Poland will restore checks on German and Lithuanian borders from 2 October
Germany’s First Day of Blanket Land-Border Checks Brings Traffic Jams and Diplomatic Protests
India’s Bureau of Immigration Unveils Digital OCI And Four Other Travel Tech Upgrades
Latest News
Labor Migration Blueprint to Target Visa Overstayers and Cut Temporary Intake
Leaked details of Labor’s forthcoming migration strategy reveal plans for a 25,000-person removal target, a fast-track appeals tribunal and a hard cap that will shrink Australia’s temporary visa pool by around 20 %. The shift towards permanence is applauded by big business but could squeeze sectors reliant on transient labour.
Labor signals crackdown on student dependants and overstayers ahead of major migration speech
On the eve of a major speech, the Albanese Government confirmed it will bar most international students from bringing family members and toughen action against visa overstayers. The changes aim to cut net-overseas-migration while protecting skilled inflows and the A$40 billion education export sector. Businesses and universities face new compliance and talent-planning challenges.
Brazil completes move to fully electronic temporary visas through SCI portal
All Brazilian temporary-stay visas for nationals who are already exempt from short-stay visitor visas are now issued entirely online through the SCI portal. Applicants receive a QR-coded PDF by e-mail and no longer have to mail in their passports, slashing processing times and giving companies greater scheduling flexibility for assignees and business travellers. The change, confirmed on 16 September 2026, also applies to the popular Digital Nomad Visa.
IRCC invites 250 senior managers to apply for permanent residence in targeted Express Entry draw
On 16 September 2026 IRCC issued 250 ITAs to senior managers with Canadian work experience, requiring a CRS score of 389—the lowest executive cut-off this year. The draw provides a faster, more reliable route to permanent residence for foreign C-suite talent already in Canada, helping employers retain leadership without repeated work-permit renewals.
Von der Leyen’s State of the Union puts migration centre-stage – implications for Cyprus firms and travellers
The European Commission President used her 2026 State of the Union speech to call for a united EU response on migration and borders, unveiling an Emergency Response Framework, more resources for Frontex and new legal-migration channels. Cyprus—still outside Schengen but heavily exposed to irregular arrivals—stands to benefit from faster EU support, quicker returns and fresh talent pipelines. Businesses should follow forthcoming legislation that will shape Cyprus’ Schengen accession and labour-market access.
Hong Kong to Introduce New Short-Term Training Visa in Early 2027
Hong Kong will launch a dedicated Short-Term Training Visa in Q1 2027, allowing non-locals to attend recognised programmes of up to 12 months. The move streamlines entry for corporate trainees and underpins the city’s bid to become an Asian training hub.
State of the Union 2026: von der Leyen urges united EU stance on borders, migration and Schengen freedoms
In her 16 September State of the Union address, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for a common EU emergency framework on migration, stronger Frontex capacity and new ‘Gateway Offices’ abroad to channel legal labour flows, while pledging to protect Schengen freedoms. The roadmap could ease border-queue uncertainty for travellers in France and create new talent pipelines for French employers.
CDC Extends 30-Day Suspension on Entry of Travellers Recently in DRC, Uganda or South Sudan
CDC has reissued a 30-day order barring entry of foreign nationals who have been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan within 21 days, citing an expanding Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak. The suspension, published 16 September 2026, applies to lawful permanent residents and most visa holders, with narrow humanitarian exceptions. Companies must reroute travel and reassess duty-of-care plans for staff in Central and East Africa.
Hong Kong extends Greater Bay Area campus graduate work-visa pilot by two years
Hong Kong has renewed for two more years the pilot that lets graduates from its universities’ GBA branch campuses stay and work in the city under the IANG route. The move gives employers a larger, China-savvy talent pool and simplifies post-study immigration compliance, easing critical skills shortages.
Australia to Ban International Students From Bringing Family Members Under New Migration Overhaul
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has confirmed that most new international students will no longer be allowed to bring spouses or children to Australia. The measure, part of a broader migration overhaul, seeks to lower temporary visa numbers and curb ‘visa-hopping’. Universities fear the rule will hurt enrolments, while employers and housing advocates say it will ease infrastructure strain.
Immigration Department Launches ‘Go Hong Kong’ App for Remote e-Channel Enrolment
A new ‘Go Hong Kong’ mobile app lets frequent visitors self-register for the automated e-Channel service before arrival, promising to slash immigration processing times for business travellers.
US–Iran conflict keeps skies uncertain, but UAE airlines restore capacity
Aviation in the UAE is rebounding even as the US–Iran conflict continues to unsettle Gulf airspace. Emirates and Etihad are back above 90 % of pre-war capacity, yet more than 170 recent flight delays and multiple foreign-carrier suspensions illustrate ongoing risk. Travel buyers should retain contingency plans and monitor shifting advisories, but the medium-term outlook for UAE connectivity remains positive.
Night-shift air-traffic-controller strike grounds nearly 30 Ryanair flights at Charleroi
Air-traffic controllers at Charleroi began nightly strikes on 16 September, forcing Ryanair to cancel nearly 30 flights and threatening 800 more until 10 October. The walk-out, linked to the airport’s switch to a remote tower, creates immediate disruption for business travellers and cargo shippers who rely on Belgium’s second-busiest airport.
Austria extends border controls with Czechia for another six months
Austria has renewed its temporary Schengen border controls with Czechia for another six months, emphasising mobile checks away from the physical frontier. Routine travel and freight should see minimal disruption, but all passengers must carry valid ID. The decision underscores continuing EU concern about irregular migration and means Czech businesses should leave extra time for ad-hoc inspections.