Global Mobility News from VisaHQ

Italy opened the pre-filling phase for 164,850 non-EU work permits under the 2026–2028 *Decreto Flussi* on 23 October. Employers have until 7 December to prepare applications for four January–February click days. The expanded quota—part of a three-year plan totalling nearly half a million permits—aims to fill chronic labour shortages while preserving strict controls on irregular migration.

Canberra has signalled it will cut Western Australia’s 2025-26 state-nominated skilled-migration places by 30 percent, triggering push-back from industry and the WA Government. Employers warn the smaller intake will deepen skills shortages and slow major projects, while the Commonwealth says it is simply rebalancing allocations between states.

The US Consulate in Chennai reopened on 23 October 2025 after a one-day shutdown, allowing visa interviews and American Citizen Services to resume. Applicants whose 22 October slots were cancelled are being automatically rescheduled. The reopening clears a key processing hub for students and workers in South India, but mobility managers should anticipate minor backlogs over the next week.

EU leaders agreed fresh conclusions on migration at the 23 Oct 2025 European Council. Poland backed tougher external-border measures but rejected mandatory migrant relocation, stressing its existing burden from Ukrainian refugees. Warsaw also defended its decision to prolong internal border checks until April 2026, a move that is already raising logistics costs for companies. Mobility specialists should plan for continued Schengen disruption and stricter Polish vetting of foreign workers.

On October 23 USCIS confirmed that the new US $100,000 H-1B surcharge applies only to petitions filed abroad on or after September 21 — not to extensions, amendments or transfers for workers already in the U.S. The agency’s clarification averts widespread over-payments but leaves employers recruiting overseas talent facing a massive fee increase while lawsuits proceed.

The 23 October 2025 European Council summit set new benchmarks for Schengen border technology, stepped-up returns of irregular migrants and creation of an EU anti-smuggling centre. France, as a key entry hub, must now accelerate EES roll-out and improve its low return rate—moves that will tighten compliance requirements for travellers and globally mobile staff.

Effective 23 October 2025, donors contributing AED 2 million or more to certified endowments can secure a sponsor-free, 10-year UAE Golden Visa. The initiative links long-term residency to measurable philanthropic impact, broadens Dubai’s talent-attraction toolbox and offers multinationals a new mobility option for senior executives committed to CSR.

Prime Minister Mark Carney used an October 23 prime-time address to announce that his November budget will contain a revamped immigration plan focused on attracting highly-skilled workers—particularly those deterred by the United States’ new H-1B visa costs—while limiting overall intake to levels Canada can economically absorb. The forthcoming “Talent Strategy” will rely on faster processing, targeted Express Entry draws and enhanced provincial settlement funding, signalling opportunities for employers to recruit U.S.-based tech talent but also tighter compliance expectations.

Decree 12.657/2025, publicised on 23 Oct 2025, lets business-visitor (VIVIS) holders perform short-term technical assistance and technology-transfer work under a contract with a Brazilian entity, removing the old requirement for a temporary work visa. Paid employment remains barred, but the change slashes lead times for corporate assignments and aligns Brazil with mobility norms in other G20 economies.

The U.S. Consulate in Chennai reopened on October 23 after a 24-hour security pause, immediately resuming all visa interviews. Automatic rescheduling of cancelled appointments and weekend interview drives aim to prevent new backlogs. The post also rolled out stricter social-media vetting rules, offering a preview of security upgrades slated for other consulates. The restart is critical for Indian tech talent, student flows and U.S. businesses with December travel plans.

Switzerland’s three main airports experienced their first high-volume test of the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System on 22 October. Average processing times doubled, but remained manageable, prompting airports and employers to issue new arrival-time guidance. Once initial enrolments are complete, Swiss authorities expect faster crossings and better overstay controls—critical for business travellers and expatriates.

Law 61/2025, published on 22 October, abolishes Portugal’s open job-seeking visa and freezes new applications at consulates in Brazil. A more restrictive “qualified job-seeking visa” will replace it once regulations are issued, creating an immediate gap for Brazilian workers and Portuguese employers who relied on the popular route.

Anti-immigration unrest flared at the Citywest IPAS centre on 22 October, leaving a garda van torched and six people arrested. The violence, sparked by allegations of a child assault, highlights rising tensions around migrant housing and poses travel-security risks on Dublin’s western transport corridors. Businesses should review transfer plans and accommodation choices for relocating staff.

The Security Bureau told LegCo that new manpower and IT measures keep 98 % of Hong Kong residents under a 15-minute wait at land borders and that late-night extensions will be activated during surges. The plan promises smoother cross-boundary commuting for business travellers and assignees.

IRCC has extended the open work-permit option for Temporary-Resident-to-Permanent-Resident applicants to 31 December 2026, giving eligible workers and their families two more years of work authorization while permanent-residence files are processed. The move reduces administrative burden for employers, offers greater status security for assignees and eases pressure on IRCC processing streams.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told French media that roughly 700,000 undocumented migrants live in France—confirming a higher estimate amid a heated debate on the government’s forthcoming Immigration Control Bill. The figure is intended to counter far-right claims of under-reporting and foreshadows stricter workplace inspections and liability rules for companies employing foreign staff.

Spain’s Democratic Memory Law, which let descendants of Civil-War and Franco-era exiles reclaim nationality, stopped accepting new applications at 23:59 on 22 October 2025. Existing applicants with a confirmed appointment can still file documents, but no new cases may be opened. The closure removes a popular fast-track citizenship route for Latin-American talent and prompts calls for a permanent ancestry scheme.

Shanghai police will offer a fully paperless port e-visa to all accredited China International Import Expo participants, expanding eligibility beyond local hosts and allowing exhibitors to convert on-arrival passes into short-term residence permits. The measure promises sub-two-minute clearance and underscores China’s push to streamline business travel for major trade events.

A 22 October USCIS update confirms that the $100,000 H-1B fee applies only to petitions requiring consular processing; extensions, amendments, employer changes and in-country status changes are exempt. The clarification lets universities and companies move existing foreign talent internally without incurring six-figure costs, but still makes hiring directly from abroad far more expensive.