Global Mobility News from VisaHQ

Inbound tourist traffic through the Suifenhe land port jumped 83 % during the first week of January, underscoring the commercial impact of China and Russia’s new 30-day reciprocal visa-free policy. Faster clearances are boosting leisure packages and factory visits, while upgraded e-Channel lanes cut wait times for freight drivers. Companies should track cumulative-stay limits and insurance requirements as the pilot runs to September 2026.

China’s decision to extend visa-free transit stays to 240 hours has generated 40.6 million arrivals in its first year, a 27 % increase on 2024. With 55 nations and 65 ports now covered, companies enjoy shorter lead-times and lower visa-processing costs, while local governments compete to capture the influx with shopping and business-set-up incentives. Corporates must still monitor stay limits and onward-ticket rules, but the policy is fast becoming a cornerstone of China’s post-pandemic reopening.

Austria has increased the net-income levels applicants must show for the 2026 “Residence Permit – Without Gainful Employment”: €1,273.99 (single) and €2,009.85 (couple), plus €196.57 per child. The 4 % rise mainly affects retirees, digital nomads and dependants; regular assignees are usually above the threshold but must still document compliance. HR teams should audit salaries and passive-income streams early to avoid renewal refusals and assignment-budget surprises.

From 9 January 2026, France is legally obliged to collect fingerprints and facial images at a minimum of half of its external border posts under the EU’s new Entry/Exit System. First-time biometric enrollment will lengthen arrival procedures, but subsequent crossings should be faster and stamp-free. The change affects all non-EU business travellers and employers should factor extra time into itineraries.

A Boston federal judge said she will grant a temporary restraining order blocking DHS from scrapping seven Family Reunification Parole programs on January 14. About 10,000 migrants—and the U.S. employers that have hired them—would otherwise lose legal status and work authorization. The decision temporarily preserves a vital alternative pathway at a time of tighter visa quotas and underscores the judiciary’s growing oversight of large-scale immigration rollbacks.

Poland has switched to a digital-only immigration system: from 1 January 2026 all residence-permit applications must be submitted via the MOS e-portal, and government fees have quadrupled. The change promises faster processing but has triggered budget shock, technical snags and an urgent need for e-signature capabilities. Mobility teams must adapt processes immediately or risk employees’ legal status.

After two months of phased testing, the UK’s ETA is now compulsory for all non-visa nationals. Travellers without an approved ETA will be denied boarding and carriers face fines from late February. Companies must update booking systems and remind staff that an ETA does not authorise work.

A new U.S. Embassy India video warns B-1/B-2 applicants to follow visitor-visa rules or risk visa cancellation and long-term bans. Consular officers will intensify questioning and social-media checks, potentially increasing wait times and documentation burdens for Indian business and leisure travellers.

Deutsche Bahn suspended all long-distance trains in northern Germany on 9 January after storm “Elli” buried tracks in snow and ice. The closure of the Hanover hub severs key business corridors between Berlin, Hamburg and the Ruhr, forcing companies to reroute travellers or delay journeys. Expect at least 24 hours of rail disruption and knock-on effects for logistics.

Home Affairs has escalated India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan to Evidence Level 3 for student-visa processing, citing ‘emerging integrity issues’. Applicants must now meet tougher financial and academic proof standards, which is expected to slow visa grants and increase compliance checks. Education providers and corporate mobility teams should prepare for longer lead times and higher documentation costs.

Ireland has recalled every passport printed between 23 Dec 2025 and 6 Jan 2026 because the country code “IRL” is missing from the machine-readable zone. The glitch could cause passengers to be refused at automated border gates, so the government will courier new booklets and issue emergency travel certificates free of charge. Corporates should verify travellers’ passports before upcoming trips to avoid delays.

Storm Goretti forced mass flight cancellations, rail suspensions and road closures across the UK, creating major headaches for corporate travellers and mobility managers. While power and transport networks are gradually recovering, residual delays will persist into the weekend. Employers should document disruptions for insurance and review weather-contingency plans.

Service Canada has lifted its freeze on low-wage Labour Market Impact Assessments in eight CMAs—including Vancouver, Winnipeg and Kingston—after local unemployment fell below 6 %. Employers in these regions can again sponsor low-wage foreign workers, while current permit-holders gain renewal options. The move eases staffing pressure on hospitality and service sectors but demands renewed compliance attention.

Hamburg Airport scrapped over 40 flights on 9 January as storm “Elli” created unsafe flying conditions. Airlines warn of further cancellations and cascading missed connections. Business travellers should reroute via unaffected hubs and monitor updates; weather-related disruption may continue into 10 January.

Seventeen Flydubai flights and additional regional services between Dubai and Iranian airports were cancelled on 9 January amid protests and an internet blackout in Iran. The ad-hoc suspensions create immediate itinerary and supply-chain headaches for UAE companies with operations in Iran and highlight the fragility of Gulf-Iran air links during periods of unrest. Mobility managers should activate contingency plans and review insurance coverage.