)
Immigration
Page 8 - Latest Updates on Immigration
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
 "Beyond student visas: UK bets big on India in new education strategy")
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")
PM welcomes Nitin Nabin as BJP chief, flags party unity and security issues
PM Modi welcomed Nitin Nabin as BJP's youngest national president, calling him his boss in party matters while flagging generational change, illegal immigration and governance challenges
 "PM welcomes Nitin Nabin as BJP chief, flags party unity and security issues")
Canada adds 5,000 permanent residency spots for French-speaking immigrants
Extra permanent residence spaces will be routed through provincial nominee programmes as Ottawa lifts Francophone targets beyond Quebec
 "Canada adds 5,000 permanent residency spots for French-speaking immigrants")
Green card holders beware: These 10 mistakes can cost you US residency
From long trips abroad to tax lapses, immigration lawyer warns that routine missteps can now put US green card holders at real risk
 "Green card holders beware: These 10 mistakes can cost you US residency")
UK to reimburse Global Talent visa fees to woo AI, tech and science talent
Treasury promises visa fee refunds and faster sponsor UK UK Global Talent visa: licences as ministers seek to draw AI, science and clean energy professionals
 "UK to reimburse Global Talent visa fees to woo AI, tech and science talent")
H-1B visa alternative: Why O-1 visa is gaining popularity among immigrants
O-1 visa approvals touched 39,000 in 2025, even as H-1B filings from large IT firms declined
 "H-1B visa alternative: Why O-1 visa is gaining popularity among immigrants")
India escaped US immigrant visa pause affecting 75 nations: Experts explain
The US has paused immigrant visas for 75 countries, but experts say India's low welfare use makes its inclusion unlikely
 "India escaped US immigrant visa pause affecting 75 nations: Experts explain")
Is the American Dream fading? Foreign students dip by 5,000, grads by 6%
New enrolment data shows international student numbers fell in autumn 2025, with graduate programmes taking the hardest hit amid visa pressure
 "Is the American Dream fading? Foreign students dip by 5,000, grads by 6%")