Migration News of the Week: Where It’s Getting Harder to Obtain a Passport or Residence Permit

Portugal has sharply changed its reputation and is no longer among Europe’s most attractive countries for foreigners — getting a residence permit now takes years, and citizenship may never come. Thailand is considering limiting visa runs and is actively deporting Russian nationals. Cyprus has narrowed Blue Card eligibility to just three sectors. The Emirates, meanwhile, are still inventing programs to attract migrants — but only the very wealthy.

Portugal: Passport After 10 Years

Portugal’s Parliament approved amendments that sharply extend the required period of legal residence for citizenship — from five to ten years. The law has yet to take effect, but the country’s president is unlikely to refuse to sign it. Applicants must now prove their knowledge of the Portuguese language, political system and democratic values, as well as demonstrate financial independence and a stable income.

Citizenship will be denied to migrants sentenced to three years or more in prison. Those with terrorism convictions may not reapply within ten years after their record is cleared. If citizenship is found to have been obtained fraudulently, it will be revoked. The program for descendants of Sephardic Jews, which had allowed citizenship without residence since 2015, has been shut down.

Rules have also changed for children of foreign nationals born in Portugal. Previously, one parent had to live legally in the country for at least one year; now the requirement is five. The only relief applies to descendants of Portuguese citizens — grandchildren and great-grandchildren can still apply if they prove family ties to Portugal.

Thailand: Deportations and Visa Run Restrictions

Thailand is tightening control over foreigners who violate stay rules and is revising its visa-free policy. In 2025, around one hundred Russians have already been deported for overstaying or working illegally — nearly 1.5 times more than in all of 2024.

Tourism Minister Attakorn Sirirattayakorn announced that authorities plan to adjust time limits and conditions for repeat entries. The goal is to restrict foreigners who use visa-free entry for de facto residence by repeatedly crossing the border.

According to the Russian Embassy, most violations involve overstays or work without permits. Thai authorities have increased scrutiny: Russians are more frequently denied entry when showing signs of a “visa run.” On the island of Phangan, 19 Russians were detained in one week, and in Pattaya, a man who had lived in the country for more than two years without a visa was arrested.

Cyprus: Blue Card for IT Specialists

Cyprus updated its EU Blue Card rules to attract skilled professionals and align with European standards. The permit is now available only in three sectors — IT, pharmaceuticals, and the maritime industry (excluding captains and crews). The minimum annual salary is set at €43,632 gross. Applicants must hold a university degree or prove at least three years of professional experience.

The card is issued for the duration of the employment contract, up to three years, with an option to renew. It grants the right to live, work, and reunite with family members. Spouses may work without additional permits. If employment is lost, status is retained for up to three months, or six months if the holder has worked for more than two years.

Cyprus’s labor market is seeing rising demand for programmers, engineers, architects, and cybersecurity or automation specialists. Builders, electricians, foremen, teachers, real estate agents, and service and tourism workers are also in demand. In resort cities — Limassol, Paphos, and Ayia Napa — seasonal staff such as waiters, bartenders, and housekeepers are particularly sought after.

UAE: Golden Visa for Philanthropists

The UAE introduced a new “Golden Visa” category — a 10-year residency for participants in humanitarian initiatives. The program targets philanthropists who have donated at least AED 2 million (about $545,000) to certified Islamic projects or waqf foundations.

A waqf is an Islamic charitable endowment through which property, land, or money is permanently allocated to social causes such as education, healthcare, or public welfare. The Awqaf Dubai Foundation oversees this system and serves as the key partner for the new program.

Applications are open to foreign residents already living in the UAE and to benefactors from abroad. In addition to the donation, applicants must have a university degree and a recommendation from Awqaf Dubai or another recognized humanitarian organization. Documents are submitted via the GDRFA Smart Services portal or Amer service centers in Dubai, where a joint committee reviews each case.

Once approved, visa holders gain the right to live, work, and study in the country without a local sponsor. The visa is valid for ten years and extends to family members — spouses, children, and parents. It remains valid even if the holder leaves the UAE for more than six months.