ICYMI: Nov 13-26

The travel landscape is transforming before our eyes. Over the past 15 years, more than 17 countries have adopted electronic travel authorizations (ETAs), and by 2026, over 36 destinations are projected to require them. According to iVisa's 2025 global processing data, 26.8% of ETA applications are submitted less than 48 hours before a flight. Thousands of travelers only discover these requirements at check-in, sometimes too late. As "visa-free" increasingly becomes "paperwork-required," mobility professionals must stay ahead of these shifts. Here's our latest ICYMI bi-weekly update covering key developments from November 13-26 that could impact your global mobility programs and mobile talent.

United States

• The November 2025 Visa Bulletin shows that employment-based Final Action and Dates for Filing charts remain unchanged from October. USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications based on the Dates for Filing chart in November.
• President Trump signed a government funding bill through January 30, temporarily ending the government shutdown that had caused air travel disruptions and processing delays. Travel is now functioning more normally, though some delays may still occur as the system fully recovers. TSA officers and other aviation security workers are back to work, but they may still be impacted by staffing issues. Applications for Global Entry were suspended during the shutdown, but online applications for TSA PreCheck continued to be accepted.
• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a sweeping expansion of biometric data collection for immigration enforcement, expanding continuous vetting requirements for foreign nationals.
• Super Bowl LX and World Cup 2026 will significantly impact Santa Clara (Bay Area) as there will be World Cup matches there next June and into July. This will impact travel, likely limiting availability of hotel, corporate apartments and rental cars. World Cup matches are happening in Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, NY/NJ, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Seattle besides Santa Clara/San Francisco. Expectations are short-term rental rates will increase at least 20%-50% in most of these locations. If you are placing key talent in one of these location mid-2026, then advance planning is critical! 

United Kingdom

• Effective December 16, 2025, the Immigration Skills Charge will increase by 32% - rising from £364 to £480 per year for small sponsors and from £1,000 to £1,320 per year for medium and large sponsors. This charge is levied directly on employers and cannot be passed on to employees.
• Starting November 25, 2025, students who complete their courses can transition directly to the Innovator Founder visa route to establish businesses in the UK, allowing them to begin business activities while their visa application is pending.
• From January 8, 2026, English language requirements will increase from Level B1 to Level B2 for new applicants under the Skilled Worker, Scale-up, and High Potential Individual routes. Current visa holders extending their stay are exempt from the higher requirement.
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GCC Region (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman)

• The Gulf Cooperation Council has confirmed 2026 as the launch year for its unified tourist visa, known as the "GCC Grand Tours" visa. The Schengen-style permit will allow non-GCC nationals to travel freely across all six member states with a single application, eliminating the need for multiple visas. While primarily for tourism and family visits, the initiative will benefit business travelers by simplifying multi-city itineraries across the region. Pilot tests began in late 2025, with full rollout expected throughout 2026.

Australia

• Australia launched the second ballot for its Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) on November 14, 2025, offering 3,000 Indian graduates and early-career professionals two-year work rights. The program targets STEM fields including renewable energy, mining, engineering, ICT, AI, FinTech, and AgriTech. The ballot for the 2025-26 program year opened November 1 and closes December 14, 2025.
• Australia announced its skilled migration invitation round with allocations for the 2025-26 program year, continuing to prioritize sectors facing critical skills shortages.

Australia/India

• Under the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement signed in 2023, the MATES program represents deepening ties between Australia and India. The program allows eligible Indian nationals (ages 18-30) who have graduated within the past two years from approved institutions to live and work in Australia without employer sponsorship. Dependents can accompany primary applicants and also have work authorization.

China

• On November 3, China announced it is expanding its unilateral visa-free entry program to include Sweden (effective November 10, 2025) and extending the program for all 44 eligible countries until December 31, 2026. Travelers from these countries with valid ordinary passports can enter and stay in China for up to 30 days for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, exchange, and transit. The 44 countries now include Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Uruguay.

