Us Visas

US to restrict visas for Nigerians involved in violence against Christians

The United States will restrict visas for Nigerians and their family members involved in mass killings and violence against Christians in the West African country, the US State Department has said. The attacks on the community are part of a longstanding and extremely complex security crisis in Nigeria a nation recently singled out by US President Donald Trump for "the killing of Christians" by "radical Islamists". Last month, Trump also said he has ordered the Pentagon to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria following the claims of Christian persecution. "The United States is taking decisive action in response to the mass killings and violence against Christians by radical Islamic terrorists, Fulani ethnic militias, and other violent actors in Nigeria and beyond," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement posted on X on Wednesday. He added that the policy would apply to other governments or individuals engaged in violations of religious freedom, and

US creating priority visa system for FIFA World Cup ticket holders: Trump

Under the initiative, led by the US State Department, fans holding a ticket purchased through FIFA would get priority access to visa interviews

People with obesity, diabetes may not get US visas approved: Here's why

The officers have also been asked to keep a track of the health conditions of the visa applicant's dependents

Immigrants with underlying health conditions may be denied US visas: Report

The Trump administration is understood to have directed American consular offices across the world to deem those individuals seeking to enter and live in the US ineligible if they have certain medical conditions, saying these people could end up relying on public benefits. A report by KFF Health News said that foreigners applying for visas to live in the US might be rejected if they have certain medical conditions. The report cited a guidance issued in a cable sent by the State Department to embassy and consular officials. You must consider an applicant's healthCertain medical conditions including, but not limited to, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cancers, diabetes, metabolic diseases, neurological diseases, and mental health conditions can require hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of care, according to the cable cited by KFF. The cable also advises visa officers to consider conditions like obesity in making their decisions, noting that the condition can ca

US lawmakers urge Trump to scrap $100K H-1B visa fee hurting startups

The Congress members warned that the move could especially harm small and early-stage companies that depend on global talent to grow

Datanomics: H-1B visa hopefuls face longer waits amid US govt shutdown

The new H-1B visa petitions are likely to be hampered the most since the Department of Labor (DOL) - which certifies labor condition applications (LCAs) required for H-1Bs - has shut down its systems

Silent stars: Why Indian-Americans won't defend India on visa curbs in DC

New Delhi has long overestimated the influence and attachment of the Indian-American community, whose connection to India often fades over generations and is mostly limited to family or religious ties

Colombia's foreign minister 'renounces' US visa in protest as tensions rise

Colombia's foreign minister has renounced her US visa to protest a decision by the US State department to revoke the visa of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, the Colombian government said on Monday. The decision by Foreign Minister Rosa Villavicencio comes as tensions between both nations escalate over issues that include drug policy, the war in Gaza and a US naval build up in neighbouring Venezuela. While Colombia's Foreign Affairs Ministry did not respond to questions about what kind of visa Villavicencio was a holder of, it said in a statement that it was not interested in diplomatic visas that limit opinions" or curtail the nation's sovereignty. The US State Department revoked President Petro's visa on Friday after he participated in a New York protest against the war in Gaza, in which Petro called for the creation of an international army to liberate the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Holding a megaphone and wearing a keffiyeh, the traditional Palestinian scarf, Petro called

South Korea, US to launch working group on visa issues after ICE detentions

The first meeting of the new working group will take place in Washington on Tuesday, just weeks after the high-profile raid on a factory construction site that drew international attention

Indian IT faces $100,000 H-1B shock, but innovation may be the answer

Visa fee hike poses a major challenge for the industry, but it is also an opportunity for cash-rich firms to rethink their model

Indian techie earning ₹16L at US fintech denied B2 visa for NYC travel

Software engineer's Reddit post draws comments on the likely reasons her B2 Visa application was rejected

H-1B visa fee hike hits IT funds; investors urged to stay long-term

Fee hike could accelerate offshore delivery, improve competitiveness; AI adoption, re-skilling initiatives expected to provide medium-term growth opportunities

US sanctions wife of Brazilian judge over Bolsonaro case, revokes visas

The US government has sanctioned the wife of the Brazilian Supreme Court justice who led the investigation into former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was sentenced this month to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup in the South American nation. The Trump administration also revoked the US visa of another Brazilian official, Solicitor-General Jorge Messias, who criticized the decision on his social media channels. The wife of Justice Alexandre de Moraes, Viviane Barci de Moraes, was sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Act used by the United States against human rights abusers. Her husband was targeted by the same measure as he oversaw the case against Bolsonaro. This is the latest chapter in a unilateral wave of attacks from the Trump administration against Brazil, which includes sanctions against other authorities and tariffs of 50% on many of the country's exports to the U.S. Local media also reported that other judges who worked with de Moraes at the Supreme Court had also l

Question over H-1B fee sees techies, students scrambling for answers

For Arun Kumar (name changed), a techie from south Tamil Nadu, the past 30 hours have been a whirlwind of stress and frantic search for a flight ticket to the US

Trump's H-1B shock: Offshoring likely to get lift, IT cos may take a hit

New US visa fee piles pressure on Indian IT firms, threatening margins and accelerating shift to GCCs, automation, and local hiring

Explained: Impact of H-1B crackdown, role of other visa categories

Indian IT companies, heavy users of H-1B and L-1 visas, face fresh scrutiny as US policy tightens, raising questions on talent mobility and onsite project costs

Promised 'taste of America', J-1 visa workers faced abuse, exploitation

Every year, tens of thousands of young people are sent on visas to toil as farmworkers, housekeepers and office interns, all in the name of cultural exchange

Trump launches US 'Gold Card' visa programme to attract wealthy immigrants

New pay-to-immigrate scheme offers residency for $1 million, replacing EB-1 and EB-2 visas and aiming to boost US commerce and investment

US revokes visas of Indian executives over links to fentanyl trafficking

The move follows US President Donald Trump's recent naming of India, along with 22 other countries, as a major drug transit or illicit drug-producing nation

US EB-5 visa route gaining traction among Indians, says immigration expert

The entry to America through the capital investment route is becoming popular, and Indians, particularly students and professionals in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, can consider this option, an expert on US immigration law has said. Speaking here on the current state of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, Indian American immigration attorney Nadadur S Kumar said it is no longer a niche option. The EB-5 visa grants lawful permanent resident status (a green card) to foreigners with a minimum investment requirement of $8,00,000 (Rs 6-7 crore). The rise in property values and home equity has enabled more Indians to fund their investments, often with the support of parents. Many H-1B visa holders and students transitioning from F-1 to H-1B status in the US have also been able to leverage their financial progress to pursue EB-5," he said. The visa programme is becoming an increasingly popular pathway for Indians, particularly students and professionals