Editors Pick

Highlights: Bulgaria issued citizenship to more than 16,000 People in 2024

• Bulgarian has granted over 16,000 foreign nationals with Bulgarian citizenship. 
• As per the stats, there is an increase of 33 percent in citizenship granted in 2024 than in 2023.
• More than 16,000 foreign nationals received Bulgarian citizenship, thus becoming EU citizens.
• Ukrainians and Turkish nationals were the primary beneficiaries of Bulgarian citizenship in 2024. 

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Bulgaria issued citizenship in 2024 

According to the Bulgarian authorities, the country granted citizenship to many foreign nationals in 2024, surpassing the 2023 numbers. The recent Schengen news report reveals that more than 16,000 people have received Bulgarian citizenship, thus becoming EU citizens. This recorded a 33.3 percent increase in 2023 when Bulgaria granted citizenship to 12000 foreign nationals.  

In 2023, more than 2,400 Ukrainians received a Bulgarian passport. With more than 200 fewer citizenship acquisitions, Turkish nationals rank second, with 2,200 of them obtaining Bulgarian citizenship in 2024. 
 

Nationalities that were granted Bulgarian citizenship

According to the report, Ukrainian and Turkish citizens were the top beneficiaries of Bulgarian citizenship in 2024. Below is the table of nationalities that were granted Bulgarian passport:

Other than that, there are other nationalities followed by the nationalities mentioned above: 

• Albanians
• Serbs
• Russians
• Israelis
• Syrians 

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Highlights: Finland intends to offer fast-track Residence Permits for international students 

• The Finnish government plans to propose new rules for residence permit candidates.
• Finland intends to streamline obtaining a residency permit for international students.
• The new reform aims to attract more international students to Finland.
• According to the Study in Finland statistics, around 63,000 student applications were recorded in 2024.

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Finland plans to streamline the residency permit process for international students

The Finnish government plans to fast-track the process of obtaining residency permits for students; while on the other hand, Finland is also proposing to tighten the process of family reunification visas. Once this proposal is implemented by Finland, international students will have the opportunity to become permanent residents without having to complete the required residency period as they currently do.  

Finland needs more highly skilled workers, which could increase the number of arrivals at Finnish universities. This new change is expected to make Finland a more attractive destination for International students. By attracting more students in highly qualified skilled fields, the government aims to address the labor shortage across the country. 

The proposal will be effective from March 7, 2025, and some of the changes will include foreign nationals to obtain a PR: 

• The annual income is at least €40,000 
• Have 2 years of work experience, including master's and post-graduate degrees 
• Have a good knowledge of Finnish and Swedish language in addition to three years of work experience  

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Finland received 63,000 student applications in 2024 

As per recent stats, Finland received 63,000 student applications in 2024, three per cent more than the previous year. Around 53,800 applications were from international students, representing 80 per cent of students outside the EU. The top ten nationalities of International students in Finland:

• Bangladesh
• Pakistan
• Nigeria
• Nepal
• Sri Lanka
• Ghana
• India
• Vietnam
• Iran
• Cameroon

Other than information and communication technologies (ICT), study programs like business, administration, and law were the popular choice for International students. 

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Highlights: Canada released LMIA-exempt work permit quota under the IEC program  

• The International Experience Canada (IEC) program announced the quotes issued country-wise LMIA-exempt work permits.
• Citizens of Youth Mobility Agreements (bYMAs) with Canada will receive LMIA-exempt work permits. 
• The youth must be between 18 to 30 years to qualify for an exempt work permit. 
• IEC has three categories to choose from: the Working Holiday category, the Young Professionals category, and the International Co-op category. 

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LMIA Exempt Country Quotas 

Below is the following table that represents the work permit quotas for citizens of each country, along with the maximum age of the youth of that country:

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What is IEC? 

