Global immigration and travel updates

18 Dec 2025

Key changes in US, UK, and Ireland rules and holiday office closures worldwide

US May Require Tourists to Share Social Media History

The United States is considering new rules that would require all visitors, including those from Britain travelling on an ESTA, to hand over five years of social media activity before being allowed in. Customs and Border Protection says the information would be compulsory, along with past email addresses, phone numbers and details of close family members. ESTA applicants may also be asked to submit a selfie and full biometric data, including DNA and iris scans, rather than just the fingerprints and facial images currently taken at the border.

The proposals come as concerns over free speech continue to grow. Since Donald Trump took office, some travellers have reportedly been refused entry because of posts found on their phones, including a French scientist who criticised the former president. Although Mr Trump has promised to defend free expression, controversies have persisted, such as the brief suspension of Jimmy Kimmel after comments about Charlie Kirk’s death. The plans are now open for public feedback.

UK to Fully Enforce ETA Requirement from February 2026

From 25 February 2026, the UK will fully enforce its ETA system for travellers who previously entered without advance permission. Anyone from a visa-free country, including the US, Canada and EU states, will need an approved ETA before boarding, unless exempt. The ETA is not a visa but a digital pre-travel check allowing the Home Office to review security and suitability concerns in advance. More than 19 million have already been issued since the scheme launched in 2023.

British and Irish citizens, as well as those holding a valid UK visa or eVisa, do not need an ETA. Dual British nationals are urged to travel on their British passport to avoid being stopped at check-in. Applications cost £16 via the ETA app and usually process quickly, though travellers should allow up to three working days. Without an ETA or eVisa, carriers will refuse boarding.

Ireland Publishes Roadmap for Employment Permit Salary Thresholds

From 1 March 2026, Ireland will implement higher Minimum Annual Remuneration (MAR) thresholds for Employment Permits, with further phased increases planned through 2030. The changes aim to keep pay in line with inflation, attract international talent, and give employers time to adjust.

Key thresholds for a 39-hour week will include: Critical Skills Employment Permits with a degree EUR 40,904, without a degree EUR 68,911; Intra-Company Transfer Permits EUR 49,523; General Employment Permits EUR 36,605, with lower-paid roles EUR 32,691; new categories for recent graduates: GEP EUR 34,009, CSEP EUR 36,848. Public-sector roles and certain community positions remain exempt.

All initial and renewal permit applications must meet these new thresholds. Employers should review salaries, update Labour Market Needs Test adverts where required, and plan for future increases in line with the government’s roadmap.

Worldwide Government Office Closures and Immigration Delays During the Holidays

Many government offices will close or operate with reduced staff during the holiday season, causing potential delays for work permits, visas, and residence permits. Employers and travellers should plan ahead and check with local authorities.

