ICYMI: April 2 - 15

Every two weeks we review some of the latest changes and events that are impacting global mobility programs. Immigration changes, ongoing geopolitical turbulence, and widescale travel disruptions have wreaked havoc. 

Before we dive in, these resources can help you stay ahead of risk:

International SOS is widely recognized as a premier resource, offering 24/7 global assistance centers that combine regional intelligence with on-the-ground support to protect employees against health and security risks. Another excellent resource is Crisis24 (GardaWorld), which provides comprehensive security-focused travel risk management, including real-time monitoring through their Horizon platform, geofencing capabilities, and deep threat intelligence reports.

SafeAbroad is another entity who works hard to ensure the safety and security of travelers with continuous global risk monitoring. SafeAbroad’s global risk intelligence service proactively monitors and analyzes intelligence from around the world, helping you evaluate potential risks and formulate effective mitigation strategies. Get their “Global Intelligence Briefing for April” here. 

Now on to the updates:

Freight update:

• As of April 2026, global freight transportation is experiencing significant volatility, marked by tightening capacity and rising costs due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, according to TFG Global Market Perspective. These conditions directly impact international relocation shipments by increasing transit times, raising costs, and decreasing schedule reliability. The freight market has tightened rapidly, with North American truckload costs projected to rise 16–17% year-over-year. Ocean carriers are frequently applying emergency fuel surcharges, war-risk premiums, and other surcharges, increasing total transportation costs even when base rates are stable. Port congestion is re-emerging in places. While not as severe as in previous years, congestion is resurfacing in Northern Europe and Northeast Asia, often caused by container bunching as rerouted ships arrive simultaneously.

Middle East:

• Escalating conflict across the Middle East continues to disrupt flights, reroute ships, and reshape visa policies, with ripple effects for travelers and migrants worldwide. For real-time updates on travel across the region, try TravelPirates.  
• Also, tap into this resource from Newland Chase: “Middle East Conflict - Situational Updates and Implications for Global Mobility” and this one from Fragomen: "Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations".

EU Entry/Exit System

• The European Commission has confirmed that the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) will become fully operational as of April 10, 2026. The EES, which started operations on October 12, 2025 with a progressive roll-out in 29 European countries, replaces passport stamping with digitally recorded entries, exits or refusals of entry of non-EU nationals coming for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180-day period). Travelers’ facial image, fingerprints and personal data from the travel document are recorded at the border on entry.
• The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is scheduled to start operations in the last quarter of 2026. ETIAS changes the way visa-free nationals travel to 30 European countries for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180-day period). It requires these travelers to apply for a travel authorization online before a trip.
• Hundreds of travelers were left stranded across Europe in early April 2026 as a new wave of IT outages, severe weather and staffing gaps combined to disrupt operations at more than ten major airports, snarling holiday travel and business trips alike.

United Kingdom

• Over 300 flights disrupted at London Heathrow in April 2026, leaving hundreds stranded across British Airways, American Airlines and Lufthansa. Cascading delays and cancellations ripple through Europe's busiest hub affecting transatlantic and continental routes. The disruption occurred during peak spring  travel season when North American transatlantic demand peaks. 

Germany

• A 48-hour walkout by Lufthansa pilots and cabin crew, running April 13/14, 2026, has grounded 60% of flights at Frankfurt and Munich hubs, impacting international travel, particularly to North America and Asia.

The Netherlands

• The Christian National Trade Union Federation (CNV), the Federation of Dutch Trade Unions (FNV),  and other unions have called for a 24-hour strike across the Netherlands on April 14. This strike is a follow up to a previous protest against a wage freeze for government workers. 

Malta

• A new course has been introduced for third-country nationals already in Malta, focusing on Maltese culture and the Maltese language. The course makes it possible for third-country nationals working in Malta in lower-skilled occupations to be granted a two-year, rather than a one-year permit renewal. This was a measure announced in the Malta Labour Migration Policy, aimed at introducing stability in the labor market.

UAE

• The United Arab Emirates has announced the eligibility requirements for its Blue Residency Visa, including provisions for visa holders to sponsor family members and domestic workers. Applications for the Blue Residency visa are now being accepted. The Blue Residency Visa is likely to increase the attraction and long-term retention of talented individuals in the environmental, climate change, sustainability or renewable energy sectors.

Saudi Arabia

• Effective April 5, 2026, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) announced the update of the Saudization rules for administrative support professions in the private sector to include 69 additional professions subject to 100% Saudization, in accordance with the Unified Saudi Occupational Classification. These professions are now reserved for Saudi nationals.
• Given the current regional scenario, flight disruptions in the GCC have affected travelers. Airspace closures, airport shutdowns, flight cancellations, and reroutes got you wondering? Here’s what you need to know about the latest Saudi flight updates. One of the biggest Saudi travel news stories to come in is that Virgin Atlantic, which began its direct flights between Riyadh and London exactly a year ago, has now announced the closure of this route due to the ongoing situation.

Brazil

• Train workers will strike in Brasilia, Brazil on April 15, causing travel delays. The strike will be held to pressure the government to respond to poor working conditions and understaffing. The strike will impact train services across Brasília.

Australia

• The Department of Home Affairs expanded access to the Australian Immi App, that allows eligible visa applicants who have previously provided biometrics at an Australian biometric collection center to provide facial biometrics and passport details for their visa applications without visiting a collection center. They added another 13 countries, making the app available in 47 countries. Further expansion is expected. 

Japan

• Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has announced changes to documentation requirements for certain work visa categories, along with a forthcoming language proficiency requirement for specific applicants. Additional documentation is now required for Category 3 and 4 Intra-Company Transferee (ICT) applications, including Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and change of status filings. Applicants must submit expanded evidence to confirm the legitimacy and business activities of both the overseas sending entity and the Japanese host entity. More here.

United States

• DHS says US could stop processing international travelers at some airports in 'sanctuary cities'. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the federal government could stop processing customs at airports in sanctuary cities as a way to pressure them on immigration enforcement. Such a move could effectively lock out global travelers from major cities like New York, New Orleans and Philadelphia, placing a damper on incoming commerce and economic benefits that could directly affect those cities’ business environments and tax bases. As an example, San Francisco International Airport is one of the largest airports in the country — second largest in California after Los Angeles International Airport. In 2025, SFO handled more than 7.5 million international arrivals from over 61 cities outside the United States. The removal of customs officials from SFO would mean thousands of passengers and cargo flights would be impacted. 

• Texas has already decided to restrict foreign adversaries (China, Russia, Iran and North Korea) from owning land. The real question now is how that restriction will actually be enforced. That answer is starting to take shape. The rules are still in a public comment period and not yet finalized. The public comment period runs through April 27 before the rules are finalized. Importantly, residential property purchased as a primary homestead has generally been interpreted as outside the law's primary scope.

• More news out about many employers being locked out of H-1B visa programs. However, the biggest tech companies have largely been shielded from the changes because they mostly use the H-1B program to recruit international students and other foreign workers within the country, according to immigration lawyers.

One more resource to support your efforts!  Check out this on demand webcast from our friends at Mercer: Navigating Cross-Border Moves: Mastering Travel Risk & Compliance.

What this edition makes clear is that volatility is the new baseline. Whether it's labor strikes reshaping departure hubs, biometric systems going live across Europe, or shifting U.S. immigration enforcement, mobility programs must be prepared to pivot quickly. As always, Plus is here to help you navigate whatever comes next.