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.
Bangladesh Restarts Visa Services at Missions in India, Paving Way for Cross-Border Travel
• Bangladesh missions in India resumed issuing all visa categories on 22 February 2026 after a two-month election-related suspension. • The decision follows renewed diplomatic engagement and is expected to restore medical tourism and small-scale trade, key revenue streams for Indian service providers. • Indian travellers should still expect limited appointment slots in the first week; outbound tourist visas for Bangladeshis remain curtailed.
France Makes Online Appointments and Biometrics Mandatory for All Visa Applicants Worldwide
• From 20 February 2026, France requires all visa applicants—including Indians—to file online via the France-Visas portal and secure a biometric appointment; walk-ins are abolished. • The reform, announced 22 February, aims to curb fraud and manage demand ahead of the Paris Olympics, but will lengthen lead times for business and leisure travel. • Indian firms must adjust mobility workflows; travellers who gave biometrics within 59 months still need an online reference but can skip re-enrolment.
Italy Unveils Digital E-Visa PDFs and 150 Biometric E-Gates Ahead of ETIAS Roll-out
• Italy will issue QR-coded PDF e-visas and install 150 biometric e-gates at major airports, starting July pilot tests and finishing by December 2026. • The 22 February announcement means Indian visa applicants will eventually stop receiving passport stickers; border officers will scan the code to verify entry rights. • Corporate travellers gain faster processing but must educate stakeholders about the new format during the transition.