Alerts

On May 7, 2019, Baltimore city government computers1 were infected with a ransomware virus known as “RobbinHood,” which effectively shut down Maryland’s largest city with a population of 600,000. So far, the city officials have declined to negotiate with the hackers who are reportedly demanding 13 bitcoins in ransom. One bitcoin currently trades at just […]

A 5% VAT has been introduced on all service invoices in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia as of January 1, 2018. As a result, all suppliers are legally required to collect a 5% tax on behalf of the government. GUIDELINES The VAT applies to most goods and services with only 100 food items, […]

Altair Global has increased the number of lenders accessible through our National Lender Network, equating to more choice and value for your transferees. EVALUATION PROCESS In reponse to client interest and the changing landscape of relocation lending, Altair initiated a lender evaluation process in late 2016. The Supplier Partnerships team, in conjunction with a cross‐functional […]

We are carefully watching Hurricane Irma, and we wanted to let you know that we are doing our best to reach all of our transferees. We are also taking the necessary, temporary precautions in the following areas: Home Sale & Inventory – We are postponing the extension of all home sale activities for guaranteed buyouts […]

Beginning July 1, 2017, Saudi Arabia implemented a new monthly fee on sponsoring foreign nationals. This levy pertains to both employees and their dependents, and will be gradually increased each year through 2020. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE FEE? Saudi Arabia is seeking to boost their revenues during the period of declining oil prices. […]

The UK government introduced an Immigration Skills Charge (“ISC”) for Tier 2 migrants who are assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) beginning April 6, 2017. It is required to pay this fee immediately once an application has been filed. Altair has worked closely with our immigration provider to find the best solution in handling payment […]

The United States announced on March 21 its intentions to ban carry-on electronic devices larger than a smartphone on flights entering the country from eight Middle Eastern countries. The eight countries on the U.S. list are — Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The measures were taken after […]

On January 27, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13769: Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States. The Executive Order suspended the entry of foreign nationals from countries of concern – namely, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen – to the United States for a period of 90 days. […]

Hoverboards, the personal transportation devices becoming more and more popular, are being banned from transportation as the awareness of fire hazard grows. Fire, and reportedly even explosions, caused by these devices may cause dangerous conditions during transport. DATE OF ALERT: April 2016 IMPACTED: Clients shipping household goods. OVERVIEW: Hoverboards are being restricted from shipping by […]

A new regulation from SOLAS (Safety of Life convention of the International Maritime Organization or IMO) will impact all international household goods shipments being shipped via an ocean container on a global basis. DATE OF ALERT: March 2016 IMPACTED: All clients who ship international household goods via ocean container OVERVIEW: On July 1, 2016, a […]