Thailand doubles visa-free stay for Indians to 60 days, introduces 30-day extension
Huge gaps in US visitor-visa wait times across Indian consulates—Chennai at 1 month, Mumbai at 10
Delhi issues traffic-diversion plan for AI Impact Summit; business travellers warned to avoid Lutyens’ zone this evening
Latest News
Indian Embassy Paris schedules 21 February “pop-up” consular camp for passports, OCI and visa services
India’s embassy in Paris will run a special consular camp on 21 February to clear passport, OCI and visa backlogs. Pre-booked applicants can walk in between 09:30-15:00, promising faster document turnover ahead of the spring travel season.
IndiGo and Air India Express cut winter routes, Hindon terminal sees daily flights slump from 20 to 12
Route suspensions by IndiGo and Air India Express have cut Hindon terminal’s daily schedule from 20 flights to 12, raising reliability concerns for NCR business travellers. Airlines cite winter fog and operational limits, while authorities rush terminal upgrades and push for better landing aids.
Western Disturbance triggers rain, hail and fog alerts across North India—IMD tells travellers to brace for delays
IMD has issued rain, hail and strong-wind alerts for large parts of North India after showers hit Delhi early on 18 February. Travellers should anticipate flight and highway slow-downs, and corporates are urged to build weather buffers into itineraries.
Armenia grants 180-day visa-free entry to Indians holding Gulf, US or EU residence permits
Armenia has introduced a temporary visa-free regime for Indian citizens who hold valid residence permits from the US, EU/Schengen or GCC states. From 1 January to 1 July 2026, eligible Indians can stay in Armenia for up to 180 days without a visa, creating new options for business travel and tourism. Mobility teams should note the scheme’s six-month expiry and ensure residence permits remain valid for at least six months on entry.
UK opens India Young Professionals Scheme ballot, 3,000 visas up for grabs
The UK has opened the 17–19 February ballot for 3,000 India Young Professionals Scheme visas, allowing selected Indians aged 18-30 to live and work in Britain for two years without sponsorship. Employers should alert eligible staff to the 48-hour entry window and prepare for rapid onboarding of successful candidates.
VFS Global warns Indians to apply early and avoid fraud as peak travel season begins
VFS Global has asked Indian applicants to file visa requests well in advance and book appointments only through official channels, warning that last-minute demand fuels appointment-slot scams. Mobility managers should incorporate the 180-day filing window into travel planning to avoid delays and fraud losses.
Indian passport climbs to 75th on Henley Index but loses one visa-free destination
India rose ten spots to 75th in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, yet its visa-free tally edged down from 57 to 56 destinations after Iran and Bolivia withdrew waivers. The mixed picture highlights marketing gains but little change in practical travel freedom for business travellers.
Bengaluru pushes for in-city US visa services after envoy’s visit
US Ambassador Sergio Gor’s Bengaluru tour has reignited demands for a full-service American consulate with visa processing capabilities in India’s tech capital. Relief from travel and scheduling burdens would benefit thousands of business travellers and students.
Karnataka High Court seeks Centre’s reply on long-overdue visa extension for Sudanese student
The Karnataka High Court has asked the Union government to explain a 17-month delay in processing a Sudanese student’s visa-extension request, underscoring systemic FRRO backlogs and compliance risks for institutions hosting foreign nationals.