The Haryana government has approved new rules making registration compulsory for all new and existing travel agents operating in the state. The decision is aimed at protecting young people from fraudulent overseas job offers, illegal migration, visa scams and human trafficking.
The Haryana Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, approved the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Travel Agents Rules, 2026, under the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Travel Agents Act, 2025.
Under the new framework, travel agents will need separate registrations for individual offices, branches and service categories. The government has fixed a registration fee of ₹5,000 for each service category and made police verification compulsory before issuing a registration certificate.
The move is particularly significant for Haryana, where cases involving fraudulent overseas employment promises and illegal migration routes, commonly referred to as the “donkey route” or “dunki route”, have raised concerns about the safety of aspiring migrants.
The Haryana travel agent registration rules 2026 are intended to introduce greater transparency, improve accountability and give citizens a way to verify whether a travel agent is registered with the state.
Haryana Cabinet Approves Mandatory Registration for Travel Agents
The Haryana Cabinet approved the new rules on November 3, 2026, creating a regulatory framework for travel agents operating across the state.
The rules apply to both newly established agencies and existing travel agents. This means businesses already providing travel-related services will also be required to obtain the prescribed registration.
The government aims to regulate agencies involved in services such as passport assistance, tour and travel arrangements, study visa consultancy and ticketing.
The decision is intended to prevent unscrupulous operators from misleading young people with promises of overseas employment, better career opportunities and guaranteed migration routes.
By bringing travel agents under a formal registration system, authorities aim to make it easier for citizens to identify legitimate businesses and report suspicious operators.
Separate Registration Required for Every Branch and Service Category
One of the most important provisions is the requirement for separate registration for each office or branch.
A travel agency operating from multiple locations in Haryana will not be able to rely on a single registration certificate for all its offices.
Separate registration will also be required for each service category offered by the business.
The categories identified by the government include:
- Passport services
- Tour and travel agency services
- Study visa consultancy
- Ticketing services
For example, an agency providing both study visa consultancy and tour and travel services will need to obtain registration for both categories.
Similarly, if the business operates multiple branches, each branch will require separate registration.
This provision is intended to create clearer records of the services being offered and the locations from which travel agents operate.
Under the Haryana travel agent registration rules 2026, registration is therefore not limited to obtaining a single certificate for an entire business. It will be linked to the individual service categories and offices covered by the regulations.
₹5,000 Registration Fee Prescribed for Each Service Category
The Haryana government has fixed a registration fee of ₹5,000 for each service category.
The fee will apply separately to the categories for which an agency seeks registration.
| Registration requirement | Prescribed fee |
|---|---|
| Passport services | ₹5,000 |
| Tour and travel agency services | ₹5,000 |
| Study visa consultancy | ₹5,000 |
| Ticketing services | ₹5,000 |
For illustration, an agency applying for registration in all four listed service categories would have a total category-wise fee of ₹20,000, before considering any other applicable requirements.
The separate fee structure is intended to ensure that agencies formally declare the services they provide instead of operating under a broad or unclear business registration.
Police Verification Mandatory Before Registration
Another significant requirement is compulsory police verification of every applicant.
The government has introduced this provision to ensure that individuals entering the travel agency business undergo background checks before receiving registration.
The registration process will involve the following stages:
- The applicant submits the registration application and required information.
- The relevant authorities initiate police verification.
- The police verification report is received by the competent authority.
- The competent authority issues the registration certificate within 30 days of receiving the verification report.
The 30-day period begins after the police verification report is received. It should not be interpreted as a guaranteed 30-day timeline from the initial application date.
The registration certificate will remain valid for three years.
The Haryana travel agent registration rules 2026 therefore introduce both an initial background-verification requirement and a defined validity period for registered agencies.
QR-Code Registration Certificates Will Help Citizens Verify Travel Agents
To improve transparency, the government will issue digital registration certificates equipped with QR codes.
Citizens will be able to scan the QR code to check the authenticity and validity of a travel agent’s registration.
This system is expected to make verification easier for people who are planning to use travel agencies for overseas employment assistance, study visa applications, passport services or international travel arrangements.
The government will also make district-wise lists of registered travel agents available through:
- The Antyodaya SARAL Portal
- The official Haryana Home Department website
- The official Haryana Police website
These public records are intended to help citizens check whether an agency appears in the state’s registered travel agent database.
However, people should still verify the specific service being offered and ensure that the agent has all other authorisations required under applicable laws.
Travel Agents Must Display Registration Details at Their Offices and Online
The new rules will also introduce public display requirements for registered agencies.
