Global Mobility News from VisaHQ
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Yesterday, Sunday January 18, 2026
UAE launches “Fast Track” biometric app that clears immigration in under 90 seconds
The ICP’s new UAE Fast Track app lets travellers clear immigration at the country’s three largest airports in about 90 seconds, down from the previous 8-10 minutes. The optional, free service should ease bottlenecks ahead of Ramadan, reduce missed onward flights and give employers a simple way to speed up assignee arrivals while maintaining security oversight. ([visahq.com](https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-01-17/ae/uae-launches-fast-track-biometric-app-to-clear-immigration-in-90-seconds/?utm_source=openai))
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Today in Business Travel & Immigration
Jan 18, 2026
Poland prolongs temporary border checks with Germany until 4 April 2026
Poland has renewed its ‘temporary’ border controls with Germany and Lithuania until 4 April 2026, citing irregular migration. German commuters and supply chains face modest but recurring delays, and mobility managers should update travel plans and documentation advice.
Jan 18, 2026
Hong Kong and Macao cut automated-gate age to 7, promising faster family crossings from 19 January
From 19 January 2026 the age threshold for using automated immigration lanes between Hong Kong and Macao will fall from 11 to seven. The change will speed up family and commuter flows at all land and sea control points, shave 10–15 minutes off typical journeys and reduce manual-counter congestion during peak periods, benefiting cross-border businesses and tourism operators.
Jan 18, 2026
Finland proposes canceling non-EU student residence permits if recipients claim social assistance
A draft law released on 16 January would let Migri automatically cancel the residence permits of non-EU students who receive any basic social assistance. Real-time data sharing between Kela and Migri would flag violations, triggering deportation or a status change. Universities and business groups fear the proposal could deter much-needed talent, while the government insists it simply enforces self-support rules.
Jan 18, 2026
U.S. freeze on immigrant-visa issuance jolts Brazilian mobility programs
The U.S. State Department will suspend the issuance of all immigrant (permanent-resident) visas to Brazilians from 21 January, forcing companies to pivot to temporary categories and rethink green-card timelines. Non-immigrant visas remain unaffected, but hundreds of EB-class cases will be parked indefinitely. The move complicates talent planning for multinationals and has prompted a diplomatic protest from Brasília.
Jan 18, 2026
QR-code identity check via gov.br to become compulsory at all Brazilian airports
From 31 January, travellers leaving Brazil will need to present a scannable gov.br QR code instead of paper IDs. Airlines foresee faster processing but urge corporate flyers and expatriates to activate digital accounts now to avoid denied boarding. A short grace period will end mid-February.
Jan 18, 2026
Beijing hints at 30-day visa-free stays for Canadians, but implementation pending
China has publicly signalled that it will allow Canadians to visit visa-free for up to 30 days, but the policy is not yet in force. Companies must continue to obtain Chinese visas for Canadian staff until the National Immigration Administration issues an official notice. The waiver would cut costs and paperwork for frequent business travel and indicates a warming of China-Canada ties.
Jan 18, 2026
Italy Allocates 40,075 Seasonal-Work Visas for 2026 as New “Decreto Flussi” Moves From Paper to Practice
A Labour-Ministry circular dated 16 January 2026 has allocated 40 075 seasonal-work visa slots for 2026, activating the first stage of Italy’s record-breaking Decreto Flussi programme. Employers in agriculture and tourism now have legal certainty—and less than a month—to file ‘click-day’ applications, making early preparation critical for corporate mobility teams.
Jan 18, 2026
Federal Start-Up Visa program closed to new applications as of 1 January 2026
Canada shut the federal Start-Up Visa to new applicants on 1 January 2026. Entrepreneurs must now pivot to provincial nominee entrepreneur streams or secure C-11 work permits until Ottawa unveils a successor pilot later this year.
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