India slashes visa types from 26 to 9 in biggest overhaul in two decades
India launches international DigiYatra trials at seven airports
Australia’s Proposed Student-Visa Reforms Could Squeeze Indian Applicants, Experts Warn
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Kazakhstan Launches ‘QazETA’ e-Authorisation; Indian Embassy Issues Travel Advisory
Kazakhstan’s new QazETA electronic travel authorisation—live since 1 November—will become compulsory from July 2027. India’s Embassy in Astana issued a 12 November advisory urging Indian tourists and business travellers to apply online at qazeta.kz before departure to avoid airport delays. The e-authorisation pre-screens passengers and is expected to streamline border checks at airports and land crossings. ([economictimes.indiatimes.com](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visit/kazakhstan-introduces-qazeta-travel-authorisation-for-indians-makes-electronic-approval-mandatory-from-july-2027/articleshow/135760713.cms?utm_source=openai))
UK updates India travel advice: new permit notes, scam alerts and visa reminders
The UK has revised its India travel advice, adding warnings about special-area permits, airport payment scams and expired visas. British companies need to factor extra lead time for inner-line permits and remind travellers to hold a valid e-Visa, reducing the risk of denied boarding.
Canada cuts visitor-visa processing for Indians to five weeks
IRCC has lowered its published processing time for Canada visitor visas lodged in India to five weeks, thanks to AI-enabled triage and extra staffing. The quicker turnaround helps Indian businesses firm up client-visit schedules but could lengthen again if application volumes surge.
Saudi Arabia details 2026 iqama renewal fees and enables online renewal abroad—impact on Indian workers
Saudi authorities have confirmed the 2026 iqama renewal cost structure and, for the first time, allow expatriates—including 2.5 million Indians—to renew online while abroad. The change reduces compliance risk for workers on home leave but employers must still pre-pay monthly levies to keep permits valid.
Chinese Embassy Takes Over Visa Processing in India from 26 October
The Chinese Embassy in New Delhi will stop using the outsourced Visa Application Centre from 26 October. All Chinese visa and legalisation applications must be filed directly with the Embassy (or the Mumbai Consulate for residents of Maharashtra and Karnataka). Online applications submitted after 23 October will not attract the VAC service fee, but slots are expected to be scarce, so Indian businesses should plan travel further in advance.
IndiGo extends suspension of all Riyadh flights to 31 October amid Saudi security alerts
IndiGo has cancelled all Riyadh flights through 31 October 2026 and extended its suspension of services to Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah until 27 October, citing the “evolving security situation” after recent attacks on Saudi airports. The move forces Indian business travellers to reroute via alternative Gulf hubs and raises travel-risk costs for employers.
US visa wait-time update shows Indian visitor applicants face up to 12-month interview queue
New data show B-1/B-2 visitor-visa interview waits for Indians have stretched to as long as 12 months in Mumbai and 11 months in Delhi, while student and work-visa queues are shorter but still significant. The backlog requires companies to build longer lead-times into US travel plans and consider alternate consulates or remote workarounds.
November 2026 Visa Bulletin brings big jump for Indian family-sponsored green-card queues
The November 2026 Visa Bulletin makes the F2A category ‘current’ and advances several other family-sponsored lines for India, potentially freeing up tens of thousands of immigrant-visa numbers. Faster reunification eases attrition risks for US firms employing Indian nationals, but HR teams need to act quickly before the window closes.
Four Indian Consular Centres Close in UAE as Passport-Service Contract Heads for Re-Tender
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi closed four consular application centres on 22 October amid a court-ordered re-tender of its passport- and visa-service contract. Only 12 centres remain open, fees have risen and appointment lead times have lengthened, affecting millions of Indian residents in the UAE.
Karnataka High Court orders state to implement immigration SOPs, warns against ‘indifference’ to illegal entry
The Karnataka High Court has given the state three months to show full compliance with the Home Ministry’s SOP on detecting and processing illegal immigrants, warning that lax enforcement creates long-term security vulnerabilities. Firms operating in Karnataka should expect tighter scrutiny of foreign-worker documentation.
Flydubai Cancels Flights to Three Saudi Cities, Indians Urged to Check Connections
Flydubai has suspended flights from Dubai to Riyadh, Dammam and Abha until 29 October after an attack on Dammam airport. The move disrupts Indian workers and pilgrims who rely on Dubai connections, pushing up fares and prompting the Indian Consulate to activate emergency support lines.
Indian High Commission in Dhaka reviews visa-appointment delays, pledges faster access for medical travellers
India’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh has admitted that visa-appointment delays are hampering travel, especially for patients, and said the Dhaka mission is reviewing processes to speed up slots. Although no concrete reforms were announced, the assurance signals potential easing of a bottleneck affecting cross-border medical travel.