China Opens 30-Day Visa-Free Entry to Canadians Starting February 17
Campaigners say new UK border rules for dual nationals discriminate against women
Italy Opens 2026 ‘Click Day’ for 75,000 Non-Seasonal Work Permits
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Partial DHS shutdown pushes TSA agents to work unpaid, imperils spring-break travel
The DHS funding gap, now in its third day, has forced TSA officers to keep screening passengers without pay. Airlines and travel groups warn that even a small uptick in sick-outs could trigger cascading delays during the high-volume spring-break period, harming business travel and preparations for the 2026 World Cup. Corporates are urged to pad itineraries and leverage trusted-traveller programmes until Congress restores funding.
New Biometric Entry/Exit System Triggers Long Queues at Swiss Airports as EU Roll-Out Accelerates
The Schengen Entry/Exit System went live in Switzerland on 16 February, requiring non-EU visitors to provide fingerprints and facial images. Early reports from Zurich and Geneva show immigration queues topping one hour, raising concerns for business travellers with tight connections. Airlines and airports are lobbying for a post-summer grace period, but employers should already budget extra airport time and brief employees on biometric procedures.
Leaked Liberal draft would ban migrants from Gaza, Somalia and 11 other ‘terror-prone’ regions
Guardian Australia has published details of an unreleased Liberal Party immigration blueprint that would automatically bar visa applicants from 37 districts across 13 ‘terror-linked’ countries and shrink Australia’s migration and student-visa intake. Although Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has disowned the leaked draft, party insiders say elements of the plan may survive in a future Coalition platform—raising significant uncertainty for global mobility programs and the international-education sector.
UAE and Bahrain Pilot ‘One-Point’ Pre-clearance System to Slash Airport Queues
Abu Dhabi and Manama began testing a ‘single travel point’ system that moves immigration and security checks to the point of departure, cutting arrival processing to zero. The six-month pilot covers citizens on Etihad and Gulf Air flights between Zayed International and Bahrain International. If scaled, it will shrink door-to-door journey times, benefit shuttle business travellers and complement the upcoming GCC Unified Tourist Visa.
Spanish Police Warn Regularisation Plan Could Legalise Over One Million Migrants
A leaked National Police report says Spain’s forthcoming extraordinary regularisation could grant status to up to 1.35 million people—more than double the government’s forecast. Officers warn of an “image of permissiveness” that may attract additional migration flows and overload border units, while business groups eye the measure as a tool to legalise large shadow-economy workforces.
Germany extends Salzburg–Bavaria border checks until September 2026, putting fresh strain on Austrian commuters
Berlin has confirmed that stationary controls on the German-Austrian border will continue for at least another six months, citing migration and security concerns. The move threatens longer queues for the 30 000 daily commuters and supply-chain traffic in the Salzburg–Bavaria region and forces companies to revisit travel timetables and compliance documentation. The decision also fuels a wider EU debate about the future of Schengen just weeks before the Entry/Exit System goes live.
Finland warns of Russian military build-up along border, signals continued travel restrictions
Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen told Euronews that Russia is expanding military infrastructure along the Finnish border, calling the Arctic “critical” to Europe’s security and hinting that Finland’s land-border closure will be prolonged. Companies should anticipate continued bans on overland travel and tighter screening of Russian nationals, keeping Helsinki-Vantaa the primary entry point. ([euronews.com](https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/02/16/russia-reinforcing-nuclear-and-arctic-assets-near-finnish-border-defence-minister-warns?utm_source=openai))
Government green-lights special long-term stay option for Ukrainian refugees
The Czech cabinet has approved a decree allowing Ukrainian refugees who have held temporary protection for at least two years to apply for a five-year long-term residence permit, offering greater stability for some 400,000 Ukrainians in the country and easing administrative pressure on employers.
Germany Extends Border Controls, Adding Six-Month Headache for Swiss Cross-Border Commuters
Berlin has prolonged its ‘temporary’ land-border checks for another six months, meaning systematic controls will stay in place on the German-Swiss frontier until at least September 2026. The move threatens longer queues for the 70 000 daily cross-border commuters and higher transport costs for Swiss exporters. A legal challenge and EU scrutiny could yet force Germany to ease the measures, but companies should plan for ongoing delays.
China Adds United Kingdom and Canada to 30-Day Visa-Free Entry List, Bringing Total to 79 Countries
China has granted 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of the United Kingdom and Canada effective 17 February 2026, expanding its waiver list to 79 nations. The policy is expected to boost business travel and tourism, cut corporate visa costs, and improve ties after high-level diplomatic outreach by both countries’ new prime ministers. Airlines are already planning capacity increases to meet anticipated demand.
Germany Extends Internal Border Controls Until at Least September 2026
Germany has informed the EU that it will continue its temporary internal border controls for another six months, extending them to 15 September 2026. The move keeps stationary checks on all German land borders and allows limited push-backs of asylum-seekers. Business and opposition voices warn of economic costs, legal risks and commuter delays, while the Interior Ministry argues that migration pressures and security threats leave no alternative. Mobility and supply-chain managers should factor extra time and documentation into cross-border trips.
Ireland to Curb English-Language Student Visas Amid Concerns They Are a ‘Back Door’ to Work Permits
Cabinet papers reveal that Ireland will clamp down on English-language student visas, citing abuse of the Stamp 2 study route as a ‘back door’ to employment. Measures under consideration include stricter financial thresholds, an accreditation regime for schools, and closer labour-market enforcement. Businesses relying on student workers and mobility teams sponsoring post-study permits should prepare for tighter rules and possible caps.
Nation-Wide Air-Transport Strike Postponed to 26 February to Shield Winter Olympics
Italian authorities have pushed a 24-hour national aviation strike from 16 to 26 February to avoid disruption to Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic events. The walk-out still threatens major airports and coincides with a separate late-February rail strike, so businesses should revise travel plans and alert staff.
Angus Taylor distances himself from leaked policy but vows to ‘tighten up’ high-risk migration
New Opposition Leader Angus Taylor told ABC’s 7.30 he had no prior knowledge of the leaked Liberal migration ban, but still wants tougher screening and lower visa numbers. His stance suggests Australia’s immigration debate will continue to harden, meaning businesses may soon confront stricter character tests and slower processing for staff transfers and student flows.