Immigration News: From January 1, Greece won't allow in-country Digital Nomad Visa applications; 123% spike in UK’s family-related visas for Indians; New Zealand extends 90-day trial periods to all employers

From January 1, 2024, Greece will no longer allow in-country applications for the Digital Nomad Visa. (Photo: Jonathan Gallegos via Unsplash)

From January 1, 2024, Greece will no longer allow in-country applications for the Digital Nomad Visa, which means that applicants will be required to apply through Greek consular posts, in their country of citizenship or residence. Processing times and documentary requirements differ from one country to another.

To be eligible for this visa, the applicant must be citizen from countries outside the European Union (EU), and meet specific conditions such as proof they work as digital nomads, hold a valid employment contract registered outside Greece and have a monthly salary not less than Euro 3,500, among others.

The Greek Digital Nomad Visa is valid for a period of one year, and can be extended to a maximum of three years. Those who plan to stay for more than one year, are required to apply for a residence permit before their digital nomad visa expires.

Argentina has the best digital nomad visa policy in North and South America, and the second best in the world, just after Spain, a new ranking by Visaguide.world has revealed. In the Digital Nomad Visa ranking, Romania is listed third, the United Arab Emirates fourth, and Croatia fifth.

123% spike in UK’s family-related visas for Indians: Between September 2022 and 2023, Indians nationals were granted 5,870 family-related visas by the United Kingdom (UK) that marked a 123 per cent YoY spike, according to the UK National Statistics website. During this period, a total of a total of 82,395 family-related visas were issued that accounted for an overall 117 per cent increase — the highest number of family-related visas ever granted within a year.

Along with Pakistanis and Americans, Indian nationals were in the list of Top 3 countries to be granted this category of visas followed by Nepalis and Bangladeshis.

New Zealand extends 90-day trial periods to all employers: The New Zealand Government announced on December 11 its intention to extend 90-day trial periods to all employers. It is important to note that accredited employers are not included in this legislation so this will not apply to accredited employers and those on the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).

On October 29, 2023, rules came into effect that meant accredited employers are not able to use 90-day trial periods in employment agreements.

• Employment agreements provided with job check applications must not include a trial period
• Employers who use a trial period in employment agreements will risk having their accreditation revoked
• Breaches could be detected up front as part of the job check process, or through post-decision and reaccreditation checks

The number of applications has increased dramatically over the last two years. In 2021, there were around 26,000 applications based on family ties, whereas in 2022, the figure was around 32,000. This year, the number of pending applications is expected to rise to 40,000. The increase in applications is around 50% compared to 2021.

However, the backlog does not affect the majority of applications based on family ties. In 2023, more than 60% of applications based on family ties have been decided in less than three months and 76% will be decided in less than six months from the date of application.

The Netherlands allows double surnames from January 1, 2024: From January 1, 2024, children born in the Netherlands will be able to be registered with the surnames of both their parents. Previously this was possible under certain conditions, especially in respect of children with another European Union (EU) nationality. During a period of transition, children born on or after January 1, 2016, will also be able to choose a combination of both their parents’ names. This will be possible when the parents choose the double surname within the transition period and the firstborn in the family was born on or after January 1, 2016.

For adopted children it will be possible to choose a combination of their name at birth and the name of one of their adoptive parents with a maximum of two surnames. A combination of surnames had been possible previously under certain conditions. For example, for children who have another EU nationality besides their Dutch nationality.

A choice of law is introduced in some situations also in respect of Dutch children who have more than one nationality.