The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) on 8 October released a fresh review of its India travel advisory, retaining ‘against all travel’ warnings for parts of Jammu & Kashmir and the immediate Pakistan border but adding new cautions on scams, trekking permits and health-screening paperwork. The bulletin, current as of 8 October 2026, specifically reminds visitors that the Wagah–Attari land crossing remains closed except for the evening retreat ceremony, and that ethnic violence in Manipur continues to trigger curfews. Of particular interest to corporate travellers is the expanded section on “Global travel impacts from the Middle-East crisis”. The FCDO notes that air-space reroutes have caused significant delays on Europe–India sectors and urges passengers to monitor airlines for last-minute diversions. Companies with time-sensitive assignee movements are advised to build wider layovers or consider non-Gulf routings. The update also references India’s newly relaunched Air Suvidha 2.0 portal and mandatory electronic arrival card for foreign nationals—including OCI cardholders—underlining that health and immigration declarations are separate requirements. Failure to complete them can result in denied boarding or prolonged queues at Indian airports. British insurers typically exclude cover when travellers ignore official advisories; mobility managers should therefore audit itineraries that enter the restricted 10-km Pakistan border zone or portions of Jammu & Kashmir. Duty-of-care protocols may need to be re-validated, especially for project personnel in Ladakh or infrastructure teams transiting volatile areas. Although the overall risk rating for India remains at ‘some areas high risk’, the FCDO’s nuanced language suggests that routine business travel to major metros is still considered safe provided travellers comply with documentation and monitor local developments.
Source: GOV.UK – Foreign Travel Advice
