ICYMI: Dec 25-Jan 7

Welcome to 2026! As you'll notice, the pace of change isn't slowing down, and that means it's more important than ever to stay aware of global shifts so you can navigate and manage your mobility programs. In an ongoing effort to support mobility professionals, here are some of the latest changes to consider:

United States

• USCIS has issued a new memorandum that expands its current adjudication hold policy to foreign nationals from countries on the new travel ban list that took effect on January 1. The memorandum also requires re-review of immigration benefits that were approved on or after January 20, 2021 if the foreign national is from a country on the new travel ban list. In response to the United States’ President Trump adding a number of countries to its travel ban list, governments of the following countries are now barring U.S. citizens from entry, based on the principle of reciprocity: Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
• The Departments of Homeland Security and Labor have announced that they will make available an additional 35,000 H-2B visas in Fiscal Year 2026. Eligibility criteria and filing requirements are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
• The IRS released the updated mileage rate for 2026. The new rate will be $.725/mile, up from $.70 last year. The mileage rate for business use is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile and the rates apply to fully-electric and hybrid automobiles, as well as gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles. Most mobility programs updated their mileage reimbursement amounts within their relocation policies based on this revision.
• The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced new guidance that limits the age of photos used in immigration documents to no more than three years. This update enhances national security and prevents identity fraud.
• A federal district court judge in Washington, D.C. has rejected the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s challenge to the legality of the September 19 Presidential Proclamation and related federal agency policies that impose a $100,000 fee on certain H-1B petitions.
• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized a rule that amends the H-1 B cap selection process. The regulation replaces the existing random lottery with a weighted system designed to reduce duplicate filings and ensure visas are allocated more fairly.
• AB 692 starts 1 January 2026, a new law in the U.S. state of California will limit the ability of employers to require California workers to repay various monetary or employment-related costs if they end their employment. California's AB 692 reflects a broader movement toward limiting employment restrictions and enhancing worker mobility. Click here to request a more detailed Impact Alert.
• WERC recently published an article overviewing recent Trump Administration immigration actions impacting talent mobility.
• As we begin 2026, one thing to keep on the radar in the first half of the year is the FIFA World Cup which will be hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico. There will be the inevitable implications with belongings potentially being delivered, flights and temporary accommodation being at a premium and as we start to know more, we will share with you here. Host cities that you may want to keep an eye on when looking at relocations during this time will be - Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, New York / New Jersey, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Vancouver, Toronto, Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey.

France

• Effective January 1, 2026, French language and civic exam requirements for certain residence permit and naturalization applicants have been implemented. The requirements stem from the publication of the 2024 comprehensive immigration law. As a result, it will be more difficult for impacted foreign nationals to obtain residency or citizenship in France, particularly for applicants with limited French proficiency. 

Netherlands

• Starting January 1, 2026, short-stay accommodations in the Netherlands will face a significant VAT increase (Value-added Tax), impacting hotels, B&Bs, holiday parks, and short-term rentals. Short-stay accommodation will move from a reduced VAT rate (of 9%) to the standard VAT rate (21%) and it applies nationwide—not just in major cities. Long-term rentals (>30 nights) remain VAT-exempt. VAT is applied per night, affecting total booking costs. Bookings made before the change but fulfilled after January 1, 2026 will be subject to the 21% VAT.

Ireland

• The Irish Rental Market continues to experience a decline in supply as landlords exit the market ahead of new legislative changes. Over 5,400 eviction notices were served in Q3 2025 with the vast majority intending to sell the property. This is an increase of 35% when compared to the same period in 2024. The continuing exodus of small landlords from the rental market is seen to be a predictable consequence of Government policy in this area including the introduction of six-year tenancies from March 2026.

Iceland

• Effective January 1, 2026, the Icelandic Parliament has approved increases to the fees for residence permit and citizenship applications. The same legislation also abolished the service fee for fast-track processing of applications for residence permits based on work. For applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, go here to see the new fee amounts. 

Italy

• Here's an updated overview from Damien O'Farrell of Italian immigration requirements: who needs what, when, and how. Italian immigration is quite straightforward for EU citizens, but for non-EU nationals, the visa you can apply for depends entirely on your personal circumstances - income, education, skills, or retirement status.

Canada

• The 2026 season of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program is now open. The IEC Program allows nationals between the ages of 18 to 35 (depending on the country) from 36 eligible countries with youth mobility arrangements with Canada to apply to travel and work in Canada. There are three categories of participation under the program.
• Canada has implemented new citizenship rules under Bill C‑3, impacting Canadians born or adopted abroad as of December 12, 2025.

Finland

• Effective January 8, 2026, permanent residence permit requirements will become more restrictive as follows:
• Finland has confirmed that individuals who have already received temporary protection in another European Union (EU) country are not eligible to apply for the same status in Finland.
• Finland is also set to introduce a citizenship test. Civic knowledge would be added as a new requirement for acquiring citizenship. The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments proposed amendments to the Citizenship Act and certain other acts.

- The period of residence required to obtain a permanent residence permit will be extended to six years (up from the current four). 
-Applicants will need to show sufficient Finnish or Swedish language skills; whereas currently there are no language requirements. 
-Applicants will need to show two years of work history; whereas currently this is not required. 

Philippines

• The Philippines confirmed that all registered foreign nationals holding valid visas and Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR I Card or paper-based) must complete the Annual Report in person or through authorized exemptions.

Shipping HHG

• Here is a quick shipping update provided by Champion International Moving: Some shipping companies have resumed transiting the Suez Canal. However, many remain cautious of the situation and state the safety of the crews as top priority. Rate increases continue as well as operational cost recovery surcharges. In addition, carrier operations in the Indian Subcontinent are facing ongoing disruptions due to equipment imbalances, blank sailings, and capacity constraints. Surcharges imposed by carriers persist, reflecting elevated risk and operating costs, and these charges continue to impact trade lanes from the Indian Subcontinent to North America.