digital Nomads](https://www.relocate.world/articles/digital-nomad-portugal).

*Caiado Guerreiro is a multi-jurisdictional 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)

large_christian-lue-8Yw6tsB8tnc-unsplash.webp

medium_christian-lue-8Yw6tsB8tnc-unsplash.webp

small_christian-lue-8Yw6tsB8tnc-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_christian-lue-8Yw6tsB8tnc-unsplash.webp

xlarge_christian-lue-8Yw6tsB8tnc-unsplash.webp

European Union Blue Card – New Rules for Highly Skilled Migrant Workers

More and more initiatives are built for Ukrainians, and finally clear and concrete support programs are announced by the Japanese Immigration Bureau.

As of April 19th, 2022, 664 Ukrainians arrived in Japan.

#### Financial support
The financial support for Ukrainian refugees offered by the Immigration Bureau can currently be separated into the following three categories:

**1. While staying in a temporary housing**
- ¥1,000 cash per day for those older than 12 years old
- ¥500 cash per day for those younger than 11 years old

(not including food costs)

**2. Lump-sum payment**

Mainly for buying furniture and home appliances to start settling in Japan.

- ¥160,000 for those older than 16 years old
- ¥80,000 for those younger than 15 years old

**3. Covering living costs “after” leaving temporary housing**

After leaving temporary housing, the following amount will be paid based on the public assistance system.

- ¥2,400 for those older than 12 years old (¥1,600 for family member)
- ¥1,200 for those younger than 11 years old

As of now, the government announced that this financial support will continue for the next 6 months. More support initiatives will hopefully be announced before the 7th month.

#### Immigration Status
Japan is famous for not accepting refugees, but this time the Immigration Bureau announced a specific residential status type for Ukrainians fleeing their home country.

Most likely, Ukrainians will land in Japan with a temporary short-term visa (3-months), and they can change the status to a 1-year Designated Activity within Japan.

#### Designated Activity (1 year)
Designated Activity status is categorized into over 46 types. Each designated activity visa status has different criteria, but for Ukrainians coming to Japan

- they can work
- they can enroll in the national health insurance (70% of medical fees will be covered)

Ukrainian people newly entering Japan under Designated Activity status (1-year) are eligible to enroll in national health insurance as soon as they become residents in Japan. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare notified all municipalities as of April 20th, 2022 to comply with this control.


#### While waiting for your residence card — a special ID certificate
Acquiring a residence card could take a bit (1–3 months), and without having a residence card, financial institutions usually reject applications to open a bank account in Japan.

However, the government is planning to provide the financial support via a bank account based in Japan, and is deciding to provide a special ID certificate.


#### Bank Account — Japan Post Bank changing rules
Opening a bank account tends to be a headache for all people visiting Japan from abroad, and banks are very reluctant to open a personal bank account for those who recently arrived in Japan. For the past few years, the majority of financial institutions have been accepting applications for opening a personal bank account for those who

- live in Japan for over 6 months with a residential status
- have a residence card and its expiry date must be 3 months later than the date you submit the application to a bank
- Japan Post Bank application

When I visited Japan Post Bank 2 years ago, they could not accept the application to open a personal bank account from my friend without having a record of residing in Japan for over 6 months, but it is changing.

The good news is, Japan Post Banks are easing the bank account opening process nationwide nowadays.

**What you need:**

- residence card (expiry date must be 3 months later than the date you submit the application to a bank)
- copy of passport

You can find the website for [application here](https://jp-bank-kaisetsu.japanpost.jp/direct_plus/account_open/0020.php) (English version).

You can prepare your applications online (20 pages in total), and the process will be mostly via email.

There will most likely be red tapes between the process of offering financial support and transferring the cash to those in need, and I am hoping Japan Post Bank can flexibly adjust its rules and collaborate with those who really need the accounts.

---

This development is a bit surprising, and it is commendable that the Immigration Bureau did not use a scheme for refugee status to deal with Ukrainian people fleeing from their country. This may secure a safer status for them, given how many refugees could actually get their residential status.

Let's hope this movement will push for a positive change for transforming the current scheme of handling refugee status applications in [Japan](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/japan).

What each of us can do is so little, but together we can accumulate information and support to build a support community.

