DGCA overhauls refund rules, gives Indian flyers a 48-hour ‘cool-off’ window
UK scraps passport stickers: Indian travellers must switch to fully digital e-Visas
Indian Embassy warns tourists after influencer’s detention, clarifies Jeju Island visa-waiver rules
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SATTE 2026 opens with call for seamless visas and digital entry as India courts post-pandemic tourists
• India’s largest travel trade show opened on 26 February with 2,000+ exhibitors; the government touted e-Visa expansion and hinted at a Business Mobility Card for frequent travellers. • Panels emphasised full digitisation of all Indian visa classes by October 2026 and faster conference/medical visa processing. • The announcements point to rising inbound demand and new compliance opportunities for global mobility and travel-risk teams.
DGCA to plug staffing gap, advertises 38 consultant posts in airworthiness, safety and legal divisions
• Facing a 50 % vacancy rate, the DGCA on 26 February advertised 38 consultant positions in airworthiness, safety, training and legal wings. • Added manpower should speed up aircraft-lease approvals, route permits and safety audits—key to airlines’ capacity expansion and corporate flight operations. • The move accompanies a broader modernisation push, including e-filing of manuals and regional office upgrades.
UK switches to full-digital eVisas for Indian travellers, ending visa stickers
From 25 February 2026 all UK visas issued to Indian nationals became fully digital eVisas. Passports are no longer retained during processing and carriers must electronically verify permission to travel. Companies should revise compliance procedures and ensure employees keep their UKVI account synced with their current passport.
Japan makes appointments mandatory at five VFS centres in India from 2 March 2026
Japan has scrapped walk-in visa submissions at VFS Global centres in Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Puducherry and Bengaluru. From 2 March 2026 Indians heading to Japan must book an online appointment before lodging applications, increasing lead times for spring travel and corporate trips.
Indian Embassy warns tourists: Jeju’s visa-waiver ‘does not guarantee entry’
Following the high-profile detention of an Indian couple, the Indian Embassy in Seoul has clarified that Jeju Island’s visa-waiver is purely discretionary. Indian tourists must carry full documentation and understand that entry is not guaranteed; the waiver does not permit travel to mainland South Korea.
Egypt may raise visa-on-arrival fee to $30 from 1 March—20 % jump for Indian tourists
Egypt’s travel-agency association says the visa-on-arrival fee will rise from US$25 to US$30 on 1 March 2026, a 20 % increase that will hit Indian tourists and business travellers who pay in cash on arrival. Government confirmation is still pending, so companies should monitor updates and advise travellers to carry extra dollars.
UK eVisa means no more passport drop-offs: VFS Kolkata explains new process
VFS Global Kolkata has outlined the practical implications of the UK’s new eVisa: applicants keep their passports after biometrics, receive digital approval online and must ensure passport numbers stay synced. Businesses gain scheduling flexibility but need new record-keeping routines.