Switzerland tightens visa regulations for Somalia and Guinea

What changed

The Swiss Federal Council has extended protection status S for people from Ukraine. This status will now last until 4 March 2028. The Council made this decision on 19 August 2026. A new rule also starts on 20 August 2026. New applicants for protection status S must follow their military duties in Ukraine. This rule applies to Ukrainian citizens who are old enough for military service, those on the reserve list, and those who joined the armed forces by choice. This new rule does not affect people who already have protection status S.

What changed

The Swiss Federal Council wants to change Asylum Ordinance 2. This change lets cantons set their own social assistance rules for people with protection status S who have lived in Switzerland for five years or more. It will start on 1 March 2027. This happens because the federal government will stop paying subsidies to cantons for this group on 1 January 2027. This decision is part of the 2027 relief package. Cantons can then make their support rules the same as for local people. Or they can keep lower benefits. Or they can set benefits somewhere in between. The federal government also plans to pay cantons a one-time amount of 1300 Swiss Francs. This is for emergency aid costs for each person whose protection status S is removed. This payment is only made if there is a legal decision to remove the person from Switzerland.

What changed

The UK government has updated its 'Government travel' rules. Starting 3 August 2026, India joined the list of countries. Diplomatic passport holders from these countries can use the Diplomatic Visa Arrangement (DVA). The DVA is a specific type of visitor visa. Also, on 12 August 2026, new information was added. This information says that diplomats or people with diplomatic, official, or service passports must usually get permission to enter the UK if their reason for travel is not listed. They are not automatically free from UK immigration control. They will generally need a Standard Visitor visa. If they are from a country whose citizens need a visa to enter the UK, they must apply for this visa.

What changed

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is changing how people apply for visitor visas. From 24 September 2026, people must use INZ's better online system, called Immigration Online, for most new visitor visa applications. This includes standard, business, academic, and many special visitor visas. The old online system will not let people start new applications for these visas after this date. By 8 October 2026, the specific application forms in the old system will close. Any draft applications that have not been sent will be deleted. If people still want to apply, they must start again in the better system.