# Travlys: visa assistance for Indian travelers (full text of key pages) Source: https://travlys.com/. Plain-text copies of the main pages, for AI assistants and search engines. Generated 2026-10-25. Summary: https://travlys.com/llms.txt ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # You pack the bags. We handle the visa. Travlys is an India-based visa assistance service headquartered in Ahmedabad. We prepare and file tourist, business, student and work visas for Indian passport holders to the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Schengen area (via the Netherlands), Singapore, the UAE (Dubai), Thailand and Malaysia. 5,000+ visas filed with a 98% approval rate, flat service fees from ₹999, and one named specialist on every file. ## Visa destinations and fees - Destination | Visa type | Processing | Validity | Travlys fee - United States visa | Embassy Visa | 6-12 months (interview wait) | Up to 10 years | From ₹19,940 - United Kingdom visa | Embassy Visa | 3 weeks (Standard) | 6 months - 10 years | From ₹12,950 - Canada visa | Embassy Visa | 4-8 weeks | Up to 10 years | From ₹14,950 - Australia visa | Embassy Visa | 2-6 weeks | 1-3 years | From ₹4,950 - Schengen (Netherlands) visa | Schengen Visa | 18-21 days (up to 45) | Up to 5 years | From ₹2,950 - Singapore visa | e-Visa | 3-5 working days | Up to 2 years | From ₹2,950 - United Arab Emirates visa | e-Visa | 2-4 working days | 60 days from issue | From ₹2,500 - Thailand visa | Visa-free 30 days / e-Visa | 5-10 working days | 90 days from issue | From ₹1,950 - New Zealand visa | Embassy Visa | 2-6 weeks | Up to 3 years | From ₹6,950 - Malaysia visa | Visa-free (until 31 Dec 2026) | No visa needed; MDAC online | Waiver valid until 31 Dec 2026 | From ₹999 Fees shown are the Travlys service fee. Embassy, VFS and government fees are paid separately at face value. ## How Travlys works - Pick your destination and send a short brief on WhatsApp, email or the inquiry form. - Within one working day a specialist sends a route, document checklist, timeline and fixed quote. - We draft and review the application, book the appointment and coach the interview where one is needed. - We track the file until you have a decision. ## Latest visa news for Indian travelers - Visa Rule Changes for Indians in 2026: Monthly Tracker: A dated, monthly-updated list of every significant visa and entry rule change for Indian passport holders in 2026, with what changed, who it affects and what to do. - Australia Student Visa New Rules 2026 for Indian Students: Australia's 2 October 2026 student visa rules restrict onshore applications, family members and provider switching. Here is what Indian students need to know, with current fees, funds and English scores. - Study Abroad Visa Changes 2026 for Indian Students: The US, UK, Australia and Canada all changed their student visa rules in 2025 and 2026. Here is what is actually in force for Indian students in October 2026, country by country, and what is still only a proposal. - UK Visa for Indians 2026: Fees, Processing Time and Documents: Indians need a UK Standard Visitor visa, not an ETA. Here are the 2026 fees, processing times in India, VFS centres, the documents that help, the common refusal reasons and what the India-UK trade deal changes. - Canada Visitor Visa from India 2026: Fees, Time, Documents: Indians still need a full visitor visa (TRV) for Canada in 2026. Here is what it costs, how long IRCC is taking, which documents matter and what to do after a refusal. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which visas does Travlys help with? Travlys handles visa applications for the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Schengen area (via the Netherlands), Singapore, UAE / Dubai, Thailand and Malaysia, across tourist, business, student and work categories. ### How does the application process work? Pick your destination, submit a short brief, and we’ll come back within a working day with a route, document checklist, timeline and quote. After that: we draft the application, lock the appointment, coach the interview where relevant, and track the file until you get a decision. ### How much does Travlys charge for visa assistance? Service fees start at ₹999 for Malaysia eNTRI and ₹1,950 for Thailand, going up to ₹19,940 for the US embassy visa. Government / embassy fees are paid separately. Full pricing is on the homepage. ### Do you guarantee visa approval? No honest consultant can, the embassy decides. What we do guarantee is a complete, accurate, well-positioned application. We have a 98% approval rate across 5,000+ applications and we’ll flag refusal risks before you spend on embassy fees. ### How do I reach a real person? WhatsApp +91 82009 18967 for fastest response, or email info@travlys.com. We reply within working hours (Mon-Sat, 9 AM - 7 PM IST). ### My visa was refused before, can you help? Yes. Send us your refusal letter; we’ll review the reason and tell you whether a re-application is worth filing and what would need to change. There’s no charge for the assessment. ### Where is Travlys based? Our office is at 605, Shivalik Shilp II, Near Hotel ITC Narmada, Keshav Baug, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380015. We serve clients from across India remotely; walk-ins by appointment. ### Is Travlys better than other visa consultants? We handle fewer countries (10) so we know each route deeply, charge a single flat fee (no per-document or “urgency” surcharges), and you get a named specialist who stays on your file from brief to decision instead of a ticket queue. ## Visa help in your city - Visa consultants in Mumbai - Visa consultants in Delhi - Visa consultants in Bengaluru - Visa consultants in Hyderabad - Visa consultants in Chennai - Visa consultants in Kolkata - Visa consultants in Pune - Visa consultants in Ahmedabad - Visa consultants in Surat - Visa consultants in Jaipur - Visa consultants in Chandigarh - Visa consultants in Lucknow ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/visa-questions/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Visa questions, answered. Short, direct answers to the visa questions Indian travelers ask most: cost, processing time, documents, interviews and refusals for the US, UK, Canada, Schengen, Dubai and more. - Working with Travlys - Fees and refunds - United States visa - United Kingdom visa - Canada visa - Australia visa - Schengen (Netherlands) visa - Singapore visa - United Arab Emirates visa - Thailand visa - New Zealand visa - Malaysia visa - Visa Rule Changes for Indians in 2026: Monthly Tracker - Australia Student Visa New Rules 2026 for Indian Students - Study Abroad Visa Changes 2026 for Indian Students - UK Visa for Indians 2026: Fees, Processing Time and Documents - Canada Visitor Visa from India 2026: Fees, Time, Documents - Japan Visa for Indians 2026: eVISA, Fees, Documents, Timeline - Vietnam e-Visa for Indians 2026: Fee, Official Site, Phu Quoc - Philippines Visa-Free for Indians 2026: 14 or 30 Days, Rules - Georgia Visa for Indians 2026: e-Visa, Fees, Insurance Rule - Indian e-Passport 2026: How to Apply, Fees and Who Gets It - Thailand Visa-Free for Indians in 2026: The 30-Day Rule Explained - US Visa Changes 2026: What Indian Applicants Need to Know - UAE Visa on Arrival for Indians 2026: Who Qualifies and Fees - Malaysia Visa-Free for Indians 2026: 30 Days, MDAC and End Date - Schengen EES and ETIAS Explained for Indian Travellers - Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List - Christmas and New Year 2026-27: Easy-Visa Trips from India - Sri Lanka ETA for Indians 2026: Free Visa, Rules and How to Apply - Bali Visa on Arrival for Indians 2026: Cost, Levy and Rules - China Visa for Indians 2026: The New Embassy Filing Process - US visa from India in 2026: a complete, no-nonsense guide - DS-160 form: 8 mistakes that cause US visa refusals - Schengen visa documents checklist for Indians (2026) - Visa consultant vs DIY: when does hiring one make sense? - Dubai visa cost from India in 2026: 14, 30 or 60-day? - Visa rejection: 7 reasons Indian applicants get refused (and what to do) ## Working with Travlys ### Which visas does Travlys help with? Travlys handles visa applications for the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Schengen area (via the Netherlands), Singapore, UAE / Dubai, Thailand and Malaysia, across tourist, business, student and work categories. ### How does the application process work? Pick your destination, submit a short brief, and we’ll come back within a working day with a route, document checklist, timeline and quote. After that: we draft the application, lock the appointment, coach the interview where relevant, and track the file until you get a decision. ### How much does Travlys charge for visa assistance? Service fees start at ₹999 for Malaysia eNTRI and ₹1,950 for Thailand, going up to ₹19,940 for the US embassy visa. Government / embassy fees are paid separately. Full pricing is on the homepage. ### Do you guarantee visa approval? No honest consultant can, the embassy decides. What we do guarantee is a complete, accurate, well-positioned application. We have a 98% approval rate across 5,000+ applications and we’ll flag refusal risks before you spend on embassy fees. ### How do I reach a real person? WhatsApp +91 82009 18967 for fastest response, or email info@travlys.com. We reply within working hours (Mon-Sat, 9 AM - 7 PM IST). ### My visa was refused before, can you help? Yes. Send us your refusal letter; we’ll review the reason and tell you whether a re-application is worth filing and what would need to change. There’s no charge for the assessment. ### Where is Travlys based? Our office is at 605, Shivalik Shilp II, Near Hotel ITC Narmada, Keshav Baug, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380015. We serve clients from across India remotely; walk-ins by appointment. ### Is Travlys better than other visa consultants? We handle fewer countries (10) so we know each route deeply, charge a single flat fee (no per-document or “urgency” surcharges), and you get a named specialist who stays on your file from brief to decision instead of a ticket queue. ## Fees and refunds ### Are embassy / VFS fees included? No. The price shown for each country is the Travlys service fee — what you pay us for our work. Embassy / VFS / VAC fees are paid separately to the respective authority. We never mark them up. ### Is there a refund if the visa is refused? Our service fee is non-refundable once the application is filed — we have already done the work. The embassy / government fee you paid is non-refundable regardless of who files. We do refund our service fee if we discontinue the application at our discretion (rare). ### Are there urgency or rush fees? No. The price you see is the only price. We do not have urgency surcharges, premium-route fees, or "express" tiers. If the timeline is tight we work harder, not more expensively. ### Do prices vary by city? No. The Travlys service fee is the same whether you are applying from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru or anywhere else in India. No location surcharge. ### What about for groups or families? Pricing is per applicant. For families filing together (3+ applicants on the same trip), we discount the second and subsequent applications. WhatsApp us with the size of your group. ## United States visa ### How long does it take to get a US visa from India? B1/B2 interview waits at US posts in India were roughly 6-12 months in October 2026 and change often. Once your interview is done, B1/B2 stamping typically arrives within 1-2 weeks. We help you grab the earliest available slot. ### What documents do I need for a US tourist visa? Passport (6+ months validity), DS-160 confirmation, fee receipt, visa-spec photograph, appointment letter, financial statements covering the past 3-6 months, and proof of strong ties to India (employment, family, assets). ### Do you guarantee a US visa approval? No consultant honestly can, the consular officer decides. What we do guarantee is a complete, accurate application and thorough interview prep, which is the single biggest factor in approvals. ### How much does Travlys charge for US visa assistance? Our service starts at ₹19,940 for B1/B2, covering DS-160, documentation, mock interview and appointment booking. The US embassy fee (currently $185) is paid separately to the embassy. Read the full guide ## United Kingdom visa ### How long does a UK visa take from India? Standard processing is around 3 weeks from biometrics. Priority (5 working days) and Super Priority (next working day) are available where slots exist, we’ll advise based on your travel dates. ### Do I need a TB test for a UK visa? Yes, Indian applicants coming to the UK for 6 months or more must submit a TB test certificate from a UKVI-approved clinic. We refer you to one near you. ### What is the Standard Visitor Visa? It’s the visa most leisure and business travelers use, valid for tourism, business meetings, short courses, and certain medical visits up to 6 months per stay. ### How much do you charge for UK visa help? Service starts at ₹12,950 for the Standard Visitor Visa. UKVI fees and VFS charges are paid separately to the respective authorities. Read the full guide ## Canada visa ### Do Indians need a visa for Canada? Yes, Indian passport holders need a TRV (visitor visa), study permit or work permit. eTA is generally not available for Indian passport holders. ### How long does the Canada visitor visa take? Typical IRCC processing from India runs 4-8 weeks once biometrics are submitted. Peak season can extend this. ### Is biometrics required for Canada visas in India? Yes, most applicants in India give biometrics at a VFS centre. Biometrics stay valid for 10 years, so if you gave them recently you may not need to give them again. ### How much does Travlys charge for Canada visa help? Service starts at ₹14,950 for visitor visas. IRCC and VFS fees are paid separately to the authorities. Read the full guide ## Australia visa ### How long does an Australia visa take from India? Visitor visas (Subclass 600) commonly process in 2-6 weeks; student visas (500) take longer and depend on the institution and course start date. ### What replaced the GTE statement? For student visas, the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test was replaced by the Genuine Student requirement in March 2024; visitors must show they are genuine visitors who will stay only temporarily. A short written statement explaining why you’ll return to India after your visit or studies helps. It’s pivotal to approvals; we draft it with you. ### Do I need biometrics for an Australia visa? Many applicants are asked for biometrics at VFS during processing. We book the appointment for you if requested. ### How much does Travlys charge for an Australia visa? Service starts at ₹4,950 for the visitor stream. DHA visa application charges (VAC) are paid separately. Read the full guide ## Schengen (Netherlands) visa ### Is a Netherlands visa the same as a Schengen visa? A short-stay Netherlands visa is a Schengen visa, it permits travel across all 29 Schengen countries within the granted validity and duration. ### How long does the Schengen visa take? The Netherlands currently quotes an average of 18-21 calendar days, and up to 45 in some cases. We recommend applying 6-8 weeks before travel; you can apply up to 6 months ahead. ### Do I need travel insurance? Yes, Schengen rules require travel insurance with minimum €30,000 medical cover valid across the Schengen area for the full visa duration. ### How much do you charge for Schengen visa help? Service starts at ₹2,950. The embassy fee (currently €90 / ~₹9,600) is paid separately to the embassy via VFS. Read the full guide ## Singapore visa ### How long does a Singapore e-Visa take from India? Typically 3-5 working days when the file is complete. Same-day decisions occur but are not guaranteed. ### How much does it cost? Travlys service starts at ₹2,950; the visa processing fee of INR 2,100 is paid separately. ### Documents required? Passport, photograph, travel itinerary, hotel bookings, financial documents and an employment / sponsorship letter. ### Can families apply together? Yes, we file family applications as a single batch with a consolidated travel narrative. Read the full guide ## United Arab Emirates visa ### How fast can I get a Dubai visa? UAE e-Visas are usually issued in 2-4 working days. Express options are available for some categories. ### What’s the difference between 30 and 60 day visas? 30-day visa allows a 30-day stay; 60-day allows 60. Both come in single or multiple-entry. We help pick based on your itinerary. ### Do I need a visa to transit through Dubai? If you leave the airport on a layover, you need a 48-hour or 96-hour UAE transit visa, which your airline arranges with your booking. If you stay airside, you usually do not need one. We check your route case by case. ### What documents are needed? A passport valid for at least six months, a photograph, confirmed return tickets, a hotel booking and financial proof in most cases. ### Can I get a UAE visa on arrival instead of an e-Visa? Yes, if you hold a qualifying document. Indian ordinary passport holders with a valid US visa or green card, a valid UK or EU visa or residence permit, or a valid residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or Singapore can get a 14-day visa on arrival for AED 100, extendable once. Your passport and that document should be valid for at least six months. Without one of these, you need an e-Visa before you fly. Read the full guide ## Thailand visa ### Do Indians need a visa for Thailand? Not for a tourist trip of up to 30 days. Since 15 September 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders can enter Thailand visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days. You still need a TDAC, a hotel booking, an onward ticket within 30 days and funds of about 20,000 baht per person. For longer stays, work or study, you need a visa from thaievisa.go.th. ### When should I apply for a Thai tourist e-Visa? Apply if you want to stay more than 30 days in one visit. The single-entry tourist visa (TR) is valid for 3 months and allows up to 60 days per entry. The embassy fee is ₹3,000, and applications go only through thaievisa.go.th. Travlys prepares and files the application, from ₹1,950 (Travlys fee). ### What is the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)? The DTV is a 5-year multiple-entry visa that allows up to 180 days per entry. It is for remote workers, freelancers and people joining activities such as wellness or sports programmes, plus their spouses and children. The embassy fee is ₹30,000. Travlys checks your eligibility and documents against the embassy's DTV checklist before filing. ### Do I need the TDAC if I am travelling visa-free? Yes. Every foreign traveller must submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online at tdac.immigration.go.th within 3 days before arrival, for every entry. It is free and is not a visa. Travlys can help you fill it in correctly with your flight and hotel details. ### How much does Travlys charge? Service starts at ₹1,950 for an e-Visa filing. The embassy fee (₹3,000 for a single-entry tourist visa) is paid separately to the Royal Thai government. For visa-free trips there is no visa fee; we can still help with the TDAC and your documents. Read the full guide ## New Zealand visa ### How long does an NZ visa take from India? INZ visitor visas typically process in 2-6 weeks; longer for work and student routes depending on documents and any additional checks. ### How much do you charge? Service starts at ₹6,950 for the visitor stream. INZ visa fees and IELTS/medical costs are paid separately. ### Do I need a medical? Medicals and police clearances are required for some categories or stays. We confirm based on your specific application. Read the full guide ## Malaysia visa ### Do Indians need a visa for Malaysia right now? No, not for visits of up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. Malaysia's visa waiver for Indian nationals covers business, tourism, social and transit visits. You must carry a passport valid for six months, a confirmed return ticket and a hotel booking, and submit the MDAC online before you arrive. Work is not allowed. ### What happens after 31 December 2026? As of 24 October 2026, Malaysia has not announced whether the waiver will be extended. Before the waiver, Indians used eNTRI (up to 15 days per visit) or an eVISA. If your trip is in 2027, check with us or the High Commission before booking. Travlys files eNTRI or eVISA applications from ₹999 (Travlys fee) once the route is confirmed. ### What is the MDAC and is it free? The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card is a compulsory online form for foreign visitors, and it is free on the official portal, imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. The High Commission says Indian visitors must submit it three days before the arrival date. Avoid paid lookalike sites. Travlys can file it with you so the details match your bookings. ### Can I work or stay longer than 30 days on visa-free entry? No. The waiver allows up to 30 days and does not permit work. Paid work needs a work permit, employment pass or Visa With Reference arranged before travel, and longer visits need the right visa. Tell us your plans and Travlys will advise the correct visa and prepare the application. Read the full guide ## Visa Rule Changes for Indians in 2026: Monthly Tracker ### What visa rules changed for Indians in 2026? The main 2026 changes for Indian passport holders are: China direct visa filing at its Embassy and Mumbai Consulate from 26 October, Australia's student visa restrictions from 2 October, Thailand's visa-free stay cut to 30 days from 15 September, Sri Lanka's free tourist ETA from 25 May, the Schengen EES going fully live on 10 April, and higher UK and Australian visa fees. ### Is Thailand still visa-free for Indians? Yes, but only for 30 days. From 15 September 2026 Thailand revoked its 60-day exemption and Indian ordinary passport holders get a 30-day visa-free stay for tourism. You must fill the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arrival. For longer stays, apply for a tourist visa or DTV on the Thai e-Visa portal before you fly. ### Is Malaysia visa-free for Indians after December 2026? Not confirmed. Malaysia's visa waiver for Indians runs until 31 December 2026, for stays of up to 30 days, and no extension had been announced as of 25 October 2026. If you are travelling in 2027, check the Immigration Department of Malaysia website before booking. You still need the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card. ### How do Indians apply for a China visa from 26 October 2026? You apply directly at the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai, not at a visa centre. Fill the online form first, wait for the approval email, then submit your passport in person. Residents of Maharashtra and Karnataka use Mumbai; everyone else, including Gujarat, uses New Delhi. A single-entry visa costs ₹2,900, paid by demand draft. ### What is the Indian passport rank in 2026? India is 84th in the October 2026 Henley Passport Index, with 55 destinations accessible without a visa arranged in advance, according to Indian news reports, which describe it as up one place from 85th. The count includes visa-free, visa on arrival and ETA entries, but not e-visa countries. ### Do Indians need a visa for Iran now? Yes. Iran suspended visa-free entry for Indian ordinary passport holders from 22 November 2025, according to India's Ministry of External Affairs, and we found no notice restoring it. You must get a visa before travel. The Embassy of India in Tehran also advised Indians in July 2026 to postpone travel to Iran. Read the full guide ## Australia Student Visa New Rules 2026 for Indian Students ### Can Indian students still apply for an Australian student visa in 2026? Yes. If you are in India and applying for your course, you can still apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) as before. The 2 October 2026 changes mainly affect people already in Australia on other temporary visas, existing students applying again, and students who want to bring family. You still need a Confirmation of Enrolment, OSHC, funds and an English test score. ### What is the Australian student visa fee in 2026? The base charge for an Indian main applicant is AUD 2,500 for applications received from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 2,000. Where family members can still be included, it is AUD 1,530 for each person aged 18 or over and AUD 500 for each child. OSHC, biometrics and medicals are extra. ### Can I take my spouse to Australia on a student visa now? Usually not, if you apply on or after 2 October 2026. Family members can only be included if you are a PhD student, sponsored by DFAT or Defence, on a foreign government scholarship, or a Pacific or ASEAN national. Nobody can add family after the visa is granted. Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 follow the old rules. ### How much bank balance do I need for an Australian student visa? You must show at least AUD 29,710 for a year of living costs, 12 months of tuition fees, and AUD 2,000 for travel from India. Alternatively, you can show your parents' or partner's annual income was at least AUD 87,856, using official tax documents. Home Affairs may ask for this evidence even if the checklist does not. ### What IELTS score is needed for an Australian student visa? The visa minimum is IELTS 6.0 overall, or PTE Academic 47, for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. It drops to 5.5 if your course includes at least 10 weeks of English classes, and 5.0 with at least 20 weeks. Your university may ask for a higher score than the visa minimum. ### How long is post-study work in Australia for Indian students? Indian graduates get 2 years after a bachelor's degree, 3 years after a bachelor's with first-class honours in STEM, 3 years after any master's, and 4 years after a PhD, under the Australia-India trade agreement. You must be 35 or under (under 50 for research degrees), meet IELTS 6.5, and apply in Australia. The visa charge is AUD 5,750. Read the full guide ## Study Abroad Visa Changes 2026 for Indian Students ### Is the UK Graduate Route being cut to 18 months? Yes, for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. If you apply for the Graduate visa on or before 31 December 2026, you still get 2 years. PhD and other doctoral graduates keep 3 years. What counts is the date you apply, not when your course started, and your university must have reported that you completed your course before you can apply. ### Can Indian students take their spouse to Australia in 2026? Mostly no, for applications lodged on or after 2 October 2026. Partners and children can be included only if an exemption applies, such as doctoral study, a fully funded foreign government scholarship, or DFAT or Defence sponsorship. Family members also cannot be added after the Student visa is granted. Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 are assessed under the old rules. ### Do Indian master's students need a PAL for Canada in 2026? Not if you are enrolled in a master's or doctoral programme at a public designated learning institution. Since 1 January 2026, these students do not need a provincial or territorial attestation letter with their study permit application. Bachelor's, diploma and certificate students, and students at private institutions, generally still need one. ### Do I need to make my social media public for a US F-1 visa? Yes. Since June 2025, the US has reviewed the online presence of F, M and J applicants, and the US Embassy in India asks these applicants to set all social media accounts to public. Do this before your interview and keep them public until your visa is issued. List every handle you have used on your DS-160. ### How much money is needed in a German blocked account in 2026? €11,904 for the first year of study, with withdrawals capped at €992 a month. The German missions in India have used this amount since 1 September 2024 and still listed it in 2026. A scholarship of at least €992 a month or a formal sponsor declaration can replace the blocked account. The Opportunity Card for job seekers needs €1,091 a month. ### Is OPT being removed for Indian students in the US? No. OPT and the STEM OPT extension still work under the same rules in October 2026. On 8 October 2026, DHS proposed fees of $70,000 for a student's first OPT recommendation and $30,000 for later ones, payable by the university. It is only a proposal, with comments open until 9 November 2026, and it is likely to face legal challenge. Read the full guide ## UK Visa for Indians 2026: Fees, Processing Time and Documents ### What is the UK visa fee for Indians in 2026? The Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for up to 6 months, from 8 April 2026. Long-term visit visas cost £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years and £1,128 for 10 years, and each visit can still last up to 6 months. Priority service adds £500 and super priority adds £1,000. You pay in rupees online, and the fee is not refunded if you are refused. ### How long does a UK visitor visa take from India? Usually about 3 weeks after your biometrics appointment at the visa application centre, according to GOV.UK. If you pay £500 for priority, most decisions come within 5 working days. Super priority, at £1,000, aims for a decision by the end of the next working day. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. ### Do Indians need an ETA for the UK? No. India is on the UK visa national list, so Indian passport holders need a visa, such as a Standard Visitor visa, to visit. The Electronic Travel Authorisation, which costs £20, is only for nationalities that do not need a visa, such as the US, Canada and EU countries. If you already hold a UK visa, you do not need an ETA as well. ### Do I need a UK transit visa if I have a US visa? Usually not. Indians normally need a Direct Airside Transit visa to change planes in the UK, but a valid US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand visa exempts you, as long as your onward flight leaves the same day from the same airport and you hold the right documents for your destination. A Schengen visitor (C) visa does not exempt you. ### Will I get my passport back while my UK visa is processed? Yes. GOV.UK says you get your passport back at the end of your visa centre appointment, though the centre may keep some other documents. Since 1 July 2026, the UK no longer puts a visa sticker in your passport. You get an eVisa, which you view in your UKVI online account, so check your passport details there before you fly. ### Does the India-UK trade deal mean Indians no longer need a UK business visa? No. The trade deal, in force since 15 July 2026, does not remove the visa requirement. Indian business travellers still apply for a Standard Visitor visa. The deal locks in commitments such as allowing short-term business visitors to stay up to 90 days in any 6 months for meetings, sales talks and trade fairs without a work permit. Read the full guide ## Canada Visitor Visa from India 2026: Fees, Time, Documents ### How long does a Canada visitor visa take from India in 2026? IRCC's processing-time tool showed 29 days for visitor visa applications from India when it was last updated on 21 October 2026. That figure does not include the time to give biometrics or to get your passport stamped after approval. IRCC updates the tool weekly and the number has moved a lot in 2026, from over 80 days early in the year, so check it on the day you apply. ### What is the Canada visitor visa fee for Indians? The government fee is CAD 100 for the visa plus CAD 85 for biometrics, so CAD 185 per person. A family applying together pays at most CAD 500 in visa fees and CAD 170 in biometrics fees. Fees are paid online in Canadian dollars. The VAC may charge its own service fee on top, and any agent's service fee is extra. ### Can Indians travel to Canada on an eTA instead of a visa? No. India is not on IRCC's list of visa-required countries whose citizens can use an eTA for air travel, even if they hold a US visa or had a Canadian visa before. In 2026 that list has 17 countries, with Indonesia and Malaysia added on 26 May 2026. Indian passport holders still need a visitor visa (TRV). ### Do I get a 10-year multiple-entry Canada visa automatically? No. Since IRCC's guidance of 6 November 2024, a maximum-validity multiple-entry visa is no longer the default. The officer decides whether to give single or multiple entry and how long the visa lasts, based on your purpose, funds and ties. Many applicants now get visas that match their trip rather than their passport expiry. ### What should I do after a Canada visitor visa refusal? Read the officer decision notes first. Since 29 July 2025 IRCC includes them with most visitor visa refusal letters. If you need the full file, request your GCMS notes free under the Privacy Act. There is no appeal for a visitor visa. You can reapply only with new documents that answer the reasons, or seek judicial review in the Federal Court if the decision was unfair. ### What is the difference between a Canada visitor visa and a Super Visa? A visitor visa usually allows stays of up to six months at a time. A Super Visa is only for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It allows stays of up to five years per entry over a validity of up to 10 years. It needs one year of approved medical insurance, a medical exam and a host who meets the minimum income. Read the full guide ## Japan Visa for Indians 2026: eVISA, Fees, Documents, Timeline ### Do Indians need a visa for Japan in 2026? Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Japan, including for a holiday. For a tourist trip you apply at a Japan Visa Application Centre run by VFS Global, and a single-entry tourist visa is now issued as an electronic eVISA instead of a passport sticker. JESTA, Japan's planned travel authorisation, is for visa-exempt nationals and does not replace your visa. ### Can Indians apply for the Japan eVISA online by themselves? No. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists India among the places where the eVISA must go through an accredited agency, which in India is VFS Global. You submit your form and documents at a VFS centre as before. The difference is the result: an approved single-entry tourist visa arrives as an eVISA, and you show the visa issuance notice on your phone at the airport. ### What is the Japan visa fee for Indians in 2026? The visa fee for Indian nationals is ₹500 for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. Japan raised fees for other nationalities from 1 July 2026, but the Indian rate stayed at ₹500. On top of that, VFS charges a service fee of ₹800 per application (the Mumbai page says GST is extra), and ₹550 if you choose courier return. ### How long does a Japan tourist visa take from India? Plan for at least one to two weeks. The Consulate-General in Mumbai says processing takes a minimum of 5 working days, and VFS lists indicative times of 10 days for Mumbai and 12 days for Ahmedabad, Pune and Goa. Applications cannot be expedited, and you can apply no earlier than 3 months before your travel date. ### How much bank balance do I need for a Japan visa? There is no official minimum balance. You need to show you can pay for the trip yourself, usually with recent bank statements and your income tax returns. The Mumbai jurisdiction asks for the last 3 months of statements and personal ITR; Kolkata asks for 6 months of stamped statements and 3 years of ITR. A balance that comfortably covers flights, hotels and daily costs is what matters. ### Is JESTA required for Indian travellers to Japan? No. JESTA is Japan's planned online pre-travel authorisation for nationals who can visit Japan without a visa, similar to the US ESTA. Japan's Cabinet approved the bill in March 2026 and launch is reported to be targeted for fiscal 2028. Indians need a visa, so JESTA does not apply to you. Ignore any website selling a JESTA today. Read the full guide ## Vietnam e-Visa for Indians 2026: Fee, Official Site, Phu Quoc ### Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam? Yes. India is not on Vietnam's list of countries with visa-free entry for ordinary passports, so Indian tourists need a visa. The easiest option is the e-visa from Vietnam's Immigration Department portal, evisa.gov.vn. The one exception is Phu Quoc island, where any foreigner can stay up to 30 days without a visa if they arrive directly and stay on the island. ### What is the official Vietnam e-visa website? The official portal is evisa.gov.vn, with thithucdientu.gov.vn as a second official address. Vietnam's Immigration Department moved the e-visa system to these two domains on 11 November 2024. Many private websites use similar names, flags and seals and charge extra. Type the address yourself rather than clicking a search ad, and check that it ends in .gov.vn. ### How much is the Vietnam e-visa for Indians in 2026? The government fee is USD 25 for a single-entry e-visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry e-visa of up to 90 days. Vietnam's fee circular that took effect on 1 April 2026 kept these amounts. The fee is paid online on the portal and is not refunded if your application is refused. Your bank may add a small foreign currency charge. ### How long does the Vietnam e-visa take? Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security says applications are processed within 3 working days of receiving a complete application and the fee. Weekends, Vietnamese public holidays and errors in your form can stretch this. Apply at least two to three weeks before you fly, and longer before Tet (Lunar New Year) or the Christmas and New Year peak. ### Can Indians visit Phu Quoc without a visa? Yes. Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists a 30-day visa exemption for foreigners entering Phu Quoc, with no nationality restriction, so it covers Indian passport holders. You must arrive from abroad, either directly or by staying in the international transit area of another Vietnamese airport, and stay on Phu Quoc. To visit the mainland you need a visa, such as an e-visa. ### Can I use a Vietnam e-visa for multiple entries? Yes. Since 15 August 2023, Vietnam's e-visa can be issued for single or multiple entries, with a maximum validity of 90 days. A multiple-entry e-visa costs USD 50 and suits trips that loop into Cambodia, Laos or Thailand and back. Choose the entry type carefully when you apply, because you cannot change it afterwards. Read the full guide ## Philippines Visa-Free for Indians 2026: 14 or 30 Days, Rules ### Do Indians need a visa for the Philippines in 2026? No, not for a short holiday. Since 8 June 2025, Indian passport holders can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days. You need a passport valid six months beyond your stay, a confirmed hotel booking, proof of funds and a return or onward ticket. If you want to stay longer, or you are travelling for work or study, apply for a Philippine visa before you fly. ### Can I extend the 14-day visa-free stay in the Philippines? No. The Philippine government's current visa policy describes the 14-day entry for Indians as non-extendible and non-convertible. Some websites still mention a 7-day extension, but that comes from an older 2015 rule for Indians with US or similar visas. If you need more than 14 days, use the 30-day route if you qualify, or get an e-visa before travel. ### Who gets 30 days visa-free in the Philippines? Indian nationals holding a valid and current American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or UK visa or residence permit get 30 days visa-free for tourism. This group is called AJACSSUK. The visa must be valid on the day you arrive. The 30 days cannot be extended. You still need a passport valid six months beyond your stay and a return or onward ticket. ### Is eTravel registration mandatory for the Philippines and is it free? Yes, arriving foreign passengers must register on etravel.gov.ph, and it is completely free. You can register within 72 hours before arrival. Save or print the QR code, because the airline will ask to see it before you board. Any website that charges a fee for eTravel is not the official one. ### Is there a direct flight from India to the Philippines? Yes. Air India started nonstop Delhi to Manila flights on 1 October 2025, about seven hours each way, flying five days a week at launch. From other Indian cities you usually connect through Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or Hong Kong. Check the current Air India schedule before you book, as days and timings change. ### What if I want to stay in the Philippines for more than 14 days? Apply for a Philippine e-visa at evisa.gov.ph before you travel, unless you qualify for the 30-day AJACSSUK route. The e-visa takes 7 to 12 working days for single entry. The stay it gives cannot be extended after you arrive, so choose your dates carefully. Fees are not refunded if the e-visa is refused. Read the full guide ## Georgia Visa for Indians 2026: e-Visa, Fees, Insurance Rule ### Do Indians need a visa for Georgia in 2026? Yes, unless you hold a valid visa or residence permit from one of the countries Georgia lists, such as the US, UK or a Schengen state. The Georgian Foreign Ministry's checker shows visa required for ordinary Indian passports. Most Indians apply online at evisa.gov.ge. There is no visa on arrival for Indian passport holders. ### How much does a Georgia e-visa cost for Indians? The official e-visa portal lists the fee as USD 20 plus a 2% service fee, paid by Visa or Mastercard. Several travel sites report an extra identity check called DuVerify costing about USD 15, but the official FAQ does not mention it, so check the fee shown during your application. The fee is not refunded if your visa is refused or unused. ### Can I enter Georgia without a visa if I have a US, UK or Schengen visa? Yes. Under Government of Georgia Ordinance No. 256, Indians holding a valid visa or residence permit from listed countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and EU or Schengen states, can enter visa-free and stay 90 days in any 180-day period. The visa must be valid on the day you cross the border. Carry it with your passport. ### Is travel insurance mandatory for Georgia? Yes. Since 1 January 2026, every tourist entering Georgia must hold health and accident insurance of at least 30,000 GEL covering the full stay, including arrival and departure dates. The policy can be from an Indian or Georgian insurer, in English or Georgian, on paper or on your phone. This applies even if you enter visa-free. ### How long does a Georgia e-visa take? The official e-visa FAQ says a decision takes not less than 5 working days. Apply at least two to three weeks before you fly to leave room for document requests. You must apply from outside Georgia, and each traveller, including children, needs a separate e-visa. ### How long can Indians stay in Georgia on an e-visa? The official portal says validity depends on your nationality and shows it when you apply. Travel guides commonly report 30 days of stay within a 120-day validity for Indians, but they disagree on whether it is single or multiple entry. Check the dates printed on your e-visa and do not overstay them. Read the full guide ## Indian e-Passport 2026: How to Apply, Fees and Who Gets It ### How do I apply for an e-passport in India? You apply for a normal fresh or re-issue passport on passportindia.gov.in or the mPassport Seva app. There is no separate e-passport form. Register, fill the form, pay online and book a slot at a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra. Since late May 2025, passports printed in India are issued as e-passports, so the chip comes automatically. ### What is the e-passport fee in India in 2026? From 1 July 2026, a fresh or re-issue 36-page passport costs ₹2,500 under normal processing and ₹5,000 under Tatkal. A 60-page passport costs ₹3,500 normal and ₹6,000 Tatkal. A minor's 36-page passport costs ₹1,750 normal. These are the same fees for every passport, because all new passports are e-passports. They come from the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026. ### Is my old non-chip Indian passport still valid? Yes. The Ministry of External Affairs has said existing non-electronic passports remain valid until their expiry date. You do not need to apply for an e-passport early. You will get one automatically when you next renew. A senior MEA official was also quoted in November 2025 saying existing ordinary passports will be accepted up to 2035. ### How can I tell if my Indian passport is an e-passport? Look at the front cover. An e-passport has a small gold-coloured chip symbol printed on it, which older passports do not have. The chip and antenna are built into the booklet. The details on your data page are also stored on the chip and digitally signed. If your passport was issued in India after late May 2025, it should be an e-passport. ### Does an e-passport let Indians use e-gates abroad? Not by itself. Each country decides which nationalities may use its automated e-gates, and a chip does not change that list. The e-passport mainly makes your identity faster and safer to verify by machine and harder to forge. In India, the Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme is a separate registration that you must sign up for. ### What is the Police Clearance Certificate fee in 2026? The Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) fee is ₹750 in India from 1 July 2026, under the revised fee schedule. You apply for it on the same Passport Seva portal, book an appointment at a PSK or POPSK, and the police verify your address. Countries often ask for a PCC for work visas, long-stay visas, permanent residence and some study visas. Read the full guide ## Thailand Visa-Free for Indians in 2026: The 30-Day Rule Explained ### Do Indians need a visa for Thailand in 2026? No, not for a tourist trip of up to 30 days. Since 15 September 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders can enter Thailand under the visa exemption scheme for up to 30 days. You still need a Thailand Digital Arrival Card, proof of accommodation and an onward ticket. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, work, study or travel for purposes other than tourism, apply for the right visa on thaievisa.go.th before you fly. ### Is the 60-day visa-free stay for Indians still valid? No. Thailand ended its 60-day visa exemption scheme for all countries on 15 September 2026, after the new rules were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026. Indians now get up to 30 days visa-free for tourism. If you want 60 days in one go, apply for a single-entry tourist visa (TR) through the Thai e-Visa system, which allows a stay of up to 60 days per entry. ### Can I extend my 30-day visa-free stay in Thailand? Usually yes, by up to 30 days, but it is not guaranteed. Thai embassy guidance says visa-exempt visitors may request an extension of stay of up to 30 days from the Immigration Bureau of Thailand. The decision is at the officer's discretion. The fee has long been 1,900 baht, but check the current fee and documents on the Immigration Bureau website before you rely on an extension to plan your trip. ### What is the TDAC and is it free? The TDAC is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, and it is free. Every foreign traveller, including those entering visa-free, must submit it online at tdac.immigration.go.th within 3 days before arriving, and again for every new entry. It is not a visa. Thai embassies have warned about fake sites that charge a fee, so use only the official .go.th address. ### How much money do I need to show at Thai immigration? Be ready to show funds equal to about 20,000 baht per person. The Royal Thai Embassy in London says officers may ask visa-exempt visitors for proof of 20,000 baht per person, while a July 2026 TAT notice lists 10,000 baht per person for certain visa-exempt cases. Cash, an equivalent foreign currency or payment documents are accepted, and children under 12 are exempt. ### Which visa do I need for a long stay, work or study in Thailand? You need a proper visa from the Thai e-Visa system. A tourist visa (TR) gives up to 60 days per entry. The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a 5-year multiple-entry visa with stays of up to 180 days per entry for remote workers, freelancers and some activity programmes. Study needs a Non-Immigrant ED visa, and paid work needs a Non-Immigrant B visa plus a Thai work permit. Read the full guide ## US Visa Changes 2026: What Indian Applicants Need to Know ### Can Indians still get a US visa interview waiver in 2026? Only a small group can. Since September 2025, the waiver is mainly for people renewing a full-validity B1/B2 visa within 12 months of its expiry, who were at least 18 when that visa was issued. You must also apply in India, have no past visa refusal that was not overcome, and have no apparent ineligibility. F-1, H-1B, H-4 and first-time applicants need an interview. Officers can still call any applicant for an interview. ### Is the $250 visa integrity fee being charged in India? We could not confirm that it is. The fee was created by a US law signed on 4 July 2025 and is meant to be paid when a visa is issued, not when you apply. But as of 24 October 2026 we found no official notice that collection has started, and reports conflict. Budget for it anyway. It may be refunded later if you follow all visa conditions, but DHS has not published a refund process. ### Does the $100,000 H-1B fee apply to existing H-1B visa holders? No. USCIS says the fee does not apply to H-1B visas already issued, does not change renewal fees, and does not stop current H-1B holders from travelling in and out of the US. It was aimed at certain new petitions filed from 21 September 2025 for workers outside the US. It is paid by the employer, not the worker, and court orders currently block its collection. ### Can I apply for my US visa in Dubai or another country to get an earlier slot? Generally, no. Since September 2025, the State Department says you should book your interview in your country of nationality or residence. For an Indian citizen living in India, that means a post in India. If you legally live in another country, such as the UAE, you can apply there as a resident. Booking elsewhere is risky because visa fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. ### Do I need to make my social media public for a US tourist visa? Not as of October 2026. The US Embassy in India asks applicants for F, M, J, H-1B, H-4 and several other categories to set all social media accounts to public. B1/B2 is not on that list. Every DS-160, including B1/B2, still asks for the social media handles you have used, so list them honestly and completely. ### How long is the US visa appointment wait in India right now? For a B1/B2 interview, published figures in October 2026 put the wait at roughly 6 to 12 months across Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Student and work visa waits were much shorter, mostly a few months. These numbers change often, so check the State Department's Global Visa Wait Times tool for your city before you plan. Read the full guide ## UAE Visa on Arrival for Indians 2026: Who Qualifies and Fees ### Can Indians get a visa on arrival in Dubai? Only if you hold a qualifying document. Indian ordinary passport holders with a valid US visa or green card, a valid UK or EU visa or residence permit, or a valid residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or Singapore can get a 14-day visa on arrival for AED 100. Your passport and that document should be valid for at least six months. Everyone else needs a UAE visa approved before travel. ### Can I get a UAE visa on arrival with only a UK visa? Official UAE pages still say yes as of 24 October 2026. ICP's June 2026 announcement and its service page, and GDRFA Dubai's service page, all list the UK. Some Indian news reports in July 2026 said UK-only holders would lose eligibility, but we found no official notice confirming that. If the UK document is all you have, apply online before you fly so you know the answer in advance. ### Does a Schengen visa qualify for UAE visa on arrival? Yes, if it is valid and issued by an EU member state. ICP's wording covers a valid visa or residence permit issued by an EU country. Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein issue Schengen visas but are not EU members, and we could not confirm from an official source whether their visas count. If yours is from one of these four, apply online in advance. ### How much does the UAE visa on arrival cost for Indians? The 14-day visa on arrival costs AED 100. One 14-day extension costs AED 250, and ICP also lists an AED 100 application fee for extensions. The 60-day option has an AED 250 issuance fee; ICP's online service adds an AED 100 smart services fee, so expect about AED 350 in total. Overstaying costs AED 50 per day. ### Can I extend the 14-day UAE visa on arrival? Yes, once, for another 14 days. ICP lists the extension fee at AED 250, plus a general AED 100 application fee for visa extensions. Apply before your current stay runs out. The 60-day version cannot be extended at all, so if you think you will stay longer than 28 days, choose the 60-day option or a regular tourist visa from the start. ### Does a Canadian or Australian visitor visa count for UAE visa on arrival? No. For Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Singapore, ICP accepts only a valid residence permit, not a visitor or tourist visa. Only US, UK and EU documents count as a visa as well as a residence permit. If you hold just a Canadian or Australian visitor visa, apply for a UAE tourist e-Visa before you travel. Read the full guide ## Malaysia Visa-Free for Indians 2026: 30 Days, MDAC and End Date ### Do Indians need a visa for Malaysia in 2026? No, not for a visit of up to 30 days made before the waiver ends. The Government of Malaysia has extended its visa waiver for Indian nationals until 31 December 2026, for stays of up to 30 days. You must still carry a passport valid for at least six months, a confirmed return ticket and a hotel booking, and submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before you arrive. ### When does Malaysia's visa-free entry for Indians end? The waiver currently runs until 31 December 2026. Both the Immigration Department of Malaysia and the Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi show this date. As of 24 October 2026, we found no official announcement extending it into 2027. If your trip starts on or after 1 January 2027, or crosses that date, check imi.gov.my and the High Commission website before you book. ### Is the MDAC free and when should I submit it? Yes, the MDAC is free on the official portal. The Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi says Indian visitors must submit it online three days before the arrival date, at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. Malaysia's Immigration Department has warned travellers about fake MDAC websites, so never pay a site to file it for you and check that the address ends in .gov.my. ### Can I extend my 30-day visa-free stay in Malaysia? Do not plan on it. We found no official Malaysian rule that lets Indian visitors extend a stay under the visa waiver. If you need more than 30 days, apply for the right visa before you travel, through the eVISA portal or the High Commission. Staying past your permitted date can lead to fines, detention and a ban on future entry. ### Can I travel to Malaysia visa-free for business? Yes, for short business visits such as meetings, but not for work. The Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi lists business, tourism, social and transit visits under the waiver. Paid work is not allowed. The Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur warned in September 2026 that taking up a job on visa-free entry breaks immigration rules and needs a work permit or a Visa With Reference. ### What is eNTRI and do I still need it? You do not need eNTRI while the visa waiver is in force. eNTRI is an online registration that Malaysia offered Indian nationals under its earlier visa waiver programme. Imigresen's eNTRI page describes it as single-use, for up to 15 days per visit, with no extension. Malaysia has not said whether eNTRI or the eVISA will be the route for Indians after 31 December 2026. Read the full guide ## Schengen EES and ETIAS Explained for Indian Travellers ### Do Indians need ETIAS to visit Europe? No, not if you travel on an Indian passport. ETIAS is only for nationals who can visit the Schengen area without a visa. Indians need a Schengen visa, and the visa is your travel permission. ETIAS has also not started yet. The official EU site says it is not in operation and that the start date will be announced several months before launch. Ignore any website that offers ETIAS applications today. ### Will my Indian passport still be stamped in Schengen countries? No. Since 10 April 2026, border officers in the 29 countries using the Entry/Exit System no longer stamp passports. Your entry and exit are recorded digitally instead. The exceptions are Cyprus, where passports are still stamped by hand, and Ireland, which is not in Schengen. Keep your boarding passes and hotel bookings as your own record of travel dates. ### Do I give fingerprints under EES if I hold a Schengen visa? Your fingerprints are not stored again in the EES. If you hold a Schengen visa, your fingerprints are already in the Visa Information System from your visa appointment, so the EES stores your facial image along with your travel data. The officer may still check your fingerprints against the visa record. Fingerprints of children under 12 are not scanned. Refusing to give biometrics means refusal of entry. ### When did the EES start and is it fully live now? The EES started on 12 October 2025 and was rolled out in phases over six months. It became fully operational at all external border crossing points of the 29 participating countries on 10 April 2026. A temporary option to partially suspend registration at busy crossings was available after that, and reports say it ended in early September 2026. Expect full registration on your trip. ### How do I count my 90 days in 180 now that there are no stamps? The EES counts it for you. Each entry and exit is recorded, and the system calculates your remaining days as one period across all 29 countries. You can check your remaining stay using the official Check how long you can stay tool on travel-europe.europa.eu, or ask the border officer. Your visa's validity and number of entries still apply, so check both. ### What is the Schengen visa fee for Indians in 2026? The Schengen visa fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11. Children under 6 pay nothing. This is the standard fee across Schengen countries, set from June 2024, and the Netherlands lists the same amounts for India in its 2026 fee table. You also pay a separate service charge to the visa application centre, such as VFS Global. Read the full guide ## Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List ### How many countries can Indians visit without a visa in 2026? About 55, counting visa-free, visa on arrival and ETA entries. That is the figure for the October 2026 Henley Passport Index, as reported by Business Today and TravelBiz Monitor. Only about half of these are truly visa-free with nothing to apply for. The rest need a visa on arrival or an online authorisation. E-visa countries are not counted in the 55. ### What is India's passport rank in 2026? India is 84th in the October 2026 Henley Passport Index, tied with Algeria and Mauritania, with 55 destinations. The rank moved during the year: about 80th in January, 75th in February, and 81st in the July 2026 edition. The October figure comes from Indian news reports of the edition dated 9 October 2026; we could not view it on Henley's own website. ### Is Thailand visa-free for Indians in 2026? Yes, for 30 days. From 15 September 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders can enter Thailand visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days, according to the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi. The earlier 60-day visa-free stay has ended. You still need the Thailand Digital Arrival Card. For longer stays, work or study, get the right visa before you fly. ### Is Malaysia still visa-free for Indians? Yes, until 31 December 2026. Malaysia lets Indian citizens enter without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes other than work or study. You must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before arrival and may be asked for a return ticket and hotel booking. We found no announcement yet on what happens after 31 December, so check before booking a 2027 trip. ### Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka in 2026? You need an ETA, but it is free. Since 25 May 2026, Sri Lanka gives Indian nationals a free tourist ETA valid for 30 days with double entry, according to the official ETA portal. You must still apply online at eta.gov.lk before you travel. Staying beyond 30 days needs an extension, which carries a fee. ### Which countries need a visa in advance for Indians? Most of the popular long-haul destinations. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the Schengen countries, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore all need a visa approved before travel. The UAE also needs one unless you qualify for its visa on arrival with a US, UK or EU visa or a listed residence permit. Travlys files applications for all of these. Read the full guide ## Christmas and New Year 2026-27: Easy-Visa Trips from India ### Which countries can Indians visit without a visa for New Year 2026? Thailand, Malaysia, the Maldives and Mauritius do not need a visa arranged in advance for Indian tourists. Thailand gives 30 days visa-free for tourism, Malaysia gives 30 days visa-free until 31 December 2026, the Maldives issues a free tourist visa on arrival, and Mauritius grants a visit permit on arrival. You still need arrival cards, a return ticket, hotel bookings and a passport valid for at least six months. ### Is Thailand still visa-free for Indians in December 2026? Yes, for tourism stays of up to 30 days. Since 15 September 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders get a 30-day visa exemption instead of the earlier 60 days. Fill the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card within three days before arrival. The Indian Embassy in Bangkok advises carrying at least THB 20,000 in cash per person, plus confirmed return tickets and hotel bookings. Longer stays need a Thai e-visa. ### Can I visit Malaysia visa-free over New Year 2026-27? Yes, if you enter Malaysia on or before 31 December 2026. Malaysia's visa exemption for Indians currently runs until that date, and no extension had been announced as of 24 October 2026. Malaysia has not said how a stay that runs past 31 December will be treated, so finish your trip by then or check the latest position before booking. Submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card within three days before arrival. ### How early should I apply for a visa for a Christmas trip? Apply as soon as your flights are fixed, and at least two to three weeks before you travel. Singapore's High Commission says visas usually take three to five working days, and Vietnam's e-visa is officially about three working days, but the Christmas rush and public holidays slow things down. Indonesia's e-VOA must be used within 90 days of issue, so you can apply for a late-December trip now. ### Which easy-visa destination has the best weather in December? Thailand, Dubai, Sri Lanka's west and south coast, southern Vietnam and the Maldives usually have the best December weather. These places are in their dry or cooler season. Bali and Singapore are in their wetter months, with frequent showers, and Mauritius is in its hot, humid summer with cyclone season under way, so build some flexibility into beach and boat plans there. Read the full guide ## Sri Lanka ETA for Indians 2026: Free Visa, Rules and How to Apply ### Is Sri Lanka visa free for Indians in 2026? The visa fee is free, but you still need an ETA. Since 25 May 2026, Indian nationals can get a tourist ETA free of charge for 30 days under a scheme covering 40 countries. Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration says all foreign nationals, including these 40 countries, must get an ETA before arrival. Apply only on the official site, eta.gov.lk. A business ETA is not covered by the free scheme. ### How do I apply for the Sri Lanka ETA as an Indian? Apply online at www.eta.gov.lk, the official site run by Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration. Choose a tourist ETA, enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport, and submit. You get an acknowledgement and then an approval or referral notice. Save or print the approval and carry it when you fly. Do not use look-alike sites that charge a fee for the free Indian tourist ETA. ### How long can Indians stay in Sri Lanka on the free ETA? You can stay up to 30 days, counted from the date you first arrive. The ETA allows two entries, but both must fall inside that 30-day period, and the second visit uses whatever days are left. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for an extension from the Department of Immigration and Emigration and pay the extension fee. The free scheme covers only the first 30 days. ### How long does the Sri Lanka ETA take? The official site does not publish a fixed processing time for online applications. It only says Sri Lankan missions issue the ETA within three business days. Most applicants hear back much sooner, but apply at least a week before your flight to be safe. Do not apply too early either. The official application page says you must enter Sri Lanka within three months of the ETA being issued. ### Can I extend my Sri Lanka tourist ETA? Yes, but the extension is paid. You can apply online through the Department of Immigration and Emigration's e-visa extension portal or at its head office in Battaramulla. The official ETA site describes extensions in stages, up to a total of 270 days from arrival. Another official page mentions a maximum of six months, so check the current limit when you apply, and apply before your 30 days run out. ### What documents do Indians need at Colombo airport? Carry your ETA approval, a passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date, a confirmed return ticket and enough money for your stay. These are the conditions listed on the official ETA site. Keep your hotel bookings handy too, in case the immigration officer asks where you are staying. If you are on a business trip, you need a business ETA, which is not free. Read the full guide ## Bali Visa on Arrival for Indians 2026: Cost, Levy and Rules ### Do Indians need a visa for Bali? Yes, but you do not need to apply at an embassy. India is on Indonesia's visa-on-arrival list, so you can buy a 30-day visa online as an e-VOA before you fly or at the counter when you land in Bali. It costs IDR 500,000 and allows tourism, family visits, business meetings and transit, but not work. You also need a passport valid for at least six months and a ticket out of Indonesia. ### How much is the Bali visa on arrival for Indians in 2026? The fee is IDR 500,000, whether you buy the e-VOA online or pay on arrival. In August 2026 Indonesian immigration proposed raising it to IDR 750,000 for the e-VOA and IDR 1,000,000 on arrival, but as of 24 October 2026 no regulation or effective date had been published. The Bali tourist levy of IDR 150,000 is a separate charge on top of the visa. ### Is the e-VOA better than paying for the visa on arrival? Yes, for most travellers the e-VOA is the better choice. It costs the same IDR 500,000 today, you land with the visa already issued, and you skip the payment counter queue at Ngurah Rai airport. If the proposed fee change comes in, the e-VOA would also be cheaper. Apply only on evisa.imigrasi.go.id, and use the visa within 90 days of issue. ### How do I pay the Bali tourist levy? Pay it online on the Love Bali portal, lovebali.baliprov.go.id, or its official app before you arrive. The levy is IDR 150,000 per person, paid once per trip, and it is cashless only: cards, bank transfer, virtual account or QRIS. You get a QR voucher by email. You can also pay at counters at Bali's airport and port, or through registered hotels and agents during your stay. ### Is the All Indonesia arrival card mandatory? Yes, every international arrival is expected to complete it. All Indonesia is a free digital form that combines the immigration, customs and health declarations, and it became the single arrival declaration from 1 October 2025. Fill it at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id or in the official app up to three days before you land. Each traveller, including children, needs their own QR code. It does not replace your visa. ### Can I extend my Bali visa on arrival? Yes, once, for another 30 days. You apply at an Indonesian immigration office in Bali, and the extension costs another IDR 500,000. Indonesian immigration advises applying at least seven days before your current stay expires. After 60 days in total you must leave the country, because the visa on arrival cannot be converted into another type of stay permit. Read the full guide ## China Visa for Indians 2026: The New Embassy Filing Process ### Where do Indians apply for a China visa from 26 October 2026? You apply directly at the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi or the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai. Mumbai covers residents of Maharashtra and Karnataka. The Embassy covers every other state, and for now also West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, which were earlier handled through Kolkata. The Chinese Visa Application Service Centres no longer take new applications. Fill the form online first and submit in person only after you get the approval email. ### How much is a China visa for Indians in 2026? A single-entry visa costs ₹2,900 under the fee schedule dated 22 October 2026. Double entry is ₹4,400, six-month multiple entry is ₹5,900 and multiple entry for 12 months or more is ₹8,800. Express processing adds ₹1,800 and urgent processing, where available, adds ₹2,700. Because you now file directly with the Embassy or Consulate, there is no separate service-centre fee. ### Can I pay the China visa fee in cash or online? No. For now the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India accept only demand drafts. Cash, personal cheques and other methods are temporarily not accepted. The draft must be printed by the bank, payable to CHINESE EMBASSY, NEW DELHI or CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN MUMBAI. Write your full name, pick-up slip number and phone number on the back. Handwritten or incomplete drafts are refused. ### How long does a China visa take in India? Regular processing takes 7 working days and express takes 4 working days, counted from the day after you submit your passport. The fee schedule also lists urgent processing in 2 working days where applicable. Add time before that for the online review, which must be approved before you can submit, and for getting a demand draft made. Plan for at least two to three weeks in total. ### Can Indians use China's 240-hour visa-free transit? No. India is not on the list of countries eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit, as published by Chinese embassies in May 2026. Indian passport holders need a visa to leave the airport. The Embassy's visa notice does exempt passengers transiting to a third country within 24 hours who stay inside the designated port area, so a same-day connection without leaving the airport is generally fine. Confirm with your airline. ### Do I need to give fingerprints for a China tourist visa? Usually not before 31 December 2026. The Embassy has exempted applicants for short-term visas with a stay of up to 180 days from fingerprinting until that date. Applicants for long-stay visas, such as Z work or X1 study visas, still give fingerprints in person. Children under 14 and people over 70 are exempt, as are people fingerprinted by the same mission with the same passport in the last five years. Read the full guide ## US visa from India in 2026: a complete, no-nonsense guide ### How long does a US visa take from India in 2026? B1/B2 interview waits at Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad were roughly 6–12 months in October 2026 and change often. After the interview, B1/B2 stamping is typically issued within 1–2 weeks. We monitor all five consular calendars and book the earliest available slot. ### How much does a US visa cost from India in total? About ₹38,000 end to end: Travlys service fee from ₹19,940 + US embassy MRV fee of $185 (~₹18,100 at the current consular rate of ₹98 per dollar). VAC biometrics and courier are included in our fee. No urgency surcharges, no per-document add-ons. ### Do I need to travel to New Delhi for the interview? Not always. Five US missions handle Indian applicants based on jurisdiction: Embassy New Delhi, and Consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. Your home state decides which centre you go to. Since September 2025 you must also apply in your country of nationality or residence, so if you live in India you cannot book a faster slot in Dubai or Bangkok. ### Can Travlys help if my US visa was refused before? Yes. Send us your 214(b) refusal letter — we review the reason at no cost and tell you whether a re-application is worth filing and what would need to change in your profile or documentation. Read the full guide ## DS-160 form: 8 mistakes that cause US visa refusals ### Can I edit a DS-160 after submission? No, you cannot edit a submitted DS-160. You can fill in a new one and submit it, and you do not pay the MRV fee again. If you have already booked, the US Embassy says to bring both the original and the corrected DS-160 confirmation pages to your VAC or drop-off appointment, or reschedule using the new application number. We catch errors before submission. ### How long is a DS-160 confirmation valid? The barcode confirmation page is valid for 30 days. If you do not pay the MRV fee and schedule biometrics within that window, you start fresh. ### Should I list every country I have visited on DS-160? Yes — the last 5 years of travel. Omitting trips that show up on your passport is the fastest way to get a 214(b) refusal. We cross-check your declared travel against your passport stamps before you submit. Read the full guide ## Schengen visa documents checklist for Indians (2026) ### Which Schengen country should I apply to? Apply to the country where you will spend the most days. If days are equal, apply to the country you enter first. For most Indian first-time Schengen applicants, the Netherlands (via Travlys) has cleaner processing than France or Germany in peak season. ### What insurance cover do I need? Schengen rules require travel medical insurance with minimum €30,000 cover, valid across all 29 Schengen states for the full duration of your stay, and explicitly covering repatriation and emergency medical evacuation. Standard Indian travel insurance usually meets this; we double-check. ### Do I need to book flights before applying? No — and you should not. A confirmed itinerary is enough; a dummy ticket or hold-confirmed reservation from a travel agent is acceptable. Buying actual tickets before approval risks the money if the visa is refused. Read the full guide ## Visa consultant vs DIY: when does hiring one make sense? ### Does using a consultant improve approval chances? It depends on the visa. For simple visas such as Singapore or a UAE tourist e-Visa, the answer is essentially no — the application is straightforward. Malaysia and Thailand are currently visa-free for short tourist trips by Indians. For embassy-stamp visas (US, UK, Canada, Schengen) where interviews and detailed financial framing matter, a good consultant materially improves outcomes. Our approval rate across 5,000+ applications is 98%, well above the Indian average for self-applied US visas (75-85%). ### How do consultants get paid? Flat service fee, paid before filing. Travlys fees range from ₹999 (Malaysia eNTRI) to ₹19,940 (US embassy). We do not take commissions from embassies or VFS, and we cannot fast-track government processing — anyone who claims to do that is lying. Read the full guide ## Dubai visa cost from India in 2026: 14, 30 or 60-day? ### Which Dubai visa do I need for a 4-day trip? The 14-day single-entry e-Visa. Cheapest option, plenty of buffer over 4 days. The 30-day is overkill and costs more for no benefit. ### Can I extend a Dubai visa once I am there? A 30-day or 60-day tourist visa can be extended once for the same duration, at GDRFA Dubai. The 14-day cannot be extended. We tell you this before you choose so you do not get caught short. ### Why are some Dubai visa portals so cheap? Some travel-portal "Dubai visa" prices are misleading. They show only the GDRFA government fee and bury the markup in surcharges or "express" fees. Travlys quotes the full price up-front so you can actually compare. Read the full guide ## Visa rejection: 7 reasons Indian applicants get refused (and what to do) ### Can a refused visa be re-applied immediately? Yes, you can re-apply the next day. But unless something material has changed in your profile or documentation, you will likely be refused again. We tell you whether re-application is worth filing or whether you should wait for a profile change. ### Does a visa refusal affect future applications? It is on your record forever — every future visa form will ask about it and you must declare it. But a single refusal does not permanently disqualify you. Many of our clients with prior refusals are now on their second, third or tenth approved visa. Read the full guide ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/visa-fees/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Visa fees for Indians in 2026: every country, one table One table with the 2026 visa fee, processing time, validity and entry rule for Indians travelling to the US, UK, Canada, Schengen, Australia, Dubai, Thailand and more. Checked against official sources on 2026-10-25. Free to use with credit to Travlys (CC BY 4.0). Download as CSV. - Country | Visa needed? | Entry route | Government fee | ≈ INR | Processing | Stay | Travlys fee | Source - United States | Yes | B1/B2 visitor visa from a US consulate in India | $185 | ₹18,100 | 6-12 months (interview wait) | Up to 6 months / visit | From ₹19,940 | Official source - United Kingdom | Yes | Standard Visitor visa, biometrics at VFS, issued as an eVisa | £135 | ₹17,100 | 3 weeks (Standard) | Up to 6 months / visit | From ₹12,950 | Official source - Canada | Yes | Visitor visa (TRV) with biometrics | CAD 185 | ₹12,500 | 4-8 weeks | Up to 6 months / visit | From ₹14,950 | Official source - Australia | Yes | Visitor visa (subclass 600), applied online | AUD 250 | ₹16,600 | 2-6 weeks | Usually 3 months, up to 12 / visit | From ₹4,950 | Official source - Schengen (Netherlands) | Yes | Schengen short-stay visa, biometrics at VFS | €90 | ₹9,600 | 18-21 days (up to 45) | 90 days in any 180 | From ₹2,950 | Official source - Singapore | Yes | Singapore visa through an authorised visa agent | INR 2,100 | ₹2,100 | 3-5 working days | Up to 30 days / visit | From ₹2,950 | Official source - United Arab Emirates | Usually | e-Visa before travel; visa on arrival for holders of a US, UK or EU visa or residence permit | AED 350 | ₹9,050 | 2-4 working days | 14 / 30 / 60 days | From ₹2,500 | Official source - Thailand | No (up to 30 days) | Visa-free for tourism up to 30 days since 15 September 2026; TDAC before arrival | None for visa-free entry | — | 5-10 working days | 30 days visa-free; up to 60 days on e-Visa | From ₹1,950 | Official source - New Zealand | Yes | Visitor visa, applied online | NZD 441 | ₹23,700 | 2-6 weeks | Up to 9 months | From ₹6,950 | Official source - Malaysia | No (up to 30 days, until 31 Dec 2026) | Visa-free up to 30 days until 31 December 2026; MDAC before arrival | None for visa-free entry | — | No visa needed; MDAC online | Up to 30 days | From ₹999 | Official source Rupee amounts are approximate, at mid-October 2026 exchange rates. Government fees are paid to the embassy or immigration authority; the Travlys fee is separate. ## About this table ### Which countries are visa-free for Indians in this table? Thailand (up to 30 days since 15 September 2026) and Malaysia (up to 30 days until 31 December 2026). Both need a free digital arrival card before you fly. The UAE gives a 14-day visa on arrival to Indians who hold a valid US visa or green card, or a UK or EU visa or residence permit. ### Which visa is the most expensive for Indians? Among these countries, the New Zealand visitor visa (from NZD 441) and the US B1/B2 visa ($185) have the highest government fees, followed by the UK (£135) and Australia (AUD 250). Rupee amounts are approximate and move with exchange rates. ### Are the Travlys fees included in the government fee? No. The government fee goes to the embassy or immigration authority. The Travlys service fee is separate and covers preparing, checking and filing your application. Both are listed separately in the table. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/visa/usa-visa/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # United States visa from India B1/B2, F-1, H-1B and beyond. Full-spectrum support for the US visa process, DS-160 review, document prep tuned to your profile, mock interview rehearsal with seasoned consular-prep coaches, and appointment booking. ## Quick answers ### Do Indian citizens need a visa for the US? Yes. Indian citizens need a US visa for any visit. For tourism or business that is the B1/B2 visitor visa, applied with the DS-160 form and, in most cases, an in-person interview at a US consulate in India. ### How much does a US visa cost from India in 2026? The government fee is $185 (about ₹18,100), paid to US embassy (MRV fee). The Travlys service fee is from ₹19,940, so plan for roughly ₹38,040 in total. ### How long does a US visa take from India? 6-12 months (interview wait). Validity: Up to 10 years. Stay: Up to 6 months / visit. Checked against official sources on 2026-10-25. All countries: visa fees table. ## United States visa at a glance - Visa type: Embassy Visa - Processing time: 6-12 months (interview wait) - Validity: Up to 10 years - Stay per visit: Up to 6 months / visit - Entries: Multiple - Travlys service fee: From ₹19,940 (embassy / VFS fees paid separately) ## About the US visa for Indian travelers Indian passport holders need a valid US visa for any visit, tourism, business, study, employment or transit. The process is managed by the US Department of State, runs through the DS-160 online form, and includes an in-person interview at a US embassy or consulate in India. Travlys handles preparation end-to-end so you walk into the interview confident. ## United States visa categories ### B-1 / B-2 Visitor Tourism, business meetings, medical. For short trips covering sightseeing, conferences, negotiations or medical treatment. ### F-1 Student Full-time study. For students admitted to accredited US universities with a valid I-20 form. All social media accounts must be set to public before the interview. ### H-1B Specialty Worker Skilled employment. For roles requiring at least a bachelor’s degree, sponsored by a US employer with an approved petition. H-1B and H-4 applicants must set all social media accounts to public. ### L-1 Intracompany Transfer Internal company move. For managers, executives or specialized employees moving to a US office of a multinational. ## What Travlys does for your United States visa - DS-160 form review and submission - Profile-tailored document checklist - Two mock-interview sessions - VAC and embassy appointment booking - WhatsApp support until visa decision ## Documents you need - Passport with 6+ months validity beyond intended stay - DS-160 confirmation page with barcode - MRV fee receipt - Recent 5×5 cm photograph meeting US specs - Appointment confirmation (VAC + embassy) - Bank statements (last 6 months) and ITR (last 2 years) - Employment letter, leave approval and salary slips ## How to apply for a United States visa from India - Profile review, we map your travel purpose, history and financial story to the right visa category. - DS-160 walkthrough, we prepare your form and review every answer before submission. - Document set, a tailored checklist with templates for cover letter, itinerary and financials. - Appointment booking, VAC biometrics and embassy interview slots locked at the earliest dates. - Mock interview, two practice rounds with real consular questions and answer coaching. - Day-of support, a quick call before you walk in, plus passport return tracking after. ## The full United States visa guide Updated 2026-07-10. Reviewed by The Travlys US visa desk. In short: The US visa from India is not a paper application, it is an evidence-based conversation with a consular officer. Cost is roughly ₹38,000-42,000 all-in (MRV fee $185, service fee, VAC, courier). Total time from brief to stamped passport is typically 6-12 months for a first-time B1/B2 applicant, most of it interview-wait. DS-160 accuracy and interview coaching decide the outcome more than any single document. ## US visa from India in 2026: what actually decides the outcome Every Indian applicant assumes the US visa is a document game. It is not. The consular officer at the US embassy or consulate has your DS-160 open on their screen and roughly 90 seconds to decide whether to approve you. The document folder in your hand almost never opens. What decides the outcome is Section 214(b) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, the presumption that every applicant is an intending immigrant unless they prove strong ties to India. Your job in that 90-second interview is to make that presumption fall away. That is the entire game. Everything else, DS-160 answers, cover letter, financial statements, itinerary, is there to back up the story you will tell. If the interview story does not line up with the DS-160 answers you submitted three weeks ago, the visa is refused. So the preparation is not "collect documents", it is "build a consistent, credible narrative that the DS-160, the file and the interview all support". ## How much does a US visa cost from India in 2026 The full cost has two independent parts: the US government fee (paid to the embassy in USD) and the service fee (paid to a consultant if you are using one). Both are separate from optional add-ons like courier, insurance and biometrics upgrades. ### US government fees (paid directly to the embassy) - MRV (Machine Readable Visa) fee: $185 for B1/B2, F-1, M and most non-immigrant categories. About ₹18,100 at the current US consular exchange rate of ₹98 per dollar. - H, L, O, P, Q and R work visas: $205 MRV. - E treaty investor / trader visas: $315 MRV. - Reciprocity fee: applies to specific nationalities and categories; nil for most Indian applicants on B1/B2. - SEVIS I-901 (for F-1 students only): $350, paid to ICE, not the embassy. - H-1B / L-1 anti-fraud and border-security fees are paid by the US employer, not the applicant. ### Travlys service fee for the US visa Our flat service fee for a US B1/B2 visa from India starts at ₹19,940. That covers everything from DS-160 review through two mock interviews to embassy appointment booking. Student visas (F-1) and work visas (H-1B, L-1) carry different service fees because the paperwork depth is different, we quote those live once we have your I-20 or petition details. ### Add-ons you might see billed separately - VFS courier delivery of your passport back home: ~₹500-800. - Photograph meeting the 5×5 cm US spec: ~₹200 at any VFS-approved studio. - Travel insurance (not required for the visa, but recommended for the trip): from ~₹1,500 depending on trip length. - Interview waiver (drop-box) courier: same ₹500-800 range if you qualify. Realistic total: For a first-time B1/B2 applicant from India, budget ₹38,000-42,000 all-in. B1/B2 renewals that qualify for the interview waiver save on time but not much on cost. Keep another $250 per visa in reserve for the visa integrity fee: it is in US law, but as of October 2026 we could not confirm it is being collected in India. ## DS-160 form: 8 mistakes that get Indian applicants refused The DS-160 is a 100+ question online form and the source of most self-inflicted US visa refusals. The consular officer will read your DS-160 answers word-for-word during the interview and compare them with what you say in person. Discrepancies read as intent to deceive. Here are the eight most-common ways Indian applicants sabotage themselves. - 1. Vague purpose of trip. "Vacation" or "meeting friends" reads as immigration intent. Name the state, the city, the number of nights, and what you will actually do there. - 2. Zero travel history and no explanation for it. If your passport is blank, the officer needs a plausible reason (young applicant, first job, etc.) that lines up with your work history. - 3. US-based contact chosen carelessly. The person you name as your US point of contact is a signal about your intent. Naming a distant cousin who "sponsors" your trip when you are actually staying at a hotel is a red flag. - 4. Employer details that do not match your bank statements. If your DS-160 says you earn ₹15 lakh a year and your salary account shows ₹8 lakh in credits, the officer sees the gap. - 5. Previous visa refusals hidden. Every US refusal, every Schengen refusal, every UK refusal, must be declared. The embassy has API access. Hiding one guarantees another refusal. - 6. Family in the US listed as "no" when a cousin is on H-1B. Extended family in the US on work or student visas is not disqualifying. Hiding it is. - 7. Inconsistent addresses over the last 5 years. If you moved cities for work, list every address; do not compress. - 8. Wrong photo. The US spec is 5×5 cm, plain white background, taken in the last 6 months, no smile, no glasses. VFS rejects wrong photos on the biometrics day, and it delays your file by 2-3 weeks. Travlys reviews the DS-160 answer-by-answer before submission and flags each of these against your real profile. It is the single most impactful part of what we do. ## US visa interview: 12 questions Indian applicants actually get asked The B1/B2 interview at the US embassy in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata or Hyderabad lasts 60-120 seconds. Consular officers are trained to ask short, high-signal questions in rapid succession. Here are the twelve most-frequent questions we see, in the order they usually come. - Why do you want to visit the United States? (Purpose of trip.) - How long will you stay? - Where will you stay, and who will you visit? - Have you been to the US before? - Which other countries have you traveled to? - What do you do for work, and how long have you been at your current employer? - How much do you earn? - Who is paying for the trip? - Are you married? Do you have children? What do they do? - Do you own property, and where? - Do you have relatives in the US? - What will make you come back to India? That last question, "what will make you come back to India", is the officer directly testing the 214(b) presumption. The strongest answers reference specific, unbreakable ties: your job with a return-to-work date, a spouse or aging parent you support, a home loan in your name, a business you run, elderly parents who depend on you. Weak answers are "my family is here" or "I love India". Both are true, neither is evidence. Our two mock interviews at Travlys drill these exact questions with your real answers, in the order they are asked, at the pace they are asked. We stop you when your answer is honest but self-defeating and rebuild the phrasing until it is honest and defensible. ## US visa refused (214(b) or 221(g)): what it actually means and what to do next A US visa refusal is not a lifetime ban. It is a decision on the file the officer read that morning. The two most-common refusal codes on the pink slip you walk out with are 214(b) and 221(g), and they mean very different things. ### 214(b): "you did not overcome the immigrant-intent presumption" This is the most-common refusal. It means the officer was not convinced you would return to India. You can re-apply immediately, there is no waiting period, but re-applying with the same file gets the same result. Something material has to change: a new job, a promotion, a marriage, a home purchase, a new travel history from a hard-to-get country. Or the file itself has to be rebuilt to surface ties that the previous application under-sold. ### 221(g): "administrative processing / missing documents" 221(g) means the officer needs more information before deciding. Sometimes it is a document you did not carry, sometimes it is a background check (common for H-1B applicants in specialised STEM fields, or applicants whose employer is on a watch-list). The pink slip lists what to send and where. Response windows are usually 60-365 days depending on the sub-code. Send exactly what is asked, nothing more, nothing less. If you have been refused, send us the pink slip, we do a free assessment of whether re-application makes sense and what specifically needs to change first. Most of our re-application clients get approved on the second try because the second application is a different application, not the same one submitted twice. ## US embassy vs consulate: which one handles your city There is one US embassy in India (New Delhi) and four US consulates general (Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata). Which one interviews you is decided by the city and state on your DS-160, though for B1/B2 you can technically pick any post that has an open slot. Practical guidance: - New Delhi Embassy: covers Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Chandigarh, and Delhi NCR. - Mumbai Consulate: covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli. - Chennai Consulate: covers Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep. - Hyderabad Consulate: covers Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. - Kolkata Consulate: covers West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim, all seven NE states. If your assigned post has a 6-month wait, we routinely book you at a different post with a shorter queue. That is legal for B1/B2 and adds a plane ticket to your cost but subtracts months from your timeline. ## US visa processing time from India: current wait times Wait times at US posts in India fluctuate dramatically. The State Department publishes them at travel.state.gov/visawait, but the numbers there lag reality by weeks. What we see in live cases as of mid-2026: - B1/B2 interview: roughly 6-12 months across the five posts in State Department figures for September-October 2026, with Hyderabad and Mumbai at the long end and Chennai and Kolkata shorter. - Interview waiver (drop-box), now mainly for B1/B2 renewals within 12 months of expiry: much faster, as there is no interview slot to wait for. - F-1 students: roughly 2 weeks to 2.5 months for an interview depending on the post (September 2026 figures); embassies prioritise student visas ahead of the academic year. - H-1B: a few weeks to a few months for an interview depending on the post, subject to 221(g) administrative processing. H-1B renewals also need an interview now. With current waits, a first-time B1/B2 file usually takes many months from brief to stamped passport, most of it waiting for the interview. We check for earlier slots every 24 hours and book the first one that opens at a post in India where the applicant can legally apply, but no one can promise an early date. ## Interview waiver (drop-box): who qualifies and how it works The interview waiver, informally called "drop-box", lets qualifying repeat applicants skip the in-person interview and simply drop their passport at VFS. It is the fastest way to a US visa if you qualify, but since September 2025 it is limited mainly to B1/B2 renewals. As of October 2026 the rules for Indian applicants are: - You are renewing a full-validity B1, B2 or B1/B2 visa. F-1, H-1B, H-4 and other categories now need an interview. - The previous visa expired less than 12 months ago, and you were at least 18 when it was issued. - You have never been refused a US visa, unless that refusal was overcome or waived. - You have no ineligibility findings on your record. - You apply in your country of nationality or residence and are physically in India when applying from India. Eligibility does not guarantee that the officer approves via drop-box, they can still ask you to appear for an interview. Check your eligibility before you book, because if you are called for an interview you join the regular interview queue. ## US visa validity, duration of stay, and multiple entries This is where every applicant gets confused. The US visa has three separate time-related fields, and they do not mean the same thing. ### Visa validity (the sticker in your passport) For Indian B1/B2 applicants, the visa is typically issued for 10 years, meaning you can use it to enter the US up to the expiry printed on the sticker. This is the longest validity the US grants any nationality. ### Duration of stay (decided at the airport, not the embassy) The visa lets you travel to a US port of entry. The Customs and Border Protection officer at that port decides how long you can stay, marked on your I-94 record. B1/B2 usually gets 6 months per entry; the officer can grant less if your itinerary suggests you need less, or more only in exceptional cases with prior approval. ### Number of entries (multiple, in almost all cases) B1/B2 visas issued to Indian nationals are almost always multiple-entry, meaning you can enter and exit the US as many times as you want within the 10-year validity. Some rarer categories (like C-1 transit) are single-entry. ## Why hire Travlys instead of applying yourself Applying for a US visa yourself is legal and free (the $185 MRV goes straight to the embassy). If you have a strong profile, an unshakeable travel history and an obvious return-to-India story, you should try. Most Indian applicants do not fit that description on their first US visa, and that is where we help. What our fee actually buys you: - A DS-160 that has been reviewed by someone who has read thousands of these, cross-checked against your bank statements, employer letter and travel history for silent contradictions. - A cover letter and itinerary that presents your trip the way officers assess it, not the way travel-agent templates format it. - Two mock interviews with the exact question sequence Delhi / Mumbai / Chennai / Hyderabad / Kolkata are running this quarter, based on active case data. - Appointment hunting across all posts you are legally allowed to appear at, until we find the earliest slot. - A named specialist who stays on your file from brief to decision, so you do not re-explain your story to a ticket queue. - Post-interview support: if you get 221(g), we know exactly what to send and how to package it. The candid math: our fee is ₹19,940. A US visa refusal costs you the $185 MRV plus your travel time to the post, and it makes the next application harder because "previous refusal" is now on your record. If our involvement moves your approval odds by 20 percentage points, the expected value is very much in your favour. If you already have a 95% profile, save the money and self-file, we will tell you so at the free consult. Next step: Send us your passport bio page, current CV and travel history on WhatsApp (+91 82009 18967). We come back within one working day with a route, timeline, quote and honest read on your odds. No obligation to proceed. ## United States visa FAQs ### How long does it take to get a US visa from India? B1/B2 interview waits at US posts in India were roughly 6-12 months in October 2026 and change often. Once your interview is done, B1/B2 stamping typically arrives within 1-2 weeks. We help you grab the earliest available slot. ### What documents do I need for a US tourist visa? Passport (6+ months validity), DS-160 confirmation, fee receipt, visa-spec photograph, appointment letter, financial statements covering the past 3-6 months, and proof of strong ties to India (employment, family, assets). ### Do you guarantee a US visa approval? No consultant honestly can, the consular officer decides. What we do guarantee is a complete, accurate application and thorough interview prep, which is the single biggest factor in approvals. ### How much does Travlys charge for US visa assistance? Our service starts at ₹19,940 for B1/B2, covering DS-160, documentation, mock interview and appointment booking. The US embassy fee (currently $185) is paid separately to the embassy. ## Read before you apply for a United States visa - Study Abroad Visa Changes 2026 for Indian Students - US visa from India in 2026: a complete, no-nonsense guide - DS-160 form: 8 mistakes that cause US visa refusals - US Visa Changes 2026: What Indian Applicants Need to Know ## Apply for a United States visa from your city - United States visa from Mumbai - United States visa from Delhi - United States visa from Bengaluru - United States visa from Hyderabad - United States visa from Chennai - United States visa from Kolkata - United States visa from Pune - United States visa from Ahmedabad - United States visa from Surat - United States visa from Jaipur - United States visa from Chandigarh - United States visa from Lucknow ## Related visas - United Kingdom visa from India - Canada visa from India - Australia visa from India - Singapore visa from India - United Arab Emirates visa from India - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/visa/uk-visa/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # United Kingdom visa from India Standard Visitor, Student & Skilled Worker. UKVI online application drafted by visa-trained writers, VFS appointment booking, TB-test guidance for long-stay routes, and a structured cover letter that addresses the genuine-visitor test. ## Quick answers ### Do Indian citizens need a visa for the UK? Yes. Indian citizens need a UK Standard Visitor visa. You apply online, give biometrics at a VFS centre in India, and an approved visa is issued as an eVisa. The UK ETA is not available to Indian passport holders. ### How much does a UK visa cost from India in 2026? The government fee is £135 (about ₹17,100), paid to UKVI (via VFS). The Travlys service fee is from ₹12,950, so plan for roughly ₹30,050 in total. ### How long does a UK visa take from India? 3 weeks (Standard). Validity: 6 months - 10 years. Stay: Up to 6 months / visit. Checked against official sources on 2026-10-25. All countries: visa fees table. ## United Kingdom visa at a glance - Visa type: Embassy Visa - Processing time: 3 weeks (Standard) - Validity: 6 months - 10 years - Stay per visit: Up to 6 months / visit - Entries: Multiple - Travlys service fee: From ₹12,950 (embassy / VFS fees paid separately) ## About the UK visa for Indian travelers Indian nationals need a UK visa for visits, study, work and family travel. Applications run through the UKVI online portal followed by VFS biometrics in India. We focus on the genuine-visitor test, financial credibility, travel history and clear travel purpose, which is what UKVI decision-makers actually weigh. ## United Kingdom visa categories ### Standard Visitor Tourism, business, medical, short courses. Up to 6 months per stay; long-validity options (2/5/10 years) available with travel history. ### Student Full-time study. For students with a CAS from a licensed student sponsor in the UK. ### Skilled Worker Sponsored employment. For professionals with a Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer at the required skill level. ## What Travlys does for your United Kingdom visa - UKVI online form preparation - Visa-grade cover letter & sponsor letter templates - VFS appointment + biometrics booking - TB-test clinic referrals (long-stay routes) - Priority / Super Priority advice where eligible ## Documents you need - Passport (6+ months validity) - UKVI application reference + appointment slip - Recent passport photographs - Bank statements (last 6 months), ITR (last 2 years) - Employment letter and salary slips - Travel itinerary and accommodation bookings - TB test certificate (for stays of 6 months or more) ## How to apply for a United Kingdom visa from India - Profile assessment and route advice (Visitor vs Long-validity vs Family). - UKVI form draft + sponsor/cover letter shaped to your travel purpose. - Document set assembled with finance, ties and itinerary evidence. - VFS appointment booked at your nearest centre. - Biometrics day support and document submission walkthrough. - Decision tracking and passport return coordination. ## United Kingdom visa FAQs ### How long does a UK visa take from India? Standard processing is around 3 weeks from biometrics. Priority (5 working days) and Super Priority (next working day) are available where slots exist, we’ll advise based on your travel dates. ### Do I need a TB test for a UK visa? Yes, Indian applicants coming to the UK for 6 months or more must submit a TB test certificate from a UKVI-approved clinic. We refer you to one near you. ### What is the Standard Visitor Visa? It’s the visa most leisure and business travelers use, valid for tourism, business meetings, short courses, and certain medical visits up to 6 months per stay. ### How much do you charge for UK visa help? Service starts at ₹12,950 for the Standard Visitor Visa. UKVI fees and VFS charges are paid separately to the respective authorities. ## Read before you apply for a United Kingdom visa - UK Visa for Indians 2026: Fees, Processing Time and Documents ## Apply for a United Kingdom visa from your city - United Kingdom visa from Mumbai - United Kingdom visa from Delhi - United Kingdom visa from Bengaluru - United Kingdom visa from Hyderabad - United Kingdom visa from Chennai - United Kingdom visa from Kolkata - United Kingdom visa from Pune - United Kingdom visa from Ahmedabad - United Kingdom visa from Surat - United Kingdom visa from Jaipur - United Kingdom visa from Chandigarh - United Kingdom visa from Lucknow ## Related visas - United States visa from India - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from India - Canada visa from India - Australia visa from India - Singapore visa from India - United Arab Emirates visa from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/visa/canada-visa/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Canada visa from India Visitor, Study Permit, Work Permit. IRCC applications across Visitor (TRV), Study Permit and Work Permit streams, biometrics booking, financial-sufficiency framing and a narrative that addresses dual-intent concerns clearly. ## Quick answers ### Do Indian citizens need a visa for Canada? Yes. Indian citizens need a Canada visitor visa (TRV), applied online with biometrics at a visa application centre in India. Indian passport holders cannot use an eTA to fly to Canada. ### How much does a Canada visa cost from India in 2026? The government fee is CAD 185 (about ₹12,500), paid to IRCC + biometrics. The Travlys service fee is from ₹14,950, so plan for roughly ₹27,450 in total. ### How long does a Canada visa take from India? 