Thailand approves 30-day visa-exempt entry for Indian travellers
‘Well-oiled’ labour pipeline moves undocumented Bangladeshi workers into India, says TOI investigation
Indian Supreme Court Upholds Tender Ruling, Ensures Continuity of Passport & Visa Services Overseas
Latest News
Supreme Court to rule on contract dispute that threatens passport & visa services at four key Indian missions
A High Court decision cancelling the outsourced CPV contract for Indian missions in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Singapore and Canberra has halted key passport and visa services. The Supreme Court will hear the government’s appeal on 20 July. Multinationals employing large numbers of Indians in these jurisdictions risk compliance gaps and should plan for extended processing times.
VFS suspends Indian visa & passport applications in Australia after tender dispute
Indian passport and visa processing in Australia has ground to a halt after VFS Global froze new applications, citing the cancelled MEA outsourcing tender. Thousands of travellers and expatriates face missed deadlines and costly work-arounds until a fresh contract is awarded, highlighting supply-chain risk in India’s overseas consular network.
Visa and passport services grind to a halt in Australia after Indian tender dispute
Following court-mandated cancellation of India’s overseas consular tender, VFS Global has halted all new passport and visa applications in Australia. The Economic Times reports widespread travel and immigration disruption, with some applicants flying to India to bypass the backlog. Companies should budget for delays until the MEA appoints an interim or successor service provider.
Indian Embassy in Tehran urges nationals to postpone travel amid escalating Iran conflict
Citing a rapidly deteriorating security environment, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has told citizens to postpone travel to Iran and urged those already there to leave if possible. The advisory forces Indian companies with staff or business interests in Iran to activate contingency plans and may delay forthcoming trade missions.
Air Suvidha 2.0: India makes online health self-declaration mandatory for all international arrivals
An advisory dated 20 July 2026 confirms that India’s Air Suvidha 2.0 health self-declaration is now mandatory for every international passenger before boarding. The digital form links directly to immigration systems, accelerating clearance but imposing a new compliance step for travellers and corporates. Non-compliance can lead to denied boarding or quarantine.
Supreme Court upholds Delhi High Court ruling, directing fresh tenders for India’s overseas visa-processing contracts
India’s Supreme Court on 20 July 2026 dismissed the Centre’s appeal and upheld a Delhi High Court decision that nullified tenders for outsourcing passport and visa services at four Indian missions. The Court allowed stop-gap arrangements but ordered the MEA to issue fresh, transparent tenders within three months, signalling near-term service disruptions but long-term process reform. Mobility teams should plan for delays at missions in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Singapore and Canberra.
Tanzania mission reminds certain nationals of mandatory 2-month gap between India visits
India’s Dar es Salaam mission has restated that tourists from seven high-risk countries must leave a 60-day gap between visits unless exempted. The reminder indicates stricter enforcement and could disrupt back-to-back trips for consultants or relatives of expatriate workers. Sponsors should plan itineraries carefully and apply early for FRRO exemptions where necessary.
India advises citizens to postpone all travel to Iran amid escalating conflict
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has told Indians to postpone all travel to Iran and advised those already there to consider leaving due to rising violence and US-Iran tensions. The notice immediately affects business-travel approvals, project deployments and insurance coverage for Indian companies with interests in Iran. Mobility teams should track staff, review evacuation options and update risk-assessment protocols.
UK Updates India Travel Advisory: e-OCI Recognised, Ebola Screening Added
The UK’s 20 July FCDO update confirms that India’s new electronic OCI card is fully accepted at immigration, while also flagging mandatory Ebola health-screening and self-declaration for all arrivals. Employers moving staff between the UK and India should update documentation procedures and brief travellers on the new health and security requirements.
Indian missions worldwide renew warning against fake e-Visa websites
Several Indian embassies have re-issued synchronized advisories warning of a surge in fake e-Visa websites. Travellers are told to use only the official indianvisaonline.gov.in portal. Firms should update travel policies, block rogue domains and double-check visa confirmations to avoid costly disruptions.
Supreme Court upholds Delhi HC order scrapping MEA’s global visa-outsourcing tender
India’s Supreme Court has confirmed the Delhi HC decision voiding the MEA’s tender for outsourcing passport and visa services in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Singapore and Canberra. Interim suppliers may remain but the MEA must issue a fresh, transparent tender within three months, meaning short-term disruptions and longer processing times are likely. The ruling forces the government to tighten procurement practices and could reshape how India delivers consular services abroad.
Indian Consulate in São Paulo warns travellers against fake e-Tourist-Visa websites
India’s São Paulo Consulate has issued an alert about three fraudulent e-visa portals that charge excessive fees and issue invalid documents. Corporates and travellers must ensure they apply only on indianvisaonline.gov.in or risk being denied boarding or entry.
Indian Consulate in São Paulo Warns of Surge in Fake E-Tourist-Visa Websites
India’s São Paulo Consulate has flagged a wave of bogus e-Visa websites copying official branding and tricking travellers into overpaying or receiving invalid documents. Businesses and tourists are advised to use only the government’s e-Visa portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in) and incorporate the verified link into corporate travel policies.
India reiterates two-month cooling-off rule for repeat tourist-visa entries from high-risk countries
A 20 July 2026 notice from India’s mission in Tanzania reiterates the longstanding requirement that certain nationals (Afghanistan, China, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sudan, Bangladesh and stateless persons) must leave at least 60 days between tourist-visa entries. Mobility planners must build the gap into multi-country itineraries or seek alternative visa categories.
