ICYMI: Feb 5 - 18

This week brings an rare convergence of major cultural and religious observances that mobility professionals should note when planning employee moves and business travel. On Tuesday, February 17, both Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras) and Lunar New Year fall on the same day—a convergence that won't happen again until 2029.  For the first time in a century, Ramadan and Lunar New Year begin at almost exactly the same time, with Ramadan expected to start Tuesday evening and Lent (Ash Wednesday) beginning on February 18. Foreign nationals and their employers can expect immigration processing delays throughout March and April in the Middle East, North Africa, Türkiye and parts of Asia during the observance of Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr. Many government offices worldwide reduce their hours and/or close during Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr. 

This rare overlap means billions of people across Asia, the Middle East, and Western nations will simultaneously be observing significant holidays—affecting business operations, government services, travel capacity, and relocation logistics in multiple regions at once. For clients with assignees in or moving to affected areas, expect adjusted work schedules, office closures, and limited service availability through mid-March as Lunar New Year celebrations continue through February 27 and Ramadan extends approximately 30 days.

Now what else is impacting global mobility? In this ICYMI post we'll review a number of changes and developments to consider where mobility programs may be experiencing an impact.

United States

• The upcoming shutdown means employees of the Transportation Security Administration, which is part of D.H.S., must again work without pay beginning on Saturday. Here’s what travelers need to know. Also, here are 5 more things to know about the D.H.S. shutdown.
• TSA Introduces TSA ConfirmID: The Transportation Security Administration has implemented its new alternative identity verification system, TSA ConfirmID. With the new system, air travelers within the United States must either present REAL IDs or other acceptable forms of identification at airport security checkpoints; or passengers without REAL IDs or other acceptable forms of identification have the option to use TSA ConfirmID by paying a $45 fee for a 10-day travel period.
• Lawsuit Challenges Visa Processing Pause for 75 Countries under APA and INA: A new lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York challenges the State Department’s policy of pausing green card processing for immigrants from 75 countries. Per EIG (Erickson Immigration Group) , the lawsuit contends that the policy violates the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), and the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.
• Early 2026 rental trends underscore the variance between metro-level data and market conditions in the neighborhoods most sought by relocating professionals. In several U.S. markets, expanded development has lifted overall vacancy—double digit in places like Houston and Dallas—helping temper rents. Yet even in high availability metros, competition and pricing remain elevated in select submarkets favored for proximity, amenities, and walkability. Key Midwestern markets, including St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Detroit are seeing greater activity, with prices on the rise. Less availability and higher prices are the norm in New York City, Chicago, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, and Portland. New York City is also adopting new rental regulations in support of affordability.
• Amendments to New York's “Trapped At Work Act” have been signed. After originally coming into effect last December 19th, amendments were quickly put forth to clarify numerous elements and situations. Relocation repayment agreements are now explicitly permitted in New York — with conditions. Mobility programs now have until December 19, 2026 to update agreements — but given California's January 1, 2026 deadline has already passed, companies with employees in both states will likely be updating templates now anyway.

Mexico

• Mexico City continues to expand as a global knowledge worker destination, ticking lifestyle boxes for many expatriates, though the cost of rentals in preferred neighborhoods like Condesa, Roma, and Polanco is comparable to that of many US cities. Apartments are often booked within hours of listing; and since landlords know they have multiple potential tenants for their listings, they require proof of ability of pay, including employer bonds and guarantees.

Canada

• Canada, which reversed its immigration-friendly policies in 2024, has also had a boom in property development due to government incentives. Vacancy rates are higher across the country, though rents in preferred locations in Toronto and Vancouver continue to be higher than national averages. As of February 2026, rental rates across Canada are experiencing a cooling trend, with national average asking rents falling to approximately $2,057-$2,123 per month, marking over a year of consecutive annual declines. Increased supply and moderated demand have reduced pressure on renters, although rates remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. All six of Canada’s largest rental markets saw annual rents decline last month. The report said apartment rents in Vancouver fell 9.2 per cent year-over year to $2,630. Calgary rents declined 5.7 per cent to $1,815 and Toronto rents declined 4.6 per cent to $2,495.

United Kingdom

• UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) has announced that the next ballot for the India Young Professionals Scheme will open at 2:30pm India Standard Time (IST) on February 17, 2026 and will close at 2:30pm IST on February 19, 2026. Anyone intending to apply for a visa for the India Young Professionals Scheme must enter the ballot and can do so at any time while the ballot is open.
• On February 9, 2026, the government announced that adult children of British National (Overseas) status holders who were under 18 at the time of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China will now be eligible to apply for the route independently of their parents. Their partners and children will also be able to move to the UK under the expanded route. In November 2025, the government confirmed they will retain a 5-year pathway to permanent UK settlement – compared to a new standard baseline of 10 years’ residence for most other migrants.
• The Renters’ Rights Act is now law in England, bringing expanded protections to renters in the form of no arbitrary landlord evictions, continuity of rental terms, fixed annual rent increases, no bidding wars over the listed price for a rental unit, and more. (See our UK Renters’ Rights Act blog here.) 

Ireland

• Ireland’s minimum annual remuneration thresholds for employment permits will increase, effective 1 March 2026, according to the Employment Permits Minimum Annual Remuneration: Outcome of the Roadmap Review 2025 (MAR). With changes taking effect in less than a month, across all permit routes, employers now face urgent decisions to safeguard their workforce and ensure compliance. A detailed breakdown of the initial and renewal MAR threshold increases is available here.  

Saudi Arabia

• Effective immediately, Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended temporary work visas for select nationals. Based on practice observations, Saudi Arabia has suspended acceptance, processing and issuance of Temporary Work Visas for nationals of Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Türkiye and Yemen. This may cause delays and challenges for employers relying on foreign nationals for short-term projects. Affected employers should reassess timelines, explore alternative staffing options, and consult their immigration practitioners on available visa pathways. 
• Additionally, Saudi Arabia introduced new rules requiring private‑sector companies to meet a 60% Saudization rate in designated marketing and sales roles.  This requirement applies to any entity with three or more employees working in the specified professions (Sales and Marketing). 

Qatar

• On February 2, 2026, the government announced the launch of two new categories of residency visa for high growth entrepreneurs and senior executives. The Residency Visa for Executives is available to current residents (QID holders) in Qatar. It is tailored for senior executives who already hold Qatari residency and require a streamlined employer-led pathway to formalize their status, employment authorization and access to program benefits. The Residency Visa for Entrepreneurs provides a dedicated pathway for founders, partners and innovators who aim to establish their investment projects or expand their businesses.

China

• As of Feb 3, China has increased its enforcement of average wage standards for work permit applications nationwide. Beijing and Shanghai now strictly apply the latest average wage benchmarks for foreign work permits.  As a result, employers of Category A and Category B work permit holders may need to review or increase these salaries to comply with the newly-enforced amounts.  

Japan

• Rental rates across Japan in 2026 are experiencing a significant upward trend, driven by high demand and rising property prices, particularly in Tokyo, where central 1-bedroom apartments often exceed ¥177,500  monthly. Major cities like Osaka, Nagoya, and Sapporo are also seeing increases, with average monthly rent for expats ranging from $500 to $900 for budget options and over $2,500 for luxury units. 

  Between regulatory shifts, housing pressure, and holiday disruptions converging across multiple regions, mobility teams heading into spring have a full plate.