4-8 weeks. Validity: Up to 10 years. Stay: Up to 6 months / visit. Checked against official sources on 2026-10-25. All countries: visa fees table. ## Canada visa at a glance - Visa type: Embassy Visa - Processing time: 4-8 weeks - Validity: Up to 10 years - Stay per visit: Up to 6 months / visit - Entries: Multiple - Travlys service fee: From ₹14,950 (embassy / VFS fees paid separately) ## About the Canada visa for Indian travelers Indians need either a Visitor Visa (TRV), Study Permit, or Work Permit depending on travel purpose. IRCC decisions weigh financial proof, ties to India and a credible travel purpose. We frame your file to address dual-intent and refusal-risk factors head-on. ## Canada visa categories ### Visitor Visa (TRV) Tourism, family visits. Multiple-entry visa valid up to 10 years or passport expiry, with stays up to 6 months per visit. ### Study Permit Study at a DLI. For students with a Letter of Acceptance from a Designated Learning Institution and, in most cases, a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL). ### Work Permit Employment in Canada. For applicants with a valid LMIA-backed job offer or LMIA-exempt category. ## What Travlys does for your Canada visa - IRCC application drafting - SOP (Statement of Purpose) review - Biometrics appointment at VFS - Financial sufficiency framing - Refusal-risk pre-check ## Documents you need - Passport with 6+ months validity - IRCC photo (35×45 mm with neutral background) - Bank statements (6 months), ITR (2 years) - Travel history and previous visas - Employment letter and salary slips - Purpose of visit documentation (invitation, itinerary) - Property / asset proof where available ## How to apply for a Canada visa from India - Eligibility assessment and route recommendation. - Document checklist with finance, employment and travel evidence. - IRCC online application drafted and reviewed. - Biometrics appointment booked at nearest VFS. - Application submitted and tracked through GCKey/IRCC portal. - Passport submission for visa stamping after approval. ## Canada visa FAQs ### Do Indians need a visa for Canada? Yes, Indian passport holders need a TRV (visitor visa), study permit or work permit. eTA is generally not available for Indian passport holders. ### How long does the Canada visitor visa take? Typical IRCC processing from India runs 4-8 weeks once biometrics are submitted. Peak season can extend this. ### Is biometrics required for Canada visas in India? Yes, most applicants in India give biometrics at a VFS centre. Biometrics stay valid for 10 years, so if you gave them recently you may not need to give them again. ### How much does Travlys charge for Canada visa help? Service starts at ₹14,950 for visitor visas. IRCC and VFS fees are paid separately to the authorities. ## Read before you apply for a Canada visa - Canada Visitor Visa from India 2026: Fees, Time, Documents ## Apply for a Canada visa from your city - Canada visa from Mumbai - Canada visa from Delhi - Canada visa from Bengaluru - Canada visa from Hyderabad - Canada visa from Chennai - Canada visa from Kolkata - Canada visa from Pune - Canada visa from Ahmedabad - Canada visa from Surat - Canada visa from Jaipur - Canada visa from Chandigarh - Canada visa from Lucknow ## Related visas - United States visa from India - United Kingdom visa from India - Australia visa from India - New Zealand visa from India - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from India - Singapore visa from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/visa/australia-visa/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Australia visa from India Subclass 600, 500 & Work streams. Australia visa handled through ImmiAccount with profile-tuned document evidence, biometrics support, and refusal-history review for re-applications. ## Quick answers ### Do Indian citizens need a visa for Australia? Yes. Indian citizens need an Australian Visitor visa (subclass 600) for tourism, family visits or business visitor activities. You apply online through ImmiAccount. ### How much does an Australia visa cost from India in 2026? The government fee is AUD 250 (about ₹16,600), paid to DHA (VAC). The Travlys service fee is from ₹4,950, so plan for roughly ₹21,550 in total. ### How long does an Australia visa take from India? 2-6 weeks. Validity: 1-3 years. Stay: Usually 3 months, up to 12 / visit. Checked against official sources on 2026-10-25. All countries: visa fees table. ## Australia visa at a glance - Visa type: Embassy Visa - Processing time: 2-6 weeks - Validity: 1-3 years - Stay per visit: Usually 3 months, up to 12 / visit - Entries: Multiple - Travlys service fee: From ₹4,950 (embassy / VFS fees paid separately) ## About the Australia visa for Indian travelers Indians need a valid Australian visa for any visit. Applications run through ImmiAccount with biometrics at VFS where requested. Decision-makers check that you are a genuine visitor who will stay only temporarily (for students, the Genuine Student requirement), so your file must demonstrate clear ties and a credible purpose. ## Australia visa categories ### Visitor Visa (600) Tourism, family. Tourist or Sponsored Family stream for short visits, with multiple-entry validity up to 3 years. ### Student Visa (500) Full-time study. For students enrolled in CRICOS-registered Australian courses. ### Skilled / Work Sponsored employment. Multiple streams under Skills in Demand (482) and Skilled Independent (189) categories. ## What Travlys does for your Australia visa - ImmiAccount application setup - Genuine visitor / Genuine Student statement help - VFS biometrics scheduling (where required) - Document review and translation pointers - Status tracking until decision ## Documents you need - Passport with 6+ months validity - Digital passport-style photograph - Travel insurance (recommended for visitors) - Bank statements (6 months), ITR (2 years) - Employment letter and salary slips - Invitation letter (for sponsored family stream) - Genuine visitor / Genuine Student statement (drafted with us) ## How to apply for a Australia visa from India - Eligibility and stream selection (Visitor / Student / Work). - Document set built around the genuine visitor or Genuine Student requirement. - ImmiAccount registered and application drafted. - Submission, fees and biometrics booking (if requested). - Status tracking via ImmiAccount until decision. - Visa grant notification and travel-prep handover. ## Australia visa FAQs ### How long does an Australia visa take from India? Visitor visas (Subclass 600) commonly process in 2-6 weeks; student visas (500) take longer and depend on the institution and course start date. ### What replaced the GTE statement? For student visas, the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) test was replaced by the Genuine Student requirement in March 2024; visitors must show they are genuine visitors who will stay only temporarily. A short written statement explaining why you’ll return to India after your visit or studies helps. It’s pivotal to approvals; we draft it with you. ### Do I need biometrics for an Australia visa? Many applicants are asked for biometrics at VFS during processing. We book the appointment for you if requested. ### How much does Travlys charge for an Australia visa? Service starts at ₹4,950 for the visitor stream. DHA visa application charges (VAC) are paid separately. ## Read before you apply for a Australia visa - Australia Student Visa New Rules 2026 for Indian Students ## Apply for a Australia visa from your city - Australia visa from Mumbai - Australia visa from Delhi - Australia visa from Bengaluru - Australia visa from Hyderabad - Australia visa from Chennai - Australia visa from Kolkata - Australia visa from Pune - Australia visa from Ahmedabad - Australia visa from Surat - Australia visa from Jaipur - Australia visa from Chandigarh - Australia visa from Lucknow ## Related visas - New Zealand visa from India - Singapore visa from India - United Kingdom visa from India - Canada visa from India - United States visa from India - Malaysia visa from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/visa/netherlands-visa/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Schengen (Netherlands) visa from India Schengen via Netherlands, 29 countries unlocked. Netherlands-issued Schengen visa with travel-insurance bundles, VFS appointment booking and a cover letter that maps your itinerary to the main-destination rule. ## Quick answers ### Do Indian citizens need a visa for the Netherlands and Schengen? Yes. Indian citizens need a Schengen short-stay visa for the Netherlands and the other 28 Schengen countries. You apply with biometrics at a VFS centre in India; the visa allows up to 90 days in any 180. ### How much does a Schengen visa cost from India in 2026? The government fee is €90 (about ₹9,600), paid to Embassy via VFS. The Travlys service fee is from ₹2,950, so plan for roughly ₹12,550 in total. ### How long does a Schengen visa take from India? 18-21 days (up to 45). Validity: Up to 5 years. Stay: 90 days in any 180. Checked against official sources on 2026-10-25. All countries: visa fees table. ## Schengen (Netherlands) visa at a glance - Visa type: Schengen Visa - Processing time: 18-21 days (up to 45) - Validity: Up to 5 years - Stay per visit: 90 days in any 180 - Entries: Multiple - Travlys service fee: From ₹2,950 (embassy / VFS fees paid separately) ## About the Netherlands Schengen visa A Netherlands-issued Schengen short-stay visa lets you travel across all 29 Schengen states for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The main-destination rule applies, you must apply through the country where you’ll spend the most time. Travlys aligns your itinerary, accommodation and cover letter to make that case cleanly. ## Schengen (Netherlands) visa categories ### Tourist (Type C) Tourism. Single or multiple-entry short-stay visa for leisure across the Schengen area. ### Business (Type C) Meetings, conferences. For business meetings, trade fairs and conferences across Schengen states. ### Family / Friend Visit Visiting relatives. Requires an invitation letter from your host in the Schengen country. ## What Travlys does for your Schengen (Netherlands) visa - Schengen application form preparation - VFS appointment booking - Travel insurance (€30,000+) sourced - Cover letter aligned to itinerary - Biometrics-day support ## Documents you need - Passport (valid 3+ months after leaving Schengen, issued within 10 years, 2 blank pages) - Schengen application form (signed) - Photo taken at the VFS appointment (no printed photo needed) - Travel insurance with €30,000+ cover - Confirmed flight itinerary (no advance ticket purchase needed) - Hotel bookings for full stay - Bank statements (6 months), ITR (2 years) - Cover letter (drafted with us) ## How to apply for a Schengen (Netherlands) visa from India - Main-destination check and itinerary build. - Form, cover letter and supporting evidence assembled. - Travel insurance (€30,000+) sourced and added to file. - VFS appointment booked, biometrics-day pack issued. - Application submitted with full file. - Decision tracked; passport return arranged after. ## Schengen (Netherlands) visa FAQs ### Is a Netherlands visa the same as a Schengen visa? A short-stay Netherlands visa is a Schengen visa, it permits travel across all 29 Schengen countries within the granted validity and duration. ### How long does the Schengen visa take? The Netherlands currently quotes an average of 18-21 calendar days, and up to 45 in some cases. We recommend applying 6-8 weeks before travel; you can apply up to 6 months ahead. ### Do I need travel insurance? Yes, Schengen rules require travel insurance with minimum €30,000 medical cover valid across the Schengen area for the full visa duration. ### How much do you charge for Schengen visa help? Service starts at ₹2,950. The embassy fee (currently €90 / ~₹9,600) is paid separately to the embassy via VFS. ## Read before you apply for a Schengen (Netherlands) visa - Schengen visa documents checklist for Indians (2026) - Schengen EES and ETIAS Explained for Indian Travellers ## Apply for a Schengen (Netherlands) visa from your city - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from Mumbai - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from Delhi - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from Bengaluru - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from Hyderabad - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from Chennai - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from Kolkata - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from Pune - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from Ahmedabad - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from Surat - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from Jaipur - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from Chandigarh - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from Lucknow ## Related visas - United Kingdom visa from India - United States visa from India - Singapore visa from India - United Arab Emirates visa from India - Australia visa from India - Thailand visa from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/visa/singapore-visa/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Singapore visa from India e-Visa in 3-5 working days. Singapore e-Visa with end-to-end documentation, ICA submission and PDF visa delivered straight to your inbox. ## Quick answers ### Do Indian citizens need a visa for Singapore? Yes. Indian citizens need a Singapore visa. Applications from India go through an authorised visa agent, and the visa is usually issued as an e-Visa. ### How much does a Singapore visa cost from India in 2026? The government fee is INR 2,100 (about ₹2,100), paid to Singapore High Commission (via authorised agent). The Travlys service fee is from ₹2,950, so plan for roughly ₹5,050 in total. ### How long does a Singapore visa take from India? 3-5 working days. Validity: Up to 2 years. Stay: Up to 30 days / visit. Checked against official sources on 2026-10-25. All countries: visa fees table. ## Singapore visa at a glance - Visa type: e-Visa - Processing time: 3-5 working days - Validity: Up to 2 years - Stay per visit: Up to 30 days / visit - Entries: Multiple - Travlys service fee: From ₹2,950 (embassy / VFS fees paid separately) ## About the Singapore e-Visa Indian passport holders need a visa for Singapore. Applications go through an authorised visa agent of the Singapore High Commission, who submits them online; decisions usually arrive in 3-5 working days. We take care of file accuracy and the financial sufficiency narrative ICA looks for. ## Singapore visa categories ### Tourist e-Visa Tourism. For leisure travel and friends-family visits, up to 30 days per stay. ### Business e-Visa Business. For meetings, exhibitions and trade activity in Singapore. ## What Travlys does for your Singapore visa - e-Visa application drafted and submitted - Document set review and quality check - ICA query handling - PDF e-Visa email delivery - Travel-day support ## Documents you need - Passport (6+ months validity) - Recent digital photograph (35×45 mm, white background) - Confirmed flight itinerary - Hotel booking or host invitation - Employment letter and bank statements ## How to apply for a Singapore visa from India - Document collection and quality review. - e-Visa form drafted and signed digitally. - Submission via authorized agent route. - ICA queries handled (if any). - Approved e-Visa PDF delivered to your email. ## Singapore visa FAQs ### How long does a Singapore e-Visa take from India? Typically 3-5 working days when the file is complete. Same-day decisions occur but are not guaranteed. ### How much does it cost? Travlys service starts at ₹2,950; the visa processing fee of INR 2,100 is paid separately. ### Documents required? Passport, photograph, travel itinerary, hotel bookings, financial documents and an employment / sponsorship letter. ### Can families apply together? Yes, we file family applications as a single batch with a consolidated travel narrative. ## Apply for a Singapore visa from your city - Singapore visa from Mumbai - Singapore visa from Delhi - Singapore visa from Bengaluru - Singapore visa from Hyderabad - Singapore visa from Chennai - Singapore visa from Kolkata - Singapore visa from Pune - Singapore visa from Ahmedabad - Singapore visa from Surat - Singapore visa from Jaipur - Singapore visa from Chandigarh - Singapore visa from Lucknow ## Related visas - Thailand visa from India - Malaysia visa from India - United Arab Emirates visa from India - United States visa from India - Australia visa from India - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/visa/uae-visa/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # United Arab Emirates visa from India 14 / 30 / 60-day Dubai e-Visa. UAE / Dubai e-Visa with quick turnaround, we file via approved channels and deliver the PDF visa to your inbox before you pack. ## Quick answers ### Do Indian citizens need a visa for the UAE (Dubai)? Usually yes. Most Indian citizens need a UAE visa approved before travel. If you hold a valid US visa or green card, or a UK or EU visa or residence permit, you can get a 14-day visa on arrival instead. ### How much does a UAE (Dubai) visa cost from India in 2026? The government fee is AED 350 (about ₹9,050), paid to GDRFA Dubai. The Travlys service fee is from ₹2,500, so plan for roughly ₹11,550 in total. ### How long does a UAE (Dubai) visa take from India? 2-4 working days. Validity: 60 days from issue. Stay: 14 / 30 / 60 days. Checked against official sources on 2026-10-25. All countries: visa fees table. ## United Arab Emirates visa at a glance - Visa type: e-Visa - Processing time: 2-4 working days - Validity: 60 days from issue - Stay per visit: 14 / 30 / 60 days - Entries: Single / Multiple - Travlys service fee: From ₹2,500 (embassy / VFS fees paid separately) ## About the UAE / Dubai visa Most Indian passport holders need a UAE visa approved before travel, and Travlys files tourist e-Visas, single or multiple-entry, with documentation tuned to GDRFA requirements. If you hold a valid US visa or green card, a UK or EU visa or residence permit, or a residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or Singapore, you may instead qualify for a 14-day visa on arrival for AED 100. We check your documents first and tell you which route is cheaper and safer. ## United Arab Emirates visa categories ### 14-day Tourist Short tourism trips. Single-entry, valid for stays up to 14 days from arrival. ### 30-day Tourist Standard tourism. Available as single or multiple-entry; the most popular UAE category. ### 60-day Tourist Extended stays. Single or multiple-entry for longer leisure and family visits. ### Transit Airport transit. 48 or 96-hour transit visas for layovers in UAE airports. ## What Travlys does for your United Arab Emirates visa - e-Visa application drafted and filed - Document set quality check - GDRFA query handling - PDF visa email delivery - Validity / entry advisory ## Documents you need - Passport (6+ months validity) - Recent passport-style photograph - Confirmed return flight tickets - Hotel booking confirmation - Salary slip / bank statement (case-dependent) ## How to apply for a United Arab Emirates visa from India - Validity / entry-type advisory based on your itinerary. - Documents collected and quality-checked. - Application filed via approved channel. - GDRFA query handling (if any). - Approved PDF visa delivered to your inbox. ## United Arab Emirates visa FAQs ### How fast can I get a Dubai visa? UAE e-Visas are usually issued in 2-4 working days. Express options are available for some categories. ### What’s the difference between 30 and 60 day visas? 30-day visa allows a 30-day stay; 60-day allows 60. Both come in single or multiple-entry. We help pick based on your itinerary. ### Do I need a visa to transit through Dubai? If you leave the airport on a layover, you need a 48-hour or 96-hour UAE transit visa, which your airline arranges with your booking. If you stay airside, you usually do not need one. We check your route case by case. ### What documents are needed? A passport valid for at least six months, a photograph, confirmed return tickets, a hotel booking and financial proof in most cases. ### Can I get a UAE visa on arrival instead of an e-Visa? Yes, if you hold a qualifying document. Indian ordinary passport holders with a valid US visa or green card, a valid UK or EU visa or residence permit, or a valid residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or Singapore can get a 14-day visa on arrival for AED 100, extendable once. Your passport and that document should be valid for at least six months. Without one of these, you need an e-Visa before you fly. ## Read before you apply for a United Arab Emirates visa - Visa Rule Changes for Indians in 2026: Monthly Tracker - Dubai visa cost from India in 2026: 14, 30 or 60-day? - UAE Visa on Arrival for Indians 2026: Who Qualifies and Fees - Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List - Christmas and New Year 2026-27: Easy-Visa Trips from India ## Apply for a United Arab Emirates visa from your city - United Arab Emirates visa from Mumbai - United Arab Emirates visa from Delhi - United Arab Emirates visa from Bengaluru - United Arab Emirates visa from Hyderabad - United Arab Emirates visa from Chennai - United Arab Emirates visa from Kolkata - United Arab Emirates visa from Pune - United Arab Emirates visa from Ahmedabad - United Arab Emirates visa from Surat - United Arab Emirates visa from Jaipur - United Arab Emirates visa from Chandigarh - United Arab Emirates visa from Lucknow ## Related visas - Singapore visa from India - Thailand visa from India - Malaysia visa from India - United Kingdom visa from India - United States visa from India - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/visa/thailand-visa/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Thailand visa from India Visa-free for 30 days. Tourist e-Visa or DTV for longer stays. Visa-free entry for trips up to 30 days; for longer stays Travlys files the tourist e-Visa or DTV through the official Royal Thai e-Visa portal, with TDAC help. ## Quick answers ### Do Indian citizens need a visa for Thailand? No, not for tourism of up to 30 days. Since 15 September 2026 Indian passport holders can enter Thailand visa-free for 30 days after submitting the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card. Longer stays need a tourist e-Visa or DTV. ### How much does a Thailand visa cost from India in 2026? There is no visa fee for visa-free entry. If you need a visa for a longer or different trip, the Travlys service fee is from ₹1,950 plus the government fee. ### How long does a Thailand visa take from India? 5-10 working days. Validity: 90 days from issue. Stay: 30 days visa-free; up to 60 days on e-Visa. Checked against official sources on 2026-10-25. All countries: visa fees table. ## Thailand visa at a glance - Visa type: Visa-free 30 days / e-Visa - Processing time: 5-10 working days - Validity: 90 days from issue - Stay per visit: 30 days visa-free; up to 60 days on e-Visa - Entries: Single - Travlys service fee: From ₹1,950 (embassy / VFS fees paid separately) ## About the Thailand visa Since 15 September 2026, Indian passport holders can visit Thailand visa-free for tourism and stay up to 30 days, with a free Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) submitted within 3 days before arrival. For longer trips, a single-entry tourist e-Visa allows up to 60 days per entry, and the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) allows up to 180 days per entry for remote workers and freelancers. Travlys files your e-Visa or DTV on thaievisa.go.th, checks your documents, and helps you with the TDAC and itinerary. ## Thailand visa categories ### Visa-free entry Tourism, up to 30 days. No visa needed for Indian passport holders since 15 September 2026. Submit the free TDAC within 3 days before arrival. ### Tourist e-Visa Tourism, longer trips. For trips longer than 30 days: up to 60 days per entry, valid 3 months. Embassy fee ₹3,000. ### Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) Remote work, long stays. 5-year multiple-entry visa allowing up to 180 days per entry. Embassy fee ₹30,000. ### Business e-Visa Business meetings. For business engagements and conferences in Thailand. ## What Travlys does for your Thailand visa - TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) help - Royal Thai e-Visa portal filing - Photograph and document validation - Embassy query handling - Approved e-Visa email delivery - Pre-travel briefing ## Documents you need - Passport (6+ months validity) - Recent photograph meeting Thai specs - Confirmed flight tickets - Hotel booking - Bank statement (last 3 months) ## How to apply for a Thailand visa from India - Document and photograph collection. - Royal Thai e-Visa portal account setup. - Application filed and fee paid. - Embassy queries handled if raised. - Approved e-Visa emailed for printout. ## Thailand visa FAQs ### Do Indians need a visa for Thailand? Not for a tourist trip of up to 30 days. Since 15 September 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders can enter Thailand visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days. You still need a TDAC, a hotel booking, an onward ticket within 30 days and funds of about 20,000 baht per person. For longer stays, work or study, you need a visa from thaievisa.go.th. ### When should I apply for a Thai tourist e-Visa? Apply if you want to stay more than 30 days in one visit. The single-entry tourist visa (TR) is valid for 3 months and allows up to 60 days per entry. The embassy fee is ₹3,000, and applications go only through thaievisa.go.th. Travlys prepares and files the application, from ₹1,950 (Travlys fee). ### What is the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)? The DTV is a 5-year multiple-entry visa that allows up to 180 days per entry. It is for remote workers, freelancers and people joining activities such as wellness or sports programmes, plus their spouses and children. The embassy fee is ₹30,000. Travlys checks your eligibility and documents against the embassy's DTV checklist before filing. ### Do I need the TDAC if I am travelling visa-free? Yes. Every foreign traveller must submit the Thailand Digital Arrival Card online at tdac.immigration.go.th within 3 days before arrival, for every entry. It is free and is not a visa. Travlys can help you fill it in correctly with your flight and hotel details. ### How much does Travlys charge? Service starts at ₹1,950 for an e-Visa filing. The embassy fee (₹3,000 for a single-entry tourist visa) is paid separately to the Royal Thai government. For visa-free trips there is no visa fee; we can still help with the TDAC and your documents. ## Read before you apply for a Thailand visa - Thailand Visa-Free for Indians in 2026: The 30-Day Rule Explained ## Apply for a Thailand visa from your city - Thailand visa from Mumbai - Thailand visa from Delhi - Thailand visa from Bengaluru - Thailand visa from Hyderabad - Thailand visa from Chennai - Thailand visa from Kolkata - Thailand visa from Pune - Thailand visa from Ahmedabad - Thailand visa from Surat - Thailand visa from Jaipur - Thailand visa from Chandigarh - Thailand visa from Lucknow ## Related visas - Singapore visa from India - Malaysia visa from India - United Arab Emirates visa from India - United States visa from India - Australia visa from India - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/visa/new-zealand-visa/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # New Zealand visa from India Visitor, Work and Student streams. Immigration New Zealand applications handled online with character / health declarations, financial proof and clean itinerary narrative. ## Quick answers ### Do Indian citizens need a visa for New Zealand? Yes. Indian citizens need a New Zealand Visitor Visa, applied online with Immigration New Zealand. The NZeTA is not available to Indian passport holders. ### How much does a New Zealand visa cost from India in 2026? The government fee is NZD 441 (about ₹23,700), paid to Immigration New Zealand. The Travlys service fee is from ₹6,950, so plan for roughly ₹30,650 in total. ### How long does a New Zealand visa take from India? 2-6 weeks. Validity: Up to 3 years. Stay: Up to 9 months. Checked against official sources on 2026-10-25. All countries: visa fees table. ## New Zealand visa at a glance - Visa type: Embassy Visa - Processing time: 2-6 weeks - Validity: Up to 3 years - Stay per visit: Up to 9 months - Entries: Multiple - Travlys service fee: From ₹6,950 (embassy / VFS fees paid separately) ## About the New Zealand visa Indians need an INZ visa for New Zealand. Applications are filed online and decided by Immigration New Zealand based on character, health and credibility of intent. ## New Zealand visa categories ### Visitor Visa Tourism, family. Multiple-entry: up to 6 months in any 12 months. Single-entry: up to 9 months in 18 months. ### Work Visa Employment. For applicants with job offers from accredited NZ employers. ### Student Visa Study. For students enrolled in approved NZ institutions. ## What Travlys does for your New Zealand visa - INZ online application drafting - Character / health declaration support - Medical exam and PCC referrals - Document set with cover note - Decision tracking ## Documents you need - Passport (6+ months validity) - Recent photograph - Bank statements (6 months), ITR (2 years) - Travel itinerary and accommodation - Medical certificate (if applicable) - Police clearance (if applicable) ## How to apply for a New Zealand visa from India - Stream selection and eligibility review. - Document checklist tailored to your file. - INZ online application drafted. - Medical and PCC scheduling (if required). - Submission and tracking. - Visa label / e-visa receipt. ## New Zealand visa FAQs ### How long does an NZ visa take from India? INZ visitor visas typically process in 2-6 weeks; longer for work and student routes depending on documents and any additional checks. ### How much do you charge? Service starts at ₹6,950 for the visitor stream. INZ visa fees and IELTS/medical costs are paid separately. ### Do I need a medical? Medicals and police clearances are required for some categories or stays. We confirm based on your specific application. ## Apply for a New Zealand visa from your city - New Zealand visa from Mumbai - New Zealand visa from Delhi - New Zealand visa from Bengaluru - New Zealand visa from Hyderabad - New Zealand visa from Chennai - New Zealand visa from Kolkata - New Zealand visa from Pune - New Zealand visa from Ahmedabad - New Zealand visa from Surat - New Zealand visa from Jaipur - New Zealand visa from Chandigarh - New Zealand visa from Lucknow ## Related visas - Australia visa from India - United Kingdom visa from India - Canada visa from India - Singapore visa from India - United States visa from India - Schengen (Netherlands) visa from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/visa/malaysia-visa/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Malaysia visa from India Visa-free for 30 days until 31 December 2026. Visa-free for 30 days until 31 December 2026. Travlys handles the MDAC and itinerary now, and eNTRI or e-Visa for trips the waiver does not cover. ## Quick answers ### Do Indian citizens need a visa for Malaysia? No, not for visits of up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. Indian passport holders enter Malaysia visa-free under a temporary waiver, after submitting the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card. Trips after that date may need eNTRI or an e-Visa. ### How much does a Malaysia visa cost from India in 2026? There is no visa fee for visa-free entry. If you need a visa for a longer or different trip, the Travlys service fee is from ₹999 plus the government fee. ### How long does a Malaysia visa take from India? No visa needed; MDAC online. Validity: Waiver valid until 31 Dec 2026. Stay: Up to 30 days. Checked against official sources on 2026-10-25. All countries: visa fees table. ## Malaysia visa at a glance - Visa type: Visa-free (until 31 Dec 2026) - Processing time: No visa needed; MDAC online - Validity: Waiver valid until 31 Dec 2026 - Stay per visit: Up to 30 days - Entries: Single - Travlys service fee: From ₹999 (embassy / VFS fees paid separately) ## About the Malaysia visa Indian passport holders can visit Malaysia visa-free for up to 30 days for business, tourism, social or transit purposes until 31 December 2026. You need a passport valid for at least six months, a confirmed return ticket and hotel booking, and the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) submitted three days before arrival. Travlys helps with MDAC filing and itineraries now, and with eNTRI or eVISA applications for trips after the scheme ends or for stays the waiver does not cover. ## Malaysia visa categories ### Visa-free entry Tourism, business, social, transit. Up to 30 days with no visa until 31 December 2026. Submit the free MDAC three days before arrival. Work is not allowed. ### eNTRI Short tourism. Single-entry, valid for stays up to 15 days. Direct entry to peninsular Malaysia required. ### e-Visa Tourism / Business. Single-entry, valid for stays up to 30 days. Allows entry through any Malaysian port. ## What Travlys does for your Malaysia visa - MDAC (Malaysia Digital Arrival Card) filing - eNTRI / e-Visa stream advisory - Application drafted and filed - Document quality check - Imigresen query handling - Approved visa emailed ## Documents you need - Passport (6+ months validity) - Recent photograph - Confirmed flight tickets (round-trip) - Hotel booking - Bank statement (last 3 months) ## How to apply for a Malaysia visa from India - Itinerary review and stream selection. - Document collection and quality check. - Application filed via official channel. - Imigresen queries handled (if any). - Approved e-Visa or eNTRI emailed. ## Malaysia visa FAQs ### Do Indians need a visa for Malaysia right now? No, not for visits of up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. Malaysia's visa waiver for Indian nationals covers business, tourism, social and transit visits. You must carry a passport valid for six months, a confirmed return ticket and a hotel booking, and submit the MDAC online before you arrive. Work is not allowed. ### What happens after 31 December 2026? As of 24 October 2026, Malaysia has not announced whether the waiver will be extended. Before the waiver, Indians used eNTRI (up to 15 days per visit) or an eVISA. If your trip is in 2027, check with us or the High Commission before booking. Travlys files eNTRI or eVISA applications from ₹999 (Travlys fee) once the route is confirmed. ### What is the MDAC and is it free? The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card is a compulsory online form for foreign visitors, and it is free on the official portal, imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. The High Commission says Indian visitors must submit it three days before the arrival date. Avoid paid lookalike sites. Travlys can file it with you so the details match your bookings. ### Can I work or stay longer than 30 days on visa-free entry? No. The waiver allows up to 30 days and does not permit work. Paid work needs a work permit, employment pass or Visa With Reference arranged before travel, and longer visits need the right visa. Tell us your plans and Travlys will advise the correct visa and prepare the application. ### How much do you charge? Service starts at ₹999 for an eNTRI or e-Visa filing; Imigresen fees are paid separately. For visa-free trips there is no visa fee, and we can help with the MDAC and your documents. ## Read before you apply for a Malaysia visa - Malaysia Visa-Free for Indians 2026: 30 Days, MDAC and End Date ## Apply for a Malaysia visa from your city - Malaysia visa from Mumbai - Malaysia visa from Delhi - Malaysia visa from Bengaluru - Malaysia visa from Hyderabad - Malaysia visa from Chennai - Malaysia visa from Kolkata - Malaysia visa from Pune - Malaysia visa from Ahmedabad - Malaysia visa from Surat - Malaysia visa from Jaipur - Malaysia visa from Chandigarh - Malaysia visa from Lucknow ## Related visas - Singapore visa from India - Thailand visa from India - United Arab Emirates visa from India - Australia visa from India - New Zealand visa from India - United States visa from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/pricing/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # One fee, no surprises. Travlys service fees are flat and posted publicly. No per-document charges, no urgency surcharges, no location premiums. Embassy / VFS fees are quoted separately at face value. - Destination | Visa type | Processing | Validity | Travlys fee - United States visa | Embassy Visa | 6-12 months (interview wait) | Up to 10 years | From ₹19,940 - United Kingdom visa | Embassy Visa | 3 weeks (Standard) | 6 months - 10 years | From ₹12,950 - Canada visa | Embassy Visa | 4-8 weeks | Up to 10 years | From ₹14,950 - Australia visa | Embassy Visa | 2-6 weeks | 1-3 years | From ₹4,950 - Schengen (Netherlands) visa | Schengen Visa | 18-21 days (up to 45) | Up to 5 years | From ₹2,950 - Singapore visa | e-Visa | 3-5 working days | Up to 2 years | From ₹2,950 - United Arab Emirates visa | e-Visa | 2-4 working days | 60 days from issue | From ₹2,500 - Thailand visa | Visa-free 30 days / e-Visa | 5-10 working days | 90 days from issue | From ₹1,950 - New Zealand visa | Embassy Visa | 2-6 weeks | Up to 3 years | From ₹6,950 - Malaysia visa | Visa-free (until 31 Dec 2026) | No visa needed; MDAC online | Waiver valid until 31 Dec 2026 | From ₹999 Fees shown are the Travlys service fee. Embassy, VFS and government fees are paid separately at face value. ## Pricing FAQs ### Are embassy / VFS fees included? No. The price shown for each country is the Travlys service fee — what you pay us for our work. Embassy / VFS / VAC fees are paid separately to the respective authority. We never mark them up. ### Is there a refund if the visa is refused? Our service fee is non-refundable once the application is filed — we have already done the work. The embassy / government fee you paid is non-refundable regardless of who files. We do refund our service fee if we discontinue the application at our discretion (rare). ### Are there urgency or rush fees? No. The price you see is the only price. We do not have urgency surcharges, premium-route fees, or "express" tiers. If the timeline is tight we work harder, not more expensively. ### Do prices vary by city? No. The Travlys service fee is the same whether you are applying from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru or anywhere else in India. No location surcharge. ### What about for groups or families? Pricing is per applicant. For families filing together (3+ applicants on the same trip), we discount the second and subsequent applications. WhatsApp us with the size of your group. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/about/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # A visa consultancy built for Indian travelers. Travlys is an India-based visa consultancy headquartered in Ahmedabad. 5,000+ visas filed, 98% approval rate, 10 destinations, flat fees from ₹999. Here is who we are and how we work. Travlys is spelled with an s and lives at travlys.com. It is not affiliated with Travly (travly.com), a US travel booking app. ## Travlys in numbers - 5,000+ visas filed - 98% approval rate - 10 destinations - First response within 24 hours on working days ## How we work We handle fewer countries (10) so we know each route deeply, charge a single flat fee with no per-document or urgency surcharges, and give every applicant a named specialist who stays on the file from brief to decision. ## Office 605, Shivalik Shilp II, Near Hotel ITC Narmada, Keshav Baug, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380015, India. Walk-ins by appointment; clients across India are served remotely. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/contact/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Talk to a real visa specialist. - WhatsApp: +91 82009 18967, most replies within 15 minutes in working hours - Phone: +91 82009 18967, Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 7 PM IST - Email: info@travlys.com, replies within one working day ## Office address 605, Shivalik Shilp II, Near Hotel ITC Narmada, Keshav Baug, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380015, India. Visits by appointment. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/visa-rule-changes-for-indians-2026-tracker/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Visa Rule Changes for Indians in 2026: Monthly Tracker Published 2026-10-25 · 10 min read · By the Travlys visa team A dated, monthly-updated list of every significant visa and entry rule change for Indian passport holders in 2026, with what changed, who it affects and what to do. Latest change (26 October 2026): Indian passport holders now apply for a Chinese visa directly at the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai, not at the visa application service centres. Before that, the biggest 2026 changes for Indians were Australia's student visa rules (2 October), Thailand cutting visa-free stays to 30 days (15 September), a free Sri Lanka ETA (25 May) and the Schengen Entry/Exit System going fully live (10 April). This page lists every significant change we could confirm, newest first, and is updated every month. At a glance: Newest change: China direct visa filing from 26 October 2026. Easier in 2026: Sri Lanka (free ETA), Uzbekistan (visa-free for holders of certain foreign visas), UAE (visa on arrival scheme widened). Harder in 2026: Thailand (60 days cut to 30), Australia student visas, higher UK and Australian visa fees. Unchanged but time-limited: Malaysia visa-free entry ends 31 December 2026 unless extended. Still suspended: Iran visa-free entry, since 22 November 2025. Passport ranking: India 84th, 55 destinations (October 2026, as reported). ## 2026 visa rule changes for Indians, newest first ### 26 Oct 2026: China moves visa filing to its Embassy and Consulate From 26 October, the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate General in Mumbai accept visa applications directly. You fill the online form at consular.mfa.gov.cn first, then submit your passport in person after you get an approval email. Mumbai covers Maharashtra and Karnataka; New Delhi covers every other state, including Gujarat, and for now the old Kolkata district. A single-entry visa costs ₹2,900, paid only by bank demand draft for now. ### 9 Oct 2026: India ranks 84th in the Henley Passport Index The October 2026 edition puts India 84th, with 55 destinations reachable without a visa arranged in advance. Business Today reports this as up one place from 85th, though other reports had India 81st in July. We could not view the figures on Henley & Partners' own site. The index counts visa-free, visa on arrival and ETA entries, not e-visas, so it understates how easily you can travel. ### 2 Oct 2026: Australia tightens student visa rules Most holders of temporary visas in Australia, including Visitor, Working Holiday, Skills in Demand and Temporary Graduate visas, can no longer apply for a Student visa onshore. Most new student applicants cannot include a partner or children, and no student can add family after the grant. Students must now stay 12 months with their first provider before transferring, and a new transfer visa stream starts on 1 July 2027. If you apply from India for a first course, the process is the same; the planning level for new students stays at 295,000 for 2026 and 2027. ### 30 Sep 2026: US courts keep blocking the $100,000 H-1B fee A California court blocked agencies from enforcing the $100,000 H-1B payment on 30 September, after a Massachusetts court vacated its guidance in June. Other US rules from 2025 remain: almost every applicant needs an in-person interview, you must apply in your country of nationality or residence, and F, M, J, H-1B and H-4 applicants must keep social media public. The B1/B2 fee is still $185. The $250 visa integrity fee is law, but we found no official notice that collection has started. On 3 August 2026 the US made its visa bond programme permanent; India is not on the list. ### 15 Sep 2026: Thailand cuts visa-free stays to 30 days Thailand revoked its 60-day visa exemption for all countries and gave Indian ordinary passport holders a 30-day visa-free stay for tourism. India is not on the new visa on arrival list. Fill the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card within three days before arrival, and get a tourist visa or DTV on thaievisa.go.th if you need longer. ### 1 Sep 2026: Uzbekistan visa-free for Indians holding certain foreign visas Uzbekistan's Tourism Committee says Indians holding a valid multiple-entry tourist or business visa from the US, UK, a Schengen state, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or South Korea can stay up to 30 days visa-free. You need a ticket out to India or a third country. News reports describe wider visa-free entry for all Indians, but the official notice we found covers only this group, so others should use the e-visa. ### 1 Jul 2026: Australia raises visa charges Most Australian visa charges went up about 25%. The Student visa now costs AUD 2,500 for the main applicant, a Visitor visa (subclass 600) applied for outside Australia costs AUD 250, and the Temporary Graduate visa costs AUD 5,750. The amount depends on the date Home Affairs receives your application. ### 1 Jul 2026: Japan raises visa fees worldwide, but not for Indians Japan's first fee revision since 1978 raised single-entry visas to about ¥15,000 for most nationalities. Japanese missions in India say Indian nationals still pay ₹500 for a single or multiple-entry visa, plus the VFS service fee. Japan also abolished its separate transit visa, and the Consulate General in Mumbai stopped taking applications directly after 20 April 2026, so Mumbai-district applicants now go through VFS Global. ### 25 Jun 2026: UAE widens its visa on arrival scheme The UAE's ICP extended its visa on arrival scheme to six more nationalities and kept India on the list. Indians with a valid US visa or green card, a UK or EU visa or residence permit, or a residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or Singapore can get a 14-day visa for AED 100, extendable once, or a 60-day visa. Some July news reports said UK-only holders would lose access, but official pages still list the UK, so apply online in advance if a UK document is all you have. ### 25 May 2026: Sri Lanka tourist ETA becomes free Indians are among 40 nationalities who get a free 30-day, double-entry tourist ETA. You must still apply on eta.gov.lk before you fly; free does not mean no application. Business ETAs and extensions are still charged. ### 10 Apr 2026: Schengen Entry/Exit System fully live The EES, which started on 12 October 2025, became fully operational at the borders of 29 European countries, and passport stamping ended. Your entry, exit and face image are recorded digitally, and the system counts your 90 days in any 180. Allow extra time at your first Schengen airport. ETIAS does not apply to Indians, who still need a Schengen visa (EUR 90 for adults). ### 8 Apr 2026: UK visa fees go up The standard six-month UK visitor visa rose from £127 to £135, the two-year visit visa to £506, and the Student visa (applied from outside the UK) from £524 to £558. The Immigration Health Surcharge is unchanged at £776 a year for students. The fee you pay is set by the date you apply. ### 1 Jan 2026: Canada drops the provincial letter for master's and PhD students Master's and doctoral students at public Canadian institutions no longer need a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) with their study permit application. Undergraduate and college applicants still do. IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits in 2026, including 155,000 for new students. ### Through 31 Dec 2026: Malaysia visa-free entry for Indians continues Malaysia's visa waiver lets Indians stay up to 30 days for tourism, business or transit, but not work, until 31 December 2026. You must submit the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card within three days before arrival and carry a return ticket and hotel booking. No extension beyond 2026 had been announced when we checked. ### 22 Nov 2025: Iran suspends visa-free entry for Indians India's Ministry of External Affairs said Iran suspended its visa waiver for Indian ordinary passport holders from 22 November 2025, after criminal groups used it to lure Indians with fake job offers and kidnap them for ransom. You now need a visa to enter or transit Iran. In July 2026 the Embassy of India in Tehran also advised Indians to postpone travel to Iran. We found no official notice restoring visa-free entry. ## Coming up: dates to watch - 31 December 2026: Malaysia's visa waiver for Indians expires unless Malaysia extends it. - 1 January 2027: UK Graduate visas for bachelor's and master's graduates drop from 2 years to 18 months. Apply by 31 December 2026 to get 2 years. PhD graduates keep 3 years. - 1 July 2027: Australia's new Student visa transfer stream starts for students changing provider. - Not yet dated: the US $250 visa integrity fee and the EU's ETIAS. ETIAS is for visa-exempt nationals, so it will not apply to you on an Indian passport. ## Checked, but no 2026 change confirmed - Philippines: visa-free for 14 days for tourism since 8 June 2025, or 30 days if you hold a valid US, UK, Schengen, Japan, Australia, Canada or Singapore visa or residence permit. Register on eTravel before you fly. - Kazakhstan: visa-free for up to 14 days per visit, with a cap of 42 days in any 180, under a 2022 decree. - Laos: we saw claims that visa on arrival ended for Indians but found no official confirmation. Apply for the e-visa to be safe. Before you book: Visa-free or visa on arrival never guarantees entry. Officers can ask for a return ticket, hotel booking and funds, and can refuse entry. Rules on this page can change with little notice, so check the official immigration site of the country before you buy flights. ## How Travlys helps Travlys files visas for Indian passport holders for the US (from ₹19,940), UK (from ₹12,950), Canada (from ₹14,950), Australia (from ₹4,950), Schengen through the Netherlands (from ₹2,950), Singapore (from ₹2,950), UAE (from ₹2,500), Thailand (from ₹1,950), New Zealand (from ₹6,950) and Malaysia (from ₹999). Service fees are separate from government fees. We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate, and we tell you upfront if a rule change on this page affects your trip. WhatsApp us on +91 82009 18967. Last checked: Every entry on this tracker was checked on 25 October 2026 against the official government sources listed below, or against news reports where we have said so. We update this page monthly. If a date or fee here differs from an official site, follow the official site. ## Frequently asked questions ### What visa rules changed for Indians in 2026? The main 2026 changes for Indian passport holders are: China direct visa filing at its Embassy and Mumbai Consulate from 26 October, Australia's student visa restrictions from 2 October, Thailand's visa-free stay cut to 30 days from 15 September, Sri Lanka's free tourist ETA from 25 May, the Schengen EES going fully live on 10 April, and higher UK and Australian visa fees. ### Is Thailand still visa-free for Indians? Yes, but only for 30 days. From 15 September 2026 Thailand revoked its 60-day exemption and Indian ordinary passport holders get a 30-day visa-free stay for tourism. You must fill the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arrival. For longer stays, apply for a tourist visa or DTV on the Thai e-Visa portal before you fly. ### Is Malaysia visa-free for Indians after December 2026? Not confirmed. Malaysia's visa waiver for Indians runs until 31 December 2026, for stays of up to 30 days, and no extension had been announced as of 25 October 2026. If you are travelling in 2027, check the Immigration Department of Malaysia website before booking. You still need the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card. ### How do Indians apply for a China visa from 26 October 2026? You apply directly at the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulate General in Mumbai, not at a visa centre. Fill the online form first, wait for the approval email, then submit your passport in person. Residents of Maharashtra and Karnataka use Mumbai; everyone else, including Gujarat, uses New Delhi. A single-entry visa costs ₹2,900, paid by demand draft. ### What is the Indian passport rank in 2026? India is 84th in the October 2026 Henley Passport Index, with 55 destinations accessible without a visa arranged in advance, according to Indian news reports, which describe it as up one place from 85th. The count includes visa-free, visa on arrival and ETA entries, but not e-visa countries. ### Do Indians need a visa for Iran now? Yes. Iran suspended visa-free entry for Indian ordinary passport holders from 22 November 2025, according to India's Ministry of External Affairs, and we found no notice restoring it. You must get a visa before travel. The Embassy of India in Tehran also advised Indians in July 2026 to postpone travel to Iran. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-25. