Port of Dover warns of ‘summer border chaos’ under new EU Entry/Exit System
Airports and airlines issue open letter demanding emergency EES flexibility
EU admits ‘much still to do’ as Entry/Exit System causes long airport queues
Latest News
National Crime Agency charges three after boat drop-off in Essex
Three men were formally charged on 3 July 2026 with facilitating illegal entry after migrants were landed on an Essex beach. The case underlines evolving smuggling tactics and the rising compliance risks for UK employers.
New ‘Sponsor Licence Checker’ tool refreshed with real-time Home Office data
A revamped SponsorLicenceChecker.co.uk went live on 3 July, giving mobility and recruitment teams faster, API-ready access to the Home Office sponsor register – a timely upgrade as compliance penalties rise.
UK Deputy National Security Adviser in Beirut to expand border-security support
Details released on 3 July 2026 show the UK expanding its technical and financial support for Lebanon’s border-security programmes – a move that should facilitate safer travel and assignments for UK personnel in the region.
ONS FOI release highlights gaps in hyper-local migration data
An ONS FOI response dated 3 July 2026 confirms that 50-year migration series are unavailable for two Bristol wards, underscoring persistent gaps in hyper-local data that employers rely on when relocating staff.
UK completes nationwide roll-out of Electronic Travel Authorisation for 85 visa-free nationalities
As of 2 July the UK’s £16 Electronic Travel Authorisation is mandatory for all 85 visa-exempt nationalities. Business visitors without an ETA will be denied boarding, so companies are rushing to embed ETA checks in travel approval systems.
Ryanair says EU fingerprint checks risk ‘queue chaos’ for UK holiday-makers
Ryanair has told the European Commission its new biometric Entry/Exit System is not ready for peak traffic and should be suspended for July–August. The airline says early evidence of UK passengers missing flights shows airports cannot yet cope with mandatory fingerprint capture. Travel managers are being urged to schedule extra connection time and warn travellers of potential two-hour queues.
Airlines warn EU fingerprint system could cause summer chaos for UK travellers
Ryanair, Airlines for Europe and ACI Europe have asked Brussels to halt compulsory fingerprint checks for non-EU passengers this summer, warning of multi-hour queues at popular holiday airports. UK business and leisure travellers risk missed flights and disrupted itineraries unless a formal suspension of the EU Entry/Exit System is agreed.