Belgium issues one-day visas for Taliban delegation to attend EU return talks in Brussels
Home Affairs Releases Mid-Year SkillSelect Data—10,000 Subclass 189 Invites in June Round
Barcelona triples cruise passenger tax to €30 and signals cap on short calls
Latest News
Brussels backs French push for an EU-wide response to Channel migrant crossings
The European Commission’s 23 June action plan adopts France’s position that migrant crossings of the Channel require an EU response, promising more Frontex staff, anti-smuggling operations and coordination with the UK. The move strengthens Paris’ hand ahead of renegotiating its expiring bilateral deal with London and could ease logistical disruptions at northern French ports, although NGOs caution about humanitarian impacts.
Hong Kong to Activate ‘Seamless e-Channel’ at HZMB on 25 June
Hong Kong’s Immigration Department completed final trials of its facial-recognition ‘Seamless e-Channel’ lanes on 23 June. The lanes—officially opening on 25 June at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge—let pre-registered Hong Kong ID holders walk through border control in five seconds without presenting documents. Faster clearance will benefit business travellers and cross-border logistics firms and signals a wider digital-border strategy.
Sharjah enacts comprehensive drone law to tighten air-space safety across the emirate
Sharjah has issued a dedicated drone law that requires permits, registration and strict adherence to approved flight zones. Operators have three months to regularise their fleets, and penalties include suspension or revocation of licences. The statute gives businesses a clear compliance roadmap but adds new costs and timelines to aerial-services projects. It may also accelerate efforts to harmonise drone rules across the UAE.
Quebec to reopen family sponsorship with 15,700-application cap
Quebec will reopen its family sponsorship programme on 2 July 2026 and accept up to 15,700 applications over two years. Staggered intake windows and an Arrima e-filing system aim to shorten wait times and add transparency, giving employers in Quebec greater certainty that key staff can reunite with family members.
Zurich Airport lifts 100-ml liquid limit after CT-scanner upgrade
From 23 June 2026, passengers departing through Zurich Airport’s SKG security hall may keep electronics and up to two-litre liquid containers inside their hand luggage thanks to new CT scanners. The change promises shorter queues and more consistent connection times, boosting Zurich’s appeal for business travellers. Companies should update travel policies, as the relaxed limits apply only when the trip begins in Zurich.
Fuzhou Airport launches second runway and inaugural Xiamen Airlines Fuzhou–Amsterdam route
Xiamen Airlines launched the first direct Fuzhou–Amsterdam service on 23 June 2026, coinciding with the opening of Fuzhou Airport’s second runway. The twice-weekly Boeing 787 flight dramatically improves Fujian’s passenger and cargo links to Europe, while the added runway capacity positions Fuzhou as a new long-haul gateway. The move supports regional export growth and offers multinationals additional routing flexibility.
EU Parliament backs ‘safe country’ list as Cyprus steers Pact on Migration through final hurdles
MEPs approved the EU’s first safe-country-of-origin list on 23 June, a centrepiece of the Migration Pact negotiated by Cyprus’ EU Presidency. The measure enables faster rejection and return of asylum applicants from seven designated states, promising relief for Cyprus’ overstretched reception system but drawing criticism from rights groups.
Frontex warns EES border queues may last up to two years for Germany-bound travellers
Frontex told reporters on 23 June that queues linked to the EU’s new Entry/Exit System could persist for up to two years, hitting Germany’s key hubs just as the country re-introduces mandatory biometric capture after September. Businesses should expect longer border times for non-EU staff until at least mid-2027.
Frontex Warns Spain-Bound Travellers: Entry/Exit System Queues May Persist for Two Years
Frontex officials say the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System—already live across Spain—will take up to two years to stabilise, predicting long queues throughout 2026-27. Companies should pad connection times, coach travellers on biometric capture and monitor airport-specific wait data, as Spain cannot suspend the system once the flexibility window closes in September.
Hottest Day Ever Recorded in France Triggers Transport Slow-Downs and Consular Alerts
France recorded its hottest day ever on 23 June, sending rail, airport and immigration systems into emergency mode. Speed limits, flight-grounding pauses and visa-appointment suspensions hit travellers and global-mobility programmes nationwide. Experts say extreme-heat disruption will become a structural risk, making climate-resilience planning essential for employers with staff in France.
Frontex warns EES biometric queues may persist until 2028 – what UK travellers and employers must plan for
Frontex told journalists on 23 June that the EU’s new Entry/Exit System will take at least one – and possibly two – years to bed in, meaning lengthy biometric queues at Schengen borders will persist into 2028. For UK travellers this is critical: Britain is the largest non-EU source market and first-time enrolment remains the pinch point. Corporates should extend connection buffers, encourage pre-registration where available and log employees’ first enrolment dates ahead of the parallel ETIAS launch late next year.
Japan Hikes Visa Fees Fivefold for Indian Travellers From July 1
Japan will raise visa fees for Indian nationals on 1 July 2026, multiplying costs up to five times. Tokyo says the revenue will fund digital border systems, but Indian tourists and SMEs face higher up-front travel expenses. Corporates are accelerating multiple-entry filings before the deadline.
Frontex warns Italy to brace for year-long EES bottlenecks
On 23 June Frontex said EES queues are likely to persist for one to two years. Italy’s main gateways must end their temporary suspension of biometrics by early September, risking long lines through 2027. Businesses should build extra airport time into travel policies and encourage staff to pre-register fingerprints.
Supreme Court Expands Government Power Over Returning Green-Card Holders
The Supreme Court ruled that border officers may place an arriving green-card holder into removal proceedings based on mere suspicion of certain crimes. The decision increases the risk that traveling permanent residents could be detained or deported on return and signals broader deference to executive power in immigration enforcement.
Summer airfares from the UAE surge 30-40 %, forcing travellers and corporates to rethink budgets
Travel agents say summer airfares from the UAE are 30–40 % higher than in 2025, driven by fuel prices, longer routings and strong demand. Corporates are trimming budgets, while leisure travellers are booking earlier or switching to visa-friendly destinations. Mobility managers should secure seats well in advance and factor higher costs into relocation and travel policies.
Hantavirus-hit Cruise Passengers Finally Leave WA Quarantine
After six weeks in isolation, the last passengers from the Hantavirus-stricken MV Hondius were released from quarantine in Western Australia on 23 June. The case re-activated Australia’s Biosecurity Act powers and underscores that emergency quarantine infrastructure—and the possibility of sudden travel restrictions—remain part of the country’s risk landscape. Mobility teams should refresh crisis playbooks for high-risk travel and check insurance exclusions for emerging diseases.
IRCC invites 955 provincial nominees in year’s largest PNP Express Entry draw
IRCC issued 955 ITAs to provincial nominees on 22 June, publishing results on 23 June. The largest PNP draw of 2026 dropped the CRS cut-off to 730 and breaks a month-long Express Entry pause, giving employer-backed nominees their best odds this year of securing permanent residence.