International Travel Updates for Indians: 5 Big Changes in Visa Fees & Travel Rules

International travel updates for Indians is something I always check before planning any trip abroad because travel rules change very quickly these days. A small rule change can impact your budget, route, and entry process, from new visa fees to new travel rules.

In recent months, many countries have implemented new measures for Indian travelers, which are quite crucial if you have an international trip planned in the near future. Since I travel a few times each year, I learned long ago to pay attention to these updates; ignoring them can create last-minute chaos at airports or surprise expenses when applying for a visa.

In some countries, entry has been simplified; in others, visa fees have become more expensive or new digital forms are required. But there are also alterations to your flight routes and border processes that affect how well your journey goes.

In this article, I will explain five key updates in layman’s terms so that you can plan, save money, and avoid nasty surprises during your next international trip.

Are there new visa rules for Indians?

Yes, many new visa rules for Indians and significant travel updates differing from country to country could easily have a direct impact on how we plan our international trips in 2026.

Governments are re-systematizing to digitalize, secure, and systematize immigration. As a result, travelers coming to India will see changes not only in terms of visa fees but also in the entry, transit, and immigration process.

The features in these updates primarily include enhancements and developments across four key aspects:

Transit policies: Relaxing or tightening airport rules depending on the route and nationality; some countries are loosening transit visa requirements.
Digital entry forms: In many destinations, digital immigration declarations are required ahead of arrival or are QR-based at airports, forcing us towards a more technology-embedded travel experience.
Visa fee changes: Many have changed their visa fees, especially long-stay, multi-entry, and business visa categories, which makes the overall cost of travel high.
Immigration Systems: Traditional passport stamping is gradually being supplanted in favor of biometric systems such as fingerprint scans and facial recognition to increase border security and tracking.

All in all, these changes fall under an international travel update for Indians, where nations have opened up travel more easily in one space but gone tougher on another.

The following are the essential country-wise updates any traveler should be aware of before booking an international flight to ensure they have nothing impeding their trip.

1. France removes airport transit visa requirement for Indians

Another significant addition in France to the global travel update for Indian nationals is of huge benefit to repeat travelers/transit passengers.

Getting through France was once synonymous with putting in the extra time. Sometimes, even if I were just transferring flights and not going out of the airport, I would have to apply for an airport transit visa. It made travel planning even more stressful, particularly when booking connecting flights for Europe, the US, and elsewhere.

However, there is a major upgrade in the system.

Indian passport holders transiting through France only and staying within the international transit area of the airport will not require an airport transit visa from 10 April 2026.

It smooths foreign travel and is a step in the right direction towards simplifying new rules for the granting of various visas to Indians.

What Changed (Update On The France Transit Rule):

No more airport transit visas for Indian travellers travelling via France
Does not apply when you are exiting the airport transit zone.
Thus, the rule is applicable with effect from 10 April 2026 onwards
Also Read | Latest International Air Travel Updates For Indians To Make Transit More Hassle-Free

This is how this breaks down in simple terms:

The great thing is that there is no extra visa paperwork; you can change flights in France.
You will need to stay in the international transit area only
This rule kicks in when you’re traveling to a third-country destination
Quicker and more user-friendly transit via French airports
Connecting flights are a bit easier to book through France.

Why this update is important:

For those who need many visa papers, their approval took much time
It cuts down the time required to plan an international trip.
Allows for more flexible connections through France
Can help alleviate travel stress and booking difficulty
Enhances overall efficiency for long-haul travellers flying in or out of India

All in all, this change is a very welcome addition to the international travel update for Indians, particularly those who regularly transit through European hubs.

2. Vietnam introduces digital immigration

One of the key recent developments with the entry processes in Vietnam is an international travel update involving Indians. This is mainly for travelers arriving at Ho Chi Minh City and is aimed at creating more digitization and organization in immigration.

As of now, travelers coming to Tan Son Nhat International Airport must perform an electronic sea entry visa declaration before arrival. Under the newly issued travel rules, this is part of Vietnam paving its path toward a more coherent and technology-based immigration system.

This is not a new visa system but an additional step that could help to streamline processing at the point of arrival.

