Armenia grants 180-day visa-free entry to eligible Indian residents of GCC, US and Europe
Tamil Nadu asks Delhi to waive passport and visa rules for 89,000 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees
NPCI rolls out “UPI One World” prepaid wallet for foreign visitors at India AI Impact Summit
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Delhi issues extensive traffic and access curbs for AI Impact Summit, urges air-rail passengers to reroute
Delhi Traffic Police have published route diversions and parking restrictions for 16–20 February as the AI Impact Summit welcomes high-profile foreign delegations. Travellers are urged to allow extra time to reach airports and railway stations, and companies are re-routing staff movements to avoid delays.
Mangaluru International Airport restores Gulf routes and adds capacity ahead of summer peak
From 1 March, Mangaluru International Airport will resume Muscat flights, restore daily Abu Dhabi services and add capacity to Dammam and Bahrain. The expansion benefits Gulf-based Indian expatriates and businesses that rely on direct west-coast connectivity.
Tamil Nadu seeks passport-and-visa waiver for 89,000 Sri Lankan Tamils in long-term limbo
Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister has asked the Union government to waive passport and visa rules for nearly 89,000 Sri Lankan Tamils who have lived in the state for up to 30 years. The request seeks to convert refugees into citizens or long-term visa holders, giving them legal status and work rights – a move that would also expand the state’s formal labour pool.
Indian passport rises 10 spots in Henley Index, but loses two visa-free destinations
India’s passport now ranks 75th globally, up ten places, according to the 2026 Henley Passport Index. However, the effective visa-free count for Indian nationals drops to 56 after Iran and Bolivia tightened entry rules. The upgrade signals stronger international perception but also highlights the need for closer itinerary planning by Indian leisure and corporate travellers.
Schengen bottlenecks trigger record-early Europe bookings from Gujarat
Lengthy Schengen visa queues – now up to two months just for an appointment – are forcing Gujarat residents to book European summer holidays unusually early and driving up package prices. The same delays are disrupting corporate travel and prompting a pivot to destinations with faster e-visa systems.
Saudi Arabia threatens SR 50,000 fine and jail for unreported visa overstays – Indian sponsors on alert
Saudi Arabia has warned that both visitors who overstay their visas and sponsors who fail to report them will be liable for fines up to SR 50,000, jail and deportation. Indian businesses deploying staff to the kingdom must now tighten exit-tracking processes to avoid hefty penalties.
Saudi sweep nets 21,000 residency and labour violators in one week, heightening compliance risks for Indian expats
Saudi enforcement teams arrested over 21,000 people for residency and labour offences in just one week, underscoring the kingdom’s zero-tolerance approach and raising compliance stakes for Indian companies and workers. Sponsors can face fines, jail and blacklisting if undocumented staff are discovered.
Government widens Passport Seva network in western Uttar Pradesh under PSP 2.0
Parliament learned that western Uttar Pradesh now has a greatly expanded passport infrastructure, featuring extra Passport Seva Kendras and 19 new Post-Office PSKs, all running on the upgraded Passport Seva 2.0 platform. The move shortens issuance times for residents and eases mobility planning for employers in the region.