Every registered travel agent will be required to prominently display the following information:
- Registration number
- Date of issue of the registration certificate
- Expiry date of the certificate
These details must be displayed both inside and outside the agency’s office.
Travel agents will also be required to mention their registration numbers in advertisements, on their websites and across other online platforms.
This provision is particularly relevant because many people now find overseas employment consultants and visa agencies through social media advertisements, websites and online messaging platforms.
Making registration numbers publicly visible will give potential customers an additional way to check an agency before engaging its services.
Why Haryana Is Introducing Stricter Rules for Travel Agents
The government’s decision comes amid concerns about fraudulent overseas employment offers, illegal recruitment networks and human trafficking.
Young people looking for opportunities in countries such as the United States, Canada and European destinations can become vulnerable to agents who promise guaranteed visas, high-paying jobs or easy entry through unofficial routes.
In some cases, individuals are reportedly persuaded to pay substantial amounts for arrangements that do not provide lawful employment or immigration status.
Illegal migration routes, commonly known as the donkey route, can expose migrants to serious risks, including exploitation, financial loss, detention and dangerous journeys.
The new registration framework is intended to improve accountability within the travel agency sector and make it easier for citizens to identify registered service providers.
The Haryana travel agent registration rules 2026 are also part of a wider effort to strengthen the state’s response to fraudulent overseas recruitment and unlawful migration practices.
Does Haryana Registration Automatically Authorise Overseas Recruitment?
An important distinction for citizens is that state registration should not automatically be treated as permission to carry out every type of overseas recruitment activity.
Overseas recruitment is also governed by central legislation, including the Emigration Act, 1983, and applicable requirements administered through the Ministry of External Affairs.
Recruiting agents undertaking activities covered by the central emigration framework may need the relevant registration or authorisation from the competent central authority.
Haryana’s travel agent registration system is intended to regulate businesses operating within the state. It should not be interpreted as replacing other legal requirements that may apply to overseas recruitment.
People seeking jobs abroad should therefore verify both the agent’s state registration, where applicable, and the relevant overseas recruitment authorisation.
What Should Existing Travel Agents Do Now?
Existing travel agencies in Haryana should prepare to comply with the new registration framework.
Businesses should review the services they currently provide, identify the number of offices and branches they operate, and prepare the information required for the relevant applications.
They should also monitor official Haryana government announcements for the registration procedure, application portal, documentation requirements and any transition period for existing agencies.
The Cabinet has approved the rules, but the reports available at the time of publication do not specify a final application deadline for existing agencies or a detailed public-facing registration procedure.
Citizens should similarly watch for the launch of the QR-code verification system and district-wise registered agent lists.
FAQs : Haryana Travel Agent Registration Rules 2026
1. Is travel agent registration mandatory in Haryana?
Yes. The Haryana Cabinet has approved the 2026 rules making registration compulsory for all new and existing travel agents operating in the state.
2. What is the registration fee for travel agents in Haryana?
The prescribed registration fee is ₹5,000 for each service category.
3. Will every branch of a travel agency need separate registration?
Yes. Separate registration will be required for every office or branch operating under the agency.
4. Is police verification compulsory for travel agent registration?
Yes. Police verification of every applicant will be mandatory before the registration certificate is issued.
5. How long will the Haryana travel agent registration certificate remain valid?
The registration certificate will remain valid for three years.
6. How can customers verify whether a travel agent is registered?
Registered agents will receive digital certificates containing QR codes. Citizens will be able to scan these codes to verify registration details and validity. District-wise agent lists will also be published on government platforms.
7. Does Haryana registration allow an agent to recruit workers for jobs abroad?
Not automatically. Overseas recruitment may require separate authorisation under central laws, including the Emigration Act, 1983. State registration does not replace those requirements.
Final Takeaway On Haryana Travel Agent Registration Rules 2026
Haryana’s new travel agent registration framework introduces mandatory registration, police verification, separate branch and service-category certificates, QR-code verification and public disclosure of registration details.
With a fee of ₹5,000 per service category and certificates valid for three years, the rules aim to bring greater accountability to the state’s travel agency industry.
For young people planning to study, work or settle abroad, the changes could provide an additional way to check travel agents before paying money or handing over important documents.
However, registration alone should never be treated as a guarantee that an agent can legally arrange overseas employment or secure a visa. Applicants must continue to verify job offers, recruitment permissions and immigration documents through the relevant authorities.
Source : Hindustan Times
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