Travel rules for Indian passengers seem to change almost every month — a new refund window here, a facial-recognition gate there, a visa waiver somewhere else. This roundup pulls together the most talked-about updates as of the latest position, in plain language. Please treat every point below as a starting point rather than the final word: airlines, airports and foreign governments revise their rules constantly, so always confirm the current position before you book or fly. If in doubt, our team can check the latest for you so you are never caught out.
DGCA's passenger-friendly cancellation and refund rules
As of the latest update, India's aviation regulator (the DGCA) is understood to offer a 48-hour free cancellation or change window after booking — reported to apply when a domestic flight is roughly 7 or more days away, and an international flight roughly 15 or more days away — along with faster refund timelines. The exact thresholds and fine print can differ by airline and fare type, so do verify the current rules before you rely on them. We break the detail down in our new DGCA flight cancellation and refund rules guide, and our flight booking desk in Surat can confirm what applies to your specific ticket.
DigiYatra facial-recognition boarding is expanding
DigiYatra, the paperless facial-recognition boarding system, continues to expand across major Indian airports and, as of the latest update, is reported to cover international transfers at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, with more airports being added over time. It remains voluntary and the rollout details keep evolving, so check whether your departure airport supports it before you travel. Our DigiYatra guide for Indian travellers walks through enrolment, and our travel services team in Surat is happy to talk you through it.
Thailand: visa-free entry for Indian tourists
As of the latest update, Thailand continues to offer visa-free entry for Indian tourists for stays of up to roughly 60 days. This is exactly the sort of rule that can change at short notice, so please verify the current position before you book flights or make non-refundable plans. You can read more in our Thailand visa update for Indians, and if you would rather not second-guess the paperwork, our visa agents in Surat will confirm what you need.
France: no more Airport Transit Visa for many Indian passengers
As of 2026, France is reported to no longer require an Airport Transit Visa for Indian passport holders transiting airside to a non-Schengen onward flight — a welcome change for travellers connecting through Paris. Transit rules are notoriously nuanced and depend on your exact routing, connecting terminal and onward destination, so please verify your specific journey before booking. Our transit visa guide for Indian travellers covers the common scenarios, and we can double-check your itinerary end to end.
South Korea: group visa fee waiver extended
As of the latest update, South Korea has reportedly extended a group visa fee waiver for Indian travellers, said to run into 2027. Eligibility conditions, group sizes and processing steps can vary, so treat this as an update to confirm rather than a guarantee — verify the current rules before you count on it. Keep an eye on our travel advisory updates for Indian travellers, and our team can tell you whether your trip qualifies.
India: electronic and advance customs baggage declaration
As of the latest update, India has moved towards electronic, advance customs baggage declaration, allowing eligible travellers to declare dutiable or restricted goods before they land rather than only at the red channel. The process and thresholds continue to evolve, so verify the current requirements before you travel — especially if you are carrying gold, high-value electronics or gifts. Our India customs baggage declaration guide explains what to declare and how.
Frequently asked questions
How reliable are these rules? Each point above is presented as of the latest update, but rules genuinely change from week to week. Please treat this roundup as a prompt to verify, not as legal or immigration advice — and let us confirm the current position for your trip via our travel services in Surat.
Do I still need travel insurance if a country is visa-free? Yes — visa-free entry does not remove the need for medical cover, trip protection or proof of funds. Our travel insurance guide for Indian travellers explains why, and our travel insurance desk in Surat can sort a policy for you.
Where can I read more about changing airline rules? Our airline flight rules update for Indian travellers keeps track of the moving parts on the aviation side, from refunds to boarding.
Rules will keep shifting, but you do not have to track them alone. Tell us where you are headed and we will confirm the latest visa, transit, customs and airline position before you commit — get in touch with Explera Vacations or browse our tour packages from Surat to start planning with confidence.
