Sunday, 25 October 2026
The Newsroom
Visa, immigration and travel updates for Indian travellers and students — explained simply.
Global · 23 Oct 2026
UAE travel advisory: what Indian travellers should check before departure
The US State Department advises reconsidering travel to the United Arab Emirates because of terrorism and armed conflict. Indian tourists and students with UAE travel in their itinerary should review the official advice and confirm their arrangements before departure.
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UK · 22 Oct 2026
UK carrier document checks: what Indian travellers should review before departure
UK Visas and Immigration guidance covers the document checks required of air, rail and sea carriers, and charges for carrying passengers without appropriate travel documents. Indian tourists and students should use it as a prompt to confirm their documentation before travelling.
Schengen · 22 Oct 2026
Flooding in southern France: check local conditions before travelling
A storm has brought flooding to southern France, with at least four deaths reported. Indian visitors with plans in the affected area should confirm local safety advice and journey conditions through official sources.
Schengen · 22 Oct 2026
Paris curfew extended as French museum closures affect sightseeing plans
Paris has extended a curfew, while Marseille and Lyon have banned protests following riots. The report also says top museums will close on Saturday, making official local checks important for Indian visitors planning sightseeing or evening outings.
UK · 21 Oct 2026
Planning UK study? Check the official student sponsor register
The GOV.UK student sponsor register lists institutions licensed to sponsor students under the Student and Child Student routes. Indian students can use it as an official reference when checking a prospective institution.
Schengen · 21 Oct 2026
EU stay checker reportedly shows zero days for an eligible traveller
SchengenNews reports that the EU’s official EES stay checker returned a zero-day allowance for a traveller it calculated still had time remaining. Indian travellers should verify any unexpected result through official sources before changing their plans.
UK · 16 Oct 2026
UK visa TB testing: check the official India clinic guidance
GOV.UK provides guidance on where to get a tuberculosis test in India for a UK visa application. Applicants should check whether testing applies to them and confirm clinic details on the official source before booking.
USA · 8 Oct 2026
US proposes $70,000 initial OPT fee — it is not an enacted charge
DHS has proposed substantial new fees for F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training. The Federal Register identifies the measure as a proposed rule, with comments due by 9 November 2026.
Schengen · 9 Sept 2026
EU considers Schengen visa overhaul and extra fees — no new surcharge confirmed
The European Commission has begun examining changes to short-stay visa rules, including possible additional fees. The supplied reports describe policy options and a future legislative proposal, not a new charge already payable by Indian applicants.
USA · 18 Aug 2026
US green card public charge changes bring a new mandatory I-485 edition
Updated public charge arrangements took effect on 18 September 2026, alongside a revised Form I-485. USCIS says there is no grace period for using the older form for submissions made from that date.
USA · 17 Jul 2026
US fixed-term student admission rule blocked before its September start
DHS finalised a move away from duration of status, but later university updates report a nationwide preliminary injunction preventing implementation. Indian students should not treat the planned 15 September change as having taken effect.
USA · 22 May 2026
USCIS announces restrictive approach to green card adjustment inside the US
A 22 May 2026 USCIS announcement says adjustment of status will be granted only in extraordinary circumstances, with consular processing presented as the expected route. Indian students and visitors should not assume they can move from temporary status to a green card without leaving the country.
Schengen · 10 Apr 2026
Schengen digital borders: EES is operating, but ETIAS still has no confirmed launch
EES now records short-stay border movements digitally, although later reports describe uneven operation at some crossings. ETIAS is a separate authorisation system, and October reporting says applications have not opened.
UK · 24 Feb 2026
UK ETA enforcement is live: check your permission before travelling
Since 25 February 2026, eligible non-visa nationals have needed digital permission before travelling to the UK. An ETA is not a visa and should not be treated as a replacement for the permission an Indian applicant actually needs.
Schengen · 19 Feb 2026
Spain removes airport transit visa requirement for ordinary Indian passport holders
Indian nationals holding ordinary passports no longer need Spain’s airport transit visa when remaining in an airport’s international transit zone. The exemption took effect on 4 March 2026 and should not be confused with permission to enter Spain.
UK
UK ten-year settlement plan remains a proposal, not the current ILR rule
The proposed move from a standard five-year settlement period to ten years has not been shown to have taken effect in the supplied updates. Indian applicants should distinguish the earned settlement consultation from rules already applying to their route.
UK
UK Graduate visa to fall to 18 months for applications from January 2027
Bachelor’s and master’s graduates applying from 1 January 2027 face a shorter Graduate visa, while PhD graduates retain three years. Unlike the earned settlement plan, this change has already been incorporated into the Immigration Rules.
This information is general guidance from official sources, not legal or immigration advice. Rules can change; check the original sources for the right information.