Category: News

With Brexit currently scheduled to take place on October 31st and no deal agreed, here’s a look at the different ways British citizens in Sweden could be affected, depending on their different situations.

Sweden has guaranteed a one-year ‘grace period’ following any no-deal exit, during which all Brits already living in the country would retain their rights to live, work, and obtain healthcare and any other benefits in Sweden without needing a residence permit. If nothing changes they will be treated as third-country nationals after these 12 months, but the government has said work is under way to review the rules, including “the legal possibilities for continuing to live and work in Sweden even after the exception has ceased to apply”.

In the meantime, there are two key things that most Brits in Sweden need to be aware of.

Firstly, during the grace period, the exemption from the need for a residence permit would apply automatically, but British citizens planning travel within that year are advised to apply for a passport stamp to ensure they can return to Sweden without problems. This will be provided free by the Swedish Migration Agency if and when it becomes clear that the UK will leave the EU without a deal, and the Migration Agency has previously said it hopes to process applications for stamps within one week.

Secondly, Brits are advised to apply for a residence permit during the one-year grace period, since after this time they will be subject to the current requirements for third-country citizens.

Here are the details on exactly what that means for you, depending on your specific situation.

Brits with Swedish citizenship

British citizens in this group are the most secure in terms of their rights to continue their lives in Sweden.

Even in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Swedish citizenship means they will retain their rights to live and work not just in Sweden indefinitely, but also to exercise freedom of movement as an EU citizen.

That means, for example, that moving elsewhere within the EU for work or other reasons would not require a visa or permit, and it also means there is no need to apply for the passport stamp mentioned above or for any residence permit after the grace period.

Brits with a Swedish partner

If a no-deal Brexit occurs, the current guidance is that British citizens will need to apply for residency as third-country nationals. These applications should be made during the one-year ‘grace period’.

Brits with a Swedish partner would be eligible for a so-called family permit, and these permits can be granted to people whether they are married or simply cohabiting (or plan to cohabit) with their Swedish partner. These applications typically include a questionnaire for both the Swedish partner and the third-country partner, as well as an interview about the relationship.

It’s also worth knowing that Brits who are married to or sambos with a Swedish citizen can apply for Swedish citizenship after just three years living in the country, as opposed to the usual time limit of five years.

Brits with an EU partner

If your partner is from an EU country other than the UK or Sweden, you would also be eligible to apply for a family permit under current migration laws.

The EU partner would not need to do anything to ensure their own right to remain in Sweden, but in order for a non-EU family member to be granted a residence permit, the EU citizen would need to show that they meet the requirements for right of residence in Sweden through work, studies or private income/capital.

If the EU partner does not meet these requirements, the British partner would need to apply for another kind of residence permit, for example a work permit.

Brits with a third-country partner

In families in which one partner is a third-country national and the other is British, and the couple moved to Sweden using the British partner’s freedom of movement as a European citizen, both partners will be affected by Brexit.

Both British citizens and any non-EU family members are advised to apply for the passport stamp during the one-year grace period in order to ensure they can return to Sweden after travelling overseas.

After a no-deal Brexit, both partners would need to apply for a residency permit in order to remain in Sweden following the one-year grace period. If neither partner will have been in Sweden for five years at this point, this will likely mean one or both partners getting a work permit. Non-EU family members of people with work permits in Sweden are eligible for a permit as their family member.

Brits who have moved recently

People in this category face the most precarious situation in the event of a no-deal, particularly if they don’t have a Swedish or EU partner.

During the one-year grace period, Brits have been advised to apply for any residency permit they are eligible for, which would most likely be a work permit unless special legislation is passed.

Brits who have lived here more than five years

Most Brits who moved to Sweden over five years ago will be eligible for either citizenship or permanent residency. Almost everyone who has been legally resident in Sweden for five years is eligible for permanent residency, while there are a few more conditions for citizenship. It is highly recommended to apply for whichever of these you are eligible for.

British students

Like others, British students will be able to use the one-year grace period to apply for a student permit.

Usually, non-EU students pay tuition fees in Sweden, but the Swedish government has prepared legislation which would exempt UK nationals from paying student fees until 2022, if the student was either admitted to that course before the date of a no-deal Brexit, or already had residence in Sweden by that date. This legislation would come into force after a no-deal Brexit.

Retired Brits

British pensioners living in Sweden who do not fall into any of the above categories face two main concerns: right of residency and pensions.

At the time of writing, it is unclear which options would be open for self-supporting Brits, including pensioners, in terms of residence permits.

As for pensions themselves, UK state pensions rise with the cost of living, and the current pension agreement between EU countries means these rises apply to people drawing British pensions in other EU countries too. In order for this to continue in the case of a no-deal Brexit, the UK would need to introduce a new pension agreement with Sweden.

 

Source: thelocal.se
Published: 1 October 2019

The number of foreign investors who were naturalized since the new regulation easing the conditions to get citizenship last year has hit 2,611, according to the Interior Ministry.

With the family members, a total of 9,962 foreign nationals acquired Turkish citizenship through investment since Sept. 19, 2018.

