ICYMI: Oct 1 - 14

These days, it is critical for mobility professionals to work diligently to monitor the events and changes around the world that are impacting their company's global mobility programs. That's why we bring you these ICYMI bi-weekly updates. This week, regional tensions remain elevated across the Middle East, US immigration continues to serve up curveballs that are impacting talent deployments, and there are numerous other immigrations changes to consider.

For some of the latest details on the Middle East and news on what's impacting mobility and immigration, tap into Fragomen's update. Immigration processing continues largely as normal across the Gulf Cooperation Council and the wider Middle East. Operational impacts remain limited, although some consular services may be disrupted. Air travel across Saudi Arabia continues to face significant disruption, with approximately 35% of scheduled departures cancelled or marked as no-fly on October 12. The U.S. Department of State has updated its travel advisories for Yemen and Saudi Arabia to higher levels.

Saudi Arabia

Riyadh airport attacks disrupt Gulf travel and Saudi services (Oct 7–17). King Khalid International Airport was attacked three times in one week, on Oct 7, 8, and 10, and the last strike was the deadliest. The airport is expected to stay closed until at least October 17, and disruption has spread to carriers including Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Qatar Airways. Our destination partner (EER) on the ground reports the following impacts for mobility programs: 

1. Riyadh schools have moved to online learning this week.
2. Saudi Arabia’s Nafath authentication platform is failing for users outside the country, which may delay immigration and corporate government transactions.
3. Local destination services are paused while staff work remotely, though overland transport from Riyadh to Dubai is available as an alternative.

Programs with assignees or upcoming moves in Saudi Arabia should confirm that travel documents and emergency contacts are current, make sure employees have registered with their embassies, and expect immigration timelines to slip.

United States

• The Department of Labor (DOL) suspended Cognizant, Infosys, Microsoft, Adobe, Tata, Wipro, HCL, and Capgemini from PERM, the labor certification step before many employer-sponsored green cards. New filings are blocked and pending cases are frozen, with no end date. The initial hold can run up to 180 days, and debarment of up to three years is possible. H-1B status isn’t affected, but workers nearing the six-year limit without a PERM on file are at risk. For employers not on the list, the message is to expect closer scrutiny of PERM recruitment and layoff exposure, and to consider PERM-free routes like EB-2 NIW where they fit.
• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has published a proposed rule that would fundamentally reshape the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for F-1 students. Under the proposal, schools would be required to pay $70,000 the first time an F-1 student participates in OPT and $30,000 for each subsequent OPT authorization, including STEM OPT extensions. The proposed rule is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on October 8, 2026, and DHS will accept public comments for 30 days.
• DHS also finalizes the end of automatic EAD extensions for renewal applicants. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized a rule eliminating automatic extensions of employment authorization for many individuals who file timely Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal applications. The final rule, scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on October 14, 2026, adopts without change a 2025 interim final rule ending the automatic extension period that previously allowed certain applicants to continue working while renewal applications remained pending. The change affects a broad range of EAD holders, including adjustment-of-status applicants, certain asylum applicants, and H-4 spouses who rely on EADs for employment authorization. 
• Reminder: Effective October 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of State expanded its online-presence review requirements. This applies to an expanded list of categories, including I (foreign journalists), TN and TD (Canadian/Mexican professionals and dependents), as well as F, M, J, H-1B, and several others. Applicants subject to this screening must change their privacy settings on all social media profiles to "public" or "open" for review during the application process.
• Update on California's AB 692: Governor Newsom recently signed AB 1697, which amends California’s “stay-or-pay” law (AB 692) in two important ways. First, the effective date has been delayed by one year — the law now applies only to contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2027, rather than January 1, 2026 as originally enacted. Second, the requirement that repayment agreements be signed at the “outset of employment” has been removed, meaning relocation repayment agreements for internal transfers or mid-employment relocations can now qualify under the law’s exceptions.

