Indian passport visa-free destinations remain a key travel option even after India slipped two places to 80th in a July update of the Henley Passport Index. Indian citizens still have access to 56 destinations through visa-free entry, visa on arrival or electronic travel authorization, according to the access categories cited in the update. Indian passport visa-free destinations remain open The easier tra

Thailand’s 60-day visa-free entry for Indian travelers remains in effect despite Thailand’s approval of wider immigration changes. The Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi states that Indian ordinary passport holders may continue entering Thailand without a visa for tourism and short-term business stays of up to 60 days until a further announcement. and visa-free entry for Indians remains active

An Indian executive’s account of India immigration delays has renewed debate over airport staffing, manual document checks and the use of automated border technology. Venkat Patakota, group chief financial officer of A-Sunmarine Engineering, said in a post on X that one immigration process in India took about 45 minutes, compared with less than a minute in Singapore. India immigration delays prompt traveler debate Patakota sa

A US traveler stranded in Dubai reportedly waited about a week after an India entry update failed to arrive during her journey, according to a social media account. The woman had been traveling from the United States to meet her fiancé’s family in India and was said to have completed the required e-arrival or pre-arrival application before departure. US Traveler Stranded in Dubai: What the Account Says The expected confirmation did not arrive while sh

Indian residents filed 1,153,748 Schengen short-stay visa applications in 2025, and 181,111 did not result in a uniform visa, according to European Commission data published on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Under the Commission’s methodology, India’s non-issuance rate was 15.8%, compared with a global refusal rate of 14.6%. India was the world’s third-largest source of Schengen visa applications, behind China and Türkiye. A total of 966,529 uniform visas were issued to applicants f

The Canada World Cup visa refusal rate for Indians reached about 71%, with only 355 of 1,225 FIFA 2026-related visitor visa applications approved, according to data attributed to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The figures cover applications processed from Saturday, November 15, 2025, through Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Canada processed nearly 17,000 visitor visa applications linked to the tournament during that period and approved

Four July 1, 2026 travel rule changes will affect tourists, business visitors, transit passengers and employer-sponsored workers in the United States, Japan, Vietnam and Australia. The measures include an optional expedited U.S. visa interview fee, higher Japanese visa charges, a Vietnamese health declaration and increased Australian sponsored-work salary thresholds. The rules take effect on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, but eligibility differs by country. What the Jul

New Delhi, June 26: Passport applicants in India will have to pay higher fees from July 1, 2026, as the government has revised charges for fresh passports, reissues and replacement of lost or damaged passports. Under the revised rules, a fresh or reissued ordinary 36-page passport will cost Rs 2,500, while the Tatkal fee for the same category has been increased to Rs 5,000.                  

India has moved the registration deadline forward for certain foreign nationals who plan to remain in the country beyond 180 days. Under amendments to the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, published in the Official Gazette on Monday, June 1, 2026, affected visitors must register before the 180-day period expires. Who must register before the 180-day deadline The amended rule applies to foreign nationals entering India on visas valid for 180 days or

France is experiencing an intense heat surge that has pushed temperatures across several regions to dangerous levels, placing large parts of the country under the highest weather alert category. Authorities have warned that the current conditions are among the most severe in recent years, with urban areas like Paris feeling the strongest impact due to dense infrastructure and limited night-time cooling. Paris tourism slows as conditions become unsafe Tourist activity in Paris has taken a noticeable hit as extreme heat makes outdoor movement difficult during peak hours. Visitors are shortening itineraries, avoiding long walking routes, and shifting to indoor attractions wherever possible. Public spaces remain crowded, but activity is largely concentrated in shaded areas and air-conditioned venues as people try to avoid prolonged exposure. Major landmarks adjust operations due to heat stress Several iconic sites have been forced to modify schedules in response to the heat conditions. The Eiffel Tower has adjusted operating hours, closing earlier than usual to reduce visitor risk during peak temperatures. The Louvre Museum has also shifted to reduced visiting hours, prioritizing safety for both staff and tourists. Other regional attractions have issued advisories urging travelers to delay or reschedule visits until conditions improve. Weather pattern driving the extreme temperatures Meteorologists attribute the heat surge to a stalled atmospheric pattern that is trapping warm air over Western Europe. This system is reinforced by hot air moving in from North Africa, intensifying the temperature spike across France. Combined with stagnant wind conditions, the heat is persisting longer than typical summer peaks, limiting overnight cooling and increasing strain on infrastructure. Climate trend raising frequency of extreme heat events Experts note that Europe is warming faster than many other regions globally, contributing to more frequent and intense heat episodes. France is increasingly experiencing prolonged summer heat events that disrupt transport, tourism, and daily routines. The current situation highlights how rising baseline temperatures are turning what were once rare extremes into recurring seasonal challenges.

