India’s e-Visa platform now covers 167 countries, broadening digital access for tourists and business visitors
MEA issues travel advisory urging Indians to avoid non-essential trips to Iran amid nationwide protests
Over one million Indian workers in Canada risk losing status as bulk work-permit expiries collide with tighter rules
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South Korea extends short-term group-visa fee waiver for Indian tour parties until 30 June 2026
South Korea has renewed its C-3-2 group-visa fee waiver for Indian tour groups until 30 June 2026, trimming costs by about INR 1,050 per traveller and encouraging more MICE and leisure traffic. The move supports airlines planning additional India–Korea routes and highlights Seoul’s bid to capture Asia’s outbound group-tour segment.
Pune airport reinstates customs ‘green channel’, cutting clearance times for international arrivals
Pune International Airport has restored its customs green channel, allowing travellers with nothing to declare to exit more quickly. The move is expected to cut wait times, improve aircraft turnaround and could serve as a template for other fast-growing tier-2 airports.
India issues ‘avoid travel’ advisory for Venezuela amid escalating US-Venezuela conflict
The MEA has urged Indians to postpone all but essential travel to Venezuela following US military strikes and fears of civil unrest. Employers with staff on the ground are activating evacuation and duty-of-care plans, while airlines are rerouting flights to avoid Venezuelan airspace. The advisory raises insurance costs and complicates corporate travel itineraries, making immediate contingency planning critical for mobility managers.
‘Beautiful Act’ drives sharp hike in US visa fees; Indian applicants brace for higher costs and tougher vetting
US visa fees rose sharply on 1 January 2026 under the new “Beautiful Act”, adding a US$250 Integrity Fee and increasing other charges. Indian corporates face higher relocation budgets, stricter airline pre-boarding checks and deeper social-media vetting of employees. Mobility managers should re-forecast costs and prepare for processing delays.
Five Canadian immigration rule changes take effect, reshaping opportunities for Indian students and entrepreneurs
Canada implemented five major immigration tweaks on 1 January 2026 that directly impact Indian applicants: research students skip attestation letters, new Start-Up Visa filings are paused, Ontario bans ‘Canadian experience’ in job ads, and certified professionals enjoy faster inter-provincial mobility. Companies and education advisers should revise application strategies accordingly.
Thick fog paralyses Delhi airport: more than 60 flights cancelled and hundreds delayed
Dense fog reduced visibility below safe limits at Delhi’s IGI Airport on 4 January, cancelling or delaying hundreds of flights and causing network-wide knock-ons. Business and expatriate travellers face missed connections and cargo backlogs, highlighting the need for buffer time and contingency routing during North India’s winter season.
Delhi Police busts ₹150-crore visa-fraud racket; 130 arrests at IGI Airport in 2025 sweep
Delhi Police announced the arrest of 130-plus suspects in a ₹150-crore visa-fraud ring at IGI Airport. The operation combined document-forgery charges with aggressive financial probes, seizing property and bank assets. The case highlights the need for companies to use verified visa agents and conduct thorough document checks for travellers.
Eight visa-free gems for Indian travellers in 2026: Malaysia, Maldives lead the list
A Times of India feature lists eight destinations now offering Indian passport holders visa-free or easy-entry regimes for 2026, led by Malaysia, Maldives and Sri Lanka. The expanded access lowers planning friction for corporate retreats and short client visits but still requires attention to passport validity, insurance and business-visitor rules.