Global Mobility News from VisaHQ
Select country
Yesterday, Friday January 23, 2026
Airlines Issue Broad Waivers as Winter Storm “Fern” Threatens Key U.S. Hubs
Ahead of Winter Storm Fern, U.S. airlines have activated extensive change-fee waivers covering dozens of southern and Mid-Atlantic airports for travel between 23–25 January 2026. Companies should urge travelers to rebook proactively, review duty-of-care protocols and anticipate knock-on effects on international connections if aircraft and crews become stranded.
Related
Sign up for updates
Today in Business Travel & Immigration
Jan 23, 2026
U.S. H-1B Visa Stamping in India Now Pushed to 2027 as Appointment Backlog Deepens
U.S. consulates across India pushed thousands of H-1B visa appointments into 2027 after new social-media vetting rules slowed processing. The shock rescheduling strands Indian tech workers and forces companies to halt travel or shift to remote-work contingency plans.
Jan 23, 2026
Express Entry backlog tops one million applications, highest since 2022
Business Standard reports that IRCC’s Express Entry backlog hit 1 million cases as of 30 November 2025, the highest level since 2022. Rising inventories threaten employer workforce planning and extend uncertainty for applicants, prompting calls for a dedicated backlog-reduction strategy.
Jan 23, 2026
State Department Halts Immigrant Visa Issuance for 75 Countries, Citing Potential “Public-Charge” Risk
Effective 21 January 2026, the State Department has frozen issuance of immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries deemed at risk of becoming public charges. The pause does not apply to temporary work visas but will delay green-card processing abroad, forcing employers to reassess timelines and consider filing adjustments in the United States. Legal challenges are expected, creating further uncertainty for global mobility programs.
Jan 23, 2026
GCC Schengen-style tourist visa pushed back to 2026 as UAE, neighbours fine-tune security systems
The GCC Grand Tours Visa, which would let visitors roam the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain on a single permit, will now start in 2026 rather than 2025. Officials say more time is needed to mesh immigration IT systems and shared security databases. Companies should stick to current visa processes for now but plan for a major shift to a one-stop permit in about 18 months.
Jan 23, 2026
UK raises English requirement for work visas and sets ETA enforcement date
A Home Office update confirms two key deadlines: (1) English language for new Skilled Worker, HPI and Scale-up visas rises to CEFR B2 from 8 January 2026; (2) the £16 Electronic Travel Authorisation becomes compulsory for visa-waiver nationals on 25 February 2026. Employers must adjust recruitment checks and add ETA compliance to travel processes.
Jan 23, 2026
U.S. Halts Immigrant-Visa Issuance for Brazilians Amid Public-Charge Review
From 21 January the United States has frozen the issuance of immigrant visas to Brazilians pending a public-benefits risk review. Temporary visa classes remain open, but thousands of green-card cases are on hold, disrupting corporate relocations and family reunifications.
Jan 23, 2026
France issues nationwide ‘Pact for the Employment of Foreigners’ and confirms new civic-knowledge exam for residence permits
A joint Interior/Labour Ministry circular dated 22 January 2026 launches a “Pact for the Employment of Foreigners”, directing prefectures to connect legal migrants with shortages occupations and confirming a new compulsory civic-knowledge exam for first multi-year residence permits from 1 January 2026. Stricter A2/B1 French-language thresholds also take effect. Employers that engage with the scheme gain faster processing, while those ignoring compliance risks face tougher audits—making early HR preparation essential.
Show More News