Nation-Wide Strike Threat Could Ground All Departures at Brussels Airport on 12 March
UK Opens 2026 India Young Professionals Scheme Ballot—3,000 Visas Up for Grabs
IRCC warns of lengthening Canadian visa queues as FIFA World Cup looms
Latest News
Leaked ‘Operation Gatekeeper’ Visa-Ban Draft Triggers Bipartisan Uproar
A leaked Coalition discussion paper proposes suspending all new visa applications from 37 “terror-controlled” regions across 13 countries for three years. The idea has drawn heavy criticism from refugee advocates, business groups and senior Liberals, who say blanket bans would be discriminatory and damage Australia’s skills pipeline. The controversy highlights deep divisions over how national security should shape migration policy.
Brazil and India agree to 10-year multiple-entry visitor and business visas
Effective 17 February 2026, Brazil and India have synchronized their rules so that visitor and business visas issued to each other’s citizens will now be valid for ten years instead of five. The stay limits of 90 days (tourism) and 180 days (business) per visit are unchanged, but fewer renewals will slash compliance costs and speed executive travel between the two G20 partners.
Police Leak Shows Spain’s Mass Regularisation Could Benefit Up to One Million Migrants
A leaked National Police report indicates Spain’s forthcoming extraordinary regularisation could legalise between 750,000 and 1 million undocumented migrants—double the government’s earlier estimate of 500,000. The wider pool arises because pending asylum seekers will also qualify, and police warn of administrative strain and potential fraud. For employers, the April–June application window could be a fast track to formal work authorisation for currently irregular staff, but capacity constraints are likely.
UK to bar dual nationals without British passports from 25 February, sparking backlash
From 25 February 2026, dual British citizens must show a British passport or a £589 certificate of entitlement to enter the UK; a foreign passport alone will be rejected. The Home Office says the step is needed for the Electronic Travel Authorisation system to work, but more than a million expatriate Britons could face unexpected costs and disrupted trips. Employers should verify staff documents now to avoid denial of boarding.
USCIS Hits Supplemental H-2B Cap for Early FY 2026 Start Dates
USCIS announced on 17 February that the 18,490 supplemental H-2B visas for returning workers with start dates between 1 January and 31 March 2026 are already gone, after a five-day filing window and a lottery. Two more supplemental allocations remain, but employers will need to act quickly when those filing windows open. The news highlights acute seasonal-labor shortages and the importance of rigorous planning for U.S. mobility and staffing teams.
Prague tightens path from temporary protection to long-term residence for Ukrainians
The Czech government has approved a ‘Special Long-Term Residence Programme’ that lets only economically self-reliant Ukrainian refugees move from temporary protection to full long-term status. Applicants need two years’ residence, no welfare benefits or tax debts, school-enrolled children and household income above CZK 440,000. The move signals a pivot from blanket humanitarian support to selective labour-market integration and forces employers to verify that Ukrainian staff meet the new financial and compliance hurdles.
Brazilian passport reaches 168 visa-free destinations, sparking outbound travel surge
On 17 February 2026 Brazil confirmed that its citizens now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 168 destinations, up from 162 last year, after new waivers with countries including France and the UK entered into force. The wider access immediately boosts leisure and corporate demand for long-haul tickets and lowers documentation hurdles for short-term business assignments.
Avalanche Danger Forces Closure of Swiss Alpine Roads and Rail; Regional Train Derailed
Level-5 avalanche danger shut multiple Alpine valleys, derailed a regional train near Goppenstein and halted the Lötschberg and Furka corridors. Thousands of travellers are stranded, supply chains face day-long detours, and mobility managers are urged to activate contingency plans.
China launches 30-day visa-free entry for Canadians starting today
Effective 17 February 2026, Canadian passport holders can enter China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days, reducing cost and paperwork for tourism and short-term business trips. The waiver, valid until 31 December 2026, follows high-level talks between Ottawa and Beijing and is expected to stimulate bilateral trade and travel. Corporations should review compliance and data-transfer policies but can anticipate meaningful savings on visa fees.
China Adds UK and Canada to 30-Day Visa-Free Entry List
Effective 17 February 2026, citizens of the UK and Canada may enter mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days. The trial scheme lifts long-standing administrative and cost hurdles, broadens China’s visa-free list to 79 countries, and signals a diplomatic reset with London and Ottawa. Companies should update travel protocols to leverage quicker market access and monitor whether the waiver becomes permanent after December 2026.
Schengen Border Checks Extended: Italy Keeps Temporary Controls Until June 2026
Italy has joined eight other Schengen members in prolonging temporary internal-border controls until at least June 2026. The decision means travellers should expect passport and ID checks on major land routes and selected flights, with possible delays for freight and commuters. Corporations need to factor extra time into itineraries and remind non-EU assignees of their 90/180-day limits.