Effective from January 31, 2024, the UK will implement certain changes to immigration rules. These include changes to expand activities that can be performed under a Visitor Visa and allow for remote work in these circumstances. Travel requirements regarding documentation for school groups from France are also back to pre-Brexit rules. The statement also slightly changes the Youth Mobility Scheme by also including nationals from Uruguay and an increased number of slots for nationals from Japan and South Korea.
Germany to issue Opportunity Card from June 1, 2024: A points-based Opportunity Card will be introduced from June 1, 2024. The Opportunity Card allows skilled workers from non-European Union (EU) states to look for work in Germany. If they hold a degree or vocational qualification equivalent to a German qualification, these workers can get an Opportunity Card with no strings attached.
The only requirements are that they hold a degree from a foreign university or a vocational qualification of at least two years’ duration (where the qualification is recognised in the country where the study took place), or a vocational qualification issued by a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad. In addition, they will need basic German skills to A1 level or English skills at B2 level. They will be awarded points for their qualifications, language skills, work experience, age and connections to Germany, along with the career potential of a partner who is moving to Germany with them. At least six points are needed to get an Opportunity Card.
UAE launches private teacher work permit: The United Arab Emirates has introduced a new Private Teacher Work Permit, allowing teachers to give private lessons. Previously, teachers were prohibited to teach privately outside of an institution. The new permit has been introduced to curb illegal tuitions.
Under the new rules, teachers will be able to teach groups or individual students both online as well as offline. Eligible applicants can submit a request for a private teacher work permit through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) smart application, website, and e-services system. The permit is granted free of charge for two years. Individuals offering private lessons without a permit from the MoHRE will be subject to fines and penalties.
Applicants who are rejected can reapply after 6 months.
Those holding a valid resident permit in the United Arab Emirates can also work remotely from their home country.
Those who are eligible to apply include:
- Registered teachers in either public or private schools
- Employees in the public or private sector,
- Unemployed individuals
- Students (school or university), older than 15 years
Denmark updates positive list for graduates and skilled workers: The new positive lists for graduate and skilled workers have been published that includes 72 job titles for people with higher education and 38 job titles for skilled work.
The list that is updated twice a year includes professions that currently in shortage of qualified workforce in the country. Newly added to the skilled worker positive List are plumbers, technical designers, sales consultants, human resources assistants, bricklayers, welders, bodywork metal workers, shipbuilders, service technicians with iron and metal, and industrial mechanics.
Blacksmiths, automatic technical technicians, electronics technicians, and telecommunications technicians have been removed from the list.
Individuals who have been offered a job that is listed there, can apply for a Danish residence and work permit based on this scheme. Current holders of permits from the positive list will not be affected even if their job position is removed. They can apply for a renewal of their permits if they continue to meet the general renewal conditions.
Netherlands scraps 30% tax reduction advantage: Effective January 1, 2024, the Netherlands has scrapped the 30 percent tax reduction advantage for highly skilled migrants working in the country. This is based on an amendment passed by the Dutch House of Representatives.
Previously, highly skilled migrant visa holders could apply for 30 percent tax exemption for their salary, which the new amendment has changed by reducing this advantage for those who come after January 1, 2024. For those who have already successfully applied for this 30 percent tax break in the last pay period of 2023, there will be a transition period - from January 1, 2024, the ruling will still apply for a maximum of five years, but the 30 percent saving will only hold for 20 months. After that, 20 percent of the employee’s salary will be exempt from tax for the next 20 months, and then 10 percent for the final 20 months. There will be a transition period put in place for people who are currently claiming the tax break.
The changes to the scheme would ultimately yield savings of almost 200 million Euros per year. That money is earmarked for reducing the interest rate paid by students on their loans - the interest rate on these loans is about to increase from 0.46 percent to 2.46 percent.
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