Update on Vietnam’s travel rule (Ho Chi Minh City):

Vietnam has launched a digital immigration declaration
Voice includes travellers to Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat Airport)
The effective date of the rule is 15 April 2026
This forms part of the wider digital entry systems for Indians travelling anywhere in the international travel updates.
The intent is to simplify, systematize, and digitalise immigration

Things I noticed about this rule:

This is NOT instead of the e-visa system
Fanatics is an extra step to visa approval
This only refers to passengers entering Ho Chi Minh City.
This does not apply to travellers who are transiting through Vietnam (with no stay)
It is primarily aimed at enhancing fine arrival processing practices at immigration counters

How the process works:

The digital declaration must be completed by travelers in one of the following ways:

Option 1: Complete the form on the official portal online before departure
Method 2: Continue the QR code and complete the form at the airport where you arrive

The form generally includes basic information like the following:

Personal information
Passport details
Travel information
Information on where you land and your stay in Vietnam

Why this update matters:

It adds a step before passing through immigration
Facilitates faster processing at the airport once you reach
Lowering Manual Paperwork at Immigration Counters
Better organised with new visa laws for Indians and other travellers
If it is neglected, then you may face a delay at immigration checkpoints

My takeaway:

I have learned that this is one of those small and necessary amendments that travelers overlook, among other extremely important ones, from my experiences with keeping track of the international travel updates for Indians. Failing to fill this out will slow down my entry into Vietnam

Well, this forced me to double-check Vietnam’s entry requirements for flying, especially the one to fly to Ho Chi Minh City.

3. Akasa Air launches direct Mumbai-to-Hanoi flights

This is good news in the latest international travel update for Indians, particularly for people flying within Southeast Asia. India has been gradually and progressively adding to its airline connectivity, and Akasa Air’s latest route is a good indicator of this expansion.

Akasa Air has announced an expansion in its international routes, with plans to start direct flights from Mumbai to the Vietnamese capital Hanoi beginning 4 September 2026. This new route will help in decluttering travel for the travelers, both tourists and business travelers, both ways from India to Vietnam.

Previously, getting to Vietnam often involved one or more layovers in cities like Bangkok or Singapore. Which means the journey becomes faster and easier with this recent connection.

Akasa Air Mumbai to Hanoi route Key details:

Akasa Air directly connects Mumbai & Hanoi
Service starts on the 4th of September, 2026
This route will operate 4 times a week
Vietnam now becomes Akasa Air’s 7th international destination
Official and travel platforms have already opened bookings.
That is also a part of the expanding global travel update in India and the Indian boost to global connectivity.

Why is this new route useful?

Eliminates the need to connect through Bangkok or Singapore
Allows for seamless travel from one destination to Vietnam, thereby reducing journey times
Reduces overall journey time significantly
Reduces travel stress due to lengthy layovers and multiple changes at the airport
May contribute to lowering the overall price of travel if you book early

The thing I notice about this change for myself:

Back in the day, you had to transit at least once when going to Vietnam, which made it a tiring neck of the woods trip
And connections with stop plans also increased the risk of potential delays or missed flights.
Travel becomes less complicated and more predictable, too, with a nonstop flight now on the table.
This also makes Vietnam a more enticing place for short trips and cheap (budget) vacations
This aligns perfectly with the recent trend of new travel guidelines and better connectivity for Indian travelers.

Why this should matter to Indian travelers:

Improves overall India-Vietnam air connectivity
Increased tourism between the two nations
Enables short international getaways within Southeast Asia.
Decreased reliance on 3rd country transit hubs
Provides more flexibility in international itinerary planning

All in all, this is a very useful update for the Indian travelers’ overseas travel update, which makes it very efficient to reach Vietnam from their last visit to India.

4. Schengen countries fully launch Entry/Exit System (EES)

That’s one of the touchstones in the latest update on international travel for Indians, especially those planning to visit Europe.

The Schengen area on 10 April 2026 has overtaken a pivotal change in the immigration procedure by abolishing conventional passport stamping and implementing a completely digital border control system called an Entry/Exit System (EES). This writer is one of the biggest new travel rules for Indians heading to Europe over the past 12 months.

To manage entries and exits in a more efficient way, Europe has introduced an electronic-based system to track the moves of travelers; stamps on passports at immigration counters are thus also being phased out.

Which changes have occurred in the Schengen Entry Exit System (EES):

Passport stamping has been removed entirely
At the point of entry, patrons have their faces and fingerprints scanned.
Digital databases now contain all entry and exit records
Complete biometric registration is needed for first-time entry
Thus, instead of going through the entire process, only quick verification is done for future visits.
This is a part of the larger international travel update for citizens heading to the European continent from India

The new EES system covers 29 Schengen countries:

This incorporates the notable European destinations that Indian explorers consistently visit
Same digital immigration process at all external Schengen borders

The premise for Europe implementing this new travel rule:

However, one reason for this change from a system perspective is to increase efficiency and security at borders:

Assists in rapid immigration and border security assessments
Easier to monitor visa overstays turned violators
Lower the probability of mistakes in stamping passports
Enhance internal Border security across Europe
Establishes an immigration system that is more modern and automatic

My personal takeaway from this update:

Planning a European trip, immigration will now have a more digitally structured
Instead of passport stamps, everything will be stored electronically.
Registered biometrics may also result in slightly slower entry the first time than requested.
After this, writing future entries should be faster and less cumbersome.

