Canada tightens language-test fraud checks, raising scrutiny for thousands of Indian applicants
India Relaunches “Air Suvidha 2.0” Health Declaration as Ebola Precaution
India Hikes Passport Fees From July 1, Raising Cost of Global Travel Planning
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Air Suvidha 2.0: India makes digital health form mandatory for all international arrivals amid Ebola alert
India has re-launched its Air Suvidha portal, requiring every incoming international passenger to complete a digital health declaration before boarding. The move—triggered by a WHO Ebola emergency—tightens border health controls while maintaining contactless processing for the country’s 30 million annual inbound flyers.
Air Suvidha 2.0 health-declaration portal made mandatory for all international arrivals amid Ebola alert
From 26 June 2026, India’s resurrected Air Suvidha 2.0 portal becomes compulsory for every inbound passenger. The digital form—triggered by the ongoing Ebola outbreak—feeds health data directly to immigration, aiming to protect public health while keeping arrivals contact-free. Failure to complete the form can lead to denied boarding and costly itinerary changes for business travellers.
India to Resume Regular Tourist Visas for Bangladeshis After Two-Year Suspension
From 28 June India will again issue tourist visas to Bangladeshi citizens, ending a 22-month freeze that hit bilateral tourism and short-term business visits. The phased reopening should revive hotel, aviation and medical-travel sectors, but initial quotas will be limited and documentation checks tightened.
Indian Expats in UAE Face Higher Passport Fees and New Single-Window Consular Centres
From 1 July Alhind will operate all Indian consular centres in the UAE, while passport fees rise sharply worldwide. A five-day handover freeze and higher costs mean Indian residents must plan renewals carefully, and employers with large Gulf workforces face immediate budget implications.
Passport Fees Hiked: Adult 36-Page Booklet to Cost ₹2,500 From 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026 India’s passport fees will jump sharply: a standard adult passport will cost ₹2,500 and Tatkal ₹5,000. The MEA says the hike funds e-passport technology and more PSKs, but businesses must adjust travel budgets and fast-track applications before the deadline.
Government details nationwide roll-out of chip-enabled Indian ePassports
India has moved from pilot to national deployment of RFID-based ePassports, allowing faster, more secure immigration processing for new passport holders. Existing booklets stay valid, but anyone applying for a fresh or renewed passport will receive an ePassport as PSKs come online.
India to Resume Tourist Visa Processing for Bangladeshi Nationals From 28 June 2026
India will once again accept tourist-visa applications from Bangladeshi citizens from 28 June 2026, ending a near two-year suspension that had slashed visitor numbers by 70 %. The decision, announced in Dhaka by High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, is expected to revive medical tourism, retail spending and cross-border transport links while signalling a diplomatic reset with Bangladesh’s new government.
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.