Visa

China to launch online visa application system in India from today

With the launch of the online platform, applicants are expected to save time during the initial stages of visa processing

Chinese visa scam: Court frames charges against Karti Chidambaram, 6 others

A Delhi court on Tuesday ordered the framing of charges against Congress MP Karti P Chindambaram and six others in connection with the Chinese visa scam case. Special Judge (CBI) Dig Vinay Singh, who was hearing the case against Karti Chindambaram and seven others, ordered the framing of charges against seven accused and discharged one named Chetan Shrivastava in the case. In an order dated December 23, the court ordered the framing of charges against the seven accused for the alleged offence of criminal conspiracy. The detailed order is awaited. Earlier in October 2024, the CBI had filed a charge sheet against Karti Chindambaram and others in connection with alleged bribery in facilitating visas of Chinese nationals for a power company in 2011 when his father P Chidambaram was the Union home minister.

Indian visa applications suspended indefinitely in Bangladesh's Chittagong

India on Sunday suspended visa operations at the Indian Visa Application Centre in the Bangladesh's second-largest city Chittagong until further notice in the wake of heightened tensions following the death of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, local media reported. Hadi, a prominent leader of the student-led protests last year that led to the ouster of the prime minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, was a candidate for the scheduled February 12 general elections. He was shot in the head on December 12 by masked gunmen at an election campaign in central Dhaka's Bijoynagar area. He died while undergoing treatment in Singapore on Thursday. His death triggered attacks and vandalism across Bangladesh, including stone-hurling at the Assistant Indian High Commissioner's residence in Chattogram on Thursday. Indian visa applications in Chittagong have been suspended indefinitely, the Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) was quoted as saying by The Dhaka Tribune newspa

Planning New Zealand travel or study? Visa centre fees go up from 2026

Visa application centre service charges will be higher from January, adding to upfront costs for applicants from India and other countries

India eases business visa norms in boost for Chinese manufacturing experts

The changes in visa rules are aimed at reducing delays and cutting paperwork that had slowed down visa approvals over the past few years

Indian visa application centre in Dhaka closed over security concerns

The Indian Visa Application Centre (IVAC) in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka on Wednesday closed its office in view of the current security situation. The IVAC at Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka is the main, integrated centre for all Indian visa services in the capital. "In view of the ongoing security situation, we wish to bring to your kind notice that IVAC JFP Dhaka will be closed at 2 pm today," the IVAC said in a statement. The IVAC said all applicants with appointment slots scheduled for submission on Wednesday would be rescheduled for a later date. Earlier in New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Bangladesh envoy Riaz Hamidullah and conveyed its strong concern over certain extremist elements announcing plans to create a security situation around the Indian mission in Dhaka. "We expect the interim government to ensure the safety of Missions and Posts in Bangladesh in keeping with its diplomatic obligations," it said. It said the envoy was apprised of India's str

$100,000 H-1B fee sparks legal storm: Why 19 US states are taking Trump to court | US Visa

Nineteen US states have sued the Trump administration over a proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas. They say the move is unlawful and could cripple healthcare, education, and essential services.

$1 million for US citizenship? Inside Trump’s new ‘Gold Card’ visa

The United States has officially launched the Trump administration’s new “Gold Card” visa, a replacement for the long-running EB-5 investor route. Here’s what it means, who qualifies

Has the H-1B system been compromised? Fraud allegations put Chennai in spotlight

A fresh controversy has hit the US H-1B visa programme after a former US lawmaker claimed that the Chennai consulate approved more than twice the visas permitted under America’s national cap.

BLS International reports 26.8% rise in net profit to ₹175.23 crore

BLS International's Q2 profit jumps 27% to ₹175 crore on strong visa and consular growth; enters hospitality sector with UK hotel acquisition

Visa, Mastercard reach revised swipe fee settlement with merchants

The settlement calls for Visa and Mastercard to lower swipe fees, which are now typically 2per cent to 2.5per cent, by 0.1 percentage points for five years

BLS Intl bags visa outsourcing contract from Cyprus embassy in Kazakhstan

BLS International Services on Thursday said it has signed a contract with the Embassy of Cyprus in Kazakhstan to provide comprehensive visa outsourcing services. Under this agreement, BLS International will oversee Cyprus visa application operations in Kazakhstan, leveraging its global expertise and technology-driven processes to deliver a transparent and hassle-free experience for all applicants, a statement said. "This partnership with the Embassy of Cyprus in Kazakhstan signifies more than an expansion of our global footprint - it reflects our vision to make cross-border mobility simpler, smarter, and more inclusive. "Through this collaboration, we aim to deliver an experience that embodies efficiency, transparency, and ease for every traveller to Cyprus," BLS International Joint Managing Director Shikhar Aggarwal said.

USCIS clarifies $100,000 H 1B visa fee: Who pays, who’s exempt, and how it works

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued new guidance clarifying the controversial $100,000 H-1B visa fee introduced under a recent presidential proclamation.

BLS International wins 3-year contract to run visa centres in China

This comes a few days after the company had received notice from the MEA on being debarred from participation in future tenders of the MEA and Indian missions abroad for a period of two years

Datanomics: US targets optional practical training amid H-1B visa issue

The share of Indian students pursuing OPT has nearly doubled from 22.12 per cent in 2006-07 to over 40 per cent in 2023-24

Google lays off woman on O-1 visa: What it is and how it differs from H-1B

US O-1 visa is a special non-immigrant visa provided to individuals exhibiting extraordinary ability. Eligibility requires meeting stringent criteria that establish national or international acclaim

China's K visa comes into effect today: Can it be an alternative to H-1B?

China, which already has R visa in place since 2013 for high-level talent, added the K visa to specifically targets foreign young talent working in the science and technology sector

China’s K-Visa explained: Big counter to US H-1B fee hike: What is it? | China visa | US visa

As the US tightens its H-1B visa program with a steep $100,000 fee, China is rolling out a new "K-Visa" aimed at attracting young global science and technology professionals.

Trump's $100K H-1B fee leaves techies, IT industry searching for solutions

The high cost of hiring someone on an H-1B visa, once the most sought-after working visa, means companies will have to be very selective about their onsite hires to get the best talent they need

Trump's new H-1B visa fee caught everyone off guard: JPMorgan chief Dimon

"That caught everyone off guard," Dimon said in a CNBC-TV18 interview. "And so we had a lot of phone calls over the weekend. What does it mean?"