Bangladesh Restarts Tourist Visas for Indians After Two-Month Suspension
Canadian Study-Permit Issuance to Indian Students Plunges by Half in 2025
India’s DGCA Proposes Two-Year No-Fly Ban for Unruly Passengers
Latest News
Japan Ends Walk-In Visa Submissions in Four Southern Indian Cities
From 2 March 2026, VFS Global will require online appointments for all Japan-visa submissions in Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad and Puducherry, abolishing walk-in filing. The measure aims to control queues amid record Indian demand and brings the south in line with other Indian cities where pre-booking is mandatory. Business travellers and students should reserve slots early to avoid itinerary disruptions.
Heavy Snowstorm Forces Air India to Cancel New York and Newark Flights
A severe snowstorm in the US Northeast has led Air India to cancel its Delhi–New York and Mumbai–Newark services scheduled for 24 February 2026. Affected passengers may refund, rebook or reroute, but onward connections could be disrupted. The incident underscores the need for contingency planning on high-volume India-US business routes during winter.
DGCA Scrutinises Pilot-Duty Exemptions Before Approving Summer Flight Schedule
India’s DGCA will approve summer 2026 flight schedules only after carriers prove they have enough pilot reserves, a reaction to recent staff-shortage-induced disruptions. Airlines must file detailed rosters and may face slot cuts if staffing is inadequate, potentially affecting capacity on key international business routes.
Greece Reopens Visa Application Centres Across India After One-Month Hiatus
The Greek Embassy has reopened all Schengen Visa Application Centres in India, effective 12 February 2026, restoring normal 15-day processing. Appointments are now mandatory and incomplete files will be refused on submission. The move removes a critical bottleneck for Indian leisure and business travellers and is expected to boost outbound demand to Greece this spring.
Japan Makes Prior Appointment Mandatory for Visa Submissions in Four Indian Cities From 2 March
From 2 March, Indians applying for Japanese visas in Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad and Puducherry must pre-book an appointment; walk-ins will no longer be accepted. The move aims to smooth application volumes amid surging demand and signals Japan’s broader push toward a more structured, eventually digital, visa system.
Bangladesh Missions in India to Resume Tourist Visa Issuance on 24 February
Bangladesh’s High Commission and consulates in India will restart issuing tourist visas on 24 February after a two-month security-related freeze. The reopening removes a major bottleneck for Indian holidaymakers, medical tourists and SMEs operating along the border.
Jeju Detention Incident Sparks Warnings on Visa-Free ‘Special Zones’ for Indian Passports
An Indian couple’s detention at Jeju Island for breaching South Korea’s zone-specific visa rules highlights how ‘visa-free’ can still carry hidden conditions. Experts urge Indian business and leisure travellers to scrutinise special-status regions and route flights carefully to avoid costly refusals.