Storm Goretti paralyses UK transport network, forcing emergency mobility plans
UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) now mandatory for all visa-waiver nationals
Poland’s MOS e-portal now mandatory for all residence-permit filings as application fees quadruple
Latest News
Bangladesh Halts Visa Services at Indian Missions Citing Security Fears
Bangladesh has suspended visa services at its New Delhi high commission and other Indian posts, citing security worries linked to recent communal unrest. The pause stalls business-travel and work-permit processing, forcing Indian and Bangladeshi firms to seek costly third-country workarounds. The incident shows how bilateral tensions can ripple into day-to-day mobility and supply chains.
Brazil creates single humanitarian-visa framework, pauses new issuances
A new ordinance effective 1 January 2026 abolishes Brazil’s country-specific humanitarian visas and replaces them with a single, crisis-driven framework. Consulates have paused issuances until an eligibility list is published, creating short-term uncertainty for NGOs and employers that relocate at-risk talent. New applications will require a sponsorship letter from a federally accredited NGO.
Storm Goretti paralyzes Paris-Normandy rail corridor and ports, forcing companies to activate contingency plans
Storm Goretti knocked out power to 380,000 homes, forced SNCF to halt all Paris-Normandy rail traffic, and closed several northern ports on 9 January. Business travellers and freight operators face 24- to 48-hour delays, prompting companies to activate remote-work and rerouting plans. The incident highlights the vulnerability of France’s transport spine and the importance of weather-contingency strategies.
UK Electronic Travel Authorisation Now Mandatory for Swiss Citizens from February 2026
From 25 February 2026 Swiss citizens must secure a £16 Electronic Travel Authorisation before travelling to the UK. The digital permit, valid for two years, introduces strict overstay penalties and shifts compliance checks to airlines. Swiss firms should embed ETA checks into pre-trip workflows and warn employees about the new three-day lead time.
Italy’s January 12 “Click-Day” Will Release 88,000 Seasonal-Work Permits
On 12 January Italy will open its immigration portal for 88,000 seasonal-work permits. The first-come, first-served “click-day” is part of the 2026-28 Flow Decree and covers agriculture and tourism jobs. Employers must have fully pre-filled applications ready or risk losing out within minutes. Faster 30-day processing and the possibility to convert to long-term status increase the scheme’s attractiveness for businesses facing labour shortages.
Canada Freezes New Parent & Grandparent Sponsorships for 2026, Pushes Families Toward Super Visa
IRCC has announced it will keep the Parents and Grandparents Program closed to new sponsorship applications for all of 2026 and will process only 10,000 existing files. Families are being steered toward the super visa, which allows five-year stays but not permanent residence. The freeze affects family-reunification plans and could influence employers’ talent-mobility strategies.