Visas - Expat Magazine

Moving to a country with immigration quotas: What should you consider?
Moving to a country with immigration quotas: ...
Moving to a new country can be a thrilling and exciting experience, but it can also be challenging, especially when the country has immigration quotas in place. Immigration quotas are designed to regulate the flow of people entering a country, but they can also make the process of obtaining a visa and residency more complicated.
These countries assess candidates before issuing work visas
These countries assess candidates before ...
In most countries, the only test that expats need to take for their work visa is a language test. Many countries, notably Australia, also ask their professional bodies to assess expats' previous qualifications and experience before agreeing to issue a work visa. Kuwait is taking a step ahead by making work visa applicants take two exams.
Why the EB-5 Investor Visa remains the fastest way to obtain a Green Card
USA
Why the EB-5 Investor Visa remains the ...
In March 2022, the US government passed an act that allows standalone investors to remain legally in the US while their investment visa is still being processed. This de facto makes the EB-5 Investor Visa the fastest route to obtaining permanent residency in the US. It takes much less time than common routes like the H1-B and L-1 work visas. 
Ethiopia introduces new visa for foreign investors
Ethiopia
Ethiopia introduces new visa for foreign ...
Ethiopia is the sixth largest economy in Africa, with a GDP of $111 billion in 2022. It is, in fact, on track to overtake Kenya for fifth place by 2023. As part of its strategy to achieve this, the government has successfully resumed its drive for foreign investment to boost economic growth. Its latest initiative is the introduction of a new visa for foreign investors. Here's what it means.
Do you have the right profile to live the American Dream?
USA
Do you have the right profile to live the ...
Is the world's leading power still appealing to foreigners? The answer is yes! But ever since Trump was elected in 2016, the mood has changed dramatically. In his determination to reduce legal immigration, Trump signed into legal measures that discouraged prospective expats, and COVID made matters worse. It was only when Joe Biden took office in 2021 that some of these controversial Trump laws lapsed.
Working Holiday Visa (WHV): Where can you travel and under what conditions?
Working Holiday Visa (WHV): Where can you ...
The uptick in international travel, exchange programs and remote work after nearly three years of the pandemic has made the popularity of Working Holiday Visas (WHVs) skyrocket. Bilateral agreements exist between multiple countries to allow young people to gain work experience while discovering a new culture. Here is a comprehensive list of these programs.
Common reasons why visa applications can be denied
Common reasons why visa applications can be ...
In 2021, France was the country in the Schengen area that rejected the most visa applications from Algerian nationals (32 000 applications). It was also the country that accepted the most (44,032 applications). The reason for this increase in the number of refusals is essentially political. France decided to reduce the number of visas granted to Algerians in response to Algeria's refusal to take back its nationals who were staying illegally in France. 
Can you lose your work permit if you're away from your expat country for too long?
Can you lose your work permit if you're away ...
Does being the holder of a work permit in your expat country mean that everything is possible? In the era of remote work and digital nomadism, the work permit is quite likely to be mistaken for a visa with all possibilities. Although it does grant rights to foreign workers, it also comes with a set of rules. What are the risks in case of infringement? Are you allowed to leave your host country for as long as you want?
UAE's free-zone visa's validity reduced from 3 to 2 years
UAE's free-zone visa's validity reduced from ...
In October, the United Arab Emirates started implementing a series of visa reforms. In an effort to standardize work visas, in November, it reduced the free-zone visa's validity from 3 to 2 years. This visa allows expats to fully own companies in designated free-zones. While this change is not deeply disrupting the business plans of free-zone visa holders, it is indirectly increasing the cost of renewing their visas.
Germany is considering amending citizenship laws to attract skilled workers
Germany is considering amending citizenship ...
The German government might soon reduce the number of years of residency needed to apply for citizenship from 8 to 5 years. In addition, dual citizenship might soon be finally allowed for all expats, not just a select few. At a time when the country is suffering from labor shortages, these amendments will likely attract more expats who hope to become EU citizens.
Which work visas have a maximum age limit?
Which work visas have a maximum age limit?
Some work visas explicitly target younger applicants in their 20s and 30s. Some visas with age cutoffs are working holiday visas, Australian permanent skilled work visas, and work permits in Gulf countries. Canadian points-based immigration systems also grant more points to younger applicants.
Oman grants visas on arrival to all expats in GCC countries
Oman grants visas on arrival to all expats ...
In late October, the Sultanate of Oman issued a circular to announce that all legal residents of other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries can now receive a visa on arrival in Oman. This move will help boost tourism and trade in the Sultanate.
France to review its immigration law in response to labor shortages
France to review its immigration law in ...
Ministers of Labor and Interior's announcement of a new immigration law has made a buzz in France since November 3. The two French ministers have outlined the new asylum and immigration law, which aims at addressing the labor shortage and facilitating the entry of qualified foreign workers into France. The bill will soon be presented to Parliament and then to the Senate.
The United Arab Emirates issues visa ban for 20 African countries
The United Arab Emirates issues visa ban for ...
In a statement issued on October 18, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that it was suspending the issuance of 30-day visas for 20 African countries and one Caribbean country with immediate effect. Here is the story. 
Indonesia launches its secondary residence visa
Indonesia launches its secondary residence ...
Indonesia has just reached a new milestone with its new secondary residence visa, which allows foreigners to stay in the country for up to 10 years. The new permit will allow foreigners to reside on Indonesian soil for a minimum of 5 years, provided that they comply with a set of conditions. Here's an insight into this new law and how expats see it.  
Australia's 2022-2023 budget increases immigration funding
Australia's 2022-2023 budget increases ...
On 25 October, Australia's recently elected Labour Government announced its first budget. To solve the country's labor shortage and visa backlog, they've increased the number of permanent visas as well as the funding of the Department of Home Affairs.           
Namibia announces its digital nomad visa
Namibia announces its digital nomad visa
2022 is well on its way to becoming the year of digital nomads. With Brazil, Portugal, and Mauritius among many, the list of countries open to remote workers is growing. Namibia is set to become the newest member of the trendy club of digital-nomad-friendly countries. But what are the characteristics of this Namibian digital nomad visa?      
Registry Act amendment could give Green Card to millions in the US
Registry Act amendment could give Green Card ...
In September, two Democrat senators introduced a bill in congress that could make over 8 million people in the United States become Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). The “Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929” would transform the immigration registry cutoff date of 1972 into a permanently evolving one. This way, irrespective of when they entered the country, immigrants who've been in the US for at least 7 years can obtain a Green Card.