Foreigners who invest $500,000 in Turkey, deposit $500,000 in Turkish banks or buy real estate worth $250,000 can acquire lifetime residency or citizenship. The minimum level of necessary investment for a citizenship application was $2 million prior to the new regulation.

Iraqi investors topped the list of naturalization with 327 people. They were followed by 250 Afghan investors. 170 Palestinians, 110 Egyptians, 66 Libyans, 44 Lebanese, 29 Saint Kitts and Nevis nationals, 29 Saudis, 28 Azerbaijanis, 26 Pakistanis, 24 Sudanese, 22 Russians, 21 Algerians and 19 U.S. nationals who were also naturalized through the investment program.

 

Source: hurriyetdailynews.com
Published: 27 September 2019

UPDATE

The IMC has completed its investigation into the involvement of its member Kenneth Camilleri in the M6 broadcast and has fully exonerated Mr Camilleri from any wrong doing consequently, the temporary suspension has been now removed and his IMC membership fully restored.

We thank all parties for the cooperation in this matter.

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On 26 September 2019, the IMC has suspended the memberships of Dr. Jean-Philippe Chetcuti and Mr. Kenneth Camilleri, in accordance with the IMC Disciplinary Rules and Procedures until further notice.

Barcelona’s teenage forward Ansu Fati is set to represent Spain at international level after being granted Spanish citizenship.

Local media reports said the 16-year-old, who became Barcelona’s youngest-ever Champions League debutant after starting Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at Borussia Dortmund, was eligible to play for Guinea-Bissau, the country of his birth, as well as Portugal.

Yet he has chosen to play for his adopted country Spain, where he moved aged six.

Having completed the required 10 years of residency in order to obtain Spanish citizenship, the 16-year-old’s application was processed by the country’s Interior Ministry ahead of next Wednesday’s Under-17 World Cup squad deadline.

Spain’s senior coach Robert Moreno said last weekend that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) were working on getting the required paperwork in place.

“It’s not an issue I’m in control of,” Moreno said. “People at the RFEF are working on getting Ansu to play for Spain but it will be the player’s decision. The RFEF are working on having the best players.”

Spain have previously convinced young players possessing dual-nationality to commit their international future to the country.

Brazil-born Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa chose to represent Spain after being granted citizenship ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

While playing for Spain at Under-17 level would not prevent Fati from representing another country at senior level, he could be fast-tracked into the senior setup should his meteoric rise at Barca continue.

 

Source: euronews.com
Published: 20 September 2019

When it comes to tourism, the 2018 World Cup cracked open the door, and Russia’s government seems set to open it even further in the coming years, making it easier than ever for visitors to obtain visas.

In June, the state-run news site RT.com reported that Russia is simplifying its convoluted, fee-heavy entry process in favour of e-visas for tourism, business, and humanitarian purposes alike, to be introduced in January 2021. There’s just one hitch: only certain countries will be eligible, and as of now, the US, Canada, and the UK don’t seem to have made the cut.

The Rugby World Cup 2019 features 20 sides from six continents – Express Sport takes a look at what it takes to gain eligibility for a nation.

There are four ways in which rugby union players can qualify to play for a nation, in accordance with World Rugby.

The main point of contention is that stars can live in a country for three consecutive years (36 months) in order to gain eligibility.

It led to some smaller nations losing players but the sport’s world governing body has now extended it from three to five years, coming into effect in 2020.

As for the rules currently in place, Express Sport casts an eye over the requirements to represent a nation…

What are rugby union’s citizenship and international eligibility rules?

The jurisdictions for the matter come under Regulation 8 in the World Rugby Handbook.

A player can only play for the senior 15-a-side national team, the reserve national team and the sevens national team of a country if they have a “genuine, close, credible and established national link” in which:

– he was born; or

– one parent or grandparent was born; or

– he has completed sixty¹ consecutive months of Residence immediately preceding the time of playing; or

– he has completed ten years of cumulative Residence preceding the time of playing.

Once a player has represented a country in one of the aforementioned national teams they cannot switch allegiance.

If a nation breaks the rules and are on the World Rugby Council – which England are – they will be fined a minimum of £100,000.

For all other World Rugby Member Unions the fine is a minumum of £25,000.

Players can also be sanctioned for breaking the rules if they are believed to have done so knowingly.

 

Source: express.co.uk
Published: 22 September 2019

Interior Minister Salameh Hammad, who is also head of a committee of investors, on Thursday chaired a panel meeting that aimed at discussing amendments to the conditions of granting the Jordanian nationality to investors as well as a five-year residency for investors and their family members.

Amendments are part of the ministry’s role in enhancing the investment environment, attracting more investors, localising current investments and creating jobs for Jordanians, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The committee reached a set of recommendations that will be referred to the Council of Ministers for accreditation and implementation. 

According to government figures released in April, 21 investors have obtained Jordanian nationality under the incentives programme.

Through a Cabinet decision taken in February 2018, investors were offered several options to become eligible for citizenship.

