Permanent-resident application fees rise across every program stream
USCIS Orders Enhanced FBI Background Checks, Freezing Millions of Pending Cases
Ryanair Urges UK and EU Governments to Suspend New EES Border Checks as Queues Mount
Latest News
Congress Votes to End Record DHS Shutdown, Restoring Critical Travel and Immigration Services
Lawmakers approved a stop-gap bill on April 30 that reopens most of DHS after a 75-day shutdown, immediately restoring pay to TSA screeners and CBP officers and allowing USCIS, FEMA and other components to resume normal operations. Funding for ICE and Border Patrol was left for a separate reconciliation measure, leaving some enforcement functions in limbo. The resolution averts imminent airport slowdowns and immigration-processing backlogs but sets up another funding cliff on September 30.
Spain’s “humane migration policy” hailed as a European model
Migration Minister Elma Saiz told Euronews (30 April) that Spain’s integration-centred, labour-market-driven migration policy should be a template for the EU. She highlighted Spain’s new extraordinary regularisation of 500,000 undocumented migrants, expanded work-permit channels and the popular Digital-Nomad visa as proof that “orderly” migration boosts growth. Employers welcome the talent influx, while opposition parties warn of pull factors. For global-mobility teams the interview signals sustained political backing for faster permits and new compliance duties around language and registration.
Proposed ‘End H-1B Visa Abuse Act’ Could Halt Indian Tech Talent Pipeline to the United States
A new US bill would freeze fresh H-1B visas for three years, cut quotas and impose a steep salary floor, potentially blocking the main pathway used by Indian tech workers. Indian exporters and US tech giants could face severe talent gaps, while Canada and Europe may benefit from diverted mobility.
Ryanair urges EU governments—including Austria—to suspend new Entry/Exit System until September
Ryanair has written to all 29 EES countries, including Austria, asking them to suspend the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System until 1 September, citing huge airport queues and missed flights. Austrian airports have already seen longer processing times since the 10 April switch-on, and business-travel groups warn of schedule impacts. The interior ministry has not yet indicated whether it will seek a summer opt-out, so companies should continue to build extra time into itineraries.
Lufthansa pilots call 48-hour strike for 4–5 May, threatening widespread flight cancellations
Vereinigung Cockpit has announced a 48-hour strike across the Lufthansa Group for 4–5 May, citing stalled wage talks. Thousands of flights in and out of Germany’s hubs are expected to be grounded, with knock-on effects for business travellers, air-cargo supply chains and EU261 compensation liabilities. Companies should activate rerouting and remote-meeting plans as further walk-outs remain possible.
Switzerland tightens enforcement of Schengen 90/180-day rule as EU Entry/Exit System goes live
Switzerland has activated the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System, replacing passport stamps with real-time digital tracking of every entry and exit. The change gives Swiss border guards instant visibility of how many Schengen days a traveller has used, tightening enforcement of the 90/180-day rule and raising the risk of bans for over-stays. Companies must upgrade travel-tracking systems and warn staff of longer queues and zero tolerance for miscounts.
Ryanair urges EU to suspend new biometric border system as airport queues grow
Ryanair has formally asked Schengen governments to suspend the new biometric Entry/Exit System until after the summer, citing three-hour queues and dozens of missed flights at Spanish airports. Spain is hiring 500 extra border officers and expanding e-gate capacity but says an EU-wide pause would require Brussels’ approval. Business travellers are urged to allow additional time and review fast-track options, as further procedural tweaks remain possible.
Poland reminds migrants to pay new online stamp duties as MOS 2.0 portal goes live
Poland’s new MOS 2.0 residence-permit portal issued a 30 April notice confirming that applicants must now upload proof of payment for both the PLN 340 stamp duty and the PLN 100 residence-card fee. Missing receipts will cause applications to be rejected, so employers need to update their check-lists immediately. The clarification closes the last procedural gap in the country’s full shift to paper-free immigration processing.
Ireland Opens ‘Stamp 2’ Bridging Permission for English-Language Students Moving to Higher Education
ISD has opened a time-limited ‘Stamp 2 Bridging Permission’ so that non-EEA students who finish their permitted English-language studies can legally stay in Ireland until their higher-education course starts in autumn 2026. The measure prevents status gaps, preserves part-time work rights and provides certainty for education providers and employers who recruit from language programmes.
Ryanair Urges Italy to Suspend EU Entry/Exit System After Passport-Control Chaos
Ryanair has asked the Italian government to delay the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System until after the summer, citing hour-long passport queues that have already caused missed flights. A suspension would ease immediate congestion but leave companies navigating inconsistent border rules across Europe.