Global Mobility News from VisaHQ

Effective 17 February 2026, citizens of the UK and Canada may enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days. The trial scheme lifts long-standing administrative and cost hurdles, broadens China’s visa-free list to 79 countries, and signals a diplomatic reset with London and Ottawa. Companies should update travel protocols to leverage quicker market access and monitor whether the waiver becomes permanent after December 2026.

The UK has reopened the 2026 ballot for the India Young Professionals Scheme, offering 3,000 Indian graduates a two-year unsponsored work visa. The window runs 17-19 February and is free to enter. Employers gain access to STEM talent without sponsorship costs, while participants boost UK–India skills links.

USCIS announced on 17 February that the 18,490 supplemental H-2B visas for returning workers with start dates between 1 January and 31 March 2026 are already gone, after a five-day filing window and a lottery. Two more supplemental allocations remain, but employers will need to act quickly when those filing windows open. The news highlights acute seasonal-labor shortages and the importance of rigorous planning for U.S. mobility and staffing teams.

From 25 February 2026, dual British citizens must show a British passport or a £589 certificate of entitlement to enter the UK; a foreign passport alone will be rejected. The Home Office says the step is needed for the Electronic Travel Authorisation system to work, but more than a million expatriate Britons could face unexpected costs and disrupted trips. Employers should verify staff documents now to avoid denial of boarding.

A leaked Coalition discussion paper proposes suspending all new visa applications from 37 “terror-controlled” regions across 13 countries for three years. The idea has drawn heavy criticism from refugee advocates, business groups and senior Liberals, who say blanket bans would be discriminatory and damage Australia’s skills pipeline. The controversy highlights deep divisions over how national security should shape migration policy.

Effective 17 February 2026, Brazil and India have synchronized their rules so that visitor and business visas issued to each other’s citizens will now be valid for ten years instead of five. The stay limits of 90 days (tourism) and 180 days (business) per visit are unchanged, but fewer renewals will slash compliance costs and speed executive travel between the two G20 partners.

A leaked National Police report indicates Spain’s forthcoming extraordinary regularisation could legalise between 750,000 and 1 million undocumented migrants—double the government’s earlier estimate of 500,000. The wider pool arises because pending asylum seekers will also qualify, and police warn of administrative strain and potential fraud. For employers, the April–June application window could be a fast track to formal work authorisation for currently irregular staff, but capacity constraints are likely.

The Czech government has approved a ‘Special Long-Term Residence Programme’ that lets only economically self-reliant Ukrainian refugees move from temporary protection to full long-term status. Applicants need two years’ residence, no welfare benefits or tax debts, school-enrolled children and household income above CZK 440,000. The move signals a pivot from blanket humanitarian support to selective labour-market integration and forces employers to verify that Ukrainian staff meet the new financial and compliance hurdles.

CBP officers at northern land ports have stepped up scrutiny of Canadian visitors, asking for proof of ties to Canada and clarity on planned business activities. Experts say well-prepared documentation and precise language about the purpose of visit are essential to avoid refusals—an immediate concern for firms that rely on frequent cross-border trips.

Armenia has introduced a temporary visa-free regime for Indian citizens who hold valid residence permits from the US, EU/Schengen or GCC states. From 1 January to 1 July 2026, eligible Indians can stay in Armenia for up to 180 days without a visa, creating new options for business travel and tourism. Mobility teams should note the scheme’s six-month expiry and ensure residence permits remain valid for at least six months on entry.

Italy has joined eight other Schengen members in prolonging temporary internal-border controls until at least June 2026. The decision means travellers should expect passport and ID checks on major land routes and selected flights, with possible delays for freight and commuters. Corporations need to factor extra time into itineraries and remind non-EU assignees of their 90/180-day limits.

Level-5 avalanche danger shut multiple Alpine valleys, derailed a regional train near Goppenstein and halted the Lötschberg and Furka corridors. Thousands of travellers are stranded, supply chains face day-long detours, and mobility managers are urged to activate contingency plans.

Brussels Airport says it will probably cancel all outbound flights on 12 March due to a nation-wide general strike. The move would disrupt 60,000+ travellers and force companies to reroute cargo and staff, carrying significant cost and compliance implications for global mobility programmes.