India says US PERM suspension will not hit existing H-1B visas but warns of green-card delays
Indian missions move fully to digital e-OCI card, ending physical booklet era
India waives overstay penalties and extends visas for foreigners stranded by West Asia conflict
Latest News
Australia updates India travel advisory: Ebola health form and e-Arrival Card now compulsory
DFAT’s latest Smartraveller update for India stresses that all inbound passengers must file the Air Suvidha 2.0 health declaration and the separate e-Arrival Card before departure. Non-compliance will cause delays or quarantine. Companies should amend India travel protocols, ensure travellers print both confirmations and check insurance coverage for epidemic-related costs.
Australia Reissues India Travel Advice, Highlights Mandatory e-Arrival Card and Ongoing Curfews in Manipur
DFAT’s latest Smartraveller update keeps India at ‘high-degree-of-caution’ but adds new warnings: completion of the e-Arrival Card is now strictly enforced and curfews in Manipur are intensifying. Australian employers must adjust mobility and insurance plans accordingly.
Australia reopens Work & Holiday visa streams—Indian applicants face separate ballot
Australia has reopened most Work & Holiday visa channels, but India’s quota continues to be managed by a once-a-year ballot. Successful Indian registrants may now lodge full applications, while others must wait until mid-2027.
Australia’s Smartraveller updates India advisory, stresses mandatory e-Arrival card
Australia’s latest travel advisory for India highlights strict enforcement of the e-Arrival card, after several travellers were off-loaded for non-compliance. Indian hosts should ensure foreign delegates complete the form and carry printed confirmations.
UK updates visa-processing dashboard: India YPS steady at three weeks, visitor delays persist
UKVI’s 9 October data refresh shows India’s Young Professionals Scheme visas still processed in three weeks, but standard visitors remain at six weeks or more. Businesses should build longer lead times or pay super-priority fees.
UK Updates Travel Advice for India, Highlights New Access-Permit and Health Guidance
On 8 October 2026 the UK government refreshed its India travel advisory, adding specifics on Protected/Restricted Area Permits, cyber-fraud risks and the reinstated Air Suvidha 2.0 health form. Although the overall risk level is unchanged, the details carry practical implications for British and other foreign nationals travelling on business assignments to India.
New Guidance Clarifies India’s e-Arrival Card and Air Suvidha 2.0 Requirements for UAE-to-India Travellers
A detailed 8 October 2026 NRI Affairs guide confirms that India’s online e-Arrival card is mandatory for foreign nationals *and* OCI holders, while the Air Suvidha 2.0 health form applies to all passengers. The dual-form requirement has caused recent border delays, so companies must add the 72-hour and 24-hour submission windows to pre-departure checklists, especially for staff flying from the UAE.
H-1B registrations by Indian employers plunge 38 % as new US fee regime looms
Economic Times data show Indian H-1B cap registrations for FY 2027 plunged 38 % amid looming fee hikes, wage-based selection and weaker US tech demand. Fewer approvals will force Indian IT companies to pivot to near-shore centres and alternative visa categories.
UK updates India travel advice, tightens guidance on permits and health risks
The UK FCDO reviewed its India travel advice on 8 October 2026, adding new warnings about Inner Line Permits, airport scams and private-hospital cash deposits, and reminding travellers to complete the mandatory e-Arrival Card via the Su-Swagatam app. Mobility managers must update pre-trip checklists and brief travellers accordingly.
‘Death by restriction’: New US compliance audits squeeze Indian IT contractors
Times of India reports aggressive DOL audits focusing on wage compliance and third-party placement, increasing revocation risks for H-1B holders from India. Indian IT firms need stronger audit defences and diversified mobility strategies.
UK Updates India Travel Advice, Tightens Warnings on Border Areas and Health Declarations
The UK FCDO’s 8 October update keeps existing ‘do not travel’ advisories for sensitive Indian regions but adds fresh notes on scams, trekking permits, Air Suvidha health declarations and potential flight disruptions linked to Middle-East air-space closures. UK corporates sending staff to India must check the revised guidance to avoid insurance invalidation and logistical headaches.
UK Immigration Rules Overhauled: New Visitor-Visa Scenarios Aim to Simplify Short-Term Business Trips from India
A Home Office Statement of Changes effective 8 October 2026 clarifies what short-term business activities Indians can perform in the UK on a visitor visa. New examples approve product installation, board meetings and brief academic work while reiterating the ban on substantive project delivery. The guidance offers welcome certainty but also warns of stricter audits, requiring mobility managers to tighten documentation.
India updates ‘Su-Swagatam’ visa-services app; e-Arrival Card now integrated
Indian missions announced an upgrade of the Su-Swagatam mobile app on 8 Oct 2026. Foreign travellers can now file the e-Arrival Card, pay fees and manage e-FRRO services in one place, streamlining compliance for business visitors and expatriates.
Houthi Missile Attack Forces Air India to Suspend Riyadh Flights, Embassy Issues Urgent Advisory
A Houthi missile strike on Riyadh airport on 8 October 2026 forced an Air India flight to return to Delhi and led Indian carriers to suspend all Riyadh services until 10 October. The Indian Embassy issued an urgent advisory for nationals in Saudi Arabia, while thousands of business and labour travellers face visa-expiry and project delays. The incident underscores the need for robust duty-of-care, flexible routing and close monitoring of Gulf security risks.
US Suspends PERM Green-Card Filings for Indian IT Giants and Microsoft
The US Labor Department has frozen new PERM labour-certification filings by Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, HCLTech, Cognizant, Capgemini, Microsoft and Adobe, accusing them of abusing the green-card pipeline. The ban jeopardises thousands of Indian professionals’ US permanent-residence plans and forces affected firms to rethink on-shore staffing models. Corporate mobility teams should prepare for project delays, cost escalations and heightened due-diligence requirements when contracting with the named vendors.
Germany updates India security advice, flags new trekking rules in Himalaya
On 8 October 2026 Germany refined its India travel advice, mandating online trek registration and GPS trackers for foreign groups above 3,000 m in Himachal and Uttarakhand. German firms organising retreats in the Himalaya must hire licensed operators and budget for new compliance costs.
Andhra Police Mandate 24-Hour Online Reporting of All Foreign Guests
Vijayawada’s police commissioner has ordered all lodging and service establishments to report every foreign guest— including OCI card-holders—online within 24 hours, warning of prosecution under the Immigration & Foreigners Act 2025. Corporate travel and relocation managers must ensure vendors in Andhra Pradesh are Form-C compliant to protect assignees from enforcement action.
Spain renews travel warning for India, highlights Attari–Wagah border closure
Spain’s updated advisory maintains its caution on India but singles out the prolonged closure of the Attari–Wagah crossing and the need for special permits in frontier districts. Spanish companies sending staff to border areas should budget extra time for permits and arrange medical and evacuation cover.
India’s Dual Arrival-Form Regime Creates Confusion for Diaspora Travellers
A 8 October NRI Affairs explainer stresses that India now requires two separate online submissions: an e-Arrival immigration card for foreign/OCI passengers and an Air Suvidha 2.0 health declaration for all travellers. Corporates must update pre-trip checklists to prevent boarding denials and airport delays during the upcoming festive-travel surge.