Immigration news update for EMEA region
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Finland: New income thresholds for residence permits
Starting from November, the Finnish Immigration Service will implement raised income thresholds for residence permit applicants. This adjustment reflects the latest data on living expenses and income levels from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), specifically targeting the average financial figures from 2023.
The core aim of revising the income thresholds is to ensure that applicants possess funds equivalent to the minimum subsistence level for Finnish households. This revision is crucial as the previous thresholds, set in February 2013, no longer align with the present cost of living.
The updated net income thresholds are set to guarantee that applicants have adequate financial means to support themselves without relying on social assistance, in accordance with the Aliens Act of Finland.
The revised income thresholds will be applicable across various categories of residence permits, including those for family members, students, recent graduates, researchers, and startup entrepreneurs. Additionally, the updated thresholds will affect working holiday and au-pair permits, ensuring all groups have sufficient resources to cover living costs in Finland.
The current income thresholds remain unchanged for the residence permit for employed individuals. However, there is a potential for these thresholds to rise in the future. Details regarding any changes will be communicated subsequently. Additionally, it is planned that these thresholds will undergo an annual review and adjustment based on indexation.
This summary was prepared using information from the Finnish Immigration Service
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
Ireland: New employment permits act
Starting September 2, 2024, Ireland will implement a new employment permit specifically for seasonal workers. Additionally, the country will simplify its labour market testing procedures and revise the rules regarding changing employers. Authorities have elaborated on these new regulations, covering aspects such as the automatic cancellation of current permits, the digitalization of labour market testing, the timelines for changing employers, and the minimum salary requirements.
These changes are part of the newly passed Employment Permits Act 2024, which also introduces new notification requirements among other modifications. Until now, the provisions of this act had not been in effect. Once these reforms are in place, they are expected to facilitate the recruitment of talent for employers, although they may also introduce some administrative challenges due to the Irish government’s heightened focus on compliance.
This summary was prepared using information from the Citizens information, Ireland
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration) and Joanna Sogeke (Team Leader, EMEA).
Lithuania: Residence permit applications in Nepal not accepted through external service providers anymore
As of September 2, 2024, Lithuania has updated its policy regarding the processing of temporary residence permit applications. The new regulation stipulates that applications from Nepal will no longer be facilitated by an external service provider. Applicants are advised to consult the latest guidelines for submitting their applications directly.
The decision was made in accordance with the selection criteria established by the Minister of the Interior, considering the potential security risks to the nation and the Schengen area.
According to the latest information disclosed by the Ministry of Interior, the total count of outsourced units has experienced a decrease, dropping from 34 to 31 this year. This decline is attributed to the cessation of operations in three countries: Lebanon, Jordan, and Sri Lanka.
In addition to these closures, the Ministry has implemented new guidelines for external service providers based in India, effective from March 1, 2024. These regulations stipulate that assistance with applications will be exclusively available to certain categories of individuals. These categories include relatives of Lithuanian citizens, highly skilled professionals, corporate transferees, educators, students, and research personnel. This is in addition to the previously mentioned closures.
This summary was prepared using information from the Schengen News
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
Democratic Republic of Congo: Mpox screening in some countries
Due to the swift proliferation of a new Mpox (Monkey pox) virus strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and nearby African countries, the WHO has reissued a public health emergency of international concern. Consequently, some authorities have initiated screening procedures for travellers and ships coming from the affected regions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Mpox outbreak in parts of Africa a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) for the second time in two years. This is the highest level of alert the WHO can issue and underlines the organization’s concerns about the rapid spread of the disease. Its decision was prompted by a significant increase in Mpox cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and several neighbouring countries, including the emergence of a new strain of the virus which may cause a higher percentage of patients to become seriously ill or die compared to the global Mpox outbreak in 2022. However, the WHO also emphasises that Mpox “is not the new Covid-19” and the risk to the general public in countries outside the DCR and neighbouring countries remains moderate.
As of now, the WHO advises its member states to “avoid implementing travel-related health measures specific to Mpox, such as entry or exit screening, or requirements for testing or vaccination.” However, we are aware that some port authorities have begun enforcing stricter health and epidemiological measures to prevent the disease from spreading through international vessels.
Current examples are Singapore, India, Bangladesh, Argentina, Uruguay and Venezuela, and others may follow.
This summary was prepared using information from our local service providers.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
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