ICYMI: July 23 - Aug 5

We are 216 days into 2026, and this is the 15th ICYMI post. So by now, you have a good understanding that every two weeks we try to reflect on recent events and consider how they are impacting global mobility programs. Today we'll cover updates from 11 locations around the world. Let's jump right in and look around the world.

United States

• ICE has significantly expanded airport enforcement by broadening a data-sharing arrangement with TSA that once targeted only travelers with final removal orders. It now reaches anyone whose I-94 authorized stay has expired, even those with timely filed pending applications (AOS, extension/change of status, asylum, etc.) or valid work authorization, a group historically left alone absent aggravating factors. Encounters happen at check-in, gates, or jet bridges, where plainclothes agents already have the traveler's name, DOB, and flight details, and detention can follow even when the person presents valid EADs, advance parole, or USCIS receipts. For employers, the risk is a sudden, unexplained employee absence with no clear timeline, since detainees can be transferred far from the airport of encounter and may not show up in ICE's locator system for days. Mayer Brown recommends employers audit sponsored employees' I-94 status now, push eligible cases into premium processing, advise at-risk staff to defer non-essential travel and carry full documentation, and put a detention response protocol in place (HR/legal contact, use of the ICE locator, and a policy on leave vs. separation for detained workers).

• The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has finalized regulations establishing a permanent Visa Bond Program for certain B-1/B-2 (business and tourist) visa applicants. The rule follows a one-year pilot program launched in 2025 and gives consular officers authority to require qualifying applicants to post a bond of up to $20,000 as a condition of visa issuance.

• Ongoing travel warnings for the Middle East: Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions. Some airlines in the region have postponed resumption of earlier flight schedules; others have cancelled some routes. Americans in the region should consider departing, or be prepared to depart should there be escalation.

• Storm warnings: A severe storm is expected to hit the U.S. East Coast. Travel disruptions may occur from August 3rd to 4th in the region.

• Apartments.com Rent Report for July 2026 is out and the national average rent was $1,663 per month, an increase of 0.8% over the last year. Per the report, Illinois overtook West Virginia for the largest year-over-year rent increase, with rents 3.3% higher than last year.

• 

Canada

• The union representing flight attendants at WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, says it has reached a "tentative agreement" to end strike action. The strike, which began on Sunday, forced some 600 flights to be cancelled over a peak summer travel weekend.

Australia

• The Australian government has introduced a new processing priority framework that establishes a revised processing order for a range of employer-sponsored, skilled and regional migration visa applications, including the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), Skills in Demand (subclass 482), Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (subclass 190), Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visas, among others.

United Kingdom

• UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) has commenced the ballot for the India Young Professionals Scheme which opened on July 21, 2026 and  closed on July 23, 2026. The scheme runs periodic ballots, anyone who missed this round should watch for the next opening.

Denmark

• On July 8, 2026, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) launched a new digital application form, OD2A-C, for certain family reunification applicants. The new system enables eligible individuals to complete and submit their applications directly through the New to Denmark portal.

Norway

• Since May 5, 2026, Norway has been rolling out a new online system known as HOT (Heldigital Oppmøteløsning) in several police districts for certain permit renewals within Norway. This system does not replace the prior submission system. It is available only to foreign nationals who have a Norwegian digital identity (eID or bankID) and who are renewing permits within Norway, and it creates efficiencies such as simplifying the police identity verification process. Applicants who do not reside in Norway, who work on an ad-hoc basis, or who are changing permits, must continue to submit their applications through a Norwegian consular post, or have their employer/client/legal proxy file through a Priority Service Centre, where applicable.

Portugal

• Portugal expanded its Renewals Portal to allow online applications for permanent residence certificates and cards for eligible EU nationals and their family members. Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) announced that, effective July 1, 2026, eligible applicants can submit requests for permanent residence certificates and cards through the Renewals Portal.

European Union/Schengen Area

• The following countries have internal checks at their borders in effect from September through December 2026: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Sweden. 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.

South Africa

• South Africa's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has published draft amendments to the country's immigration fee regulations that would introduce a new fee structure for electronic visa processing and support the expanded rollout of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) platform. Public comments on the proposed regulations are being accepted until August 11, 2026. The draft regulations also introduce a voluntary ETA option for nationals of visa-exempt countries.

Taiwan

• Taiwan will launch a new online application form system for APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) applicants on September 1, 2026, replacing the current paper-based application form process. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced that it will implement an online application form system for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card (ABTC) beginning September 1, 2026. Taiwan officials will no longer accept the current paper application form after the new system takes effect.

China

• China has announced plans to further refine its visa-free entry policies and modernize immigration services as part of a broader effort to support international travel, business activity, and economic openness. The announcement was made by Qi Yanjun, Vice Minister of Public Security, who outlined a series of planned immigration and border management reforms aimed at making travel to China more convenient for foreign visitors while continuing to support the country's broader opening-up strategy.