Global Mobility News from VisaHQ

Because Cyprus is not yet part of the Schengen Area, the island will *not* apply the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System when it goes live on 10 April 2026. Visitors will still receive old-style passport stamps, sparing them the queues already forming at other European airports. The move keeps Cyprus attractive for leisure and business travel, though British residents are warned to upgrade their documents before transiting Schengen countries.

A DHS notice of proposed rulemaking would suspend new work-permit filings whenever the asylum backlog exceeds six months, extend the initial waiting period to one year, and impose stricter vetting. Employers could see slower hiring and increased reverification burdens if the rule is finalized after public comment.

A New Yorker exposé reveals that migrants continue to traverse Poland’s forested frontier with Belarus despite an 18-foot wall, blanket push-back powers and militarised patrols. The story underscores legal challenges, humanitarian concerns and possible EU-wide policy ripple effects—issues global employers should watch closely.

Emirates and Etihad have cancelled multiple flights between the UAE and the US East Coast after a blizzard warning was issued for New York and Boston. Disruptions are likely through 25 February, affecting passenger itineraries and high-value cargo flows. Businesses should re-route travellers, document any visa overstays caused by the storm, and lock in replacement freight capacity.

China has extended its 30-day visa-free entry programme to ordinary passport holders from the UK and Canada, lifting the total number of eligible countries to 50. The policy, officially announced on 23 February 2026, streamlines short-term travel for tourism and business and is expected to boost air capacity and bilateral trade. Employers gain new flexibility to dispatch staff quickly, but tax and work-permit rules still apply.

Unions warn that Spain’s foreigners’ offices are understaffed just weeks before a half-million-applicant regularisation begins. Delays are already impacting TIE renewals and work-permit processing, threatening business travel and corporate relocations. Companies are advised to plan for longer lead times and make contingency arrangements.

China has lifted short-stay visa requirements for Finnish passport holders, allowing 30-day business or leisure trips without paperwork until at least the end of 2026. The change slashes lead-times for Finnish companies, is expected to spur a surge in Finnair bookings and positions Helsinki as a prime Europe-Asia hub. Mobility managers should update travel policies but remind employees that longer assignments still require work permits.

From 25 February 2026 Aer Lingus will demand a valid passport or Irish passport card on all flights between Ireland and Great Britain, ending its longstanding acceptance of driving licences and other photo IDs. The change affects millions of CTA travellers and raises compliance issues for employers that rely on short-notice intra-UK/IE trips. Companies should audit employees’ passport status and update travel guidance to avoid costly denied-boarding incidents.

IOM figures released 23 February show 606 deaths or disappearances on the Mediterranean so far this year, with bodies washing up on Italian beaches after winter storms. The spike intensifies debate over the Meloni government’s new naval-blockade bill and signals possible operational repercussions—from port closures to stricter vessel-diversion rules—for companies active in southern Italy.

The Office of Management and Budget has cleared a draft DOL rule that is expected to raise government-mandated prevailing wages for the H-1B and PERM programs. Employers will soon have a limited window to comment, but higher salary floors could arrive later this year, increasing assignment costs for U.S. inbound moves.

IRCC has begun legal steps to revoke the Canadian citizenship of Pakistan-born Tahawwur Rana, accused of helping to plot the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The rare move underscores Ottawa’s willingness to use citizenship revocation powers in national-security cases and serves as a cautionary tale for employers and travellers about full disclosure requirements.

Munich Airport acknowledged on 23 February that around 600 passengers were forced to spend the night onboard six grounded aircraft after heavy snow and a strict night-flight curfew prevented departures and terminal access. The fiasco has sparked inquiries into contingency planning, passenger rights under EU261 and the balance between noise protection and operational flexibility. Business-travel stakeholders should review duty-of-care measures for winter flights via German hubs.

ADP, operator of Paris-CDG and Orly, has asked Brussels to delay full EES activation until after the summer rush, citing long queues at other European hubs. A postponement would minimise disruption for the record traffic expected in July–August, but the European Commission has yet to respond.

Dhaka will resume issuing tourist visas to Indian citizens from 24 February 2026, ending a two-month halt that disrupted thousands of trips and dented bilateral tourism revenue. Missions in New Delhi, Agartala and Siliguri will handle up to 1,000 applications daily, though initial queues are expected. The restoration removes a barrier for leisure travellers and small-business visitors and signals warmer post-election ties between the neighbours.

New government data show Austria received only 945 asylum applications in January 2026, a 51 percent year-on-year drop and the lowest monthly figure since 2012. Authorities credit tighter border checks, a freeze on refugee family reunification and faster deportations. The decline eases pressure on housing and social services but signals that Vienna is likely to maintain its restrictive stance, with possible knock-on effects for corporate mobility planning.

Effective 23 February 2026 Belgium now charges €1,000 (up from €150) to apply for nationality and obliges family-reunification sponsors to earn 110 % of the minimum wage plus 10 % per dependant, while partners must be at least 21. The reforms raise relocation costs and complicate salary planning for multinationals moving talent to Belgium; NGOs warn of unequal access, but the government says the measures promote self-reliance and control public spending.

Tokyo will introduce a paid Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for visa-exempt visitors—including Brazilians—starting in fiscal year 2028. Airlines will have to deny boarding to travellers without prior approval, adding a new compliance step for Brazilian tourists and corporate assignees. Mobility managers should prepare booking systems and budgets now to accommodate the forthcoming requirement.

SWISS has cancelled nine services between Switzerland and the US East Coast after a blizzard closed or curtailed operations at major American airports. Travellers are being re-protected, but businesses should expect knock-on delays for at least a day. The event highlights the value of diversified routings in winter travel policies.

From 25 February 2026 the United Kingdom will strictly enforce its new ETA requirement. Dual British/Cypriot citizens must enter on a valid *British* passport or Certificate of Entitlement; presenting only a Cypriot passport will no longer suffice. The High Commission warns that airlines will refuse boarding to non-compliant travellers, urging business commuters and students to renew documents immediately.