India has warned its nationals against using Malaysia’s 30-day visa-free entry facility to seek jobs, stressing that the arrangement is limited to tourism and social visits and does not permit any form of employment. The High Commission of India in Kuala Lumpur issued the advisory after observing a noticeable increase in Indians entering Malaysia under the visa-free scheme while intending to look for work. Accordin

A new US immigration rule expanding how officers assess whether certain immigrants could become a “public charge” takes effect on September 18, 2026. The change is expected to bring wider scrutiny to some green card applications, including adjustment-of-status cases submitted through Form I-485. The Department of Homeland Security has rescinded the 2022 public-charge regulations and returned to a broader case-by-case assessment. Under the revised approach,

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

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says international students whose study visas expire without permanent residency should return home, amid protests over PGWP and immigration rules. Canada Student Visa Warning From Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said international students who enter Canada on temporary study permits should leave the country when

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

America Ends Open-Ended Visa Stays for Students and Journalists The United States has finalised stricter visa regulations that will introduce fixed admission periods for international students, exchange visitors, and foreign journalists. The US student visa stay limit 2026 will replace the long-standing system that allowed eligible visa holders to remain for the duration of their academic programme or professional assignment. Under the new Department of

Thailand 30-Day Visa-Free Entry for Indians Retained in 2026 Thailand’s 30-day visa-free entry for Indians will continue under the country’s revised 2026 travel policy. However, Indian passport holders will now be permitted to stay without a visa for a maximum of 30 days instead of the earlier 60-day period. The decision offers relief to Indian tourists after uncertainty over whether Thailand would completely remove India from its visa-exemption prog

H-1B Visa Rules From August: Indians Face Fresh Hurdles The proposed H-1B visa rules from August could create fresh uncertainty for Indian professionals, students, and employers using key US immigration routes. The Trump administration is preparing changes that may tighten H-1B visa processing, Green Card sponsorship, student visa stay rules, OPT work permits, and H-4 spouse work authorization. The proposed changes are part of the latest US regulatory ag

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