### Seek More Advice on How to Navigate the Complexities of Japan Visa Pathways
If you're interested in other types of visas to enter Japan, check out [this great article](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/japan/how-to-get-a-work-visa-in-japan) on how to obtain a work visa in Japan. Read on to learn [how to find a good immigration specialist](https://www.relocate.world/articles/find-immigration-specialist-japan) who can help you navigate the Japanese immigration requirements.

*Startup Work Inc. based in Tokyo, leads in supporting Shibuya's Startup Visa. With bilingual support staff and extensive, practical experience working with startups, Startup Work Inc. provides a leading source for supporting individuals and startup businesses in Japan.*

[Connect with Miho](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/112) and set up a consultation to further discuss how to acquire a Japan residence visa, or other matters related to living in Japan.

![Screen Shot 2021-12-28 at 9,24,14 PM.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/screen-shot-at-,,-pm-Jqzbcsk0EU.webp)


large_breakify-kJUJzkJ_NEo-unsplash.webp

medium_breakify-kJUJzkJ_NEo-unsplash.webp

small_breakify-kJUJzkJ_NEo-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_breakify-kJUJzkJ_NEo-unsplash.webp

xlarge_breakify-kJUJzkJ_NEo-unsplash.webp

The Current Support from the Japanese Immigration Bureau for Ukrainians

Bloomberg New Energy Finance ubicó a Chile en el primer lugar del ranking de
países más atractivos para la inversión en energías renovables, en su reporte
Climatescope 2020, que considera a 137 países.

Esta distinción responde en gran medida a las excelentes condiciones de nuestro
país para la instalación y desarrollo de proyectos de energías limpias, a la robustez
del sector energético y de un marco regulatorio estable.

Buenos ejemplos de lo anterior es la transformación de la matriz energética de Chile
hacia la carbono neutralidad al 2050. Durante el 2020 nuestro país logró atraer
US$4.600 millones de inversión en energías limpias, principalmente solar y eólica.
Lo que da cuenta de políticas públicas que han sido capaces de atraer importantes
flujos de capital. Todo lo anterior basados en una matriz energética libre de carbono.
[Chile](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/chile) es un país exportador que se encuentra conectado a los mercados
internacionales a través de diversos tratados de libre comercio (Estados Unidos,
China y la Unión Europea, entre otros).

En el año 2008 la capacidad instalada en ERNC era de 354 MW y hoy son casi
11.755 MW, concentrados en energía solar fotovoltaica, con 6.350 MW, y eólica,
con 3.919 MW, que en su conjunto representan un 32% de la capacidad instalada
total.

La participación de las ERNC en la matriz de generación de electricidad acumulada
del año 2022, corresponde al 36,5%.

Un segundo punto relevante es la participación del Estado, y así ha sido, dando
certeza regulatoria a los inversionistas y promoviendo activamente el desarrollo de
políticas públicas, cuestión primordial y que transforma a nuestro país en un
importante polo de atracción de inversiones en esta área. No es un misterio que
Chile es, al menos en el contexto latinoamericano, un referente en estabilidad y
garantiza reglas claras para quienes apuestan por traer sus capitales aquí.

Es notable que para el cumplimiento de las metas de ERNC no ha sido necesaria la
inversión del Estado, puesto que las bajas en los precios de las tecnologías fueron
suficientes para impulsar esta industria.

En resumen, la destacada nominación de Bloomberg New Energy Finance es una
gran noticia que pondrá los ojos de muchos inversionistas extranjeros en nuestro
país y nos demuestra que Chile es hoy una de las mejores plazas a nivel mundial
para invertir en ERNC.

### Find out more about investment opportunities and immigration-related matters in Chile
Connect with [Ricardo](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/262) and request a consultation to learn more about immigration to Chile.

Ricardo is a member of Grupo Vial Abogados a prestigious and renowned international firm known for its profound dedication to each of its clients, fostering long-term relationships of trust. Their main practice groups are divided into different areas: corporate, tax, litigation, inmigration, employment & labor.

large_agustin-ljosmyndun-QH3rBhcJS54-unsplash.webp

medium_agustin-ljosmyndun-QH3rBhcJS54-unsplash.webp

small_agustin-ljosmyndun-QH3rBhcJS54-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_agustin-ljosmyndun-QH3rBhcJS54-unsplash.webp

xlarge_agustin-ljosmyndun-QH3rBhcJS54-unsplash.webp

Bloomberg: Chile, el mejor país para invertir en ERNC (NCRE)

New Zealand's government announced to reform the country's immigration laws, but some consider the changes to be lackluster and to not address the real issues migrants seeking work in New Zealand are facing. Aaron Martin explains exactly where the new rules fall short and what issues still need to be addressed.

