Global Mobility News from VisaHQ

IRCC will cut new study-permit approvals by 50 % over the next three years, starting with immediate provincial caps. Ottawa says the measure will relieve housing and service pressures, but campuses and employers that rely on foreign students face funding gaps and talent-pipeline disruptions.

Ministerial Direction 115 takes effect on 14 November, introducing fast, standard and slow ‘lanes’ for offshore Subclass 500 applications based on how closely education providers stick to government-set enrolment quotas. Providers above 115 % of their allocation will drop to the slow lane, while those under 80 % get priority processing. The change rewards compliance, penalises over-recruitment and gives corporate mobility planners clearer lead-times for international hires who need student visas before taking graduate roles.

China has prolonged its 30-day visa-free entry scheme for Belgium and 45 other countries until 31 December 2026. The decision removes visa fees and paperwork for short-term Belgian business and leisure trips, offering cost and time savings but still requiring careful monitoring of 30-day stays and tax exposure. The move is expected to boost passenger traffic on Brussels–China routes and simplify last-minute corporate travel planning.

China has switched on the long-anticipated K-Visa, a five-year, multiple-entry permit that lets foreign tech talent enter without a job offer and later convert to permanent residence. The move is designed to fill skills gaps in AI, chips and robotics as U.S. immigration hurdles rise. Companies gain faster deployment of specialists, but must still manage work-notification formalities and retention challenges.

Munich Airport switched on the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) on 11 November 2025. Third-country travellers now have fingerprints, facial images and travel dates captured automatically, replacing passport stamps. The pilot will expand to all major German airports by March 2026 and is a precursor to ETIAS. Companies must brief staff on stricter 90/180-day calculations and data-privacy implications.

Ryanair will base a fourth aircraft at Shannon Airport from April 2026, investing US $400 million and adding new routes to Rome, Madrid, Warsaw and Poznań. The move increases Shannon’s capacity by 15 percent and brings its network to 30 destinations, improving connectivity for businesses along Ireland’s west coast.

American Airlines says 1,400 weekend cancellations tied to the shutdown are ‘unacceptable’ and warns that flight cuts will deepen to 10 % by mid-November, potentially snarling Thanksgiving travel. The carrier is urging Congress to end the funding lapse and restore pay for aviation workers.

Hong Kong arrested 14 suspected illegal foreign domestic helpers and seven employers during an eight-day operation ending 11 November. The crackdown highlights tighter enforcement of visa conditions and significantly higher employer penalties, signaling that businesses and expatriate households must double-check compliance.

COP30 opened today in Belém, triggering Brazil’s largest mobility operation since Rio 2016. Free electronic visas, extra flights and temporary immigration staff are smoothing arrival formalities for 50,000 delegates, but high demand is straining hotel and transport capacity. Companies should plan around tight seat availability and remember that the COP30 e-Visa does not replace normal work-permit rules.

The Netherlands will keep its internal border checks until 8 June 2026, adding document inspections and possible delays for the thousands of Polish drivers and business travellers who cross the Dutch frontier each week. Companies must factor in extra transit time and ensure drivers carry full documentation to avoid fines or refused entry.

The European Commission on 11 November named Spain one of four EU countries eligible for the Migration Pact’s ‘solidarity mechanism’. From July 2026 Spain will be entitled to ask other member states for relocations, money or operational support to manage high numbers of arrivals. The move could enhance resources for reception and speed up future residence processing—matters closely watched by HR and mobility managers.

With federal pay on hold, air-traffic-controller staffing has plunged, prompting the FAA to order airlines to cut up to 10 % of flights through 14 November. Cancellations and delays have already affected more than one million passengers and are disrupting corporate travel, cargo flows, and holiday plans.

The UK has updated its India travel advisory after the 10 November Red Fort car bombing, urging British nationals in Delhi to remain vigilant and follow local security instructions. The move could affect insurance coverage, corporate travel policies and winter tourist flows. Businesses with staff in the capital are reassessing itineraries and emergency-response plans.

OECD data released on 11 November show that foreign-born residents now exceed 1 million, or 9.9 % of the population, underlining Czechia’s dependence on migrant labour. Employers face growing competition for talent and must navigate evolving quota schemes and stricter compliance rules while policymakers are urged to invest in housing, schools and integration services.

Beijing has prolonged its 30-day visa-free regime for Austrian citizens until 31 December 2026, eliminating consular paperwork for short business and tourist trips. The move makes last-minute travel to China easier for Austrian executives and could boost bilateral tourism and trade. Companies should still track the 30-day limit and ensure employees travelling for work obtain the correct permits.

Dubai’s immigration authority has introduced stricter document checks for the Green Residency (freelance) visa but insists the programme remains fully operational. The beefed-up audits are designed to curb illegal visa trading and protect market integrity, not to halt new issuances. Businesses can continue sending contractors to the UAE, but should allow additional processing time and prepare more supporting evidence.

On 10 November IRCC invited 714 provincial-nominee candidates to apply for permanent residence—the largest PNP-only Express Entry draw in more than six months. The CRS cut-off was 738, underscoring Ottawa’s continuing shift toward region-driven immigration as outlined in the 2026-28 Levels Plan.

A bipartisan Senate vote moves a short-term funding bill closer to ending the longest U.S. shutdown. The legislation would restore pay to TSA, CBP and USCIS staff, crucial for airport security and immigration processing. Business travellers could see relief before Thanksgiving—if the House concurs.

USCIS has begun sending Requests for Evidence that demand proof of payment of a new US$100,000 H-1B fee created by a 19 September presidential proclamation. The abrupt surcharge shocks employers, threatens talent pipelines, and is expected to face legal challenges. Businesses must budget immediately or explore alternative visa strategies.