The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed an additional $103,265 fee for each H-1B cap-subject petition. If finalised, the charge would be paid in addition to existing filing and statutory fees, significantly increasing employer sponsorship costs. The proposal does not target any one nationality. However, Indian professionals could be disproportionately affected because they form a major share of H-1B beneficiaries, particularly in technology and other specialised occupati

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is preparing an important filing change for international students, exchange visitors and other nonimmigrants, with revised editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 becoming mandatory from September 15, 2026. USCIS says it will publish the 09/15/26 editions of Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, on that date. Older editions filed on or after September 15 will be

USCIS officers can now deny incomplete or insufficiently supported immigration benefit requests without first seeking additional evidence. The policy applies immediately to eligible requests pending or filed on or after August 5, 2026. USCIS Tightens Immigration Filing Rules US Citizenship and Immigration Services has strengthened evidence requirements for immigration benefit requests, giving officers wider discretion to deny cases th

India-New Zealand FTA Row: Peters Alleges Visa Rule Changes Target Indians New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has alleged that immigration-related terms linked to the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement have been quietly changed in a way that could affect Indian students, workers, and professionals. The allegation has triggered a political row in New Zealand, with the ruling National Party rejecting the claim and calling it misinformation. Th

Indian H-1B Worker Alleges Employer Forced Him To Pay $100K To Keep Visa Status An Indian technology worker in the United States has filed a lawsuit alleging that his employer forced him to pay nearly $100,000 to keep his job and maintain his legal immigration status. The worker, identified as Rishikesh Raj Meesala, has accused Progress Solutions, Inc. and its Indian-origin chief executive, Sai Jitendra Kalagara, of using his H-1B visa dependency to pres

H-1B Interview Question Worries Indian Applicants As US Visa Scrutiny Tightens H-1B visa applicants are facing a tougher interview environment in the United States, with many candidates now being asked a question that is catching them off guard: “Why can’t an American do this job?” The question has become a growing concern among skilled foreign workers, especially applicants from India working in technology, IT services, consulting, and other speci

Kazakhstan Launches Altyn Visa Kazakhstan has announced a new 10-year Golden Visa programme called the Altyn Visa to attract foreign investors, entrepreneurs and skilled professionals. The scheme is part of the country’s wider immigration reforms aimed at bringing global capital and talent into key sectors while reducing dependence on oil revenues. Under the proposed programme, foreign nationals investing at least $300,000 in Kazakhstan may qualify for

Indian Student Visa Holder Wins Scottish Parliament Seat Student Visa Holder Wins Seat Indian citizen Q Manivannan has been elected as a member of the Scottish Parliament for the Edinburgh and Lothians East region as a Scottish Green Party regional list member. The case has drawn attention because Manivannan reportedly holds a Student visa linked to a PhD at the University of St Andrews. After completing the PhD, Manivann

UK Immigration White Paper Proposes Tougher Visa And Settlement Rules UK Immigration Rules Set For Change The UK government’s 2025 immigration white paper has proposed major changes to visa and settlement rules as part of efforts to reduce net migration. The document does not directly change the law, but several proposals have already started moving forward through immigration rule updates. Key proposals include reducin

Japan Tightens Business Manager Visa Rules For Foreign Entrepreneurs Japan Visa Applications Fall Sharply Japan has recorded a 96% drop in business manager visa applications after the government tightened eligibility rules last October. Immigration Services Agency data showed that applications fell from a monthly average of about 1,700 before the change to nearly 70 per month after the revised standards took effect. Offic

Immigration Attorney Explains Founder’s EB-1A Visa Journey Founder’s Long Visa Journey Kazakhstan-born entrepreneur Ablay Sarmantay secured a US EB-1A approval after facing six visa rejections over five years. He had received five student visa refusals and one tourist visa denial before finally entering the United States with his family. His EB-1A petition was later approved in just 16 days under the extraordinary ability categ

EB-1, EB-2 And EB-5 Updates For Indian Green Card Applicants US June Visa Bulletin Released The U.S. Department of State has released the June 2026 Visa Bulletin, giving the latest update on immigrant visa availability, final action dates, and dates for filing applications. The bulletin is important for employment-based green card applicants from India, especially those waiting under EB-1, EB-2, and EB-5 categories. Accor

Bali Visa Rules Tighten For Influencers And Creators Bali Tightens Visitor Visa Rules Indonesian immigration authorities have warned foreign tourists in Bali against carrying out unpaid promotional or work-related activities while staying on visitor visas. Officials said travellers must ensure their activities match the purpose of their visa and stay permit, as even unpaid collaborations may violate immigration rules if they provid

OPT Visa Crackdown Raises Concern For Indian Students In US ICE Probes OPT Visa Misuse US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has identified around 10,000 foreign students, including several Indians, who allegedly claimed employment with highly suspect companies under the Optional Practical Training program. OPT allows F-1 student visa holders to work in the United States after graduation for 12 months, while STEM students may qualify for longer e

US Visa Restrictions Target Alleged Fentanyl Supply Network   US Targets Alleged Fentanyl Network The United States has imposed visa restrictions on 13 individuals linked to an India-based online pharmacy accused of selling counterfeit prescription pills laced with fentanyl to people in America. The action is part of Washington’s wider crackdown on global opioid trafficking networks. According to the U.S. Department o