IRCC Holds Targeted Express Entry Draw for Healthcare & Social-services Workers
Visa ballot for China, India and Vietnam closes as Home Affairs issues last-minute subclass 462 reminders
Zurich Airport scraps 100-millilitre liquid rule as new CT scanners go live
Latest News
EU proposes one-year extension of Temporary Protection; Czechia prepares to exclude draft-age Ukrainian men
Brussels has drafted a one-year extension of the Temporary Protection Directive but wants to bar newly arriving Ukrainian men of draft age. Czechia, which has championed the change, will quickly align its procedures. Existing male holders keep their status, yet future hires will need different visas, creating new compliance tasks for employers and mobility managers.
Beijing green-lights Hong Kong jurisdiction over new Huanggang Port area
China’s top legislature has authorised Hong Kong to lease and administer the new Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area, paving the way for 24-hour, one-stop clearance at one of the busiest land crossings. The move will slash clearance times, boost cargo efficiency and give cross-border commuters a round-the-clock option, strengthening Hong Kong’s role in Greater Bay logistics.
Irish Government Unveils Next-Generation Passport Featuring Irish Wolfhound and State-of-the-Art Security
From 26 June 2026 Ireland is issuing a completely redesigned passport that marries Irish cultural imagery with leading-edge security technology. The wolfhound-themed booklet features polycarbonate data pages, new optically-variable inks and an upgraded biometric chip, promising quicker eGate processing and tougher anti-fraud protection. Employers and mobility teams should note minor data-format changes but do not need to recall existing passports.
Irish Government Launches High-Security Passport Showcasing the Wolfhound
Ireland has rolled out a new biometric passport featuring an Irish wolfhound motif and state-of-the-art security features. Existing passports remain valid, but all applications from 26 June 2026 will be issued in the upgraded format. Companies should update traveller profiles and expect minor fulfilment delays during the launch window. The advanced document aligns Ireland with upcoming EU border-security systems and enhances the passenger experience at eGates worldwide.
Air Suvidha 2.0 health-declaration portal made mandatory for all international arrivals amid Ebola alert
From 26 June 2026, India’s resurrected Air Suvidha 2.0 portal becomes compulsory for every inbound passenger. The digital form—triggered by the ongoing Ebola outbreak—feeds health data directly to immigration, aiming to protect public health while keeping arrivals contact-free. Failure to complete the form can lead to denied boarding and costly itinerary changes for business travellers.
Supreme Court Upholds Trump Border Policies and Clears Path to Revoke TPS for Haitians and Syrians
In two 6-3 decisions, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to resume "metering" asylum seekers at the southern border and to terminate Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians. The rulings give CBP broad discretion to turn away applicants deemed to be outside U.S. territory and open the door to deportation of long-time TPS holders. Employers must prepare for possible workforce losses and longer border processing times, while advocates predict humanitarian fallout.
India Relaunches “Air Suvidha 2.0” Health Declaration as Ebola Precaution
From 26 June 2026, India has reinstated a mandatory online Self-Declaration Form—Air Suvidha 2.0—for all arriving international passengers in response to the escalating Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa. Travellers must complete the form before departure and present the QR code on arrival, or risk being denied boarding. The move signals India’s shift toward a permanent, on-demand digital health-screening tool—something corporate travel managers should now build into standard pre-trip workflows.
Spanish judge orders expulsion of 85 migrants from latest El Hierro cayuco under new EU migration pact
Applying the EU’s new Pact on Migration and Asylum for the first time, a judge in El Hierro authorised the transfer of 85 newly-arrived West African migrants to immigration detention pending expulsion. The move illustrates Spain’s intention to use the pact’s longer detention window and faster return procedures, foreshadowing stricter enforcement against irregular entrants and overstayers.
Bundestag approves Digital Passenger Processing Act to speed up airport check-in
On 26 June 2026 the Bundestag passed a law allowing fully digital passenger handling at German airports. The measure authorises biometric self-service kiosks, app-based boarding passes tied to government digital IDs and real-time data links to the Federal Police, while keeping a manual option. Airports have until 2027 to install the technology, a move expected to cut queues and lift capacity just as the EU’s new Entry/Exit System arrives.
EU proposes to extend Temporary Protection for Ukrainians in Germany until March 2028
The European Commission has proposed extending the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainians by one year, to 4 March 2028. Germany—home to about one quarter of all beneficiaries—backs the move, saying it safeguards workforce planning and municipal budgets. Military-age men arriving after adoption would be excluded, a carve-out some German employers criticise. If approved by the Council, the extension will give businesses and authorities another 21 months of legal certainty.
Prague–Berlin–Copenhagen high-speed rail link officially launched
A new direct rail service now connects Prague, Berlin and Copenhagen in under 12 hours, offering businesses a greener, work-friendly substitute for flights. Two daily ComfortJet trains and a summer night service enhance mobility for staff and goods across Czechia, Germany and Denmark.
Austria to Allow Direct Deportations from Prison after Sentence Completion
Austria’s cabinet has endorsed legislation allowing foreign prisoners without residence rights to be deported directly from prison upon finishing the minimum part of their sentence. Officials say the policy will ease jail overcrowding and speed up removals, while NGOs warn of due-process concerns. The change tightens Austria’s already strict approach to irregular migration and signals that criminal convictions will almost automatically trigger expulsion—an important consideration for global-mobility programmes.
High Court OKs termination of TPS for Haiti and Syria, reshaping U.S. humanitarian landscape
The Supreme Court ruled that the administration may end TPS for Haiti and Syria, affecting more than 356,000 people and exposing employers to sudden labor gaps. Companies must review I-9 compliance and consider alternative sponsorship strategies, while communities with high TPS populations brace for economic disruption.