India Makes 60% Flight Seats Free: New Rules for All Airline
Indian government mandates airlines provide 60% of flight seats free of cost. New rules effective immediately cover seat selection and passenger rights.
Visa News & Updates
Latest policy changes, fee updates, and travel advisories for Indian passport holders
US Green Card Queue Advances for Indians in April 2026 Bulletin
April 2026 US Visa Bulletin shows EB-2 final action dates advance 10 months for Indians. Filing windows widen across employment categories.
US Expands $15,000 Visa Bond to 12 More Countries From April 2026
The US State Department will require B-1/B-2 visa applicants from 12 additional countries to pay refundable bonds of up to $15,000 starting April 2, 2026.
US Visa Processing Suspended in 6 Countries Amid Conflict
US embassies in Pakistan, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia halt visa processing indefinitely amid Middle East tensions affecting Indians.
Japan Visa Mumbai Appointment Mandatory From 16 March 2026
VFS Mumbai ends walk-in submissions for Japan visas from 16 March 2026, requiring pre-booked appointments as slots fill within minutes of release.
Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa Deadlines March 2026: Entry Exit Date
Saudi Arabia sets final Umrah visa deadlines: issue by 1st Shawwal, enter by 15th Shawwal, depart by 1st Dhul Qada. Critical dates for Indian pilgrims.
Japan Proposes 10-fold Visa Fee Hike for Indians
Japan's Cabinet approved a Bill raising visa extension fees from ¥10,000 to ¥100,000 and permanent residency applications from ¥10,000 to ¥300,000.
Qatar Advisory: Indians Need Saudi Transit Visa
Indian Embassy in Doha issues urgent advisory for Qatar-Saudi border crossings, requiring Indians to carry valid passports and approved transit visas.
India Grants 30-Day Visa Extension and Waives Overstay Penalty
India extends all visa types by 30 days and waives overstay penalties from Feb 28, 2026 for foreign nationals affected by Middle East conflict.
Madurai Airport Gets International Status - New e-Visa Gateway
Union Cabinet designates Madurai Airport as international port of entry on 10 March 2026. New e-Visa counters to serve South India within six months.
UAE Lets Expired Visa Holders Return Until March 31
UAE residents with expired visas can return without new entry permits until March 31, 2026, covering those stranded abroad since February 28 closures.
US Visa Bulletin March 2026 Brings Green Card Progress for Indian
March 2026 US Visa Bulletin shows EB-1 advancing to March 2023 and EB-2 to September 2013. USCIS allows filing chart usage for faster applications.
8 Visa Changes in 2026 Every Indian Traveller Must Know
From UK's mandatory eVisa to Japan's walk-in ban and US FIFA priority slots — 8 visa changes in 2026 that affect Indian passport holders.
Canada PR Pathway Opens for 33,000 Workers
Canada announces one-time PR pathway for 33,000 temporary workers on 10 March 2026, with Indians comprising 20% of the eligible applicant pool.
Canada Visa Processing Times Drop for Indians March 2026
Canada reduced visitor visa processing for Indians from 71 to 57 days in March 2026. Work permits also faster by one week for Indian applicants.
New Zealand Graduate Work Visa Changes 2026
New Zealand introduces a Short-Term Graduate Work Visa from late 2026 offering 6-month open work rights for level 5-7 graduates with NZ $5,000 funds.
USCIS Rejects Old Form I-129 for H-1B From April 2026
USCIS will reject old Form I-129 editions from April 1, 2026. Updated form adds wage level details critical for FY27 H-1B cap season filings.
Egypt Visa Fee Rises to $30 for Indians
Egypt raised visa-on-arrival fees from $25 to $30 effective March 1, 2026, with single-entry 30-day visas now costing ₹2,495 for Indian travelers.
Nepal Facilitates Saudi Visas for Citizens Stranded in UAE and Gulf
Nepal will help its nationals stranded in UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain get Saudi visas to travel home via operational air routes from Saudi Arabia.
Japan Visa Fees May Rise 10x to ₹60,000 for Permanent
Japan proposes raising visa fee caps to ¥300,000 (₹1,80,000) for permanent residency and ¥100,000 (₹60,000) for status changes - first revision since 1982.
WISA Act Introduced in Congress to Remove H-1B Visa Restriction
New WISA Act in US Congress aims to reverse Trump-era H-1B restrictions including $100,000 employer fees, easing path for skilled Indian workers.
Australia Doubles Post-Study Work Visa Fees
Australia doubled Subclass 485 visa fees from AUD 2,300 to AUD 4,600 starting March 1, adding ₹2,50,000 burden for 3.4 lakh Indian students.
Indians in Qatar and Bahrain Seek Saudi Transit Visas
Indians in Qatar and Bahrain are applying for Saudi transit visas as backup exit routes after airports shut February 28 with 98% flight cancellations.
Italy Requires 2-Month Advance MICE Visa Booking
Italy now mandates MICE and group visa applications reach consulates 2 months in advance, affecting Bangalore jurisdiction including Chennai and Hyderabad.
