)
Immigration
Page 36 - Latest Updates on Immigration
No hoax: US now requires some tourists to pay up to $15,000 visa bond
Visitors to the US on B-1 and B-2 visas may now be asked to pay bonds of up to $15,000, a pilot programme to curb overstays that has sparked scam fears
 "No hoax: US now requires some tourists to pay up to $15,000 visa bond")
New Zealand makes student visas digital-only, Indians to see easier access
New Zealand has made student visas fully digital under its Immigration Online system, as part of a wider plan to double its international education sector by 2034
 "New Zealand makes student visas digital-only, Indians to see easier access")
Canada Express Entry: 192 foreigners get PR invites, cut-off hits 800
Canada's IRCC invited 192 PNP candidates in the latest Express Entry draw with a CRS cut-off of 800, the second-highest score of 2025
 "Canada Express Entry: 192 foreigners get PR invites, cut-off hits 800")
US warns Indians: I-94 date, not visa expiry, decides your legal stay
The US Embassy has reminded Indians that overstaying visas can lead to revocation, deportation and a 10-year ban, with 1,703 deported this year
 "US warns Indians: I-94 date, not visa expiry, decides your legal stay")
45% H-1B Indians in US will return if forced, 24% fear pay cuts in India
Indian poll finds 45% on H-1B would return home if forced to leave US, as new rule changes and rising deportation risks unsettle professionals
 "45% H-1B Indians in US will return if forced, 24% fear pay cuts in India")
Spain: Hundreds of Indians stranded for months over passport renewal delays
Hundreds of Indians in Spain face over six months of passport delays, leaving them unable to travel, work or access healthcare
 "Spain: Hundreds of Indians stranded for months over passport renewal delays")
US immigrant population falls by 2.2 million as Trump fuels fear: Decoded
Fall of US Immigrant: Immigrant population in the US may have fallen by 2.2 million in six months, as Trump's second-term crackdown fuels fear, deportations and visa revocations
 "US immigrant population falls by 2.2 million as Trump fuels fear: Decoded")
UK visa crackdown: Indian worker applications fall 18%, care visas down 93%
UK visa Updates: Indian Skilled Worker and student visa applications to the UK have plunged, with Health and Care Worker visas dropping over 90% since 2023
 "UK visa crackdown: Indian worker applications fall 18%, care visas down 93%")
US Green Card holders warned: Tougher 'good moral character' checks ahead
US widens citizenship rules, ordering officers to weigh conduct, taxes, jobs and community ties in 'good moral character' test
 "US Green Card holders warned: Tougher 'good moral character' checks ahead")
Immigration wrap: US, Canada, UK, China, Vietnam announce visa changes
US, Canada, UK, China, Vietnam, India roll out major visa, deportation and study abroad rule changes in second week of August
 "Immigration wrap: US, Canada, UK, China, Vietnam announce visa changes")
H-1B visa revamp may leave fresh graduates with no shot at US jobs: Decoded
US plans wage-based H-1B visa selection, a shift that could hurt fresh graduates and favour higher-paying tech roles
 "H-1B visa revamp may leave fresh graduates with no shot at US jobs: Decoded")
Visa fraud, sex trafficking: 5 Indian-Americans abuse US immigration system
US Visa fraud, sex trafficking: Five Indian-Americans in Nebraska charged over sex trafficking, fake visas, drug deals and laundering $565k, say US federal prosecutors
 "Visa fraud, sex trafficking: 5 Indian-Americans abuse US immigration system")
China to launch new visa for STEM talent as Trump cracks down on immigrants
China will launch a K Visa from October 1, 2025, to attract young foreign science and tech talent, offering flexible stay rules and no local job requirement
 "China to launch new visa for STEM talent as Trump cracks down on immigrants")
India tightens OCI card cancellation rules: Criminals not welcome back home
India Govt tightens OCI rules: India will now cancel OCI cards if holders face at least two years' jail or are charge-sheeted for offences carrying seven years or more in prison
 "India tightens OCI card cancellation rules: Criminals not welcome back home")
Vietnam launches 5-year visa waiver for top global talent; Indians eligible
Vietnam's new long-term visa waiver card opens from August 15 for top global talent, including eligible Indians, for stays up to five years
 "Vietnam launches 5-year visa waiver for top global talent; Indians eligible")
Illegal immigrants in US: Self-deport and get free flight, $1,000 & more
US offers illegal immigrants a free flight, $1,000 bonus, and a fine waiver to voluntarily return home via the CBP Home mobile app
 "Illegal immigrants in US: Self-deport and get free flight, $1,000 & more")
H-1B shocker: 1 in 6 Indians face early US deportation risk, survey finds
New survey shows rising cases of Indian H-1B holders getting deportation notices before the 60-day grace period ends, risking a permanent US ban
 "H-1B shocker: 1 in 6 Indians face early US deportation risk, survey finds")
H-1B visa expiring? Indian chose Jamaica for visa slots, smooth process
An Indian H-1B visa holder renewed his visa in Jamaica instead of India and shared the full process, documents, costs, and interview details in a detailed Reddit post
 "H-1B visa expiring? Indian chose Jamaica for visa slots, smooth process")
US Visa Bulletin Sept 2025: Indian employment-based green cards may freeze
September's US Visa Bulletin keeps Indian family F2A filings open but warns employment-based green cards may freeze by month-end due to high demand
Canada Express Entry: PR applicants need mandatory upfront medical exam
From August 21, 2025, Canada Express Entry PR applicants must complete a medical exam before applying, covering all family members, even non-accompanying