Aer Lingus to end all Manchester long-haul routes, shifting traffic via Dublin
Entry/Exit System phase-two snarls Spanish airports, industry calls for contingency plans
Texas Governor Orders Freeze on New H-1B Visa Filings at State Agencies and Universities
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Home Office confirms sweeping rule changes to Skilled Worker, GBM and Scale-up routes
An insight note dated 28 January 2026 reveals the detail behind July’s Immigration Rule overhaul: skill level raised to RQF 6, salary thresholds up to £41,700 and overseas recruitment banned for most care-worker roles. Transitional protections last until 2028, but new hires after 22 July must meet the stricter criteria, pushing up mobility costs and narrowing talent pools.
Half of New Immigrants to France in 2025 Were Students or Refugees
France issued a record 384,000 first residence permits in 2025. Humanitarian and student categories accounted for 50 % of all newcomers, while low-skill economic permits fell 13 %. The data signal strong opportunities for universities and high-skill employers, but tighter vetting for seasonal and lower-skill roles.
Third Day of Belgium’s Five-Day Rail Strike Brings Uneven Disruption for Business Travellers
Day three of Belgium’s national rail strike is causing limited disruption in Brussels but severe gaps in Walloon rail and bus services. International trains largely run but some EuroCity and Nightjet services are curtailed. Companies should enable tele-work, check SNCB strike timetables daily and budget for higher taxi or hotel costs.
EU Migration Chief Unveils Plan for Stricter Border Controls and Speedier Deportations
The European Commission on 28 January proposed tougher external-border checks, ten-year re-entry bans for deportees and ‘return hubs’ outside the EU. Germany cautiously supports the move, which could mean more spot checks for business travellers in the near term but, if successful, less administrative backlog for work-permit processing later on.
Poland prepares employers for post-March 2026 rules on hiring Ukrainians
Fragomen announced a 28 January webinar that reveals how Poland will regulate the stay and employment of Ukrainian citizens once the current UKR temporary-protection regime expires on 4 March 2026. Draft rules will require full work authorisation for Ukrainians, introduce a new three-year “CUKR” residence card, and place standard social-security obligations on employers. HR and mobility teams have little over a year to convert simple notifications into residence-and-work permits, schedule biometrics, and budget for higher compliance costs.
UAE tightens Remote Working Visa: six-month income proof now mandatory
Effective 28 Jan 2026, Remote Working Visa applicants must submit six months, not three, of bank statements to prove they meet the income threshold. The new rule lengthens the qualifying period for newly hired staff and freelancers, meaning businesses will need to plan relocations further in advance or consider alternative residence categories.
French Minister Floats 3-Year Freeze on Legal Immigration
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has proposed suspending most legal immigration for up to three years, excluding select professionals and some students. The politically charged idea enjoys public support but faces legal hurdles and raises red flags for employers that rely on foreign talent.
UK government proposes sharp rises to ETA, citizenship and sponsorship fees
Draft regulations published on 28 January 2026 would raise the ETA from £10 to £16, double the Certificate of Sponsorship fee to £525 and add £105 to the cost of naturalisation. The Home Office says the move will generate £269 million and reduce reliance on general taxation, but employers fear higher mobility costs and are rushing to issue sponsorship certificates before the hike takes effect.
Record 697 Million Cross-Border Trips in 2025 Show China’s Visa-Free Strategy Is Working
New data from China’s National Immigration Administration show a record 697 million border crossings in 2025—14 percent above 2024—thanks largely to expanded visa-free entry and 240-hour transit policies. Over 73 percent of the 82 million foreign arrivals entered visa-free. The surge signals easier conditions for business travel and underscores Beijing’s strategy of using mobility liberalisation to attract investment and tourism.
Indian Consulate Opens One-Stop Application Centre in Seattle
India has opened a dedicated Consular Application Centre in Seattle, giving Indian passport holders, OCI card-seekers and visa applicants in the Pacific Northwest a local, full-service location for the first time. The facility, operated with VFS Global, streamlines paperwork, offers Saturday hours and supports Global Entry verification—reducing travel and processing costs for businesses and the diaspora.