Europe & Schengen Visa News
Visa and entry news from across Europe — Schengen visa rules, the EES and ETIAS rollout, UK visa and ETA changes, digital visa portals, and country-specific updates.
India e-Passport Launch: What Indian Travelers Must Know
India has launched chip-based e-passports under Passport Seva Programme 2.0, with 544 service centres now operational across India.
Jun 25, 2026
India Restores Long-Duration Tourist Visa for Schengen
India restored all long-duration tourist visas and multi-year e-Tourist visas on 23 June 2026. Here is what Schengen-based Indian travelers need to know.
Jun 25, 2026 Schengen EES Biometric System: What Indian Travelers Must Know
Rome-Fiumicino joined the Schengen EES biometric rollout on 23 June 2026, adding fingerprint and facial scan requirements for Indian first-time visitors.
Jun 25, 2026
UK Electronic Travel Authorisation Fee Increases 25% for Indian Traveler
UK ETA fee rises from £16 to £20 effective April 9, 2026. Indian travelers now face higher costs for transit connections through British airports.
Apr 9, 2026 Europe EES System Becomes Mandatory for Indians from April 10
Europe's Entry/Exit System ends flexibility for delays from April 10, 2026. All Indian travelers must complete biometric registration with wait times.
Apr 7, 2026 Italy Launches Digital Schengen Visa Portal June 2026
Italy launches fully digital Schengen visa system from June 1, 2026. Indians can apply online without embassy visits — first Schengen country to go paperless.
Mar 20, 2026 UK Visa Fees Rise 6-7% from April 8, 2026
UK increases visa fees by 6-7% from April 8, 2026, with Skilled Worker visa now ₹67,300, Student visa ₹45,800, and Visit visa at ₹11,100.
Mar 20, 2026
Greece Tech Talent Visa and EU Blue Card 2026
Greece launches Tech and Talent visas from February 6, 2026, with 3-year EU Blue Card validity and new pathways for Indian tech professionals.
Mar 18, 2026 Italy Requires 2-Month Advance MICE Visa Booking
Italy now mandates MICE and group visa applications reach consulates 2 months in advance, affecting Bangalore jurisdiction including Chennai and Hyderabad.
Mar 9, 2026 UK Introduces Visa Brake System and Stricter Salary Rules
UK publishes new Immigration Rules on 6 March 2026 with Visa Brake mechanism and mandatory salary thresholds every pay period for Indian Skilled Workers.
Mar 8, 2026 Europe Jobs for Indians: €135,000 STEM Roles Open
STEM professionals can earn up to €135,000 annually in Europe as job vacancies reach 2.5%, with Germany offering over 1 million visa-sponsored roles.
Mar 6, 2026 UK Launches Anti-Fraud Campaign in 4 Haryana Districts
British High Commission expands visa fraud crackdown to four Haryana districts. Campaign warns against fake 'no IELTS' and guaranteed visa schemes.
Feb 27, 2026 UK eVisa for Indians: Airlines Can Now Refuse Boarding
UK's digital border system now allows airlines to refuse boarding passengers without eVisa or ETA. New rules affect all Indian travelers to Britain.
Feb 26, 2026 France Visa-Free Airport Transit for Indians Starts 2026
France announces visa-free airport transit for Indians during Macron's Delhi visit, with a six-month pilot starting Q2 2026 and 30,000 student goal.
Feb 23, 2026 Spain Digital Nomad Visa Tops Global Rankings 2026
Spain ranked world's #1 digital nomad destination with 32,000 visas issued since 2023. Indians earning ₹30 lakh annually can access 3-year EU residency.
Feb 23, 2026 UK Scraps Physical Visa Stickers for Indians—Digital e-Visas Start February 25
UK replaces physical visa stickers with digital e-Visas for Indian travelers from Feb 25. Airlines will verify digital status at check-in; no re-application needed.
Feb 21, 2026 Greece Visa Centres Reopen Across India After 2-Month Cyber Outage
All Greece visa application centres in India resume operations today after cyber-related shutdown. Indian travelers can now apply for Schengen visas again.
Feb 12, 2026 UK Opens 3,000 Work Visa Slots for Indians: 48-Hour Application Window Starts February 17
UK's India Young Professionals Scheme opens February 17-19 with 3,000 two-year work visas for Indians aged 18-30. No employer sponsorship required.
Feb 11, 2026
Skip The UK This Valentine's: 6 Visa-Free Countries You Can Visit Today
Planning last-minute Valentine's travel? Forget lengthy UK visa processes. These 6 destinations welcome Indian passport holders without prior visas.
Feb 10, 2026
Schengen Visa Goes Digital in 2026: New Online System, Same ₹9,600 Fee
Schengen visa applications move online with 15-day minimum processing from 2026. Digital platform launches but biometrics still required at VFS centres.
Feb 8, 2026Albania Opens Easier Entry for Indian Travelers Without Schengen Visa
Albania offers Indian passport holders an alternative European destination without needing a Schengen visa
Jan 26, 2026Russian Study Visa Guide for Indian Students - Application Process Simplified
Complete step-by-step guide helps Indian students navigate Russian study visa application process.
Jan 17, 2026Germany Allows Visa-Free Transit for Indian Passport Holders - New Travel Rules Explained
Germany introduces visa-free transit provisions for Indian passport holders, making connecting flights through German airports more convenient.
Jan 15, 2026UK Expands HPI Visa to Top 100 Global Universities
UK High Potential Individual visa now open to graduates from top 100 universities worldwide
Nov 4, 2025Indians Now Eligible for 5-Year Schengen Visas
New cascade system rewards frequent Indian travelers with 2-year and 5-year multi-entry Schengen visas
Nov 1, 2025EU Entry/Exit System Launches - No More Passport Stamps
New biometric system replaces passport stamps at Schengen borders - full rollout by April 2026
Oct 20, 2025 Digital Schengen Visa Launches for Indian Travelers
EU launches all-digital Schengen visa - apply from your phone, no more passport stickers
Oct 12, 2025