Air India to Operate 58 West-Asia Flights on 12 March as Geopolitical Turmoil Continues
IRCC Data Shows India Visitor-Visa Wait Drops to 66 Days, 17-Day Improvement Since January
Australia Overhauls Subclass 407 Training Visa—Sequential Lodgement Rule Takes Effect Today
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Egypt raises visa-on-arrival fee to USD 30, Indian travellers among those affected
Egypt has increased its single-entry visa-on-arrival fee from USD 25 to USD 30, effective 1 March 2026. The hike applies at airports and land/sea borders but does not affect e-visas or multiple-entry stickers. Indian leisure and business travellers must therefore carry the exact fee in cash and adjust trip budgets accordingly. While the rise is modest, travel managers should update cost estimates and brief employees in advance.
Embassy in Bahrain issues SOP for Saudi transit visas as Indians weigh exit options
On 9 March 2026 India’s embassy in Bahrain issued an SOP explaining how stranded Indians can obtain 72- to 96-hour Saudi transit visas and exit the Kingdom by land before flying home. Travellers need confirmed onward tickets and must carry a note verbale from the Riyadh mission. Firms with staff in Bahrain should file transit requests promptly and budget for surface transport to Saudi Arabia.
India keeps Gulf corridor open: 50 flights scheduled despite West-Asia airspace turmoil
India’s aviation ministry says roughly 50 flights will run on 9 March between India and Gulf destinations, up slightly from the previous two days. Carriers are rerouting around conflict zones, and regulators are watching fares. The cautious ramp-up provides vital connectivity for Indian workers and businesses while regional tensions persist.
Indian mission in Qatar seeks details of tourists stranded by flight cancellations
After days of Gulf airspace disruption, India’s Doha embassy has asked stranded tourists to register online so it can coordinate evacuation via the Qatar–Saudi land border. Qatar has extended visa validity by one month, and land convoys to Riyadh are already under way. Indians awaiting flights should complete the form, keep documents handy and follow embassy channels for updates.
Indian Embassy in Riyadh issues safety advisory as regional tensions flare
On 8 March 2026 the Indian Embassy in Riyadh warned nationals in Saudi Arabia to stay alert amid renewed Middle-East conflict. Flights are largely operating but travellers should review schedules and keep embassy helpline numbers handy. Companies with employees in the Kingdom are advised to update crisis protocols and monitor further embassy updates.