Japan Scraps Walk-In Visa Submissions in South India From 2 March
Bangladesh Restores Tourist Visas for Indians After Two-Month Freeze
Indian Embassy Warns: Jeju Visa-Free Entry Not Guaranteed
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Bangladesh Restarts Tourist Visas for Indians After Two-Month Suspension
Dhaka will resume issuing tourist visas to Indian citizens from 24 February 2026, ending a two-month halt that disrupted thousands of trips and dented bilateral tourism revenue. Missions in New Delhi, Agartala and Siliguri will handle up to 1,000 applications daily, though initial queues are expected. The restoration removes a barrier for leisure travellers and small-business visitors and signals warmer post-election ties between the neighbours.
Canadian Study-Permit Issuance to Indian Students Plunges by Half in 2025
IRCC statistics released on 23 February reveal a 50 percent year-on-year drop in study permits issued to Indian students in 2025, reflecting Canada’s aggressive cap on temporary residents and tougher financial and authenticity rules. The sharp fall disrupts education pipelines and forces students and employers to re-evaluate overseas-study strategies.
India’s DGCA Proposes Two-Year No-Fly Ban for Unruly Passengers
India’s civil-aviation regulator has floated draft rules that would let airlines place unruly passengers on a national no-fly list for up to two years, doubling current maximum bans. The consultation reflects a surge in in-flight incidents and seeks to create uniform sanctions and reporting across carriers. Multinationals should update travel-policy training as penalties could affect employee mobility.
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.