Citizenship Amendment Rules 2026 Launch e-OCI and Online-Only Processing for Overseas Indians
Belgium makes all work-permit and single-permit filings 100 % digital
USCIS Tightens Screening: Shorter EAD Validity, Broader Social-Media Checks and New Biometric Rules
Latest News
Airlines Urge Temporary Suspension of EU Entry/Exit System as German Airports Face Four-Hour Queues
Ryanair, Jet2 and easyJet have asked EU and national authorities to pause biometric checks under the new Entry/Exit System after wait times of up to four hours were recorded at German airports. The carriers warn that continued delays will cause missed connections, reduced hub traffic and significant costs for business travellers unless Germany follows Greece in invoking a legal opt-out. ([aviation.direct](https://aviation.direct/en/fluggesellschaften-fordern-aussetzung-des-neuen-eu-einreisesystems-ees))
France restores full diplomatic presence in Algiers, signalling thaw in visa and security cooperation
France has returned its ambassador to Algeria, opening the door to restoring normal visa quotas and security data exchanges that were suspended during the 2025 diplomatic crisis. Faster processing would benefit companies shuttling staff between the two countries, although full normalisation hinges on further negotiations over migration readmissions.
India Makes Digital e-Arrival Card Mandatory 72 Hours Before Entry
From 1 April 2026, India requires all foreign travellers and OCI holders to file a digital e-Arrival Card no later than 72 hours before travel. Airlines are already enforcing QR-code checks and companies are updating pre-trip workflows. Authorities expect faster processing, but teething issues mean travellers should complete the form well before departure.
Australia arrests three ISIS-linked women on arrival; repatriation flight ends years in Syrian camp
Thirteen women and children linked to ISIS were repatriated from Syria on 7 May 2026. Three women were arrested on arrival in Melbourne and Sydney on terrorism and slavery charges. The operation underscores Australia’s willingness to balance humanitarian obligations with stringent national-security enforcement and signals possible short-term tightening of arrival screening for all international passengers.
Brazil grants visa-free entry to Chinese nationals for stays of up to 30 days
From 11 May 2026 until the end of the year, holders of ordinary Chinese passports can enter Brazil visa-free for tourism, business and other short-term activities for up to 30 days per year. The waiver, based on reciprocity, eliminates lengthy consular processing and is expected to boost tourism and bilateral trade flows. Corporate mobility teams should update travel policies immediately but remind travellers that the exemption does not permit paid work or stays beyond 30 days.
Brazil Waives Visas for Chinese Travelers Beginning 11 May 2026
Starting 11 May 2026, Chinese citizens can enter Brazil visa-free for stays of up to 30 days, matching China’s waiver for Brazilians. The move is expected to boost tourism flows and speed up business visits, supporting Chinese investment projects in Latin America’s largest economy. Firms should adjust travel policies but remain alert to stay-length and work-permit rules.
Switzerland to Reinstate Border Checks with France for June G7 Summit
From 10 to 19 June 2026 Switzerland will re-introduce passport checks at its border with France to safeguard the nearby G7 summit in Évian. The move will slow road and rail crossings for commuters and business travellers, so firms should plan for ID checks and possible delays.
Opposition accuses Spanish Government of hiding mass migrant regularization plan
The Partido Popular claims the Sánchez government is classifying key documents on a nationwide regularization that could grant residence permits to up to 500,000 undocumented migrants. Madrid insists the secrecy only shields anti-fraud tactics and that the Royal Decree will be public in June. For employers, the plan would legalize large segments of the shadow workforce, offering new recruiting opportunities but also new compliance duties.
Irish Government Updates Employment Permit Processing Dates to 8 May 2026
DETE’s 8 May 2026 bulletin shows Critical Skills permits filed on 17 April are already being examined while standard applications from 5 March are only now in queue, signalling a three- to nine-week lead time. HR teams should build these windows into start-date planning and watch for any deterioration that could jeopardise summer project launches.
Italy Adds 8,865 Extra Seasonal Work Permits for 2026 to Ease Summer Labour Crunch
Italy’s Labour Ministry has released 8,865 extra seasonal work permits—5,389 for agriculture and 3,476 for tourism—pushing the 2026 seasonal quota to a record 96,865. Employers can file immediately via the existing online portal, giving farms and hotels a legal path to bring in foreign staff before peak season. The move will help businesses avoid production losses and service cuts, but unions warn of potential exploitation if oversight is weak.
Metro and RER shutdowns disrupt access to CDG and central Paris during 8 May commemorations
Paris has closed multiple central metro stations and fully suspended RER B services to Charles-de-Gaulle Airport for 8–10 May, causing significant delays for inbound and outbound business travellers. Authorities say the measures are necessary for Victory Day security and urgent track work, but corporates should expect longer trip times and higher ground-transport costs.
Transport providers issue early warning for 12 May Belgian national strike
Unions have announced a nationwide strike for 12 May 2026. Early alerts from Eurostar and Brussels Airport warn of possible knock-on effects for flights, trains and urban transport, giving companies time to activate contingency and duty-of-care plans.
China’s May Day Break Sees 1.26 Million Foreign Entries; Visa-Free Arrivals Jump 14.7 %
Official Golden Week statistics show foreign entries to China rose 12.5 percent to 1.26 million, with 436,000 travellers—nearly one-third—entering visa-free. The figures validate Beijing’s expanded waiver network and point to stronger demand for business travel, events and tourism services.
Finland Plans Stricter Income and Language Rules for Foreign Students
Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has drafted amendments that would raise minimum income levels, introduce language-proficiency rules and give authorities new monitoring powers for student residence permits. The change, expected to take effect in 2027, will require international students to show stronger finances and basic language skills, affecting university recruitment and corporate internship programmes alike.
Home Office updates sponsor-licence register: 387 new UK employers gain permission to hire overseas talent
The Home Office’s 8 May refresh of the Worker and Temporary Worker sponsor register adds 387 companies and removes 112. Employers recruiting on Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility routes must verify their status against the live list to avoid illegal-working penalties and assignment delays.
IRCC corrects backlog figures, confirms over one million files in inventory as new cap era begins
IRCC’s 7 May dashboard update corrects citizenship figures and confirms that inventories still top one million applications as Canada enters a period of capped immigration growth. Persistent backlogs—particularly for work and study permits—mean employers must allow more time for talent mobility and monitor monthly inventory releases.
Passenger Numbers Plunge at German Airports, Raising Red Flags for Corporate Connectivity
April traffic at German airports fell 9 % year-on-year to 16.7 million passengers, as strikes, high fuel prices and carrier retrenchment hit demand. ADV warns that shrinking connectivity could erode Germany’s attractiveness for international business unless taxes are lowered and labour disputes resolved. ([aviation.direct](https://aviation.direct/en/luftverkehrsstandort-deutschland-unter-erheblichem-druck-passagierzahlen-sinken-im-april-2026-massiv))