Page 6 - Visa

Sri Lanka orders audit of Indian firms' visa outsourcing deal amid scandal

The new Sri Lanka government headed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has ordered a forensic audit into the visa outsourcing contract with Indian firms alongside a Dubai-based firm allegedly involved in a scandal on arrival visa system for tourists. A forensic audit has been ordered on Indian firms GBS Technology and IVS Global FZCO along with VFS Global which were in April awarded the multimillion-dollar contract as a technology partner to process the visa applications of foreigners, Vijitha Herath, Public Security Minister said. We have initiated an immediate forensic audit to investigate irregularities," Herath said. This comes after the Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered to remand Controller of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Ilukpitiya for contempt of court charges for his failure to implement an apex court order on the ongoing disputed system on the issue of on-arrival electronic tourist visas to the country. Herath said the airport immigration from Thursday night onwards

Free on-arrival visa scheme to be implemented after Parl nod: Sri Lanka

The commencement of granting free on-arrival visas to tourists from 38 countries, including India, can only be implemented in October as it needs parliamentary approval, Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles has announced. The minister said on Monday that a new gazette to implement the change requires parliamentary approval. Last week, the presidential advisor on tourism, Harin Fernando, said the scheme was to be implemented with immediate effect following a proposal approved by the Cabinet. The Parliament is not scheduled to meet before the September 21 presidential election. The island's tourism industry has demanded an immediate end to the long delays experienced by travellers to the country. In April, a foreign company was engaged to issue on-arrival visas. However, it has caused much heartburn to the tourism industry that says travellers are made to spend hours before being allowed entry at the immigration at the Colombo International Airport. The tourism industry demands

BLS International acquires 51% stake in SLW Media for Rs 80.24 lakh

Visa processing and consular services provider BLS International on Saturday said it has acquired a 51 per cent stake in sports management company SLW Media for a value of Rs 80.24 lakh. The company has entered into a definitive share purchase agreement to acquire a 51 per cent stake in SLW Media for a value of Rs 80.24 lakh, SLW Media said in a statement. The acquisition aligns perfectly with BLS International's extensive global presence, allowing for seamless integration of golf events with its visa and travel services across more than 66 countries, it said. SLW Media is a prominent sports management company with over two decades of experience in the golf industry. "With this acquisition we are driving a transformative leap in our brand equity. This partnership acts as a powerful vehicle to elevate our global presence and position us strategically on the world stage. Our unified approach underscores our dedication to innovation and excellence, setting a new benchmark for success

Australia to cap enrolment of international students at 270,000 in 2025

The Anthony Albanese government's recent action comes in response to a surge in migration that has put pressure on the housing market in Australia

Visa figures reveal Indian students being put off applying to UK varsities

Indians may continue to top the tally of student visa grants but they are beginning to show signs of being put off applying to UK universities amid greater migration curbs, the latest Home Office statistics revealed on Thursday. The Home Office data for the past year until June 2024 shows a 23 per cent fall in Indian students coming to the UK for higher studies, even as they continue to represent the largest group granted leave to remain on the Graduate Route visa which allows foreign students to work in Britain for two years after their degree. This fall in Indian student numbers is the first indication of the impact of tighter curbs on the right of most student visa holders to bring along dependent family members, which came into effect earlier this year. There were 110,006 sponsored study visa grants to main applicants who were Indian nationals in the year ending June 2024 (25 per cent of the total), 32,687 fewer than the previous year, the Home Office statistics reveal. Most of

RBI slaps fine of Rs 2.4 crore on Visa for unauthorised payment method

The central bank has aimed to tighten scrutiny of the processes followed by financial technology, or fintech, companies

RBI imposes fines on 3 payment system operators including Visa Worldwide

The RBI has imposed penalties on payment system operators Visa Worldwide, Ola Financial Services and Manappuram Finance for deficiencies in regulatory compliance. A penalty of Rs 2.4 crore has been imposed on Visa Worldwide Pte Limited and Rs 41.5 lakh on Manappuram Finance Limited. A fine of Rs 87.55 lakh has been slapped on Ola Financial Services in two cases. The RBI said monetary penalty on Payment System Operators (PSOs) Manappuram Finance and Ola Financial Services has been imposed for non-compliance with certain provisions of Know Your Customer (KYC) directions. Compounding orders were also issued to two Ola Financial Services and Visa Worldwide for contravention of certain provisions. Giving details, the Reserve Bank of India said it was observed that Visa Worldwide Pte Limited had implemented a payment authentication solution without regulatory clearance from the central bank. Accordingly, notice was issued to it, advising it to show cause as to why a penalty should not

Visa-free countries for Indians: From Americas to Africa, here's the list

As of 2024, Indian passport holders have visa-free access to 58 destinations around the world

Govt looks to speed up visa issuance for Chinese technicians: Report

The technicians are needed to operate Chinese-made machinery installed in Indian high-tech manufacturing units in industries ranging from telecoms to steel products and solar panels

India to fast-track China visas after businesses complain of delays

Businesses say restrictions are hurting the country's ability to become a manufacturing hub

Thailand introduces Destination visa for remote workers: Details here

Soon, if you successfully acquire a DTV, you'll receive a 5-year multiple-entry visa

Thailand expands visa-free status to 93 nations: Here's what you must know

Travellers from these qualified nations can visit Thailand for tourism or short-term business purposes

Visa, Mastercard to extend non-EU tourist card fee caps to 2029, says EU

Visa, the world's largest payments network operator, and its closest rival Mastercard, in 2019 agreed to a 0.2% fee cap on non-EU debit card payments

5 countries with updated visa policies; here's how Indians will be impacted

Many countries recently updated their visa policies and requirements which will have a potential impact on Indians. Anyone planning for foreign trips needs to stay informed about the latest updates

Adani Group's solar firm seeks visas for vendors' Chinese workers

Company cites lack of Indian expertise

Indians lost over 12 million euro on rejected Schengen visas in 2023

Schengen states rejected a total of 1.6 million euros visa applications in 2023, out of which a staggering 151,752 Indian nationals were denied

China asks Visa, Mastercard to reduce bank card transaction fees: Report

The Payment & Clearing Association of China is proposing lowering the fees charged on foreign card transactions to 1.5% from between 2% and 3%, the report said

Deferred pension plans, applying for visa: Top personal finance stories

This week we write about the advantages and drawbacks of annuity plans and how to work on your visa application

Financially savvy travellers: How Trisha and Modi plan their global travels

From Iceland to Africa, this globetrotting couple has seen it all by the age of 33. Here's how they prepare themselves financially for their adventures

Visa, Mastercard $30 bn settlement to limit card fees for merchants at risk

U.S. District Judge Margo Brodie in Brooklyn told lawyers for the card networks and objectors at a hearing on Thursday that she will "likely not approve the settlement," according to court records