Global Mobility News from VisaHQ

Effective 21 January, the U.S. State Department has halted immigrant-visa issuance for citizens of 75 countries, citing public-charge concerns. Non-immigrant visas remain available, but green-card cases for affected nationals are effectively suspended. Companies should explore adjustment-of-status or third-country strategies for key talent and update compliance language in employment documents.

London Heathrow has become the world’s largest airport to abolish the post-9/11 100-ml cabin-liquids cap after finishing a £1 billion CT-scanner installation. Passengers can now leave electronics and containers of up to two litres in their hand baggage, potentially cutting queues and 16 million plastic bags a year. The rule change applies only to departures from Heathrow, so travellers must still check restrictions at other airports.

Cyprus used its first big EU-Presidency event to push a tougher, ‘sustainable’ returns agenda and showcase its own bid for Schengen membership. EU ministers agreed to draft new Council conclusions on voluntary and forced returns, reviewed upcoming EES/ETIAS changes and underlined the need to curb secondary movements. For employers, the outcome points to more compliance checks on foreign staff and faster removal of overstayers.

Immigration lawyers estimate the State Department’s new freeze on immigrant visas for 75 countries could leave about 50,000 family-based numbers unused this fiscal year. Under U.S. law those numbers roll into the employment-based quota in FY 2027, potentially increasing it by more than 35 %. Multinationals should prepare their PERM and I-140 pipelines now to capitalize on a rare opportunity to cut green-card backlogs.

IRCC invited 6,000 Canadian Experience Class candidates on 23 January 2026, lowering the CRS cut-off to 509. The record-early draw signals faster 2026 intake timing, giving employers a mid-year boost in skilled labour while keeping within lower immigration targets. Businesses should prepare for earlier arrivals; candidates just below the threshold may need PNP support to remain competitive.

The SNCTA union has called a nationwide four-day air-traffic-controller strike for 7–10 October, demanding inflation-linked pay rises and better staffing. DGAC minimum-service rules will limit but not prevent disruption; airlines project thousands of cancellations, and corporate travellers are urged to build contingency plans. The walk-out threatens to hobble France’s airports at the start of a busy holiday period and could herald further industrial action later in the year.

A draft bill released on 23 January 2026 would dismantle most preferential rules that have applied to Ukrainian refugees since 2022. From March 2026, access to family benefits, free housing and some healthcare would be restricted, though unrestricted labour-market access would remain. Employers must review the residence status and benefit entitlements of Ukrainian staff well ahead of the new deadline.

Experts say Washington’s freeze on family-based immigrant visas for 75 countries could leave about 50,000 visas unused, shifting them to employment categories in FY 2027. Because Indians dominate employment-based queues, they are likely to capture most of the spill-over, potentially advancing green-card priority dates by several years. Companies should prepare documentation so employees can file quickly if quotas jump.

Emirates has cancelled more than a dozen DXB-to-USA flights from 24-26 January because Winter Storm Fern is closing runways and disrupting air-traffic flows at major U-S hubs. Connecting passengers will be denied boarding, and travellers must rebook or refund. The move highlights the value of robust travel-risk policies for UAE firms with trans-Atlantic operations.

The federal opposition has proposed reducing Australia’s permanent-migration program by 25 %—to 140,000 places—starting in 2026, with skilled visas taking most of the hit. Business groups fear deeper labour shortages, while mobility teams may face longer lead-times and tougher compliance checks. The policy divergence from the government introduces new planning risk for multinationals relocating staff to Australia.

Austria removed 14,156 people in 2025—an all-time high—while first-time asylum claims dropped by 36 %. The Interior Ministry says the figures prove its ‘strict but fair’ approach is working; NGOs say the policy squeezes legitimate refugees. Corporate-mobility managers should expect tighter document checks, possible skill-shortages in low-wage sectors, and longer airport screening times.

SNCB has published a reduced timetable for the 25-30 January national rail strike, confirming that only limited InterCity trains will operate while most local services are cancelled. Companies should review travel and assignment plans, as missed appointments may affect immigration deadlines.

President Lula da Silva has confirmed that Brazil will exempt Chinese nationals from short-term visit visas, reciprocating China’s 2025 waiver for Brazilians. The measure, expected to enter into force in Q1 2026, will slash red tape for Chinese business travelers and could significantly increase bilateral tourism and investment flows.

Brazil will scrap short-stay visa requirements for Chinese citizens, mirroring China’s 2025 waiver for Brazilians. The policy—formal decree pending—will slash lead times for tourism and project work, but limited air capacity remains a hurdle.

Prague Airport has launched “AVA”, a multilingual chatbot that delivers live flight updates, queue times and travel tips via WhatsApp, with Messenger integration due in early February. The tool reduces way-finding time, supports FastTrack sales and will eventually warn passengers about upcoming biometric border checks, making the hub more attractive for tight-turnaround business trips.

The United States has confirmed that, starting later this year, Finns travelling under the Visa Waiver Program must disclose five years of social-media activity and submit extra biometrics when applying for ESTA. The change raises GDPR and privacy questions, extends processing times and forces Finnish companies to adjust travel-planning and data-compliance procedures.

From 25 February 2026 all British dual citizens must travel on a UK passport or a new digital Certificate of Entitlement. The change, part of the UK’s move to fully digital borders, affects more than a million people and has triggered a last-minute surge of applications. Mobility teams should audit dual-national employees now to avoid denied boarding after enforcement begins.

Monthly IRCC figures show new study-permit approvals collapsing to 2,485 in November 2025—a 97 % drop from the previous year—as Canada’s national cap, higher proof-of-funds and letter-of-acceptance verification take hold. The plunge threatens college finances and future labour supply while underscoring Ottawa’s push to curb temporary-resident growth.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has upheld a police exit order against an Afghan graduate who overstayed his student visa and began teaching without a work visa. The judgment affirms that UNHCR refugee cards do not grant the right to reside or work in India after a visa expires, signalling stricter enforcement against long-term overstays. Universities and employers are advised to tighten compliance checks for foreign nationals.