All in all, this indicates the new visa rules for Indians and other travellers are moving towards automation

What this means for Indian travelers:

Modifications to immigration throughout all Schengen countries
Ensures travel records are more accurate and less opaque
Cuts down on physical passport stamp reliance
Better long-term travel tracking for frequent travellers

Significant milestone towards the traditional update in international travel for Indians

It is a significant milestone in the transition to a fully digital border, and, at the same time, Indian travelers visiting Europe can expect to undergo an improved, but somewhat changed, experience of immigration.

5. Thailand increases visa fees for long stays

Thailand remains one of the most visited destinations in Asia for Indian travelers, especially for short holidays, beach trips, and quick international vacations. In the latest international travel update for Indians, there is both good news and an important cost change that travelers should be aware of.

The positive part is that visa-free travel for up to 60 days for Indian passport holders remains unchanged, which continues to make Thailand a budget-friendly destination for short trips. However, there is a significant update in the new visa fees for Indians who are planning longer stays or multiple visits.

From 27 April 2026, Thailand has officially revised its visa fee structure across different categories.

Thailand visa update – key details:

Visa-free entry for up to 60 days remains available for Indians
New visa fee structure applies from 27 April 2026
This update is part of the latest international travel update for Indians affecting Southeast Asia travel planning
Changes mainly impact long-stay, business, and multiple-entry visa categories

New visa fees for Thailand:

Single-entry tourist visa: ₹3,000
Multiple-entry tourist visa: ₹13,500
Transit visa: ₹2,500
Non-immigrant visas: ₹7,000 to ₹30,000 (depending on category)
SMART visa: up to ₹1.2 lakh
Long-Term Resident visa: up to ₹1.4 lakh

What this means for travellers:

Short holidays under the visa-free limit are still easy and affordable
Budget travellers planning quick trips will not be affected much
Longer stays will now require higher visa expenses
Frequent travellers and business visitors will face increased travel costs
Overall trip planning for extended stays will need better budgeting and preparation

My personal view on this update:

If I am going for a short vacation, I don’t need to worry about visa changes
The visa-free entry option still makes Thailand a convenient destination
However, for longer stays or repeat visits, the new visa fees for Indians will definitely increase the total travel cost
I will need to plan my budget more carefully if I intend to stay longer or travel multiple times in a year

This is a clear example of how the international travel update for Indians is balancing easy tourism with stricter long-term visa policies

Why this update matters:

Keeps Thailand accessible for short-term tourism
Increases costs for long-term and business travel
Encourages travellers to plan trips more strategically
Impacts overall Southeast Asia travel budgeting for Indians
Highlights the importance of staying updated with new travel rules and visa fees

Overall, Thailand remains a strong and popular destination for Indian travelers, but this update shows that while short trips are still easy, long-term travel will now require more financial planning and awareness.

Conclusion

So, are there new visa rules for Indians? Yes—and they are changing in many ways.

The latest international travel update for Indians shows a mix of easier travel procedures and increased costs. Countries like France are simplifying transit rules, while Vietnam is adding digital steps. At the same time, Thailand has increased visa fees for long stays, and Europe has shifted to biometric immigration systems.

From my perspective, the biggest lesson is simple: international travel is becoming more digital and structured. If I want a smooth journey, I need to stay updated before every trip.

Checking new visa rules for Indians before booking flights is no longer optional—it has become an essential part of travel planning.

FAQs

1- Are there new visa rules for Indians in 2026?

Yes, several countries have updated their visa and entry systems, including France, Vietnam, Thailand, and Schengen nations.

2- What is the biggest change for Indian travelers in Europe?

The Schengen region has replaced passport stamping with a biometric entry/exit system.

3- Do Indians still need a transit visa for France?

No, a transit visa is no longer required if you stay inside the international airport zone.

4- Has Thailand increased visa fees?

Yes, Thailand has increased visa fees for long-stay and multiple-entry visas.

Khushi Vaid

Senior Travel Editor

I’m Khushi Vaid, a travel writer with over 2 years of experience creating destination guides, travel tips, and travel planning content. At Traveller Scoop, I write about destinations, travel trends, and practical advice to help readers explore the world with confidence.