We are all anticipating the New Law which (as per sayings) will come into force April the 1st, 2023!
Legal
The proposed bill attempts to reform the current institutional framework for the entry and residence of third-country nationals in Greece, the integration of Directive (EU) 2021/1883/EC on the entry and residence conditions of third-country nationals with the aim of highly skilled employment and the inclusion of all residence permits provided for in Greek immigration legislation in a single text.
Aims
At the same time, the proposed draft law of the Immigration Code aims:
-to rationalize the existing categories of residence permits, with the elimination of those that are national regulations and their subordination to relevant categories of residence permits provided for in the Union Law
-their grouping based on the purpose and relevance,
-reforming the process of re-calling third-country nationals to meet the needs of the domestic labor market for permanent and seasonal staff and
-lifting the ban on changing the purpose of residence for specific categories of residence permits in country, with the aim of utilizing the workforce that already resides legally in the country and
-the simplification of the administrative process for all the services involved (e.g. Greek consular authorities, border control authorities, etc.).
Modernisation
Finally, an attempt is being made to adapt the licensing procedures of third country citizens to modern digital requirements, through the establishment of the electronic submission of applications for the granting and renewal of all types of residence permits, the updating and reduction of the supporting documents required for the issuance or renewal of residence permits, as well as avoiding the submission of the same supporting documents at different stages of the admission process (e.g. entry visa and residence permit)!
Can you imagine how enthusiastic we are? If above are accomplished, it will be such a rational change!
Law is open for public consultation from today until next Tuesday; as we speak, our legal team is working on it so please come back if you have any questions!
