)
Immigration
Page 5 - Latest Updates on Immigration
US sees sharp slowdown in population growth due to less immigration
The US population increased just 1.8 million, or 0.5 per cent, in the year through July 1, 2025 to nearly 342 million people, slowest pace of growth since 2021
 "US sees sharp slowdown in population growth due to less immigration")
Canada Working Holiday visa: Over 10,000 ITAs issued in first 2026 round
More than 35,000 Working Holiday spots remain open after Canada's first IEC 2026 draw, with the UK, Korea and Australia leading invitations
 "Canada Working Holiday visa: Over 10,000 ITAs issued in first 2026 round")
EU to launch Legal Gateway Office in India for students and jobseekers
New office will guide Indian workers, students and researchers on authorised EU pathways as mobility framework aligns with FTA talks
 "EU to launch Legal Gateway Office in India for students and jobseekers")
UK immigration rift: Why Conservatives are defecting to right-wing parties
Former UK home secretary Suella Braverman quits the Conservatives for Reform UK, accusing the party of failing to control immigration
 "UK immigration rift: Why Conservatives are defecting to right-wing parties")
Union Budget 2026: NRIs seek return to simpler 182-day tax residency rule
Bombay Chambers says graded residency norms introduced in 2020 have made tax status harder to assess for visiting NRIs and PIOs
 "Union Budget 2026: NRIs seek return to simpler 182-day tax residency rule")
50,000 green cards may be freed by US visa pause: How Indians may benefit
Unused family-based visas from 75 countries could spill into jobs categories, though per-country caps may blunt the impact for Indians
 "50,000 green cards may be freed by US visa pause: How Indians may benefit")
US immigration agents can enter homes without a warrant: ICE memo explained
US immigration raids: An internal ICE document suggests officers may force entry into homes, unsettling years of legal advice as US immigration arrests rise
 "US immigration agents can enter homes without a warrant: ICE memo explained")
No H-1B visa slots for Indians in 2026 as US 'not in a hurry to give visas'
With no new interview dates showing up, Indian professionals are being warned against travelling home for visa stamping
 "No H-1B visa slots for Indians in 2026 as US 'not in a hurry to give visas'")
New Zealand clears 1 million visas in 2025, cuts student and work waits
More than one million visas were decided in 2025 as processing times fell across visitor, student and work categories, according to Immigration New Zealand
 "New Zealand clears 1 million visas in 2025, cuts student and work waits")
Canada invites 6000 foreigners in Express Entry draw for PR, cut-off at 509
Latest Express Entry round marks the second Canadian Experience Class draw and the fourth selection held by IRCC so far in 2026
 "Canada invites 6000 foreigners in Express Entry draw for PR, cut-off at 509")
H-1B visa checks: Social media fuels fears of USCIS site visits in Houston
Social media alerts warn of possible unannounced H-1B inspections in Houston. What USCIS-FDNS visits involve, and how employers are advised to prepare
 "H-1B visa checks: Social media fuels fears of USCIS site visits in Houston")
Florida may freeze new H-1B hiring at public universities for a year
The proposed pause would bar Florida's public universities from hiring new H-1B workers until early 2027, while leaving existing visa holders unaffected
 "Florida may freeze new H-1B hiring at public universities for a year")
Canada Express Entry backlog hits 1 million, highest in three years
Canada's immigration department is again struggling with delays, with Express Entry files making up a growing share of applications stuck beyond service standards
 "Canada Express Entry backlog hits 1 million, highest in three years")
US launches Fifa Pass to fast-track visas for football fans: How it works
FIFA World Cup 2026 Visa: Confirmed World Cup ticket holders can access priority US visa interview slots under a new Fifa Pass scheme
 "US launches Fifa Pass to fast-track visas for football fans: How it works")
Texas cities may be named Delhi, Kolkata: Republican targets Indians in US
A Republican candidate in Texas has drawn criticism after using anti-Indian language and attacking the H-1B visa programme while outlining his immigration agenda
 "Texas cities may be named Delhi, Kolkata: Republican targets Indians in US")
Beyond student visas: UK bets big on India in new education strategy
Britain's updated education strategy shifts focus from student numbers to overseas campuses and partnerships, with India named a priority market
New US visa-bond list out: Who pays up to $15,000 from today and why
The US State Department has widened its visa-bond pilot for B1 and B2 visas. Here's who is affected, how much it costs, and how refunds work
Trump to ICE on immigration crackdown: Name and shame 'vicious animals'
Trump asks DHS and ICE to share names and faces of deported criminals as legal challenges mount and polls show waning public support.
 "Trump to ICE on immigration crackdown: Name and shame 'vicious animals'")
ICE makes mistakes, says Trump, but stands by immigration crackdown
Trump admits ICE agents can make mistakes and be rough at times, but insists aggressive immigration enforcement is necessary despite protests and falling public support
 "ICE makes mistakes, says Trump, but stands by immigration crackdown")
4 dead, 68,000 detained: Inside a deadly US immigration crackdown
Four people have died in ICE custody in early 2026, following a record number of detainee deaths and a sharp expansion of detention last year
 "4 dead, 68,000 detained: Inside a deadly US immigration crackdown")