Spain and Italy lift internal Schengen border checks from October 19, 2026. Queues of 45 minutes end; normal travel resumes.

Vietnam secures visa-free entry to Russia and opens a Chinese group tour pilot for Khanh Hoa, both effective October 12, 2026.

Victoria introduces fees for 2026-27 skilled nomination: ROI AUD 60, subclass 190 and 491 applications AUD 180, plus GST where applicable.

Australia’s ETA costs AUD 20 while the eVisitor is free. Both last 12 months with 3-month stays. Here’s who pays and who doesn’t.

US consulates in Brazil cap B1/B2 reschedules at three per application. A third move cancels the appointment and requires a new US$185 payment.

Germany's Chancenkarte is live: a 12-month job-search visa with 20-hour work rights and a direct path to a Blue Card.

India raises the Employment Visa minimum salary to INR 24,00,000 — a 47.7% increase affecting new applications and renewals.

Canada overhauls Express Entry from November 3, 2026: bonus CRS points for high-wage work and job offers, LMIA requirement scrapped.

USCIS fees rose October 16, 2026 under H.R. 1. Old payments will be rejected. New amounts for asylum, EAD, TPS and parole.

MDEC reminds companies to update exit clearance records and shifts i-KAD collection to delivery from October 15, 2026.

Republic of the Congo prepares e-Visa and ETA systems for 2027. Eight visa categories, ETA valid 24 months, and visa waiver for African nationals.

Belgium cuts EU Blue Card processing to 90 days, accepts digital contracts, and expands anti-fraud scrutiny under new reform.

Russia raises e-Visa fees by 18% and doubles express consular charges from October 14, 2026, with work visas hit hardest.

Kuwait launches the Wage Payment System (KWPS) to monitor private-sector salaries in real time and strengthen employer compliance.

USCIS finalizes rule eliminating the 540-day automatic EAD extension for renewals filed on or after October 30, 2025.

DHS proposes amending USCIS premium processing timeframes. Current 15, 30, and 45 business day windows may lengthen.

Kazakhstan sets July 1, 2027 for mandatory QazETA travel authorization. Free, valid 180 days, apply 72 hours ahead.

Kyrgyzstan's Parliament ratifies visa waiver deals with Seychelles and Togo — one for all citizens, one for official passports

Quebec's incoming Parti Québécois government proposes halving temporary immigration and raising French proficiency requirements for permanent residence.

US suspends PERM applications and opens H-1B and J-1 investigations. What employers need to know about compliance and subpoena response.

South Africa waives the 60-day advance filing rule for in-country visa extensions and changes. Pending applications and appeals covered automatically.

Austria expands shortage occupation list to 64 professions for 2026, offering faster Red-White-Red permit processing for in-demand roles.

Finland pushes for an EU-wide ban on Russian tourist visas. Five proposals tabled in Luxembourg as EU divisions resurface.

Finland requires a citizenship test from March 2027. Study materials due by year-end; first sessions in seven cities from spring 2027.