Travel News July 2025: Major Visa Shifts, Airline Alerts & Top Tourist Openings This Month

Travel News Updates: 

Everything You Need to Know This Month. Welcome to your one-stop source for the latest travel news. Whether you’re planning an international trip or checking domestic travel alerts, this article brings you real-time updates on flight delays, visa policies, weather warnings, tourism trends, and safety advisories.

From Schengen visa delays to budget airline launches, we update this space daily to help you travel smarter and safer in 2025. I faced a 40-day delay in my France visa in June — trust me, applying early and double-checking your documents is more crucial than ever!

Global Travel Headlines – What’s Changing Right Now?  

Flight Cancellations and Rescheduling (Air India, Emirates) Air India has canceled 18 international flights this week due to aircraft maintenance issues.

Heads up! Emirates has rescheduled select Dubai-Europe routes due to staff shortages. Travelers are being offered free rebooking.

Countries Reopening for Tourism Japan and South Korea have lifted all COVID-19-related entry requirements as of July 1, 2025.

Morocco and Vietnam have resumed tourist visas for vaccinated travelers with negative RT-PCR reports (within 72 hours).

New Visa Requirements & Immigration Updates UK Visa Update: 

Processing time has been extended to 20 working days due to summer demand.

France and Germany report long appointment delays for Schengen visas. Travelers are encouraged to apply 6–8 weeks ahead. Check our full Schengen visa guide for time-saving tips and a documents checklist.

UAE introduces a 5-year multi-entry tourist visa for Indian citizens.

Popular Destinations: What’s Open, Safe & Trending Europe Summer Travel – 

Schengen Visa Delays: Visa appointment delays in many European consulates now stretch up to 45 days.

Many embassies are short-staffed due to the summer holidays, so early planning is critical.

🇮🇩 Bali, Thailand & Japan – Entry Rules in 2025

• Bali: Now offers e-Visa on arrival for Indian passport holders.
• Thailand: Visa-free entry extended to 45 days through December 2025.
• Japan: No more quarantine! Just fill out an online travel declaration form before landing.

🇺🇸 US & Canada – Weather Advisories & Travel Tips Wildfires in Western Canada are causing temporary disruptions at Calgary and Vancouver airports.

Hurricane warnings are in place for southern U.S. coastal states. Keep an eye on local forecasts via AccuWeather or the FEMA app.

Airlines & Airports – What Travelers Need to Know Airline Strikes & Policy Changes Lufthansa pilots are expected to strike in late July — keep an eye on your inbox if you’re flying with them.

IndiGo has launched “Flexi Fare” options for students and senior citizens.

Carry-On & Baggage Limit Changes

• Emirates reduces economy class baggage allowance from 10kg to 7kg starting July 20.
• Vistara allows an extra 5kg on international flights until July 31.

Cheapest Days to Book This Month Skyscanner reports that midweek flights — especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays — offer up to 18% savings in July.

Travel Guidelines: Safety, Vaccines & Insurance New Vaccine Mandates (if any) No major vaccine mandates have been introduced globally this month.

Traveling to Africa or South America? Some countries still require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination

Travel Insurance Updates: Many airlines now require travelers to show proof of travel insurance that covers delays and cancellations.

Providers like Tata AIG and PolicyBazaar have launched monsoon-specific travel packages.

Tips to Travel Smoothly in 2025

• Apply for visas 6–8 weeks in advance, especially for travel to Europe.
• Always carry printed + digital copies of important documents.
• Use live tracking apps like TripIt or FlightAware to avoid surprises.

Trending Stories in Travel: New Budget Airlines in India FlySmart, a brand-new Indian budget airline, has launched routes between Tier 2 cities.

Fares start at just ₹899 for short domestic hops — perfect for weekend getaways.

Top Eco-Friendly Destinations: Slovenia, Costa Rica, and Bhutan are leading the green travel movement this July.

Eco-pass discounts are being rolled out in cities like Ljubljana and San Jose.

Best Digital Nomad Cities This Month: Looking to work and travel? Tbilisi, Lisbon, and Chiang Mai are topping the charts for affordability, fast Wi-Fi, and relaxed visa rules.

Daily Travel Brief (Updated Every 24 Hours) July 17, 2025:

• Germany visa appointment wait time: 40+ days
• Emirates baggage policy changes effective July 20
• Wildfire disruption near Vancouver Intl Airport
• Schengen visa slots opening for mid-September
• Japan welcomes 1.5 million tourists in June

Q&A

Q: What are the latest visa changes for Indian travelers in July 2025?
A: As of July 10th:

• UK visa processing extended to 20 working days.
• Schengen countries like France and Germany are facing long appointment delays.
• UAE launches 5-year multi-entry visa for Indian nationals.

Q: Which countries are allowing Indian travelers without quarantine in July 2025?
A: Japan, Thailand, Bali, UAE, and Vietnam are open for Indian travelers — no quarantine required for vaccinated individuals.

Q: Are Schengen visa appointments available in July 2025?
A: Most are fully booked. Check the VFS Global website or individual embassies regularly for slots.

Frequently Asked Questions