**Opinion piece: Aaron Martin principal lawyer for New Zealand Immigration Law.**

Over the past two years, Covid has turned the immigration tap off, leaving New Zealand desperately short of some much-needed skills.  The Government argued that the situation produced the perfect opportunity to reassess decades of “unbalanced immigration.” A “reset” was promised, and expectations built up that something significant was in the works; a major reform of New Zealand’s immigration system, designed to address this [skill shortage.](https://www.relocate.world/articles/nz-skill-and-labor-shortage)

When the announcement finally came on Wednesday, the Government had rebranded their “reset” as a lesser “rebalancing.” This downgrade of terminology was warranted – rather than a “reset”, the reforms turned out to be the same policy as before dressed up as something new.

From a big picture point of view, the new settings equate to “business as usual”, with some new mechanisms for selecting and encouraging migrants to this country.

[In essence, the announcement falls flat, both in terms of a vision and in delivery of any real change for employers.](https://www.relocate.world/articles/new-zealand-immigration)

#### The positives:
As part of border reopening and immigration changes, the government announced a new “Green List” of 85 hard-to-fill, high-skill roles that provide a priority pathway to residency.

- The new Green List is welcome, as some industries now have some certainty for those they need to employ.
- It’s great that Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders who are paid $115,500 will have a pathway to residence after working for two years.
- It’s also great that some occupations are going to have a temporary reprieve from the $27.76 median wage.

#### What’s wrong with the announcement?
The new work visa system is not new. It’s been in the planning well before Covid. There is nothing innovative here.

The Green List is the Long-Term Shortage List in disguise. It’s also too narrow. You don’t get on the Green List just because the job title matches the list, the visa applicant’s qualifications must also be equivalent to the New Zealand qualifications on the list.

Although it is wonderful that some skilled occupations can apply for residence directly; others on the list, such as nurses and teachers, will still have to wait after two years of work.

Additionally, what about all the other occupations, such as accountants, construction trades, hairdressers, and all the other ICT occupations, just to name a few.

All the rest may qualify under the Skilled Migrant Category, which is still under review with no precise word on when it will be released or what the criteria will be.

How do you encourage this group of workers to bring their valuable skills to New Zealand if we have no residence category and no indication of what it takes to qualify? “It’s coming” is not a good enough answer after two and a half years of waiting.

#### The Green List job titles are still associated with an ANZSCO job description
Is this operationally directing INZ back to the bugbear of the old Skilled Migrant Category, with the arguments and large quantities of evidence being supplied to prove the employer’s job description “substantially matches” the ANZSCO description for the role?

The purpose of these new rules is to attract needed skills and talent. To do that, New Zealand needs to be easy to move to. As Brett O’Riley, Chief Executive of the EMA, pointed out on Radio New Zealand on Thursday “the New Zealand employment brand has been a bit damaged.”

If you are trying to repair that, why do changes in December this year remove the ability for partners of workers to enter on an open work visa? The open work visa makes them “work ready.” It assists the family to settle quickly by facilitating employment of the partner.

The December change openly acknowledges most partners won’t enter on a work visa  ̶  it’s reserved only for work visa holders with a job on the Green List or being paid 200% above median wage.

With most candidates we help apply for a work visa, the second question asked is usually: can my wife get a work visa for the same period? Under current rules I can say yes.

With the December rules I have to say, no, your partner only comes in on a visitor visa.

**If** he or she can find a job with an accredited employer, then your partner will get a work visa tied to that employer.

The immigration minister tried to dress it up as something beneficial because the work visa will allow part-time work. Guess what? The open work visa already does this! And imagine how hard it is searching for work only holding a visitor visa!

It’s hypocritical of the Government to require accredited employers to provide settlement information to assist workers to settle, but to then introduce a policy which makes that hard to do.

How are employers going to attract workers when their family must go from two incomes to one in the current New Zealand environment and stay on that one income for an undetermined length of time?

The policy suite therefore lacks logic.

We’ve waited over two and a half years for a new residence programme  ̶  and a work visa system we all knew was coming  ̶  and all we got was this? Immigration New Zealand definitely could have done better.

