World Visa Academy – Daily Global Visa and Immigration Update

Date: 31/07/2026

Middle East (Gulf Region)
Renewed US-Iran Conflict Disrupts Flights and Visa Services
Big Alert
Travel Advisory / Consular Services

What it means:
Fresh US strikes on Iranian targets and Iran's renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz have triggered a new wave of flight cancellations across the Gulf as of 30 July. Qatar Airways has suspended passenger flights to Bahrain, Erbil and Kuwait through 31 July, and Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia and Gulf Air have all cancelled selected regional routes. British Airways has suspended Dubai, Bahrain, Amman and Tel Aviv services until 31 October, and several other international carriers have extended suspensions into September and October. Routine US visa services in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar remain suspended, a situation that has persisted since March.

Impact:
Consultants with clients travelling through or connecting via Gulf hubs should build in extra time, expect flight time increases of one to three hours due to rerouted airspace, and confirm status directly with airlines before departure. Anyone with a pending US visa interview booked in the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Qatar should be told that routine processing remains suspended with no announced resumption date, and should explore alternative posts such as Cairo or Ankara where possible.

Africa (25 Countries)
Final Day to Book Before US Visa Hub Shift
Breaking Alert
Visitor / Immigrant / Student Visas

What it means:
Today, 31 July, is the last day for applicants who already paid the US visa fee at one of the 25 African posts losing routine services to book an interview at their old post. From tomorrow, 1 August, routine visa processing for countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Mali and Niger moves permanently to regional hubs such as Accra, Nairobi, Lagos and Johannesburg.

Impact:
Consultants should reach out today to any client who paid an MRV fee at an affected post but has not yet booked, since fees are not refunded if no appointment is scheduled before the deadline. Starting tomorrow, all new bookings from these countries must go through the assigned regional hub, so consultants should confirm the correct hub for each client's home country now.

United States
DHS Asylum Interview Rule Now in Force
Active Alert
Asylum / Humanitarian Protection

What it means:
The interim final rule allowing USCIS asylum officers to skip the interview and refer certain applicants straight to immigration court, which took effect 28 July, remains in force and is drawing continued pushback from immigration lawyers. DHS says the rule targets cases where the existing file already suggests an applicant is ineligible or unlikely to win discretionary approval.

Impact:
Consultants should keep reviewing pending affirmative asylum files for completeness, since incomplete files are the ones most likely to be referred to court without an interview. Clients without legal representation remain the most exposed and should be prioritised for a case review this week.

United Kingdom
First Wave of New Immigration Rules Now In Effect
Effective Yesterday
EU Settlement Scheme / Family Permits

What it means:
The first wave of Statement of Changes HC 259 took legal effect yesterday, 30 July, covering amendments to the EU Settlement Scheme and EU Settlement Scheme Family Permit. The remaining changes across more than 30 sections of the Immigration Rules, including wider deportation powers, take effect on 3 August.

Impact:
Consultants should confirm which rule set applies to any EU Settlement Scheme or family permit case filed on or after 30 July, since the assessment basis has now changed. Clients with pending applications from before that date continue to be assessed under the prior rules, so file dates should be checked carefully before advising on outcomes.

United States
TPS Work Permits for Ethiopia and South Sudan at Risk of Lapsing
Reminder
Temporary Protected Status

What it means:
USCIS's short-term EAD extension for TPS holders from Ethiopia and South Sudan was set to expire yesterday, 30 July, while ongoing court litigation continues. No further extension had been confirmed as of this update. Somalia's extension expired 29 July and Burma's runs to 3 August.

Impact:
Consultants advising TPS holders from these countries should check the USCIS TPS webpage today for any new extension notice, and advise employers not to assume automatic renewal. Anyone whose EAD lapses without a fresh extension may temporarily lose work authorization until further guidance is issued.

Pro Tip for Immigration Consultants
During an active regional conflict, always check the airline's own advisory page and the relevant government's travel advisory separately, since flight schedules and formal travel guidance often update on different timelines and one can lag behind the other.