France Halves Visa Refusal Rate for Tunisians as Relations Normalize
U.S. Halts All Asylum Decisions and Freezes Visas for Afghan Nationals
UAE opens new Golden Visa track that rewards long-term humanitarian volunteers
Latest News
China debuts nationwide e-Arrival Card, cutting airport queues by half
The National Immigration Administration has launched an electronic Arrival Card that foreign travellers can complete online before boarding. Early data from Shanghai Hongqiao show clearance times for group arrivals have been cut by more than 50 percent. The switch to a fully digital system removes the last paper form for foreigners entering China and lets corporate mobility teams monitor compliance centrally—important as travel rebounds ahead of the 2026 peak season.
Larnaca–Brussels Route Secured Through Year-Round Public-Service Contract
Aegean Airlines has won a one-year PSO contract guaranteeing direct Larnaca–Brussels flights from 1 December 2025. The deal caps fares, boosts frequencies during Cyprus’ 2026 EU Presidency and ends a decade-long reliance on time-consuming connections, greatly benefiting officials and business travellers.
Ireland considers cutting English-language student visas to curb ‘back-door’ work migration
The Department of Justice is reviewing Ireland’s English-language student-visa programme amid fears it is being used as a ‘back-door’ work route. Ministers say the outcome could see fewer visas and stricter school oversight, potentially shrinking a 60,000-strong annual intake. Employers relying on student workers or graduate-scheme talent should prepare for tighter supply and higher wage demands.
British Airways Power-Outage Fallout Disrupts Vital Larnaca–Heathrow Corridor
A Heathrow power failure forced British Airways to cancel key Larnaca–Heathrow flights on 28 November, leaving passengers scrambling and raising supply-chain concerns. The disruption highlights Cyprus’ reliance on a single UK hub and could accelerate calls for diversified, year-round UK connections.
Visa-waiver expansion drives 35 % surge in foreign arrivals to China
Updated statistics released on 28 November reveal that foreign arrivals to China have jumped more than one-third since Beijing widened visa-waiver and transit-visa-free programmes. Sixty percent of foreigners now enter visa-free, giving companies greater routing flexibility and reducing travel-planning lead times. The data underscore how quickly eased entry rules are translating into real business travel demand.
Belgium to Double Flight Tax From 2027, Triggering Cost Headaches for Business Travel
Belgium will raise its flat embarkation levy to €10 on all flights departing Belgian airports from 1 January 2027. Airlines warn the move will hike fares and threaten route viability, while corporates brace for higher mobility costs. The tax is expected to generate €140 million annually for rail and climate projects.
Jetstar Grounds 34 Airbus A320s After Global Software Recall, Cancelling 90 Flights Nationwide
• Airbus ordered an immediate software rollback on A320 aircraft after a flight-control glitch linked to solar radiation. • Jetstar grounded 34 jets, cancelling about 90 flights on 29 November; most are expected to return to service within 24 hours. • Qantas and Virgin Australia report minimal impact but have offered spare capacity. • The episode underscores the need for contingency plans as software and space-weather risks grow.
Cyclone Ditwah Triggers Widespread Flight Cancellations; Air India and IndiGo Issue Nationwide Advisories
Cyclone Ditwah forced India’s two largest carriers to cancel more than 50 flights on 29 November and publish nationwide advisories. The disruption affects key business-travel corridors in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Sri Lanka and is likely to cascade into other domestic routes for several days. Companies should prepare for re-routing costs, delayed project starts and updated duty-of-care protocols.
‘No Permission, No Travel’: UK will make Electronic Travel Authorisation mandatory from 25 February 2026
From 25 February 2026, travellers from 85 visa-waiver countries must hold an ETA before boarding a UK-bound flight. Airlines will deny boarding to anyone without “permission to travel”, making advance compliance essential for corporate travellers. Companies should update travel-booking workflows and educate staff now to avoid denied-boarding costs in 2026.
Swiss Government Freezes 2026 Work-Permit Quotas for Non-EU Talent
The Federal Council has decided to keep Switzerland’s 2026 work-permit quotas unchanged, giving employers continued access to 8 500 authorisations for third-country specialists and preserving special quotas for EU/EFTA service providers and UK citizens. The move averts an immediate talent squeeze and provides certainty for mobility planners, although political pressure to reduce immigration remains high.
Nationwide Strike Grounds Flights and Slows Trains Across Italy
A nationwide strike on 28–29 November shut down large parts of Italy’s air, rail and urban-transit system, forcing ITA Airways to cancel dozens of flights and causing widespread train delays. The protest, organised by base unions against the 2026 budget, left business travellers scrambling for alternatives and disrupted supply chains. Corporate mobility teams should expect residual delays over the weekend and build extra flexibility into travel plans.
Poland re-opens Medyka–Shehyni crossing, ending three-week truck blockade
Polish farmers and hauliers ended their picket of the Medyka–Shehyni border crossing on 29 Nov, allowing trucks to cross into Ukraine for the first time in three weeks. The reopening restores a critical freight corridor and is expected to cut transit times and freight costs for companies moving goods between Poland and western Ukraine.
U.S. Land-Border I-94 Fee Now Hits Brazilian Travelers Under New Immigration Bill
A US$30 I-94 fee took effect on 29 November for land-border and online entries under the U.S. “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” and it applies to Brazilians. Affected companies will face higher travel costs and stricter compliance checks for cross-border staff rotations.