UAE passport keeps No 1 global power ranking with visa-free access to 182 destinations
Germany to Activate Border Controls on All Land Frontiers from 16 September
Federal Judge Halts DHS Rule That Would Replace “Duration of Status” With Fixed Visa Expirations
Latest News
Spanish Congress prepares heated session on Ceuta migration crisis as pressure mounts
Lawmakers across the political spectrum signalled on 14 September that Wednesday’s Control Session will be dominated by questions on July’s mass border breach in Ceuta. Regional presidents, unions and business groups piled on, exposing deep rifts over reception capacity, police resources and return agreements with Morocco. Companies that rely on smooth flows through the Strait of Gibraltar now face prolonged uncertainty and are revising travel and logistics plans accordingly.
EU grants Belgium and eight other states extra time to roll out EES biometric border checks
On 14 September the European Commission agreed to let Belgium and eight other Schengen countries delay mandatory fingerprint and face-scan checks under the EES border system. The decision averts predicted autumn gridlock at Brussels Airport and Eurostar, but companies should still expect uneven procedures until hardware upgrades are finished.
IRCC Express Entry draw invites 576 provincial nominees to apply for Canadian permanent residence
On 14 September 2026 IRCC issued 576 Invitations to Apply to provincial nominees in the Express Entry pool, setting a CRS cut-off of 734. The draw confirms the PNP’s central role in Canada’s economic immigration strategy and offers employers a predictable window to convert key foreign talent to permanent status.
Cyprus ‘Golden Passport’ Trial Stalls Again as Prosecutors Add 25 New Charges
Cyprus’ high-profile golden-passport court case was postponed on 14 September after prosecutors introduced 25 new charges, expanding an already complex indictment. The delay keeps the now-abolished citizenship-by-investment scheme in the spotlight and could influence EU legal action against Cyprus and other CBI states. Mobility advisers and investors should monitor the case, as convictions could trigger passport revocations and tougher compliance expectations.
Czech Chamber Approves Digitalised Foreigners Act, Paving Way for Fully Electronic Residence Processes
On 14 September 2026 the Czech Chamber of Deputies passed a sweeping Foreigners Act that will move residence applications, renewals and notifications into a fully digital portal by 2029, introduce mandatory e-registration for EU citizens staying over 90 days and tighten security screening. The reform promises faster processing for businesses and better data for municipalities, but will require employers to adjust compliance procedures.
Spanish Cabinet Approves Draft Bills to Overhaul Immigration and Asylum Framework
Spain’s Council of Ministers has approved two draft laws that will replace the 2009 Asylum Act and partially rewrite the Organic Immigration Law to align with the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. Highlights include a three-month fast-track asylum procedure, new screening requirements at the border and earlier work rights for applicants. Businesses should prepare for shorter decision windows and revised documentation rules.
EU grants France and eight other Schengen states extra leeway on EES biometric checks
On 14 September, the European Commission authorised France and eight other Schengen members to keep applying a ‘light’ version of the Entry/Exit System, waiving mandatory biometric capture when queues build up. The move averts expected bottlenecks at Paris-CDG and other French airports but underscores ongoing technical delays. Companies should still plan for sporadic disruptions until full EES deployment is achieved.
Blue-Card process goes fully digital as 30-day approval deadline enters force
A 14 September 2026 legal briefing confirms that Italy’s EU Blue Card must now be approved within 30 days and that the contract-of-stay can be signed entirely online. The changes make the Blue Card a faster, quota-free alternative to the Flussi for highly-qualified hires, but require flawless documentation at filing.
22 States Sue to Block DHS “Public Charge” Rule Set to Take Effect Sept 18
A multistate coalition sued DHS on Sept. 14 to block a broadened public-charge rule that could deny green cards for almost any use of public benefits. The litigation, filed four days before the rule’s effective date, creates operational uncertainty for employers finalizing green-card cases and could chill immigrant talent retention if allowed to proceed.
Emirates inks seven tourism-board deals as Arabian Travel Market 2026 opens
On the first day of ATM 2026, Emirates signed seven new MoUs with tourism boards across Europe, Africa, Asia and the UAE, pledging joint marketing and route development. The deals bolster Dubai’s status as a global hub, promise more capacity and promotional fares for business travellers, and feed into the UAE’s goal of 40 million hotel guests by 2031.
Regional tension triggers fresh flight disruptions at Dubai and Abu Dhabi hubs
EASA renewed its conflict-zone warning for Gulf airspace on 14 September, leading to delays, reroutes and a fresh round of flight suspensions by several European carriers. While UAE airports remain open, corporate travellers should expect schedule volatility and longer routings, and firms moving cargo via DXB or AUH face capacity pressure.
Working holiday visa pause leaves farms short as harvest season looms
Australia has paused new Working Holiday Maker visa approvals from 24 countries, pushing processing times out to eight-plus weeks and leaving farmers scrambling for labour ahead of the spring harvest. The freeze, introduced on 14 September, coincides with a new priority order that favours defence and infrastructure visas. Agribusinesses now face rising wage costs, potential crop losses and stricter compliance checks, while mobility planners should revisit staffing and budgeting assumptions.
Belgium seeks extra time as nine EU countries delay full roll-out of Entry/Exit System
The EU’s new biometric border system missed its 6 September deadline. Belgium and eight other states requested extensions on 14 September, with scanners still missing at Brussels Airport and other regional crossings. Non-EU business travellers should expect uneven procedures and longer waits.
Express Entry: IRCC invites 576 provincial nominees as CRS floor jumps to 734
IRCC’s latest Express Entry draw on Sept 14 issued 576 invitations to provincial nominees at a CRS cut-off of 734. The higher threshold reflects a slimmer pool of new nominees since the last round. Employers should leverage remaining 2026 PNP spaces quickly, as provincial allocations are being exhausted.
EU Entry/Exit System rollout delayed again as Switzerland seeks more time
The EU agreed on 14 September to give Switzerland and eight other member/associate states more time to implement the biometric Entry/Exit System. Swiss airports say they are close to technical readiness but fear long queues at regional crossings. Business travellers remain unaffected for now, but companies should prepare for automatic over-stay counting once full enforcement begins.
Taiwan warns executives of heightened exit-ban risk under China’s new Exit-Entry regulation
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council cautioned on 14 September that China’s new Exit-Entry regulation, effective 15 September, allows immigration officers to inspect travellers’ electronic devices and impose exit bans of up to three years without prior notice. Businesspeople, tech workers and officials were urged to take extra precautions, highlighting new compliance challenges for companies moving staff into and out of China.
EU Ministers Ready Dossier on Cyprus’ Schengen Bid; Last Technical Review Dated 14 September
A Council briefing dated 14 September shows Cyprus has passed all technical tests for Schengen membership, leaving a political vote as the final hurdle. If approved, border checks at Cypriot airports could disappear by spring 2027, fundamentally altering travel-planning rules for companies that shuttle staff between Cyprus and mainland Europe.