Quicker immigration processing at Indian airports
India has broadened its Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme to 13 airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Amritsar, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, and Kozhikode.
This complimentary programme allows eligible Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India cardholders to utilize biometric e-gates instead of conventional immigration counters.
Travelers need to register by submitting fingerprints, a facial scan, and any other required information, which will be verified for clearance. Enrolment may be paused if requested by law enforcement or judicial authorities.
Europe implements biometric border checks
European Union nations in the Schengen Area have begun rolling out the Entry/Exit System. Launched in October, this initiative eliminates passport stamping for most non-European travelers.
On their initial visit, passengers must present personal information, facial images, and fingerprints. For subsequent trips, officials will confirm the stored biometric data. Implementation will occur gradually, with passport stamping continuing during the transition. The complete rollout is anticipated by April 2026.
Low-cost airlines expand to Europe and the UK
IndiGo has enhanced its long-haul flight services from India. In July, the airline began direct flights from Mumbai to Manchester and Amsterdam, breaking Air India’s hold on India–Europe routes.
Later, IndiGo added daily flights to London. From January 2026, it will also launch direct flights to Greece from Mumbai and Delhi, marking the first instance of an Indian low-cost carrier establishing direct links with major European cities.
Non-stop flights to Shanghai resume
Air India has confirmed the restart of non-stop flights between Delhi and Shanghai starting on February 1, 2026, after nearly six years. The airline also intends to initiate non-stop services from Mumbai to Shanghai later in 2026.
Stricter and pricier US visa process
The United States has made several modifications to its visa procedure. Since June 2025, applicants for student and exchange visitor visas must maintain public access to their social media accounts for review.
A $250 visa integrity fee was introduced in July, effective from October for travelers from nations outside the US Visa Waiver Program, including India. This has elevated the average visa fee for Indian applicants to approximately $473, depending on the type of visa.
The Department of Homeland Security may refund this fee to travelers who adhere to visa conditions and exit the US punctually. Interview regulations have also become stricter. Fewer applicants now qualify for interview waivers, which means most Indians must participate in in-person interviews.
In August, the US Embassy in New Delhi ceased third-party passport collection, with the exception of minors. From September onward, visa interviews must be scheduled in the applicant’s country of nationality or legal residency, eliminating a common workaround to evade lengthy wait times.
New visa-free options for island destinations
Two island nations have recently expanded their visa-free entry for Indian travelers. The Republic of Palau now permits Indians to stay for up to 30 days without a visa. While there are no direct flights from India, Palau can be accessed via connections through cities like Manila, Singapore, Seoul, or Taipei.
The Philippines has also revised its entry regulations for Indians, offering two visa-free alternatives. One allows a 14-day stay for tourism, contingent upon conditions such as a passport valid for at least six months, confirmed accommodation, proof of funds, and a return or onward ticket.
The second option enables a 30-day visa-free stay for Indians holding valid visas or permanent residence permits from specified countries, including Japan, the United States, and Schengen Area nations.
