Brazil and China launch mutual visa-free travel
Effective May 11, 2026, Brazil granted visa-free entry to Chinese citizens holding valid ordinary passports for tourism, business, transit, and cultural events, permitting stays of up to 30 days through December 31, 2026. The arrangement operates on a reciprocity basis and does not allow extensions. The waiver is time-limited for now, but signals a broader warming of Brazil-China economic relations that could lead to a permanent arrangement.
Further info: https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202605/08/content_WS69fd90b4c6d00ca5f9a0ad29.html
Europe’s Entry/Exit System goes live across Schengen
The European Commission’s 2026 State of the Schengen Report confirmed the Entry/Exit System (EES) has already logged 66 million border crossings and flagged 32,000 inadmissible travelers in its first six months of operation. The system digitally tracks every non-EU national’s entries and exits across the Schengen zone, meaning overstays are now automatically detected, a fundamental shift for companies planning short-term assignments into EU territory. HR and mobility teams must update pre-departure screening workflows and ensure employees on business visitor status are acutely aware of their permitted day counts.
Romania rolls out unified digital work permit system
Romania implemented a new unified work permit system and online portal, centralizing what was previously a fragmented paper-based process into a single digital platform. The reform is part of a broader EU push toward digital-first immigration infrastructure and aims to cut processing times significantly for employers sponsoring foreign workers. For companies with operations or planned expansions in Romania, increasingly attractive as a nearshoring hub, this is a meaningful improvement to workforce planning timelines. Mobility managers should review workflows to take advantage of the new online submission process and verify whether pending or upcoming permits require adjustments under the new system.
Further info: https://etias.com/articles/romania-overhauls-visa-rules-for-foreign-workers