Australia tightens on-shore Student visa rules to curb ‘visa hopping’
India Extends IVFRT Digital Immigration & Visa Scheme to 2031
DHS proposes record-breaking $70,000 fee for schools that place foreign students in OPT jobs
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DHS proposes unprecedented $70,000 fee for universities recommending F-1 students for Optional Practical Training
DHS released an NPRM that would force U.S. universities to pay a US $70,000 fee for each initial OPT recommendation and US $30,000 for each subsequent OPT period. The administration says the money will fight fraud and protect U.S. workers, but higher-education groups warn it will price many schools—and students—out of the programme, disrupting a key talent pathway for U.S. employers. A 30-day comment period opens October 8.
Hong Kong details transport blueprint for 24-hour Huanggang Port reopening
Hong Kong’s Transport Department has unveiled detailed bus, minibus, coach and taxi arrangements ahead of the 24-hour reopening of the rebuilt Huanggang Port on 12 October. Dedicated lanes, electronic taxi queuing and a buffer yard for back-up vehicles aim to smooth what is expected to be heavy cross-border traffic. Businesses should update employee travel guidance and allow extra time during the initial launch period.
In-country student visa applications largely banned under latest integrity reforms
From 2 October 2026, most temporary-visa holders can no longer lodge a new Student visa while inside Australia. The government says the change targets visa “churn” and protects the program’s integrity, while exemptions are limited to DFAT/Defence scholars, doctoral students and school pupils. Corporates and education providers must now plan for offshore processing and tighter family-inclusion rules.
Coalition Migration Plan Sparks Confusion Over Impact on Key Workforces
The Coalition has outlined a plan to slash Australia’s net migration intake and cap international student visas, but conflicting statements about exemptions for aged-care staff have sown confusion. Universities warn of revenue losses, while employers fear labour shortages and red-tape spikes. Global mobility teams should prepare for tighter caps and potential delays in skilled-visa streams.
Dubai rolls out 10-year Golden Visas for outstanding teachers
Dubai has begun granting 10-year Golden Residence Visas to award-winning and otherwise distinguished teachers. The scheme, launched on World Teachers’ Day, streamlines application processes and extends the same long-term status to family members, giving international schools and corporates a powerful new retention tool. It underscores Dubai’s push to cement itself as the Middle East’s leading education hub.
Opposition’s migration plan would force aged-care and graduate workers offshore
The Coalition’s plan to cut net migration to 100,000 would abolish Graduate-485 visas and require most temporary-visa renewals to be lodged offshore. Business, university and aged-care groups warn the proposal risks deepening skills shortages and disrupting existing workforces.
Austria overhauls Foreigners Police Act: carriers now face up to €15,000 fines for undocumented passengers
A fully updated Fremdenpolizeigesetz entered force on 7 October 2026. It obliges airlines, coach and ferry companies to verify travel documents, transmit advance-passenger information and shoulder return costs for refused entrants. Fines rise to €15,000 per case, creating new compliance risk for corporate travel and relocation programmes.
France notifies next six-month extension of internal Schengen border checks
The EU’s official list now shows France extending internal border checks for another six months from 1 November 2026, citing terrorism and smuggling threats. Business travellers should expect ID screening at all borders with neighbouring states and carry assignment documents.
Passport-stamp checks end today as Schengen Entry/Exit System reaches new milestone
From 7 October 2026 carriers bringing passengers to Switzerland and the rest of Schengen stop checking passport stamps and must instead query the EU’s Entry/Exit System. The shift, confirmed in eu-LISA guidance, promises quicker boarding but also automatic detection of overstays, requiring corporates to fine-tune travel-compliance processes.
Home Office starts live rollout of passport-free contactless eGates
The Home Office has switched on the UK’s first passport-free ‘contactless eGates’, initially for British citizens at East Midlands Airport, with nationwide conversion due by early 2027. The system performs all security checks using a live facial image matched to pre-cleared travel data, delivering faster processing and advancing the UK’s vision of a fully digital border. Businesses should see shorter queues but must still ensure travellers carry a valid passport. ([lexisnexis.co.uk](https://www.lexisnexis.co.uk/legal/news/home-office-begins-rollout-of-contactless-egates-at-uk-airports))
UK launches contactless e-Gates, allowing passport-free entry for eligible travellers
The Home Office has started a nationwide roll-out of contactless e-Gates that use live facial recognition to verify travellers without scanning a passport. The system went live on 6 October and will reach all UK airports by early 2027, cutting queue times and dovetailing with the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme. Business travellers will benefit from quicker, more predictable arrivals but must hold a valid ETA or eVisa, as carriers face penalties for boarding ineligible passengers.