India and New Zealand issue Joint Statement that prioritises tourism, direct air links and mutual recognition of seafarer certificates
India and New Zealand sign Free Trade Agreement and launch Strategic Partnership, paving the way for easier business travel
Roadmap 2030: India–New Zealand Strategic Partnership sets measurable targets for student, skills and tourism mobility
Latest News
Modi courts New Zealand CEOs, touts FTA as gateway for ‘technology and talent mobility’
• In a CEO dialogue in Auckland, Prime Minister Modi framed the India–NZ Free Trade Agreement as an enabler of ‘technology and talent mobility’, signalling forthcoming visa-easing measures. • Proposals discussed include 90-day visa-on-arrival for APEC-style business-card holders and reciprocal multiple-entry e-visas for SMEs. • The messaging reinforces that workforce mobility will be a central plank of India’s broader trade strategy, giving multinationals a window to plan fast-track South-Pacific postings.
India Restores Five-Year e-Tourist Visa for Visitors from 156 Countries
India has reinstated its five-year multiple-entry e-tourist and regular tourist visas for nationals of 156 countries, effective 9 July 2026. The change removes a key pandemic-era barrier, giving frequent leisure and business travellers long-term, low-cost access to India and supporting the government’s ambitious tourism-recovery targets.
Home Minister Orders Immigration Modernisation and Passenger-Centric Upgrades at 62 Airports
At a 9 July review meeting, Home Minister Amit Shah set a two-year deadline to finish 62 aviation projects that prioritise faster security and immigration processing. Measures range from installing automated trays and expanding trusted-traveller lanes to opening new immigration checkpoints—steps that should meaningfully cut queue times for business travellers.
Australia Tells India: Tougher Student-Visa Rules Won’t Shut Out Genuine Applicants
During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Melbourne, Australia assured India that tougher integrity checks in its student-visa system aim to weed out fraud, not legitimate scholars. The pledge calms fears among Indian students and corporates that depend on Australian postgraduate programmes for talent development.
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.