Germany Extends Internal Border Controls Until at Least September 2026
Campaigners say new UK border rules for dual nationals discriminate against women
Angus Taylor distances himself from leaked policy but vows to ‘tighten up’ high-risk migration
Latest News
China Adds United Kingdom and Canada to 30-Day Visa-Free Entry List, Bringing Total to 79 Countries
China has granted 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada effective 17 February 2026, expanding its waiver list to 79 nations. The policy is expected to boost business travel and tourism, cut corporate visa costs, and improve ties after high-level diplomatic outreach by both countries’ new prime ministers. Airlines are already planning capacity increases to meet anticipated demand.
Italy Opens 2026 ‘Click Day’ for 75,000 Non-Seasonal Work Permits
Italy’s Interior Ministry opened the 2026 non-seasonal Decreto Flussi click day at 09:00 on 16 February, releasing 75,000 work-permit slots on a first-come, first-served basis. Employers had 11 hours to send pre-compiled electronic applications; quotas are expected to be exhausted within minutes. The move is pivotal for sectors facing chronic labour shortages and heightens the need for corporate HR teams to prepare well in advance.
Leaked Liberal draft would ban migrants from Gaza, Somalia and 11 other ‘terror-prone’ regions
Guardian Australia has published details of an unreleased Liberal Party immigration blueprint that would automatically bar visa applicants from 37 districts across 13 ‘terror-linked’ countries and shrink Australia’s migration and student-visa intake. Although Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has disowned the leaked draft, party insiders say elements of the plan may survive in a future Coalition platform—raising significant uncertainty for global mobility programs and the international-education sector.
UAE and Bahrain Pilot ‘One-Point’ Pre-clearance System to Slash Airport Queues
Abu Dhabi and Manama began testing a ‘single travel point’ system that moves immigration and security checks to the point of departure, cutting arrival processing to zero. The six-month pilot covers citizens on Etihad and Gulf Air flights between Zayed International and Bahrain International. If scaled, it will shrink door-to-door journey times, benefit shuttle business travellers and complement the upcoming GCC Unified Tourist Visa.
Spanish Police Warn Regularisation Plan Could Legalise Over One Million Migrants
A leaked National Police report says Spain’s forthcoming extraordinary regularisation could grant status to up to 1.35 million people—more than double the government’s forecast. Officers warn of an “image of permissiveness” that may attract additional migration flows and overload border units, while business groups eye the measure as a tool to legalise large shadow-economy workforces.
China Opens 30-Day Visa-Free Entry to Canadians Starting February 17
China will allow Canadian passport-holders to enter visa-free for up to 30 days from February 17 through December 31, 2026. The move slashes costs and paperwork for tourists and short-term business travellers, and is expected to boost air traffic and bilateral trade missions. Companies should note that the waiver does not cover paid employment or stays beyond 30 days, and travellers with prior immigration violations can still be refused entry.
Finland warns of Russian military build-up along border, signals continued travel restrictions
Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen told Euronews that Russia is expanding military infrastructure along the Finnish border, calling the Arctic “critical” to Europe’s security and hinting that Finland’s land-border closure will be prolonged. Companies should anticipate continued bans on overland travel and tighter screening of Russian nationals, keeping Helsinki-Vantaa the primary entry point. ([euronews.com](https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/02/16/russia-reinforcing-nuclear-and-arctic-assets-near-finnish-border-defence-minister-warns?utm_source=openai))
Germany extends Salzburg–Bavaria border checks until September 2026, putting fresh strain on Austrian commuters
Berlin has confirmed that stationary controls on the German-Austrian border will continue for at least another six months, citing migration and security concerns. The move threatens longer queues for the 30 000 daily commuters and supply-chain traffic in the Salzburg–Bavaria region and forces companies to revisit travel timetables and compliance documentation. The decision also fuels a wider EU debate about the future of Schengen just weeks before the Entry/Exit System goes live.
China grants 30-day visa-free access to UK citizens from 17 February
From 17 February 2026, UK passport holders can visit mainland China for up to 30 days without a visa for tourism or business. The policy removes fees and processing delays, encouraging corporate travel and prompting airlines to add capacity. Firms should adjust travel processes but remember that work-related activities outside the visa-exempt list still need permits.
Partial DHS shutdown pushes TSA agents to work unpaid, imperils spring-break travel
The DHS funding gap, now in its third day, has forced TSA officers to keep screening passengers without pay. Airlines and travel groups warn that even a small uptick in sick-outs could trigger cascading delays during the high-volume spring-break period, harming business travel and preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Corporates are urged to pad itineraries and leverage trusted-traveller programmes until Congress restores funding.
Germany Extends Border Controls, Adding Six-Month Headache for Swiss Cross-Border Commuters
Berlin has prolonged its ‘temporary’ land-border checks for another six months, meaning systematic controls will stay in place on the German-Swiss frontier until at least September 2026. The move threatens longer queues for the 70 000 daily cross-border commuters and higher transport costs for Swiss exporters. A legal challenge and EU scrutiny could yet force Germany to ease the measures, but companies should plan for ongoing delays.
Government green-lights special long-term stay option for Ukrainian refugees
The Czech cabinet has approved a decree allowing Ukrainian refugees who have held temporary protection for at least two years to apply for a five-year long-term residence permit, offering greater stability for some 400,000 Ukrainians in the country and easing administrative pressure on employers.
Nation-Wide Air-Transport Strike Postponed to 26 February to Shield Winter Olympics
Italian authorities have pushed a 24-hour national aviation strike from 16 to 26 February to avoid disruption to Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic events. The walk-out still threatens major airports and coincides with a separate late-February rail strike, so businesses should revise travel plans and alert staff.
Ireland to Curb English-Language Student Visas Amid Concerns They Are a ‘Back Door’ to Work Permits
Cabinet papers reveal that Ireland will clamp down on English-language student visas, citing abuse of the Stamp 2 study route as a ‘back door’ to employment. Measures under consideration include stricter financial thresholds, an accreditation regime for schools, and closer labour-market enforcement. Businesses relying on student workers and mobility teams sponsoring post-study permits should prepare for tighter rules and possible caps.