Government formally launches digital e-OCI card and links it to Trusted Traveller e-gates
All new OCI cards are now issued digitally, and e-OCI holders are eligible to use India’s FTI-TTP e-gates. The reform cuts paperwork, ties OCI status to fast-track immigration and reduces connection-time volatility for business travellers.
India eases in-country OCI application requirements, scrapping Residency Permit
India has dropped the Residency Permit requirement for OCI applications lodged inside the country. Applicants now only need a long-duration visa with three months’ validity, plus the usual proof of Indian origin and address. The move simplifies life for foreign business travellers and assignees of Indian origin and dovetails with the government’s new digital e-OCI card.
India vows to press Washington on new U.S. visa restrictions affecting students and professionals
The MEA said on 18 July that it will raise America’s new ‘fixed-period’ admission rule for F, J and I visa holders with U.S. authorities. The DHS change could oblige thousands of Indian students and professionals to seek mid-programme extensions, adding cost and uncertainty. India hopes to negotiate mitigations in upcoming bilateral mobility talks, a key issue for universities and tech employers.
MEA says India will press Washington over new US student-visa time limits
India’s foreign ministry will lobby the US over proposed fixed-term admissions for F, J and I visa categories, warning that the change could disrupt Indian students and their dependants. Companies counting on OPT graduates for US assignments should track the rule-making closely.
India engages Washington on new U.S. visa-duration rule for students and media
New Delhi has opened formal talks with Washington after the U.S. finalised a rule limiting F-1, J-1 and I visas to a fixed four-year stay. India is pushing for grace periods and STEM exemptions to protect more than 320,000 students, thousands of exchange visitors and foreign correspondents. Companies should prepare for mid-course extension filings and possible cost increases.
Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme enters Phase 2 rollout
Phase 2 of India’s Trusted Traveller Programme is underway, bringing e-gates to seven additional airports and laying groundwork for reciprocal fast-track agreements with the US and Singapore. Mobility teams can now enrol more staff and cut airport dwell times nationwide.
U.K. updates India travel advice: Ebola self-declaration & e-OCI recognition now mandatory
A 18 July FCDO bulletin adds two new India entry notes: (1) a mandatory online self-declaration for Ebola screening must be filed within 24 hours of travel; and (2) India’s new digital-only e-OCI card is now fully accepted at all immigration checkpoints. The update streamlines OCI travel but adds a health-compliance step for all inbound passengers.
India–EU Trade & Technology Council backs pilot to link EU Digital Identity Wallet with DigiLocker
The India-EU TTC has authorised a six-month pilot to make the EU Digital Identity Wallet interoperable with India’s DigiLocker, enabling instant cross-border verification of passports and credentials. The project promises faster immigration clearance and simpler KYC for business travellers, and could set a global template for trusted digital documents.
Indian Consulate warns of surge in fake e-Visa websites after phishing spike
India’s San Francisco consulate has flagged a wave of fraudulent e-Visa portals and published a blacklist of URLs. Mobility managers must steer travellers to the only official site, indianvisaonline.gov.in, to avoid data theft and invalid visas.
India drops residency-permit requirement in latest OCI card rule change
A 18 July Financial Express report confirms that OCI applicants no longer need to upload their local Registration Certificate/Residence Permit; the IVFRT system will verify status automatically. The simplification cuts paperwork for foreign professionals and aligns with India’s broader e-OCI digitisation drive.
Gold-smuggling ring with airport insiders busted at Mumbai; 6 arrested
DRI officers seized ₹7.49 crore in smuggled gold and arrested six people, including airport staff, at Mumbai airport on 18 July. Expect tighter baggage and transit screening nationwide in the coming weeks.
Indian Consulate in San Francisco warns travellers about surge in fake e-visa websites
On 18 July the Indian Consulate in San Francisco published an advisory listing fake e-visa websites that are duping travellers. HR and travel managers should steer assignees to the sole official portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in, to avoid data theft and trip disruptions.
UK updates India travel advice: Ebola self-declaration and e-OCI clarifications
The FCDO’s 18 July update introduces a mandatory online health self-declaration for Ebola screening and clarifies documentation rules for the new electronic OCI card. UK and other foreign travellers to India must submit the form within 24 hours pre-departure and carry the resulting QR code, or face delays and potential quarantine. Mobility teams should adapt pre-trip processes immediately.
President Murmu’s Eastern Europe tour to spotlight new mobility corridors for Indian business
President Droupadi Murmu’s 19-25 July trip to Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania includes business forums and visa-facilitation talks that could create faster entry routes for Indian ICT workers, healthcare staff and film crews into Eastern Europe. Companies eyeing the region should watch for new fast-track visa schemes and air-services negotiations.
Customs refreshes traveller allowances as Baggage Rules 2026 go live online
CBIC’s traveller portal was updated on 18 July to operationalise the Baggage Rules 2026, raising duty-free limits, adding a laptop exemption and launching an online e-declaration tool. The changes simplify arrivals for business travellers but require policy updates, especially for land-border movements.
Luxembourg Embassy reminds Indian applicants: Schengen visas can be filed 6 months ahead
Luxembourg’s VFS centre in India has formally reminded travellers that Schengen applications can be lodged six months in advance—useful intelligence as autumn conference season approaches.