Foreign Ministry notes 77.7 % of inbound visitors now enter China visa-free
Fair Work Ombudsman sues regional IGA over $93,000 underpayment of Nepalese visa holder
Finland temporarily closes airspace and sea lanes near Russian border over drone threat
Latest News
Spanish Cabinet Declares 211 Wildfire Emergency Zones Across 14 Regions, Triggers Travel Disruptions
On 28 July the Spanish government declared 211 municipalities disaster zones following an unprecedented wildfire season. The status enables financial aid but also authorises transport restrictions that are already disrupting rail, road and some regional flights. Companies should review travel plans, health-and-safety obligations and possible tax relief for damaged assets.
Palma Airport Swissport staff launch partial strikes, threatening peak-season flight schedules
Swissport ground-handling employees at Palma Airport began four days of partial strikes today (28 July), demanding improved pay and stable contracts. The action, running during peak morning and evening waves, threatens delays at Spain’s third-busiest airport during the height of the tourist season and could affect business-travel connections across Europe.
Federal data show 70 % plunge in new temporary resident arrivals so far in 2026
Newly released federal data show Canada admitted 70 % fewer temporary residents in the first five months of 2026, driven by caps on study permits and tougher work-permit rules. Employers will face a smaller pipeline of new foreign students and workers and should adjust talent-acquisition strategies accordingly.
Finland shuts section of southern airspace and sea lanes near Russia over drone threat
The Finnish military closed part of its southern airspace and restricted nearby sea routes on 28 July due to the risk of stray combat drones. The four-hour shutdown diverted flights and shipping and highlights growing spill-over from the Ukraine conflict into Finnish territory. Businesses reliant on Helsinki’s transport corridors face fresh uncertainty and should plan for short-notice disruptions.
Reuters investigation: ORR data-sharing led ICE to arrest 12,000 children and sponsors
Reuters obtained internal records showing that ORR’s new information-sharing policy with ICE has sparked more than 12,000 arrests of migrant children and their sponsors since 2025. The revelations break with long-standing protections that insulated family reunification from enforcement and create new exposure for employers whose workers act as child sponsors. Companies should assess assignment plans and ensure legal resources are available for affected employees.
Bundestag opens debate on ambitious Skilled Immigration Reform
The Bundestag today held the first reading of a sweeping bill to overhaul Germany’s Skilled-Worker Immigration Act. Key elements include a digital Trusted Employer scheme, lower EU Blue Card salary thresholds, faster permanent residence and easier family reunion. If passed, the law could make Germany one of Europe’s most employer-friendly destinations for global talent, but businesses will need to adapt quickly to digital compliance rules.
Spain Opens Extraordinary Regularisation Window for Undocumented Migrants Until 30 June 2026
Royal Decree 316/2026, publicised on 28 July, allows undocumented migrants who have lived in Spain since before 1 January 2026 to apply for a renewable one-year residence and work permit. The window runs until 30 June 2026 and is expected to ease labour shortages in key sectors while reducing informal employment risks for companies.
Belgium Overhauls Rules for Cross-Border Workers Ahead of August Deadline
Belgium has published a long-awaited reform that abolishes the ‘Annex 15’ paper for frontier workers. From August 2026, commuters from Germany, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands get 12 months to swap to a new electronic frontier-worker card, while UK-based commuters must obtain a long-stay D visa. Employers face fines if they keep using outdated documents, and HR teams must reassess social-security, LIMOSA and tax obligations.