Albania: Dec 8, Dec 25, Jan 1-2
Algeria: Jan 1
Angola: Dec 24-25, Dec 31, Jan 1 (early closure Dec 24 & 31)
Argentina: Dec 25, Jan 1
Armenia: Dec 31-Jan 2, Jan 6
Australia: Dec 25-26, Jan 1; reduced staff Dec 29-31
Austria: Dec 8, 24-26, 31, Jan 1, 6
Azerbaijan: Dec 31-Jan 4
Bahamas: Dec 25-26, Jan 1
Bahrain: Jan 1
Bangladesh: Dec 16, 25
Barbados: Dec 25-26, Jan 1
Belarus: Dec 25-26, Jan 1-2, Jan 7
Belgium: Brussels & Flanders: Dec 25-Jan 1; Wallonia: Dec 25-26, Jan 1
Bermuda: Dec 25-26, Jan 1; early Dec 24
Bolivia: Dec 25, Jan 1; early Dec 24 & 31
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Dec 25, Jan 1-2, Jan 7
Botswana: Dec 25-26, Jan 1-2; slow service from Dec 22
Brazil: Dec 24-25, 31, Jan 1; reduced staff Dec 26, Jan 2
Brunei: Dec 25, Jan 1
Bulgaria: Dec 24-26, Dec 31-Jan 2
Cameroon: Dec 25, Jan 1
Canada: Dec 25-26, Jan 1; reduced staff Dec 24 & 31
Cayman Islands: Dec 25-26, Jan 1; early Dec 24
Chile: Dec 25, Jan 1; early Dec 24 & 31
China: Jan 1-3
Colombia: Dec 25, Jan 1; early Dec 24 & 31
Costa Rica: Dec 22-Jan 2 (pending)
Cote d’Ivoire: Dec 25, Jan 1
Croatia: Dec 25-26, Jan 1, 6
Cyprus: Dec 25-26, Jan 1, 6
Czech Republic: Dec 24-26, Jan 1
Democratic Republic of Congo: Dec 25, Jan 1, 4, 16-17
Denmark: Dec 23-Jan 5; no biometrics
Dominican Republic: Dec 24-25, 31, Jan 1
Ecuador: Dec 25, Jan 1-2
Egypt: No closures
El Salvador: Dec 23-Jan 1
Estonia: Dec 24-26, Jan 1
Ethiopia: Jan 6-7, Jan 19
Fiji: Dec 25-26, Jan 1
Finland: Dec 24-26, Jan 1, 6 (pending)
France: Dec 25, Jan 1
Georgia: Jan 1-2, 7
Germany: Dec 25-26, Jan 1; regional closures Dec 24, 27, 31, Jan 6
Ghana: Dec 25-26, 31, Jan 1
Greece: Dec 25-26, Jan 1, 6
Guatemala: Dec 24-25, 31, Jan 1
Guyana: Dec 25-26, Jan 1
Honduras: Dec 24-26, 31, Jan 1-2
Hong Kong: Dec 25-26, Jan 1
Hungary: Dec 24-26, Jan 1-2; Immigration closed Dec 29-31
Iceland: Dec 24-26, 31, Jan 1
India: Dec 25
Indonesia: Dec 25-26, Jan 1
Iraq/Kurdistan: Dec 25, Jan 1 (official pending); Iraq Jan 1
Ireland: Dec 25-26, Jan 1
Israel: Half day Dec 14, full Dec 21; reduced staff Dec 14-30
Italy: Dec 25-26, Jan 1, 6
Japan: Dec 29-Jan 4
Jordan: Dec 25, Jan 1
Kazakhstan: Dec 16, Jan 1-2, 7; no documents Dec 31
Kenya: Dec 12, 25-26, Jan 1; slow service
Kosovo: Dec 25, Jan 1-2, 7
Kuwait: Jan 1
Kyrgyzstan: Jan 1-7
Latvia: Dec 24-26, Dec 31-Jan 2; short days Dec 23 & 30
Lebanon: Dec 25, Jan 1 (pending)
Liechtenstein: Dec 24-26, Dec 31-Jan 2, Jan 6
Lithuania: Dec 24-26, Jan 1
Luxembourg: Afternoon Dec 24, Dec 25-26, Jan 1
North Macedonia: Dec 8, Jan 1, 7
Madagascar: Dec 25, Jan 1
Malaysia: Dec 25, Jan 1; early Dec 24 & 31 (pending)
Malta: Dec 25-26, Jan 1
Mauritius: Dec 25, Jan 1-2; early Dec 24 & 31
Mauritania: Dec 25, Jan 1
Moldova: Dec 25, Jan 1, 7
Mongolia: Dec 29, Jan 1
Montenegro: Jan 1-2, 6-8
Morocco: Jan 1
Mozambique: Dec 25, Jan 1; early Dec 24 & 31; skeletal staff
Myanmar: Dec 19, 25-26, Jan 1-2, 4
Namibia: Dec 25-26, Jan 1; reduced staff
Netherlands: Dec 25-26, Jan 1; reduced staff
Nepal: Dec 25, 30, Jan 11, 15, 19, 23, 30
New Zealand: Dec 25-26, Jan 1-2; reduced staff Dec 24, resume Jan 5
Norway: Dec 24-26, Dec 31, Jan 1
Oman/Qatar/Saudi Arabia: No closures
Pakistan: Dec 25 (pending)
Panama: Dec 25, Jan 1; early Dec 24 & 31
Paraguay/Peru: Dec 25-26, Jan 1
Philippines: Dec 8, 24-25, 30-31, Jan 1
Poland: Dec 24-26, Jan 1, 6; potential closures Dec 31 & Jan 5
Portugal: Dec 24-25, 31, Jan 1; vacation Dec 26, Jan 2
Romania: Dec 25-26, Jan 1-2, 6-7
Russia: Dec 31-Jan 9
Rwanda: Dec 25-26, 31, Jan 1-2
Senegal: Dec 25, Jan 1
Serbia: Jan 1-2, 7; reduced staff
Singapore: Dec 25, Jan 1
Slovakia: Dec 24-26, Jan 1
Slovenia: Dec 25-26, Jan 1-2
South Korea: Dec 25, Jan 1
South Africa: Dec 25-26, Jan 1; SAQA Dec 19-Jan 5
Spain: Dec 25; Barcelona Dec 26
Sri Lanka: Dec 25
Sweden: Dec 24-26, Dec 31-Jan 6
Switzerland: Various cantonal closures Dec 22/24-26, 31-Jan 5/6; federal Dec 24-Jan 5
Taiwan: Dec 25, Jan 1
Tanzania/Uganda: Dec 25-26, Jan 1; slow service
Thailand: Dec 5, 10, 31; Jan 1-2
Trinidad & Tobago: Dec 25-26, Jan 1
Tunisia/Turkey: Jan 1
UAE: Jan 1
UK: Dec 25-26, Jan 1; Scotland Jan 2; reduced staff
Uruguay: Dec 25, Jan 1
Uzbekistan: Jan 1; short day Dec 31