Global Mobility News from VisaHQ

Poland has made its MOS e-portal the only channel for all temporary-stay (residence) permit filings as of 1 January 2026 and simultaneously raised most immigration fees four-fold. Employers must now file online using qualified e-signatures, and assignees face sharply higher costs for residence permits and visas. The Interior Ministry says the reform will speed decisions and improve security, but companies warn of budget shocks and technical glitches. Global mobility teams should roll out Trusted-Profile and e-signature programmes immediately and factor the new fees into 2026 cost forecasts.

• From 25 February 2026, all UAE citizens and residents travelling visa-free to the UK must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure. • Existing UK visa holders must switch to an online e-Visa linked to a UKVI account; physical BRP cards and vignettes will be phased out. • Companies should build ETA lead times into travel policies and ensure that employees link the correct passport to their e-Visa to avoid being refused boarding or entry. • The shift underlines a global move toward fully digital border controls and will affect corporate mobility programmes across the GCC.

Brazil has scrapped its Afghan- and Haitian-focused humanitarian visa programs and replaced them with a single, crisis-agnostic mechanism. New arrivals will depend on future joint acts that list the nationalities and situations eligible for protection, while NGOs must secure fresh accreditation. Mobility teams face a temporary issuance pause and should revise family and assignee planning accordingly.

Effective 8 January 2026, Finland lengthens the continuous-residence requirement for permanent residence permits from four to six years and adds mandatory language and work-experience criteria. High earners, Finnish-degree holders and C-level linguists retain a four-year fast-track but under stricter conditions. Employers must adjust assignment timelines, budget for language training and anticipate longer processing queues.

Italy’s Interior Ministry has set the first 2026 "click-day" for 12 January, when employers can compete online for 88,000 seasonal work permits in agriculture and tourism. The window closes once the quota is filled, so companies need to finalise hiring plans now. The event is part of the wider 2026-28 Flow Decree, which offers nearly half a million work visas and introduces faster processing times.

IRCC issued 8,000 ITAs to Canadian Experience Class candidates on 7 January 2026—the largest CEC-specific draw since 2023. The move helps employers convert temporary workers to permanent residence and indicates the government’s continued reliance on in-Canada talent despite plans to slow overall immigration targets.

The State Department has added 25 nations to its visa-bond pilot, meaning citizens of 38 countries must now post US $5,000–$15,000 when applying for B-1/B-2 visas after 21 Jan 2026. The move aims to curb overstays but could impose heavy cash burdens on employers and travellers, complicate trip planning, and redirect meetings away from the United States.

From 8 January 2026 visa-waiver nationals must obtain a £16 Electronic Travel Authorisation before travelling to or transiting through the UK. Airlines will begin denying boarding to passengers without an ETA and face fines if they carry non-compliant travellers after 25 February. Mobility managers should update travel-approval processes and traveller-tracking systems immediately.

India has expanded its e-Visa platform to 167 countries and nine categories, scrapped the annual limit of three e-Visas per traveller, and unveiled a new e-Ayush visa. The changes promise faster processing, longer business-stay flexibility and reduced paperwork for companies relocating staff or hosting clients in India.

• Etihad Rail confirmed seven new stations, completing an 11-city passenger network set to launch in phases in 2026. • Trains will cut Abu Dhabi–Dubai travel to 57 minutes and carry 400 passengers with business and economy cabins. • Employers gain new commuting and relocation options, while tourism boards expect a domestic travel boost and CO₂ savings. • The project positions the UAE at the forefront of Gulf rail connectivity and aligns with wider regional integration plans.

China recorded 40.6 million arrivals in the first 12 months of its expanded 240-hour visa-free transit programme, a 27 % jump that underscores the policy’s appeal to business and leisure travellers. The waiver now spans 55 countries and 65 ports, slashing visa lead times and costs for multinationals routing staff through the mainland. Companies should still monitor itinerary changes closely to avoid inadvertent over-stays.

Cyprus began its six-month EU Council Presidency on 7 January 2026, triggering a surge in diplomatic and business travel. Airport capacity, hotel inventory and the new Larnaca–Brussels air link are being expanded to handle 28,000 expected delegates, while the island tests Schengen-grade border systems. The presidency will let Cyprus influence EU migration and visa discussions, creating both immediate and long-term mobility implications for companies operating in the region.

Czechia switched on a fully digital immigration platform on 1 January 2026, turning all major visa and residence procedures into an online workflow. Companies must migrate paper files by 31 March and train HR teams quickly, but the change promises predictable processing times and lower error rates. The move positions Prague as a regional leader in e-government and will influence mobility strategies across Central Europe.

A new decree-law aligns Italy with the EU’s latest decision on Ukraine, allowing around 60,000 Ukrainian nationals in Italy to renew their temporary-protection residence permits until 4 March 2027. The permits remain convertible to standard work status, giving employers a quota-free path to hire or retain Ukrainian staff.

Red and amber weather warnings for Storm Goretti have led to widespread flight, rail and ferry cancellations across the UK, with 100 mph gusts and 30 cm of snow forecast. Companies must track stranded travellers, approve emergency accommodation and postpone non-essential assignments until conditions improve.

Germany’s 2026 EU Blue Card package raises the general salary threshold to €50,700 and the shortage-occupation floor to €45,934.20, while expanding eligibility to recent graduates and experienced IT specialists without degrees. Companies must update job offers immediately or risk refusals, and stricter document-coding rules increase compliance exposure. Despite the higher salary bar, the broader talent pool and enhanced family benefits keep Germany competitive for global hires.

Hundreds of farmers drove tractors into Paris on 8 January 2026, blocking major roads and landmarks to protest the EU-Mercosur trade deal. The action caused 150 km of traffic jams, disrupted access to airports and offices, and prompted President Macron to pledge a French ‘no’ vote. The blockade underscores how social movements can upend business travel and supply chains overnight.

New social-media vetting at US consulates has pushed India-based H-1B and H-4 visa-stamping appointments into March–April 2026. Attorneys say travellers should expect long stays in India and cannot rely on emergency slots, posing staffing headaches for US employers.

South Australia issued 344 invitations under its GSM scheme on 8 January 2026 – 235 Subclass 190 permanent visas and 109 Subclass 491 regional visas – with health, engineering, ICT and education professionals topping the list. Monthly draws will continue, giving businesses an early pipeline of skilled talent and migrants a clear timeline for nomination.