Bhogapuram green-field airport cleared as India’s newest international immigration check-post
India repatriates remains of tourists killed in Vietnam boat tragedy
Supreme Court mandates fair process in citizenship determinations
Latest News
Embassy notice reminds travellers of updated international-arrival rules
India’s embassy in the Philippines has reposted the Health Ministry’s updated arrival rules, highlighting mandatory self-declaration and possible Ebola screening. The reminder aims to avert documentation-related delays for travellers entering India from Manila and other Southeast-Asian gateways.
Employment-visa sub-categories reshuffled as India rolls out wider immigration overhaul
A 13 July government circular re-classifies Employment-visa categories, forces foreign nationals who will stay over 180 days to register with the FRRO before that time limit, activates Ebola-related travel screening and embeds the new e-OCI card in India’s immigration database. The changes tighten compliance and require immediate workflow updates for employers.
Piyush Goyal leads business delegation to Spain, Belgium and Finland
From 13-17 July, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is touring Spain, Belgium and Finland with a high-level business delegation to advance trade, investment and technology ties. Talks will cover faster visa pathways for Indian executives and engineers and greater mobility cooperation under the proposed India-EU free-trade pact—issues that could streamline future short-term assignments in Europe.
Piyush Goyal leads 50-member delegation to Spain, Belgium and Finland to scout trade and tech deals
India’s Commerce Minister is leading a high-powered delegation to Spain, Belgium and Finland from 13–17 July to push trade, technology and mobility initiatives. Talks on social-security pacts, reciprocal fast-track visas and expanded air connectivity could ease future postings of Indian professionals across Europe.
Germany updates family-reunification visa guidance as Indian demand surges
Germany published updated guidance on its Family Reunification Visa, detailing eligibility, document check-lists and typical processing times. The clarification is particularly relevant to Indian professionals on EU Blue Cards who plan to bring spouses or children, allowing employers to plan assignments and support paperwork more effectively.
India launches downloadable e-OCI card, ending need to carry physical booklet
From 13 July 2026 the Ministry of Home Affairs has begun issuing only electronic OCI cards. Existing card-holders can now generate a secure PDF version free of charge and present it at immigration instead of the physical booklet. The move slashes renewal formalities and reduces lost-document risk for business travellers of Indian origin.
India launches digital e-OCI card, ending need for physical booklet
India has replaced the paper Overseas Citizen of India booklet with a free, downloadable e-OCI card that can be shown on a phone or printed on plain paper. The digital credential is recognised at all airports and seaports, slashes re-issuance time and cost, and plugs into the IVFRT border-management platform. The change lowers compliance risk for companies moving Indian-origin talent and signals India’s broader push toward paperless immigration.
Supreme Court sends 27 Assam ‘foreigner’ cases back for fresh hearings, underscores due process
India’s Supreme Court has quashed 27 ‘foreigner’ declarations issued by Assam’s Tribunals, insisting that citizenship decisions follow a fair and lawful process. The order reduces legal uncertainty for residents and employers in the North-East, but could lengthen case queues as similar appeals arise. Companies planning transfers to Assam should budget extra time for documentation while authorities rehear the cases.
Supreme Court orders fresh hearings for 27 Assam residents declared ‘foreigners’
The Supreme Court on 13 July 2026 quashed 27 Foreigners Tribunal orders in Assam, ruling that citizenship status must be determined through a fair and lawful process. The cases return to the tribunals for fresh hearings, reinforcing procedural safeguards in India’s immigration enforcement regime.
AI platform claims to cut US visa-petition prep to 30 minutes
US start-up eazyPetition has unveiled an AI tool that promises to prepare employment-based US visa petitions in 30 minutes, targeting high-volume filers such as Indian IT firms. While the technology could reduce costs and speed up H-1B submissions, legal experts warn that human oversight remains critical.
New Zealand tightens visa rules: missing police certificate now a deal-breaker
Immigration New Zealand now requires police certificates to be lodged with every student or temporary-work-visa application, warning that missing documents can lead to refusal. Indian applicants and the firms that sponsor them must factor in PCC processing times to avoid costly delays.
India–New Zealand FTA promises smoother talent mobility and mutual recognition of skills
Signed on 11 July and taking effect next week, the India–New Zealand FTA introduces dedicated business-mobility visa quotas, skills-recognition frameworks and real-time processing pledges. While small in absolute numbers, the provisions lower barriers for Indian and Kiwi firms moving experts across borders.
Saudi Arabia’s new ‘Package Visa’ opens bundled e-visa, flight and hotel booking for Indians
A new Saudi ‘Package Visa’ lets Indian travellers receive an electronic tourist visa automatically when purchasing bundled flights and accommodation, slashing paperwork and processing time. The pilot, unveiled on 12 July, could accelerate leisure and site-visit traffic but remains limited to tourism-only purposes.
Indian missions in UAE tighten walk-in rules and launch new portal amid service-provider dispute
From 12 July, Indian embassies and consulates in the UAE require appointments through a newly launched portal and are limiting walk-in passport, visa and attestation services to emergencies, causing longer processing times for the large Indian expatriate community and their employers.