Etihad extends Middle-East conflict travel waiver to 15 April
TSA staffing walk-outs snarl U.S. airport security, forcing two-hour queues at major hubs
Parliamentary Committee Endorses 10-Year ‘Earned Settlement’ Baseline for Indefinite Leave to Remain
Latest News
New Canadian Armed Forces Rule Requires Permanent Residents to Hold PR Card for Three Years Before Enlistment
An internal Canadian Armed Forces bulletin confirms that, effective 10 March, permanent residents must have held a PR card for at least three years to enlist. The rule lets recruits apply for citizenship immediately upon joining, but it lengthens the timeline for newcomers who saw military service as a fast track to citizenship and security clearance.
UAE brands Iranian missile and drone barrage ‘terrorist attacks’, tightens entry controls
Late on 19 March the UAE officially labelled Iran’s continuing missile and drone attacks as “terrorist”, a move that immediately expanded the legal powers of immigration and airport security officers. Travellers are already seeing extra document checks and longer cargo inspections at DXB and AUH, and corporate mobility teams are adjusting routings accordingly. The tougher stance also activates limited government compensation for disruption-related costs.
Iran condemns Australia over humanitarian visas for women’s footballers who protested anthem
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who refused to sing the national anthem at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Iran’s foreign-ministry spokesman blasted the decision on 20 March, claiming the players were “coerced” and warning that Australian military assets in the Gulf may be targeted. The case illustrates how humanitarian visa powers intersect with national-security tensions and raises new duty-of-care considerations for Australian companies with staff in the Middle East.
DGCA Issues Urgent Advisory Ordering Indian Airlines To Avoid 11 Conflict-Zone Airspaces In West Asia
India’s aviation regulator has ordered all Indian airlines to avoid 11 conflict-zone airspaces in West Asia following an escalation of US-Israel–Iran hostilities. The rerouting will lengthen Europe- and US-bound journeys, inflate fuel bills and complicate crew-duty rosters, forcing companies to adjust travel plans and budgets. The DGCA will reassess the ban every two days.
Eid Al-Fitr holiday closures begin across UAE; visa counters and VFS centres shut until 22 March
Eid Al-Fitr public holidays running 19-22 March have closed UAE government offices and third-party visa centres, freezing most paper-based immigration processing until Monday. Online applications remain open, but assignees and business travellers should prepare for passport-handling and onboarding delays.