### 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.*

If you need help or advice with your visa application, [Connect with Aaron today](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/102).

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

**Learn more about [New Zealand](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/newzealand) and [how to find a job](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/newzealand/how-to-find-job-in-new-zealand) in the country!**

large_aaron-birch-Sq2r8_XO3SQ-unsplash.webp

medium_aaron-birch-Sq2r8_XO3SQ-unsplash.webp

small_aaron-birch-Sq2r8_XO3SQ-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_aaron-birch-Sq2r8_XO3SQ-unsplash.webp

xlarge_aaron-birch-Sq2r8_XO3SQ-unsplash.webp

New Zealand's Green List Fails to Deliver for Employers

Can an applicant be eligible for permanent residency in Germany when he has serious debts and is paying them off as agreed? VG Berlin decided on this dispute between immigration in Berlin and an applicant on January 26, 2018, (re VG 11 K 541.17).

#### Debts no hindrance for permanent residency

This Gambian citizen applied for permanent residency after having accumulated five years of legal residency. He had unsuccessfully applied for asylum in the past and was deported back to Gambia. After marrying a German, he obtained a residence permit for family reunion to his German wife. Due to his deportation, this Gambian citizen had around 20 ks in debt to the authorities. All other requirements for permanent residency have been met without issue.

The immigration authorities in [Germany](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/germany) held that, although he is paying his debts, he will need another seven years until they have been remitted, which disqualifies him from having sufficient and permanent income for his financial livelihood.

The applicant contested the ruling and won in court. The court held that financial livelihood had to be determined as it normally would be in the combined application of immigration and social law. If the applicant meets the requirements as determined in §9 II AufenthG, he is entitled to receive permanent residency. "Not having debts" is not mentioned as a requirement in the law. Beyond that, even if debts were affecting his financial status, then his income can only be garnished within the exemption limit for seizure. In other words, his basic income may not be touched. A basic income is sufficient for permanent residency under German immigration law. This person will not become a burden on the public as the immigration authorities sought to claim. Last but not least, it would be absurd if he was not able to get permanent residency in spite of a successful application for naturalization because of debts.

#### Understand the German Immigration law system better and get relevant information for your needs

*Alexander von Engelhardt specializes in legal services for immigration, the migration of foreign investors and professionals as well as for companies wanting to expand their business to Germany.*

[Reach out to Alexander](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/292) to discuss your immigration needs and set up a consultation. 

![logo_unten.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/logo_unten-p44bzQ4OFn.webp)

large_josh-appel-NeTPASr-bmQ-unsplash.webp

medium_josh-appel-NeTPASr-bmQ-unsplash.webp

small_josh-appel-NeTPASr-bmQ-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_josh-appel-NeTPASr-bmQ-unsplash.webp

xlarge_josh-appel-NeTPASr-bmQ-unsplash.webp

Permanent Residency in Germany in Spite of Debts

After his visit to the UK, Rohan George decided to use this opportunity to travel to Poland, where he offered his support to help the Ukrainian refugees there navigate the specially set up Canadian support program. Here are his thoughts on his experience in Poland and what he could learn himself.
- ---

Poland was never a place I planned to visit.

It was never on my bucket list (or *any* list).

I ended up there on a last-minute decision to travel after the conference—simply because it cost less to travel across Europe than it was for a full tank of gas in Toronto. 

I decided on [Poland](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/poland) because I’d read that most of the displaced Ukrainians would end up there. Out of the 2 million in Poland I assumed most would transit through Krakow since it was only a few hours drive from there to the Ukrainian border. 

**Like I said Poland was never a place I planned to visit—but Krakow caught me by surprise.**

![1654091139405.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/-kFDqDGnsso.webp)

Krakow is one the largest cities in Poland but without the concrete jungle feel of most urban centres.

It’s downtown core (Main Market Square) used to be the Kingdom of Poland’s main market 800 years ago and has maintained that history.

Now it’s one of the oldest and largest public squares in Europe. 

But why was I looking for Ukrainians in Krakow’s Main Market Square?

Not everyone's idea of spontaneous travel I'm sure.

![1654090985399.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/-Zu6XcVrPgG.webp)

For me, [Canada’s CUAET program](https://www.relocate.world/articles/Ukrainians-travel-to-canada) (special emergency travel authorization for Ukrainians) is the gold standard for responding to people in crisis.

