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Zagreb – AGS Cares about the Expatriate |
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AGS Zagreb joined a task force of members in Croatia, established by AmCham, whose primary aim was amending the Law on Foreigners, which came into effect on 1 January 2008. This law negatively affects all foreign executives working or intending to work in Croatia. |
Out of the enquiry undertaken by the task force, a few proposals have been made. These proposals have resulted in a number of positive changes to the current legislature, which will be ratified by the Croatian Parliament in early 2009.
The current legislation on work permits and residence permits for foreigners is not in their favour and is even more so damaging to potential foreign investment.
The task force, which includes AGS Zagreb, and which is fully supportive of the international business community stimulating foreign investment, has met with several ministries and established a good rapport with these key players.
The task force sought to change certain stipulated procedures, such as having to submit applications for temporary stay permits at the Croatian diplomatic mission in the applicant’s home country. Also, the temporary stay permit is cancelled if a foreigner resides outside of Croatia for more than 30 days. This time period should be doubled and made consecutive. In addition, it should also be possible to apply for work and residence permits simultaneously.
Amongst all the other restrictions, foreigners are only able to have their families join them after being in Croatia for at least a two year period, which is evidently discouraging them from coming to Croatia.
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The proposed amendments involve the addition of a list of exemptions which encompass executives, key personnel and other professionals.
We thank AGS Zagreb, but more specifically, Jasna Nanac for her persistence and commitment to the global community and to AGS in the hope of promoting international foreign investment.
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AGS: Taking Care of your Move all the Way |
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AGS expands its scope of services at destination. We understand that our clients expect the best service throughout a relocation, to and from anywhere in the world. To ensure that we maintain the highest level of quality every step of the way, AGS Bucharest and AGS Warsaw have now joined AGS Four Winds India in offering more services for customers. |
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AGS Four Winds now operates with 20 branches in 9 Asian countries, and globally, the AGS Group offers its clients a network of 119 branches in 79 countries.
As dedicated Destination Service Providers, these branches offer a package based on the principle that AGS, with its local expertise, will take care of all of the details involved in a move. Instead of worrying about administration, our clients can focus on settling into their new homes, with our help.
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Our packages can be tailor-made to suit our clients’ individual needs, and include among the following services: a helpline, an orientation tour on arrival, help with accommodation and finding schools, assistance with finding work for expatriate spouses, and language and cultural training. Every single newly-arrived expatriate receives a welcome gift package, to help them feel at home.
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We congratulate AGS Bucharest and AGS Warsaw for being a part of AGS’ vision: to be the best Destination Service Providers in the world. We are committed to the satisfaction of our customers, and can assure them a stress-free experience when they put their international moves into our hands.
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Ongoing Strikes at Greek Ports |
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Intermittent and seemingly unending strikes began in January 2008 at Greek ports, in particular Thessalonica and Piraeus. These strikes have resulted in considerable complications at ports, causing congestion, lack of storage space and the incidence of vessels rerouting to alternate ports, obliging truckers to reroute too. |
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These factors have obviously contributed to additional charges and costs, and port workers have scaled down their productivity in protest against the Greek government’s decision to privatise the container terminals.
All AGS branches ensure that they will remain up-to-date on the situation and are keeping in close communication with the shipping lines regarding our shipments via Greek ports. Should you have a shipment within the proximity of Greece, you may contact the relevant AGS branch to obtain information on the situation.
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We would like all AGS shipments to remain unaffected by the strikes and hope that the situation in Greece will
normalise soon.
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Serbia - Laws on Work Permits |
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We at AGS endeavour to keep our clients informed of the latest developments regarding every aspect of their move, including the latest customs and import regulations of the transferee’s country of arrival. In support of this aim, AGS Belgrade has brought the following imperative information to light. The new Law on Foreign Nationals in Serbia, which was adopted by the National Assembly, was published in the Official Herald of the Republic of Serbia (RS) in October 2008. |
This law, which regulates entrance criteria, movement and residence of foreign nationals within the RS, states the following (please note that this is just an overview):
A foreign national must allow border control at the point of entry into the RS, and in accordance with this law, will need to possess a visa. Exceptions to requiring a visa include international treaty or decisions by Government. In addition, the Government can decide if citizens of certain countries can enter RS with valid ID’s instead of passports.
According to the new Law, four types of visas are recognised: an airport transit visa (visa A), a transit visa (visa B), a temporary stay visa (visa C), and a temporary residence visa (visa D).
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For all legal and physical persons providing accommodation for compensation to foreign nationals, including those who are being privately visited by foreign nationals, the stay of a foreign national in RS must be reported within 24 hours of arrival. If a foreign national’s residential address changes, this must also be reported to the police station within 24 hours. In addition, before a foreign national leaves the RS, the police station must be notified of this departure.
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A temporary residence permit must be applied for if a foreign national intends to reside in the RS for more than 90 days. A temporary residence permit is granted only if a foreign national meets a list of strict criteria. Once this is granted, and can be done so for a period of up to 1 year, the temporary residence permit can be extended for the same period of time.
An extension on the residence permit must be applied for at the latest 30 days prior to the valid residence permit expiring. In addition, the foreign national who applies for a temporary residence permit must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months longer than the term of the temporary residence permit request.
Fines will be imposed on foreign nationals who do not apply for renewals of their temporary residence permits, at least 30 days before the permit expires. Fines will also be imposed on foreign nationals if there is a residence address and change in address which has not been brought to the attention of the authorities, within 24 hours of arrival and as of the day of change of address.
Branch Manager of AGS Belgrade, Fabris Grujic, who has been with AGS for a number of years, remains at the service of our clients who have made their temporary place of residence in Serbia and abroad.
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AGS has once again demonstrated its commitment to corporate social responsibility by sponsoring exciting events in Hong Kong, Bucharest and Bangkok. AGS believes in bringing communities together, and is always the first to be involved where charity is concerned.
Click here for more.
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