What is the story about?
Indians planning to travel overseas in 2026 will see several changes in visa rules, flight options, and airport processes. Updates announced by foreign governments, airlines, and Indian authorities may affect travel costs, documentation requirements, and airport clearance times.
Faster immigration at Indian airports
India has expanded its Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme to 13 airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Amritsar, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, and Kozhikode.
The free programme allows eligible Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India cardholders to use biometric e-gates instead of regular immigration counters.
Travellers must register by submitting fingerprints, a facial scan, and other required information, which is cleared after verification. Enrolment can be suspended if required by law enforcement or court authorities.
Europe moves to biometric border checks
European Union countries in the Schengen Area have started introducing the Entry/Exit System. Launched in October, the system replaces passport stamping for most non-European travellers.
On the first visit, passengers must provide personal details, facial images, and fingerprints. For later trips, officials verify the stored biometric data. The system will be introduced gradually, with passport stamping continuing during a transition period. Full rollout is expected by April 2026.
Budget airlines reach Europe and the UK
IndiGo has expanded long-haul flying from India. In July, it launched direct flights from Mumbai to Manchester and Amsterdam, ending Air India’s monopoly on India–Europe routes.
The airline later added daily flights to London. From January 2026, IndiGo will also operate direct flights to Greece from Mumbai and Delhi. This marks the first time an Indian low-cost carrier has connected India directly with major European destinations.
Direct flights to Shanghai return
Air India has announced the resumption of non-stop flights between Delhi and Shanghai from 1 February 2026, after a gap of nearly six years. The airline has also said it plans to start non-stop services from Mumbai to Shanghai later in 2026.
US visas get stricter and costlier
The United States has introduced multiple changes to its visa process. Since June 2025, applicants for student and exchange visitor visas must keep their social media accounts public for review.
A $250 visa integrity fee was introduced in July and applied from October to travellers from countries outside the US Visa Waiver Program, including India. This has increased the average visa cost for Indian applicants to about $473, depending on the visa category.
The Department of Homeland Security may refund the fee to travellers who follow visa rules and leave the US on time. Interview policies have also tightened. Fewer applicants now qualify for interview waivers, meaning most Indians must attend in-person interviews.
In August, the US Embassy in New Delhi stopped third-party passport collection, except for minors. From September, visa interviews must be booked in the applicant’s country of nationality or legal residence, closing a common workaround to avoid long wait times.
New visa-free island destinations
Two island nations have extended visa-free entry to Indian travellers. The Republic of Palau now allows Indians to stay for up to 30 days without a visa. There are no direct flights from India, but Palau can be reached via connections through cities such as Manila, Singapore, Seoul, or Taipei.
The Philippines has also updated its rules for Indians, introducing two visa-free options. One allows a 14-day stay for tourism, subject to 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 allows a 30-day visa-free stay for Indians who hold valid visas or permanent residence permits from selected countries, including Japan, the United States, and Schengen nations.
Faster immigration at Indian airports
India has expanded its Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme to 13 airports: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Amritsar, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, and Kozhikode.
The free programme allows eligible Indian citizens and Overseas Citizens of India cardholders to use biometric e-gates instead of regular immigration counters.
Travellers must register by submitting fingerprints, a facial scan, and other required information, which is cleared after verification. Enrolment can be suspended if required by law enforcement or court authorities.
Europe moves to biometric border checks
European Union countries in the Schengen Area have started introducing the Entry/Exit System. Launched in October, the system replaces passport stamping for most non-European travellers.
On the first visit, passengers must provide personal details, facial images, and fingerprints. For later trips, officials verify the stored biometric data. The system will be introduced gradually, with passport stamping continuing during a transition period. Full rollout is expected by April 2026.
Budget airlines reach Europe and the UK
IndiGo has expanded long-haul flying from India. In July, it launched direct flights from Mumbai to Manchester and Amsterdam, ending Air India’s monopoly on India–Europe routes.
The airline later added daily flights to London. From January 2026, IndiGo will also operate direct flights to Greece from Mumbai and Delhi. This marks the first time an Indian low-cost carrier has connected India directly with major European destinations.
Direct flights to Shanghai return
Air India has announced the resumption of non-stop flights between Delhi and Shanghai from 1 February 2026, after a gap of nearly six years. The airline has also said it plans to start non-stop services from Mumbai to Shanghai later in 2026.
US visas get stricter and costlier
The United States has introduced multiple changes to its visa process. Since June 2025, applicants for student and exchange visitor visas must keep their social media accounts public for review.
A $250 visa integrity fee was introduced in July and applied from October to travellers from countries outside the US Visa Waiver Program, including India. This has increased the average visa cost for Indian applicants to about $473, depending on the visa category.
The Department of Homeland Security may refund the fee to travellers who follow visa rules and leave the US on time. Interview policies have also tightened. Fewer applicants now qualify for interview waivers, meaning most Indians must attend in-person interviews.
In August, the US Embassy in New Delhi stopped third-party passport collection, except for minors. From September, visa interviews must be booked in the applicant’s country of nationality or legal residence, closing a common workaround to avoid long wait times.
New visa-free island destinations
Two island nations have extended visa-free entry to Indian travellers. The Republic of Palau now allows Indians to stay for up to 30 days without a visa. There are no direct flights from India, but Palau can be reached via connections through cities such as Manila, Singapore, Seoul, or Taipei.
The Philippines has also updated its rules for Indians, introducing two visa-free options. One allows a 14-day stay for tourism, subject to 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 allows a 30-day visa-free stay for Indians who hold valid visas or permanent residence permits from selected countries, including Japan, the United States, and Schengen nations.
