Indians travelling abroad in 2026 face a dramatically transformed landscape. Europe is going fully digital, U.S. visa costs are nearly tripling, and India is modernizing border controls. These immigration updates for Indian travellers will impact millions planning international trips next year.
Europe Eliminates Passport Stamps, Goes Biometric
The European Union launched its Entry/Exit System (EES) on 12 October 2025, marking the end of passport stamping at Schengen borders. By April 10, 2026, the system will operate across all 29 checkpoints, according to Outlook Traveller.
Indian travellers will have their fingerprints and facial biometrics captured upon their first entry into Europe. All subsequent crossings will be verified digitally. This change streamlines processing while enhancing security.
Schengen Visas Turn Digital
By 2026, the familiar visa sticker will disappear entirely. These updated Schengen visas will introduce secure digital barcodes linked to passport chips instead.
Gulf News reported: “Instead of the usual rectangular Schengen visa sticker pasted into your passport, travellers will now receive a secure barcode-based visa in digital format.”
France piloted the system during the 2024 Paris Olympics, issuing 70,000 digital barcodes. The full rollout launches simultaneously across all Schengen states in 2026. Additionally, Indians with solid travel history are now eligible for two-year and five-year multiple-entry visas under the cascade scheme, according to Lexology.
U.S. Visa Costs Jump to ₹40,000
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The biggest financial shock in travel updates for Indians in 2026 comes from America. A mandatory “Visa Integrity Fee” of $250 takes effect January 2026, nearly tripling total visa costs.
President Trump signed the measure on July 4, 2025. The fee applies to B-1/B-2 (tourist/business), F-1 (student), H-1B (work), and J-1 (exchange visitor) visas. Only diplomatic visas remain exempt.
These visa cost changes for Indians are substantial. Total B-1/B-2 visa costs will jump from approximately ₹16,000 to around ₹40,000, according to Business Today. The current $185 visa fee, combined with the new $250 Visa Integrity Fee and $24 I-94 form fee, totals approximately $459.
The fee is technically refundable if travellers exit within five days of visa expiry without extensions. However, this requires active filing with departure proof. Meanwhile, interview-waiver options have tightened, forcing more applicants into in-person interviews.
ETIAS Pre-Authorization Coming Late 2026
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) launches in late 2026, adding pre-screening requirements similar to the U.S. ESTA system. The system will determine security risks before travellers board Europe-bound flights.
India Speeds Up Domestic Immigration
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India’s Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) now operates at 13 major airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the program in June 2024, later expanding to Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Kozhikode, and Amritsar.
After online registration at ftittp.mha.gov.in and biometric enrollment, Indian citizens and OCI cardholders clear immigration in as little as 30 seconds through automated e-gates. The service is completely free and valid for five years or until passport expiry.
“Approximately 3 lakh travellers have registered on this portal, of which 2.65 lakh have utilized it during travel,” Shah said, per the Press Information Bureau.
What Travellers Should Know
U.S.-bound travellers should apply for visas before January 2026 to avoid the new ₹21,000 fee. European travellers must prepare for biometric collection at borders. First-time Schengen visitors should allow extra immigration time.
Frequent flyers should register for FTI-TTP immediately, as processing takes 15 to 30 days. All travellers must ensure their passports have a minimum of six months’ validity.
While Europe’s digital transformation promises efficiency, American visa costs present significant barriers. Staying informed and planning ahead will be crucial for navigating these sweeping changes.
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*Banner photo by Varad Murti on Unsplash