There are a few key service/policy/legal innovations that we can be proud of as Canadians (that's a series in itself), and CUAET is one of them.

**It puts dignity first and politics second.**

CUAET pulls out all the stops in terms of cutting out barriers that would prevent a person in crisis from accessing it. It was launched within a short window. and whatever shortcomings it may have--it's a strong example of how we can (and should) respond to people in trouble. 

But it didn’t look like too many people were coming to [Canada](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/canada). After arriving in Krakow and writing to the Mayor’s office to seek permission for an info session at the square, I found out that Newfoundland had actually set up an office in Warsaw the capital and had chartered planes to bring Ukrainians over.

But despite these efforts, the uptake of the program seemed significantly low ([data released May 29, 2022 confirms the same](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2022/05/canada-welcomes-second-charter-flight-for-ukrainians-in-montreal.html)). Out of almost 13M displaced, 35,000 doesn't seem like much. So I just wanted to understand why.

**I went as a learner not as an expert.**

I learned many Ukrainians had little understanding of the benefits of the Canadian program. Neither did the Mayor's office for the city welcoming the most Ukrainians in the world.

I reached out to Relocate as I was aware of their previous efforts to support Ukrainians through their [UkrPass](https://ukrpass.eu/) initiative. The idea of a pop-up shop with public legal education re the program took shape.

The rest is for another day.

### Get More Information About Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel Program
*Glassbox is a Toronto based boutique law firm focused on employing technology and innovation to change the way clients experience law. The practice areas include immigration, real estate, family law and corporate (small business).*

[Connect with Rohan](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/153) today to further discuss your immigration options to Canada and general questions about life as an immigrant in Canada. 

![image001.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/image-la5Dnu62gh.webp)

small_1654089795505.webp

thumbnail_1654089795505.webp

To Krakow with Love

ETIAS has been in development since 2016 and will be fully implemented in 2023. Read on to find out what ETIAS is exactly and what impact it will have on travel to countries within the Schengen area.

ETIAS is an electronic system that is keeping track of visitors from countries outside of the EU who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen zone. At the moment, there are 63 countries in the world with a visa-free regime to travel to the Schengen area. Citizens of these countries may enter the Schengen zone for up to 90 days for business or travel purposes.

Development of ETIAS has started in 2016, and the system should be fully implemented and operational by May 2023. The main goal of this system is to have a better knowledge of who is entering the Schengen zone.

All travelers from a visa-free country will need to undergo a detailed security check, and ETIAS will determine whether such a person can be allowed into the Schengen zone. These travelers will not have to go through the long process of applying for a visa, but instead approval from ETIAS will be needed. The system will gather, keep track of, and update necessary information about every traveler coming to the Schengen zone. It is estimated that this new requirement will have an impact on 1.4 billion people.

#### How will the process work?

Applying for ETIAS authorization will be simple and quick – travelers will have to complete an online form with information regarding their identity, travel intention, background security check, and they will have to upload a copy of their passport and digital biometric photo. Travelers will have to pay a fee of EUR 7 online.

Once the request is approved, the ETIAS authorization will be valid for a period of three years or up until the applicant's passport expires, whichever would come first.

The confirmation will be sent to the traveler's e-mail, and this confirmation should be carried and presented to the border officers in digital or printed form.

A similar system is used by the [US](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/usa), which is using the so called ESTA (Electronic Travel and Authorization System). The [UK](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/unitedkingdom) has also started to work on a similar system called UK ETA.

### Find out more about travel and immigration requirements for the EU and Schengen area
Now that you learned about ETIAS, read on for more information about living and working in the EU and Schengen area, such as [how to bring your pet to Portugal](https://www.relocate.world/articles/take-your-pets-to-portugal) or [working in France as a Digital Nomad](https://www.relocate.world/articles/digital-nomad-france-how-to)!

*Relocation 4 You has more than 20 years of experience in the immigration and relocation field, true experts who help companies and employees smoothly overcome the hassle of the Czech bureaucracy.*

[Contact Deniz](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/239) for support in your immigration process to Czech Republic, or for general questions about immigrating to Czech Republic. 



large_daniel-schludi-e1RI3wRelqM-unsplash.webp

medium_daniel-schludi-e1RI3wRelqM-unsplash.webp

small_daniel-schludi-e1RI3wRelqM-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_daniel-schludi-e1RI3wRelqM-unsplash.webp

xlarge_daniel-schludi-e1RI3wRelqM-unsplash.webp

ETIAS – European Travel and Authorization System

Decree-Law No. 26/2022 of March 18, which will come into force on September 1, 2022, imposes new rules for granting this nationality.