United Kingdom

• The UK government has announced that it will be introducing contactless border technology at Birmingham and East Midlands airports for British passport holders in the coming weeks, and there are plans to expand it to other major UK airports by early 2027. Initially, British passport holders will be able to clear immigration on arrival through facial recognition without scanning their passports; the system may later be extended to other nationalities eligible to use eGates. The technology should reduce border-processing times and queues, but it does not change immigration or entry requirements, and travelers must continue to carry their physical passports for check-in, boarding and travel. 

Norway

• Vy train drivers' strike are impacting travel and have been since 18 September 2026. This is a long-running action that started on 18 September. No further strikes are planned at this point. 
• Oslo led Norway’s major cities with a 3.6% rent increase in Q2 2026, bringing annual growth to 4.7%, according to Eiendom Norge, as high interest rates, rising taxes and costs, and limited new construction continue to shrink rental supply while demand stays strong. Across the four largest cities, rents have climbed 32% since early 2022, well ahead of the roughly 20% rise in consumer prices over the same period. 

Italy

• Italy has numerous strikes that are planned for the upcoming short term. One new strike starts: Tuscany: CGIL regional general strike on 14 October 2026 (local transport stops for 4 hours). and there are an additional 13 strikes in Italy during the next 30 days.

Austria

• Effective August 7, 2026, Austria implemented multiple immigration law changes, including:   

  • relaxed change-of-employer rules;  
  • relaxed rules for unemployed foreign nationals; and  
  • faster standard government processing times. 

  Several of these reforms help align Austria’s national legislation with the revised EU Single Permit Directive, including providing greater flexibility for both foreign workers and employers.  

Denmark

• The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has announced that new rules took effect on October 1, 2026, for certain third-country students in state-approved higher education programs in Denmark. The rules will also affect students’ ability to bring their family members to Denmark.
• SIRI has also published an updated version of the Positive List for People with a Higher Education, effective October 1, 2026. The update has been implemented based on input from the Regional Labour Market Councils, which have submitted an additional job title to be added to the list. The new job title is midwife. This update will only be relevant to the geographical area under the Regional Labour Market Councils of Eastern Denmark. Foreign nationals who have been offered a job requiring university-level qualifications in a profession with a shortage of qualified professionals on the list can apply for a residence and work permit in Denmark based on the scheme.

Iceland

• The Ministry of Justice has announced publication of a bill on the government’s consultation portal to amend the law on residence permits for foreigners. The amendments primarily concern people from countries outside the European Economic Area, and the purpose is to bring the legislation closer to that in force in other Nordic countries.

Lithuania

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that, effective November 1, 2026, nationals and permanent residents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan intending to travel to Lithuania for studies or other long-term stay purposes will be able to submit applications to the Migration Department for the issuance of national (D) visas or temporary residence permits through the VFS Global Visa Application Center in Baku, Azerbaijan. This change does not apply to individuals applying for Schengen visas (Type C).

South Africa

• The Minister of Home Affairs has waived the requirement to file certain in-country visa extensions and change applications at least 60 days before an existing visa expires. The requirement generally affected visas valid for more than 90 days. Applicants seeking to extend a visa or change their visa status or conditions may now file closer to expiry, but they must submit their applications while their current visa remains valid. The waiver does not remove the separate filing deadline for shorter visas, including the seven-day deadline for visas valid for 30 days. 

Malaysia

• Malaysia has announced several significant immigration and investment measures as part of Budget 2027, aimed at strengthening the country’s position as a destination for global talent, remote workers, and multinational businesses. Effective January 1, 2027, spouses of expatriates holding a Category I Employment Pass will be permitted to work in Malaysia, subject to applicable conditions and requirements. The new policy applies to spouses who hold a Dependent Pass.
• The government also announced an extension for certain remote workers currently residing in Malaysia under the country’s digital nomad framework. Professionals holding a Professional Visit Pass (Nomad category) who have reached the current two-year limit will be eligible for an additional two-year extension, subject to compliance with program requirements and applicable conditions. The measure is expected to benefit remote workers and location-independent professionals who wish to continue living and working remotely from Malaysia.