ICYMI: April 16 - 29

Lots of updates for you to consider for your mobility programs. In this post, we tap into a variety of quality resources to help you determine the impact to your mobile employees' experience and stakeholders' budgets! Let's do this:

EU/Schengen Area

• Border guards may request identification documents and perform detailed checks of travelers crossing borders in affected Schengen countries. Travelers should carry their identification documents, and visa-exempt nationals should be mindful of their Schengen allowance days, as the limit for visa-exempt nationals to remain in Schengen countries is 90 days in a six-month period. The following countries have internal checks at their borders in effect up to May-July 2026: Austria, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Slovenia. The following countries have internal checks at their borders in effect up to September-November 2026: France, Germany, Norway, Poland and Sweden. 

Germany

• The locations attracting the most expats are Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Munich, Dusseldorf, Cologne.  Housing remains one of the country’s most pressing issues and a landlord’s market with little room for negotiation or special requests. Germany faces a shortage of more than 800,000 apartments, with construction slowing due to high interest rates and rising costs. In 2025 the German government was well below its target of 400,000 new units. Rents continue to rise sharply, especially in Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt, making the search for suitable housing increasingly competitive. In some locations, such as Berlin, it is more common for landlords to set a minimum lease term of up to 4 years. See full details on Germany housing from Packimpex for proper budgeting.

Belgium

• Effective May 1, 2026, short-work permit and commuter permit applications will need to be submitted via the digital government platform (no other submission method will be allowed). Currently, such applications are submitted by email to the competent authorities. A transition period where applicants will be able to submit their applications by email will apply in the Walloon region until August 31, 2026. 

Denmark

• The Danish Immigration Service has launched two new digital solutions for applying for passports for foreign nationals in Denmark – one for adults and one for children.  Foreign nationals in Denmark who wish to apply for a new passport or extend the validity of their current passport must use these new digital applications

Japan and Italy

• Italy and Japan have ratified a working holiday agreement, Law no. 136, of 17 September 2025, which came into force on April 1, 2026. The agreement allows young Italian and Japanese citizens, aged between 18 and 30 to stay in the other country for up to a year and to carry out professional activity without a work permit, for a period not exceeding six months. To be eligible, applicants must not have previously benefited from the agreement, must not have a criminal record and must have health insurance as well as adequate resources to support themselves in the host country. (EIG)
• Japan: Sanja Matsuri 2026 takes place May 15–17 in Tokyo’s Asakusa district, centered around Asakusa Shrine and Sensō-ji Temple. It is one of Tokyo’s largest and most important Shinto festivals. Expect extreme pedestrian congestion throughout Asakusa, particularly around Sensō-ji Temple, Nakamise Street, and major procession routes. Also, expect a housing impact (low availability and high costs) concentrated in Asakusa and eastern Tokyo, with spillover into Ueno, Akihabara, and central Tokyo districts. (RelocateU)
• Italy: The 61st Venice Biennale runs May 9–November 22, 2026 (previews May 6–8)
  across Venice. Venice experiences sustained, high demand with limited extensions and surge pricing for short-term accommodation over several months, particularly during opening weeks and summer peak season. (RelocateU)

UAE

• Due to the disruptions in the Middle East, UAE authorities have processes in place to support situations where an immigration deadline may have been missed or exceeded. They will review situations where individuals who were issued a UAE entry permit but were unable to enter the country within the standard 60‑day validity period due to travel restrictions or operational challenges. Then for UAE residence visa holders who have remained outside the UAE for more than 180 consecutive days, the authorities will allow for entry permit re‑issuance/extension in specific circumstances where each case will be assessed individually and is subject to immigration approval. In both cases, supporting documentation and a clear explanation of the delay are typically required. (EER)

Saudi Arabia

• The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the mutual visit visa exemption agreement with Russia will enter into force on May 11, 2026. The agreement was first announced on December 1, 2025. The exemption extends to all types of passports (diplomatic, special and regular) and allows visa-free entry for visitors travelling for tourism, business, or to visit relatives and friends, for a duration of up to 90 consecutive or non-consecutive days within a year.

Vietnam

• Foreign nationals arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City must now complete an online declaration form within three days prior to arrival. Delays in immigration processing are expected through the end of April 2026 as authorities and travelers adjust to the new system. This pilot program is positioned as a means to streamline clearance, but it also reflects an increased emphasis on large-scale personal data collection for security monitoring in Vietnam.

United States

• A number of Social Security Offices are marked as closed for in-person services or just closed entirely, according to a current list of office closings and emergencies on the SSA website. Those disruptions are currently affecting 12 SSA locations in 10 states, plus another location in an overseas U.S. territory.
• See the 15 metros expected to have the biggest home price increases between March 2026-March 2027…and the 15 with the biggest home price declines per Zillow.
• With Senate Bill 17, Texas has already decided to restrict foreign adversaries (those designations include countries identified in national security assessments such as 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 as late March, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton published proposed enforcement rules that formalize reporting obligations for real estate professionals. The comment period has just ended so further details should be available soon. Key point for mobility: Residential property purchased as a primary homestead has generally been interpreted as outside the law's primary scope. Most employees relocating for work and purchasing a home to live in are unlikely to be prohibited from doing so.
• Miami Formula 1 Grand Prix will be held May 1-3 and is expected to bring in a quarter of a million people putting high pressure on short-term rentals and hotels particularly
  within Miami Gardens, Downtown Miami, Brickell, and South Beach. Expect low availability and significant nightly rate increases, often doubling or tripling in proximity to the circuit or areas with convenient public transport access.  (RelocateU)

As of April 2026, the global risk landscape is dominated by intense geopolitical confrontation, the economic fallout of the Iran war, and high-stakes cyber threats, making international travel and business operations increasingly unpredictable. Key risks include soaring inflation, energy price volatility, and 59 active state-based conflicts, the highest number since World War II. Checkout this Risk Map 2026 from Travel Guard. Explore themes of Travel Safety with tips for health, women's travel, LGBTQ+ travel safety and student travel here.

Lastly, if you are a relocation professional here's a presentation you may want to check out! RDC's National Trends and Topics Webinar on April 29th or April 30th! The National Real Estate Trends and Topics presentation is compiled annually by the Relocation Directors Council (RDC) to provide timely and relevant insights into the current real estate landscape. Its primary focus is to educate relocation professionals on how evolving market conditions are impacting employee mobility practices. Join members of the RDC Board of Directors for a comprehensive overview of market performance across the U.S., including updates on home prices, inventory levels, consumer confidence, buyer and seller concerns, and trends in the rental market. Select the one that best fits your schedule and register now to secure your spot. This session qualifies for one CRP/GMS credit.