Canada tightens entry rules for digital nomads, demanding proof of exclusively foreign income
Belgium Moves All Short-Term Work Permit Applications Online from 1 May 2026
IRCC resumes Canadian Experience Class draws, issuing 3,000 invitations in surprise May 27 round
Latest News
UK issues 32% fewer sponsored study visas in Q1 2026 as refusal rates climb
New Home Office figures show a 32 per cent year-on-year fall in sponsored study visas issued in Q1 2026 and a concurrent rise in refusal rates, reflecting government efforts to reduce net migration. Universities face a major revenue shortfall, and employers who recruit via the Graduate route may encounter a smaller talent pipeline.
Frankfurt Airport’s New Sky Line Train Suspended Weeks After Launch
Frankfurt Airport has suspended its brand-new, €4 billion Sky Line people-mover just weeks after launch, citing the need for “technical inspections”. Passengers are back on shuttle buses, lengthening transfer times between terminals and forcing airlines and corporates to adjust connection buffers. The stoppage clouds the 9 June partial opening of Terminal 3 and underscores the operational risks of airport automation projects.
Dubai keeps Terminal 3 immigration counters open 24/7 during the Eid travel surge
GDRFA-Dubai will staff all immigration counters in DXB Terminal 3 non-stop from 25 to 29 May 2026 to absorb the Eid Al Adha passenger surge. The measure should stabilise wait times, protect airline on-time performance and give business travellers more predictable connections, but companies are still urged to build in additional buffers.
Second group of Australian women and children linked to Islamic State arrive home under tight security
A second cohort of 19 Australian women and children linked to Islamic State were repatriated from Syria on 27 May and placed under strict monitoring. One woman barred by a Temporary Exclusion Order tried—but failed—to board the flight. The episode underscores Australia’s use of exceptional border powers and will inform corporate risk planning for travel to and from high-risk regions.
Interior Minister Karner in Romania: Austria reaffirms hard line on Schengen expansion and border security
Austria’s interior minister used a two-day trip to Constanța to defend Vienna’s 2022 Schengen veto and showcase joint measures that have slashed irregular entries. Continued internal border checks and a strict stance on the upcoming Entry/Exit System mean HR teams must expect document inspections and carrier fines to persist. A renewed Austrian veto this autumn could again delay full Schengen membership for Romania and Bulgaria, with knock-on effects for road assignments.
Migrant Raid in Larnaca Ends in Fatal Fall, Sparks Scrutiny of Cyprus’ Enforcement Tactics
A CRMD raid on a Larnaca apartment block left one migrant dead and two injured after they jumped in panic. The fatality has intensified scrutiny of Cyprus’ aggressive immigration sweeps and underscored continuing housing shortfalls for asylum-seekers. Companies employing foreign nationals should brace for stricter spot checks and verify all residence paperwork.
Swiss Federal Council Moves to Ease Labor-Market Access for People With Protection Status S and Swiss-Trained Third-Country Nationals
On 27 May 2026 the Federal Council sent Parliament a bill that would (1) allow employed holders of Protection S to change canton more easily and require unemployed holders to register with public employment services, and (2) open the Swiss labour market to third-country nationals who completed Swiss higher vocational or post-doctoral training. The move aims to boost labour-force participation and talent retention, giving employers quicker access to scarce skills. Companies should anticipate simpler hiring formalities but start planning for new compliance obligations.
Hong Kong International Airport brings Terminal 2 online, boosting capacity and introducing fully-automated border clearance
Hong Kong International Airport opened departures at its new 300,000 m² Terminal 2 on 27 May, immediately raising hub capacity to 100 million passengers a year. The building features end-to-end biometric processing, 35 e-Channels and 68 self-bag-drop units, cutting average departure processing times in half. For business-travel and assignment planners, the new check-in zones, lower age limit for e-gates and revised connection times require immediate policy updates and traveller briefings.