The Decree-Law nº30-A/2015 of February 27 made it possible to award Portuguese nationality, by naturalization, to the descendants of Sephardic Jews.

Under the terms of this decree-law, Sephardic Jews are those who descended from ancient and traditional Jewish communities in the Iberian Peninsula.

When the law came into effect, the following requirements were established to grant the Portuguese nationality to descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews:

- They must be of age or emancipated according to Portuguese law;
- They must not have been convicted of a crime punishable by a prison sentence of three years or more, with the sentence becoming final and unappealable;
- They must not constitute a danger or threat to national security or defence by their involvement in activities related to the practice of terrorism;
- A certificate issued by the Jewish community, rooted in [Portugal](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/portugal), attesting to the tradition of belonging to a Sephardic community of Portuguese origin, based on proven objective requirements of connection to Portugal, namely, the applicant’s surname, family language, genealogy, and family memory must be provided.

However, motivated by suspicions of irregularities in issuing the certificates for such applications, the Portuguese authorities decided to tighten the requirements for granting the nationality to the descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews.

Thus, Decree-Law nº26/2022, of March 18, imposes, in addition to the requirements mentioned above, the submission of a certificate or other supporting document that establishes:

- the ownership, transmitted mortis causa, of property rights over real estate located in Portugal, or rights of a similar nature, or shares in commercial or cooperative companies based in Portugal; or
- regular trips to Portugal throughout the applicant’s life; when such facts demonstrate an effective and lasting connection to Portugal.

As of September 1, 2022, when the new rules for attribution of this nationality come into force, applicants must comply with the general requirements applicable to all Portuguese nationality applications and the formalities mentioned above.

As a result, such processes will be less complex if they are initiated by applicants before September 2022.

### Learn More About Relocating to Portugal
Did you know that Portugal is a [great place for cryptocurrencies](https://www.relocate.world/articles/cryptocurrency-in-portugal)? Also read on to learn about [Portugal's D7 visa](https://www.relocate.world/articles/portugal-d7-visa) which is especially interesting for passive income earners and retirees!

*Caiado Guerreiro is a multi-jurisdictional 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)

large_scott-graham-OQMZwNd3ThU-unsplash.webp

medium_scott-graham-OQMZwNd3ThU-unsplash.webp

small_scott-graham-OQMZwNd3ThU-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_scott-graham-OQMZwNd3ThU-unsplash.webp

xlarge_scott-graham-OQMZwNd3ThU-unsplash.webp

Descendants of Sephardic Jews: the Latest Change to the Legal Regime

Ever read a travel article like ‘How to Live Like a Local in (insert latest hot city here)’? Sure. We all have. Were you disappointed that the article didn’t tell you how to live like a local? 

Instead, it was a travel article suggesting the locals spend all their time lounging by the beach/mountain top/sidewalk café and never get any actual work or living done? If you want to know how to pass like a ‘local’ in Buenos Aires, read on. You won’t be misled.

#### How is it like to live in Argentina?
[Argentina](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/argentina) is a a vast country and has several environments, but in places where expats are most likely to remain, the climate is comfortable. [Buenos Aires](https://www.relocate.world/articles/baggage-storage-buenos-aires) has four seasons. The summer months can be hot and muggy, but thankfully, the humidity doesn't last long, and for most of the year it's a temperate climate.

#### Is it hard to move to Argentina?
Security is always a concern for expats and people planning a move. Like many countries with monetary challenges, Argentina has some crime issues. Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and other major cities can be prone to petty crime. Still, brutal crimes are rare in areas popular with expats in Argentina.

#### Is Argentina cheap to live?
According to numbeo[]().com, the cost of living in Argentina is 50% to 60% less than in the [U.S.](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/usa) All told, you can expect to live adequately on $1,500 per month. If you were particularly practical, you could hope to get by on about $1,000 per month.

