Government widens Portfolio Investment Route—any overseas individual can now buy Indian stocks
India Broadens Overseas Portfolio Investment Rules, Opening Doors for More Expatriates
Customs Issues Special Protocol for Export Cargo Forced to Return from Hormuz
Latest News
ICEGATE users warned of technical glitch rejecting ASEAN-FTA duty-free filings
A software error on 13–14 June is causing ICEGATE to reject duty-free import filings under the ASEAN–India FTA. Customs is working on a fix, but importers face clearance delays just ahead of a scheduled portal shutdown on 20 June.
Assam moves to link new Aadhaar enrolments with NRC data to curb illegal immigration
Assam will now screen every new adult Aadhaar request against the state’s citizenship register (NRC) before issuing the number. The step is aimed at stopping undocumented migrants from obtaining India’s 12-digit biometric ID, but it could delay service access for genuine residents and raises centre-state jurisdiction questions. Businesses may face onboarding delays and should plan alternate KYC options.
UK ‘One Login’ maintenance window tonight could stall Indian visa submissions
UK Visas and Immigration will take its ‘One Login’ identity system offline late tonight, halting Web-based ID checks for Indian applicants. Travellers are advised to finish submissions, download eVisa share codes or shift to the mobile app before 11 p.m. IST to avoid delays.
Shah tells high-level panel to map demographic shifts in India’s border districts
Home Minister Amit Shah has ordered India’s new high-level committee on demographic change to carry out field studies in border districts and metro areas to quantify illegal immigration and propose policy fixes. The panel’s findings could feed into tougher immigration laws and stricter employer-compliance regimes.
DigiYatra charts first overseas pilots, targets global travel-ID interoperability
DigiYatra, India’s facial-recognition airport-entry system, aims to run its first overseas pilots within six months, starting with Southeast Asian neighbours and potentially the EU. The cross-border version will use e-passport-based digital credentials, promising faster connections for Indian travellers but requiring complex privacy and immigration sign-offs.
India, Bangladesh Border Talks Tackle Illegal Crossings and Border Deaths
India and Bangladesh wrapped up high-level border talks on 13 June without a joint statement, underscoring frictions over illegal migration and civilian deaths. While both forces pledged better coordination, the lack of a public communiqué hints at unresolved issues that could trigger snap enforcement actions—affecting cargo flows and cross-border staff travel.
Embassy of India Names New Outsourcing Partner for Passport and Visa Services Across UAE
From 1 July 2026 Al Hind Tours & Travels LLC will replace BLS International and SGIVS Global as the outsourced provider of Indian passport, visa and consular services across the UAE. The Embassy of India has asked travellers and employers to shift bookings to the new portal and prepare for revised service-fee structures and centre locations during the July hand-over.
India shifts consular outsourcing in UAE to Al Hind Tours & Travels from 1 July
From 1 July 2026 the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi will channel all passport, visa and consular applications through a new partner, Al Hind Tours & Travels, replacing BLS International and SGIVS. The switch affects millions of Indian residents and employers in the UAE and will require companies to re-register bulk-submission accounts before the 30 June cut-off.
Stronger Rupee and Easier E-Visas Drive Indian Travellers to Off-Beat Central Asian and Caucasus Destinations
A stronger rupee and expanding e-visa access are pushing Indian holidaymakers toward off-beat, budget-friendly destinations such as Kyrgyzstan, Georgia and Laos, industry executives told the Financial Express on 13 June. The shift opens fresh options for corporate off-sites but requires careful flight planning and local-facility checks.
India Makes DigiYatra Biometric Transit Mandatory for International Departures at Four Hubs
DigiYatra facial-recognition clearance is now mandatory for international travellers at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The fully digital process promises faster queues but requires passengers to upload biometric data and boarding passes in advance, prompting corporate travel teams to tweak trip-booking workflows.
First Batch of 2026 Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrims Flagged Off; New Acclimatisation Centres Unveiled
The first 2026 batch of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims departed New Delhi on 13 June via the Nathu La route, backed by new high-altitude acclimatisation centres and improved road links. The smooth start suggests enhanced India–China coordination and revives a niche but symbolically important cross-border travel corridor.
India Makes DigiYatra Biometric Transit Mandatory for All International Departures at Four Major Airports
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has made DigiYatra facial-recognition transit compulsory for all international departures from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad as of 1 June 2026. Passengers must upload an Aadhaar-verified selfie and boarding pass to the DigiYatra app, after which dedicated e-gates replace paper checks. The move promises shorter queues and smoother connections but requires new pre-flight steps for business-travel planners.