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

Sri Lanka’s new free ETA rule allows Indian tourists to visit for 30 days without visa fees   Sri Lanka Free ETA For Indians Begins Sri Lanka's free ETA for Indians has officially started from May 25, 2026, allowing Indian passport holders to visit the island nation for up to 30 days without paying visa fees. The new Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme covers travelle

From New Delhi today, Indian H-1B visa holders are confronting a critical situation as major US tech companies like Meta, Amazon, and LinkedIn announce layoffs. Thousands of Indian professionals on H-1B visas now face a strict 60-day grace period to secure a new employer willing to sponsor their visa, switch to a different visa category, or leave the United States. The combination of rising Silicon Valley layoffs, AI-driven restructuring, and a slowing job market has intensified pressure on t

H-1B Job Loss Rule Leaves Indian Tech Workers Searching For Visa Options   Indian H-1B Workers Under Pressure Indian tech professionals in the US are facing fresh uncertainty after layoffs at major companies such as Meta, Amazon, and Oracle. Many affected employees are working on H-1B visas, where the job loss rule gives them only 60 days to find another employer who can sponsor their visa. If they fail to secure a new role withi

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

World Cup Fans Get Relief From US Visa Bond Rule US Visa Bond Rule Relaxed The Trump administration has temporarily eased a visa bond rule for certain foreign football fans travelling to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Under the revised policy, eligible fans from select countries with confirmed World Cup tickets and enrolment in FIFA’s visa facilitation system will not have to pay visa bonds of up to $15,000.

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