India Restores Five-Year e-Tourist Visa for Visitors from 156 Countries
Home Minister Orders Immigration Modernisation and Passenger-Centric Upgrades at 62 Airports
Australia Tells India: Tougher Student-Visa Rules Won’t Shut Out Genuine Applicants
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India–Australia Summit Reaffirms 2023 Migration and Mobility Partnership, Eyes Smoother Talent Flows
A detailed joint declaration from the 9 July India–Australia summit renews political backing for the 2023 Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement, signalling that both countries intend to expand managed pathways for young professionals, graduates and intra-company transferees while tightening controls on irregular migration.
India Waives e-Visa Fees for Citizens of Six Gulf States From 5 August
From 5 August 2026, citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will pay no government fee when applying for an Indian e-Tourist Visa. The move is designed to stimulate medical tourism and VFR traffic from the Gulf and should lower corporate travel costs on Gulf–India routes.
India to Expand e-Visa Access to 25 Additional Countries on 15 August
An Independence Day initiative will add 25 more nationalities to India’s e-Visa programme on 15 August 2026, bringing total eligibility to over 200 countries. The measure promises faster travel clearance for business and leisure visitors from newly added markets, boosting airline loads and hotel demand.
Mumbai airport back on schedule after three days of monsoon chaos
Operations at Mumbai’s international airport have returned to normal as of the morning of 9 July after rain-related disruptions earlier in the week. Travellers should still monitor schedules, but backlogs have been cleared and airlines have reinstated regular services.
Five-Year e-Tourist Visa Reinstated for Nationals of 156 Countries
India has resumed issuance and recognition of the five-year multiple-entry e-Tourist Visa for citizens of 156 countries. The visa allows stays of up to 180 days per visit and streamlines travel for repeat leisure and short-term business visitors. Corporations can again rely on the long-term e-TV to cut application costs and reduce trip lead-times.
UK Updates India Travel Advisory, Highlights Border Restrictions and New e-OCI Rules
Britain’s FCDO refreshed its India travel advice on 9 July 2026, reiterating ‘no travel’ guidance for areas within 10 km of the Pakistan border and updating entry-document information to include India’s new e-OCI card. Corporate travellers should confirm insurance validity for restricted zones and carry a digital or physical OCI copy at immigration.
India Restores Long-Duration Tourist Visas and Reopens e-Tourist Visa Portal
New government guidance dated 9 July 2026 restores all previously issued long-duration tourist visas and re-opens India’s e-Tourist Visa portal. Travellers with existing five- and ten-year paper visas may resume entry, while new e-Tourist Visas (30-day, one-year, five-year) are again being issued online. The move removes one of the last pandemic-era barriers to inbound travel and offers faster processing for corporate meetings and incentives.
Five-Year e-Tourist Visa Fully Restored for 156 Countries, Page Updated 9 July
An embassy notice updated on 9 July confirms that India’s five-year e-tourist visa is fully restored for 156 nationalities, with immediate application availability. The clarification ends pandemic-era ambiguity and is expected to boost repeat leisure and MICE travel, though land-border entry on e-visas is still prohibited.
Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme Gains Momentum With New Awareness Push
A 9 July explainer has thrust India’s FTI-TTP trusted-traveller scheme back into focus, outlining eligibility, application steps and expansion plans to seven more airports. The publicity suggests government intent to fast-track enrolment, offering business travellers Global-Entry-style clearance if they register early.