Global Mobility News from VisaHQ

ADP has asked Brussels to push back the full launch of the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System until after the summer rush, citing untested passenger volumes and staff shortages. A delay would spare Paris-CDG and Orly from potentially hours-long queues and give companies more time to adapt travel programmes.

Berlin has prolonged its temporary border controls with Poland for six more months starting 15 March 2026. The measure, aimed at curbing irregular migration, disrupts daily commuters and supply chains in the Frankfurt (Oder)–Słubice region and forces companies to add buffer time and documentation for cross-border staff movements.

From 2 March 2026 all Japan visa applications lodged at VFS Global centres in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi and Puducherry must be pre-booked online; walk-ins will be turned away. The move, triggered by surging demand, lengthens lead times for Indian leisure and business travellers and obliges companies to plan visa appointments well in advance. ([economictimes.indiatimes.com](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visit/japan-to-end-walk-in-visa-applications-in-four-indian-cities-from-march-2/articleshow/128742850.cms/))

China processed nearly 18 million cross-border journeys during the 2026 Spring Festival holiday, with international arrivals up 22 percent and visa-free entries surging 29 percent. The figures underscore the rebound of China-bound business and leisure travel following the latest visa-waiver expansions.

The SEM has instructed cantons to implement a Supreme Court ruling that prohibits locking third-country B-permit holders to a specific employer. Effective immediately, non-EU employees with residence permits for gainful employment may change jobs without prior authorisation, greatly easing internal transfers and external recruitment. Quota limits remain in place, but day-to-day talent mobility within Switzerland will become faster and cheaper.

The Immigration Department recorded 1.77 million visitor arrivals between 15-23 February, up 14 % on last year, as mainland holiday-makers surged into Hong Kong for the Lunar New Year break. Enhanced staffing, extra e-Channels and coordinated crowd measures kept control-point operations largely smooth, while hotel occupancy hit 90 %. The strong showing signals a wider rebound in leisure and business travel but also exposes cross-border capacity constraints that officials plan to tackle with new contact-less clearance lanes.

Brussels has postponed the mandatory start of the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System until September 2026, responding to warnings that Spanish airports were not ready for a high-season launch. The delay averts the risk of holiday-time chaos and gives airlines and border police several extra months to expand staffing and kiosk capacity. Businesses gain breathing space before ETIAS and carrier-liability checks kick in, but should still prepare travellers for hybrid procedures this summer.

A 24-hour national aviation strike on 26 February 2026 will hit Italy’s main airports and carriers, with ITA Airways already cancelling over half its flights. Although some time-bands are legally protected, severe disruption is expected from 25-27 February. Business travellers should rebook early, check EU 261 entitlements and consider alternative transport or virtual meetings.

From 25 February 2026 Aer Lingus will require a passport or Irish Passport Card on all flights between Ireland and Great Britain, ending decades of driver-licence acceptance under the Common Travel Area. The move aligns the airline with Ryanair and coincides with the UK’s full ETA roll-out, meaning staff will check both passports and digital travel permissions at Irish airports. Business-travel managers must update policies immediately, ensure employees and dependants hold valid passports, and allow extra time at check-in next week.

Reporting record 2025 earnings, Etihad Airways confirmed plans to buy 20 aircraft a year and recruit about 3,000 staff annually. The expansion will boost air-lift via Abu Dhabi and generate large-scale international hiring, increasing demand for visas, housing and other relocation services.

Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions across India will again issue tourist visas from 24 February 2026, ending a two-month security-related pause. A daily cap of 1,000 tokens will manage backlog demand, with full capacity expected by mid-March—good news for tour operators, medical-travel providers and cross-border project teams. ([timesofindia.indiatimes.com](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/travel/news/bangladesh-resumes-tourist-visa-services-for-indian-travellers-after-2-month-suspension/articleshow/128742514.cms))

The Interior Ministry announced plans to remove state-funded legal counsel from asylum applications during their initial processing by the Finnish Immigration Service. Free legal aid would remain only for appeals. NGOs say the move weakens applicants’ legal protection, while government officials cite cost savings and EU-level harmonisation. Businesses that hire or relocate refugees should prepare for longer timelines and potentially higher private-counsel costs.

As of 24 February 2026, Brazil has unilaterally waived short-stay visa requirements for citizens of China, Hungary, Denmark, France, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Ireland and several other nations. The 30-day visa-free concession (extendable to 90 days per year) removes consular paperwork, cuts costs for business travellers and is forecast to boost inbound Chinese tourism by more than 200,000 visitors this year.

EU ministers have cleared the way for a comprehensive set of bilateral accords with Switzerland, including re-entry into Erasmus+ and streamlined labour-mobility rules. Signature is expected in March 2026, with implementation hinging on Swiss parliamentary and possible referendum approval. The deal promises new funding channels for training assignments and reduced administrative friction for posted workers.

The Federal Foreign Office has activated a single nationwide e-visa portal for skilled-worker permits, slashing average Blue Card processing times to 27 days and removing most paper requirements. HR teams can now submit and track applications online, while applicants benefit from biometric one-stop capture and chatbot guidance. The reform is expected to make Germany more competitive for global talent and to cut assignment delays for multinationals. ([internationalinvestment.biz](https://internationalinvestment.biz/en/migration/7224-concise-headline-germany-launches-digital-visa-processing-system.html))