Visa Friday — Global Visa Updates Indians Must Know | 5 Sep 2025

1) United States — Visa Integrity Fee ($250)

What happened: Congress included a $250 ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ in DHS appropriations for 2025. Thefee is legislated to start 1 Oct 2025.

Important — what Indians should know right now:

• There is no immediate change to your visa interview process or MRV payment flow until federal agencies publish implementing guidance. The fee is not payable at the consulate / CGI / VFS / USTravelDocs right now.
• Expect the Department of State or DHS to publish a rule or guidance detailing who pays, when it's collected (online, at stamping, or later), and refund/waiver rules.
• If you have a booked appointment or travel in Sept 2025 — do not pre-pay anything claiming to be the new fee unless it is on an official government page.

Practical steps for Indians planning US travel (now → Oct 2025):

1. Continue paying the MRV/visa fees as usual. Keep receipts.
2. Monitor official U.S. government pages (DOS, DHS) and trustedtravel-advisory pages for the collection mechanism.
3. If you have urgent travel after 1 Oct 2025, have a small contingencyfor the extra fee (USD 250) but do not pay to third parties thatclaim ‘expedited’ collection unless verified.

NOTE: The Visa Integrity Fee has been legislated but collectionprocedures are pending. We will update this post and provide step‑by‑step payment links once the Department of State/DHS publish theofficial rule.

2) Europe — EES goes live (Oct 2025) — what to expect

What is EES? The EU Entry/Exit System replacespassport stamping at external Schengen borders with an automatedsystem that captures a traveller’s biometric data (fingerprints andfacial image) and travel document details on first entry and recordsexit.

Why this matters for Indians:

• If you hold a Schengen visa, you will be biometrically enrolled the first time you enter the Schengen area after EES goes live.
• Border processing will likely be slower for the first few months — arrive earlier for flights connecting through Schengen countries.

Tips:

• Keep additional time for immigration, especially at major hubs.
• Carry supporting documents (hotel, return ticket, travel medical insurance) in clear order — while EES is automatic, officers may still ask questions.

3) Southeast Asia — wins for Indian travellers

Malaysia — visa‑free (extended)

• Status: Visa‑free entry for Indian passport holders extended to 31 Dec 2026. Maximum stay: 30 days.
• Requirement: Submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) at least 3 days before arrival.
• Tip: Carry printed confirmation of MDAC, return ticket, and proof of funds.

Philippines — expanded visa‑free from 8 Jun 2025

Status: Indians allowed visa‑freeentry under either:

• 14 days (standard tourist allowance for all Indian nationals), or
• 30 days if you hold a valid visa or residence permit from US / Schengen / UK / Australia / Canada / Japan / Singapore.

Tip: If you hold one of the qualifying visas, present both your passport and the qualifying visa/residence document for the extended stay.

Sri Lanka — ETA policy continued

Status: Indians continue to benefit from a free ETA (up to one month, double entry) until further notice. Apply via official e-visa portals.

4) Australia — student visa test expansion (from 7 Aug 2025)

What changed: Australia expanded the list of accepted English proficiency tests for student visa applicants, easing access for some Indian students.

What remains: Student visa financial, Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) and Genuine Student (GS) requirements remain important; prepare bank statements and supporting documents well ahead of your CAS or COE.

Student tip: Confirm which English tests your chosen university accepts and plan to take the test at least 6–8 weeks before lodging the visa application.

5) Quick notes — Gulf, Canada, Japan, New Zealand

• UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Oman: Policies vary by passport and by whether you hold third‑country visas/residence. UAE has VoA options for Indians with valid US/UK/EU residency or visas.
• Canada: No India‑specific policy change in 2025 — standard TRV rules apply. eTA is not generally applicable unless you qualify through a US visa. Check IRCC for processing times.
• Japan: Japan e‑visa options are active for many short‑term visitors — check the Japanese embassy site for your city.
• New Zealand: Indians generally require a visa; NZeTA does not replace the visa for Indian passport holders.

8) Resources & further reading

• Do Indians pay $250 USA Visa Integrity Fee
• US Tourist Visa — Global Visa Internationals
• Europe — Tourist Visa
• Australia — Tourist/Student Visa

Final Word: The U.S. Visa Integrity Fee feels less like integrity — and more like a Trump-style visa tax on Indians.
Choose Global Visa Internationals for transparent, ethical, and result-oriented visa services.