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - Embassy of China in India: notice on direct acceptance of visa applications (22 October 2026) - Embassy of China in India: schedule of consular fees (22 October 2026) - Consulate General of China in Mumbai: notice on direct acceptance of applications (22 October 2026) - Business Today: Henley Passport Index October 2026, India 84th with 55 destinations - TravelBiz Monitor: Indian passport 84th in October 2026 rankings - Department of Home Affairs (Australia): Changes to Student visa application rules (subclasses 500 and 590) - Assistant Minister Julian Hill: Student visa integrity reforms take effect today (2 October 2026) - Study Australia: Australia confirms international education settings for 2027 - Federal Register of Legislation: Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 (visa charges from 1 July 2026) - U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India: visa service notices - U.S. Department of State: Interview Waiver Update - U.S. Department of State: Fees for visa services - U.S. Department of State: Countries subject to visa bonds - USCIS: H-1B FAQ on the $100,000 payment - Ogletree Deakins: Federal court issues new order blocking $100,000 H-1B fee (2 October 2026) - Ellis (immigration law firm): The $250 visa integrity fee, updated June 2026 - Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi: revision of visa exemption and VoA schemes, effective 15 September 2026 - Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs: press briefing, 19 May 2026 - Uzbekistan Tourism Committee: visa-free regime for Indian citizens from 1 September 2026 - Embassy of Japan in India: Visa (fees from 1 July 2026) - Consulate General of Japan in Mumbai: Visa information - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Visa fees - UAE ICP: eligibility for UAE entry visa expanded (25 June 2026) - UAE ICP: 60-day visa for nationals of certain countries residing abroad - Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: free tourist visas for nationals of 40 countries - Sri Lanka ETA (official portal) - European Union (travel-europe.europa.eu): FAQs about the EES - European Union (travel-europe.europa.eu): What is ETIAS? - GOV.UK: Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 April 2026 - GOV.UK: Graduate visa - GOV.UK: Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application - IRCC (Canada.ca): 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap - Immigration Department of Malaysia: visa requirement by country - Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (official portal) - Ministry of External Affairs, India: advisory on suspension of visa waiver for Indian nationals travelling to Iran - The Week (PTI): Iran suspends visa waiver for Indian nationals after misuse by criminal elements (17 November 2025) - Embassy of the Philippines, New Delhi (DFA): visa-free privileges for Indian nationals - Embassy of India, Astana: Kazakhstan visa-free travel for Indians up to 14 days ## Related guides - China Visa for Indians 2026: The New Embassy Filing Process - Thailand Visa-Free for Indians in 2026: The 30-Day Rule Explained - Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/australia-student-visa-new-rules-2026-indian-students/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Australia Student Visa New Rules 2026 for Indian Students Published 2026-10-25 · 8 min read · By the Travlys visa team Australia's 2 October 2026 student visa rules restrict onshore applications, family members and provider switching. Here is what Indian students need to know, with current fees, funds and English scores. Yes, Australia has tightened its student visa rules. From 2 October 2026, most people already in Australia on another temporary visa can no longer apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) onshore, most students can no longer include a partner or children, and nobody can add family after the visa is granted. If you are applying from India for your first course, you can still apply as before, but the visa now costs AUD 2,500 and you must show at least AUD 29,710 a year for living costs. At a glance: New rules start: 2 October 2026. Applying from India: still allowed as before. Onshore applications: blocked for most temporary visa holders. Family members: only with an exemption, such as PhD study; never added later. Changing provider: you must stay 12 months in your main course first (up from 6). Visa fee: AUD 2,500 for the main applicant since 1 July 2026. Living costs to show: AUD 29,710 a year. English (tests from 7 August 2025): IELTS 6.0 or PTE 47. New student places: 295,000 for 2026 and 2027. ## What changed on 2 October 2026 The Migration Amendment (Student Visa Reform) Regulations 2026 changed who can apply for a Student visa while in Australia and who can come with you. The government says the aim is to stop "visa hopping" from visitor and work visas onto student visas. ### You may need to be outside Australia to apply If you hold any of these visas, you cannot apply for a Student visa while in Australia, and there are no exemptions: - Visitor (600), ETA (601), eVisitor (651), Transit (771), Medical Treatment (602) - Working Holiday (417), Work and Holiday (462) - Skills in Demand (482), Temporary Work (400, 457), Training (407), Temporary Activity (408) - Temporary Graduate (485) - Maritime Crew (988), Domestic Worker (403), and primary Diplomatic (Temporary) holders (995) Existing student visa holders are also affected. You can apply for another Student visa in Australia only if an exemption applies, for example: - you need up to 12 more months to finish your main course with the same provider - you have finished your main course and are moving up to a higher AQF level (a higher education graduate must move to another higher education course) - you are starting a PhD (a Master's by Research does not count), or primary or secondary school - you are sponsored by DFAT or the Department of Defence - your provider has defaulted and cannot deliver your course If you must apply from outside Australia, you must also be outside Australia when the visa is granted. You will not get a bridging visa. Home Affairs warns that an application lodged onshore when you were not allowed to will be invalid, and an invalid application cannot go to review. ### Family members: partner and children You can no longer include your partner or dependent children in a Student visa application unless you are a PhD student, sponsored by DFAT or Defence, on a foreign government scholarship, or a national of a Pacific or ASEAN country. Indian students on ordinary self-funded courses do not fall into these groups. You also cannot add family members after your visa is granted. Home Affairs says there are no exemptions to this rule. Families already together in Australia are protected: if your family was on your current Student visa and you are eligible to apply onshore, you may be able to include them in your next application. Everyone in the application must be in the same location when you lodge it. ### Changing your education provider From 2 October 2026, students other than school students must stay 12 months in their principal course before moving provider, up from six. From 1 July 2027, changing provider after arrival will need a new visa under a new transfer stream, granted before you start at the new provider. Transfers will only be allowed at the same AQF level or higher, so you can no longer come for a degree and switch to a VET course onshore. ### If you applied before 2 October 2026 Applications lodged before 2 October 2026, including ones that already included family members, are assessed under the old rules. A Student visa you already hold is not affected. ## What the student visa costs now Australia raised visa charges from 1 July 2026. For an Indian student, the base charge for the main applicant went from AUD 2,000 to AUD 2,500. Where family can still be included, the charge is AUD 1,530 for each person aged 18 or over and AUD 500 for each child under 18. A lower rate applies only to ASEAN, Pacific and Timor-Leste nationals and to English-only (ELICOS) or non-award courses. The fee you pay depends on the date Home Affairs receives your application. Also budget for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your whole stay, biometrics, medicals and your English test. Missing OSHC details lead to refusal. ## How much money you must show Home Affairs can ask for proof of funds even if the Document Checklist Tool does not. At minimum you need: - 12 months of course fees (or pro rata for a shorter course), less anything already paid - AUD 29,710 for 12 months of your own living costs - AUD 10,394 for a partner and AUD 4,449 for each child, where family can still come - AUD 13,502 a year in school fees for each school-age child - AUD 2,000 for travel if you are applying from India Instead of savings, you can show that your parents or partner earned at least AUD 87,856 in the 12 months before you apply, or AUD 102,500 if family members are coming. Parents' incomes can be combined, shown through official documents such as income tax assessments under 12 months old, not bank statements or employer letters. For an education loan, Home Affairs looks for evidence of disbursement, not just a sanction letter. ## English test scores you need For tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, the minimum overall scores are: - IELTS Academic or General Training: 6.0 - PTE Academic: 47 - TOEFL iBT: 67. From 21 January 2026 you must select "Taking TOEFL for Australia" when you register, or the test will not count. Lower scores are accepted if your main course is packaged with English classes: IELTS 5.5 (PTE 39) with at least 10 weeks of ELICOS or an eligible foundation or pathway program, and IELTS 5.0 (PTE 31) with at least 20 weeks of ELICOS. Universities often set higher scores than the visa minimum, so check your offer letter. ## The Genuine Student requirement Since 23 March 2024, every applicant must meet the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. In the online form you answer a set of questions, in English, with a 150-word limit each. They cover your current ties to family, community and work in India, why you chose this course and this provider, how the course will help you, and anything else relevant. There is an extra question if you have held a Student visa before. Answers backed by documents carry more weight. Officers look at why you are not taking a similar course in India, study gaps, work history, expected salary after the course, and past visa refusals anywhere. Wanting permanent residence later does not count against you. ## How many new students Australia will take The government set a National Planning Level of 295,000 new international student commencements for 2026, and on 15 July 2026 confirmed the same 295,000 for 2027. Study Australia says this is a planning level, not a hard cap. Each provider gets an allocation. Applications for a provider are processed as priority until it reaches 80% of its allocation, then they are still accepted but processed more slowly. Offshore applications lodged from 14 November 2025 are handled under Ministerial Direction 115. In practice, apply early, before your university nears its allocation. ## Post-study work: Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) Under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, Indian graduates in the Post-Higher Education Work stream get longer stays than most nationalities: - Bachelor's degree (including honours): 2 years - Bachelor's with first-class honours in STEM, including ICT: 3 years - Master's (coursework, extended or research): 3 years - PhD: 4 years You must be 35 or under when you apply (under 50 if you use a research master's or PhD), have held a Student visa in the last six months, and apply in Australia. You need IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each part, or PTE 55 overall, taken in the 12 months before you apply. The visa charge rose to AUD 5,750 on 1 July 2026. The government has said similar restrictions on including family members will come to the 485 visa, with details still to be announced. While you study, you can work up to 48 hours a fortnight when your course is in session. Research master's and PhD students have no work limit. ## Who is affected most - Little change: you are in India, applying alone for your first bachelor's or master's course. - Route closed: you planned to enter on a visitor or Working Holiday visa and switch to a student visa. - Big change: you are married or have children. Unless you are doing a PhD, they cannot come as your dependants. - Check first: you are already studying in Australia and want to change course or provider. ## Common mistakes to avoid - Lodging onshore without an exemption. An invalid application can leave you without a visa. - Showing a loan sanction letter without proof of disbursement. - Copying a GS statement from the internet. Specific, documented answers work better. ## How Travlys helps Travlys files Australian visas from ₹4,950 (service fee; government fees extra). We check your documents against the current Home Affairs checklist, prepare your financial evidence and GS answers, and lodge your application. We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. If you are already in Australia and your case depends on an onshore exemption, we will tell you to speak to a registered migration agent there first. WhatsApp us on +91 82009 18967. Last checked: These rules were checked on 25 October 2026 against the Department of Home Affairs, the Federal Register of Legislation, Study Australia and the ministerial release listed below. Student visa settings are changing quickly in 2026, so confirm on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you pay any fee. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can Indian students still apply for an Australian student visa in 2026? Yes. If you are in India and applying for your course, you can still apply for a Student visa (subclass 500) as before. The 2 October 2026 changes mainly affect people already in Australia on other temporary visas, existing students applying again, and students who want to bring family. You still need a Confirmation of Enrolment, OSHC, funds and an English test score. ### What is the Australian student visa fee in 2026? The base charge for an Indian main applicant is AUD 2,500 for applications received from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 2,000. Where family members can still be included, it is AUD 1,530 for each person aged 18 or over and AUD 500 for each child. OSHC, biometrics and medicals are extra. ### Can I take my spouse to Australia on a student visa now? Usually not, if you apply on or after 2 October 2026. Family members can only be included if you are a PhD student, sponsored by DFAT or Defence, on a foreign government scholarship, or a Pacific or ASEAN national. Nobody can add family after the visa is granted. Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 follow the old rules. ### How much bank balance do I need for an Australian student visa? You must show at least AUD 29,710 for a year of living costs, 12 months of tuition fees, and AUD 2,000 for travel from India. Alternatively, you can show your parents' or partner's annual income was at least AUD 87,856, using official tax documents. Home Affairs may ask for this evidence even if the checklist does not. ### What IELTS score is needed for an Australian student visa? The visa minimum is IELTS 6.0 overall, or PTE Academic 47, for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. It drops to 5.5 if your course includes at least 10 weeks of English classes, and 5.0 with at least 20 weeks. Your university may ask for a higher score than the visa minimum. ### How long is post-study work in Australia for Indian students? Indian graduates get 2 years after a bachelor's degree, 3 years after a bachelor's with first-class honours in STEM, 3 years after any master's, and 4 years after a PhD, under the Australia-India trade agreement. You must be 35 or under (under 50 for research degrees), meet IELTS 6.5, and apply in Australia. The visa charge is AUD 5,750. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-25. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - Department of Home Affairs: Changes to Student visa application rules (subclasses 500 and 590) - Department of Home Affairs: Changes to Student visa application rules, fact sheet - Department of Home Affairs: Changes to Student visa rules, what you need to do - Department of Home Affairs: Including or adding family members - Department of Home Affairs: Student visa (subclass 500), eligibility, English, financial capacity - Department of Home Affairs: Genuine Student requirement - Department of Home Affairs: Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), Post-Higher Education Work stream - Assistant Minister Julian Hill: Student visa integrity reforms take effect today (2 October 2026) - Federal Register of Legislation: Migration Amendment (Student Visa Reform) Regulations 2026 - Federal Register of Legislation: Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2026 and explanatory statement (visa charges from 1 July 2026) - Study Australia: Student visa application changes, October 2026 update - Study Australia: Australia confirms international education settings for 2027 (15 July 2026) - Study Australia: Student visa (subclass 500) ## Related guides - Study Abroad Visa Changes 2026 for Indian Students - Visa Rule Changes for Indians in 2026: Monthly Tracker - Visa rejection: 7 reasons Indian applicants get refused (and what to do) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/study-abroad-visa-changes-2026-indian-students/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Study Abroad Visa Changes 2026 for Indian Students Published 2026-10-25 · 8 min read · By the Travlys visa team The US, UK, Australia and Canada all changed their student visa rules in 2025 and 2026. Here is what is actually in force for Indian students in October 2026, country by country, and what is still only a proposal. In 2026, studying abroad got harder for most Indian students. The US now interviews almost every F-1 applicant and checks public social media, the UK cuts its Graduate Route to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027, and Australia raised its fee to A$2,500 and stopped most students bringing family from 2 October 2026. Canada issues fewer permits but has made things easier for master's and PhD students, and Germany is largely unchanged. At a glance: USA: in-person interview and public social media for F-1; $185 visa fee plus $350 SEVIS fee; fixed-stay rule blocked by a court. UK: Graduate visa is 2 years if you apply by 31 December 2026, 18 months after; £558 visa fee; no dependants on taught master's. Canada: 408,000 study permits in 2026; no PAL for master's or PhD at public institutions; CA$23,448 living funds. Australia: A$2,500 fee; family mostly not allowed from 2 October 2026; A$29,710 living costs. Germany: €11,904 blocked account. New Zealand: 25 work hours a week in term. ## Which country got easier, which got harder - Harder: USA. Interviews for nearly all students, public social media and longer vetting. A proposed OPT fee on universities is not in force. - Harder: UK. Shorter Graduate Route from 2027, higher funds since late 2025 and stricter rules for universities. - Harder: Australia. Higher fee, no family for most students, and most people must apply from outside Australia. - Mixed: Canada. Fewer permits and higher funds, but master's and PhD students no longer need a PAL. - Stable: Germany. Same blocked account amount since September 2024. - Easier: New Zealand. 25 hours of work a week during term for visas granted from 3 November 2025. ## USA: interviews, social media checks and an OPT question Since 2 September 2025, the interview waiver no longer covers students. Every F-1 applicant needs an in-person interview, including for renewals, and you should apply at a US post in India. Since June 2025, F, M and J applicants go through an online presence review. The US Embassy in India asks you to set every social media account to public before the interview. The visa fee is still $185, and the SEVIS I-901 fee is $350. A $250 visa integrity fee became law in July 2025 and is charged when a visa is issued, but as of 24 October 2026 we could not confirm it is being collected in India. Budget for it anyway. ### Duration of status, OPT and H-1B - Duration of status: DHS published a rule on 17 July 2026 to replace open-ended stay with fixed admission periods of up to four years and a 30-day grace period. A federal court in Massachusetts blocked it on 14 September 2026, a day before it was due to start. For now, students are still admitted for duration of status. The case continues. - OPT: still available on the same rules. On 8 October 2026, DHS proposed a $70,000 fee for a student's first OPT recommendation and $30,000 for later ones, including STEM OPT, paid by the university. It is a proposal only. Comments close on 9 November 2026. - H-1B: the $100,000 fee on certain new petitions is blocked by court orders, and the lottery is now weighted by wage level. Both matter if you plan to work in the US after OPT. Practical tip: make sure your social media, DS-160 and statement of purpose tell the same story. Ask your university how it would handle the OPT fee if it is ever finalised. ## UK: apply for the Graduate visa before 2027 if you can The Graduate visa lasts 2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026, and 18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027. PhD graduates keep 3 years. The date that counts is your application date. If you finish a one-year master's in late 2026, apply as soon as your university reports your completion, and before 31 December. - Dependants: for courses starting from 1 January 2024, only PhD, other doctoral and research-based postgraduate students, plus government-sponsored students, can bring family. Taught master's students cannot. - Funds: £1,529 a month in London and £1,171 a month elsewhere, for up to 9 months, held for 28 days in a row. These rose in November 2025. - Fees: the Student visa fee is £558 from 8 April 2026, plus the health surcharge of £776 a year. - University compliance: from 1 June 2026, sponsors must keep visa refusals below 5% (it was 10%) and enrolment at 95%. Expect universities to check your finances and intentions more closely. - English: the Student route rules have not changed, but Skilled Worker applicants need B2 English from 8 January 2026. That matters if you plan to switch to a work visa. - Employer costs: the Immigration Skills Charge rose 32% to £1,320 a year for medium and large sponsors from 16 December 2025. The general Skilled Worker salary threshold is £41,700. A separate levy of £925 per international student per year on universities in England is planned from 1 August 2028. Universities pay it, not you directly. ## Canada: fewer permits, relief for master's and PhD students - Cap: Canada plans to issue 408,000 study permits in 2026, including 155,000 for new students. That is 7% below the 2025 target of 437,000. - PAL/TAL: since 1 January 2026, master's and doctoral students at public designated learning institutions do not need a provincial attestation letter. Most other students still do. - Funds: for applications from 1 September 2026, you need CA$23,448 for one person outside Quebec, on top of tuition and travel. - PGWP field of study: the field-of-study rule applies to college and other non-degree programmes. Bachelor's, master's and PhD graduates are exempt. IRCC says it will not add or remove any fields in 2026. - PGWP language: CLB 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates, in all four skills. - Spouse work permits: since 21 January 2025, mainly for spouses of master's students on programmes of 16 months or more, PhD students and certain professional degrees. If you want to work in Canada after study, a degree programme now carries less risk than a one-year college diploma. ## Australia: new rules from 2 October 2026 These changes apply to applications lodged on or after 2 October 2026. Student visas already granted are not affected. - Fee: A$2,500 for the main applicant from 1 July 2026, up from A$2,000. - Family: partners and children generally cannot be included. Exemptions cover doctoral students, fully funded foreign government scholarship holders, DFAT or Defence sponsored students, and Pacific and ASEAN nationals. You cannot add family after the visa is granted. - Where you apply: most temporary visa holders, including current students, can no longer apply for a Student visa from inside Australia unless an exemption applies. If you lodge offshore, you must be offshore when the visa is granted. - Caps: the planning level for 2027 is 295,000 new overseas student commencements, the same as 2026. Offshore applications are processed under Ministerial Direction 115, which links priority to your provider's allocation. - Funds: A$29,710 a year for living costs, plus tuition and A$2,000 travel. Or show that a parent or partner earned at least A$87,856 in the last 12 months. - After study: the Temporary Graduate (485) visa charge rose to A$5,750 from 1 July 2026. ## Germany: steady amounts, digital applications - Blocked account: €11,904 for the first year, with at most €992 released each month. The German missions in India have used this figure since 1 September 2024. - How to apply: through the Consular Services Portal, which asks questions first and then gives you a document list. - APS certificate: usually required if you studied in India. PhD students and some others are exempt. - English proof: Duolingo, Pearson PTE and TOEFL Home Edition are not accepted for applications in India. - Opportunity Card: for job seekers without an offer. You need at least €1,091 a month through a blocked account or a sponsor's formal declaration. ## New Zealand: more work hours For student visas granted on or after 3 November 2025, you can work up to 25 hours a week during term, up from 20. If your visa was granted earlier, you need to apply for a variation of conditions, and a fee applies. ## What to do now - Finishing a UK course in 2026? Plan to apply for the Graduate visa before 31 December. - Married and looking at Australia? Check the family exemptions before you pay a tuition deposit. - Choosing Canada? Check whether your programme needs a PAL and whether it leads to a PGWP. - Applying to the US? Make your social media public and keep your DS-160 consistent with it. - Show funds the way each country asks. The UK wants 28 days of history, Germany wants a blocked account, and Canada and Australia set fixed yearly amounts. ## How Travlys helps Travlys is an Ahmedabad-based visa consultancy. We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. We prepare and file visa applications for the USA (from ₹19,940), UK (from ₹12,950), Canada (from ₹14,950), Australia (from ₹4,950) and New Zealand (from ₹6,950). These are our service fees; government fees are extra. WhatsApp us on +91 82009 18967 to check your documents before you apply. Last checked: These rules were checked on 25 October 2026 against the sources listed below. Several items, including the US duration of status case, the OPT fee proposal and the $250 integrity fee, were still changing on that date. Always confirm on the official sites before you apply. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is the UK Graduate Route being cut to 18 months? Yes, for applications made on or after 1 January 2027. If you apply for the Graduate visa on or before 31 December 2026, you still get 2 years. PhD and other doctoral graduates keep 3 years. What counts is the date you apply, not when your course started, and your university must have reported that you completed your course before you can apply. ### Can Indian students take their spouse to Australia in 2026? Mostly no, for applications lodged on or after 2 October 2026. Partners and children can be included only if an exemption applies, such as doctoral study, a fully funded foreign government scholarship, or DFAT or Defence sponsorship. Family members also cannot be added after the Student visa is granted. Applications lodged before 2 October 2026 are assessed under the old rules. ### Do Indian master's students need a PAL for Canada in 2026? Not if you are enrolled in a master's or doctoral programme at a public designated learning institution. Since 1 January 2026, these students do not need a provincial or territorial attestation letter with their study permit application. Bachelor's, diploma and certificate students, and students at private institutions, generally still need one. ### Do I need to make my social media public for a US F-1 visa? Yes. Since June 2025, the US has reviewed the online presence of F, M and J applicants, and the US Embassy in India asks these applicants to set all social media accounts to public. Do this before your interview and keep them public until your visa is issued. List every handle you have used on your DS-160. ### How much money is needed in a German blocked account in 2026? €11,904 for the first year of study, with withdrawals capped at €992 a month. The German missions in India have used this amount since 1 September 2024 and still listed it in 2026. A scholarship of at least €992 a month or a formal sponsor declaration can replace the blocked account. The Opportunity Card for job seekers needs €1,091 a month. ### Is OPT being removed for Indian students in the US? No. OPT and the STEM OPT extension still work under the same rules in October 2026. On 8 October 2026, DHS proposed fees of $70,000 for a student's first OPT recommendation and $30,000 for later ones, payable by the university. It is only a proposal, with comments open until 9 November 2026, and it is likely to face legal challenge. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-25. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India: visa service notices (social media, residence) - U.S. Department of State: Interview Waiver Update, 18 September 2025 - U.S. Department of State: Expanded screening and vetting for visa applicants - U.S. Department of State: Fees for visa services - Study in the States (DHS): Final rule establishing a fixed time period of admission, July 2026 - BAL: Federal court blocks DHS duration of status final rule before effective date, September 2026 - Federal Register: Optional Practical Training fee proposed rule, 8 October 2026 - NAFSA: Optional Practical Training fee rule portal - GOV.UK: Graduate visa overview - GOV.UK: Explanatory memorandum to statement of changes HC 1333, 14 October 2025 - GOV.UK: Student visa, money you need - GOV.UK: Student visa, family members - GOV.UK: Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 April 2026 - GOV.UK: Immigration health surcharge, how much you pay - GOV.UK: UK visa sponsorship for employers, Immigration Skills Charge - GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, your job and salary - UKCISA: Tightened Basic Compliance Assessment metrics now live - GOV.UK: Introducing an international student levy on higher education providers, 13 July 2026 - IRCC (canada.ca): 2026 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap - IRCC (canada.ca): Study permit, proof of financial support - IRCC (canada.ca): PGWP eligibility - IRCC (canada.ca): PGWP field of study requirement and 2026 list freeze - IRCC (canada.ca): Open work permits for spouses of students - Department of Home Affairs: Student visa (subclass 500) - Department of Home Affairs: Changes to Student visa application rules (500 and 590) - Study Australia: Student visa changes, October 2026 update - Department of Education (Australia): Managed growth of international education, 2027 arrangements factsheet - German Missions in India: Studies, including preparatory college and language courses - German Missions in India: National visa FAQs - German Missions in India: Opportunity Card - Immigration New Zealand: Upcoming changes to student visa work rights ## Related guides - Australia Student Visa New Rules 2026 for Indian Students - US Visa Changes 2026: What Indian Applicants Need to Know - UK Visa for Indians 2026: Fees, Processing Time and Documents ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/uk-visa-for-indians-2026-fees-processing-time/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # UK Visa for Indians 2026: Fees, Processing Time and Documents Published 2026-10-25 · 8 min read · By the Travlys visa team Indians need a UK Standard Visitor visa, not an ETA. Here are the 2026 fees, processing times in India, VFS centres, the documents that help, the common refusal reasons and what the India-UK trade deal changes. Indians need a UK Standard Visitor visa, not an ETA. In 2026 a 6-month visa costs £135, and long-term visas cost £506 (2 years), £903 (5 years) and £1,128 (10 years). A decision usually takes about 3 weeks after your biometrics appointment, or about 5 working days with the £500 priority service. At a glance: 6-month visa: £135. 2, 5 and 10-year visas: £506, £903 and £1,128. Standard processing: about 3 weeks. Priority: £500 extra, usually 5 working days. Super priority: £1,000 extra, usually by the end of the next working day. Earliest you can apply: 3 months before travel. Longest single visit: 6 months. Visa format: eVisa only, since 1 July 2026. ETA: not for Indians. Where you apply: VFS Global centres across India. ## UK visa fees for Indians in 2026 The Home Office raised fees on 8 April 2026. Current visit and transit visa fees for applications made from India are: - Standard Visitor, up to 6 months: £135 (was £127). - Long-term visit visa, 2 years: £506 (was £475). - Long-term visit visa, 5 years: £903 (was £848). - Long-term visit visa, 10 years: £1,128 (was £1,059). - Direct Airside Transit visa: £41.50. - Visitor in Transit visa: £74.50. A long-term visa lets you visit many times, but each stay is still capped at 6 months, and you must still show that you visit only occasionally. You pay online in rupees, so the exact amount depends on the exchange rate on the day. The fee is not refunded if your application is refused. ## Processing time in India: standard, priority and super priority - Standard: GOV.UK lists about 3 weeks for visit visas applied for outside the UK, counted from when you give biometrics and documents. - Priority Visa: £500 on top of the visa fee. Most applications get a decision within 5 working days. - Super Priority Visa: £1,000 on top of the visa fee. The aim is a decision by the end of the next working day, depending on when you give biometrics. VFS Global offers both paid services at its Indian centres, including Ahmedabad. Availability can vary by centre and date, and you see the options when you book. Paying for speed does not change the decision. Complex cases can take longer than the target, so do not book non-refundable travel on the assumption that you will get a decision in 3 weeks. ## UK visa application centres in India VFS Global runs the UK visa application centres. As of October 2026, its standard centres are in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai (North and South), Mysuru, New Delhi, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram. Most open Monday to Friday. Jaipur, Lucknow and Thiruvananthapuram open on fewer days. Premium application centres, which cost extra, operate in cities such as Amritsar, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Coimbatore, Guwahati, Indore, Kottayam, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Noida and Visakhapatnam, often on limited days. VFS also sells optional add-ons. At Ahmedabad, for example, self-upload of documents is free, document upload assistance is ₹2,400, UKVI account creation help is ₹1,200, a Prime Time appointment is ₹5,950 and the Premium Lounge is ₹6,050, including GST. None of these affects the visa decision. ## After you apply: an eVisa, not a sticker At your appointment you give fingerprints and a photo, and you get your passport back the same day. Since 1 July 2026, UKVI no longer issues visa stickers to new applicants. If you are approved, you get an eVisa, a digital record that you view in your UKVI account. Sign in before you travel and check that the passport linked to it is the one you will carry. Visa stickers already issued stay valid until they expire. ## Documents that actually matter The only mandatory items are a valid passport and certified translations of any document not in English or Welsh. Everything else is evidence that you are a genuine visitor. These carry the most weight: - Bank statements showing where your money comes from. Statements more than a year old count for less. Be ready to explain any large recent deposit. - Employer letter on letterhead stating your role, salary, length of service and approved leave. If you are self-employed, show business registration and recent invoices. - Student letter from your college confirming enrolment and leave, if you are studying. - Old passports showing travel to other countries. - Sponsor evidence if someone else pays: your relationship, their funds and, if they live in the UK, their immigration status. The Home Office guide lists hotel bookings, flight bookings (unless you are transiting), credit card statements and photocopies of bank cards as unhelpful. Do not buy non-refundable tickets before you have a decision. ## Common refusal reasons (V 4.2) Most visitor refusals cite paragraph V 4.2 of the Immigration Rules. It says you must leave at the end of your visit, not live in the UK through repeated visits, have a genuine reason that is a permitted activity, not do anything prohibited such as work, and be able to pay for your trip without working or using public funds. In practice, refusals often come from: - Funds that do not fit: a trip cost that looks too high for your income, or money that appeared just before you applied. - Weak reasons to return: no clear job, business or study to come back to, or no leave letter. - Unclear purpose: a vague itinerary, or a plan that looks like work. - A sponsor without proof: someone paying for you without evidence of their funds or your relationship. - Inconsistencies: dates, salary or family details that do not match across forms and documents. False documents can lead to a refusal and a ban on future applications. - Undeclared history: not mentioning an earlier refusal from any country. There is no right of appeal against a visit visa refusal. Read the refusal letter, fix the specific points it raises, and reapply with better evidence. ## Do Indians need a UK ETA? No. India is on the UK's visa national list, so you need a visa. The Electronic Travel Authorisation, which costs £20 from 8 April 2026, is for visitors who do not need a visa, such as US, Canadian and European travellers. If you hold a UK visa, you do not need an ETA. Ignore websites that offer you an ETA for an Indian passport. ## Transit through the UK Indian passport holders normally need a Direct Airside Transit visa to change planes in the UK without passing through border control. You are exempt if your onward flight leaves the same day from the same airport and you hold one of these: - A valid visa for the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, even if you are not flying there. - A permanent residence permit from one of those countries, such as a US green card. - A residence permit issued by an EEA country or Switzerland, or a long-stay (category D) visa for one of them. - A valid Irish biometric visa (BC or BC BIVS), if your destination is not Ireland. A Schengen short-stay (C) visa does not exempt you. Electronic visas from other countries are accepted for airside transit only if your airline can verify them. If you must pass through border control, for example to change airports, you need a Visitor in Transit visa and must leave within 48 hours. You are exempt only if your onward flight leaves before 23:59 the next day and you hold a valid US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand visa for a journey to or from that country, or one of the residence permits listed above. E-visas do not count for this. A Standard Visitor visa covers transit too. ## What changed in 2026 - Visit and transit visa fees rose on 8 April 2026. - Visa stickers stopped on 1 July 2026. Approved applicants now get eVisas. - The ETA fee rose to £20, but this does not affect Indians. - The March 2026 visa brake on student visas covers four other nationalities, not India. ## The India-UK trade deal and business visitors The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement came into force on 15 July 2026. It does not remove the visa requirement. Indian business travellers still apply for a Standard Visitor visa. In the deal, the UK commits to let short-term business visitors stay up to 90 days in any 6 months for meetings, sales negotiations, trade fairs and after-sales installation or repair work, without a work permit and without UK pay. This is a minimum the UK has promised, not a new visa. The visitor rules already allow stays of up to 6 months. The deal also covers longer work stays. Contractual service suppliers and independent professionals in listed sectors can stay up to 12 months in any 24, with up to 1,800 places a year for Indian chefs, classical musicians and yoga instructors. These need work visas, not visit visas. A separate social security agreement, in force on the same day, lets workers on temporary assignment pay contributions in one country only. ## How Travlys helps Travlys is an Ahmedabad-based visa consultancy. We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. Our UK visa service starts from ₹12,950, with government and VFS fees extra. We fill your form, check your documents against V 4.2, book your VFS appointment and set up your UKVI account. WhatsApp us on +91 82009 18967. Last checked: These rules were checked on 25 October 2026 against the sources listed below. UK fees, VFS services and processing times change often. Always confirm on GOV.UK and the VFS Global UK India site before you apply. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the UK visa fee for Indians in 2026? The Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for up to 6 months, from 8 April 2026. Long-term visit visas cost £506 for 2 years, £903 for 5 years and £1,128 for 10 years, and each visit can still last up to 6 months. Priority service adds £500 and super priority adds £1,000. You pay in rupees online, and the fee is not refunded if you are refused. ### How long does a UK visitor visa take from India? Usually about 3 weeks after your biometrics appointment at the visa application centre, according to GOV.UK. If you pay £500 for priority, most decisions come within 5 working days. Super priority, at £1,000, aims for a decision by the end of the next working day. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. ### Do Indians need an ETA for the UK? No. India is on the UK visa national list, so Indian passport holders need a visa, such as a Standard Visitor visa, to visit. The Electronic Travel Authorisation, which costs £20, is only for nationalities that do not need a visa, such as the US, Canada and EU countries. If you already hold a UK visa, you do not need an ETA as well. ### Do I need a UK transit visa if I have a US visa? Usually not. Indians normally need a Direct Airside Transit visa to change planes in the UK, but a valid US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand visa exempts you, as long as your onward flight leaves the same day from the same airport and you hold the right documents for your destination. A Schengen visitor (C) visa does not exempt you. ### Will I get my passport back while my UK visa is processed? Yes. GOV.UK says you get your passport back at the end of your visa centre appointment, though the centre may keep some other documents. Since 1 July 2026, the UK no longer puts a visa sticker in your passport. You get an eVisa, which you view in your UKVI online account, so check your passport details there before you fly. ### Does the India-UK trade deal mean Indians no longer need a UK business visa? No. The trade deal, in force since 15 July 2026, does not remove the visa requirement. Indian business travellers still apply for a Standard Visitor visa. The deal locks in commitments such as allowing short-term business visitors to stay up to 90 days in any 6 months for meetings, sales talks and trade fairs without a work permit. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-25. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - GOV.UK: Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor, apply - GOV.UK: Home Office immigration and nationality fees, 8 April 2026 - GOV.UK: Visa processing times, applications outside the UK - GOV.UK: Get a faster decision on your visa or settlement application - VFS Global: UK visa application centres in India - VFS Global: UK optional services in India - VFS Global: The UK has moved to a digital immigration system, 1 July 2026 - VFS Global: 12 Premium Application Centres across India, media release, 12 May 2026 - GOV.UK: Updates on the move to eVisas - GOV.UK: Visiting the UK, guide to supporting documents - GOV.UK: Immigration Rules Appendix V: Visitor - GOV.UK: Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list - GOV.UK: Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) - GOV.UK: Transit visa - Home Office Carriers Liaison Section: UK visa requirements poster, August 2026 - GOV.UK: Transit caseworker guidance - GOV.UK: Historic UK-India Free Trade Agreement is now in effect, 17 July 2026 - GOV.UK: UK-India CETA Annex 10A.ii, schedule of the United Kingdom on temporary movement of natural persons - Business.gov.uk: The UK-India trade deal ## Related guides - Visa rejection: 7 reasons Indian applicants get refused (and what to do) - Study Abroad Visa Changes 2026 for Indian Students - Visa Rule Changes for Indians in 2026: Monthly Tracker ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/canada-visitor-visa-from-india-2026/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Canada Visitor Visa from India 2026: Fees, Time, Documents Published 2026-10-25 · 8 min read · By the Travlys visa team Indians still need a full visitor visa (TRV) for Canada in 2026. Here is what it costs, how long IRCC is taking, which documents matter and what to do after a refusal. Indian passport holders need a visitor visa, also called a temporary resident visa (TRV), to visit Canada in 2026. The government fee is CAD 185 per person (CAD 100 visa plus CAD 85 biometrics), you apply online and give fingerprints at a VFS Global centre in India, and IRCC showed a processing time of 29 days for India on 21 October 2026. The eTA shortcut does not apply to Indians, even if you hold a US visa. At a glance: Visa type: Visitor visa (TRV), applied online with IRCC. Government fee: CAD 100 visa + CAD 85 biometrics. Family cap: CAD 500 visa fees, CAD 170 biometrics. Processing time (India): 29 days per IRCC's tool, updated 21 October 2026, excluding biometrics. Biometrics: At a VAC within 30 days of your instruction letter; valid 10 years. eTA for Indians: Not available. Usual stay: Up to 6 months per entry, decided at the border. Super Visa processing (India): 83 days on the same date. ## How long a Canada visitor visa takes from India right now IRCC publishes country-wise times on its Check processing times tool. For visitor visas applied from India, it showed 29 days on its 21 October 2026 update. IRCC says the tool is updated weekly, and the number swings. Early in 2026 it was above 80 days. So treat any figure you read in a blog, including this one, as a snapshot. Three things add time that the tool does not count. First, the wait for your biometrics appointment. Second, any request for more documents or a medical exam. Third, passport submission after approval, when you send your passport to the VAC for the visa counterfoil and wait for it to come back. Plan for at least six to eight weeks from application to passport in hand, and more in the busy April to July season. ## Fees and what you actually pay - Visa fee: CAD 100 per person, single or multiple entry. - Biometrics: CAD 85 per person, or CAD 170 maximum for a family applying together. - Family visa cap: CAD 500 for five or more family members applying at the same time and place. - Super Visa: CAD 100 plus biometrics, with the medical exam and insurance as separate costs. - VAC charges: VFS Global may charge for optional services such as courier or passport return. Appointments themselves are free, so never pay anyone for a slot. Government fees are paid online by card in Canadian dollars, so the rupee amount depends on your card's exchange rate on the day. Fees are not refunded if you are refused. ## Biometrics at a VAC in India After you pay, IRCC sends a biometric instruction letter. You have 30 days from the date on that letter to give fingerprints and a photo. IRCC lists 10 collection sites in India: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune. All are run by VFS Global. Biometrics for temporary residence stay valid for 10 years. If you gave them for a Canadian visa or study permit in the last decade, you may not need to give them again. Children under 14 and applicants over 79 are exempt. One catch: IRCC cannot issue a visa that runs past your biometrics expiry, so old biometrics can mean a shorter visa. ## Documents that decide your case Officers refuse most visitor visas on one ground: they are not satisfied you will leave Canada at the end of your stay. Every document should answer that question. ### Ties to India - Employer letter with designation, salary, joining date and approved leave dates. - For business owners: GST registration, company documents and business bank statements. - Property papers, family dependants in India, ongoing studies or a return ticket plan. - Past travel: old visas and stamps for the US, UK, Schengen, Australia or similar help a lot. ### Funds IRCC sets no fixed bank balance for visitors. Show that the trip is affordable for your income. Six months of bank statements, the last two or three years of ITR acknowledgements and salary slips work better than one large balance. A sudden big deposit just before applying is a common red flag, so explain any unusual credit. ### Purpose and invitation letters Write a short, specific travel plan: dates, cities, where you will stay and who pays. If you are visiting family, attach an invitation letter from your host with their full name, address, phone, status in Canada (citizen, PR or permit holder with a copy of the document), your relationship, the purpose and length of your visit, and who covers costs. Add the host's job letter or tax notice if they are funding you. A letter alone does not get a visa approved. It only supports your own ties and funds. ## What changed in 2024 to 2026 - Multiple entry is not the default (from 6 November 2024): Officers now choose single or multiple entry and the validity period case by case. A 10-year visa is no longer the standard. - Visa cancellation powers (in force 31 January 2025, announced 12 February 2025): Officers can cancel a TRV or eTA if, for example, your circumstances change, you gave false information, or they are not satisfied you will leave Canada at the end of your stay. - Bill C-12 (Royal Assent 26 March 2026): Lets the federal Cabinet cancel, suspend or pause groups of immigration documents and applications in the public interest. - Officer decision notes (from 29 July 2025): Most visitor visa and Super Visa refusals now come with the officer's notes explaining why. - Super Visa income (from 31 March 2026): Hosts can use either of the two previous tax years, or combine their income with the visiting parent's income if they meet a minimum share themselves. - Digital visa pilot (from 27 November 2025): Limited to a small group of approved Moroccan applicants. It does not cover India, so you still get a counterfoil in your passport. - eTA expansion (26 May 2026): Added Indonesia and Malaysia only. India is not included. ## Common refusal reasons and how to respond Typical reasons on Indian refusal letters are weak family or economic ties, limited travel history, funds that do not match the trip, and an unclear purpose of visit. Here is how to respond. - Read the decision notes. They come with most refusal letters since July 2025 and tell you what the officer actually doubted. - Get your GCMS notes if you need more detail. You can request your full file free under the Privacy Act through IRCC's ATIP online portal, from anywhere in the world. Expect it to take weeks. - Reapply only with something new. IRCC says the same documents will likely get the same result. Fix each point in the notes with fresh evidence and a short cover letter. - There is no appeal for a visitor visa. If the decision was unfair or unreasonable, the route is judicial review in the Federal Court of Canada, which has strict deadlines and needs a Canadian lawyer. - Declare the refusal. Every later application to Canada, and to many other countries, asks about past refusals. Hiding one is worse than the refusal itself. ## Super Visa for parents and grandparents If your child or grandchild is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, the Super Visa lets you stay up to five years per entry, with multiple entries over up to 10 years. It costs CAD 100 plus biometrics. You need private medical insurance from a Canadian insurer (or an IRCC-approved foreign one) valid for at least one year from entry, with at least CAD 100,000 emergency coverage. You also need an immigration medical exam, and a signed invitation letter from a host who meets the minimum necessary income for their family size. IRCC's tool showed 83 days for Super Visas from India on 21 October 2026. You cannot include dependants on a Super Visa application. Who should pick which: if your parents plan a trip of a few months, a regular visitor visa is cheaper and faster. If they will spend long stretches with you every year, the Super Visa saves repeated applications and border questions about long stays. ## Common mistakes to avoid - Booking non-refundable flights before the visa is approved. - Uploading bank statements without explaining large or recent deposits. - Leaving the purpose-of-travel section vague or copying a template letter. - Missing the 30-day biometrics deadline. - Giving a different job title or salary than an earlier Canadian or US application. ## How Travlys helps Travlys is an Ahmedabad-based visa consultancy. We file Canada visitor visas from ₹14,950 (service fee; government fees extra). We check your ties, funds and travel history, prepare the travel plan and invitation-letter checklist, and help you rebuild a file after a refusal using the officer's notes. We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. WhatsApp us on +91 82009 18967. Last checked: Rules, fees and processing times in this guide were checked on 25 October 2026 against the IRCC and Parliament of Canada sources listed below. Processing times change weekly, so confirm on IRCC's tool before you apply. ## Frequently asked questions ### How long does a Canada visitor visa take from India in 2026? IRCC's processing-time tool showed 29 days for visitor visa applications from India when it was last updated on 21 October 2026. That figure does not include the time to give biometrics or to get your passport stamped after approval. IRCC updates the tool weekly and the number has moved a lot in 2026, from over 80 days early in the year, so check it on the day you apply. ### What is the Canada visitor visa fee for Indians? The government fee is CAD 100 for the visa plus CAD 85 for biometrics, so CAD 185 per person. A family applying together pays at most CAD 500 in visa fees and CAD 170 in biometrics fees. Fees are paid online in Canadian dollars. The VAC may charge its own service fee on top, and any agent's service fee is extra. ### Can Indians travel to Canada on an eTA instead of a visa? No. India is not on IRCC's list of visa-required countries whose citizens can use an eTA for air travel, even if they hold a US visa or had a Canadian visa before. In 2026 that list has 17 countries, with Indonesia and Malaysia added on 26 May 2026. Indian passport holders still need a visitor visa (TRV). ### Do I get a 10-year multiple-entry Canada visa automatically? No. Since IRCC's guidance of 6 November 2024, a maximum-validity multiple-entry visa is no longer the default. The officer decides whether to give single or multiple entry and how long the visa lasts, based on your purpose, funds and ties. Many applicants now get visas that match their trip rather than their passport expiry. ### What should I do after a Canada visitor visa refusal? Read the officer decision notes first. Since 29 July 2025 IRCC includes them with most visitor visa refusal letters. If you need the full file, request your GCMS notes free under the Privacy Act. There is no appeal for a visitor visa. You can reapply only with new documents that answer the reasons, or seek judicial review in the Federal Court if the decision was unfair. ### What is the difference between a Canada visitor visa and a Super Visa? A visitor visa usually allows stays of up to six months at a time. A Super Visa is only for parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. It allows stays of up to five years per entry over a validity of up to 10 years. It needs one year of approved medical insurance, a medical exam and a host who meets the minimum income. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-25. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - IRCC: Check processing times - IRCC: Fee list - IRCC: Visitor visa (temporary resident visa) - IRCC: Biometrics, when to give for temporary residence - IRCC: Biometrics, where to give your fingerprints and photo - IRCC: Program delivery update, issuing a visa (6 November 2024) - IRCC: New rules to strengthen temporary resident document cancellations - Parliament of Canada LEGISinfo: Bill C-12 (45-1) - IRCC: Explaining application refusals, officer decision notes - IRCC: How to make a request under the Privacy Act - IRCC Help Centre: My visitor visa was refused. Should I apply again? - IRCC: Testing digital visas - IRCC: eTA for citizens from some visa-required countries - IRCC: Super visa for parents and grandparents - IRCC: Super visa forms and documents - IRCC: Changes to how the super visa income requirement is calculated ## Related guides - Visa rejection: 7 reasons Indian applicants get refused (and what to do) - Study Abroad Visa Changes 2026 for Indian Students - Visa Rule Changes for Indians in 2026: Monthly Tracker ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/japan-visa-for-indians-2026/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Japan Visa for Indians 2026: eVISA, Fees, Documents, Timeline Published 2026-10-25 · 8 min read · By the Travlys visa team Japan still needs a visa for Indian passport holders, but tourist visas are now issued electronically after you apply at VFS. Here is the 2026 fee, document list, timeline and a simple 7-day first trip. Yes, Indian passport holders still need a visa for Japan, but for a tourist trip it is now electronic. You submit your application at a Japan Visa Application Centre run by VFS Global, and if approved you get a single-entry JAPAN eVISA for tourism instead of a sticker in your passport. The visa fee for Indians is ₹500 plus VFS charges, and processing takes a minimum of 5 working days. At a glance: Who needs it: All Indian passport holders. eVISA for India: Available since 1 April 2024, single-entry tourism only, applied through VFS Global. Visa fee: ₹500 for Indians, single or multiple entry. VFS service fee: ₹800 per application, courier ₹550 extra. Processing: Minimum 5 working days; VFS shows 10 days for Mumbai and 12 days for Ahmedabad, Pune and Goa. Earliest you can apply: 3 months before travel. Stay allowed: 15, 30 or 90 days, granted on arrival. Appointments: Compulsory at Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad and Goa from 19 October 2026. ## Is the JAPAN eVISA available to Indians? Yes, with one catch. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) lists India among the places where the eVISA must be applied for through an accredited agency. In India that agency is VFS Global. The Embassy of Japan says the eVISA started in India on 1 April 2024, and that you still submit at a VFS centre as before. Only the end result changes: the visa is issued electronically. The fully online, do-it-yourself eVISA website is currently open to residents of a short list of countries such as the USA, UK, Canada and Australia. Indian residents cannot use it directly. Any site offering to file a "Japan eVISA online" for Indians without VFS is not the official route. - Who qualifies: Indian nationals, and foreign nationals living in India, with an ordinary passport. - Visa type: Single-entry short-term visa for tourism, for stays of up to 90 days. - Travel mode: Arrival by air, or on certain scheduled ferries. - Not covered: Business trips, visiting relatives and multiple-entry visas. These are still issued as passport stickers. Common mistake: At the airport you must show the visa issuance notice live on your phone, with internet access. MOFA says a PDF, screenshot or printout is not accepted. Make sure your phone has roaming data or Wi-Fi at check-in in India and on arrival in Japan. ## Where and how to apply Japan's Embassy in New Delhi and its consulates each cover a region of India. Gujarat falls under the Consulate-General in Mumbai, which serves applicants through VFS centres in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune and Goa. Since 20 April 2026 the Mumbai consulate no longer accepts applications directly; everything goes through VFS. - Book a slot if your centre needs one. From 19 October 2026, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad and Goa accept applications by prior appointment only. Rules differ at other centres, so check the VFS Japan site for yours. - Fill in and sign the visa application form and arrange your documents in checklist order on A4 paper. - Submit in person at VFS. A relative or travel agent can submit for you with an authorisation letter. - Pay the fees at the centre. Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad and Goa accept card, cash and UPI. - Track your application on the VFS website with the reference number on your receipt. ## Japan visa fees for Indians in 2026 Japan raised visa fees for most nationalities from 1 July 2026. At Japanese posts in India, other nationals now pay ₹8,650 for a single-entry visa and ₹17,350 for multiple entry. Indian nationals still pay ₹500 for either. Japan has also abolished the separate transit visa. VFS adds a service charge of ₹800 per application. The Mumbai page says GST is charged on top, while the Kolkata page says it is included, so confirm at your centre. Courier return of your passport costs ₹550. In practice, budget roughly ₹1,450 to ₹2,000 per person. VFS says the visa fee is refunded only if the visa is not approved; service charges are not refunded. ## Documents checklist for a self-funded tourist trip MOFA's standard list for tourism is short. VFS centres in India add their own requirements, and these differ by region. This is what applicants in the Mumbai and Ahmedabad jurisdiction should prepare: - Passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry, plus copies of the bio pages. - Signed visa application form and one recent photo with a white background, in the size your centre's checklist specifies. - Flight reservation showing your arrival and departure dates. MOFA says tickets and hotels do not need to be paid for at the time of application. - Day-by-day itinerary in Japan with hotel names, addresses and phone numbers. - Personal bank statements for the last 3 months. - Personal income tax returns (ITR). Kolkata asks for 3 years; Mumbai's page does not state a number, so carry at least the last 2 to 3 years. - Government address proof (such as Aadhaar) if your passport was issued outside the consulate's region. MOFA says documents should be issued within the last three months. Common reasons for delays are unexplained large deposits just before applying, an itinerary that does not match the flight dates, and missing ITRs for self-employed applicants. ## Processing time and when to apply The Mumbai consulate says processing takes a minimum of 5 working days and cannot be expedited. VFS lists indicative times of 10 days for Mumbai and 12 days for Ahmedabad, Pune and Goa. If the consulate asks for extra documents, the clock effectively restarts. You can apply no earlier than 3 months before your travel date. A sensible window is 4 to 8 weeks before departure, which leaves room for a slow application without pushing up flight prices. ## Single-entry or multiple-entry: which one? A single-entry visa must be used within 3 months of issue and lapses once you enter Japan. The immigration officer on arrival grants a stay of 15, 30 or 90 days, usually matched to your itinerary. Indians can also apply for a multiple-entry visa valid for up to 5 years, with stays of up to 90 days each, for tourism, business or visiting friends. You qualify if you fall into one of these groups: - Two or more visits to Japan in the last three years. - One visit to Japan in the last three years, plus financial capacity shown through ITR or a deposit certificate. - A visit to Japan and visits to other G7 countries in the last three years. - Sufficient financial capacity on its own, shown mainly through ITR. Spouses and children can apply alongside. The consulate may still issue a single-entry visa after review. A multiple-entry visa is a passport sticker, not an eVISA. If this is your first trip and your income is modest, a single-entry visa is the simpler choice. ## JESTA: does it affect Indians? JESTA is Japan's planned online travel authorisation for visitors who do not need a visa, similar to the US ESTA. Japan's Cabinet approved the bill in March 2026, and reports say the launch is targeted for fiscal 2028. Because Indians need a visa, JESTA will not replace or change your visa process. No JESTA applications are being taken today. ## Cherry blossom 2027: when to apply Cherry blossoms usually open in late March in Tokyo and in late March or early April in Kyoto and Osaka. Official bloom forecasts appear in early 2027, and the peak lasts only about a week in each city. Since you can apply only within 3 months of travel, a trip starting around 1 April 2027 opens its visa window in early January 2027. Book refundable flights and hotels early, then submit in January or the first half of February. Other good seasons are autumn leaves (roughly mid-November to early December in Kyoto) and late spring. Avoid Golden Week in late April and early May, when domestic travel peaks. ## A practical 7-day first trip: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka - Day 1 (Tokyo): Arrive, buy a rechargeable IC card for trains, and walk around Shinjuku or Shibuya. - Day 2 (Tokyo): Asakusa and Senso-ji in the morning, Ueno or Akihabara after lunch, Tokyo Skytree or Shibuya Sky at sunset. - Day 3 (Tokyo): Meiji Shrine and Harajuku, then Ginza or teamLab. Add a day trip to Hakone or Kamakura if you prefer nature. - Day 4 (to Kyoto): Shinkansen to Kyoto in the morning, Gion and Higashiyama in the evening. - Day 5 (Kyoto): Fushimi Inari early, before the crowds, then Kiyomizu-dera. Go to Arashiyama on another morning if you can. - Day 6 (Nara and Osaka): Half day at Nara Park and Todai-ji, then move to Osaka for Dotonbori in the evening. - Day 7 (Osaka): Osaka Castle and Kuromon Market, then fly home from Kansai Airport. If your airline allows it, book an open-jaw ticket, flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka, so you do not backtrack. Vegetarians should save restaurants in advance; options are good in big cities but thin in smaller towns. JR Pass note: The 7-day ordinary Japan Rail Pass now costs ¥50,000 bought online or ¥53,000 through an overseas agency, after the price revision of 1 October 2026; the online price was kept unchanged for a limited time, so check before you buy. For a straight Tokyo to Kyoto to Osaka route, separate one-way shinkansen tickets usually work out cheaper. Compare before you buy. Two more tips. Fill in Visit Japan Web before you fly to speed up immigration and customs. And do not carry meat products, vegetables or fruit into Japan; the Embassy warns about this specifically. ## How Travlys helps Travlys does not file Japan visas, so apply through VFS directly using the checklist above. We can help you plan the rest of the trip around your visa timeline. If you are adding a stopover, we file Singapore visas from ₹2,950 and Thailand visas from ₹1,950 (service fee, government fees extra), along with USA, UK, Schengen, Canada and Australia visas. We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. WhatsApp us on +91 82009 18967. Last checked: Rules, fees and timelines in this guide were checked on 25 October 2026 against the sources listed below. Visa rules change without much notice, so check the official site before you apply. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do Indians need a visa for Japan in 2026? Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Japan, including for a holiday. For a tourist trip you apply at a Japan Visa Application Centre run by VFS Global, and a single-entry tourist visa is now issued as an electronic eVISA instead of a passport sticker. JESTA, Japan's planned travel authorisation, is for visa-exempt nationals and does not replace your visa. ### Can Indians apply for the Japan eVISA online by themselves? No. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists India among the places where the eVISA must go through an accredited agency, which in India is VFS Global. You submit your form and documents at a VFS centre as before. The difference is the result: an approved single-entry tourist visa arrives as an eVISA, and you show the visa issuance notice on your phone at the airport. ### What is the Japan visa fee for Indians in 2026? The visa fee for Indian nationals is ₹500 for a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. Japan raised fees for other nationalities from 1 July 2026, but the Indian rate stayed at ₹500. On top of that, VFS charges a service fee of ₹800 per application (the Mumbai page says GST is extra), and ₹550 if you choose courier return. ### How long does a Japan tourist visa take from India? Plan for at least one to two weeks. The Consulate-General in Mumbai says processing takes a minimum of 5 working days, and VFS lists indicative times of 10 days for Mumbai and 12 days for Ahmedabad, Pune and Goa. Applications cannot be expedited, and you can apply no earlier than 3 months before your travel date. ### How much bank balance do I need for a Japan visa? There is no official minimum balance. You need to show you can pay for the trip yourself, usually with recent bank statements and your income tax returns. The Mumbai jurisdiction asks for the last 3 months of statements and personal ITR; Kolkata asks for 6 months of stamped statements and 3 years of ITR. A balance that comfortably covers flights, hotels and daily costs is what matters. ### Is JESTA required for Indian travellers to Japan? No. JESTA is Japan's planned online pre-travel authorisation for nationals who can visit Japan without a visa, similar to the US ESTA. Japan's Cabinet approved the bill in March 2026 and launch is reported to be targeted for fiscal 2028. Indians need a visa, so JESTA does not apply to you. Ignore any website selling a JESTA today. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-25. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - Embassy of Japan in India: Visa - Embassy of Japan in India: The JAPAN eVISA system - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: The JAPAN eVISA system (electronic visa) - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Validity of a Visa - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Checklist for Single-Entry Short-Term Stay Visa (PDF) - Consulate-General of Japan in Mumbai: Visa - Embassy of Japan in India: Application Procedures for Multiple Visa for Nationals of India (PDF) - VFS Global: Japan visa, appointment-only submissions from 19 October 2026 - VFS Global: Japan visa information, Mumbai jurisdiction - VFS Global: Japan visa information, Kolkata - Immigration Services Agency of Japan: Temporary Visitor status - Japan Rail Pass (official): Types and prices - JNTO: Price increases are coming to the nationwide Japan Rail Pass (2026) - Travel Watch (Impress): Cabinet approves bill introducing JESTA - Business Today: Visa-free tourists to Japan will need JESTA from 2028 ## Related guides - Vietnam e-Visa for Indians 2026: Fee, Official Site, Phu Quoc - Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List - Christmas and New Year 2026-27: Easy-Visa Trips from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/vietnam-e-visa-for-indians-2026/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Vietnam e-Visa for Indians 2026: Fee, Official Site, Phu Quoc Published 2026-10-25 · 8 min read · By the Travlys visa team Indians need a visa for Vietnam, and the e-visa on the official portal is the easiest route: USD 25 or USD 50, up to 90 days. Phu Quoc island is the one visa-free exception. Indians need a visa for Vietnam, and the easiest option is the e-visa from the official portal, evisa.gov.vn. It costs USD 25 for single entry or USD 50 for multiple entry, is valid for up to 90 days, and is processed within about 3 working days. The one exception is Phu Quoc island, where any foreigner can stay up to 30 days without a visa. At a glance: Official portal: evisa.gov.vn or thithucdientu.gov.vn. Fee: USD 25 single entry, USD 50 multiple entry, unchanged under the fee circular effective 1 April 2026. Validity: Up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, since 15 August 2023. Processing: Within 3 working days after a complete application and payment. Refund: None if refused. Entry points: 83 airports, land borders and seaports accept e-visas. Phu Quoc: 30 days visa-free for all nationalities on the island only. Passport: At least 6 months' validity. ## The official portal, and how to avoid look-alike sites Vietnam's Immigration Department moved the e-visa system to evisa.gov.vn and thithucdientu.gov.vn on 11 November 2024. These are the only addresses you need. Search results are full of private sites with "Vietnam e-visa" in the name, the national flag and official-looking seals. They charge you the government fee plus their own markup, and some never file anything. - Type evisa.gov.vn yourself. Do not click sponsored search results. - Check that the address ends in .gov.vn. A .com, .org or .vn address without .gov is not the government portal. - The government fee is only USD 25 or USD 50. A quote much higher than that is a service fee. - Pay only on the portal's own payment page, and save your registration code so you can check the result later. ## Vietnam e-visa fee in 2026 Vietnam's Finance Ministry issued a new circular on immigration fees, Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC, effective 1 April 2026. According to the Government News portal, it keeps the visa fee at USD 25 for single entry and USD 50 for multiple entry up to 90 days. The Immigration Department states that the e-visa fee is paid through its online payment gateway and is not refunded if the application is refused. For a family of four on single-entry visas, that is USD 100 in government fees. Pay with an international debit or credit card, and expect your bank's usual foreign currency charge on top. ## Validity, processing time and how to apply Since 15 August 2023, Vietnam's e-visa can be issued for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, to citizens of all countries. You choose the start and end dates on the form, and you must enter and leave within those dates. The Ministry of Public Security says applications are decided within 3 working days of receiving a complete application and the fee. - Keep ready a colour scan of your passport bio page and a recent front-facing photo on a white background, without glasses. - Your passport should have at least 6 months' validity when you enter. - Fill in your name exactly as printed in the passport, plus your planned address in Vietnam and your intended entry and exit points. - Pay the fee, note your registration code, and check the result on the portal after 3 working days. - Download the approved e-visa, check every detail, and carry a printout as well as a copy on your phone. Common mistakes: Typing the passport number or date of birth wrongly, swapping first name and surname, uploading a selfie with glasses or a busy background, and picking an entry date later than your actual arrival. Any of these can mean a refusal or a fresh application with a fresh fee. Apply at least two to three weeks before you fly, and earlier before Tet (Lunar New Year falls on 6 February in 2027) or the December holiday peak. Choose multiple entry if you plan a loop into Cambodia, Laos or Thailand and back. ## Which entry points accept the e-visa? A Government resolution dated 2 December 2025 added 41 more checkpoints, bringing the total to 83: 17 airports, 27 land borders and 39 seaports, according to Vietnam News. For Indian travellers the main airports are Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Da Nang, Cam Ranh (Nha Trang) and Phu Quoc. The new Long Thanh airport near Ho Chi Minh City will accept e-visas once it opens. Check that both your entry and exit points are on the official list before you book. ## Phu Quoc visa exemption: does it apply to Indians? Yes. Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists a 30-day visa exemption for foreigners entering Phu Quoc, with no restriction by nationality. It also covers travellers who stay in the international transit area of another Vietnamese airport or seaport and then continue to Phu Quoc. - You must stay on Phu Quoc. To travel to the mainland, you need a visa, such as an e-visa. - The exemption is for a maximum of 30 days. - Carry a return or onward ticket from Phu Quoc and your hotel booking. Airline staff in India check documents at check-in. - If you connect through Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, the exemption works only if you stay in international transit and do not clear immigration there. Confirm with your airline that your connection allows this. If you plan to combine Phu Quoc with Da Nang or Hanoi, skip the exemption and get a single e-visa that covers the whole trip. ## Where Indians go in Vietnam ### Phu Quoc Beaches, resorts and the cable car to Hon Thom. Best in the dry season, roughly December to April. Good for couples and families who want a short, easy beach break. ### Da Nang and Hoi An City beaches, Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge, with the old town of Hoi An 45 minutes away. Visit between February and August; September to December brings heavy rain and storm risk. ### Hanoi and Ha Long Bay Old Quarter street food, then an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay. October to April is the most comfortable; December to February can be cool, so pack a jacket. ### Ho Chi Minh City Markets, the War Remnants Museum, the Cu Chi tunnels and Mekong Delta day trips. It is warm all year, with a drier spell roughly from December to April. A first trip of 7 to 9 days usually covers two regions, for example Hanoi with Ha Long, then Da Nang and Hoi An. Fly between regions instead of taking long overland routes. ## Flights from India Vietnam Airlines flies nonstop to Vietnam from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, and is adding Ahmedabad to Hanoi from 3 November 2026, four times a week, according to Business Today and Outlook Traveller. IndiGo and VietJet also operate nonstop flights from several Indian cities to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; check their sites for current schedules. We could not confirm any nonstop flight from India to Phu Quoc or Da Nang, so plan on a connection for those. ## Money tips - Vietnam uses the dong (VND). Rupees are hard to exchange, so carry US dollars in clean, newer notes and change them in Vietnam, or use a forex card. - ATMs are common in cities. Cards work in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; street food, markets and small shops want cash. - Notes run into large numbers. The 20,000 and 500,000 notes look alike, so check before you pay. - Use ride-hailing apps such as Grab for fixed fares instead of negotiating with street taxis. - Bargain politely at markets, and tell your bank about your travel dates before you leave. ## How Travlys helps Travlys does not file Vietnam e-visas; it is a straightforward online application on evisa.gov.vn. We plan holiday packages with hotels and private transfers, and we file visas for the countries you might add to a Southeast Asia trip. Singapore visas start at ₹2,950 (service fee, government fees extra), and we can explain the current visa-free rules for Thailand and Malaysia. We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. WhatsApp us on +91 82009 18967. Last checked: Rules, fees and timelines in this guide were checked on 25 October 2026 against the sources listed below. Visa rules change without much notice, so check the official site before you apply. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do Indians need a visa for Vietnam? Yes. India is not on Vietnam's list of countries with visa-free entry for ordinary passports, so Indian tourists need a visa. The easiest option is the e-visa from Vietnam's Immigration Department portal, evisa.gov.vn. The one exception is Phu Quoc island, where any foreigner can stay up to 30 days without a visa if they arrive directly and stay on the island. ### What is the official Vietnam e-visa website? The official portal is evisa.gov.vn, with thithucdientu.gov.vn as a second official address. Vietnam's Immigration Department moved the e-visa system to these two domains on 11 November 2024. Many private websites use similar names, flags and seals and charge extra. Type the address yourself rather than clicking a search ad, and check that it ends in .gov.vn. ### How much is the Vietnam e-visa for Indians in 2026? The government fee is USD 25 for a single-entry e-visa and USD 50 for a multiple-entry e-visa of up to 90 days. Vietnam's fee circular that took effect on 1 April 2026 kept these amounts. The fee is paid online on the portal and is not refunded if your application is refused. Your bank may add a small foreign currency charge. ### How long does the Vietnam e-visa take? Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security says applications are processed within 3 working days of receiving a complete application and the fee. Weekends, Vietnamese public holidays and errors in your form can stretch this. Apply at least two to three weeks before you fly, and longer before Tet (Lunar New Year) or the Christmas and New Year peak. ### Can Indians visit Phu Quoc without a visa? Yes. Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists a 30-day visa exemption for foreigners entering Phu Quoc, with no nationality restriction, so it covers Indian passport holders. You must arrive from abroad, either directly or by staying in the international transit area of another Vietnamese airport, and stay on Phu Quoc. To visit the mainland you need a visa, such as an e-visa. ### Can I use a Vietnam e-visa for multiple entries? Yes. Since 15 August 2023, Vietnam's e-visa can be issued for single or multiple entries, with a maximum validity of 90 days. A multiple-entry e-visa costs USD 50 and suits trips that loop into Cambodia, Laos or Thailand and back. Choose the entry type carefully when you apply, because you cannot change it afterwards. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-25. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - Vietnam Immigration Department: E-visa portal notice and information - Vietnam Immigration Department: List of ports allowing entry and exit with e-visa (PDF) - Government News (baochinhphu.vn): New regulations on immigration fees (Circular 28/2026/TT-BTC) - Ministry of Public Security: E-visa administrative procedure - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam: Visa exemption list - Embassy of Viet Nam in the USA: New policy on electronic visa and visa exemption - Vietnam News: Dozens of airports, border checkpoints join e-visa system - Business Today: Vietnam Airlines launches direct flights from Ahmedabad to Hanoi - Outlook Traveller: Vietnam Airlines to launch non-stop Hanoi-Ahmedabad flights from November 3 ## Related guides - Philippines Visa-Free for Indians 2026: 14 or 30 Days, Rules - Thailand Visa-Free for Indians in 2026: The 30-Day Rule Explained - Christmas and New Year 2026-27: Easy-Visa Trips from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/philippines-visa-free-for-indians-2026/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Philippines Visa-Free for Indians 2026: 14 or 30 Days, Rules Published 2026-10-25 · 7 min read · By the Travlys visa team Since 8 June 2025, Indian tourists can enter the Philippines without a visa for 14 days, or 30 days if they hold a valid US, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen, Singapore or UK visa. Here is what you need at the airport and how to plan the trip. Indian passport holders can visit the Philippines without a visa for up to 14 days for tourism. If you hold a valid US, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen, Singapore or UK visa or residence permit, you get 30 days visa-free instead. Neither stay can be extended. You also need to register on the free eTravel system within 72 hours before you land. At a glance: Standard visa-free stay: 14 days, tourism, since 8 June 2025. With AJACSSUK visa or residence permit: 30 days. Extension: Not allowed for either. Passport: Valid 6 months beyond your stay. Also needed for 14 days: Confirmed hotel booking, proof of funds, return or onward ticket. Arrival registration: eTravel, free, within 72 hours before arrival. Longer stays: e-visa at evisa.gov.ph, 7 to 12 working days for single entry. Direct flight: Air India, Delhi to Manila. ## The 14-day visa-free entry for Indians The Philippine government announced visa-free entry for Indian nationals starting 8 June 2025. The official visa policy page on the Department of Foreign Affairs' e-visa portal still lists the same rule in October 2026. It applies at any Philippine port of entry, so you can land in Manila, Cebu, Clark or elsewhere. To use it, carry: - Passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay. - Confirmed hotel booking for your trip. A booking you can show on your phone works, but a printout is safer. - Proof of financial capacity, such as recent bank statements, a salary slip or an employment letter. - Return or onward ticket leaving the Philippines within 14 days. - No derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration, such as a past overstay or deportation. The stay is non-extendible and non-convertible. You cannot extend it at an immigration office, and you cannot switch to a work or study visa from inside the country. The DFA statement of June 2025 described this entry as for tourism. The current e-visa portal page says tourism and business. If your trip involves any business meetings, check with the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi before you rely on visa-free entry. ### About the 7-day extension you may have read about Several travel sites still say you can extend by 7 days for a total of 21. That comes from an older 2015 rule (Bureau of Immigration circular SBM-2015-003), which gave Indians with US or similar visas 14 days plus a 7-day extension. The 2025 policy replaced it. The current official wording says both the 14-day and 30-day entries are non-extendible. Plan your trip around 14 or 30 days, not 21. ## The 30-day option if you hold a US, UK, Schengen or similar visa Indian nationals holding a valid and current visa or residence permit from any of these get 30 days visa-free for tourism. The group is often called AJACSSUK: - United States (America) - Japan - Australia - Canada - Schengen area - Singapore - United Kingdom You need a passport valid six months beyond your stay and a return or onward ticket. The 30 days also cannot be extended. Make sure the visa is valid on the day you arrive in the Philippines. An expired US visa, even a 10-year one that ran out last month, does not count. Carry the passport that holds the visa if your old and new passports are separate. Tip: If you hold a qualifying visa, tell the airline staff and the immigration officer that you are entering on the 30-day AJACSSUK route. Otherwise you may simply get the standard 14-day stamp. ## eTravel: the free arrival registration Every arriving foreign passenger must register on etravel.gov.ph. Visa-free status does not exempt you. The official FAQ says: - It is free. eTravel never asks for payment. Sites that charge a fee are not official. - Timing: register within 72 hours (3 days) before your arrival. - QR code: take a screenshot or print it. The airline will ask for it before boarding. - Green or red code: a green code lets you go straight to immigration. A red code means extra checks by the Bureau of Quarantine, usually because of incomplete data or recent illness. - Mistakes: you can edit your entry through the Edit Registration tab until border officers process you. You do not need to download an app. eTravel works in any phone or laptop browser. ## Onward ticket and hotel: where Indians get stuck Most problems happen at check-in in India, not in Manila. Airline staff check that you meet the entry rules before they issue a boarding pass. Common mistakes: - Return flight on day 15 or later. Your exit flight must fall inside your 14 or 30 days. Count the arrival day as day one so you have no doubt. - No hotel for the whole trip. Book at least your first stay, and ideally the full itinerary, before you fly. - Passport too close to expiry. Six months beyond your stay is the rule, not six months from today. - No proof of funds. Carry three to six months of bank statements, even if nobody asks. ## Staying longer: the Philippine e-visa If you need more than 14 days and do not hold an AJACSSUK visa, apply for a 9(a) temporary visitor visa through the official evisa.gov.ph portal. Key points from the DFA's e-visa FAQ: - Processing: 7 to 12 working days for single entry, 15 to 21 working days for multiple entry. - No extension: the authorised stay on an e-visa cannot be extended or converted after arrival. - Payment: pay within 48 hours of applying or start again. Fees are not refunded if the visa is refused. - Interview: only if the visa officer asks for one. - Documents for tourists: flight booking, bank statements for six months or tax papers, proof of ties to India such as an employment certificate, itinerary and hotel booking. The fee is shown when you apply on the portal. Travel for work, study or long visits needs a proper visa from the Philippine Embassy, not visa-free entry. ## Where to go in 14 days The Philippines has over 7,000 islands, and inter-island travel eats time. In 14 days, pick two regions at most. ### Boracay Fly from Manila or Cebu to Caticlan, which is a short boat ride from the island, or to Kalibo, which adds a longer road transfer. White Beach is the main strip. Good for couples and first-timers who want an easy beach holiday. ### Palawan: El Nido and Coron El Nido is known for lagoons and limestone cliffs, explored by island-hopping boat tours. Coron has wreck diving and clear lakes. Fly to Puerto Princesa and drive about five to six hours to El Nido, or take a pricier small-plane flight direct to El Nido. Coron's airport is at Busuanga. Ferries run between El Nido and Coron in good weather. ### Cebu and Bohol Mactan-Cebu airport has international connections. From Cebu you can take a fast ferry to Bohol for the Chocolate Hills and tarsier sanctuaries, or go south for waterfalls and diving. This pairing suits families who prefer shorter transfers. ### Siargao A surf island with a relaxed feel, best known for the Cloud 9 break. Flights connect through Manila or Cebu. Pick it if you want a slower trip, not a packed itinerary. ## Best months and flights from India The dry season, roughly December to April, is the safest window for beaches and boat tours. March to May gets very hot. The rainy and typhoon season runs roughly June to November, when boat tours and ferries can be cancelled at short notice. Prices drop then, but keep spare days and buy travel insurance. Air India launched the first nonstop Delhi to Manila service on 1 October 2025, about seven hours each way, five days a week at launch. From Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai or Ahmedabad, you usually connect via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or Hong Kong. Check current schedules before booking. If you connect through Singapore, check whether you need a Singapore transit visa. ## Who should use which route - A one-region beach holiday of a week or so: the 14-day visa-free entry is enough. - Two or three islands at a slower pace: use the 30-day route if you hold an AJACSSUK visa. If you do not, apply for the e-visa. - Business meetings, conferences or work: get the right visa from the embassy. Do not stretch visa-free entry. ## How Travlys helps Travlys does not file Philippine visas, and for most short holidays you do not need one. But a valid US, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen, Singapore or UK visa doubles your Philippines stay to 30 days and also opens other trips. Travlys files several of these: USA (from ₹19,940), UK (from ₹12,950), Canada (from ₹14,950), Australia (from ₹4,950), Schengen via the Netherlands (from ₹2,950) and Singapore (from ₹2,950). Service fees exclude government fees. Travlys has filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. WhatsApp +91 82009 18967 to plan a visa for your next trip. Last checked: Rules in this guide were checked on 25 October 2026 against the sources listed below, including the DFA's e-visa portal and the official eTravel FAQ. Immigration officers decide entry at the border, and policies can change at short notice, so check the official sites before you fly. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do Indians need a visa for the Philippines in 2026? No, not for a short holiday. Since 8 June 2025, Indian passport holders can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days. You need a passport valid six months beyond your stay, a confirmed hotel booking, proof of funds and a return or onward ticket. If you want to stay longer, or you are travelling for work or study, apply for a Philippine visa before you fly. ### Can I extend the 14-day visa-free stay in the Philippines? No. The Philippine government's current visa policy describes the 14-day entry for Indians as non-extendible and non-convertible. Some websites still mention a 7-day extension, but that comes from an older 2015 rule for Indians with US or similar visas. If you need more than 14 days, use the 30-day route if you qualify, or get an e-visa before travel. ### Who gets 30 days visa-free in the Philippines? Indian nationals holding a valid and current American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or UK visa or residence permit get 30 days visa-free for tourism. This group is called AJACSSUK. The visa must be valid on the day you arrive. The 30 days cannot be extended. You still need a passport valid six months beyond your stay and a return or onward ticket. ### Is eTravel registration mandatory for the Philippines and is it free? Yes, arriving foreign passengers must register on etravel.gov.ph, and it is completely free. You can register within 72 hours before arrival. Save or print the QR code, because the airline will ask to see it before you board. Any website that charges a fee for eTravel is not the official one. ### Is there a direct flight from India to the Philippines? Yes. Air India started nonstop Delhi to Manila flights on 1 October 2025, about seven hours each way, flying five days a week at launch. From other Indian cities you usually connect through Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or Hong Kong. Check the current Air India schedule before you book, as days and timings change. ### What if I want to stay in the Philippines for more than 14 days? Apply for a Philippine e-visa at evisa.gov.ph before you travel, unless you qualify for the 30-day AJACSSUK route. The e-visa takes 7 to 12 working days for single entry. The stay it gives cannot be extended after you arrive, so choose your dates carefully. Fees are not refunded if the e-visa is refused. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-25. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - Department of Foreign Affairs (eVisaPH): PH Visa Policy, Visa Policy for Indian Nationals - Department of Foreign Affairs (eVisaPH): Frequently Asked Questions on the Philippine e-Visa - Department of Foreign Affairs: Visa-free privileges for Indian nationals entering the Philippines - eTravel (Government of the Philippines): Frequently Asked Questions - Business Today: Philippines is now visa-free for Indians under these new categories - Gulf News: Air India expands Southeast Asia network with direct flights to Philippines ## Related guides - Vietnam e-Visa for Indians 2026: Fee, Official Site, Phu Quoc - Georgia Visa for Indians 2026: e-Visa, Fees, Insurance Rule - Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/georgia-visa-for-indians-2026/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Georgia Visa for Indians 2026: e-Visa, Fees, Insurance Rule Published 2026-10-25 · 8 min read · By the Travlys visa team Indians need a visa for Georgia, usually an e-visa from evisa.gov.ge. A valid US, UK, Schengen or similar visa lets you skip it for 90 days in 180. Since 1 January 2026, every tourist also needs health and accident insurance. Indian passport holders need a visa for Georgia. Most apply online for an e-visa at evisa.gov.ge, which costs USD 20 plus a 2% service fee and takes at least 5 working days. If you hold a valid US, UK, Schengen or similar visa or residence permit, you can skip the e-visa and stay 90 days in any 180. Since 1 January 2026, every tourist also needs health and accident insurance of at least 30,000 GEL. At a glance: Visa needed: Yes, for ordinary Indian passports. Main route: e-visa at evisa.gov.ge (Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Official fee: USD 20 + 2% service fee. Processing: Not less than 5 working days. Visa-free route: Valid visa or residence permit from a listed country (US, UK, EU/Schengen, Canada, Australia, Japan and others), 90 days in 180. Insurance: Mandatory from 1 January 2026, minimum 30,000 GEL, full stay. Passport: Valid 3 months beyond the visa, 2 blank pages, issued within 10 years. Visa on arrival: Not available. ## Do Indians need a visa for Georgia? Yes. The visa checker on geoconsul.gov.ge, run by Georgia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shows visa required for ordinary Indian passports on short trips. It says you can get an ordinary visa without visiting an embassy by applying on the e-visa portal. You can also apply through a Georgian embassy or consulate, but the e-visa is simpler for most tourists. There is one big exception, covered below. If you already hold a valid visa from the US, UK, a Schengen country or several others, you do not need a Georgian visa at all. ## Georgia e-visa: cost, time and rules Here is what the official evisa.gov.ge FAQ says: - Fee: USD 20 plus a 2% service fee, paid by Visa or Mastercard. The card does not need to be in your name. - Processing: a decision takes not less than 5 working days. - Refunds: none, whether the visa is refused, has an error, or goes unused. - Deadlines: the verification email is valid for only 1 hour, and payment must be made within 5 hours of the payment notification, or the application is cancelled. - One per person: every traveller needs a separate e-visa, including children on a parent's passport. - Apply from outside Georgia: you cannot apply once you are in the country. - Language: fill the form and upload documents in English or Georgian. Source conflict: DuVerify fee: Several travel sites say the e-visa now includes a mandatory identity check called DuVerify, costing about USD 15, which must be finished within 24 hours. The official FAQ does not mention it. Check the fee and steps shown on evisa.gov.ge when you apply. ### Validity and length of stay The official FAQ says e-visa validity depends on your nationality, and the portal shows it when you start the application. Travel guides commonly report a 30-day stay within a 120-day validity for Indians. They disagree on whether it is single or multiple entry. Go by the dates printed on your e-visa, and remember the visa's validity period and the number of days you can stay are two different limits. ### Passport and documents The portal says your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your Georgian visa expires, have at least 2 blank pages, be undamaged and be issued within the last 10 years. Some agency sites say 6 months. Six months of validity covers you either way. At the border, carry these, as border police may ask for them: - Passport and printed e-visa - Hotel bookings or rental agreement covering your whole stay - Travel and health insurance meeting the 2026 rule - Bank statement for the last three months, and an employer letter with your role and salary - Return ticket and a simple day-by-day itinerary ## Visa-free with a US, UK or Schengen visa: 90 days in 180 Government of Georgia Ordinance No. 256 lets foreigners holding a visa or residence permit of a listed country enter visa-free and stay 90 days in any 180-day period. The Foreign Ministry's checker confirms this for Indian passport holders. The list includes: - United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel - EU and Schengen states, plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein - Gulf states: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain - Some UK and Danish territories, and Grenada The visa or residence permit must be valid on the day you cross into Georgia. A US B1/B2 visa valid for another few months qualifies. An expired one does not. In April 2025 Georgia tightened this route for 17 nationalities holding Gulf visas, requiring a multiple-entry visa with at least one year of validity left. India is not on that list. Source conflict: Some guides say the qualifying visa must be multiple-entry, or that electronic visas do not count. The ordinance itself only says the visa must be valid on the day of entry and shown with a travel document. Carry the physical visa in your passport, and if your visa is electronic, check with the Georgian embassy before you fly. ## Mandatory insurance from 1 January 2026 Under Georgia's Law on Tourism, every tourist entering Georgia from 1 January 2026 must hold health and accident insurance. This applies whether you use an e-visa or enter visa-free. Georgia's Foreign Ministry notice, also published by the US Embassy in Tbilisi, sets these rules: - Minimum cover: 30,000 GEL. Indian policies usually state limits in US dollars, so make sure yours clearly exceeds 30,000 GEL at the current exchange rate. - Dates: the policy must cover your full stay, including arrival and departure days. - Insurer: Georgian or foreign. An Indian travel policy works if it meets the terms. - Format: paper or electronic, in English or Georgian. - Must show: the parties, covered territory, insured risks, start and end dates, sum insured and premium. Diplomatic and official passport holders, accredited diplomats and international drivers are exempt. Tourists are not. A common mistake is buying a policy for "Europe" or "Asia" without checking that Georgia is named. Choose a policy that lists Georgia or covers worldwide travel. ## Border checks: be ready Holding an e-visa does not guarantee entry. In September 2025, Business Standard and other outlets reported Indian travellers alleging long detentions and refusals at Georgian border points. Georgian border police make the final decision. Your best protection is a complete, consistent file: confirmed hotels, return flights, insurance, bank statements and a clear plan you can explain. ## Where to go in Georgia - Tbilisi: the capital, with an old town, sulphur baths, Narikala fortress and good food. Most trips start here. - Kazbegi (Stepantsminda): about three hours north on the Georgian Military Road, for Gergeti Trinity Church and Caucasus views. The pass can close after heavy snow. - Gudauri: Georgia's best-known ski resort, on the way to Kazbegi. The ski season usually runs from about December to April. - Kakheti: the wine region east of Tbilisi, with Sighnaghi and Telavi. Harvest season in September and October is a good time to visit. - Batumi: a Black Sea resort city in the west, at its best in summer. ## Best months and flights from India May to June and September to October suit most trips: pleasant weather for Tbilisi, Kakheti and the mountains. July and August are best for Batumi and high-altitude hikes but hot in Tbilisi. December to March is for snow and skiing in Gudauri. Expect road closures in the mountains in winter. IndiGo started the first nonstop Delhi to Tbilisi flights in August 2023. Check its current schedule before you book. From other cities, most Indians connect through Dubai, Sharjah, Doha or Istanbul. If your connection needs a visa or crosses land borders, such as via Armenia, plan for that separately. ## Who should use which route - You hold a valid US, UK, Schengen, Canada or Australia visa: skip the e-visa. Buy insurance and go. - No such visa, trip within a month: apply for the e-visa two to three weeks ahead. - Planning to work, study or stay long-term: you need a different visa through a Georgian embassy, not the tourist e-visa. ## How Travlys helps Travlys does not file Georgian e-visas. But a valid US, UK or Schengen visa lets you enter Georgia without one for 90 days in 180, and it opens many other trips too. Travlys files USA visas (from ₹19,940), UK visas (from ₹12,950) and Schengen visas via the Netherlands (from ₹2,950). Service fees exclude government fees. Travlys has filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. WhatsApp +91 82009 18967 to plan your next visa. Last checked: Rules in this guide were checked on 25 October 2026 against the sources listed below, including evisa.gov.ge, the Foreign Ministry's geoconsul.gov.ge checker and Ordinance No. 256. Georgian border police decide entry, and rules can change, so check the official sites before you fly. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do Indians need a visa for Georgia in 2026? Yes, unless you hold a valid visa or residence permit from one of the countries Georgia lists, such as the US, UK or a Schengen state. The Georgian Foreign Ministry's checker shows visa required for ordinary Indian passports. Most Indians apply online at evisa.gov.ge. There is no visa on arrival for Indian passport holders. ### How much does a Georgia e-visa cost for Indians? The official e-visa portal lists the fee as USD 20 plus a 2% service fee, paid by Visa or Mastercard. Several travel sites report an extra identity check called DuVerify costing about USD 15, but the official FAQ does not mention it, so check the fee shown during your application. The fee is not refunded if your visa is refused or unused. ### Can I enter Georgia without a visa if I have a US, UK or Schengen visa? Yes. Under Government of Georgia Ordinance No. 256, Indians holding a valid visa or residence permit from listed countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan and EU or Schengen states, can enter visa-free and stay 90 days in any 180-day period. The visa must be valid on the day you cross the border. Carry it with your passport. ### Is travel insurance mandatory for Georgia? Yes. Since 1 January 2026, every tourist entering Georgia must hold health and accident insurance of at least 30,000 GEL covering the full stay, including arrival and departure dates. The policy can be from an Indian or Georgian insurer, in English or Georgian, on paper or on your phone. This applies even if you enter visa-free. ### How long does a Georgia e-visa take? The official e-visa FAQ says a decision takes not less than 5 working days. Apply at least two to three weeks before you fly to leave room for document requests. You must apply from outside Georgia, and each traveller, including children, needs a separate e-visa. ### How long can Indians stay in Georgia on an e-visa? The official portal says validity depends on your nationality and shows it when you apply. Travel guides commonly report 30 days of stay within a 120-day validity for Indians, but they disagree on whether it is single or multiple entry. Check the dates printed on your e-visa and do not overstay them. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-25. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (evisa.gov.ge): e-Visa FAQ - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (evisa.gov.ge): About e-Visa - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia (geoconsul.gov.ge): Entering Georgia visa checker - Legislative Herald of Georgia (matsne.gov.ge): Ordinance No. 256, list of countries whose visa or residence permit holders may enter without a visa - Embassy of Georgia to the UAE (mfa.gov.ge): Visa Information - U.S. Embassy in Georgia: Georgia to require insurance for all tourists starting 1/1/2026 - Georgia Today: Mandatory health insurance for visitors - Business Standard: Georgia visa woes, Indians report racial profiling, detentions at borders - IndiGo: IndiGo commences operations from Delhi to Tbilisi ## Related guides - Philippines Visa-Free for Indians 2026: 14 or 30 Days, Rules - Schengen EES and ETIAS Explained for Indian Travellers - Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/indian-e-passport-2026-how-to-apply/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Indian e-Passport 2026: How to Apply, Fees and Who Gets It Published 2026-10-25 · 7 min read · By the Travlys visa team Every fresh or renewed passport issued in India is now a chip-based e-passport. Here is how to apply, what the revised July 2026 fees are, and why you do not need to replace a valid old passport. In 2026 every fresh or renewed passport issued in India is a chip-based e-passport. You do not apply for it separately. You apply for a normal passport on passportindia.gov.in or the mPassport Seva app, and it is printed with an embedded chip. Fees went up on 1 July 2026: a 36-page passport now costs ₹2,500 (normal) or ₹5,000 (Tatkal). Your old passport stays valid until it expires. At a glance: What it is: A passport booklet with an RFID chip and antenna that stores your data page details, digitally signed, to ICAO standards. Who gets one: Everyone issued a passport in India since late May 2025; Indian missions abroad moved to the new system from 28 October 2025. Fee (36 pages): ₹2,500 normal, ₹5,000 Tatkal. Fee (60 pages): ₹3,500 normal, ₹6,000 Tatkal. Minor (36 pages): ₹1,750 normal, ₹4,250 Tatkal. PCC: ₹750. Old passports: Valid till expiry. How to spot it: A small gold chip symbol on the front cover. ## When the e-passport rollout started The e-passport is part of Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 (PSP V2.0). News reports date the pilot to 1 April 2024, and by May 2025 a handful of passport offices were issuing chip passports. On 26 May 2025, PSP V2.0 went live across all 37 Passport Offices, 93 Passport Seva Kendras and 450 Post Office Passport Seva Kendras, according to an MEA statement from November 2025. MEA said that all newly issued passports will be e-passports. A Joint Secretary in the Consular, Passport and Visa division was quoted in November 2025 saying that all passports issued in India have been e-passports since 28 May 2025. Indian embassies and consulates moved to the Global Passport Seva Programme (GPSP V2.0) on 28 October 2025. News reports put the number of e-passports issued in India at over 80 lakh by November 2025. So the short answer to which cities issue e-passports is all of them. Any Regional Passport Office, PSK or POPSK in India now produces chip passports. There is no separate e-passport counter. ## Revised passport fees from 1 July 2026 The Ministry of External Affairs notified the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 516(E), dated 20 June 2026). They replaced the old fee schedule from 1 July 2026. If you saw ₹1,500 for a passport in an older article, that rate no longer applies. - Adult, 36 pages, fresh or re-issue: ₹2,500 normal, ₹5,000 Tatkal (was ₹1,500 and ₹3,500). - Adult, 60 pages, fresh or re-issue: ₹3,500 normal, ₹6,000 Tatkal (was ₹2,000 and ₹4,000). - Lost or damaged, 36 pages: ₹5,000 normal, ₹7,500 Tatkal. - Lost or damaged, 60 pages: ₹6,000 normal, ₹8,500 Tatkal. - Minor below 18, 36 pages: ₹1,750 normal, ₹4,250 Tatkal. Valid five years or until 18, whichever is earlier. - Minor below 18, lost or damaged: ₹4,250 normal, ₹6,750 Tatkal. - Police Clearance Certificate: ₹750. - Discount: 10% off fresh applications (not re-issue) for children up to 8 and senior citizens above 60. Tatkal fees include the normal fee. Minors aged 15 to 18 can choose the adult category to get a 10-year passport, at the adult fee. Adult passports remain valid for 10 years. ## How to apply, step by step - Register on passportindia.gov.in or the mPassport Seva app with your email and mobile number. - Fill the form for a fresh passport or re-issue. PSP V2.0 pre-fills some details and lets you upload documents, including from DigiLocker. - Pay online. Payment is mandatory to book a slot. UPI and QR payments are supported. - Book an appointment at a PSK or POPSK. Choose Tatkal at this stage if you need it. - Visit with originals: proof of address, proof of date of birth and your old passport for re-issue. Your photo and fingerprints are taken at the centre. - Police verification: Fresh passports need it before or after issue. For a re-issue with no change in details, it may not be needed. MEA says the mPassport Police App has cut verification to 5 to 7 days in the 25 states and union territories using it. - Dispatch: The passport comes by Speed Post. Track the status on the portal. ## Do you need to replace your old passport? No. MEA says non-electronic passports remain valid until expiry. Replacing a valid passport early costs you the fee and gives you no extra travel rights. The better rule is to renew when your passport is close to the end. Many countries want at least six months of validity on arrival, and some visas will not be issued for longer than your passport is valid. If you are planning a US, UK, Canada or Schengen application in the next year and your passport has under 18 months left, renew first. You will get the e-passport anyway. Keep your old passport after re-issue. It is returned cancelled, and you may need it to show past visas and travel history in future applications. ## How to tell if you have an e-passport Check the front cover for a small gold chip symbol. Inside, the chip and antenna are laminated into the booklet, so you will not see them. Do not punch holes, bend the booklet sharply or keep it next to strong magnets. A damaged chip can cause extra checks at immigration, though the printed data page still works. ## What the chip changes at immigration The chip lets immigration systems read your details without contact and check the digital signature, which makes forgery and photo swaps much harder. MEA says this eases your interface with immigration authorities. In practice, though, a few things do not change. - Visa rules stay the same. An e-passport does not give visa-free access anywhere new. - Foreign e-gates are nationality-based. The UK, Schengen countries, Australia and others decide who may use their automated gates. A chip alone does not put Indians on those lists. - India's FTI-TTP is separate. The Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme at major Indian airports needs its own online registration and biometric enrolment. Having an e-passport does not enrol you. ## Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Many work, long-stay, residence and some student visas ask for an Indian PCC. Apply for it on the same Passport Seva portal, pay ₹750, book a PSK or POPSK slot and carry your passport and proof of current address. The police verify your address before the certificate is issued. If you have moved recently, a PCC can take longer, so apply early if a visa deadline depends on it. ## Passport Seva at post offices (POPSK) Post Office Passport Seva Kendras are run jointly by MEA and the Department of Posts in many district towns. They offer the same passport services, fees and e-passport as a regular PSK. The 450th POPSK opened at Kushinagar in April 2025, and PIB said in June 2026 that India had 545 PSKs and POPSKs combined. If your nearest PSK has no early slots, check POPSKs in nearby towns when you book. Slots often open sooner. ## Common mistakes - Paying an agent for an appointment. Slots are booked only on the official portal or app. - Using an address proof that does not match the address in the form. - Choosing Tatkal without checking the Tatkal document list on the portal first. - Applying for a visa before the new passport arrives and then having to update the visa application. ## How Travlys helps Travlys does not issue passports. That is done only through Passport Seva. Once your new e-passport arrives, we can file your visa: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Schengen (via the Netherlands), Singapore, UAE, Thailand, New Zealand or Malaysia. We also plan holiday packages such as Bali and Sri Lanka with hotels and private transfers. We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. WhatsApp us on +91 82009 18967. Last checked: Fees, rollout dates and rules in this guide were checked on 25 October 2026 against the MEA notification, PIB releases and the news reports listed below. Check passportindia.gov.in before you apply, as appointment rules and fees can change. ## Frequently asked questions ### How do I apply for an e-passport in India? You apply for a normal fresh or re-issue passport on passportindia.gov.in or the mPassport Seva app. There is no separate e-passport form. Register, fill the form, pay online and book a slot at a Passport Seva Kendra or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra. Since late May 2025, passports printed in India are issued as e-passports, so the chip comes automatically. ### What is the e-passport fee in India in 2026? From 1 July 2026, a fresh or re-issue 36-page passport costs ₹2,500 under normal processing and ₹5,000 under Tatkal. A 60-page passport costs ₹3,500 normal and ₹6,000 Tatkal. A minor's 36-page passport costs ₹1,750 normal. These are the same fees for every passport, because all new passports are e-passports. They come from the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026. ### Is my old non-chip Indian passport still valid? Yes. The Ministry of External Affairs has said existing non-electronic passports remain valid until their expiry date. You do not need to apply for an e-passport early. You will get one automatically when you next renew. A senior MEA official was also quoted in November 2025 saying existing ordinary passports will be accepted up to 2035. ### How can I tell if my Indian passport is an e-passport? Look at the front cover. An e-passport has a small gold-coloured chip symbol printed on it, which older passports do not have. The chip and antenna are built into the booklet. The details on your data page are also stored on the chip and digitally signed. If your passport was issued in India after late May 2025, it should be an e-passport. ### Does an e-passport let Indians use e-gates abroad? Not by itself. Each country decides which nationalities may use its automated e-gates, and a chip does not change that list. The e-passport mainly makes your identity faster and safer to verify by machine and harder to forge. In India, the Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme is a separate registration that you must sign up for. ### What is the Police Clearance Certificate fee in 2026? The Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) fee is ₹750 in India from 1 July 2026, under the revised fee schedule. You apply for it on the same Passport Seva portal, book an appointment at a PSK or POPSK, and the police verify your address. Countries often ask for a PCC for work visas, long-stay visas, permanent residence and some study visas. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-25. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - Ministry of External Affairs: Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, G.S.R. 516(E) - Passport Seva: Official portal - Passport Seva: mPassport Seva app - PIB: Dr S Jaishankar extends Passport Seva Divas wishes (24 June 2025) - PIB: Regional Passport Office, Pune celebrates Passport Seva Divas 2026 - The Tribune: MEA announces rollout of PSP, GPSP and e-Passport (13 November 2025) - StratNews Global: India crosses 80 lakh e-passports as full rollout kicks in - Business Today: India rolls out e-passports in these cities (May 2025) - Free Press Journal: Passport fees revised from July 1 - Khaleej Times: E-passports for Indians, do you need to replace your passport? ## Related guides - Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List - Visa Rule Changes for Indians in 2026: Monthly Tracker - DS-160 form: 8 mistakes that cause US visa refusals ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/thailand-visa-free-for-indians-2026/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Thailand Visa-Free for Indians in 2026: The 30-Day Rule Explained Published 2026-10-24 · 6 min read · By the Travlys visa team Since 15 September 2026, Indian passport holders can enter Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days for tourism. Here is what changed, what to carry and when you still need a visa. Yes, Indians can now visit Thailand without a visa. From 15 September 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders can enter Thailand visa-free for tourism and stay up to 30 days. The old 60-day visa-free stay has ended, so if you need more than 30 days, or you are going to work or study, apply for a visa on the Thai e-Visa portal before you fly. At a glance: Visa needed for tourism: No, if you stay 30 days or less. Maximum stay: 30 days per entry. Started: 15 September 2026, replacing the 60-day exemption. Extension: Up to 30 days, at the Immigration Bureau's discretion. TDAC: Free, compulsory, submit within 3 days before arrival. Carry: Hotel booking, onward ticket within 30 days, funds of about 20,000 baht per person. Longer stays: Tourist visa (60 days) or DTV (180 days per entry) via thaievisa.go.th. ## What changed on 15 September 2026 Thailand's Cabinet approved a revision of its visa exemption and visa on arrival schemes on 19 May 2026. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the revision would revoke the 60-day visa exemption for all 93 countries and territories that had it, and that each country would get only one scheme. The Ministry of Interior announcements were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026 and took effect on 15 September 2026. Under the new framework, 60 countries and territories, including India, get a visa exemption for tourism of up to 30 days. The Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi confirms that the 30-day exemption for Indian ordinary passport holders "remains effective from 15 September 2026 until further announcement". India is not on the new visa on arrival list, so do not plan to buy a visa at the airport. You may have read that Thailand reviewed the scheme again on 21 October 2026 and kept the 30-day cap. We could not find this on any Thai government website. The latest official position we can confirm is the 15 September 2026 framework above. If a new announcement comes out, check the embassy site before you fly. ## Who qualifies - You hold an Indian ordinary passport. Diplomatic and official passports follow separate rules. - Your trip is for tourism. The New Delhi embassy page also mentions short-term business engagements, but other Thai government notices say tourism only. For meetings or conferences, confirm with the embassy or take a visa. - You will leave Thailand within 30 days and can show an onward or return ticket for that date. - You are not planning to work, study or stay long term. Each of these needs a visa. ## How long you can stay, and extensions You get up to 30 days from the date of entry. Check the date on your entry stamp before you leave the immigration counter, because that is your last legal day in Thailand. If you want to stay longer, Thai embassy guidance says you can request an extension of up to 30 days from the Immigration Bureau of Thailand. It is at the officer's discretion. The fee has long been 1,900 baht, but we could not confirm the current fee on an official page, so check the Immigration Bureau site first. Do not book a 50-day trip on the hope of an extension. If you know you need more than 30 days, get a tourist visa. If you cross into Thailand by land, for example from Malaysia, Laos or Cambodia, TAT says the 30-day exemption can generally be used no more than twice per calendar year at land checkpoints. Some Thai embassy pages describe this as a limit on all visa-exempt entries, so if you plan more than two trips a year, apply for a visa. ## The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) Every foreign traveller must submit the TDAC online, including Indians entering visa-free. Thai embassies list these points: - Submit it at tdac.immigration.go.th, the Immigration Bureau's official site. - Submit it within 3 days before you arrive. Not earlier. - It is free of charge. Sites that ask for payment are not official. - Submit a new TDAC every time you enter Thailand. - The TDAC is not a visa and does not replace one. ## Documents to carry at immigration Visa-free does not mean no checks. The Royal Thai Embassy in London lists what officers may ask visa-exempt visitors for, and these are worth carrying on paper or on your phone: - Proof of accommodation, such as hotel bookings for your whole stay. - Onward or return ticket dated within 30 days of arrival. A domestic flight inside Thailand does not count. - Proof of funds of about 20,000 baht per person. A July 2026 TAT notice lists 10,000 baht per person for certain visa-exempt cases, so the figure varies by source. Carry the higher amount to be safe. Children under 12 are exempt. - Passport valid for at least 6 months with blank pages. Thai rules state this for visa applicants and visa on arrival, and airlines often check it at check-in. - Your TDAC confirmation. Funds can be shown as Thai baht, an equal amount in another currency, or documents showing payment. Officers can also interview you, so know your hotel names and travel dates. ## When you still need a visa Since 1 January 2025, the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi accepts visa applications only through the Thai e-Visa portal (thaievisa.go.th). The embassy lists these options and fees for Indian applicants: - Tourist visa (TR), single entry: 3 months validity, up to 60 days per entry, ₹3,000. - Tourist visa (TR), multiple entry: 6 months validity, up to 60 days per entry, ₹13,500. - Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): 5-year multiple entry, up to 180 days per entry, ₹30,000. For remote workers, freelancers, people joining activities such as wellness or sports programmes, and their spouses and children. - Non-Immigrant visas (B, ED and others): single entry, 90 days per entry, ₹7,000. Use ED for study and B for business or employment. Working also needs a Thai work permit. The embassy does not publish a fixed processing time. Apply well before your travel date and keep your hotel and flight bookings ready for upload. ## Practical tips before you fly - Book your flight out on or before day 30, and match it to the last date on your entry stamp. - Do the TDAC on your phone 1 to 3 days before departure and save the confirmation. - Book a refundable onward ticket if your plans are open. You must show one. - Carry some cash and a card. An officer may ask about your funds. - Do not overstay. Overstaying can lead to fines, detention or a ban on re-entry. - Ignore paid TDAC sites and agents who promise a work permit on a tourist entry. ## How Travlys helps For a short holiday, you may not need us at all. Where we help is when the 30-day rule does not fit: tourist e-Visas for 60-day trips, DTV applications, business and study visas, and checking your documents before upload. We also help you fill the TDAC correctly and build an itinerary with the bookings immigration may ask for. Thailand visa help starts from ₹1,950 (Travlys fee). We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. WhatsApp us on +91 82009 18967. Last checked: These rules were checked on 24 October 2026 against the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, TAT Newsroom and the other sources listed below. Thai entry rules change often, so check the official portal before you fly. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do Indians need a visa for Thailand in 2026? No, not for a tourist trip of up to 30 days. Since 15 September 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders can enter Thailand under the visa exemption scheme for up to 30 days. You still need a Thailand Digital Arrival Card, proof of accommodation and an onward ticket. If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, work, study or travel for purposes other than tourism, apply for the right visa on thaievisa.go.th before you fly. ### Is the 60-day visa-free stay for Indians still valid? No. Thailand ended its 60-day visa exemption scheme for all countries on 15 September 2026, after the new rules were published in the Royal Gazette on 31 August 2026. Indians now get up to 30 days visa-free for tourism. If you want 60 days in one go, apply for a single-entry tourist visa (TR) through the Thai e-Visa system, which allows a stay of up to 60 days per entry. ### Can I extend my 30-day visa-free stay in Thailand? Usually yes, by up to 30 days, but it is not guaranteed. Thai embassy guidance says visa-exempt visitors may request an extension of stay of up to 30 days from the Immigration Bureau of Thailand. The decision is at the officer's discretion. The fee has long been 1,900 baht, but check the current fee and documents on the Immigration Bureau website before you rely on an extension to plan your trip. ### What is the TDAC and is it free? The TDAC is the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, and it is free. Every foreign traveller, including those entering visa-free, must submit it online at tdac.immigration.go.th within 3 days before arriving, and again for every new entry. It is not a visa. Thai embassies have warned about fake sites that charge a fee, so use only the official .go.th address. ### How much money do I need to show at Thai immigration? Be ready to show funds equal to about 20,000 baht per person. The Royal Thai Embassy in London says officers may ask visa-exempt visitors for proof of 20,000 baht per person, while a July 2026 TAT notice lists 10,000 baht per person for certain visa-exempt cases. Cash, an equivalent foreign currency or payment documents are accepted, and children under 12 are exempt. ### Which visa do I need for a long stay, work or study in Thailand? You need a proper visa from the Thai e-Visa system. A tourist visa (TR) gives up to 60 days per entry. The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) is a 5-year multiple-entry visa with stays of up to 180 days per entry for remote workers, freelancers and some activity programmes. Study needs a Non-Immigrant ED visa, and paid work needs a Non-Immigrant B visa plus a Thai work permit. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-24. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi: visa types, fees and 30-day exemption for Indians - Royal Thai Embassy, New Delhi: revision of visa exemption and VoA schemes, effective 15 September 2026 - Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs: press briefing, 19 May 2026 (Cabinet approval, 60-day scheme revoked) - TAT Newsroom: new 30-day and 15-day visa exemption rules from 15 September (1 September 2026) - TAT Newsroom: entry reminder on proof of funds (6 July 2026) - Royal Thai Embassy, London: visa exemption requirements and extension of stay - Royal Thai Embassy, Abuja: Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) - Thailand Digital Arrival Card (official portal) - Thai e-Visa (official portal) ## Related guides - Malaysia Visa-Free for Indians 2026: 30 Days, MDAC and End Date - Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List - Christmas and New Year 2026-27: Easy-Visa Trips from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/us-visa-changes-2026-indian-applicants/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # US Visa Changes 2026: What Indian Applicants Need to Know Published 2026-10-24 · 8 min read · By the Travlys visa team Most Indian US visa applicants now need an in-person interview, must apply in India, and in many categories must make social media public. Here is what changed through 2025 and 2026, what is in force in October 2026, and what is still unsettled. Since 2025, almost every Indian applying for a US visa must attend an in-person interview and apply at a US post in India. Students, H-1B workers, H-4 dependants and several other categories must also set their social media to public. The B1/B2 fee is still $185, the $250 visa integrity fee is law but we could not confirm it is being collected in India, and the $100,000 H-1B fee is blocked by court orders as of 24 October 2026. At a glance: Interview waiver: mainly B1/B2 renewals within 12 months of expiry. Where to apply: your country of nationality or residence. Public social media: required for F, M, J, H-1B, H-4 and some other categories, not B1/B2. B1/B2, F, J fee: $185. H and L fee: $205. $250 integrity fee: in law, collection in India not confirmed. $100,000 H-1B fee: blocked by courts, employer-paid, not for existing visa holders. Visa bond: India is not on the list. B1/B2 wait in India: roughly 6 to 12 months. ## Interviews are back for almost everyone The State Department narrowed the interview waiver, also called dropbox, from 2 September 2025, and updated it again from 1 October 2025. All nonimmigrant applicants now generally need an in-person interview. That includes children under 14 and adults over 79, who were earlier exempt. For most Indian families, the only remaining waiver is a B1/B2 renewal. To qualify, you must meet all of these conditions: - You are renewing a full-validity B-1, B-2 or B1/B2 visa within 12 months of its expiry. - You were at least 18 when that earlier visa was issued. - You apply in your country of nationality or residence. - You have never been refused a visa, unless that refusal was overcome or waived. - You have no apparent or potential ineligibility. Even if you qualify, a consular officer can still call you for an interview. F-1 students, H-1B workers and H-4 or F-2 dependants need an interview, including for renewals. In India, waiver applications can be dropped off free at the visa application centre in a consulate city. Other drop-off locations charge ₹1,500 per passport. You must be physically in India to apply from India. ## You must apply in India From September 2025, the State Department says applicants should book their interview at a US embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence. The US Embassy in India repeats this on its visa page and adds that visa fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. In practice, the old shortcut of booking a faster slot in Dubai, Bangkok or Frankfurt no longer works for most Indians living in India. If you legally live abroad, you can apply where you live. Narrow exceptions exist for diplomatic visas and for humanitarian or medical emergencies. ## Public social media for students, H-1B and H-4 Online presence review started for F, M and J applicants in June 2025. It was extended to H-1B and H-4 applicants from 15 December 2025, and later to more categories. As of October 2026, the US Embassy in India lists A-3, C-3 (domestic workers), G-5, H-1B, H-3, H-4, F, I, J, M, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, TN, TD and U. If you are in one of these categories, set every social media account to public before your interview, and keep it public until your visa is issued. B1/B2 is not on the list, but every DS-160 asks for the social media handles you have used. Leaving one out can cause problems later. ## The $250 visa integrity fee: in law, not clearly in force The budget law signed on 4 July 2025 created a visa integrity fee of at least $250, which can rise with inflation. It applies to most nonimmigrant visas, including B1/B2, F-1, H-1B and dependant visas. It is due when a visa is issued, so you would not pay it if you are refused. The fee can be refunded after your visa expires if you followed its conditions. That means no unauthorised work, and leaving within five days of your permitted stay ending, or getting an extension or green card in time. The refund is not automatic, and DHS has not published how to claim it. Status in October 2026 is unclear. A July 2025 USCIS notice said the fee would be implemented in a future publication. We found no official notice that collection has started, and reports differ on which posts, if any, are charging it. Our advice is to budget for it and keep your I-94 records and boarding passes in case refunds open. ## The $100,000 H-1B fee: blocked for now A proclamation signed on 19 September 2025 added a one-time $100,000 payment to certain new H-1B petitions filed from 21 September 2025. It is paid by the employer. It was aimed at workers outside the US without a valid H-1B visa. USCIS says it does not apply to visas already issued, does not change renewal fees, and does not stop current H-1B holders from travelling. The courts have since stepped in. On 8 June 2026, a federal court in Massachusetts vacated the guidance that put the fee into effect. On 24 July 2026, the First Circuit refused to pause that ruling, and DHS says it is complying. On 18 September 2026, a new proclamation extended the fee to 21 September 2027. On 30 September 2026, a court in California also blocked the agencies from enforcing it. DHS says it still plans to collect the fee if the orders are lifted, so this can change quickly. Two related points. A separate proposed fee of about $103,000 on cap-subject petitions is only a proposal and not in force. And from the FY2027 season, the H-1B lottery is weighted by wage level, so higher-paid roles get more entries. ## Other changes for students and dependants - F-1 duration of status: DHS published a rule on 17 July 2026 to replace duration of status with fixed admission periods of up to four years. A federal court blocked it on 14 September 2026, a day before it was due to start. For now, students are still admitted for duration of status with a 60-day grace period. - H-4 dependants: H-4 applicants need an interview and public social media. The H-4 work permit (EAD) is still available. DHS has listed ending it as a long-term item, but has not published a proposed rule. - Dependants and the $250 fee: if the integrity fee is collected, it is charged per visa, so each family member would pay it. ## Fees and wait times in India The application (MRV) fee is $185 for B1/B2, F, M and J visas, and $205 for petition-based visas such as H-1B and L-1. These have not changed since June 2023. You pay in rupees at the consular exchange rate shown when you pay. Wait times are the biggest practical problem. Figures published from the State Department's Global Visa Wait Times tool in October 2026 put the wait for a B1/B2 interview at roughly 6 to 12 months across Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Mumbai and Hyderabad were consistently at the long end. Student and work visa waits were much shorter, mostly a few months. The tool is updated often and figures differ by city and by week, so check it for your post before you book flights or fix dates. ## Visa bonds and travel bans: India is not on the lists The State Department made its B1/B2 visa bond programme permanent on 3 August 2026, with bonds of up to $20,000 for nationals of listed countries. India was not on the list as of October 2026 reports. India is also not among the 39 countries restricted under the travel proclamation in force since 1 January 2026. Both lists can change at short notice. ## What to do now - Book early. With B1/B2 waits close to a year at some posts, apply as soon as your plans are firm. - Check waiver eligibility before you book. If your B1/B2 expired more than 12 months ago, plan for an interview. - Apply from India unless you legally live elsewhere. - If you are an F, J, H-1B or H-4 applicant, set all social media to public and make sure it matches your DS-160. - Budget an extra $250 per visa in case the integrity fee starts. - H-1B employers and workers: track the court cases before filing new petitions for anyone outside the US. - Keep your I-94 records and boarding passes. They help with any future fee refund and with your next application. ## How Travlys helps Travlys is an Ahmedabad-based visa consultancy. We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. Our US visa service starts from ₹19,940 and covers your DS-160, fee payment, appointment booking, document checks and interview preparation. We also check whether you qualify for an interview waiver before you pay anything. WhatsApp us on +91 82009 18967. Last checked: These rules were checked on 24 October 2026 against the sources listed below. US visa rules, fees and wait times change often, and some items here, such as the $250 fee and the H-1B court cases, were still changing on that date. Always confirm on the official sites before you apply. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can Indians still get a US visa interview waiver in 2026? Only a small group can. Since September 2025, the waiver is mainly for people renewing a full-validity B1/B2 visa within 12 months of its expiry, who were at least 18 when that visa was issued. You must also apply in India, have no past visa refusal that was not overcome, and have no apparent ineligibility. F-1, H-1B, H-4 and first-time applicants need an interview. Officers can still call any applicant for an interview. ### Is the $250 visa integrity fee being charged in India? We could not confirm that it is. The fee was created by a US law signed on 4 July 2025 and is meant to be paid when a visa is issued, not when you apply. But as of 24 October 2026 we found no official notice that collection has started, and reports conflict. Budget for it anyway. It may be refunded later if you follow all visa conditions, but DHS has not published a refund process. ### Does the $100,000 H-1B fee apply to existing H-1B visa holders? No. USCIS says the fee does not apply to H-1B visas already issued, does not change renewal fees, and does not stop current H-1B holders from travelling in and out of the US. It was aimed at certain new petitions filed from 21 September 2025 for workers outside the US. It is paid by the employer, not the worker, and court orders currently block its collection. ### Can I apply for my US visa in Dubai or another country to get an earlier slot? Generally, no. Since September 2025, the State Department says you should book your interview in your country of nationality or residence. For an Indian citizen living in India, that means a post in India. If you legally live in another country, such as the UAE, you can apply there as a resident. Booking elsewhere is risky because visa fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. ### Do I need to make my social media public for a US tourist visa? Not as of October 2026. The US Embassy in India asks applicants for F, M, J, H-1B, H-4 and several other categories to set all social media accounts to public. B1/B2 is not on that list. Every DS-160, including B1/B2, still asks for the social media handles you have used, so list them honestly and completely. ### How long is the US visa appointment wait in India right now? For a B1/B2 interview, published figures in October 2026 put the wait at roughly 6 to 12 months across Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Student and work visa waits were much shorter, mostly a few months. These numbers change often, so check the State Department's Global Visa Wait Times tool for your city before you plan. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-24. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India: visa service notices (residence, social media, Proclamation 10998) - U.S. Department of State: Interview Waiver Update, 18 September 2025 - U.S. Embassy Trinidad and Tobago: Visa Interview Waiver Update effective 2 September 2025 (text of State Department policy) - U.S. Department of State: Adjudicating nonimmigrant visa applicants in their country of residence - U.S. Department of State: Expanded screening and vetting for visa applicants - USTravelDocs India: FAQs on interview waiver drop-off - U.S. Department of State: Fees for visa services - U.S. Department of State: Nonimmigrant visa fee increases effective 17 June 2023 - U.S. Department of State: Global visa appointment wait times - Federal Register: USCIS immigration fees required by H.R. 1 (visa integrity fee), 22 July 2025 - Ellis (immigration law firm): The $250 visa integrity fee, updated 18 June 2026 - USCIS: H-1B FAQ on the $100,000 payment (updated 28 July 2026) - USCIS: Presidential Proclamation on restriction on entry of certain nonimmigrant workers - Fragomen: $100,000 H-1B fee extended but policy vacated by court order, 18 September 2026 - Ogletree Deakins: Federal court issues new order blocking $100,000 H-1B fee, 2 October 2026 - Study in the States (DHS): Final rule establishing a fixed time period of admission, July 2026 - Forbes: Judge blocks immigration rule limiting students to four years, 15 September 2026 - Federal Register: Visas: Visa Bond Program final rule, 3 August 2026 - U.S. Department of State: Countries subject to visa bonds - Business Today: US visa wait times October 2026 in India ## Related guides - US visa from India in 2026: a complete, no-nonsense guide - DS-160 form: 8 mistakes that cause US visa refusals - Visa rejection: 7 reasons Indian applicants get refused (and what to do) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/uae-visa-on-arrival-for-indians-2026/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # UAE Visa on Arrival for Indians 2026: Who Qualifies and Fees Published 2026-10-24 · 7 min read · By the Travlys visa team Holding a US, UK or EU visa, or a residence permit from six other countries, can get you a UAE visa on arrival. Here is who qualifies, what it costs in AED and what to do if you don't. Yes, many Indians can get a UAE visa on arrival, but only with the right supporting document. If you hold an Indian ordinary passport and a valid US visa or green card, a valid UK or EU visa or residence permit, or a valid residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or Singapore, you can get a 14-day visa for AED 100, extendable once. Everyone else needs a UAE visa approved before flying. At a glance: Who: Indian ordinary passport holders with a qualifying US, UK, EU or six-country document. Stay: 14 days (AED 100), extendable once by 14 days (AED 250), or a 60-day single-entry visa (AED 250 issuance fee) that cannot be extended. Validity: passport and supporting document valid for at least 6 months. Where: UAE entry points, or apply online in advance through ICP or GDRFA Dubai. Overstay fine: AED 50 per day. ## Who qualifies for the UAE visa on arrival The UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) sets the rules. Its service page for Indian nationals says you need an ordinary passport plus one of these: - United States: a valid US visa (any category, including a B1/B2 visit visa) or a US green card. - United Kingdom: a valid UK visa or UK residence permit. - European Union: a valid visa or residence permit issued by an EU member state. - Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or Singapore: a valid residence permit only. A visitor visa from these six countries does not count. The six-country residence route has applied to Indians since 13 February 2025, according to the UAE Embassy in New Delhi. In June 2026, ICP extended the same scheme to six more nationalities and confirmed India stays on the list. ### Validity rules - Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. - GDRFA Dubai also asks for the US visa, green card or UK/EU residence document to be valid for at least 6 months. - Expired documents are not accepted, even if they expired last week. - Accompanying family members must meet the same conditions. Each person needs their own qualifying visa or permit. ## Is the UK still on the list? This is the one point where sources disagree. In early July 2026, Business Standard and a press release carried by ANI and The Tribune reported that Indians whose only document is a UK visa or UK residence permit would lose visa-on-arrival access. None of them named an effective date. As of 24 October 2026, the official pages say otherwise. ICP's announcement of 25 June 2026, ICP's 60-day visa service page and GDRFA Dubai's service page all still list the United Kingdom. We did not find any official notice removing it, and we could not find an official correction issued on 7 October 2026. If a UK document is the only one you hold, do not leave it to the airport counter. Apply online in advance through GDRFA Dubai or ICP, or get a regular UAE tourist e-Visa. ## How long you can stay: 14 days or 60 days - 14-day visa: stay up to 14 days from entry. You can extend it once, inside the UAE, for another 14 days. That gives you up to 28 days in total. - 60-day visa: stay up to 60 days from entry. ICP issues it as single-entry and it cannot be extended. ICP lists it as an online service, and you must enter within 30 days of issue. Pick the 60-day option only if you really need more than 28 days. For most holidays and business trips, the 14-day visa is enough and cheaper. ## Fees in AED - 14-day visa: AED 100. - One 14-day extension: AED 250. ICP also lists an AED 100 application fee for all visa extensions. - 60-day visa: AED 250 issuance fee. ICP's online service page adds an AED 100 smart services fee, so plan for about AED 350. - Overstay: AED 50 for each day past your permitted stay. If you apply online through a government smart channel, extra service charges may show at payment. Pay only on icp.gov.ae or gdrfad.gov.ae, or through a consultant you trust. ## Where you get it The UAE Embassy in New Delhi says the visa on arrival is available at any UAE entry point. That includes the international airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. You can also apply online before you fly. GDRFA Dubai's smart channel lists an expected completion time of 48 hours, and the approved visa is emailed to you. Applying in advance costs you a little time, but your airline sees an approved visa at check-in and you skip the arrival counter. ## If you don't qualify No US, UK or EU document, and no residence permit from the six other countries? Then you need a UAE visa approved before travel. The usual route is a tourist e-Visa filed online. Travlys files 14, 30 and 60-day UAE e-Visas from ₹2,500, in single or multiple-entry where available. If you are only changing planes, look at a transit visa instead. The UAE issues 48-hour and 96-hour transit visas, which your airline arranges with your ticket. ## Tips before you fly - Carry the original US visa, green card or residence card in your passport or wallet. Do not rely on a photocopy or a phone photo. - Check both expiry dates: your passport and your supporting document. Six months from your arrival date is the safe line. - Book a return or onward ticket and keep your hotel booking handy. Officers can ask for them. - Airlines check your visa status before boarding. If your case is borderline, apply online first. - Approval at the counter is at the officer's discretion. Qualifying on paper does not guarantee entry. - Track your stay. The 14 days count from the date you enter the UAE, and the fine is charged for every extra day. ## How Travlys helps We check whether your US, UK, EU or residence document qualifies before you book, and if it doesn't, we file your UAE e-Visa. 14, 30 and 60-day e-Visas start at ₹2,500, delivered as a PDF to your inbox. Travlys has filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 82009 18967 with your travel dates and passport details. Last checked: These rules were checked on 24 October 2026 against the ICP, GDRFA Dubai and UAE Embassy New Delhi sources listed below. UAE visa rules change often. Confirm on icp.gov.ae or gdrfad.gov.ae before you book flights. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can Indians get a visa on arrival in Dubai? Only if you hold a qualifying document. Indian ordinary passport holders with a valid US visa or green card, a valid UK or EU visa or residence permit, or a valid residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea or Singapore can get a 14-day visa on arrival for AED 100. Your passport and that document should be valid for at least six months. Everyone else needs a UAE visa approved before travel. ### Can I get a UAE visa on arrival with only a UK visa? Official UAE pages still say yes as of 24 October 2026. ICP's June 2026 announcement and its service page, and GDRFA Dubai's service page, all list the UK. Some Indian news reports in July 2026 said UK-only holders would lose eligibility, but we found no official notice confirming that. If the UK document is all you have, apply online before you fly so you know the answer in advance. ### Does a Schengen visa qualify for UAE visa on arrival? Yes, if it is valid and issued by an EU member state. ICP's wording covers a valid visa or residence permit issued by an EU country. Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein issue Schengen visas but are not EU members, and we could not confirm from an official source whether their visas count. If yours is from one of these four, apply online in advance. ### How much does the UAE visa on arrival cost for Indians? The 14-day visa on arrival costs AED 100. One 14-day extension costs AED 250, and ICP also lists an AED 100 application fee for extensions. The 60-day option has an AED 250 issuance fee; ICP's online service adds an AED 100 smart services fee, so expect about AED 350 in total. Overstaying costs AED 50 per day. ### Can I extend the 14-day UAE visa on arrival? Yes, once, for another 14 days. ICP lists the extension fee at AED 250, plus a general AED 100 application fee for visa extensions. Apply before your current stay runs out. The 60-day version cannot be extended at all, so if you think you will stay longer than 28 days, choose the 60-day option or a regular tourist visa from the start. ### Does a Canadian or Australian visitor visa count for UAE visa on arrival? No. For Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Singapore, ICP accepts only a valid residence permit, not a visitor or tourist visa. Only US, UK and EU documents count as a visa as well as a residence permit. If you hold just a Canadian or Australian visitor visa, apply for a UAE tourist e-Visa before you travel. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-24. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - ICP: 60-day visa for nationals of certain countries residing abroad (India eligibility, fees, validity) - ICP: Six new nationalities and six additional countries of residence added (25 June 2026) - ICP: Visa extension service and fees - GDRFA Dubai: Visa on arrival for citizens of the Republic of India - GDRFA Dubai: Visa for citizens of certain countries resident outside the UAE - UAE Embassy New Delhi: UAE expands visa on arrival for Indian nationals (19 February 2025) - UAE MOFA: UAE grants visa on arrival to nationals of six countries (25 June 2026) - Gulf News: Can Indian citizens get visa on arrival in the UAE? - Business Standard: UAE changes visa rules for Indians (July 2026 report on UK holders) ## Related guides - Dubai visa cost from India in 2026: 14, 30 or 60-day? - Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List - Christmas and New Year 2026-27: Easy-Visa Trips from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/malaysia-visa-free-for-indians-2026/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Malaysia Visa-Free for Indians 2026: 30 Days, MDAC and End Date Published 2026-10-24 · 6 min read · By the Travlys visa team Malaysia's visa waiver for Indian nationals allows stays of up to 30 days and runs until 31 December 2026. Here is what to carry, how the MDAC works and what happens after the deadline. Yes, Indians can still visit Malaysia without a visa. The Government of Malaysia has extended its visa waiver for Indian nationals until 31 December 2026, for stays of up to 30 days. You must carry a return ticket and hotel booking and submit the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before you land. At a glance: Visa needed: No, for stays of up to 30 days. Scheme ends: 31 December 2026, unless Malaysia extends it. Purposes: Business, tourism, social or transit visits. Not work. MDAC: Compulsory, free, submit online three days before arrival. Carry: Passport valid 6 months or more, confirmed return ticket, confirmed hotel booking. After the deadline: No official word yet on what replaces it. ## How the visa waiver works Malaysia introduced visa-free entry for Indian nationals on 1 December 2023. In December 2024 the Home Ministry extended it by two years, to 31 December 2026, linking the move to Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship and Visit Malaysia Year 2026. The Immigration Department of Malaysia's country list still says Indian citizens are visa-exempt until 31 December 2026. According to the Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi, you can stay up to 30 days per visit for business, tourism, social or transit purposes. You are screened on arrival like any other visitor, and the officer decides whether to let you in. ## Documents you must carry The High Commission lists four things Indian passport holders must show at security and immigration checks: - A passport valid for at least six months. - A confirmed return flight ticket. - A confirmed hotel booking. - Proof of your MDAC submission, made online three days before your arrival date. Malaysia's general entry conditions also mention having enough money for your stay. Carry a card and some cash, and keep your bookings on your phone and on paper. ## The Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) The MDAC has been compulsory for foreign visitors since 1 January 2024, with exceptions for groups such as Singaporeans and long-term pass holders. Indian tourists are not exempt. - File it only at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main, the Immigration Department's portal. - The High Commission says to submit it three days before your arrival date. Do not leave it until you are at the airport. - The official form is free. Malaysia's Immigration Department has warned about fake MDAC websites. If a site asks you to pay, close it. - Fill in the same passport details, flight number and hotel address that you will show at the counter. - Save the confirmation and keep it handy on arrival. ## Business visits, and what you cannot do The Malaysian High Commission includes business in the waiver, so short visits for meetings, site visits or trade fairs are covered. Carry an invitation letter from the company you are meeting and your return ticket. Working is a different matter. On 22 September 2026, the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur cautioned Indians against using visa-free entry to take up jobs. It called this a clear violation of immigration rules that can lead to overstay, detention and legal action. Its advisory describes the facility as being for tourism and social visits. Paid work needs an employment pass, a work permit or a Visa With Reference (VDR) arranged before you travel. Watch out: If an agent offers you a job in Malaysia and tells you to fly in visa-free, stop. You cannot work legally on visa-free entry, and the Indian High Commission has warned about fake job offers. ## What happens after 31 December 2026 As of 24 October 2026, we found no official announcement extending the waiver into 2027. Malaysia has extended it before, but you should not assume it will happen again. - If your trip ends on or before 31 December 2026, the current rules apply. - If your trip starts on or after 1 January 2027, check imi.gov.my and the High Commission website before you book non-refundable tickets. - If your trip crosses 31 December 2026, ask the High Commission how you will be treated, or plan for a visa. - Before the waiver, Indians used eNTRI (online registration, up to 15 days per visit, no extension) or an eVISA from malaysiavisa.imi.gov.my. Malaysia has not said which route will apply from January 2027. ## When you need a visa now Even while the waiver is in force, you need a visa or pass if you plan to: - Stay more than 30 days in one visit. - Work, including short-term paid jobs. - Study. Student passes are handled through Education Malaysia Global Services. - Join a family member on a long-term pass. We found no official rule that lets you extend a visa-free stay, so plan your dates to fit inside 30 days. ## Practical tips - Book a return or onward flight that leaves within 30 days. One-way tickets cause problems. - Book your hotel for the full stay. If you are staying with friends, carry their address and a letter. - File the MDAC three days before you fly and save the confirmation. - Keep your passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date. - Answer immigration questions simply and match what is on your bookings. - Planning a December holiday? Check the latest rules in early December, close to your travel date. ## How Travlys helps For a simple holiday under 30 days, the waiver means you may not need a visa. We still help with the parts that trip people up: MDAC filing, an itinerary that matches your bookings, and document checks before you fly. If you are travelling after the scheme ends, staying longer, or going for business that needs a visa, we handle eNTRI or eVISA applications as soon as Malaysia confirms the route. Malaysia visa help starts from ₹999 (Travlys fee). We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. WhatsApp us on +91 82009 18967. Last checked: These rules were checked on 24 October 2026 against the Immigration Department of Malaysia, the High Commission of Malaysia in New Delhi and the other sources listed below. Check the official portal before you fly, especially for trips close to 31 December 2026. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do Indians need a visa for Malaysia in 2026? No, not for a visit of up to 30 days made before the waiver ends. The Government of Malaysia has extended its visa waiver for Indian nationals until 31 December 2026, for stays of up to 30 days. You must still carry a passport valid for at least six months, a confirmed return ticket and a hotel booking, and submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online before you arrive. ### When does Malaysia's visa-free entry for Indians end? The waiver currently runs until 31 December 2026. Both the Immigration Department of Malaysia and the Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi show this date. As of 24 October 2026, we found no official announcement extending it into 2027. If your trip starts on or after 1 January 2027, or crosses that date, check imi.gov.my and the High Commission website before you book. ### Is the MDAC free and when should I submit it? Yes, the MDAC is free on the official portal. The Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi says Indian visitors must submit it online three days before the arrival date, at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main. Malaysia's Immigration Department has warned travellers about fake MDAC websites, so never pay a site to file it for you and check that the address ends in .gov.my. ### Can I extend my 30-day visa-free stay in Malaysia? Do not plan on it. We found no official Malaysian rule that lets Indian visitors extend a stay under the visa waiver. If you need more than 30 days, apply for the right visa before you travel, through the eVISA portal or the High Commission. Staying past your permitted date can lead to fines, detention and a ban on future entry. ### Can I travel to Malaysia visa-free for business? Yes, for short business visits such as meetings, but not for work. The Malaysian High Commission in New Delhi lists business, tourism, social and transit visits under the waiver. Paid work is not allowed. The Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur warned in September 2026 that taking up a job on visa-free entry breaks immigration rules and needs a work permit or a Visa With Reference. ### What is eNTRI and do I still need it? You do not need eNTRI while the visa waiver is in force. eNTRI is an online registration that Malaysia offered Indian nationals under its earlier visa waiver programme. Imigresen's eNTRI page describes it as single-use, for up to 15 days per visit, with no extension. Malaysia has not said whether eNTRI or the eVISA will be the route for Indians after 31 December 2026. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-24. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - High Commission of Malaysia, New Delhi: visa requirements for Indian passport holders - Immigration Department of Malaysia: visa requirement by country (India visa-exempt until 31 December 2026) - Immigration Department of Malaysia: eNTRI for Indian nationals - Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (official portal) - Malaysia eVISA (official portal) - Bernama: visa exemption for Indian nationals extended until December 2026 (20 December 2024) - Bernama: Immigration Department warns tourists of fake MDAC website (4 January 2025) - News On AIR: Indian High Commission cautions nationals against seeking jobs in Malaysia (22 September 2026) ## Related guides - Thailand Visa-Free for Indians in 2026: The 30-Day Rule Explained - Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List - Christmas and New Year 2026-27: Easy-Visa Trips from India ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/schengen-ees-explained-for-indian-travellers/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Schengen EES and ETIAS Explained for Indian Travellers Published 2026-10-24 · 8 min read · By the Travlys visa team The EU Entry/Exit System has replaced passport stamps at Schengen borders. Here is what it records, what happens at your first entry, how the 90/180 rule is now counted, and why ETIAS does not apply to Indian visa holders. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) started on 12 October 2025 and has been fully operational at the external borders of 29 European countries since 10 April 2026. If you travel on an Indian passport with a Schengen visa, your passport is no longer stamped. Your entry and exit are recorded digitally and your face photo is taken. ETIAS does not apply to you, because it is only for visa-exempt nationals, and it has not started yet. At a glance: EES start: 12 October 2025, phased over six months. Fully live: 10 April 2026. Countries: 29, including all Schengen states. Cyprus still stamps passports, and Ireland is outside Schengen. What it records: passport data, entry and exit dates and places, face image, fingerprints and refusals. Schengen visa holders: face image stored, fingerprints already held in the visa system. Passport stamps: abolished from 10 April 2026. ETIAS: not for Indian visa holders, not yet running, no start date announced. Schengen visa fee: EUR 90 for adults. ## What the EES is The EES is an automated IT system that registers non-EU nationals each time they cross the external border of a participating country for a short stay. A short stay means up to 90 days in any 180-day period, counted as one period across all the countries using the system. It applies to you whether you need a visa or not. So every Indian tourist, business visitor or family visitor on a Schengen short-stay visa is covered. The 29 countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. ## What it records about you The EES stores the data in your passport, the date and place of each entry and exit, your face image and fingerprints, and any refusal of entry. For Indian travellers there is one important detail. If you hold a Schengen visa, your fingerprints were already taken at your visa appointment and are stored in the Visa Information System. The EES does not store them again. It stores your face image and links to your visa record. Fingerprints of children under 12 are not scanned. If you refuse to give your face image or fingerprints, you will be refused entry. Records of entries and exits are kept for three years. Your individual file is kept for three years and one day after your last exit. If no exit is recorded, the data is kept for five years from the end of your permitted stay. ## Your first entry under the EES The first time you cross a Schengen border after the EES started, a passport control officer takes your photo and may scan or check your fingerprints. This creates your digital file. Your passport is not stamped. Some airports have self-service kiosks where you can register parts of your data before you reach the officer. Kiosks need a biometric passport, which has a chip. Non-biometric passports are still accepted, but you will go straight to an officer. On later trips, the officer only verifies your face and fingerprints against your file, which is quicker. ## No more stamps: how the 90/180 rule is counted now Stamps and digital records ran side by side during the six-month rollout. From 10 April 2026, manual stamping was abolished, and the automated calculator and the list of overstayers started working. The system now works out your remaining days for you. - Use the official Check how long you can stay tool on travel-europe.europa.eu, or ask the officer at the border. - If you overstay, the system flags you automatically. This can lead to fines, removal or problems with future visas. - Your visa limits still apply. A single-entry visa allows one entry, and airlines check online whether your entries are used up. - Cyprus does not use the EES and still stamps passports by hand. Ireland is not part of Schengen or the EES. The practical change is simple. You can no longer count stamps in your passport to prove your dates. Keep your boarding passes, hotel bills and itinerary as your own record. ## What to expect at the queues First-time registration takes longer than a quick stamp. Major airports reported long delays in the early weeks of the rollout. After April 2026, member states had a temporary option to partially suspend EES registration at congested crossings to get through the summer peak. Reports say that option ended on 6 September 2026, and travel industry groups have asked the European Commission to bring it back. We could not confirm the end date on an official EU page. For you, this means planning for full registration. Allow extra time at your first Schengen airport, especially if you have a connecting flight. ## ETIAS does not apply to Indian visa holders ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is an online travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals, such as US or UK citizens. It will cost EUR 20, last up to three years and cover 30 European countries. It is not a visa, and it does not replace one. Indians need a Schengen visa, so you do not need ETIAS. Family members who travel on a visa-exempt passport, such as a US or Canadian one, will need it once it starts. ETIAS is not in operation yet. The official EU site says no applications are being collected and that the start date will be announced several months before launch. An earlier target of the last quarter of 2026 has been dropped from the official site, and recent reports expect a launch in 2027. No date has been confirmed. Any website taking ETIAS applications or fees today is not official. ## Other Schengen rules Indians should know - Visa fee: EUR 90 for adults, EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11, free under 6. This has applied since June 2024 and is still the fee in the Netherlands' 2026 table for India. The visa application centre charges a separate service fee. - Cascade rule for Indians: since 18 April 2024, Indians living in India who have obtained and lawfully used two Schengen visas in the previous three years can get a two-year multiple-entry visa. That is normally followed by a five-year visa if your passport has enough validity left. It is not automatic, and the consulate still assesses each application. - Digital visa: the EU has agreed to move Schengen applications online on a single EU platform with a digital visa. The European Commission expects the platform to start around 2030. Until then, you still apply through the consulate or its visa centre and get a sticker in your passport. - EU-India mobility talks: the January 2026 EU-India summit agreed a framework on mobility, but it has not changed how you apply for a Schengen visa. ## Practical tips for your next trip - Apply for your Schengen visa as usual. EES does not add a step before you travel. - Carry the same passport your visa is in, and make sure it is valid for at least three months after you plan to leave. - Allow extra time at your first entry airport and avoid tight connections. - Check your remaining days with the official tool before a second trip within 180 days. - Keep boarding passes and hotel bills as proof of your dates. - Do not pay any website for ETIAS. It is not running, and Indian visa holders do not need it. ## How Travlys helps Travlys is an Ahmedabad-based visa consultancy. We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. Our Schengen visa service through the Netherlands starts from ₹2,950 and covers your form, document checklist, appointment booking and file review. If you have used two Schengen visas recently, we will also check whether you may qualify for a longer multiple-entry visa. WhatsApp us on +91 82009 18967. Last checked: These rules were checked on 24 October 2026 against the sources listed below. EES operations and the ETIAS start date can change, so confirm on travel-europe.europa.eu and the consulate's website before you travel. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do Indians need ETIAS to visit Europe? No, not if you travel on an Indian passport. ETIAS is only for nationals who can visit the Schengen area without a visa. Indians need a Schengen visa, and the visa is your travel permission. ETIAS has also not started yet. The official EU site says it is not in operation and that the start date will be announced several months before launch. Ignore any website that offers ETIAS applications today. ### Will my Indian passport still be stamped in Schengen countries? No. Since 10 April 2026, border officers in the 29 countries using the Entry/Exit System no longer stamp passports. Your entry and exit are recorded digitally instead. The exceptions are Cyprus, where passports are still stamped by hand, and Ireland, which is not in Schengen. Keep your boarding passes and hotel bookings as your own record of travel dates. ### Do I give fingerprints under EES if I hold a Schengen visa? Your fingerprints are not stored again in the EES. If you hold a Schengen visa, your fingerprints are already in the Visa Information System from your visa appointment, so the EES stores your facial image along with your travel data. The officer may still check your fingerprints against the visa record. Fingerprints of children under 12 are not scanned. Refusing to give biometrics means refusal of entry. ### When did the EES start and is it fully live now? The EES started on 12 October 2025 and was rolled out in phases over six months. It became fully operational at all external border crossing points of the 29 participating countries on 10 April 2026. A temporary option to partially suspend registration at busy crossings was available after that, and reports say it ended in early September 2026. Expect full registration on your trip. ### How do I count my 90 days in 180 now that there are no stamps? The EES counts it for you. Each entry and exit is recorded, and the system calculates your remaining days as one period across all 29 countries. You can check your remaining stay using the official Check how long you can stay tool on travel-europe.europa.eu, or ask the border officer. Your visa's validity and number of entries still apply, so check both. ### What is the Schengen visa fee for Indians in 2026? The Schengen visa fee is EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11. Children under 6 pay nothing. This is the standard fee across Schengen countries, set from June 2024, and the Netherlands lists the same amounts for India in its 2026 fee table. You also pay a separate service charge to the visa application centre, such as VFS Global. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-24. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - European Union (travel-europe.europa.eu): What is the EES? - European Union (travel-europe.europa.eu): How does the EES work? - European Union (travel-europe.europa.eu): FAQs about EES (progressive start, biometrics, stamping) - European Union (travel-europe.europa.eu): Data held by the EES - European Union (travel-europe.europa.eu): What is ETIAS? - European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs: Commission sets launch date for EES, 12 October 2025 - European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs: Everything you need to know on Schengen visa digitalisation - NetherlandsWorldwide: Consular fees in India 2026 - EU Delegation to India (EEAS): EU adopts more favourable Schengen visa rules for Indians - Council of the European Union: document 5727/26 on EU-India mobility cooperation, 27 January 2026 - Biometric Update: EU countries allowed temporary suspension of EES after April rollout - Newland Chase: Schengen EES flexibility lapses as ETIAS launch appears likely to move to 2027, 9 September 2026 - SchengenVisaInfo: ETIAS has no launch date after years of delays, 19 October 2026 ## Related guides - Schengen visa documents checklist for Indians (2026) - Visa rejection: 7 reasons Indian applicants get refused (and what to do) - Visa consultant vs DIY: when does hiring one make sense? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/visa-free-countries-for-indians-2026/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List Published 2026-10-24 · 9 min read · By the Travlys visa team The full late-2026 list of visa-free, visa on arrival, ETA and e-visa destinations for Indian passport holders, India's Henley Passport Index rank, and every rule change this year. In late 2026, Indian passport holders can enter about 55 destinations without arranging a visa in advance, counting visa-free, visa on arrival and ETA entries. India sits 84th in the October 2026 Henley Passport Index. Popular visa-free options include Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand (30 days), Malaysia (30 days, until 31 December 2026), Mauritius, Fiji and Kazakhstan (14 days), and dozens more countries offer an online e-visa. At a glance: Henley rank: 84th, 55 destinations (October 2026 edition, dated 9 October 2026). Biggest 2026 changes: Thailand cut to 30 days visa-free from 15 September; Malaysia visa-free until 31 December 2026; Sri Lanka ETA free from 25 May; Iran visa waiver suspended since 22 November 2025. Still need a visa in advance: US, UK, Canada, Schengen, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UAE unless you qualify for its visa on arrival. ## India's passport ranking in 2026 The Henley Passport Index counts destinations you can enter without a visa approved in advance. That means visa-free entry, visa on arrival and electronic travel authorisations (ETAs). It does not count e-visas. India's position moved a lot this year. Reports put it around 80th in January and 75th in February. The July 2026 edition, released on 21 July, put India 81st with 55 destinations after Cape Verde dropped visa on arrival. The October 2026 edition, dated 9 October, puts India 84th, tied with Algeria and Mauritania, with 55 destinations. These October figures come from Business Today and TravelBiz Monitor. We could not view them on Henley & Partners' own website. A lower rank does not always mean fewer options for you. It often reflects other passports gaining access faster. ## What the categories mean - Visa-free: you show your passport, return ticket and proof of stay at immigration. No fee, no form in advance (some countries ask for a free digital arrival card). - Visa on arrival: you get the visa at the airport or border, usually for a fee. Some countries let you buy it online first. - ETA or pre-registration: a short online authorisation you must get before flying. It is not a full visa, but airlines will check it. - E-visa: a full visa you apply for online and must have approved before you travel. ## Visa-free countries for Indians These destinations are listed as visa-free for Indian passport holders. Stay lengths are given only where we could confirm them from an official or reliable source. Immigration officers decide the actual stay at entry. ### Asia - Nepal: visa-free, no fixed limit for Indian citizens. - Bhutan: no visa, but you need a free entry permit and pay a Sustainable Development Fee, reported at ₹1,200 per person per night. - Thailand: visa-free for 30 days for tourism from 15 September 2026. Fill the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before landing. - Malaysia: visa-free for 30 days, valid until 31 December 2026. Submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before arrival. - Kazakhstan: visa-free for 14 days per visit, with a reported cap of 42 days in any 180 days. - Philippines: visa-free for 14 days, tourism only, not extendable. Holders of a valid US, UK, Schengen, Japan, Australia, Canada or Singapore visa or residence permit get 30 days. - Macao: visa-free. ### Africa and Indian Ocean - Mauritius: visa-free. - Rwanda: visa-free. - Angola: visa-free for tourism. - Senegal: listed as visa-free, though reports in early 2026 said paperwork checks have tightened. Confirm with the embassy. ### Caribbean and the Americas - Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago: visa-free. - British Virgin Islands and Montserrat: visa-free (British overseas territories with their own entry rules). ### Oceania - Fiji, Vanuatu, Micronesia, Kiribati, Cook Islands, Niue: visa-free. ## Visa on arrival countries for Indians - Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia (30 days for tourism; you can buy the e-VOA online first), Maldives (free on arrival; Maldives also asks every traveller to file an online arrival declaration), Mongolia, Timor-Leste, Laos (see the note under 2026 changes). - Middle East: Jordan; Qatar (visa waiver on arrival, with a hotel booking made through Discover Qatar required for Indian nationals, as reported by several travel guides). - Africa: Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe. - Oceania: Marshall Islands, Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu. - Caribbean: St Lucia. ## ETA and pre-registration destinations - Sri Lanka: free ETA from 25 May 2026, valid 30 days with double entry. Apply at eta.gov.lk before you fly. - Kenya: no visa sticker any more, but every Indian visitor needs an eTA approved before travel. - Seychelles: visitor permit on arrival, but you must get the online travel authorisation before flying. - St Kitts and Nevis: eTA before travel. - Myanmar: counted by Henley as online pre-approval access. Apply for the e-visa before you fly. - Hong Kong: free online Pre-arrival Registration for stays of up to 14 days. Your passport needs at least six months' validity. ## Popular e-visa countries for Indians These need approval before you travel, but the whole process is online. Henley does not count them in the 55. - Vietnam: e-visa for up to 90 days, single or multiple entry, on evisa.gov.vn. - Japan: single-entry tourist eVisa for stays of up to 90 days, for Indians living in India travelling by air. - Russia: unified e-visa, stay of up to 30 days since August 2025. - Turkey: e-visa for 30 days, but only if you hold a valid Schengen, US, UK or Irish visa or residence permit. Otherwise you need a sticker visa. - Uzbekistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan: e-visa available. - Oman, Bahrain: e-visa available. - Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar: e-visa available as well as, or instead of, visa on arrival. - Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia: e-visa available. ## Extra options if you already hold a US, UK or Schengen visa - UAE: 14-day visa on arrival for AED 100 with a valid US visa or green card, or a UK or EU visa or residence permit. Residence permits from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Singapore also qualify. - Uzbekistan: visa-free for up to 30 days since 1 September 2026 if you hold a valid multiple-entry tourist or business visa from the US, UK, a Schengen state, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan or South Korea, plus a departure ticket. - Philippines: 30 days visa-free instead of 14. - Turkey: e-visa instead of a sticker visa. - Georgia: news reports say a valid US, UK, Schengen or Japan visa or residence permit lets you enter without a Georgian visa for up to 90 days in 180. ## What changed in 2026 - Thailand: visa-free stay cut from 60 to 30 days from 15 September 2026. Anyone needing longer must get a visa. - Malaysia: 30-day visa-free entry runs until 31 December 2026. No extension beyond that had been announced when we checked. - Sri Lanka: tourist ETA became free for Indians on 25 May 2026. The ETA itself is still compulsory. - Iran: visa-free entry for Indians was suspended from 22 November 2025, according to India's Ministry of External Affairs. In July 2026 the Embassy of India in Tehran also advised Indians to postpone travel to Iran. - Uzbekistan: President Mirziyoyev announced a 30-day visa-free regime for Indians on 30 August 2026. The official notice we found covers only holders of qualifying foreign visas, from 1 September 2026. Others should keep using the e-visa. - Cape Verde: visa on arrival for Indians is reported to have ended, which cut India's Henley count in July 2026. Get a visa before travel. - Bolivia: reported to have moved Indians from visa on arrival to an e-visa. - UAE: ICP widened its visa-on-arrival scheme in June 2026 and still lists India. Some July 2026 news reports said UK-only holders would lose access, but official pages still list the UK. - Laos: we saw claims that visa on arrival ended for Indians but could not confirm them from an official source. Current travel guides still list both visa on arrival and e-visa. Apply for the e-visa to be safe. Check before you book: Visa rules change with little notice, and a destination can drop off this list overnight. Before you buy flights, check the official immigration website or embassy of the country you are visiting. Visa-free does not mean entry is guaranteed: officers can still ask for a return ticket, hotel booking and proof of funds, and can refuse entry. ## Countries where Indians need a visa in advance The big long-haul destinations still need a full visa approved before you travel. These include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the Schengen countries, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. The UAE also needs one unless you qualify for its visa on arrival. These are the applications where file quality decides the outcome. ## How Travlys helps For visa-required countries, Travlys files the application for you: US, UK, Canada, Schengen, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and UAE. UAE e-Visas start at ₹2,500. We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. Send your destination and travel dates on WhatsApp to +91 82009 18967 and we will tell you exactly what you need. Last checked: These rules were checked on 24 October 2026 against the official sources and news reports listed below. Where a rule rests on news reports rather than an official site, we have said so. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many countries can Indians visit without a visa in 2026? About 55, counting visa-free, visa on arrival and ETA entries. That is the figure for the October 2026 Henley Passport Index, as reported by Business Today and TravelBiz Monitor. Only about half of these are truly visa-free with nothing to apply for. The rest need a visa on arrival or an online authorisation. E-visa countries are not counted in the 55. ### What is India's passport rank in 2026? India is 84th in the October 2026 Henley Passport Index, tied with Algeria and Mauritania, with 55 destinations. The rank moved during the year: about 80th in January, 75th in February, and 81st in the July 2026 edition. The October figure comes from Indian news reports of the edition dated 9 October 2026; we could not view it on Henley's own website. ### Is Thailand visa-free for Indians in 2026? Yes, for 30 days. From 15 September 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders can enter Thailand visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days, according to the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi. The earlier 60-day visa-free stay has ended. You still need the Thailand Digital Arrival Card. For longer stays, work or study, get the right visa before you fly. ### Is Malaysia still visa-free for Indians? Yes, until 31 December 2026. Malaysia lets Indian citizens enter without a visa for up to 30 days for purposes other than work or study. You must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before arrival and may be asked for a return ticket and hotel booking. We found no announcement yet on what happens after 31 December, so check before booking a 2027 trip. ### Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka in 2026? You need an ETA, but it is free. Since 25 May 2026, Sri Lanka gives Indian nationals a free tourist ETA valid for 30 days with double entry, according to the official ETA portal. You must still apply online at eta.gov.lk before you travel. Staying beyond 30 days needs an extension, which carries a fee. ### Which countries need a visa in advance for Indians? Most of the popular long-haul destinations. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the Schengen countries, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore all need a visa approved before travel. The UAE also needs one unless you qualify for its visa on arrival with a US, UK or EU visa or a listed residence permit. Travlys files applications for all of these. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-24. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - Business Today: Henley Passport Index October 2026, India 84th with 55 destinations - TravelBiz Monitor: Indian passport 84th in October 2026 rankings - Angel One: India 81st in July 2026 Henley Passport Index - Gulf News: Visa-free travel for Indian passport holders in 2026, list of 55 destinations - Gulf News: 2026 visa-free changes for Indian passport holders, 2 added, 4 lost - Royal Thai Embassy New Delhi: Revision of visa exemption scheme effective 15 September 2026 - EY: Malaysia extends visa exemption for India nationals to 31 December 2026 - Sri Lanka ETA portal: free visa for 40 countries including India from 25 May 2026 - MEA: Advisory on suspension of Iran visa waiver for Indian nationals - Uzbekistan Tourism Committee: visa-free regime for Indian citizens from 1 September 2026 - Embassy of India Astana: Kazakhstan visa-free travel for Indians up to 14 days - Philippine Embassy The Hague (DFA): visa-free entry for Indian nationals - Hong Kong Immigration Department: Pre-arrival Registration for Indian nationals - Turkish Consulate General Los Angeles: e-Visa conditions (January 2025) - ICP: UAE visa on arrival eligibility expanded (25 June 2026) - Business Today: Russia extends e-visa stay to 30 days (August 2025) - Business Today: Japan eVisa for Indian travellers (January 2026) - Business Today: Georgia visa-free for Indians with select visas (2025) - Vietnam e-visa portal ## Related guides - Thailand Visa-Free for Indians in 2026: The 30-Day Rule Explained - UAE Visa on Arrival for Indians 2026: Who Qualifies and Fees - Sri Lanka ETA for Indians 2026: Free Visa, Rules and How to Apply ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/new-year-international-trips-from-india-easy-visa/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Christmas and New Year 2026-27: Easy-Visa Trips from India Published 2026-10-24 · 9 min read · By the Travlys visa team Nine international trips you can still plan from India for Christmas and New Year 2026-27 without a long visa wait, with the current entry rule, flight time and December weather for each. If you want an international break this Christmas and New Year without a long visa wait, Thailand, Malaysia, the Maldives and Mauritius need no visa arranged in advance for Indian tourists, and Sri Lanka's tourist ETA is free. Bali gives you a visa on arrival, Vietnam has a quick e-visa, and Dubai and Singapore need a visa that agents file in a few working days. Book flights now, because late December is peak season everywhere on this list. At a glance: No advance visa: Thailand (30 days), Malaysia (30 days, scheme runs to 31 December 2026), Maldives (free visa on arrival), Mauritius (visit permit on arrival). Free online ETA: Sri Lanka (30 days). Visa on arrival or e-VOA: Bali, IDR 500,000. E-visa: Vietnam, USD 25 single entry. Visa before travel: Dubai and Singapore. Almost every country here also wants an online arrival card in the last few days before you land. ## The 9 easiest trips for New Year 2026-27 Flight times below are approximate non-stop flying times on routes that operate. They vary by airline and season, so check your actual schedule. ### 1. Thailand: visa-free for 30 days Entry: since 15 September 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders can visit Thailand visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism. The earlier 60-day exemption has ended. Fill the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card within three days before arrival. The Indian Embassy in Bangkok advises carrying at least THB 20,000 in cash per person, confirmed return tickets, hotel bookings and a passport valid for six months. For longer stays or other purposes, you need a Thai e-visa. Flight time: about 4 to 4.5 hours to Bangkok from Delhi or Mumbai. December weather: the cool, dry season in Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi. Why go: easy beaches, big New Year's Eve parties and plenty of direct flights from Indian cities. ### 2. Malaysia: visa-free until 31 December 2026 Entry: Indians can enter Malaysia visa-free for up to 30 days. Malaysia's immigration department lists this exemption as valid until 31 December 2026. You need a passport valid for six months, a confirmed return ticket and a hotel booking, and you must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card within three days before arrival. Indian travellers have been refused entry at Kuala Lumpur airport for weak proof of funds, accommodation or return travel, so carry all three. The Indian High Commission also warned on 22 September 2026 against using visa-free entry to look for work. Malaysia and the 31 December date: As of 24 October 2026, no extension beyond 31 December 2026 has been announced. Malaysia has not said how a stay that starts in December and runs into January will be treated. The safest plan is to enter and leave by 31 December, or check the position before you book. If the exemption lapses, you will need a Malaysia eVISA for 2027 trips. Flight time: about 5 to 5.5 hours to Kuala Lumpur. December weather: warm with showers on the west coast; the east coast islands are in their monsoon. Why go: Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Penang in one trip, with good food at every budget. ### 3. Sri Lanka: free tourist ETA Entry: Indians are among 40 nationalities that get a free 30-day tourist ETA with double entry, under a scheme in force since 25 May 2026. It is free but not optional. Apply on the official site, eta.gov.lk, before you fly. Longer stays need an extension and a fee. Flight time: about 2 to 2.5 hours from Mumbai, about 3.5 hours from Delhi. December weather: the dry season begins on the west and south coasts; the east coast is wet. Why go: a short flight to beaches, tea country around Nuwara Eliya and Kandy, and wildlife parks. ### 4. Bali, Indonesia: visa on arrival Entry: a 30-day visa on arrival or e-VOA costs IDR 500,000 and can be extended once. Pay the separate IDR 150,000 Bali tourist levy and fill the free All Indonesia arrival card up to three days before you land. A proposed visa fee increase announced in August 2026 had not taken effect as of 24 October 2026. Flight time: about 7 to 8 hours non-stop from Delhi; from Mumbai you usually connect through Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok. December weather: the wet season, warm with heavy showers. Why go: villas, rice terraces and temples, and it stays green and lively over the holidays. ### 5. Vietnam: quick e-visa Entry: apply online for an e-visa on the official portal, evisa.gov.vn. Vietnam's fee schedule, renewed from 1 April 2026, lists USD 25 for a single-entry visa and USD 50 for multiple entry up to 90 days, and the e-visa allows stays of up to 90 days. Official processing is about three working days, but apply two to three weeks ahead in peak season. Use only the government site; many look-alike sites charge extra. Flight time: about 4.5 to 5.5 hours to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. December weather: cool in Hanoi and the north, rain on parts of the central coast, warm and dry in the south and Phu Quoc. Why go: Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and the south in one country, at sensible prices. ### 6. Dubai, UAE: e-visa before you fly Entry: most Indians need a UAE visit visa arranged before travel, issued electronically. Travlys files Dubai visas from ₹2,500. If you hold a valid US visa or green card, a UK or EU visa or residence permit, or a residence permit from Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Singapore or New Zealand, the UAE's immigration authority offers you a 60-day visa on arrival for AED 350 in total. Either way, your passport must be valid for at least six months. Flight time: about 3 hours from Mumbai, about 3.5 to 4 hours from Delhi. December weather: warm days and cool evenings, the best time of year. Why go: the New Year's Eve fireworks at Burj Khalifa, desert safaris and Abu Dhabi as a day trip. ### 7. Singapore: e-visa through an authorised agent Entry: Indians need a Singapore visa before travel, submitted through an authorised visa agent. The Singapore High Commission in New Delhi says processing usually takes three to five working days, and the visa processing fee is INR 2,100 plus the agent's service fee. Travlys files Singapore visas from ₹2,950. Also submit the free SG Arrival Card within three days before arrival, including the arrival day. Flight time: about 5.5 hours from Delhi or Mumbai. December weather: hot, humid and rainy, the wettest part of the year. Why go: Christmas lights on Orchard Road, Sentosa, Gardens by the Bay and an easy city for children and older parents. ### 8. Mauritius: no visa needed in advance Entry: Indian tourists do not need a visa arranged in advance; a visit permit is given at immigration on arrival, and Mauritius does not charge for visas. Mauritius' Passport and Immigration Office asks every visitor for a passport valid beyond the stay, a return ticket, enough funds and a confirmed hotel booking. The officer at the airport decides the length of stay. Flight time: about 6 hours non-stop from Mumbai. December weather: hot, humid summer, and cyclone season runs through these months. Why go: beach resorts, catamaran trips and a relaxed pace, with many vegetarian and Indian food options. ### 9. Maldives: free visa on arrival Entry: tourists get a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival with no pre-approval. Fill the free IMUGA traveller declaration within 96 hours before arrival on imuga.immigration.gov.mv. Carry a confirmed resort or hotel booking, a return ticket and proof of funds. Issue is at the immigration officer's discretion. Flight time: about 2.5 to 3 hours from Mumbai, about 4 hours from Delhi. December weather: the start of the dry season, with calmer seas. Why go: a short flight to one-island resorts, snorkelling and reef trips. Resorts fill up and get expensive over New Year. ## When to book for Christmas and New Year - Flights: late December to early January is peak season on every route here, and fares tend to rise as seats fill. If you have not booked yet, book now rather than waiting for a sale. - Visas: file Dubai, Singapore and Vietnam visas at least two to three weeks before travel. Embassies and processing centres slow down over public holidays. - Free ETAs and e-VOAs: apply for Sri Lanka's ETA as soon as your flights are fixed. Indonesia's e-VOA must be used within 90 days of issue, so you can apply for a late-December trip now. - Arrival cards: these open only a few days before arrival. Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore allow three days, and the Maldives allows 96 hours. Set a reminder. - Hotels and resorts: some resorts in the Maldives, Bali and Phuket set minimum stays or compulsory gala dinners over New Year. Check the terms before you pay for flights. ## Comparison at a glance - Thailand: visa-free 30 days | about 4 to 4.5 hours | cool and dry | TDAC and THB 20,000 cash per person. - Malaysia: visa-free 30 days until 31 December 2026 | about 5 to 5.5 hours | showers on the west coast | MDAC, return ticket and hotel booking. - Sri Lanka: free ETA, 30 days | about 2 to 3.5 hours | dry on the west and south coasts | apply on eta.gov.lk. - Bali: visa on arrival, IDR 500,000 | about 7 to 8 hours from Delhi | wet season | IDR 150,000 levy and All Indonesia card. - Vietnam: e-visa from USD 25 | about 4.5 to 5.5 hours | cool north, dry south | apply two to three weeks ahead. - Dubai: e-visa before travel | about 3 to 4 hours | warm days, cool nights | visa on arrival only with qualifying visas or residence permits. - Singapore: e-visa through an agent | about 5.5 hours | wet season | SG Arrival Card. - Mauritius: visit permit on arrival | about 6 hours from Mumbai | hot summer, cyclone season | hotel booking and return ticket. - Maldives: free visa on arrival | about 2.5 to 4 hours | dry season begins | IMUGA declaration. ## How Travlys helps Travlys files visas for Dubai from ₹2,500, Singapore from ₹2,950, Thailand from ₹1,950 and Malaysia from ₹999, and we check your documents before anything is submitted. For Bali and Sri Lanka we build complete holiday packages with hotels and private transfers. We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 82009 18967 with your dates and we will tell you what you need. Last checked: We checked these rules on 24 October 2026 against the sources listed below. Entry rules can change at short notice, especially Malaysia's after 31 December 2026, so confirm with the official site before you travel. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which countries can Indians visit without a visa for New Year 2026? Thailand, Malaysia, the Maldives and Mauritius do not need a visa arranged in advance for Indian tourists. Thailand gives 30 days visa-free for tourism, Malaysia gives 30 days visa-free until 31 December 2026, the Maldives issues a free tourist visa on arrival, and Mauritius grants a visit permit on arrival. You still need arrival cards, a return ticket, hotel bookings and a passport valid for at least six months. ### Is Thailand still visa-free for Indians in December 2026? Yes, for tourism stays of up to 30 days. Since 15 September 2026, Indian ordinary passport holders get a 30-day visa exemption instead of the earlier 60 days. Fill the free Thailand Digital Arrival Card within three days before arrival. The Indian Embassy in Bangkok advises carrying at least THB 20,000 in cash per person, plus confirmed return tickets and hotel bookings. Longer stays need a Thai e-visa. ### Can I visit Malaysia visa-free over New Year 2026-27? Yes, if you enter Malaysia on or before 31 December 2026. Malaysia's visa exemption for Indians currently runs until that date, and no extension had been announced as of 24 October 2026. Malaysia has not said how a stay that runs past 31 December will be treated, so finish your trip by then or check the latest position before booking. Submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card within three days before arrival. ### How early should I apply for a visa for a Christmas trip? Apply as soon as your flights are fixed, and at least two to three weeks before you travel. Singapore's High Commission says visas usually take three to five working days, and Vietnam's e-visa is officially about three working days, but the Christmas rush and public holidays slow things down. Indonesia's e-VOA must be used within 90 days of issue, so you can apply for a late-December trip now. ### Which easy-visa destination has the best weather in December? Thailand, Dubai, Sri Lanka's west and south coast, southern Vietnam and the Maldives usually have the best December weather. These places are in their dry or cooler season. Bali and Singapore are in their wetter months, with frequent showers, and Mauritius is in its hot, humid summer with cyclone season under way, so build some flexibility into beach and boat plans there. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-24. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - Tourism Authority of Thailand: new 30-day visa exemption rules from 15 September 2026 - Royal Thai Embassy New Delhi: revision to visa exemption for Indian passport holders - All India Radio News: Thailand visa-free entry and Indian Embassy requirements (9 September 2026) - Royal Thai Embassy: Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) - Immigration Department of Malaysia: Visa requirement by country - High Commission of Malaysia, New Delhi: Visa requirement for foreigners - All India Radio News: Indian High Commission advisory on Malaysia visa-free entry (22 September 2026) - Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration: ETA - Indonesian Immigration: e-Visa on Arrival FAQ - Love Bali (Bali Provincial Government): Tourist levy FAQ - Indonesia Travel: All Indonesia app guide - Vietnam Government News: renewed entry, exit and residence fees from 1 April 2026 - Vietnam Immigration: official e-visa portal - UAE ICP: 60-day visa on arrival for nationals of certain countries - UAE Government portal: Do you need a visa to enter the UAE - Singapore High Commission, New Delhi: Visa information - Singapore ICA: SG Arrival Card - Mauritius Passport and Immigration Office: Travel requirements - Mauritius Passport and Immigration Office: Visa requirements - Maldives mission: Visa and passport information - Maldives Immigration: IMUGA traveller declaration ## Related guides - Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List - Bali Visa on Arrival for Indians 2026: Cost, Levy and Rules - Sri Lanka ETA for Indians 2026: Free Visa, Rules and How to Apply ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/sri-lanka-eta-for-indians-2026/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Sri Lanka ETA for Indians 2026: Free Visa, Rules and How to Apply Published 2026-10-24 · 7 min read · By the Travlys visa team The Sri Lanka tourist ETA is free for Indians in 2026, but you still have to apply online before you fly. Here is how to apply on the official site, what to carry, and a classic 7-night route. Yes, Indians need a Sri Lanka ETA in 2026, but the tourist ETA is free. Since 25 May 2026, Indian nationals get a free 30-day, double-entry tourist ETA under a scheme covering 40 countries. You must still apply online at eta.gov.lk before you arrive, and carry the approval with you. At a glance: Cost for Indian tourists: free, since 25 May 2026. No end date has been published by Sri Lanka's Immigration Department. Stay: 30 days from first arrival, two entries allowed within those 30 days. Apply: online at eta.gov.lk, before you travel. Passport: valid at least 6 months from arrival. Carry: ETA approval, confirmed return ticket, enough funds. Extension: paid, through the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Business ETA: not free, USD 30 for South Asian nationals. ## Do Indians need an ETA for Sri Lanka in 2026? Yes. The Department of Immigration and Emigration's notice for the free visa scheme says that all foreign nationals, including nationals of the 40 eligible countries, must get an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before they arrive. Free does not mean you can skip the application. It only means you pay no fee. Earlier in 2026, posts on social media said Indians were exempt from both visas and ETAs. When fact-checkers asked, the Immigration Department said an online ETA is still mandatory. The May 2026 notice settles it: apply before you fly. ## How much does the Sri Lanka ETA cost for Indians? Under the scheme that started on 25 May 2026, a tourist ETA for Indian nationals is free of charge for 30 days. India is one of 40 countries on the list, along with China, Japan, the UK, the US and others. The scheme covers holders of ordinary, diplomatic, official and service passports. Indians had already been getting free tourist visas under earlier pilot arrangements, and this scheme continues that. A few things are not free. A business ETA costs USD 30 for South Asian nationals. Extensions beyond 30 days are charged. ETA fees paid before 25 May 2026 are not refunded. Separately, children under 12 of any nationality get a free tourist ETA for up to 30 days. ### How long will the free ETA last? We could not confirm an end date from an official source. The Immigration Department's notice gives a start date of 25 May 2026 and no end date. News reports from May 2026 say Parliament approved the regulations on 7 May for one year, with a review after six months. An April 2026 government announcement had described a six-month programme. If the scheme ends, the standard published fee for a South Asian tourist ETA is USD 20. The fee shown on eta.gov.lk when you apply is the one that counts. ## How to apply on eta.gov.lk - Step 1: Type www.eta.gov.lk into your browser yourself. Do not click a search ad. - Step 2: Choose a tourist ETA and fill in your details exactly as they appear in your passport, along with your travel dates and where you will stay. - Step 3: Submit. You get an acknowledgement, followed by an approval notice or a referral notice. - Step 4: Check your status on the ETA site or through the Department's 24-hour call centre on +94 71 99 67 888. - Step 5: Save or print the approval and carry it to show at immigration. The official site does not publish a fixed processing time for online applications. It says Sri Lankan missions abroad issue ETAs within three business days. Apply at least a week before you fly. Do not apply too early: the official application page says you must enter Sri Lanka within three months of the ETA being issued. ### Watch out for look-alike sites The only official sites are eta.gov.lk and immigration.gov.lk. Sri Lanka's Controller General of Immigration and Emigration has warned about misleading websites that charge high fees for Sri Lanka ETAs, and the High Commission of India in Colombo has issued a similar advisory. These sites often use "Sri Lanka visa" in their name and charge a processing fee. While the free scheme runs, the tourist ETA for Indians costs nothing. If a site asks for card details for it, close the page. ## How long can you stay, and can you extend? The free tourist ETA lets you stay 30 days from the date you first arrive, with two entries allowed. Both entries must fall inside those 30 days, and the second visit only uses the days left over. For example, if you combine Sri Lanka with the Maldives and fly back to Colombo, your return must be within the original 30 days. To stay longer, apply for an extension and pay the applicable fee. You can apply through the Department's online e-visa extension portal at eservices.immigration.gov.lk, or at the visa section of its head office in Battaramulla. The ETA site's extension page describes stages of 60, 90 and 90 days, up to a total of 270 days from arrival. Another official page mentions a maximum of six months, so check the current limit when you apply. Apply before your 30 days run out. ## What to carry when you land - Passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date. - A copy of your ETA approval, printed or on your phone. - A confirmed return or onward ticket. - Enough money for your stay. - Hotel bookings, in case the officer asks where you are staying. The tourist ETA covers sightseeing and holidays, visiting friends and relatives, medical treatment including Ayurveda and yoga, and taking part in sporting or cultural events. Work trips need a business ETA. ## Best time to visit Sri Lanka Sri Lanka gets two monsoons, so the best months depend on where you go. The west coast, south coast and hill country are usually driest from December to March. The south-west monsoon brings heavy rain to that side of the island roughly from May to September. The east coast, around Trincomalee and Arugam Bay, is at its best during those same months and is wetter from October to December. October and November can bring rain to much of the island. Weather varies from year to year, so stay flexible. For the classic route below, December to March is the best window. ## A classic 7-night Sri Lanka route - Nights 1-2: Kandy. Drive up from Bandaranaike International Airport. Visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, walk around Kandy Lake and see the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya. - Nights 3-4: Nuwara Eliya. Drive or take the scenic hill-country train to the tea country. Visit a tea estate and factory, and enjoy the cool weather. - Nights 5-6: South coast. Head down to the beaches at Bentota or near Galle. Walk the ramparts of Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. - Night 7: Colombo. Shop, eat and walk along Galle Face Green, then fly home the next day from the airport north of the city. Roads in the hill country are narrow and winding, so a private car with a driver is the easiest way to cover this route. If you have more days, add Sigiriya and Dambulla before Kandy, or Ella after Nuwara Eliya. ## How Travlys helps with Sri Lanka Travlys plans complete Sri Lanka holiday packages from Ahmedabad. We book your hotels, arrange a private car and driver, and build a day-by-day route that suits the season. We also walk you through the free ETA on the official site, so you never pay a look-alike website. WhatsApp us on +91 82009 18967 to plan your trip. Last checked: We checked these rules on 24 October 2026 against Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration, the official ETA site and the other sources listed below. Rules and the free-ETA scheme can change at short notice, so confirm on eta.gov.lk before you apply. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Sri Lanka visa free for Indians in 2026? The visa fee is free, but you still need an ETA. Since 25 May 2026, Indian nationals can get a tourist ETA free of charge for 30 days under a scheme covering 40 countries. Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration says all foreign nationals, including these 40 countries, must get an ETA before arrival. Apply only on the official site, eta.gov.lk. A business ETA is not covered by the free scheme. ### How do I apply for the Sri Lanka ETA as an Indian? Apply online at www.eta.gov.lk, the official site run by Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration. Choose a tourist ETA, enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport, and submit. You get an acknowledgement and then an approval or referral notice. Save or print the approval and carry it when you fly. Do not use look-alike sites that charge a fee for the free Indian tourist ETA. ### How long can Indians stay in Sri Lanka on the free ETA? You can stay up to 30 days, counted from the date you first arrive. The ETA allows two entries, but both must fall inside that 30-day period, and the second visit uses whatever days are left. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for an extension from the Department of Immigration and Emigration and pay the extension fee. The free scheme covers only the first 30 days. ### How long does the Sri Lanka ETA take? The official site does not publish a fixed processing time for online applications. It only says Sri Lankan missions issue the ETA within three business days. Most applicants hear back much sooner, but apply at least a week before your flight to be safe. Do not apply too early either. The official application page says you must enter Sri Lanka within three months of the ETA being issued. ### Can I extend my Sri Lanka tourist ETA? Yes, but the extension is paid. You can apply online through the Department of Immigration and Emigration's e-visa extension portal or at its head office in Battaramulla. The official ETA site describes extensions in stages, up to a total of 270 days from arrival. Another official page mentions a maximum of six months, so check the current limit when you apply, and apply before your 30 days run out. ### What documents do Indians need at Colombo airport? Carry your ETA approval, a passport valid for at least six months from your arrival date, a confirmed return ticket and enough money for your stay. These are the conditions listed on the official ETA site. Keep your hotel bookings handy too, in case the immigration officer asks where you are staying. If you are on a business trip, you need a business ETA, which is not free. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-24. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka: special notice on free tourist visas for nationals of 40 countries (from 25 May 2026) - Sri Lanka ETA (official): visa information centre - Sri Lanka ETA (official): fees - Sri Lanka ETA (official): how to apply - Sri Lanka ETA (official): short visit ETA - Sri Lanka ETA (official): how to extend a short visit ETA - Sri Lanka ETA (official): FAQ - Newsfirst: Sri Lanka grants free 30-day visa to 40 nations (25 May 2026) - VisasNews: Sri Lanka Parliament approves free visas for 40 countries (7 May 2026) - Travelobiz: Sri Lanka expands free visa scheme to 40 countries for one year (9 May 2026) - News On AIR: Sri Lanka to introduce six-month free tourist visa programme (1 April 2026) - TTG Asia: Sri Lanka expands visa-free entry to 40 countries (28 May 2026) - Fact Crescendo: Can Indians enter Sri Lanka without a visa and an ETA? (2 March 2026) - Ada Derana: Travellers to Sri Lanka alerted about fraudulent visa websites - UK FCDO: Sri Lanka entry requirements - Jetwing Hotels: best times and seasons to visit Sri Lanka ## Related guides - Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List - Christmas and New Year 2026-27: Easy-Visa Trips from India - Bali Visa on Arrival for Indians 2026: Cost, Levy and Rules ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/bali-visa-on-arrival-for-indians-2026/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Bali Visa on Arrival for Indians 2026: Cost, Levy and Rules Published 2026-10-24 · 7 min read · By the Travlys visa team Indian passport holders can get a 30-day visa on arrival or e-VOA for Bali at IDR 500,000. Here is how it works with the Bali tourist levy, the All Indonesia arrival card and the other entry rules for 2026. Yes, Indian passport holders can get a visa on arrival for Bali. It costs IDR 500,000, gives you 30 days in Indonesia, and can be extended once for another 30 days. Buy it online as an e-VOA before you fly or pay at the airport counter, then pay the separate IDR 150,000 Bali tourist levy and fill the free All Indonesia arrival card. At a glance: Visa: VOA or e-VOA, IDR 500,000, 30 days, one 30-day extension. Bali levy: IDR 150,000 per person, once per trip, cashless. Arrival card: All Indonesia, free, up to 3 days before arrival. Passport: valid at least 6 months. Ticket: proof of travel out of Indonesia. Proposed visa fee rise: not in force as of 24 October 2026. ## Visa on arrival or e-VOA: which should you take? India is on Indonesia's visa-on-arrival list. The same visa comes in two forms. The e-VOA is bought online on the official immigration portal, evisa.imigrasi.go.id, before you travel. The VOA is bought at the payment counter in the arrival hall at Bali's Ngurah Rai airport, before the immigration desks. Both cost IDR 500,000 and give the same 30-day stay. We suggest the e-VOA. You land with the visa already issued, you skip the payment queue, and you do not have to worry about currency at the counter. Indonesian immigration says an e-VOA must be used within 90 days of issue, so do not apply too early either. The visa covers tourism, visiting family or friends, business meetings and transit. It does not allow you to work, and you cannot speak at events on it. ### Extending your stay You can extend once, for another 30 days, at an Indonesian immigration office. The extension costs another IDR 500,000. Immigration advises applying at least seven days before your permit expires. After 60 days in total you must leave, because the visa on arrival cannot be converted into another permit. ### Is the fee going up? On 12 August 2026, Indonesia's Director General of Immigration proposed raising the fee to IDR 750,000 for an e-VOA and IDR 1,000,000 for a visa bought on arrival. As of 24 October 2026, no regulation or effective date has been published, and the fee is still IDR 500,000. If the change comes in, the e-VOA will be the cheaper option. Check the official portal just before you pay. ## The Bali tourist levy: IDR 150,000 Bali charges every international tourist a levy of IDR 150,000 per person. It is separate from the visa. You pay it once per trip, not per day, and it has applied since 14 February 2024. - Where to pay: online on the Love Bali portal, lovebali.baliprov.go.id, or its official app. You can also pay at counters at Bali's airport and port, or through registered hotels, travel agents and attractions. - How to pay: cashless only. Cards, bank transfer, virtual account and QRIS are accepted. - What you get: a voucher with a QR code by email. Keep it on your phone. - When: before you arrive is easiest. You can also pay during your stay, as long as it is before you leave Indonesia. - Who is exempt: diplomatic and official visa holders, transport crew, KITAS or KITAP holders, and some other visa types such as student and golden visas. Tourists on a visa on arrival are not exempt. Bali's provincial government runs checks at tourist sites, and its 2025 tourist circular says visitors who have not paid can be refused entry to attractions. As of 24 October 2026, the Love Bali site still lists IDR 150,000 and shows no 2026 change to the amount. The current legal basis is Bali Regional Regulation No. 2 of 2025. ## All Indonesia: the arrival card you must fill Indonesia now uses one digital arrival declaration called All Indonesia. It brings the immigration, customs and health declarations, which used to be separate forms, into one. It became the single arrival declaration for international travellers from 1 October 2025. Fill it at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id or in the official All Indonesia app, up to 3 days before arrival. Each traveller, including children, gets their own QR code. It is free, so any website asking you to pay for it is not the government site. It is not a visa. You still need the VOA or e-VOA. ## Passport and ticket rules - Passport validity: at least six months from your arrival date. - Onward or return ticket: you must show a ticket out of Indonesia at the immigration checkpoint. - Hotel details: keep your booking handy. You need an address for the arrival card, and officers may ask. ## Best time to visit Bali Bali's drier months run roughly from April to October. This is the most reliable time for beaches, boat trips and Nusa Penida. November to March is the wet season, with heavy showers, rougher seas on some days and very green rice terraces. July, August and the Christmas to New Year fortnight are the busiest and most expensive weeks. If your dates are flexible, April to June and September give you good weather with smaller crowds. ## A classic 5-night Bali plan - Nights 1 and 2, Seminyak or Kuta: land, check in and rest. Spend the next day on the beach, then watch the sunset and the Kecak dance at Uluwatu Temple. - Day 3, Nusa Penida day trip: take an early fast boat from Sanur to the west coast viewpoints, Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach and Angel's Billabong. Stay the third night in the south. - Nights 4 and 5, Ubud: see the Tegallalang rice terraces, Tirta Empul water temple, a waterfall or two, the Sacred Monkey Forest and Ubud market. - Day 6: leave early for the airport. Traffic between Ubud and the airport is slow, so give yourself plenty of time. In the wet season, keep the Nusa Penida day flexible. Boats can be cancelled or rough when the sea is up. ## Common mistakes to avoid - Paying on a fake visa site. Many websites copy the look of Indonesian government pages and add their own fee, and some sell visas that turn out to be invalid. Use only evisa.imigrasi.go.id for the e-VOA, allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id for the arrival card and lovebali.baliprov.go.id for the levy. Official Indonesian sites end in go.id. - Forgetting the levy. The visa does not include it. Pay it separately and keep the QR voucher. - Taking food into the Monkey Forest. At Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest, food, drinks and plastic bags are not allowed inside, and lockers are provided at the lobby. Keep jewellery and small items out of sight, do not touch or feed the monkeys, and avoid direct eye contact. If you are bitten, go to the on-site first aid clinic. - Wrong clothes at temples. Bali's tourist rules ask for modest, respectful clothing at temples. Carry or rent a sarong and sash. The inner temple areas are for worshippers in Balinese dress only, and you must not climb shrines or sacred trees. - Unlicensed money changers. Bali's rules ask you to change money only at licensed changers. - Riding without a licence or helmet. Bali's rules require a valid driving licence and a helmet if you ride. - Overstaying. Count your 30 days from arrival. If you want to stay longer, apply for the extension at least seven days before it runs out. ## How Travlys helps Travlys builds complete Bali holiday packages with hotels and private transfers, and we guide you through the e-VOA, the levy and the All Indonesia card before you fly. We also arrange Sri Lanka packages, and we file visas for Dubai from ₹2,500, Singapore from ₹2,950, Thailand from ₹1,950 and Malaysia from ₹999. We have filed 5,000+ visas with a 98% approval rate. Message us on WhatsApp at +91 82009 18967. Last checked: We checked these rules on 24 October 2026 against the sources listed below. Fees and forms can change at short notice, so confirm on the official portals before you pay. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do Indians need a visa for Bali? Yes, but you do not need to apply at an embassy. India is on Indonesia's visa-on-arrival list, so you can buy a 30-day visa online as an e-VOA before you fly or at the counter when you land in Bali. It costs IDR 500,000 and allows tourism, family visits, business meetings and transit, but not work. You also need a passport valid for at least six months and a ticket out of Indonesia. ### How much is the Bali visa on arrival for Indians in 2026? The fee is IDR 500,000, whether you buy the e-VOA online or pay on arrival. In August 2026 Indonesian immigration proposed raising it to IDR 750,000 for the e-VOA and IDR 1,000,000 on arrival, but as of 24 October 2026 no regulation or effective date had been published. The Bali tourist levy of IDR 150,000 is a separate charge on top of the visa. ### Is the e-VOA better than paying for the visa on arrival? Yes, for most travellers the e-VOA is the better choice. It costs the same IDR 500,000 today, you land with the visa already issued, and you skip the payment counter queue at Ngurah Rai airport. If the proposed fee change comes in, the e-VOA would also be cheaper. Apply only on evisa.imigrasi.go.id, and use the visa within 90 days of issue. ### How do I pay the Bali tourist levy? Pay it online on the Love Bali portal, lovebali.baliprov.go.id, or its official app before you arrive. The levy is IDR 150,000 per person, paid once per trip, and it is cashless only: cards, bank transfer, virtual account or QRIS. You get a QR voucher by email. You can also pay at counters at Bali's airport and port, or through registered hotels and agents during your stay. ### Is the All Indonesia arrival card mandatory? Yes, every international arrival is expected to complete it. All Indonesia is a free digital form that combines the immigration, customs and health declarations, and it became the single arrival declaration from 1 October 2025. Fill it at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id or in the official app up to three days before you land. Each traveller, including children, needs their own QR code. It does not replace your visa. ### Can I extend my Bali visa on arrival? Yes, once, for another 30 days. You apply at an Indonesian immigration office in Bali, and the extension costs another IDR 500,000. Indonesian immigration advises applying at least seven days before your current stay expires. After 60 days in total you must leave the country, because the visa on arrival cannot be converted into another type of stay permit. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-24. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - Indonesian Immigration: e-Visa on Arrival FAQ - Indonesian Immigration: official e-Visa portal - Indonesian Immigration (Yogyakarta office): How to get a visa on arrival - Love Bali (Bali Provincial Government): Tourist levy FAQ - Love Bali: Levy payment portal - Indonesia Travel (Ministry of Tourism): All Indonesia app guide - All Indonesia: official arrival declaration portal - Bali Tourism Office: Governor's Circular No. 7 of 2025 on tourist conduct - Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary Ubud: Guidelines and FAQ - VisasNews: Indonesia plans to raise VOA and e-VOA fees (12 August 2026) - VisasNews: All Indonesia arrival card mandatory from 1 October 2025 ## Related guides - Christmas and New Year 2026-27: Easy-Visa Trips from India - Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List - Sri Lanka ETA for Indians 2026: Free Visa, Rules and How to Apply ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/china-visa-for-indians-2026-new-process/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # China Visa for Indians 2026: The New Embassy Filing Process Published 2026-10-24 · 7 min read · By the Travlys visa team Chinese visa applications in India moved from the service centres to the Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate in Mumbai on 26 October 2026. Here is who files where, what it costs, and how to pay. From 26 October 2026, Indian passport holders apply for a Chinese visa directly at the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi or the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai, not at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre. You fill the form online first, then submit your passport in person after you get an approval email. A single-entry visa costs ₹2,900, and for now fees are accepted only by bank demand draft. At a glance: Effective: 26 October 2026. Mumbai Consulate: Maharashtra and Karnataka. New Delhi Embassy: all other states, and for now West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Online form: consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA, no fee at this step. Fees for Indians: ₹2,900 single, ₹4,400 double, ₹5,900 six-month multiple, ₹8,800 multiple for 12 months or more. Payment: bank-printed demand draft only, for now. Processing: 7 working days regular, 4 working days express (₹1,800 extra). 240-hour visa-free transit: not available to Indian passport holders. ## What changed on 26 October 2026 On 22 October 2026 the Chinese Embassy in India published a notice saying that from 26 October the Embassy and the Consulate General in Mumbai will directly accept and process applications for Chinese visas and consular legalisation. Services for the Kolkata consular district are temporarily handled by the Embassy in New Delhi. The Embassy published an updated visa application notice and a new schedule of consular fees on the same day. Travel trade reports add details we could not find on the Embassy's own pages. They say the service centres stop taking new applications from 26 October, and processed passports can be collected from them until 12 noon on 30 October 2026. They also say online applications submitted after 5 pm on 23 October carry no centre service fee, and service fees already paid are not refunded. ## Where to apply: consular jurisdiction You apply at the office that covers the state where you live: - Consulate General in Mumbai: residents of Maharashtra and Karnataka. - Embassy in New Delhi, temporarily: residents of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the states earlier served through Kolkata. - Embassy in New Delhi: residents of all other states and union territories. This includes Gujarat, so applicants from Ahmedabad file in New Delhi. Visa hours, Monday to Friday except public holidays: the New Delhi Embassy takes applications from 9 am to 12 noon and returns passports from 3 pm to 5:30 pm. The Mumbai Consulate takes applications from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm and returns passports from 10 am to 12:30 pm. Check each office's holiday list before you go. ## How to apply, step by step - Step 1: Fill the form online. Go to the Chinese foreign ministry's visa system at consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA (the new China Online Visa Application, or COVA), fill the visa form and upload your documents for online review. No fee is paid at this step. - Step 2: Wait for the approval email. Once the online review is approved, you get an email. You then have 30 days to submit in person. - Step 3: Submit in person. Take your passport and original documents to the Embassy or Consulate during visa hours. Fingerprints are taken if required. The notice says only diplomatic, official and courtesy visa applicants must book an appointment by phone. - Step 4: Collect and pay. Return on the date on your pick-up slip, pay the fee by demand draft and collect your passport. Some reports mention online appointments for ordinary visas. The Embassy's notice does not, so check its website before you travel to submit. ## Documents you need - The visa application form, completed online. - Passport valid for more than 6 months with at least 2 blank visa pages, plus the photo page and any passport issued to you in the past 5 years. - Two recent colour photos, 48 mm x 33 mm, white background, no headwear, taken within the last 6 months. - Copies of any Chinese visas issued to you in the past 3 years. - For minors: birth certificate, the guardian's ID or proof of residence, and the guardian's consent letter. - If an agent files for you: the agency's qualification documents and the agent's ID. ### Tourist visa (L) You need six months of personal bank statements showing an average monthly balance of at least ₹1 lakh. Instead of statements, you can give a bank deposit certificate for a similar amount, issued at least 3 months before you apply and signed and stamped by the bank. The Embassy notice has a full checklist for each visa type. Read it for your category before you upload anything. ### Business visa (M) You need an invitation letter from the Chinese company with a handwritten signature and the company's official seal. Contract or personnel seals are not accepted. Add copies of the inviting company's business licence and its legal representative's ID, each with a handwritten Chinese note saying it is only for your visa application. Your cover letter must describe your company, the exact purpose of the trip and how long you will stay. The notice warns that a general purpose such as "business meetings" might not be accepted. ## China visa fees for Indians These are the fees for Indian passport holders in the Embassy's fee schedule dated 22 October 2026: - Single entry: ₹2,900 - Double entry: ₹4,400 - Multiple entry, six months: ₹5,900 - Multiple entry, 12 months or more: ₹8,800 - Group visa: ₹1,800 per person - Express processing (4 working days): ₹1,800 extra - Urgent processing (2 working days, if applicable): ₹2,700 extra ### Paying by demand draft The fee schedule says the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India only accept demand drafts, and that cash, personal cheques and other methods are temporarily not accepted. The draft must be printed by a bank in India. Handwritten or incomplete drafts are not accepted. Make it payable to CHINESE EMBASSY, NEW DELHI or CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN MUMBAI. On the back, write your full name, pick-up slip number and phone number. Fees are paid at collection, and you get the pick-up slip only when you submit, so in practice the draft is made between the two visits. ## Processing time Regular processing takes 7 working days and express takes 4 working days, counted from the day after you submit your passport. The fee schedule also lists urgent processing in 2 working days where applicable. Before that, your online form has to pass review. Plan for at least two to three weeks in total. ## Fingerprints Until 31 December 2026, applicants for short-term visas with a stay of up to 180 days do not need to give fingerprints. Applicants for long-stay visas, such as D, J1, Q1, S1, X1 and Z visas, still give fingerprints in person. The notice also lists multiple-entry applicants among those who give fingerprints in principle, so be ready if you apply for one. Children under 14, people over 70, and people fingerprinted by the same mission or centre with the same passport in the last five years are exempt. ## Does the 240-hour visa-free transit apply to Indians? No. The list of countries eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit, published by Chinese embassies in May 2026, has 55 countries, and India is not one of them. The Embassy's visa notice does exempt passengers who transit to a third country within 24 hours and stay inside the designated port area. So a same-day connection without leaving the airport generally needs no visa. Confirm with your airline before you fly. ## Tips to avoid delays - Make sure every detail in the online form matches your passport exactly. - Keep your bank balance steady over the six months. The rule is an average monthly balance, not one high figure. - Use a bank-printed demand draft with the payee name spelt exactly as the Embassy gives it. - Carry the approval email and a printout of your online form in case the counter asks. ## How Travlys can help Travlys does not file China visas. This is an independent guide based on the Embassy's own notices. For other trips, our Ahmedabad team handles visas for the US, UK, Canada, Schengen, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, UAE, Thailand and Malaysia, with 5,000+ visas filed and a 98% approval rate. Last checked: We checked these rules on 24 October 2026 against the Chinese Embassy in India's notices dated 22 October 2026 and the other sources listed below. Rules can change at short notice, so confirm on in.china-embassy.gov.cn before you apply. ## Frequently asked questions ### Where do Indians apply for a China visa from 26 October 2026? You apply directly at the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi or the Chinese Consulate General in Mumbai. Mumbai covers residents of Maharashtra and Karnataka. The Embassy covers every other state, and for now also West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, which were earlier handled through Kolkata. The Chinese Visa Application Service Centres no longer take new applications. Fill the form online first and submit in person only after you get the approval email. ### How much is a China visa for Indians in 2026? A single-entry visa costs ₹2,900 under the fee schedule dated 22 October 2026. Double entry is ₹4,400, six-month multiple entry is ₹5,900 and multiple entry for 12 months or more is ₹8,800. Express processing adds ₹1,800 and urgent processing, where available, adds ₹2,700. Because you now file directly with the Embassy or Consulate, there is no separate service-centre fee. ### Can I pay the China visa fee in cash or online? No. For now the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India accept only demand drafts. Cash, personal cheques and other methods are temporarily not accepted. The draft must be printed by the bank, payable to CHINESE EMBASSY, NEW DELHI or CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN MUMBAI. Write your full name, pick-up slip number and phone number on the back. Handwritten or incomplete drafts are refused. ### How long does a China visa take in India? Regular processing takes 7 working days and express takes 4 working days, counted from the day after you submit your passport. The fee schedule also lists urgent processing in 2 working days where applicable. Add time before that for the online review, which must be approved before you can submit, and for getting a demand draft made. Plan for at least two to three weeks in total. ### Can Indians use China's 240-hour visa-free transit? No. India is not on the list of countries eligible for China's 240-hour visa-free transit, as published by Chinese embassies in May 2026. Indian passport holders need a visa to leave the airport. The Embassy's visa notice does exempt passengers transiting to a third country within 24 hours who stay inside the designated port area, so a same-day connection without leaving the airport is generally fine. Confirm with your airline. ### Do I need to give fingerprints for a China tourist visa? Usually not before 31 December 2026. The Embassy has exempted applicants for short-term visas with a stay of up to 180 days from fingerprinting until that date. Applicants for long-stay visas, such as Z work or X1 study visas, still give fingerprints in person. Children under 14 and people over 70 are exempt, as are people fingerprinted by the same mission with the same passport in the last five years. ## Sources Checked on 2026-10-24. Visa rules change; confirm on the official site before you travel. - Embassy of China in India: notice on direct acceptance of visa and legalisation applications (22 October 2026) - Embassy of China in India: Notice on Chinese Visa Application (2026.10.22) - Embassy of China in India: Notice on Schedule of Fees for Consular Service (2026.10.22) - Consulate General of China in Mumbai: notice on direct acceptance of applications (22 October 2026) - Embassy of China in Suriname: list of countries eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy (May 2026) - Embassy of China in the US: requirements and procedures for the new COVA system - Travel Trade Journal: China revises visa application process in India (22 October 2026) - Trav Talk: China shifts visa processing to Embassy, Consulate from 26 October ## Related guides - Visa-Free Countries for Indians 2026: The Complete List - US Visa Changes 2026: What Indian Applicants Need to Know - Visa consultant vs DIY: when does hiring one make sense? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/us-visa-from-india-2026-complete-guide/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # US visa from India in 2026: a complete, no-nonsense guide Published 2026-06-19 · Updated 2026-10-25 · 9 min read · By the Travlys visa team B1/B2, F-1, H-1B — the full 2026 US visa playbook for Indians. DS-160, documents, the 5 missions across India, interview prep and what we do for ₹19,940. ## What category do you actually need? The first decision is the visa category, not the documents. Most Indian applicants fall into one of four buckets: - B1/B2 (Visitor) — tourism, family visit, medical, business meetings, conferences. The default for short stays up to 6 months. - F-1 (Student) — full-time study at an SEVP-certified US institution with a valid I-20 form. F, M and J applicants (and H-1B and H-4 applicants) must set all social media accounts to public before the interview. - H-1B (Specialty Worker) — sponsored employment for roles requiring at least a bachelor's degree, with an approved I-129 petition. - L-1 (Intracompany Transfer) — managers, executives or specialised employees moving to a US office of a multinational. Picking the wrong category is the most expensive mistake — once you file under the wrong route, you pay the MRV fee again to switch. We spend a 20-minute consultation on this before filing. ## The DS-160: where Indian applicants slip up The DS-160 form is the formal US visa application. It is online, 200+ questions, and once submitted it cannot be edited. The barcode confirmation page is what you carry to the interview. Common errors we see on first-time DS-160s: - Date format confusion — DS-160 is MM/DD/YYYY, Indian habit is DD/MM. A wrong DOB on the form is a refusal trigger. - Listing employer addresses without their current operating address, only the registered one. - Naming a US contact who has no genuine connection to the travel purpose. - Photograph dimensions — must be exactly 5cm × 5cm with neutral background and no glasses. - Inconsistent travel history — what is on your passport stamps and what you declare on DS-160 must match exactly. We walk through every answer with you before you submit. There is no fee for editing a DS-160 if you have not paid the MRV yet — we use that window properly. ## Documents that actually matter The official US visa document list is small. What actually decides the interview is everything you bring beyond the minimum. For B1/B2 in particular, the consular officer wants to see: - Bank statements for the last 6 months — not just the balance, but the income flow. - Income Tax Returns for the last 2 financial years. - Employment letter on company letterhead with salary, leave approval, and the dates of your trip. - For self-employed applicants: GST registration, business income statements, and a cover letter explaining the business. - Property ownership documents, fixed deposits, or other proof of ties to India. - Cover letter that walks the officer through your trip: why now, who you are visiting, where you are staying, and when you are returning. ## The 5 US missions in India: where you actually go Indian applicants do not all interview at the same place. Jurisdiction follows your state of residence: - US Embassy New Delhi — Delhi, UP, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, J&K, Ladakh, HP, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh - US Consulate Mumbai — Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, MP, Chhattisgarh - US Consulate Chennai — Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry - US Consulate Kolkata — West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim, NE states - US Consulate Hyderabad — Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha You can book biometrics (VAC) and the interview in two different cities — for example, VAC in Bengaluru and interview in Chennai. We pick the combination with the earliest available date. ## The interview: what 4 minutes actually decide A US visa interview is short — typically 3–5 minutes of questions for B1/B2. The consular officer reads the DS-160 on their screen, asks 4–6 questions, and decides. Documents are rarely opened unless the officer is on the fence. The questions are not random. They probe three things: - Purpose — what are you doing in the US and how long? - Funds — who is paying for the trip and can they show it? - Ties — what brings you back to India? Travlys runs two mock interviews before you walk in — one cold, one polished — so the real one feels familiar. Most Indian applicants who fail do so because they are surprised by basic questions, not because they have a weak file. ## What Travlys does and what it costs Service fee starts at ₹19,940 for B1/B2. This covers DS-160 review and submission, document checklist tailored to your profile, two mock-interview sessions, VAC + embassy appointment booking, and WhatsApp support until decision. You pay the US embassy MRV fee ($185, ~₹18,100 at the current consular rate of ₹98 per dollar) separately to the embassy — that money goes to the US government, not us, and is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Total estimate, including everything: about ₹38,000 for a B1/B2 visa from India. The total is the same whether you live in Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad or anywhere else — there is no location surcharge. ## Frequently asked questions ### How long does a US visa take from India in 2026? B1/B2 interview waits at Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad were roughly 6–12 months in October 2026 and change often. After the interview, B1/B2 stamping is typically issued within 1–2 weeks. We monitor all five consular calendars and book the earliest available slot. ### How much does a US visa cost from India in total? About ₹38,000 end to end: Travlys service fee from ₹19,940 + US embassy MRV fee of $185 (~₹18,100 at the current consular rate of ₹98 per dollar). VAC biometrics and courier are included in our fee. No urgency surcharges, no per-document add-ons. ### Do I need to travel to New Delhi for the interview? Not always. Five US missions handle Indian applicants based on jurisdiction: Embassy New Delhi, and Consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. Your home state decides which centre you go to. Since September 2025 you must also apply in your country of nationality or residence, so if you live in India you cannot book a faster slot in Dubai or Bangkok. ### Can Travlys help if my US visa was refused before? Yes. Send us your 214(b) refusal letter — we review the reason at no cost and tell you whether a re-application is worth filing and what would need to change in your profile or documentation. ## Related guides - DS-160 form: 8 mistakes that cause US visa refusals - Visa consultant vs DIY: when does hiring one make sense? - Visa rejection: 7 reasons Indian applicants get refused (and what to do) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/ds-160-form-mistakes/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # DS-160 form: 8 mistakes that cause US visa refusals Published 2026-06-19 · Updated 2026-10-25 · 7 min read · By the Travlys visa team The DS-160 form is what the consular officer reads first. These 8 mistakes are the most common reasons Indian applicants get refused — every single one is preventable. ## Why the DS-160 matters more than the documents The DS-160 form is what the consular officer reads on their screen during your interview. Most officers do not open your document folder unless something on the DS-160 needs clarification. That means a clean, consistent DS-160 is more important than a thick file of bank statements. Here are the 8 errors we catch most often when Indian applicants come to us after a refusal, in order of frequency. ## 1. Date format confusion (DD/MM vs MM/DD) The DS-160 uses American date format: MM/DD/YYYY. Indians typing on autopilot enter DD/MM and end up declaring a birth date that does not match their passport. A wrong DOB on the form is an instant rejection trigger and very hard to recover from in the interview. ## 2. Inconsistent travel history The officer can see every Schengen, UK, Singapore, UAE and US stamp in your passport. The DS-160 asks for your travel over the past 5 years. Missing a Dubai trip from 2023 because you forgot it tells the officer your declarations are not reliable. Before submission we ask you to walk through your passport page by page and reconcile every stamp against the DS-160 entries. ## 3. Wrong employer address Many Indian companies have a registered office address that is different from where you actually work. The DS-160 asks for "Present Employer" — that is your operating address, not your registered address. Big companies (TCS, Infosys, Wipro) almost never get this wrong, but smaller firms slip up. ## 4. Vague trip purpose Writing "Tourism" as your trip purpose is technically correct but useless. The DS-160 has a free-text field for "Briefly describe purpose of trip" — fill it. Examples that work: "10-day vacation in California and Nevada — Yosemite, Las Vegas, San Francisco. Returning to job at in ." ## 5. Naming a random US contact If you have no genuine US contact, do not invent one. The DS-160 asks for "Contact Person or Organisation in the United States" — listing a hotel front desk or a cousin you have never met raises flags. Leaving it as the hotel you are staying at, with full address, is fine. ## 6. Wrong photograph specs The DS-160 photo must be: - 5cm × 5cm (2" × 2") - Taken within the last 6 months - Plain white or off-white background - No glasses, no head coverings (unless religious) - Neutral expression, both ears visible, eyes open - Digital file under 240 KB, JPEG, 600×600 to 1200×1200 px Indian passport photos taken at corner studios usually fail US specifications. We send you to a vetted photographer or run the spec check ourselves before you upload. ## 7. Skipping the cover letter slot There is no formal cover-letter field on the DS-160, but you can use the "Purpose of trip" and "Anything else you would like to tell us" fields to give context. A complete narrative — who you are, what you do, why this trip, why you are coming back — does the cover letter's job inside the form itself. Officers read it. ## 8. Booking the interview before reviewing the DS-160 with someone Once you submit the DS-160 and pay the MRV fee, the booking clock starts. Most Indian applicants then realise they had an error and have to file again. The 30 minutes you save by not having a consultant review the form costs you weeks of slot waits. ## How we handle it Travlys reviews every DS-160 line by line before submission. We pull the actual data from your documents (passport, employment letter, bank statement) so what is on the form matches what is in your file. If your visa gets refused on a 214(b) clause despite our review, we tell you exactly what to change for re-application — at no extra cost. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I edit a DS-160 after submission? No, you cannot edit a submitted DS-160. You can fill in a new one and submit it, and you do not pay the MRV fee again. If you have already booked, the US Embassy says to bring both the original and the corrected DS-160 confirmation pages to your VAC or drop-off appointment, or reschedule using the new application number. We catch errors before submission. ### How long is a DS-160 confirmation valid? The barcode confirmation page is valid for 30 days. If you do not pay the MRV fee and schedule biometrics within that window, you start fresh. ### Should I list every country I have visited on DS-160? Yes — the last 5 years of travel. Omitting trips that show up on your passport is the fastest way to get a 214(b) refusal. We cross-check your declared travel against your passport stamps before you submit. ## Related guides - US visa from India in 2026: a complete, no-nonsense guide - Visa rejection: 7 reasons Indian applicants get refused (and what to do) - Visa consultant vs DIY: when does hiring one make sense? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/schengen-visa-documents-checklist-2026/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Schengen visa documents checklist for Indians (2026) Published 2026-06-19 · Updated 2026-10-25 · 6 min read · By the Travlys visa team A Schengen visa application is mostly about ticking the right boxes. Here is the 2026 checklist for Indian applicants, plus the 4 documents most people forget to add. ## The core checklist Schengen consulates publish lengthy document lists. After thousands of applications, the actual file we submit looks like this: - Passport — valid for at least 3 months beyond intended return date, with at least 2 blank pages - Schengen visa application form — signed, dated - Photo — taken digitally at the VFS appointment for the Netherlands; if a printed photo is asked for, 35×45 mm, white or light background, no more than 6 months old - Confirmed flight itinerary — round-trip, not actual purchased tickets - Confirmed hotel bookings or invitation letter — for the entire stay - Travel insurance certificate — €30,000+ medical cover, valid for the full Schengen area - Cover letter — explains the purpose, dates and who you are - Bank statements — last 6 months, official, stamped - Income Tax Returns — last 2 financial years - Employment letter — on company letterhead, with leave approval and salary ## The 4 documents most applicants forget Even with the official list in hand, these four trip people up: ### 1. Day-by-day itinerary Not just the cities you are visiting — the dates and accommodation address for each city. A spreadsheet with "Day 1: Amsterdam, Hotel X" through "Day 10: Munich, Hotel Y" shows you have planned the trip. Consulates love this. ### 2. Bank statement stamp Net-banking PDFs you download yourself are acceptable in many cases but rejected by some consulates. Get the bank to stamp and sign the printed statements. Takes 30 minutes at the branch, saves a refusal. ### 3. ITR Acknowledgement (ITR-V), not just the form The ITR you upload is the form. The acknowledgement is a separate one-page PDF stamped by the IT department confirming filing. We need both. ### 4. Insurance certificate, not policy schedule Your insurer sends two PDFs: the policy schedule (long, terms-and-conditions) and the visa certificate (1–2 pages, written in the standard Schengen format). The consulate wants the certificate. The schedule is a backup. ## Why this checklist matters more for Schengen than for other visas Schengen processing is largely a documents check — there is usually no interview for short-stay applications, though the consulate can ask for one. The case is decided on the file alone. Missing one document means a refusal you never get a chance to defend in person. For an applicant with a clean travel history, the Netherlands currently decides a complete Schengen file in about 18–21 calendar days on average (up to 45 in some cases). The same applicant with a missing insurance certificate can be refused, loses the visa fee, and has to file a fresh application. ## What Travlys does Schengen service from ₹2,950. Includes form, cover letter, insurance sourcing, VFS appointment, document QA, and biometrics support. The embassy fee (currently €90, ~₹9,600) is paid separately at VFS. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which Schengen country should I apply to? Apply to the country where you will spend the most days. If days are equal, apply to the country you enter first. For most Indian first-time Schengen applicants, the Netherlands (via Travlys) has cleaner processing than France or Germany in peak season. ### What insurance cover do I need? Schengen rules require travel medical insurance with minimum €30,000 cover, valid across all 29 Schengen states for the full duration of your stay, and explicitly covering repatriation and emergency medical evacuation. Standard Indian travel insurance usually meets this; we double-check. ### Do I need to book flights before applying? No — and you should not. A confirmed itinerary is enough; a dummy ticket or hold-confirmed reservation from a travel agent is acceptable. Buying actual tickets before approval risks the money if the visa is refused. ## Related guides - US visa from India in 2026: a complete, no-nonsense guide - Visa consultant vs DIY: when does hiring one make sense? - Visa rejection: 7 reasons Indian applicants get refused (and what to do) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/visa-consultant-vs-diy/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Visa consultant vs DIY: when does hiring one make sense? Published 2026-06-19 · Updated 2026-10-25 · 5 min read · By the Travlys visa team Honest answer from a visa consultant: there are 5 situations where hiring one pays for itself, and 2 where you genuinely do not need help. Here is how to tell which is which. ## The 5 situations where a consultant earns their fee ### 1. Embassy-stamp visas (US, UK, Canada) These visas have interviews, complex forms, and significant refusal rates. A consultant who has done the route hundreds of times knows what triggers a refusal and what does not. For US, the difference between a ₹19,940 service fee and a ₹18,100 wasted MRV fee on a refusal is obvious math. ### 2. First-time Schengen application without travel history Schengen refusal rates for first-time Indian applicants are around 18%. With a consultant who frames the cover letter and ties properly, that drops to under 5%. The €90 embassy fee is gone either way; the ₹2,950 service fee is the cheap part. ### 3. Previous refusal on record A 214(b) on your US record, or a previous UK refusal, dramatically lowers approval chance on re-application unless something material changes. A consultant tells you what to change and how to frame the re-application. DIY re-applications after refusal are rarely worth attempting. ### 4. Self-employed, freelance or business-owner profiles Salaried applicants have clean income proofs — Form 16, payslips, employer letter. Self-employed applicants have to construct income credibility from GST returns, bank statements and business documents. Consulates often refuse self-employed applications because the narrative is unclear, not because the funds are insufficient. A consultant builds that narrative. ### 5. Tight timeline If you are travelling in 3 weeks and have not started, a consultant who books VFS slots professionally and prepares the file fast is genuinely the difference between catching your trip and missing it. For US visas, though, B1/B2 interview waits in India are currently around 6–12 months, so even a fast file cannot beat the appointment queue unless you qualify for the interview waiver or get an expedited appointment. ## The 2 situations where you genuinely do not need a consultant ### 1. Simple visas (Singapore, UAE) and visa-free trips (Malaysia, Thailand) A UAE tourist e-Visa is a short online form with a passport upload that you can do yourself in about 20 minutes. Malaysia and Thailand need only a free online arrival card for short tourist trips. Singapore is the exception: Indians must apply through an authorised visa agent, so you cannot file it yourself. The Indian agency markup on these is the worst value in visa services. Our pricing for them (₹999 Malaysia, ₹1,950 Thailand) is low because the value is genuinely low — but for many travellers, the convenience is worth it. ### 2. Repeat applicants with strong travel history If you have travelled to 10+ countries, have a valid US/UK visa on your passport, and are applying for a Schengen short-stay, your application file basically writes itself. The risk of refusal is minimal. A consultant adds polish, not protection. ## How to evaluate a consultant if you do hire one Most Indian visa agencies are commission shops. The legitimate ones share four traits: - A flat fee disclosed up-front, separate from embassy fees - No promises of guaranteed approval or "embassy connections" - A real refusal-risk pre-check before they take your money - A single named consultant on your file, not a ticket queue Travlys hits all four. If the agency you are evaluating misses any of them, walk away — there are too many alternatives that do not. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does using a consultant improve approval chances? It depends on the visa. For simple visas such as Singapore or a UAE tourist e-Visa, the answer is essentially no — the application is straightforward. Malaysia and Thailand are currently visa-free for short tourist trips by Indians. For embassy-stamp visas (US, UK, Canada, Schengen) where interviews and detailed financial framing matter, a good consultant materially improves outcomes. Our approval rate across 5,000+ applications is 98%, well above the Indian average for self-applied US visas (75-85%). ### How do consultants get paid? Flat service fee, paid before filing. Travlys fees range from ₹999 (Malaysia eNTRI) to ₹19,940 (US embassy). We do not take commissions from embassies or VFS, and we cannot fast-track government processing — anyone who claims to do that is lying. ## Related guides - US visa from India in 2026: a complete, no-nonsense guide - Visa rejection: 7 reasons Indian applicants get refused (and what to do) - DS-160 form: 8 mistakes that cause US visa refusals ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/dubai-visa-cost-from-india-2026/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Dubai visa cost from India in 2026: 14, 30 or 60-day? Published 2026-06-19 · Updated 2026-10-25 · 4 min read · By the Travlys visa team The Dubai visa "from ₹2,500" headline hides a lot. Here is the real cost of each UAE visa option from India in 2026, plus when each makes sense. ## The 4 Dubai visa options For Indian tourists, UAE's GDRFA issues four tourist visa categories. The difference between them is duration of stay and number of entries: ### 14-day single-entry — ₹2,500 from Travlys For short Dubai or Abu Dhabi trips up to 14 days. Cannot be extended. Single entry: if you leave UAE, the visa expires. Cheapest option, processed in 2-4 working days. ### 30-day single-entry — ₹3,500 from Travlys The most popular UAE category. 30 days of stay, can be extended once at GDRFA Dubai for another 30. Single entry. The right choice for most Indian leisure travellers. ### 30-day multiple-entry — ₹6,500 from Travlys Useful for business travellers going in and out of UAE during a 30-day window. The price jump over single-entry is significant because GDRFA charges more on its side. ### 60-day single-entry — ₹4,500 from Travlys For longer leisure or family trips. 60 days of stay, single entry, extendable by another 60. Worth it for trips longer than 30 days. ## Total cost breakdown Travlys fee + GDRFA government fee = total. GDRFA fees fluctuate slightly with currency; the table below shows the current 2026 numbers: - 14-day single: ₹2,500 Travlys + AED 180 GDRFA (~₹4,100) = ~₹6,600 total - 30-day single: ₹3,500 Travlys + AED 200 + 5% VAT GDRFA (~₹5,400) = ~₹8,900 total - 30-day multiple: ₹6,500 Travlys + AED 300 + 5% VAT GDRFA (~₹8,100) = ~₹14,600 total - 60-day single: ₹4,500 Travlys + AED 300 + 5% VAT GDRFA (~₹8,100) = ~₹12,600 total ## When each makes sense The choice is driven by trip length and entries. Some guidance: - Weekend Dubai stop (3-5 days): 14-day single-entry, no question - Standard 1-week or 2-week leisure: 30-day single-entry - Family trip with kids, 4+ weeks: 60-day single-entry - Business travel into UAE and back from a connecting country during the same month: 30-day multiple-entry - Frequent flier who visits UAE 3+ times a year: ask us about the 90-day multiple-entry category, priced separately ## What Travlys handles For all categories: application drafting, photograph review, GDRFA submission via approved channel, query handling if GDRFA asks for clarifications, and PDF visa email delivered to your inbox in 2-4 working days. We file enough Dubai visas to know which document combinations clear instantly and which trigger queries. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which Dubai visa do I need for a 4-day trip? The 14-day single-entry e-Visa. Cheapest option, plenty of buffer over 4 days. The 30-day is overkill and costs more for no benefit. ### Can I extend a Dubai visa once I am there? A 30-day or 60-day tourist visa can be extended once for the same duration, at GDRFA Dubai. The 14-day cannot be extended. We tell you this before you choose so you do not get caught short. ### Why are some Dubai visa portals so cheap? Some travel-portal "Dubai visa" prices are misleading. They show only the GDRFA government fee and bury the markup in surcharges or "express" fees. Travlys quotes the full price up-front so you can actually compare. ## Related guides - US visa from India in 2026: a complete, no-nonsense guide - Schengen visa documents checklist for Indians (2026) - Visa consultant vs DIY: when does hiring one make sense? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ URL: https://travlys.com/blog/visa-rejection-reasons-india/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ # Visa rejection: 7 reasons Indian applicants get refused (and what to do) Published 2026-06-19 · Updated 2026-10-25 · 6 min read · By the Travlys visa team Visa refusals are almost never random. Here are the 7 reasons we see most often when Indian applicants come to us after a rejection, and what to fix before you re-apply. ## Refusals are almost never random When a visa is refused, the official refusal letter often gives a clause number (214(b) for US, paragraph reference for UK) but rarely explains the actual reason in detail. After 5,000+ applications, we have seen patterns. Here are the 7 most common. ## 1. Insufficient or unclear financial sufficiency Most common cause across US, UK, Canada and Schengen. The officer is not just checking the balance — they are checking the income flow. A salary credit pattern in your bank statements is far more convincing than a one-time lump sum deposit three weeks before applying. Fix: wait until you have at least 6 months of clean salary credits showing in the bank statement, with no suspicious large deposits. Provide ITRs to back up the income. ## 2. Weak ties to India For visitor visas, the officer needs to believe you will return home. Single, young applicants with no spouse, no property, no children and a short employment history are the hardest to convince. There is nothing wrong with this profile — it just needs to be framed correctly. Fix: include everything that anchors you to India — family responsibilities (ageing parents, siblings), property documents, fixed deposits, employer letter mentioning your role and tenure. The cover letter should explicitly address what you are returning for. ## 3. Inconsistent documentation Salary on the employer letter says ₹85,000; bank statement shows ₹75,000 credit; DS-160 says ₹90,000. Three different numbers for the same thing. The officer notices. Fix: before filing, lay every number side by side. Salary on letter, salary in bank, salary on Form 16, salary on DS-160 — should all match. If they do not match for legitimate reasons (variable pay, bonus, allowances), explain in the cover letter. ## 4. Itinerary that does not make sense Planning to spend 2 days in Paris and 12 days in Romania for a Schengen tourist visa raises questions. Romania has been a full Schengen member since January 2025, so with 12 days there you should be applying to Romania, not France, and the time distribution does not match a typical leisure trip. Officers know what genuine tourism looks like. Fix: build an itinerary you could actually defend in conversation. Time in cities should match what a tourist would do — 3 days for a major city, 1-2 days for a smaller stop. ## 5. Travel history mismatch You declare no Schengen travel on your DS-160 but your passport has a 2024 Spain stamp. You forgot, but the officer sees both. The forgotten stamp is the refusal. Fix: before submitting any form, list every country and date from your passport stamps. Cross-reference with the form. Always declare what is on the passport. ## 6. Wrong visa category Applying for a B1/B2 to attend a conference is wrong if the conference includes paid training. Applying for a tourist visa to attend your sister's wedding when you have an invitation letter mentioning the wedding is fine, but framing matters. Fix: match the visa category to the actual purpose, and frame the purpose so it matches the category. The category decision is the most important one we make in your consultation. ## 7. Interview answers contradict the form You wrote "10-day trip to California" on DS-160. In the interview you say "around 2-3 weeks". The officer sees the inconsistency and weighs the form, not your verbal answer. Fix: memorise key facts from the form — exact dates, exact purpose, exact employer details — before the interview. We rehearse this in our mock interviews. ## When to re-apply After a refusal, three things matter: - Why you were refused (specific reason, not just clause number) - What has changed in your profile since the refusal - How the next file will look different from the last one If none of these have changed, do not file. Save the embassy fee. If something material has changed (new job, ITR with higher income, property purchase, spouse, completed studies abroad), file with the changes highlighted. ## What we do Send us your refusal letter — we review it at no cost and tell you which of the 7 reasons applies, what to change, and whether re-application is worth filing. Honest assessment, no pressure to file with us afterwards. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can a refused visa be re-applied immediately? Yes, you can re-apply the next day. But unless something material has changed in your profile or documentation, you will likely be refused again. We tell you whether re-application is worth filing or whether you should wait for a profile change. ### Does a visa refusal affect future applications? It is on your record forever — every future visa form will ask about it and you must declare it. But a single refusal does not permanently disqualify you. Many of our clients with prior refusals are now on their second, third or tenth approved visa. ## Related guides - US visa from India in 2026: a complete, no-nonsense guide - DS-160 form: 8 mistakes that cause US visa refusals - Visa consultant vs DIY: when does hiring one make sense?