![nathana-reboucas-MxuIhH5F3Vg-unsplash.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/nathana-reboucas-mxuihhfvg-unsplash-UQkDD77HXp.webp)

#### Do they speak English in Argentina?
While Argentina's official language is Spanish, Argentina has experienced so much international movement that Arabic, Italian, German, English, and French are also uttered—at least in pockets throughout the country. There are also over one million speakers of different tribal languages, including Quechua and Guaraní.

#### What is considered rude in Argentina?
Most Argentines eat with a knife in the right hand and a fork in the left. Using a toothpick in public is considered bad manners. Blowing one's nose or clearing one's throat at the table is also considered poor manners. Eating on public transport is seen as poor etiquette.

#### What is the average living cost in Argentina?
Many expats and retirees manage to live quite comfortably on $1,000 to $1,300 per month, and couples on around $1,500 to $1,800 a month. Reasonable rent gives a big boost to Argentina's affordability, specifically for those who choose to reside outside the more popular tourist regions.

![cristian-tarzi-ZbWx02qdaL0-unsplash.webp](https://storage.googleapis.com/relocate-production-store/cristian-tarzi-zbwxqdal-unsplash-8tLXD9geq8.webp)

#### Is education in Argentina free?
Note that undergraduate study at all Argentine public universities is tuition-free and leads to professional degrees.

#### In conclusion
If you’re in Buenos Aires as a tourist, you’re likely to sleep in late. The brunch buffet at the hotel lasts until 11 and your first tour excursion doesn’t leave until noon. That gives you plenty of time to lie in bed, take a relaxed shower, check out the email, and do other housekeeping duties. A local is up before dawn making sure their clothes are pressed, fresh, and spotless. If there are kids in the house, they’re bundling them off to school. No real time to sleep in and be lazy. By the way, splash on plenty of perfume or cologne – you’ll find out why later.

### Learn more about life in Argentina
Argentina is not only a good country to live in, it's also a [great destination for retirement](https://www.relocate.world/articles/retire-in-argentina). Read on to learn how to make your [life as an expat in Argentina](https://www.relocate.world/articles/expat-in-argentina) a success. Also, don't forget that Argentina just introduced a [Digital Nomad visa](https://www.relocate.world/articles/argentina-digital-nomad-visa), making living in Argentina easier than ever!

*[Jerry Nelson](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/128) is an American writer living the expat life in Buenos Aires. Some of the adventures Jerry has enjoyed, he jumped into the ocean from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Aden, cut off a goat's balls as part of a mating ritual in Indonesia, raced a NASCAR around the oval in Charlotte, created a small coin purse out of live Tarantulas in Australia's outback, spent six-weeks with the Sinaloa cartel along the U.S./Mexican border and sailed a 16th century schooner through the sound and into the open ocean.*

*Never far from his coffee and Marlboros, Jerry is always glad to discuss future working opportunities. Email him at jandrewnelson2@gmail.com and join the quarter-million who follow him on Twitter*.


large_fermin-rodriguez-penelas-r3muakP0QuE-unsplash.webp

medium_fermin-rodriguez-penelas-r3muakP0QuE-unsplash.webp

small_fermin-rodriguez-penelas-r3muakP0QuE-unsplash.webp

thumbnail_fermin-rodriguez-penelas-r3muakP0QuE-unsplash.webp

xlarge_fermin-rodriguez-penelas-r3muakP0QuE-unsplash.webp

Live Like a Local in Argentina

Relocate is on a mission to connect you with leading migration practitioners in top-destinations around the world. Take a moment and learn more about those pioneering the way for global mobility today.

### Have a Question for Miguel? Get involved in the Conversation!

- **Ambassador: [Miguel Martins](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/62)**
- **Profession: Immigration Lawyer**
- **Location: [Canada](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/canada)**

**Relocate Community** How long have you been supporting International clients?

**Miguel** For the last 4 years.

**Relocate Community** What are your core areas of practice at BinHimyar Law Firm?

**Miguel** I work with Canadian businesses, individuals, and their families, to help them navigate Canada's complex immigration system. I handle permanent residency applications, visitor visas, work and study permits, spousal sponsorships and clients facing previous refusals or inadmissibility issues.

**Relocate Community** Important work! What inspired you to focus on immigration?

**Miguel** I'm grateful for the privilege a life in Canada has given me. As a child of immigrant parents, I realize the sacrifices they made in the hope of a better future for their children. I'm motivated to help families do the same and find my work enriching when I can become a small part of their success stories.

