Zurich Airport to Launch EU Entry/Exit System on 17 November
Government Shutdown Snarls U.S. Air Travel: Nearly 7,000 Flights Delayed in One Day
Hong Kong Deploys Facial-Recognition E-Gates at Four Ports Ahead of 15th National Games
Últimas Noticias
Indian Missions in UAE Launch New Portal for Chip-Embedded E-Passports
From 28 October 2025, all passport services for Indians in the UAE will migrate to the new Passport Seva Programme 2.0 portal, which will issue chip-embedded e-passports and provide end-to-end digital processing. The change will shorten application times, enhance security and speed border checks, benefiting the 3.5 million-strong Indian workforce in the Gulf.
Italy Unveils 2026-2028 Flussi Decree: Nearly 500,000 Work Permits and Earlier ‘Click-Day’ Deadlines
Italy’s new three-year Flussi Decree raises legal work-permit quotas to almost 500,000 for 2026-2028, doubles permanent-hire places and fixes earlier “click-day” deadlines. Employers benefit from expanded sector coverage, while workers gain more opportunities—provided applications are ready for highly competitive digital filing windows.
U.S. to Require Photographs of All Foreign Travelers at Entry and Exit Points
DHS issued a final rule on Oct. 27 mandating that all non-U.S. citizens be photographed when entering or departing the United States. Starting Dec. 26, CBP officers will collect facial images at every airport, seaport and land border, ending exemptions for minors and senior travelers. The measure aims to reduce visa overstays and identity fraud but raises privacy and operational concerns for frequent business travelers and cross-border commuters.
29 October Airport and Airline Strikes Threaten Nationwide Flight Disruptions
Ground-handling and airline crews will stage coordinated strikes on 29 October, hitting Milan, Pisa and Florence airports and potentially causing nationwide delays. Companies should warn travellers, review routing options and expect last-minute schedule changes.
Government Tables Response on Pacific Engagement Visa Bill, Signals 3,000 Places From Mid-2026
Home Affairs’ 27 October 2025 response to a Senate report confirms the Pacific Engagement Visa will proceed, providing 3,000 permanent visas annually from July 2026. The scheme aims to deepen regional ties and ease labour shortages but faces opposition over housing and selection criteria.
IRCC extends fee-waiver and status-restoration measures for newcomers affected by 2025 wildfires
IRCC has extended its wildfire special measures to 30 November 2025, allowing affected newcomers to replace lost documents and restore or extend their status at no cost. The policy eases administrative burdens for employers and schools and offers urgent processing for those who evacuated during Canada’s worst fire season on record.
Brussels Airlines cabin-crew dispute triggers strike notice at Zaventem
• Unions BBTK and ACV Puls filed a strike notice at Brussels Airlines on 27 Oct 2025 after the dismissal of three senior flight attendants over a disputed vermin incident. • If conciliation fails, cabin-crew walk-outs could hit the carrier’s winter schedule, affecting business travellers reliant on Belgium’s largest airline. • Companies should plan alternative routings and review EU 261 coverage, as internal strikes typically fall outside mandatory compensation rules.
Discover Airlines Adds Seychelles & Punta Cana to German Long-Haul Map
On 27 October 2025, Discover Airlines inaugurated two new long-haul routes: Frankfurt–Seychelles (now year-round) and Munich–Punta Cana (only direct link from Bavaria). The move strengthens Germany’s leisure connectivity, relieves capacity pressure on Lufthansa, and creates fresh one-stop options for business travellers and assignees heading to the Indian Ocean or Caribbean.
India–China Direct Flights Resume After Five-Year Hiatus
IndiGo’s Kolkata–Guangzhou service landed on 27 October, marking the first direct India–China flight since 2020. The restart shortens travel times for business travellers, students and cargo, and signals tentative thawing of bilateral ties. Additional routes are planned for November, and regulators are discussing broader capacity expansion.
China Grants Visa-Free Entry to Citizens of 43 Countries in Bid to Revive Inbound Travel
China added 43 countries to its unilateral 30-day visa-free scheme on 27 October, covering much of Europe, the Asia-Pacific and Latin America. The policy aims to jump-start inbound tourism and simplify short-term business travel, and has already spurred airlines and online agencies to boost capacity and marketing.
TGV sabotage paralyses south-east rail corridor, stranding thousands of business travellers
Arson on signalling cables near Valence forced SNCF to cancel dozens of TGVs on 27 October, disrupting the critical Paris-Lyon-Mediterranean corridor and stranding business travellers. Authorities have opened a sabotage investigation and promised infrastructure hardening. Corporations are urged to review back-up travel options and insurance coverage.
Canberra Committee Grills Officials on New Air-Services Treaties with Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Peru
Parliamentary hearings on 27 October 2025 examined three new Air-Services Agreements with Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Peru. Officials said the treaties modernise aviation rules, expand traffic rights and could unlock new direct or code-share flights as early as 2026—important for Australian exporters and corporate travel programmes.
Express Entry: Canada invites 302 Provincial Nominee candidates in 27 Oct draw
IRCC invited 302 provincially nominated candidates on 27 Oct 2025 with a CRS cutoff of 761—17 points lower than the previous PNP draw. The move highlights Canada’s continued emphasis on regional immigration and gives employers an opportunity to fast-track key staff through provincial streams.
Transport Department Warns of 29 October Congestion, Boosts Cross-Boundary Services for Chung Yeung Holiday
Hong Kong’s Transport Department expects heavy passenger and vehicle flows at land boundary control points on 29 October for the Chung Yeung Festival and will boost Gold Bus, Yellow Bus, franchised-bus and MTR services. Travellers are urged to depart off-peak, consult the Easy Boundary wait-time dashboard and allow extra buffer, a warning that matters to companies with time-critical cross-border movements.
Digital ‘E-Arrival Card’ Now Mandatory for OCI Holders and Foreign Visitors to India
India has made its new electronic Arrival Card compulsory for OCI card-holders and foreign nationals. The online form, which generates a QR code for scanning at immigration, replaces the paper disembarkation slip and is expected to reduce airport processing times. Travellers who do not complete the form risk denied boarding.