UAE Airspace Remains Under ESCAT Restrictions as Gulf Cease-fire Wobbles
Finland’s government unveils citizenship test and sweeping immigration bill
Spain’s Mass Regularisation Draws 13,500 Online Applications on Day One
Latest News
Middle-East Logistics Gridlock Eases—but UAE Gateways Still ‘Restricted’
Expeditors’ 17 April bulletin shows that UAE airports, seaports and customs posts are working—but under ‘restricted’ status that can change daily. Cargo backlogs are clearing, yet air and ocean schedules remain fragile, creating knock-on costs for assignee travel and project deadlines.
Report finds temporary foreign-worker permits for Canadian truck drivers have quadrupled since 2010
Teamsters Canada says LMIA approvals for trucking jobs rose from under 2,000 in 2010 to more than 8,000 in 2024, warning that companies are using the Temporary Foreign Worker Program as a long-term staffing strategy. The union’s April 17 report may prompt tougher federal compliance audits and could disrupt freight capacity if abuses lead to permit suspensions.
Former Philippine lawmaker detained at Czech-German border highlights EU’s new biometric exit checks
Czech officers detained ex-Philippine congressman Zaldy Co at the Czech-German land border on 17 April after he attempted to cross without valid papers, illustrating the tougher screening that accompanies the EU’s newly activated Entry/Exit System. The biometric scheme now records every non-EU traveller’s fingerprints and face, enabling roadside spot-checks inside Schengen. Companies moving staff between Czechia and neighbouring states are warned to build extra time into itineraries and ensure employees can prove EES registration.
India abolishes 6-month stay requirement for in-country OCI applicants, revises fees
From 1 April 2026, foreign nationals of Indian origin can apply for an OCI card immediately on arrival, ending the earlier six-month in-country stay requirement. New application fees (INR 15,000 in India/US $275 overseas) and a mandatory digital e-Arrival Card also take effect. The move streamlines compliance for executives and families, cutting redundant trips and accelerating long-term status processing.
Belgium mandates digital-only applications for short-work and commuter permits from 1 May 2026
From 1 May 2026 Belgium will accept Short-Work and Commuter Permit applications only via its ‘Working in Belgium’ portal. E-mail filings will be switched off (except in Wallonia, which has a grace period until 31 August). Employers must obtain eID access and upload complete digital dossiers; otherwise assignments and cross-border staffing could be delayed. The reform brings Belgium in line with the EU’s push for fully digital immigration workflows.
Air Canada to suspend Toronto and Montreal–JFK flights June–October as jet-fuel prices bite
Air Canada will drop its Toronto- and Montreal-JFK flights from 1 June to 25 October 2026 to offset soaring fuel costs caused by the Iran conflict. Travelers will be rebooked via LaGuardia or Newark, but the change lengthens ground transfers and could push up fares on remaining New York routes.
City of London pushes Switzerland to open e-gates to UK passport holders
During a 17 April visit to Bern, City of London officials urged Switzerland to allow UK passport holders to use automated e-gates, saying lengthy manual checks are hindering the new UK-Swiss financial-services deal. Swiss authorities cite technical and legal hurdles but have not ruled the idea out. Faster border processing would make frequent executive travel between the two non-EU financial centres more attractive.
Rural B.C. towns urge province to back federal pilot raising low-wage TFW cap to 15 %
Rural municipalities across British Columbia want the province to participate in Ottawa’s temporary policy letting rural employers raise their share of low-wage Temporary Foreign Workers from 10 % to 15 %. Victoria is skeptical, but if it opts in, tourism, forestry and seafood operators could access longer work permits and smoother permanent-residence pathways for staff.
Tiradentes holiday triggers record passenger surge at Brazil’s major airports
Airport concessionaires estimate more than 3.2 million passengers will transit Brazil’s main hubs between 17 and 22 April, fuelled by the extended Tiradentes holiday. Guarulhos alone expects 480,000 travellers, while Congonhas is operating at full slot capacity. ANAC has activated holiday-period passenger-rights monitoring and airports have added staff and temporary facilities to cope with the surge. Mobility managers should anticipate tight capacity and build extra slack into travel schedules.
IRCC scraps separate co-op work permit, streamlining work options for 800,000 international students
Effective 1 April 2026, international students no longer need a separate co-op work permit; their study permit now covers mandatory internships, practicums and co-op terms. The April 17 guidance eliminates roughly 120,000 annual applications, shortens onboarding for employers and strengthens Canada’s positioning against competitor countries that are tightening work rules.