The Greek Ministry of Migration has created an electronic platform for third-country nationals who live in Greece and want to extend their residence permit. According to the Ministry, from November 16, all residence permits, temporary and permanent residence cards issued to non-EU citizens will be renewed exclusively online through the official electronic service.
The new service concerns about 700,000 individuals, of which 250,000 are holders of a residence permit, which expires on December 31, 2021.
The new platform was launched to prevent overcrowding, queues and long waits in the offices of the Ministry, as well as to speed up the process of applying for a residence permit.
This measure will be even more relevant in the near future. After all, digital nomads started to pay a lot of attention to Greece lately.
Saudi Arabia has become the second Arab state of the Persian Gulf after the UAE, which this year introduced an official naturalization program for foreigners with exceptional skills. The state news agency SPA added that the kingdom is counting on the development of the economy thanks to ambitious new reforms.
Up to this point, foreigners in Saudi Arabia had the opportunity to receive only renewable visas, valid for a few years and tied to work.
The naturalization program will be aimed at finding specialists in the fields of medicine, science (including Islam), culture, sports and technology. The goal is to create an "attractive environment" for the development and preservation of exceptional talents that will help achieve the Vision 2030 goals, the SPA said in a statement.
Vision 2030 is a reform plan to create jobs and reduce the dependence of the Saudi economy on oil.
According to local news sources, the group that has just naturalized includes Muslim clerics who have supported some of King Salman's initiatives on religious tolerance, financial experts, doctors and scientists specializing in engineering, chemistry and communications.
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development has expanded its freelance licensing program by adding 11 more commercial activities to the list. The Emirate aims to improve its business environment and create more technical jobs to attract and retain talent.
The Emirate's initiative allows individuals, including citizens, residents and non-residents, to do their business from anywhere in the world.
At the moment, the UAE is developing a long-term program to attract talent.
New activities are related to accounting and auditing; consulting on Sharia issues in relation to the operations of Islamic financial institutions; consulting in the field of taxation, electronic networks, electronic security, innovation and artificial intelligence; network services in the field of information technology; development and programming of electronic chips; as well as the development of database systems and electronic risk management services.
Abu Dhabi's affordable professional freelancer license, which was announced last November, allows professionals to legally create a business and work on flexible terms, including self-employment.
The authorities have said that the licenses will make the labor market flexible, help the private sector by reducing costs and costs of doing business.
Among the most popular self–employed freelance jobs in the UAE are personal trainers, babysitters, tutors, journalists, interior designers, life coaches, public relations specialists, sports instructors, makeup and hairstyle stylists and web designers. In September, after adding the category of computer systems and software to the list, the emirate issued 1,784 licenses for freelance professional activities.
To obtain a freelancer license, an applicant must have at least three years of work experience in a certain field or have academic/professional achievements in this field. The license also provides a resident visa for the applicant and his family.
Source: GTP, MENA FN, The National News
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