Canada

• Ontario suspended its Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream on November 18, 2025, and will return all pending applications. The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) announced the suspension as part of broader immigration reforms.
• Canada announced a work permit exemption for select foreign nationals invited by FIFA for related activities, supporting the country's hosting of FIFA events.
• Canada's 2026-2028 Immigration Levels Plan maintains stable permanent resident admissions but introduces significant reductions in temporary resident admissions, particularly a 50% cut for new international students. The plan rebalances Canada's work permit system to emphasize higher-skilled employment.

Costa Rica

• Costa Rica's Trade Promotion Agency, in partnership with the General Immigration Directorate, launched a fast-track immigration process through the Ventanilla Única de Inversión (VUI), or One-Stop Investment Window. Currently available to Category A accredited companies (those operating under Free Trade Zones or other special regimes), the VUI reduces processing times for Short-Stay Visa and Temporary Residence applications to approximately two weeks, compared to the standard 15-45 days. Authorities plan to expand the program to additional application types and company categories.

Hungary

• Hungary increased scrutiny of work permit applications while transitioning to a new digital application system. As of January 2025, employment-based residence permits and guest worker permits are now limited to citizens of countries with bilateral agreements with Hungary—currently Armenia, Georgia, and the Philippines. The government plans to gradually expand the eligible countries list as it finalizes additional agreements. Employers should prepare for stricter documentation requirements and longer processing times during the transition period.

Singapore

•  The Q4 2025 market is soft, with many landlords willing to negotiate rent. Availability is good, but popular areas and larger units are scarce and still command high prices. Competition may even exist for 3-bedroom units in prime developments. Tenants with specific needs or pets might have fewer options. Looking ahead, slower GDP growth, geopolitical issues, and global uncertainties could limit rent increases. Landlords are cautious about lowering rents due to mortgage debts. Singapore remains one of the world’s most expensive cities, with high costs for international schools (around S$50,000+ per child per year), private cars, and leisure activities.

South Korea

• Pressure on the real estate market has kept rental prices on an upward trajectory. The prices of general groceries and imported goods are on the rise, and this trend is expected to continue for the next few months. Over the next 3 to 6 months, inflationary pressure is likely to persist. While government intervention may help stabilize prices, it is unlikely to create significant business opportunities.

Hong Kong SAR

• Hong Kong expanded its Short-Term Talent Program to attract additional skilled professionals and ease talent shortages. The enhanced program offers more flexibility for companies to bring in expertise for project-based work.
• The availability of serviced apartments has decreased and is getting tighter lately, owing to high demand as the year-end and new year approach. 

Peru

• Peru published new guidelines for immigration inspections, affecting compliance requirements for employers with foreign national workers. Companies should review their procedures to ensure alignment with the updated inspection protocols.

European Union/Schengen Area

• Several EU countries continue implementing internal Schengen border checks due to security concerns, affecting travel times and documentation requirements for those crossing borders within the Schengen Area. Travelers should allow extra time and carry proper identification.

Denmark

• Denmark announced the opening of a new citizen center in Nuuk, Greenland, effective November 12, 2025, expanding immigration services and simplifying access to residence applications for foreign nationals in Greenland.

New Zealand

• Immigration New Zealand (INZ) transitioned to the National Occupation List (NOL) for work visa applications, updating how 91 occupations at skill levels 1-3 are assessed under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program effective November 3, 2025. The NOL reflects today's labor market and will be updated annually, replacing the Australia New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) framework.

And to conclude a few notes on global shipping from Interconex: The big news in the world of global shipping is that the Suez Canal is back in use for the shipping lines. Last week, Houthi leadership committed to a ceasefire on ships transiting the canal and Red Sea. In October, volume in the canal was the highest it has been in 2023, with two ships being mega-capacity vessels, including the CMA CGM Ben Franklin, which has a 17,859 TEU capacity. With this critical passage back in use and global trade declining, ocean freight rates are expected to drop noticeably as we enter 2026. Along with that, transit times should improve, assuming things keep going the way they are. One caveat is that as demand for global shipping declines, shipping lines may reduce the number of sailings to help boost their bottom line.  In the short term, air freight rates are seeing slight increases, but should not have a noticeable impact on household goods.