Fashion Outlets of Chicago has been named the best outlet mall near O’Hare in a national ranking of shopping centers across the United States. The Rosemont, Illinois, destination earned the No. 1 position for its combination of outlet stores, dining, entertainment, contemporary art and convenient access for Chicago-area residents and airport travelers. Why the Best Outlet Mall Near O’Hare Ranked First The two-level, 530,000-square-foot shop

Chicago Midway airport food has become more varied, giving travelers local dining options beyond basic fast food before boarding a flight. For passengers looking for where to eat at Midway Airport, the current lineup includes Chicago-linked names, comfort food, burgers, fried chicken, Italian beef and made-to-order sushi. Chicago Midway Airport Food Options With Local Flavor Midway still has familiar quick-service choices, but

Spiti Valley, located in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, is a remote Himalayan region near the Tibet/China border. Known as the “Middle Land,” Spiti Valley is a high-altitude cold desert with barren mountains, dramatic cliffs, blue skies, ancient monasteries, and small villages. Its unique landscape offers adventure, stargazing, and a spiritual Himalayan experience, making it a rare destination for travelers seeking raw and silent beauty. The valley is famous for its ce

Valley of Flowers National Park in Uttarakhand is a protected Himalayan valley famous for its colorful flowers, rare wildlife and peaceful mountain views. Located in Chamoli district, it is part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Valley of Flowers trek is popular because it combines nature, adventure, culture and conservation in one journey. For first-time visitors, it is important to know the best season, route, rules and ecological value before

Ladakh’s Hidden Geothermal Landscape Puga Valley, located in the Changthang region of eastern Ladakh, is one of India’s most unusual natural landscapes. Set within a high-altitude cold desert, the valley is known for steaming hot springs, bubbling mud pools, sulfur deposits and mineral-rich wetlands. Unlike Ladakh’s more crowded tourist routes, Puga offers a raw geological experience where visible geot

Union Pacific’s Big Boy 4014 will make several Ohio stops in June and July 2026, including a free public display in Fostoria, as part of its America 250 coast-to-coast steam tour. Big Boy 4014 is known as the world’s largest operating steam locomotive. Union Pacific says the 2026 tour marks the locomotive’s first trip to the East Coast and includes several whistle stops across Ohio. Big Boy 4014 Ohio whistle stops All Ohio times are liste

IndiGo has temporarily paused flights to six international destinations as it adjusts its overseas network amid weaker demand, higher costs and airspace-related pressure.   IndiGo Pauses Select Overseas Flights IndiGo has announced a temporary suspension of flights to six international destinations, affecting travellers planning trips to parts of Southeast Asia and China. The airline will stop services to Langkawi, Krabi,

Heightened Travel Advisories for Middle East The United States has issued a renewed travel advisory covering 14 countries in the Middle East, citing elevated regional tensions and a rapidly changing security situation. Embassies in the region warned American citizens to remain vigilant amid ongoing instability affecting travel conditions. According to the US Department of State, the security envi

American Airlines is temporarily suspending six late-summer routes as rising jet fuel costs continue to pressure U.S. airline schedules. The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier has adjusted select service for August and September, saying affected passengers will be offered alternative travel arrangements or refunds. The airline has said the changes are temporary and do not represent permanent route cuts. American Airlines August September Route Suspensions

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most famous monuments in the world and stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. This statue of liberty history begins with a gift from France to the United States, but its meaning is much bigger than a gift. It is a symbol of freedom, democracy, hope and immigration. For visitors, the statue of liberty location is important because it stands near Ellis Island, where millions of immigrants once arrived in America. Today, the site remains a major tourist