Page 8 - Latest Updates on Immigration

H-1B visa holders stranded in India: No one seems concerned, say experts

Thousands of H-1B visa holders remain stranded in India as interview slots dry up and delays push appointments into 2027

US took $1 billion in fees for unprocessed visa, immigration cases: Report

Report says US collected over $1 billion in immigration fees while halting or delaying processing for many applicants across multiple visa categories

Australia halts entry of 7,000 Iranian visa holders amid West Asia conflict

Australia blocks around 7,000 Iranian visitor visa holders from entry amid conflict. Who is affected, exemptions, and how the rules will work

Cabinet extends IVFRT scheme for 5 years to upgrade immigration services

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the extension for five years of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme, which aims to interlink and optimise functions related to immigration, visa issuance, and registration of foreigners in India. The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of the scheme from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2031, with a budget outlay of Rs 1,800 crore, a government statement said. The continuation of the scheme is not just a "technical upgrade, but a strategic transformation" aligned with the vision of the government to promote international mobility through a world-class immigration and visa issuance system, it said. "After the recent enactment of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 and its subsequent Rules and Order, it has become imperative to strengthen and modernize the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) system to effectively meet emerging ...

Australia launches new visa system to speed student, work visa approvals

Australia visa update: Australia rolls out a new visa processing system from March 25, 2026, aiming to cut wait times and speed up approvals across key visa categories

US hits H-2B visa cap for FY2026 second half, 46,226 extra slots open now

USCIS confirms cap reached for H-2B visas; additional allocations announced for seasonal jobs with filings starting March 25

Passports taken, fake visas issued: How 55 Indians fell for Europe job scam

Europe Job Scam: Noida Police said fake visas were shared via WhatsApp after collecting passports and money from workers promised jobs abroad

Canada super visa update: New income rules kick in March 31 for families

Canada super visa news: Canada will let hosts use a longer income assessment period and include parents' income under new super visa rules effective March 31, 2026

Safety, jobs over destinations: Indian students rethink study abroad goals

As visa rules and global conditions shift, Indian students are weighing career outcomes, cost and policy clarity more carefully, IC3 report shows

New Zealand student visa: Rules for bringing spouse, children explained

Planning to move with family? Here's what partners and children can do on a New Zealand student visa, including work rights, study options and costs

No H-1B visa slots available; US 'playing games' on vetting, says expert

Indian H-1B visa holders face long waits for stamping as US consulates show no available slots for 2026, with some appointments now pushed into 2027

Canada audit flags 150,000 foreign student visa holders for non-compliance

Audit flags weak oversight, limited checks on compliance, and lack of tracking of foreign student departures in Canada's visa system

Germany crisis: Indian workers fill rising skill gaps, labour shortages

With fewer young workers at home, Germany is opening doors wider for Indian talent through visa reforms, higher wages, and clearer long-term pathways

Canada visa: Indians face 49-day wait for visitor visa, 8-week work permit

Canada visa timelines: Planning a Canada trip? Indian applicants now face 49-day waits for visitor visas, with study and work permits taking weeks longer

US visa approvals fall 11% in 2025; India, China among hardest hit

US issued 0.25 million fewer visas in Jan-Aug 2025, with India among the hardest hit as policy changes reshaped immigration flows

Thailand to cut visa-free stay to 30 days for tourists amid misuse concerns

Proposal to cut visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days may affect Indian travellers, even as Thailand targets 2.55 million visitors from India in 2026

Chain of Ideas: Ibram X Kendi on rise of modern xenophobia in conservatism

Ibram X. Kendi's Chain of Ideas traces the rise of replacement theory but struggles to balance ideology with real-world political and economic forces

Canada immigration backlog dips below 1 million; study visa delays hit peak

Work permit processing improves, but study permit delays rise to highest level since 2022, according to IRCC data

H-1B, H-4 visa delays: US visitor visa a risky alternative, warn attorneys

With H-1B and H-4 visa slots hard to get, some turn to B-1/B-2. Lawyers say intent rules make this a risky choice

UK visa fee hike up to 25%: What students, workers, visitors will pay

UK raises visa and immigration fees by up to 25% from April 8, making visitor, student, work and settlement routes costlier for applicants, including Indians