Investors can make a zero-interest, five-year $1.5 million deposit at the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ), or buy Treasury bonds of the same value at an interest rate to be decided by the CBJ for no less than 10 years.

A third option is to buy securities worth $1.5 million from an active investment portfolio or to invest $1 million in Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises for at least five years to become a Jordanian national.

Investors can also make a $2-million investment in any location in the country, or a $1.5-million investment if the project is registered in a governorate other than Amman, provided that the project creates at least 20 jobs and remains operational for at least three years.

To obtain permanent residency, any non-Jordanian can buy property worth at least JD200,000 without selling or disposing of it in any manner for at least a 10-year period, provided that the Department of Land and Survey confirms the property’s value.

An investor who obtains any of the mentioned statuses will have the right to obtain a similar status for their spouse, unmarried, widowed or divorced daughters and sons below 18 years of age and for their parents, if they are their sole supporters. 

 

Source: jordantimes.com
Published: 19 September 2019

Under the housing Dominica programme, Prime Minister of Commonwealth of Dominica, Dr. Roosvelt Skerrit handed over 68 houses in George Town, Portsmouth. Houses were handed over in the presence of government officials and ministers.

Notably, the government of Dominica is giving away free houses to the people who lost their homes in the natural catastrophe of Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria in the year 2015 and 2017 respectively.

It is to be mentioned that many people were living in shelters after the hurricane and under the Housing Dominica programme, more than 6 thousand houses are being built to provide the people shelter.

This revolutionary programme is funded by the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBIP). However, not all houses are handed over yet some apartments are still under construction in various parliamentary constituencies across the country.

During the event, Prime Minister Dr Roosvelt Skerrit handed over the commitment letters and keys of the houses to people. He said that the government is doing what they had promised after the devastating Hurricane Maria ruined many of the homes of the inhabitants of Dominica.

PM Skerrit said, “The lord is the one who has planned everything and I am just a vehicle of God who is privileged to perform the duties by him.”

“We are not handing homes to the middle class or upper-middle class people, but handing over homes to those who are in actually in need. We are taking people from plywood homes to climate-resilient homes,”  said Skerrit.

Prime Minister said, “With the keys, we are also giving a commitment letter which is the guarantee of the government that the person who gets it, owns the house and receiver can also get a loan on it.”

PM said he is happy to give away homes not as the giver but just as a common human being because I know how proud it is to own a house.

Dr Skerrit said that Dominica Labour Party has an upward approach that is working with full compassion to fulfill the requirements of the citizens.

PM also discussed the education reforms by the government in past years, he said that in earlier time only a few had access to university education and thousands of the houses were without a university graduate but the Labour Party has helped people in attaining education.

Dr Skerrit said that the Labour Party has always been supportive in improving the Island; DLP has worked untiredly even when the party was in opposition. He said, “Despite being in opposition years ago the Labour Party financed pre-schools, would buy books for hundreds of children and encouraged them to get educated.”

 

Source: wicnews.com
Published: 14 September 2019

British based businesses will have improved access to skilled workers following changes to the Immigration Rules announced by the immigration minister today (Monday 9 September).

The changes mean that occupations such as veterinarians, architects and web designers will be added to the shortage occupation list (SOL), giving people coming to the UK to work in these industries priority in securing a Tier 2 work visa, over occupations not on the list.

It also means that employers can advertise job vacancies for the occupations included to all nationalities as soon as it’s available, making it easier for them to access the international talent they need.

Immigration Minister Seema Kennedy said:

Giving British based businesses the access to the brightest and best global talent is a key priority for this government.

That is why we have made it easier for employers to hire the skilled workers, such as vets and web designers, that this country needs to flourish.

The Tier 2 shortage of occupation list (SOL) is a list of occupations recognised by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) as being in national shortage, which they assess would be sensible to fill, in part, through non-EEA migration.

Reflecting recommendations by the independent Migration Advisory Committee in its review of the shortage occupation list in May 2019, today the Immigration Rules have been amended accordingly, putting the changes into law.

When reviewing the shortage of occupation list, the MAC considers a range of factors including whether the role is in national shortage and whether it is sensible to fill with migrant workers.

In addition to expanding the SOL, the Immigration Rules have been amended to further demonstrate the government’s commitment to transferring the 480 unaccompanied children under section 67 of the Immigration Act 2016 as soon as possible.

The updated rules will ensure that those children transferring under section 67 are granted with ‘section 67 leave’ upon arrival. This form of leave allows them to study, work, access public funds and healthcare, and is a route to settlement which they would not ordinarily have had. Currently, those who transfer to the UK under section 67 only receive ‘section 67 leave’ if their asylum application is unsuccessful.

It will provide the children, and the local authorities who will care for them, with additional reassurance and guarantee their status in the UK at the earliest opportunity.

The Home Office has also streamlined English language testing ensuring that doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives who have already passed an English language test accepted by the relevant professional body, do not have to sit another test before entry to the UK on a Tier 2 visa. This change will make sure that hospitals and medical practices across the country will be able to access the staff they need more quickly.

 

Source: gov.uk
Published: 9 September 2019