UAE and Bahrain Launch "One-Point Air Travelers" Project for Seamless Border Crossing

What changed

The UK Home Office and Border Force have started to introduce a new contactless eGate system in stages at UK airports, which began on 6 October 2026. This technological improvement lets eligible passengers clear border control using facial recognition. This means they no longer need to physically place their passport on the eGate reader for the first checks. The goal is to make arrivals quicker and smoother while still keeping border security strong. East Midlands Airport is the first to use this system, initially for British citizens, and it will be rolled out more widely to other airports and eligible nationalities in the coming months.

What changed

The Swedish Migration Agency has introduced a new Reception Act, effective from 1 October 2026, replacing the Act on the Reception of Asylum Seekers (LMA). This legislation broadens the eligibility for reception services to include individuals with enforceable return decisions and those previously discharged. Concurrently, it implements stringent measures such as county-level area restrictions and mandatory attendance or reporting obligations for applicants for international protection and returnees. The Act also tightens rules regarding daily allowances and restricts access to the labour market for asylum seekers.

What changed

As of 1 October 2026, Sweden will no longer recognise ordinary non-biometric passports issued by the Russian Federation. This means individuals holding such passports cannot use them for entry into Sweden or to obtain visas or residence permits for purposes such as study, visits, employment, or family reunification. A transitional arrangement allows for the acceptance of these passports until 31 December 2026, provided the holder has a valid visa or residence permit issued before 1 October 2026 by Sweden, another EU Member State, or another Schengen country. From 1 January 2027, this non-recognition will extend to Russian non-biometric diplomatic and service passports.

What changed

On 1 October 2026, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) announced that the UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme is no longer taking new applications. This scheme used to let people in France show their interest in legally coming to the UK. While new applications have stopped, if you had already submitted an expression of interest, you will still receive a decision in due course. This change means no new individuals can now try to enter the UK using this particular way.