Thailand grants 30-day visa-free entry to Indian travellers
Air India’s ‘Easy Connect’ turns Amritsar into a one-stop gateway to 27 cities worldwide
Mumbai Customs issues fresh Arrival Passenger Guidelines under new Baggage Rules 2026
Latest News
Thailand approves 30-day visa-free entry for Indians, targeting record arrivals in 2027
Bangkok has cleared a 30-day visa-free scheme for Indian tourists and business visitors. The waiver is expected to lift Indian arrivals to an unprecedented 2.7 million in 2027, offering corporates lower compliance costs and easier ASEAN access for short-term assignments, though longer-stay or work activities will still require pre-arranged visas.
South Africa introduces 48-hour Electronic Travel Authorisation for Indians
South Africa has gone live with a new Electronic Travel Authorisation that lets Indian citizens apply online and receive approval within 48 hours for visits up to 90 days. The digital permit, currently valid for arrivals at Johannesburg, Cape Town and Lanseria airports, removes the need to visit a visa application centre and is expected to streamline both leisure and short-term business travel. Companies should note that the ETA is strictly for non-remunerated stays; work assignments still need a separate visa.
Canada revises study-permit processing times; Indian wait now up to 12 weeks
IRCC’s latest update extends the standard study-permit processing window for Indian applicants to 8–12 weeks, citing high seasonal volumes. While the faster Student Direct Stream remains available, universities and sponsors must adjust onboarding plans for the fall semester. Other Canadian visa categories show stable timelines, but continued backlogs highlight the need for early, complete applications.
Mumbai Customs updates passenger baggage allowances, raises duty-free limit to ₹75,000
Mumbai’s airport customs authority has adopted India’s updated Baggage Rules, increasing the general duty-free allowance to ₹75,000 for eligible air passengers and clarifying declaration requirements. The change lowers import costs for assignees bringing personal tech or household items, but exclusions on items such as alcohol and gold remain intact.
India revises inbound Customs rules: higher duty-free limits and laptop exemption
India’s updated Customs Baggage Rules 2026—reflected in new arrival guidelines dated 28 July 2026—raise the duty-free personal allowance to ₹75,000 and allow every adult passenger to bring one new laptop duty-free. Enhanced transfer-of-residence limits benefit returning expatriates. The changes simplify entry formalities and may lower assignment costs for firms moving talent into India.
Yerevan mission reminds e-Visa travellers to carry old passport if using a new one
India’s embassy in Armenia has re-emphasised that e-Visa holders travelling on a new passport must also carry the old passport that appears on their ETA. Failure to do so can lead to denied boarding or entry. Companies should incorporate the rule into pre-departure checks for employees headed to India.
ICEGATE rolls out Section 18A post-clearance revision module to streamline import corrections
ICEGATE’s new Section 18A module lets importers and customs brokers correct declarations online after goods have cleared, cutting turnaround times for relocation and corporate shipments. While speeding up logistics, the self-revision system places greater onus on companies to ensure accurate initial filings.
UK Updates India Travel Advice: Mandatory Ebola Screening and e-OCI Documentation Added
On 27 July the UK FCDO added two India entry requirements to its travel advice: acceptance of the new electronic-OCI card in lieu of the paper booklet, and mandatory Ebola health screening with an online Self-Declaration Form for all arrivals. The move signals operational changes at Indian airports and requires companies to brief travellers on updated documentation and potential health-check delays.
UK Updates India Travel Advisory: e-OCI Guidance and Mandatory Health Self-Declaration Added
The UK’s latest India travel advisory adds two critical entry requirements: travellers holding Overseas Citizen of India status must now present the new digital e-OCI card, and all passengers—regardless of nationality—must file an online Self-Declaration Form via Air Suvidha 2.0 within 24 hours of departure. The changes tighten India’s pre-arrival screening and require immediate action from business travellers and mobility teams.
EU Clarifies Entry/Exit System Exemptions—Key Take-aways for Indian Travellers
The European Commission outlined who is—and is not—exempt from biometric registration under the new Schengen Entry/Exit System. Indian nationals with EU long-stay visas or residence cards are spared repeat scans, while those on standard short-stay visas must still enrol at border kiosks. The guidance helps Indian companies refine travel timelines and ensure compliance with the 90/180-day rule.
Nathu La Pass to Re-open: India–China Border Trade Resumes After Six-Year Hiatus
Akashvani News reports that India and China will restart border trade through Sikkim’s Nathu La Pass on 1 August 2026, the first time since Covid-19 closures in 2020. Enhanced infrastructure, RFID trader permits and a capped list of duty-free goods aim to double the corridor’s pre-pandemic trade while boosting local economies and offering companies a revived over-land route for goods and personnel.
India Grants Visa Extensions and Overstay Amnesty for Foreigners Affected by West-Asia Conflict
India has introduced a 30-day, fee-free visa extension and full overstay-penalty waiver for foreign nationals unable to depart because of West-Asia flight disruptions. Employers must regularise staff through the e-FRRO portal but can avoid fines and negative immigration histories while the regional crisis continues.
Mumbai Customs Updates Unaccompanied Baggage Rules; Extends Window for Pre-Arrival Shipments
Mumbai Customs has extended and clarified its rules for unaccompanied baggage: shipments may now arrive up to two months before or, with approval, up to a year after the traveller lands. The circular also formalises CPD vehicle imports and introduces e-filing for baggage declarations—changes that cut lead times for corporate relocations into India’s financial hub.
FRRO Jaipur Deports Nine Foreign Spa Workers in Largest Visa-Overstay Sweep of 2026
The FRRO in Jaipur deported nine foreign women working illegally in spa centres on expired visas, underscoring India’s stricter enforcement of immigration rules in the service sector. Businesses accommodating or hiring foreigners must verify visas and file C-Forms promptly to avoid fines, blacklisting and possible closure.
Embassy of India in Finland Makes Biometrics Mandatory for OCI-Through-Marriage Applications
India’s embassy in Helsinki now requires biometric capture for spouses seeking OCI status and offers postal delivery for the finished cards. The stricter identity check aims to curb document fraud and brings Finland in line with wider MEA standards, adding a new logistical step for Indian expatriate families.
Brazil Mission Updates OCI Document List, Adds Yellow-Fever Card Requirement
India’s embassy in Brazil has overhauled its OCI checklist, mandating Yellow Fever vaccination proof for applicants and clarifying document requirements for spouse cases. The update tightens health controls and streamlines processing, affecting Indian-origin residents and corporate assignees across South America.
Smoke Alert Forces Dubai–Mumbai IndiGo Flight to Divert to Rajkot; 194 Evacuated Safely
IndiGo’s Dubai–Mumbai service made an emergency landing in Rajkot after suspected smoke was detected, leading to the safe evacuation of 194 passengers. The diversion highlights ongoing lithium-battery risks and may prompt renewed DGCA scrutiny, affecting flight-safety protocols across India’s busiest international route.