Passport Fees Hiked: Adult 36-Page Booklet to Cost ₹2,500 From 1 July 2026
Government details nationwide roll-out of chip-enabled Indian ePassports
India to Resume Tourist Visa Processing for Bangladeshi Nationals From 28 June 2026
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India Launches Hub-and-Spoke ‘Easy Connect’ Model—Varanasi Becomes First Spoke Airport
Air India’s inaugural ‘Easy Connect’ flight from Varanasi to Delhi on 25 June marks India’s first hub-and-spoke international transfer system, enabling travellers from smaller cities to clear immigration at origin airports and connect seamlessly abroad. The model could redirect billions in transit traffic back to Indian carriers and save business travellers hours in connection time.
Bureau of Civil Aviation Security Issues Updated Passenger Security & Travel Guidelines Ahead of Summer Rush
India’s aviation-security regulator has issued a fresh set of passenger guidelines covering power banks, liquids and electronics, aiming to cut secondary inspections during the peak-summer rush. Corporates should update employee travel handbooks to avoid costly delays and spot fines.
DGCA probes Air India flight that entered Pakistani airspace during Amritsar go-around
An aborted landing led an Air India A321 to stray briefly into Pakistani airspace, prompting India’s DGCA to ground the crew and order a probe. The safety-related incursion highlights continuing sensitivities around the closed India-Pakistan air corridor and may lead to tighter ATC procedures and schedule buffers for North-India flights.
India to Resume Tourist Visas for Bangladeshis from 28 June
After nearly two years, India will restart issuing regular tourist visas to Bangladeshi nationals on 28 June 2026, according to High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi. The move restores a critical mobility channel for trade, healthcare and family visits and is expected to boost border-region economies on both sides. Businesses should prepare for an initial processing backlog as visa centres scale up.
India Relaunches Air Suvidha Portal to Screen Arrivals from Ebola-Hit Nations
India has re-introduced its Air Suvidha online health-declaration platform to screen passengers arriving from Ebola-affected countries. The digital form, mandatory within 72 hours of departure, integrates with immigration systems to streamline arrivals while bolstering public-health surveillance.
India hikes passport application fees for the first time in 14 years
From 1 July 2026 the cost of an Indian passport will rise by ₹1,000-2,000 across all categories, the first revision since 2012. The MEA says higher fees will fund e-passport and security upgrades. Employers must budget for steeper costs on renewals, Tatkaal applications and police-clearance services.
No Regular H-1B Interview Slots for Indians in 2026—Appointments Pushed to 2027
Updated US scheduling data show zero regular H-1B visa interview slots at any US consulate in India for the rest of 2026, pushing appointments into 2027. The unprecedented backlog jeopardises onsite staffing plans for Indian tech firms and forces employers and employees to build costly work-around strategies.
MEA clarifies passports are travel documents, unveils Human Resource Mobility Forum
On Passport Seva Divas, the MEA reiterated that passports prove identity abroad but not citizenship at home, even as it celebrates issuing 14.7 million chip-enabled e-passports. The ministry also announced a 30 June–1 July Human Resource Mobility Forum with five partner countries to create safer, faster overseas work channels for Indians. The twin moves signal Delhi’s intent to make passports more secure while expanding legal migration pathways—important news for employers running Indian outbound assignments.
Piyush Goyal heads to London to finalise India–UK mobility chapter before trade pact launch
Ahead of the India–UK CETA’s 15 July start, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will meet UK counterparts in London to finalise implementation of the deal’s Double Contribution Convention. The social-security pact will cut duplicate payroll taxes and introduce express visa processing for short-term assignees, giving companies new incentives to deploy Indian talent to Britain and vice-versa.
Haldia Port Notified as India’s 41st Seaport Immigration Check-Point
A 22 June MHA notification—published 24 June—elevates Haldia Dock Complex (West Bengal) to a full-fledged seaport immigration check-point. The change lets foreign ships, crew and passengers clear immigration locally instead of detouring to Kolkata, boosting eastern India’s trade and cruise potential while supporting Sagarmala modernisation goals.
Passport Seva Programme 2.0 and e-Passports put digital muscle behind India’s mobility push
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar confirmed the full roll-out of Passport Seva Programme 2.0 and chip-based e-passports, supported by a nationwide network of 544 service centres and India Post outlets. Faster processing, stronger security and global e-gate compatibility will make international travel easier for Indian business travellers and expatriates.
US consulates run out of H-1B visa stamping slots for 2026, pushing Indian professionals into 2027 queue
Data compiled on 24 June show no regular H-1B visa interview slots available at US consulates in India for the whole of 2026, with appointments slipping into 2027. The backlog could disrupt staffing for US projects and forces companies to explore stop-gap immigration or near-shoring solutions.
Indian Embassy Re-Issues ‘Avoid Non-Essential Travel’ Advisory for Iran
On 24 June the Indian Embassy in Tehran renewed its call for citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran despite “improving conditions”. Mandatory registration, heightened vigilance and dedicated emergency hotlines are emphasised. The notice lets business-critical trips proceed but signals that security and insurance risks remain elevated.
Air India to connect Guwahati directly with Abu Dhabi and Dubai from 4 August
Air India will begin Guwahati–Dubai and Guwahati–Abu Dhabi flights on 4 August, giving Northeast India its first direct air link to the Gulf. The routes cut travel times for expatriate workers and create new options for companies shuttling staff between Assam and UAE project sites.
Piyush Goyal Heads to London to Finalise India-UK CETA Mobility Chapters
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will be in London 25–27 June to hammer out last-mile procedures for the India-UK CETA, notably business-mobility provisions on visas, professional qualifications and a trusted-employer fast track. Firms should expect practical guidance before the agreement’s 15 July start date.
Adani Mundra Airport’s first scheduled flights boost Kutch’s business travel options
Adani Mundra Airport began scheduled flights to Mumbai and Goa on 24 June, with more domestic routes to follow. The air-sea-land hub will speed access to the vast Mundra port and SEZ complex, reducing travel time for business travellers and boosting Kutch’s attractiveness for foreign-invested projects.
Supreme Court Seeks Centre’s Reply on Limiting Aadhaar Use to Identity—Not Citizenship
Updated on 24 June, a PIL before India’s Supreme Court seeks to restrict Aadhaar’s evidentiary value to basic identity, saying officials misuse it to prove citizenship and residence. The court has issued notices to the Centre and states, a move that could reshape the document set foreign nationals must present for long-term visa and FRRO registrations.