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Yesterday, Sunday February 8, 2026
Aer Lingus will require passports on all Ireland–UK flights from 25 February
From 25 February 2026 Aer Lingus will require every passenger on Ireland–UK routes to show a passport or Irish passport card; driving licences and other ID will no longer be accepted. Non-Irish/British nationals must also hold the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation. The airline says the change aligns documentation checks with UK Border Force practice and should reduce boarding disputes. Businesses should verify that employees hold valid passports and, where relevant, apply for ETAs well ahead of travel.
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Feb 8, 2026
Mexico Restores Electronic Visa for Brazilian Travellers
Effective 5 February 2026, Mexico has reinstated its free electronic visa (SAE) for Brazilians, replacing the costlier paper visa introduced in 2022. The change slashes processing times from weeks to hours, removes consulate visits and is expected to revive both leisure and corporate traffic ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Feb 8, 2026
Hong Kong tightens crowd-control rules at popular nature sites ahead of expected 1.43 million mainland visitors
Hong Kong will roll out one-way hiking circuits, extra ferry sailings and on-site ranger patrols at nature hot-spots before an expected influx of 1.43 million mainland tourists during the 15-23 February Lunar New Year holiday. The measures aim to prevent overcrowding and environmental damage that plagued previous peak periods, but they could lengthen transfer times for corporate outings and incentive travel groups.
Feb 8, 2026
Border checks slash illegal entries into Germany by half, Federal Police report
Federal Police data show that irregular border crossings into Germany dropped by roughly 50 % in 2025, with Saxony seeing the steepest fall. Authorities credit the drop to temporary land-border controls re-introduced in 2023 and since expanded nationwide. While the figures ease security concerns, businesses must still budget extra time for freight and staff movements as checks are likely to be extended.
Feb 8, 2026
Canada Simplifies Study-Permit Attestation Rules for Joint Programs and Grad Students
IRCC has amended its guidance so that, from 2026, joint-programme students need only one provincial attestation letter and master’s/PhD students at public institutions need none. The update supports Canada’s new cap on study permits by focusing paperwork on priority cases while easing burdens for high-skill applicants, potentially speeding up processing.
Feb 8, 2026
Poland Shuts Rzeszów and Lublin Airports as Military Aviation Scrambles After Russian Strikes on Ukraine
On 7 February 2026 Poland temporarily closed Rzeszów and Lublin airports after Russia’s latest missile barrage on Ukraine. Civil flights were halted to give military jets and air-defence systems free rein over the frontier. The move stranded passengers, disrupted cargo and highlighted the security volatility facing companies that use southeastern Poland as a staging ground for projects in Ukraine.
Feb 8, 2026
Yunnan emerges as gateway of choice for Southeast Asian visitors under China’s expanding visa-waiver regime
Visa-waiver pilots have propelled Yunnan to the top of the entry list for South and Southeast Asian travellers, with 7.86 million arrivals in 2025. The trend opens fresh opportunities for companies running regional events or sourcing trips while showcasing how targeted immigration liberalisation can stimulate trade and tourism.
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