**Relocate Community** That's amazing. So, who are your ideal candidates to work with?

**Miguel** Individuals looking to work or study in Canada, their families, businesses in Canada or abroad, and refugees.

**Relocate Community** Is there anything exciting happening on the immigration front in Canada?

**Miguel** Canada's immigration levels plan is focused on increasing the number of permanent residents admitted over the next two years. Canada will be welcoming new immigrants across a wide range of categories including provincial nominee programs, start up visa and entrepreneur programs, parents and grandparents sponsorships and refugee resettlement.

**Relocate Community** Why is now the ideal time for people to consider Canada as their relocation destination?

**Miguel** Canada has one of the world's lowest birth rates and an aging population. As a result, Canada wants immigrants and realizes how crucial they and their families are to Canada's long term prosperity. Along with multicultural inclusivity and world class education and healthcare systems, Canada is a great place to start a new life or raise a family.

**Relocate Community** Sounds exciting! 

*Miguel is a passionate Canadian Immigration Lawyer with a wide range of experience helping individuals and their families looking to visit, study, or immigrate to Canada.*

### Have a question for Miguel? 

[Reach out to Miguel](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/62) to learn more about his work and how he might be able to help you on your immigration journey! 


Ambassador Spotlight: Miguel A. Martins

ETIAS is a new system to make travel within the EU and Schengen area easier for those travellers arriving from outside the EU. Especially British visitors who are interested in coming to the EU for travel or work purposes will find the new system to be much quicker and more convenient.

[Following our article from last week](https://www.relocate.world/articles/ETIAS-Schengen-travel-system), you already know that ETIAS is an electronic system that is keeping track of visitors from countries outside the EU who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen zone. Currently, there are 63 countries in the world with a visa-free regime to travel to Schengen areas, and citizens of these countries may enter the Schengen zone for up 90 days for business or travel purposes.

This means that [British](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/unitedkingdom) travellers will be obliged to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver/ authorisation as well.

Contrary to what British tabloids like to call it, ETIAS is not actually a visa. Instead, it is a visa waiver/ authorisation done online where you only upload a scan of your passport and then pay the fee.

Obtaining the visa waiver/ authorisation takes about 15 minutes and costs just €7, which is much cheaper than paying a visa fee, and the process is much easier than applying for a visa.

With ETIAS, Britons can enter the EU and Schengen area as many times as they would like and need, as long as they meet the criteria of 90 days in a 180 day period. The ETIAS authorisation will be valid for three years with a possibility of issue for longer periods.

### Find out more about travel and immigration requirements for the EU and Schengen area
If you're looking for other ways to live in the EU or the Schengen area, check out this article on how to obtain a [Digital Nomad visa](https://www.relocate.world/articles/croatia-digital-nomad-visa) for Croatia. You may also be interested in finding out [how to obtain a work visa in France](https://www.relocate.world/destinations/france/how-to-get-work-visa-in-France)!

*Relocation 4 You has more than 20 years of experience in the immigration and relocation field, true experts who help companies and employees smoothly overcome the hassle of the Czech bureaucracy.*

[Contact Deniz](https://www.relocate.world/advisors/239) for support in your immigration process to Czech Republic, or for general questions about immigrating to Czech Republic. 

large_christian-lue-7dEyTJ7-8os-unsplash.webp

medium_christian-lue-7dEyTJ7-8os-unsplash.webp

small_christian-lue-7dEyTJ7-8os-unsplash.webp

ETIAS for British Nationals

Portugal

We're still at sea and arriving to the Golden Coast of Portugal soon....

Meanwhile, dig-deeper into FAQs, featured articles about relocating to Portugal and connect with leading Advisors in Portugal today.

Featured Advisors

Connect with leading experts in Portugal

Featured Articles ✈ Portugal

Get Inspired. Stay Informed.

Let's go places together Subscribe to our Newsletter

Portugal

We're still at sea and arriving to the Golden Coast of Portugal soon....

Meanwhile, dig-deeper into FAQs, featured articles about relocating to Portugal and connect with leading Advisors in Portugal today.

Featured Advisors

Connect with leading experts in Portugal

Featured Articles ✈ Portugal

Get Inspired. Stay Informed.

Entrepreneurship

Visas & Consular Processing

Complex Immigration Cases

Visas & Consular Processing

Work Authorisation

Global Community

Let's go places together Subscribe to our Newsletter