Visa uncertainty has long been one of the most unpredictable elements in international travel planning — often leaving travellers exposed to significant financial losses. Thomas Cook (India) Limited and SOTC Travel are now addressing this gap with a new insurance-backed solution aimed at reducing that risk.
The companies have introduced a trip cancellation cover specifically for visa rejection, a first-of-its-kind offering in the Indian travel and travel insurance space. The product, underwritten by ICICI Lombard, is designed to safeguard travellers against non-refundable expenses in the event of visa denial.
The cover responds to a persistent concern among outbound travellers, where visa decisions — often beyond individual control — can result in losses on prepaid bookings. Under the new solution, travellers are indemnified for non-recoverable advance payments towards accommodation and travel, including applicable cancellation charges, in case of visa rejection (excluding immigrant and employment visas).
Importantly, the offering spans multiple travel segments, including group tours, FIT bookings, MICE, and corporate travel, making it applicable across a wide range of customer categories.
Mr Abraham Alapatt, President and Group Head — Marketing, Service Quality, Value Added Services & Innovation, Thomas Cook (India) Limited and SOTC Travel, said, “In today’s ever-evolving global travel environment, financial protection has become a critical element in travel planning. Visa decisions remain beyond a traveller’s control, and a rejection can have significant financial implications. Thomas Cook & SOTC’s visa rejection cover has been thoughtfully designed to address this gap by providing structured protection against non-refundable losses.”
The launch comes at a time when outbound travel from India continues to grow, even as visa processes across key destinations remain dynamic and, in some cases, increasingly stringent. By introducing a dedicated solution for visa-related disruptions, the companies are positioning the offering as both a reassurance tool and a value addition for travellers navigating complex international travel requirements.
With this move, Thomas Cook India and SOTC are not only expanding their ancillary services portfolio, but also responding to a broader shift in traveller expectations — where financial safeguards are becoming as important as the journey itself.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
