US Visa Fee Hike, GCC Visa, Digital Nomad Visas: All The Latest Updates For Indian Travellers | Travel

By Pune Media On Jul 27, 2025

US Visa Fee Hike, GCC Visa, Schengen To Get Costlier: All The Latest Visa Updates For Indian Travellers

Planning an international trip soon? Whether you’re a student, a remote worker, or a leisure traveller, 2025 has brought major visa changes that could impact your travel plans. From new visa-free countries to digital nomad opportunities and stricter US policies, here’s a breakdown of the most important updates Indian passport holders should know about.

Indian Passport Gets Stronger: Ranked 77th Globally

Good news for Indian travellers! Indian Passport has improved its ranking according to Henley Passport Index, and have moved up to the 77th place, its highest in years. This is because India now has visa free access to 59 countries around the world, making travel far more accessible than it was before.

US Introduces $250 Visa Integrity Fee

Heads up if you’re planning to travel to the United States. A new USD 250 “visa integrity fee” will be added to existing visa costs starting as early as October 1, 2025. This means the total cost for an Indian tourist or student visa could go up to USD 473 (approx. ₹41,000).

Social Media Screening For US Student Visas

Applying for a student visa to the US? You’ll now be required to provide social media handles from the past five years. Deleting posts or deactivating accounts before applying may raise red flags. This is part of a broader vetting process for student applicants.

New Zealand’s New Visa Lets Indians Host Their Parents For Up To 10 Years

The Parent Boost Visa, which is a long-stay visitor visa, was recently announced by the New Zealand government. It opens for applications from September 29, 2025, and offers parents a multiple-entry visa with a generous stay period. With this visa, parents will now be able to stay in NZ for up to 5 years initially. Post that they’ll have to apply again for a 5-year extension.

GCC Grand Visa: Explore 6 Gulf Countries With One Visa

If the Middle East is on your travel bucket list, keep an eye on the upcoming GCC Grand Tours Visa, a Schengen-style visa for the Gulf which will let you visit countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait using a single visa. It is expected to be launch by the end of 2025 or early 2026.

Palau Is Now Visa-Free For Indians

Palau Is Now Visa-Free for Indians

Tucked away in the Pacific, the Republic of Palau is offering visa-free entry to Indian citizens for short stays of up to 30 days. Though there are no direct flights, Palau is accessible via Singapore, Taipei, Seoul, or Manila.

The Philippines Also Offers Visa-Free Entry

Indian travellers can now visit the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days for tourism. And if you hold a valid visa or permanent residency from countries like the USA, Japan, or any Schengen country, you can enjoy a 30-day visa-free stay.

New Zealand Visitor Visa Now Allows Remote Work

From January 27, 2025, New Zealand has been allowing remote work for up to 90 days on a standard visitor visa. As long as tourism remains your primary purpose, remote work for a foreign employer is now permitted—perfect for digital nomads or freelancers.

South Africa Cuts Visa Time To 3 Days For Group Tours

South Africa’s new Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) is a game-changer. Registered Indian tour operators can now submit group visa applications directly, reducing the processing time to just three days. A faster visa process could mean more Indian tourists heading to South Africa’s wildlife parks and vibrant cities.

Slovenia’s Digital Nomad Visa Launches November 2025

Slovenia, the hidden gem of Europe, is launching a digital nomad visa on November 21, 2025. It allows Indian remote workers to live and work in the country for up to one year (non-renewable). You can even bring your family! A six-month cooling-off period is required before reapplying.

India Reopens E-Tourist Visas For Chinese Nationals As China Restarts Kailash Mansarovar Yatra

India Reopens E-Tourist Visas For Chinese Nationals

After a five-year pause, India has resumed tourist e-visas for Chinese citizens as of July 2025. This move is expected to improve India-China tourism and business ties, and could boost arrivals to popular spiritual and heritage destinations like Bodh Gaya, Delhi, and Agra.

Germany’s Freelance Visa For Independent Indian Professionals

If you’re a freelancer or consultant, Germany’s Freelance Visa could be a gateway to working in Europe. It allows Indian citizens to live and work independently for up to one year, with the possibility of extension.

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