Cyprus signs Public-Service contract for year-round Larnaca–Brussels flights ahead of its 2026 EU Presidency
Weekly Bulletin Confirms Swiss Quotas and Extends Swiss-UK Services Mobility Deal to 2029
Swiss Government Freezes 2026 Work-Permit Quotas for Third-Country Talent
Latest News
ONS Data Show 74,000 Indians Quit the UK as Net Migration Slumps 80 %
Britain’s net migration collapse is being driven by a sharp rise in departures—led by 74,000 Indians—after tougher salary rules and dependants bans. Indian firms may face costlier, slower transfers, while returnees swell the skilled workforce at home. UK ministers hail the drop, but industry bodies fear skills gaps and slower growth.
Belgium to Double Flight Tax From 2027, Airlines Warn of Higher Fares
Belgium’s 2026 budget will double the flight-ticket tax to €10 for every departing passenger from 1 January 2027. Airlines say travellers — including business flyers — will bear the cost, and some warn of potential capacity cuts. Companies should budget for higher air-travel expenses and review routing strategies.
Ireland Raises Family-Reunification Salary Threshold to €44,300
Ireland has replaced its €30,000 flat income test for non-EEA family reunification with a new benchmark set at the national median salary (€44,300) and a sliding scale for larger households. Sponsors must also prove they have adequate housing. The change raises relocation costs and planning complexity for employers moving talent into Ireland.
India–Russia Group Visa Waiver Inches Closer Ahead of Delhi Summit
Indian and Russian negotiators say they are days away from finalising a visa-free scheme for organised tourist groups. The waiver would cut costs and paperwork for Indian travellers, potentially doubling visitor numbers and boosting MICE traffic and airline load factors. The pact is expected to be unveiled at the Delhi summit next week, alongside talks on RuPay-Mir payment integration.
Finnair Pilots Call 48-Hour Strike for 9–13 December; 300 Flights Pre-emptively Cancelled
The Finnish Air Line Pilots’ Association has announced a two-day strike for 9 and 13 December, forcing Finnair to cancel 300 flights and rebook 33,000 passengers. Negotiations over a new collective agreement have stalled, and further action is possible. Businesses should brace for significant disruption to passenger and cargo flows through Helsinki-Vantaa during the busy holiday period.
Rejection rates for UAE visit visas touch 80 % for Pakistani first-time applicants
Travel agents report that up to four out of five first-time UAE visit-visa applications from Pakistan are being rejected, reflecting intensified risk screening. The trend disrupts corporate travel plans and forces companies to reroute regional assignments, adding cost and time. Applicants are advised to bolster financial and itinerary evidence, but approvals are likely to remain limited until bilateral talks ease restrictions.
15-hour blackout of Australia’s online visa systems starts tonight
All frontline immigration portals—including ImmiAccount and VEVO—will go dark for 15 hours from 8:30 p.m. AEDT on 28 November. Businesses must fast-track any time-critical filings, print VEVO records in advance and brace for potential knock-on delays if the maintenance window slips.
Italy Fast-Tracks Ancestry Path: New Decree Lets 680,000 Brazilians Bypass Visa Quotas for Work and Citizenship
A decree published 27 November lets Brazilians registered in Italy’s AIRE bypass annual work-permit quotas and apply directly for residence, paving a faster route to Italian citizenship. The move affects more than 680,000 people and eases intra-EU mobility for Brazilian talent, while reducing administrative friction for employers.
Strike Fallout: 60 Flights Cancelled and 174 Delayed at Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport confirmed 60 cancellations and 174 delays during the 27 November strike, stranding thousands and rippling through European schedules. Although operations have resumed, mobility managers should anticipate lingering baggage backlogs and factor potential future strikes into travel timelines.
Home Affairs warns international students: submit complete 2026 visa applications early
Home Affairs has urged 2026 student-visa applicants to file early and with complete documentation, citing surging volumes and a tougher triage regime. Universities and employers that depend on timely student and dependant visas should front-load compliance checks and allow longer lead-times.
Venezuela’s Ban on Iberia Flights Disrupts Spain–Latin America Mobility
Venezuela on 28 November formally banned Iberia and five other foreign airlines after the carriers suspended flights citing security risks, leaving thousands of passengers and significant cargo volumes in limbo. The move severs Spain’s only direct air link to Caracas, forcing corporate travellers onto indirect routes and raising costs for urgent shipments. Companies with staff or operations in Venezuela should activate contingency travel plans and monitor diplomatic developments.
China’s Expanded Visa-Waiver Policies Spark 35 % Jump in Foreign Arrivals
Beijing says foreign arrivals using visa-waiver or transit-waiver channels have surged 35 % this year, thanks to an expanded list of 65 eligible entry ports and 48 visa-free countries. The boom is lifting traffic at airports and seaports nationwide and giving multinationals greater flexibility for short-notice travel into China.
UAE freezes most visit visas for Pakistanis, allowing only diplomatic and ‘blue’ passports
The UAE has suspended the issuance of standard visit visas for most Pakistani nationals, restricting entry to diplomatic and service passport holders. The move follows concerns about visa misuse and criminal activity, and was confirmed by Pakistan’s interior ministry in Senate testimony on 27 November. The freeze disrupts travel, labour supply and corporate assignments between Pakistan and the Emirates, forcing businesses to seek alternative staffing plans.