Global Mobility News from VisaHQ

Brazil’s three busiest airports recorded 25 cancellations and 166 delays on 15 February, hitting LATAM Brasil and GOL hardest. The knock-on effects are squeezing hotel capacity during Carnival and prompting fresh debate over slot-management reforms and passenger-rights rules.

Leaked IRCC statistics suggest nearly one million Indian nationals will watch their Canadian work permits expire by the end of 2026, raising the risk of mass status loss unless Ottawa creates new extension pathways. The pending ‘status cliff’ threatens talent retention in key sectors and places added strain on already-lengthy permanent-residence queues.

Hong Kong processed more than 240,000 arrivals by mid-afternoon on 15 February, as the mainland’s nine-day Lunar New Year holiday began. About 113,000 of the visitors were from mainland China, testing the city’s border control capacity. Smooth clearance times and robust tourism spending could boost confidence in Hong Kong’s ability to host large-scale events and support the local economy.

China confirmed on 15 February that French citizens will keep their 15-day visa-free access until the end of 2026. The move removes an administrative hurdle for exporters and corporate travellers, and is expected to stimulate demand on Air France’s China routes.

Beijing has added Canada to its unilateral visa-free scheme, allowing Canadians to travel visa-free to China for stays of up to 30 days between 17 February and 31 December 2026. The move slashes costs and red tape for Canadian tourists and companies, and could quickly restore air-service levels and trade missions to pre-pandemic norms.

A snow and ice alert over Île-de-France on 15 February 2026 prompted the DGAC to order airlines to cancel 30 % of flights at Paris-CDG and 20 % at Orly. The measure, aimed at easing de-icing congestion, has rippled through domestic networks and road traffic. Passengers are entitled to rerouting or refunds under EU rules but not cash compensation because weather is classed as an extraordinary circumstance.

Police arrested 31 undocumented migrants in a nationwide sweep on 15 February, deporting seven the same day and fast-tracking the rest. The action highlights Cyprus’ strategy of daily micro-operations and has pushed 2025 deportations to record levels. Employers face steeper penalties if caught with irregular workers, making strict document controls essential.

Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister has asked the Union government to waive passport and visa rules for nearly 89,000 Sri Lankan Tamils who have lived in the state for up to 30 years. The request seeks to convert refugees into citizens or long-term visa holders, giving them legal status and work rights – a move that would also expand the state’s formal labour pool.

Poland activated full Entry/Exit System (EES) checks at all border posts on 15 February, meaning every non-EU national—including nearly one million Ukrainians under temporary protection—now undergoes biometric registration when entering or leaving the country. The change replaces passport stamps, automates overstay calculations and feeds data to carriers ahead of the launch of ETIAS next year. While the technology promises faster, fraud-proof crossings, first-time users should expect longer waits this week, and employers are urged to build extra time into travel plans.

IATCA warned on 15 February that controller shortages may force flight cancellations this summer. Recent staffing gaps have already limited runway movements at Dublin and closed Cork overnight. The government has called for urgent talks, while companies are urged to build extra buffer time into travel itineraries.

A fast-moving snow front forced airlines at Brussels Airport to cancel or delay dozens of flights on 15 February. Eurocontrol imposed traffic-flow restrictions, while the IRM issued a code-yellow snow alert. Mobility and HR teams scrambled to rebook travellers and protect time-sensitive cargo, underscoring the need for robust winter-weather contingency plans.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has extended Germany’s internal Schengen border checks for another six months, pushing the end-date to mid-September 2026. The move keeps ID spot-checks in place at all nine land borders and is justified as part of a broader migration clamp-down. Businesses face continued delays for freight, commuters and business travellers, and must ensure staff carry passports or IDs and allow extra journey time. The decision underscores how temporary border controls are becoming semi-permanent in Germany.

Beijing has added Canada and the United Kingdom to its unilateral visa-free list, allowing ordinary passport holders to enter China for up to 30 days without a visa from 17 February 2026 until 31 December 2026. The move slashes lead-times for short-term business travel and signals China’s intent to deepen trade and people-to-people ties with two major G7 partners.