Canada Rings in 2026 With Sweeping Immigration Changes—From PAL-Exempt Graduate Permits to a Start-Up Visa Freeze
Budget Preview Reveals 50 % Cut to Student Visas in 2026–28 Immigration Plan
France Activates Mandatory French-Language & Civics Exams for Long-Term Residence and Naturalisation
Latest News
Poland makes MOS e-filing mandatory and quadruples immigration fees
As of 1 January 2026, Poland requires all residence-permit applications to be filed electronically via the MOS portal and has raised government fees by up to 700 %. The digital-only rule aims to speed up processing, but the sharp cost increase will affect relocation budgets and may prompt multinationals to rethink assignment volumes and durations.
Greek Air-Traffic Controllers’ Strike Grounds 31 Flights Between Cyprus and Greece
A 24-hour strike by Greek air-traffic controllers on 2 January led to the cancellation of 31 flights linking Cyprus with Athens and Thessaloniki, disrupting business and leisure travellers alike. Airlines are rebooking passengers under EU261 rules, and Hermes Airports is urging travellers to check live updates. The incident exposes Cyprus’ reliance on Greek airspace and highlights the need for diversified winter connectivity.
Czech Republic Launches Fully-Digital Immigration System as New Residence Law Enters Into Force
The Czech Republic’s new Residence Law took effect on 1 January 2026, creating a single online portal for all immigration procedures and introducing a legally-binding “guarantor” role for employers and universities. The fully digital workflow promises faster processing but adds new compliance duties and potential fines. Companies should activate sponsor profiles and update onboarding processes without delay.
Brazil repatriates record 3,000 citizens from the United States; latest charter with 124 arrivals lands in Belo Horizonte
A charter flight carrying 124 deported Brazilians arrived in Belo Horizonte on 31 December, pushing 2025 repatriations under the “Aqui é Brasil” programme past 3,000—nearly twice the 2024 figure. The returns follow tougher U.S. removal policies and require extensive reception logistics coordinated by five federal ministries. The flow strains local social services but also creates a pool of labour that Brazilian employers could tap if reintegration schemes scale up. Mobility teams should watch for potential reciprocal entry measures aimed at U.S. visitors.
Dense fog grounds flights across North and Central India, airlines activate ‘FogCare’ waivers
Thick fog on 2 January forced multiple Indian carriers to cancel or delay flights at major northern airports. IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet activated fee-free change policies, while Air India re-launched its ‘FogCare’ waiver. Business travellers should expect ripple-effect delays for at least six weeks and plan itineraries accordingly.
Germany raises EU Blue Card salary thresholds as 2026 rules take effect
Germany’s new EU Blue Card salary floors—€50,700 for standard roles and €45,934.20 for shortage occupations—entered into force on 1 January 2026. Employers must raise any outstanding offers below these figures or risk rejection of work-permit applications, adding roughly €2,400 per assignee to labour costs. The change forces HR teams to audit existing filings and adjust compensation strategies immediately.
Mainland visitor arrivals to Hong Kong double on New Year’s Day
Preliminary data show that 262,000 mainland Chinese visitors entered Hong Kong on 1 January 2026—roughly double the figure for New Year’s Day 2025. Extended checkpoint hours, additional rail services and a packed events calendar all helped manage the surge. The rebound signals renewed confidence in Hong Kong as a short-break destination and suggests brighter prospects for corporate events and retail spending.
Expanded U.S. Travel Ban on 39 Countries Takes Effect, Reshaping Corporate Mobility Planning
A new presidential proclamation effective 1 January 2026 fully or partially blocks entry for citizens of 39 countries. The measure immediately disrupts visa issuance, airline boarding and corporate assignments, forcing companies to re-route talent and rethink Q1 deployment plans.
UK sets 25 February deadline for mandatory £16 ETA as rollout reaches 85 nationalities
The ETA scheme becomes mandatory for all remaining visa-exempt nationals on 25 February 2026, carrying a £16 fee. Employers should build ETA checks into pre-trip workflows to avoid denied boarding and project delays.
China logs 207 million passenger trips on first day of 2026 New-Year holiday
Passenger-traffic data released on 2 January 2026 show mainland China handled more than 207 million journeys on New-Year’s Day, up 20 percent year-on-year, with rail traffic jumping nearly 68 percent. The surge confirms a full domestic-mobility rebound and foreshadows heavy demand ahead of the Spring Festival rush, signalling higher fares and capacity challenges for corporate travel planners.
New employer duty: inform foreign hires about free ‘Faire Integration’ advice service
From 1 January 2026, German employers must give every third-country national hired from abroad a written notice about the free ‘Faire Integration’ advisory service on their first work-day. Non-compliance risks fines, so HR teams should embed the new leaflet into offer-letter or onboarding packs immediately.