Dentists to Receive Bonus Express Entry Points Under Canada’s New High-Wage Occupations Grid
Brussels Airport adds 8 manual booths and 6 e-gates to ease Entry-Exit System queues
Austria prolongs Schengen border checks with four neighbours until March 2027
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Austria posts lowest asylum applications in 30 years and steps up deportations
Austria registered just 308 first-time asylum claims in September 2026, the lowest monthly total since the early 1990s, and has already removed nearly 12 000 people this year. The government credits expanded border-area policing, a six-month freeze on family reunification and accelerated negative-decision procedures. While slimmer backlogs may speed business immigration, humanitarian sponsorships will face far tougher hurdles.
DFAT issues ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory for Saudi Arabia amid escalating regional attacks
DFAT has raised Saudi Arabia to ‘Do Not Travel’ after drone and missile threats forced airport disruptions and heightened security risks. Australian travellers and businesses must postpone trips, activate contingency plans, and confirm insurance validity. The warning underscores duty-of-care obligations for employers with staff or supply-chain links in the kingdom.
New Ministerial Directions overhaul processing order for employer-sponsored visas
A detailed industry briefing released on 23 October unpacks Ministerial Directions 121 and 122, which have quietly re-sequenced Australia’s skilled-visa backlog since 19 September. Priority now goes to specified occupations—construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, resources and defence—whether lodged onshore or offshore, followed by high-salary Specialist Skills cases. The shake-up means employers must rethink lodgement strategy, especially for offshore hires and family dependants.
Finland caps work-permit delays and gives exploited employees more protection from 27 October
Finland will enforce statute 912/2026 on 27 October, limiting Migri’s processing time for work-based residence permits to two months (three in complex cases) and extending post-dismissal protection for exploited workers by three months. Employers must also start reporting every new non-EU hire, regardless of family status. The changes give multinationals greater planning certainty but impose new compliance tasks.
U.S. Embassy issues security alert for Americans in France ahead of weekend protests
The U.S. Embassy in Paris released a security alert on 23 October advising U.S. citizens to steer clear of planned protests and possible curfew zones over the weekend. The notice highlights the potential for sudden transport disruptions and large police deployments nationwide, advising travellers to monitor local media and carry identification. The alert reinforces corporate duty-of-care obligations for U.S. firms with staff in France.
New law caps Finland’s work-permit decisions at three months and extends protections for exploited workers
Starting 27 October, Finland’s Aliens Act amendment 912/2026 limits complex work-permit decisions to three months and expands job-loss protection for workers facing exploitation. Employers must also report every non-EU hire—family members included—within seven days. The changes align Finland with the EU Single Permit Directive and demand tighter HR compliance.
Germany Confirms Schengen Border Checks Will Continue Until March 2027
The European Commission’s register shows Germany extending temporary controls at all nine land borders for another six months, until 15 March 2027. Berlin cites persistent irregular migration and security threats. Companies must prepare for continued document checks and possible delays, while critics warn the move erodes Schengen free movement.
Austria prolongs internal border controls with Hungary, Slovenia, Czechia and Slovakia until March 2027
Austria has extended its internal Schengen border checks with Hungary, Slovenia, Czechia and Slovakia for another six months, citing success in curbing irregular migration and people-smuggling. Business travellers, transport firms and cross-border commuters must continue to carry travel documents and expect random inspections until at least mid-March 2027.
Etihad extends suspension of Saudi routes until 5 November as security concerns persist
Etihad has cancelled all Abu Dhabi flights to Riyadh, Dammam and selected Jeddah services until 5 November after fresh attacks on Saudi airports. The decision lengthens earlier suspensions and highlights the ongoing security volatility affecting Gulf airspace. Companies should delay non-essential Saudi travel and prepare contingency routings for urgent trips.
Cyprus FM: Schengen Accession Won’t Change Eligibility at Green-Line Crossings
Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos told parliament on 23 October that joining the Schengen zone will not alter who may use the Green Line crossings between the island’s two sides, but questions remain over how Cyprus will implement the EU’s new Entry/Exit System. The assurance removes immediate concerns for cross-line commuters, yet companies should watch for technical solutions to close potential loopholes at Tymbou/Ercan airport once Cyprus is inside Schengen.
Ireland Updates Employment Permit Processing Dates, Prioritises Critical Skills and ICT Permits
DETE’s 23 October update shows that Critical Skills and new Intra-Company Transfer permits are now being processed within one week, with other categories gradually catching up. The improvement is credited to additional case officers and a new AI-based triage system. Faster turnaround will help firms secure talent more quickly, but accurate, complete filings remain essential.
Brussels Airport races to expand passport control as EES bottlenecks bite
Brussels Airport will add eight manual passport booths in December and six extra e-gates in early 2027 to relieve multi-hour queues created by the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System. The upgrade should cut average arrival waits to under 30 minutes and reduce the risk of missed connections for business travellers.
China Reports 1.92 Bln Border Crossings in Q3, Foreign Arrivals Up 15.6 %
China’s National Immigration Administration processed 192 million border crossings in Q3 2026—up 7.9 %—with foreign arrivals jumping 15.6 % to 23.27 million. The surge is largely attributed to Beijing’s visa-free entry expansions and wider airline capacity, signalling a full-scale revival of corporate travel to the mainland. Companies should note that the new exit-entry rules still allow ad-hoc inspections, and first-time visitors should budget extra clearance time.