Greece reopens all visa application centres across India after cyber outage
Lufthansa Restores Schedule After Dual Pilot-Cabin-Crew Strike Grounds 100,000 Travellers
ACT Raises Income Thresholds and Scraps 482-Visa Pathway in 2026 Skilled-Migration Overhaul
Latest News
Flanders Tightens Work-Permit Rules Even as Labour Migration Hits New High
Official data released on 13 February show record numbers of work permits for non-EU nationals in Flanders, but new regional rules simultaneously make it harder for employers to hire abroad for many medium-skilled roles. Companies will face longer labour-market tests and a slimmed-down fast-track list, while high-skill routes remain open. Businesses warn the changes could deepen skills shortages; the government says local job-seekers must come first.
Brazil Adds 64 New International Routes for 2026, Strengthening Global Connectivity
ANAC and the Ministry of Tourism authorised 64 new international routes and 16 extra weekly frequencies for 2026. Major wins include LATAM’s São Paulo–Amsterdam, Brussels and Cape Town flights, new Iberia and Air France services to Brazil’s northeast, and expanded low-cost coverage from Flybondi and JetSMART. The approvals deepen Brazil’s global connectivity, offer new one-stop options for business travellers and force airlines to launch within 90 days or lose the rights.
Beijing and Shanghai Raise Salary Bars for Foreign Work Permits
Beijing and Shanghai have embedded the 6×/4× salary-multiplier rule for Category A and B work-permit applicants directly into their approval systems, leaving no discretion for under-threshold cases. Companies must raise pay or switch eligibility routes or risk application failures. The change tightens compliance and shows China’s shift toward attracting fewer but higher-calibre foreign professionals.
Audit Exposes Systemic Failures in Cyprus Immigration Department
Cyprus’s Auditor-General released a damning report on 13 February 2026 revealing nearly 12,000 pending citizenship files, rampant identity-fraud vulnerabilities and millions in uncollected fines at the Civil Registry & Migration Department. The systemic failures mean longer processing times, higher compliance costs and reputational risks for companies relocating staff to Cyprus.
Emirates keeps Algeria flights running but sets final service for 3 February 2027
Emirates has reassured customers that Dubai–Algiers flights will operate normally for at least one year, naming 3 February 2027 as the final service after Algeria moved to cancel its air-services treaty with the UAE. The notice period gives businesses a clear timeline to adjust travel policies and relocation plans while signalling potential network redeployments by the airline.
Temporary Link Bridge at HZMB Zhuhai Port to Close on 15 February, Travellers Urged to Re-Route
From midnight on 15 February the temporary spur road at Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will close, forcing all traffic to use the G94 expressway. Hong Kong officials expect heavy congestion as holidaymakers and cross-boundary vehicles converge for Golden Week and have ordered extra shuttle-bus services. Companies should revise delivery timetables, instruct employees to allow additional travel time and ensure Northbound Vehicle permits reflect the new routing.
Dual British nationals warned: No British passport, no entry from 25 February
From 25 February 2026 UK carriers will refuse boarding to dual British nationals who do not show a British (or Irish) passport or a £589 certificate of entitlement. The sudden enforcement, part of the UK’s fully digital border roll-out, has sparked confusion among expatriates and business travellers and could strand families overseas. Companies must urgently review travellers’ documentation to avoid costly disruptions.
Police Dismantle Document-Forgery Ring Aiding Irregular Migrants in Three Regions
National Police have broken up a forgery ring that sold fake contracts and certificates to migrants seeking to benefit from Spain’s upcoming regularisation. Six arrests and 20 fraudulent files highlight rising compliance risks for companies and authorities as application day nears.
Italian Government Moves to Block Airport Strikes During Milano-Cortina 2026
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini says an emergency decree will bar two nationwide airport strikes slated for 16 February and 7 March, arguing they would tarnish the Milano-Cortina Games. The move invokes a rarely-used clause of Italy’s strike law, giving airlines and travellers short-term certainty but signalling a tougher stance on labour unrest during hallmark events.
Ireland extends Temporary Protection permissions to March 2027
The Minister for Justice has automatically prolonged all Temporary Protection certificates by 12 months, keeping beneficiaries lawfully resident and work-eligible until 4 March 2027. No new paperwork is required, easing pressure on employers and immigration offices. The extension aligns Ireland with forthcoming EU decisions and provides critical planning certainty for businesses employing Ukrainian nationals.
IRCC extends “no-flagpoling” option: IEC participants can activate a second work permit entirely online
IRCC has renewed the policy that allows International Experience Canada participants to activate a second work permit from inside Canada via an online request, eliminating the need for "flagpoling" at land borders. The extension eases pressure on CBSA, speeds employer onboarding and ensures continuity for tens of thousands of young foreign workers.
Western Sydney International Airport on Track for July Cargo Launch and October Passenger Flights
Western Sydney’s curfew-free second airport will handle its first cargo flights in July and welcome passengers from October 2026. Launch partners Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Jetstar and Air New Zealand are preparing to put seats on sale, while integrated testing of baggage, security and emergency systems is under way. The project will unlock more than 200 extra daily flights by 2030, easing slot pressure at Sydney Kingsford Smith and giving business travellers greater schedule flexibility.