Finland moves to extend Border Security Act, keeping land frontier with Russia closed
Helsinki has begun work on another extension of the Border Security Act, which lets authorities refuse asylum applications at the eastern frontier. All land crossings with Russia have been closed since December 2023 and will now remain shut for the foreseeable future, forcing travellers and goods to re-route via airports and ports. The move cements Finland’s hard-line stance on instrumentalised migration and has significant cost and scheduling implications for firms with operations in Russia or the wider Baltic region.
Nepali Consulate tightens personal-visa verification for UAE-bound workers
Citing a surge in stranded workers, Nepal’s Consulate in Dubai now verifies “personal visas” only in five specific scenarios, mainly close-family sponsorships and vetted rehires. UAE employers recruiting directly from Nepal will need more documentation and lead time, or risk visa rejections and delays.
Security lapse exposes 100,000 UK visa applicants’ passports and selfies
TechCrunch reports that third-party site ‘UK Visa Portal’ left a cloud storage bucket publicly accessible, exposing passports and selfies from some 100,000 ETA and visa applicants. The company, which is not affiliated with the Home Office, secured the data only after media contact and has yet to notify users or regulators, raising serious data-protection and identity-theft concerns.
Nation-wide General Strike on 29 May Set to Disrupt Flights, Trains and Urban Transport across Italy
A 24-hour general strike on Friday, 29 May will affect virtually all modes of transport in Italy. Flights outside two ENAC-protected windows may be cancelled, long-distance and regional trains face widespread disruption, and urban transit in major cities is expected to run at reduced frequency. Businesses should re-book critical travel on guaranteed services and brief employees on their compensation rights.
Brenner corridor to shut on 30 May: Austria issues stark warning to business travellers and freight operators
A legally approved protest will shut Austria’s A13 Brenner motorway for up to eight hours on 30 May, and officials say travellers should avoid Austria altogether that day. Severe knock-on congestion is expected on all north-south routes, threatening delivery schedules and weekend relocations. Businesses are urged to reroute freight, delay staff moves or switch to air or rail to minimise disruption.
Ottawa suspends visas and imposes 21-day quarantine for travellers from Ebola-affected African nations
Effective 27 May 2026, Canada has halted the issuance and use of immigration documents for residents of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan and will require a 21-day quarantine for anyone who has recently been in those countries. The temporary measures, introduced under the Quarantine Act, have immediate implications for visa processing and business travel planning.
Ireland introduces Stamp 4 ‘Temporary Protection Transition Scheme’ for 70,000 Ukrainian refugees
Ireland’s Cabinet has approved a Stamp 4 ‘Temporary Protection Transition Scheme’ that will allow around 70,000 Ukrainian refugees to convert their EU temporary-protection status into renewable two-year residence permission counting toward citizenship. The scheme, announced on 26 May 2026, removes labour-market barriers, sets salary and self-sufficiency criteria, and will open for applications in September 2026. Employers must prepare for new salary thresholds and the phase-out of State-funded accommodation, while beneficiaries gain long-term security and full work rights.
Poland keeps BRAVO & CHARLIE security alerts through summer, with knock-on effects for business travel
Poland has prolonged its BRAVO, CHARLIE and BRAVO-CRP alert levels until 31 August 2026, triggering tighter ID checks and patrols on rail routes, energy sites and across public spaces. Business travellers can expect slightly longer journeys and more frequent document inspections, while companies operating critical infrastructure must refresh security plans. Advance notice allows large summer events to adapt, but smaller organisers face higher costs.
Spain Tightens 2026 Digital Nomad Visa Renewal Rules: Higher Income Threshold and 20 % Cap on Spanish Earnings
Spain’s immigration authority has confirmed that Digital Nomad Visa (ARTIN) renewals filed in 2026 must show monthly earnings of at least €2,442 (200 % of the new minimum wage) and that Spanish-source income remains under 20 %. Companies hosting remote staff in Spain should update compliance check-lists and review client-allocation ratios at least six months before renewals to avoid refusals.