UAE Extends Visas and Waives Overstay Fines
UAE automatically extends tourist visas expiring after Feb 28 and waives overstay fines for stranded Indians. Crisis desk opens with 24/7 helplines active.
Indian Embassy Qatar Issues Registration Form
Indian Embassy in Doha asks stranded tourists on visit visas to register via a new Google Form after the previous registration system crashed.
UK Introduces Visa Brake System and Stricter Salary Rules
UK publishes new Immigration Rules on 6 March 2026 with Visa Brake mechanism and mandatory salary thresholds every pay period for Indian Skilled Workers.
Australia Doubles Post-Study Work Visa Fee to ₹3 Lakh from
Australia's Temporary Graduate visa fee doubled to AUD 4,600 (₹3 lakh) from 1 March 2026. Indian students now pay twice as much for post-study work rights.
Bhutan Digital Nomad Visa Launched with $10,000 Investment
Bhutan launches digital nomad visa allowing 24-month stays with a $2,800 annual fee and mandatory $10,000 TER token investment for all applicants.
Singapore Student Visa Now Costs ₹1,800 for Indian Student
Singapore student visa fees range from ₹1,800-₹2,000 with tuition at public universities starting ₹6 lakh annually. 33,250 Indians currently study there.
Europe Jobs for Indians: €135,000 STEM Roles Open
STEM professionals can earn up to €135,000 annually in Europe as job vacancies reach 2.5%, with Germany offering over 1 million visa-sponsored roles.
H-1B 2027 Registration Opens March 4 - New Weighted
H-1B 2027 registration opened March 4 with new weighted selection system prioritizing higher-paid workers. Registration closes March 19, 2026.
Foreign Tourists Stuck in India Get Visa Extension Relief
Bureau of Immigration India orders hotels not to evict foreign tourists with expired visas. New e-FRRO portal offers exit permits and extensions.
Indian Embassy Doha Issues Safety Advisory for Qatar
Indian Embassy in Doha urges all Indians in Qatar to follow MoI safety guidelines and opens registration for transit travelers needing Saudi visas.
US Visa Expiring Soon? Emergency Steps for Indian Traveler
US embassies in Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait suspended visa services. Immigration experts advise filing Form I-539 extension immediately.
UAE Waives Overstay Fines for Travelers Stranded by Conflict
UAE waives all overstay fines for tourists stranded by Gulf airspace closures. Automatic 30-day extension for visas expiring Feb 28 to Mar 31, 2026.
India Offers Free Visa Extensions for Stranded Tourists
India's Home Affairs Ministry directs FRROs to grant fee-free visa extensions for tourists and business travelers stranded by airspace closures.
India Visa Extensions for Stranded Foreign Nationals
India's MEA allows foreign nationals to extend visas or regularize stay through FRRO offices in Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai amid flight disruptions.
UK Launches Anti-Fraud Campaign in 4 Haryana Districts
British High Commission expands visa fraud crackdown to four Haryana districts. Campaign warns against fake 'no IELTS' and guaranteed visa schemes.
Jeju Visa-Free Entry Denied to Indians Despite Waiver
Indian Embassy in Seoul warns Jeju's visa-free entry isn't guaranteed after influencer detained 38 hours. New document requirements effective immediately.
UK eVisa for Indians: Airlines Can Now Refuse Boarding
UK's digital border system now allows airlines to refuse boarding passengers without eVisa or ETA. New rules affect all Indian travelers to Britain.
Egypt Visa Fee May Rise to $30 from March 2026
Egypt visa fee could increase from $25 to $30 starting March 1, 2026. Travel association document suggests change but awaits official confirmation.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Canada: Match Tickets Don't Guarantee Visa Approval
Canada warns FIFA World Cup 2026 fans that match tickets don't guarantee visa approval. New guidance requires early applications through official channels.
New Zealand Open Work Visa Rules Tightened from April 2026
New Zealand restricts open work visa employment conditions from April 20, 2026, banning some visa holders from operating businesses under new rules.
France Visa-Free Airport Transit for Indians Starts 2026
France announces visa-free airport transit for Indians during Macron's Delhi visit, with a six-month pilot starting Q2 2026 and 30,000 student goal.
Japan Ends Walk-In Visa Applications in Chennai, Hyderabad From March 2
Japanese consulates mandate prior appointments for visa submissions in Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad and Puducherry starting March 2, ending walk-in applications.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa Tops Global Rankings 2026
Spain ranked world's #1 digital nomad destination with 32,000 visas issued since 2023. Indians earning ₹30 lakh annually can access 3-year EU residency.
Bangladesh Reopens Tourist Visas for Indians After Two-Month Freeze
Bangladesh resumes tourist visa processing for Indian travelers from February 24, 2026, ending a two-month suspension that disrupted thousands of travel plans.
India Resumes Bangladesh Visa Services After Year-Long Freeze
India will restart all visa categories for Bangladesh from early March, ending a year-long suspension that disrupted cross-border business travel and projects.
Thailand Scraps Visa Fees and Doubles Stay Duration for Indian
From February 20, Indian passport holders can enter Thailand visa-free for 60 days instead of paying ₹4,600 VOA fee for 30 days. Extension possible for 30 more days.
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