The International Experience Canada (IEC) program offers work permits to foreign nationals under three distinct streams. As part of Canada’s international agreements with various countries, the IEC enables youth from participating nations to live and work temporarily in Canada. Countries with a Youth Mobility agreement with Canada are eligible to apply for a Canadian work permit through any one of the following IEC programs: 

• The Working Holiday category
• The Young Professionals category
• The International Co-op category 

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Eligible criteria to apply for International Experience Canada (IEC)

Applicants must fulfill the following eligibility criteria to apply for International Experience Canada (IEC): 

• Be a citizen of a country or a resident of a territory with a bYMA with Canada. 
• Valid passport 
• Fulfill the age criteria according to the Youth Mobility Agreements (18-35 years)
• Sufficient funds of at least $2,500
• Secure a Health Insurance 
• Be admissible to Canada 
• Travel itinerary 
• Pay the application fees 

Note: Applicants can bring their Dependants to the country with this visa  

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Highlights: Belgium approved a record-breaking 20,724 family reunification visas in 2024

• Belgium issued a record-breaking number of family reunification visas to foreign nationals in 2024. 
• A total number of 20,724 family reunification visas were issued in 2024.
• Belgium issued one out of four family reunification visas to family members of refugees. 
• Additionally, 6,000 non-EU residents were granted a family reunification visa in 2024. 

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Belgium issued 20,724 family reunification visas in 2024 

Belgium issued more than 20,724 immigrants with family reunification visas in 2024, which reflected the most significant number of newcomers on such visas in over a decade. According to recent stats, one of four family reunification visas was approved for refugee family members. 5,700 foreign nationals obtained visas in 2024, almost 2,000 more than in 2023. In 2023, 6,000 non-EU nationals were granted a family reunification visa to Belgium. A total of 133,146 asylum seekers were granted visas in Belgium. Once the asylum seekers are granted status, they can apply for family reunification to bring their family to the country.  Many visas were issued to other group members, including migrant workers.  
 

Belgium is planning to tighten rules for family reunification visas

Belgium is considering tightening rules for family reunification visas. Scandinavian countries have already implemented restrictions on family reunification visas, which have introduced more requirements for candidates. The Finnish government has also announced that foreign nationals will have an age restriction on Family reunification visas. Finland might introduce an amount threshold for foreign nationals to bring their children. The Danish government introduced the proposal, and though it is just a proposal, it has yet to be announced. 

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Highlights: New Zealand Announces Visit visa changes, allowing Remote work

• New Zealand will now allow qualifying travelers on a visit visa to work remotely on holiday.
• The announcement was made on January 27, 2025, easing visit visa rules.
• The new changes also apply to individuals with an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority).
• The new visit visa changes aim to expand the tourism market, promoting work and travel.

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New Zealand Updates Visit Rules, Promoting Remote Work

New Zealand announced on January 27, 2025, that it would relax visit visa rules, allowing travelers to work remotely for up to 12 months. The new changes are focused on promoting the country’s tourism sector and economy in the long run. The tourism sector in NZ is the second largest export earner, providing nearly 200,000 jobs and generating revenue of $11 billion.

With the global rise of digital nomad visas, New Zealand aims to create remote work opportunities by allowing individuals to combine work and travel. The new changes also apply to those entering New Zealand with an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority).

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What are the New Zealand visa conditions post the remote work announcement?

The updated New Zealand visit visa rules apply to applications submitted from January 27, 2025. Travelers, including family visitors, tourists, and those with guardian visas, will now be allowed to work remotely for companies or clients outside New Zealand.

According to the new changes, visit visa holders can work remotely while on holiday in New Zealand if:  

• They are working for companies outside New Zealand
• They do not work for any of the local employers in New Zealand or exchange goods or services.
• They do not engage or involve in work in physical offices within New Zealand
• They may have to pay taxes if the remote work is over 92 days in a 12-month timeframe.

Note: The remote work options only apply to visit visa holders whose work is based for companies outside New Zealand.  

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