India adds Kochi, Calicut and Ahmedabad to Visa-on-Arrival network for UAE nationals
Brazil surpasses 100 million air passengers before year-end for the first time
Trump Administration Launches Sweeping Review of Refugees Admitted Under Biden
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UK asylum reform extends path to permanent settlement from five to 20 years
Refugees granted asylum will now wait 20 years—and four renewals of temporary status—before they can apply for permanent settlement. The change affects 160,000 people already in the UK and is projected to cost £1.3 bn in extra casework. Businesses that hire refugees face fresh compliance burdens and talent-retention risks, while critics say the policy undermines integration and economic contribution.
Germany unveils ‘Work-and-Stay Agency’ to streamline skilled-worker immigration
The German cabinet has approved plans for a ‘Work-and-Stay Agency’ that will create a single digital portal for all skilled-worker immigration processes, drastically reducing paperwork and wait times. Employers and assignees will submit documents once and track applications online, while a help-desk at Frankfurt Airport will resolve last-minute issues. The reform is expected to accelerate visa processing and improve Germany’s competitiveness for global talent.
Poland Activates EU-Wide Biometric Entry/Exit System at 38 Border Points
Poland has activated the EU Entry/Exit System at 38 crossings, replacing passport stamps with fingerprint and facial-scan enrolment. The €47 million network should cut repeat border times to 20 seconds and allows automatic Interpol/SIS alert checks. Companies must brief travellers about the new biometrics and review data-privacy policies, while Warsaw sees the move as leverage to scrap neighbouring countries’ internal checks.
Austria Posts Lowest Monthly Asylum Applications Since 2020—Down 49 % Year-on-Year
Interior-ministry statistics released on 24 November confirm that Austria’s asylum applications fell to 1,293 in October—49 % fewer than a year earlier—and that only nine family-reunification visas were issued. Lower inflows free up administrative capacity, enabling faster work-permit conversions for employers, but the government says tight border controls must stay in place to lock in the gains.
China launches nationwide online arrival-card system for foreign travelers
From 20 November 2025, foreign travelers can complete China’s arrival card entirely online via the National Immigration Administration’s website, mobile app or WeChat/Alipay mini-programs. The move eliminates paper forms, speeds up border clearance and gives authorities advance passenger information—good news for corporate mobility managers moving staff into China.
France moves to introduce mandatory healthcare contribution for non-EU ‘visitor’ visa holders
The National Assembly has adopted an amendment that would introduce an annual healthcare contribution for all non-EU nationals holding France’s long-stay ‘visitor’ visa. Proponents argue the fee will restore fairness and help plug France’s social-security deficit, while mobility specialists warn of higher relocation costs for retirees and accompanying family members. The bill now heads to the Senate, with implementation details expected in 2026.
Citizenship overhaul: Welfare-payment history to be checked under new Irish migration reforms
The Government plans to bar citizenship applicants who received certain social-welfare payments within the previous two years and to lengthen refugees’ residency requirement to five years. Corporate mobility teams must audit benefit records and adjust citizenship timelines once the final legislation is enacted.
Belgian Budget Deal Adds New ‘Green’ Tax on Airline Tickets
Belgium’s new 2026 budget introduces a tiered environmental levy on all airline tickets, adding €10-€40 per flight depending on distance. The surcharge, expected to take effect in mid-2026, will raise the cost of business and assignee travel through Belgian airports.
Planned 15-Hour Shutdown of Australia’s Online Visa Systems Set for 28-29 November
Australian Border Force will switch off ImmiAccount, VEVO and most other immigration IT systems from 20:30 AEDT on 28 November until 12:00 AEDT on 29 November for maintenance. Visa lodgements, VEVO checks and APEC Business Travel Card processing will be impossible during the outage, so travellers and employers must file time-critical applications beforehand. The downtime will disrupt right-to-work audits and cargo clearances, making advance contingency planning essential for mobility and compliance teams.
Belgium’s Three-Day National Strike Grounds Flights and Slashes Train Services
A 72-hour national strike running 24-26 November has forced Brussels Airport to cancel all departures on 26 November, throttled rail services to 20 % of normal levels and triggered sweeping Eurostar and public-transport cuts. The walk-out, called by public-service unions over pension reforms, is causing major disruption for business travellers, expatriates and cargo flows.
Justice Minister signals tougher stance as Ireland aims to curb asylum numbers
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said Ireland must reduce international-protection applications and will table new legislation this week to tighten asylum and migration rules. The move responds to rising application numbers and stricter UK policies. Business travellers and employers should expect faster but more restrictive procedures and review workforce planning.
Travel Off Path: Cyprus on Track to Join Schengen Zone in 2026 – What It Means for Travelers & Corporates
A 24 November 2025 Travel Off Path report says Cyprus has passed all technical tests for Schengen admission and now expects political approval in 2026. Once inside the border-free zone, Cyprus will count toward travellers’ 90/180-day Schengen allowance, reshaping business-travel planning and compliance for multinationals with staff on the island. Mobility teams are urged to update day-tracking tools and prepare communications well ahead of accession.
Ballot selects 1,700 Guangdong drivers for first direct entry into downtown Hong Kong
Guangdong authorities have drawn the first 1,700 quotas allowing mainland private cars to drive straight into downtown Hong Kong from 23 December under the new Southbound scheme. The programme—which requires inspections, HK licences and special insurance—opens another cross-border channel and is expected to boost retail and hospitality takings while cutting travel time for GBA executives.
Biometric EES kiosks create two-hour queues at Málaga-Costa del Sol and Alicante-Elche airports
Spain’s live trial of the EU Entry/Exit System hit a major snag on 24 November, with Málaga and Alicante airports forced to switch off malfunctioning biometric kiosks after two-hour queues left passengers stranded. Aena and the Interior Ministry call the disruption “normal adjustments,” but airlines and travel managers warn of serious business-travel impacts unless capacity, signage and staff training improve before holiday peaks. Companies should advise travellers to arrive early, carry proof of residency and monitor live queues.
Finland’s Work-Based Residence Permit Demand Falls 29 % as Economy Slows
Migri reports a 29 % year-on-year fall in first-time work-permit applications and a 5 % decline in student-visa filings for January–October 2025. The agency cites weak economic growth, higher joblessness and new application fees as key drivers and now forecasts only 11,000 work-permit requests for 2025. Employers should expect tighter competition for talent and review assignment timelines.