Italian government opens 9 February click-day for 2026 tourism seasonal worker quotas
IRCC issues 423 invitations in first Express Entry PNP draw of February
Czech Foreign Ministry issues detailed mobility guidance for Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
Latest News
USCIS Opens FY 2027 H-1B Registration March 4; Weighted Lottery and $215 Fee Unveiled
USCIS will open the FY 2027 H-1B electronic registration portal from 3 – 19 March 2026, charge a $215 fee per entry, and apply a new weighted lottery favoring higher wage levels. The agency also announced a 64,716-visa expansion of the H-2B programme. Employers must move quickly to align wage data, budgets and compliance processes.
Air China to operate 70,000+ flights during holiday rush, adds international seats
Air China will run more than 70,000 flights during the 2026 Lunar New Year period—up 10 percent year-on-year—and is restoring capacity on key international routes while deploying home-grown C919 aircraft on busy domestic sectors. The extra seats should ease fare pressure for business travellers and support China’s push to showcase seamless, tech-driven passenger processing.
UAE to open first overseas e-visa hub in Beirut to speed up visitor processing
The ICP will open a one-stop electronic visa centre in Beirut, letting applicants complete UAE visa paperwork and biometrics without travelling to the Emirates. The hub streamlines tourist, work and study visas to 48-72 h, helping UAE employers recruit Lebanese talent faster and boosting inbound tourism flows. It is the first of several overseas e-visa offices planned as the UAE scales digital government services internationally.
UK dual citizens urged to carry proof of exemption as full ETA enforcement looms
Fragomen has reminded employers and travellers that from 25 February 2026 the UK’s ETA scheme will be fully enforced. Dual British-Irish citizens—and anyone else claiming an ETA exemption—must present documentary proof at departure or risk being denied boarding. Companies should audit traveller profiles and update policies immediately to avoid last-minute disruptions.
Uber unveils first-ever cross-border ride-hailing service linking Hong Kong and Macao
Uber has launched limousine-style, app-bookable rides that travel directly between Hong Kong and Macao and reinstated in-app taxi hailing in Macao. The service, live from 3 February 2026, offers upfront pricing, 24-hour advance booking and aims to cut out multiple transfers for the thousands who commute or visit daily. The product gives corporates a new, receipt-friendly cross-border option and aligns with Greater Bay Area integration goals.([scmp.com](https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3342212/uber-enters-first-asian-market-years-macau-relaunch?utm_source=openai))
India raises duty-free allowance to ₹75,000 under New Baggage Rules 2026
India has liberalised its customs regime for arriving passengers. Effective 2 February 2026, the duty-free limit jumps to ₹75,000, jewellery allowances are now weight-based, and passengers can file electronic declarations before landing. The changes should cut clearance times, lower relocation costs and reduce disputes at Indian airports—welcome news for multinationals rotating staff into the country.
Irish State’s asylum accommodation bill balloons to €1.2 billion in 2025
Ireland spent €1.2 billion on IPAS accommodation in 2025—up 19 percent year-on-year even though asylum applications fell by almost a third. The figures highlight continuing pressure on housing and public finances, fuelling calls for faster processing and more state-owned centres. Companies relocating staff to Ireland should watch the political fallout, as it could influence permit policy and the cost of temporary housing.
New Brunswick introduces candidate pool system and sector bans under Atlantic Immigration Program
As of 3 February 2026, New Brunswick will place all AIP endorsements into a monthly selection pool and will no longer accept applications for accommodation-and-food-services jobs or 13 retail-related occupations. The change tightens labour-market alignment and signals growing provincial control over immigration quotas.