Finland to Introduce Mandatory Citizenship Test in 2027
India says US PERM suspension will not hit existing H-1B visas but warns of green-card delays
Vienna issues fresh security advisory for travellers to Iran
Latest News
Schengen visa waiver for GCC citizens ‘very close’, says bloc’s secretary-general
A senior GCC official said the EU is poised to begin waiving Schengen visas for citizens of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman, with an announcement expected on 24 October. Emiratis are already exempt, but extending the benefit to the rest of the bloc would remove a major administrative hurdle for UAE-based firms that deploy mixed Gulf teams to Europe.
Etihad Rail’s Abu Dhabi–Dubai Passenger Service Accelerates Inter-Emirate Mobility
Etihad Rail’s passenger trains now whisk travellers between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in about an hour for as little as AED 39, undercutting both car and taxi costs. Early corporate uptake and seamless links to metro and shuttle networks suggest the line will quickly become a staple of business travel itineraries, though limited evening departures remain a pain-point.
Brazil opens new border crossing with Bolivia for international passengers and freight
ANTT’s Deliberação 291, published 9 Oct 2026, gives full regulatory status to the Vila Bela da Santíssima Trindade–San Matías crossing, allowing scheduled passenger coaches and bonded freight to circulate between Brazil and Bolivia. The move shortens road links from Mato Grosso to the Pacific and is expected to boost regional trade and mobility.
CBSA to Shorten Hours at 26 Prairies–Pacific Land Crossings to Sync with U.S. Clock Change
Effective 1 November 2026, the CBSA will shorten or shift public hours at 26 land ports in BC, Alberta and Manitoba so they stay aligned with the U.S. ports across the border after the United States reverts to standard time. The change avoids one-hour mismatches that could strand travellers and trucks and will be reversed in March 2027 when U.S. clocks move forward again. Companies with cross-border operations should update logistics plans and advise mobile staff.
France extends Schengen border checks with Switzerland until 30 April 2027
Paris has told the EU it will keep internal Schengen checks at all French borders—including the frontier with Switzerland—from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027. The move means continued passport inspections and potential delays for commuters, logistics operators and business travellers crossing between France and Switzerland.
Finland sets March 2027 start date for new citizenship knowledge test
Migri has announced that a mandatory civic-knowledge test will become part of Finland’s citizenship application process from 1 March 2027, with study materials to be released later this year. The exam will apply to applicants aged 18–64 and can be taken in Finnish or Swedish. Companies and advisers should prepare expatriate staff who plan to naturalise for the new requirement or encourage them to apply before it takes effect.
Etihad and flydubai Cancel Riyadh Flights After Missile Strikes: What UAE Travellers Need to Know
Houthi missile attacks on Riyadh airport prompted Etihad Airways and flydubai to cancel UAE–Saudi flights through 10 October. Business travellers must check schedules, re-book quickly and expect cargo delays. The incident highlights the need for agile travel-risk management across the Gulf.
UK boosts protection for modern-slavery victims by allowing Skilled Worker visa holders to change employers
From 9 October 2026, modern-slavery victims on Skilled Worker visas can switch employers without losing their immigration status. The move ends the dependence on a single sponsor that left many victims trapped and paves the way for faster transfers across the sponsored-worker route. The change will help legitimate businesses fill vacancies while increasing pressure on rogue employers exploiting migrant staff.
French presidential hopeful Edouard Philippe pledges to halve legal immigration and freeze family-reunification visas
Edouard Philippe told France 2 on 9 October that, if elected president, he would cut annual residence permits by 50 % and suspend family-reunification visas for five years. While he promised to preserve labour-migration channels, business groups fear labour shortages and heavier compliance burdens. Mobility managers should prepare for possible quota systems and longer lead-times if the plan gains traction.
National Strike Halts Public Transport and Cancels 140+ Flights Across Belgium
A 24-hour general strike on 9 October 2026 shut down most Brussels public transport, forced SNCB/NMBS to halve inter-city rail services, and triggered more than 140 flight cancellations at Brussels Airport. Airlines issued fee waivers and mobility managers are advising travellers and assignees to expect delays through 12 October. The walk-out underlines the labour-relations risk multinationals must factor into Belgian travel and relocation plans.
Deputy Minister claims 90 % drop in irregular migration as Cyprus implements EU Pact
At a 9 October forum, Deputy Migration Minister Nicholas Ioannides said irregular arrivals have fallen by about 90 % since 2022 after Cyprus accelerated asylum processing, expanded returns and tightened surveillance under the EU Migration Pact. The government argues that streamlined procedures both protect genuine refugees and free capacity for legal labour mobility, boosting corporate planning certainty ahead of Cyprus’ push to join Schengen.