USA VISA RULES
OPT visa rules tightened for international students: Inaccurate employment can now result in deportation
Many international students on OPT in the U.S., including thousands from India, are receiving ICE letters warning of SEVIS record termination and possible deportation due to missing employer information. Students must update SEVIS within 10 days of employment changes. With stricter enforcement now in place, even unreported jobs or DSO errors can trigger immigration consequences.
Check it if going abroad: A new forex card with no charges for ATM withdrawal, forex currency conversion and its lifetime free
Forex card: BookMyForex has launched an new single currency forex card which offers no charges for ATM withdrawals and forex currency conversion. However, these offers are being run for an limited period. Also as an introductory offer, you can get up to 2% cashback up to Rs 7,500 for forex loading transactions.
Birthright Citizenship under fire: Donald Trump’s proposal and the Supreme Court showdown | 14th Amendment explained
President Trump has repeatedly voiced concern over “birth tourism,” wherein foreign nationals travel to the U.S. to give birth, thereby securing citizenship for their children.
Buying health insurance for your stay abroad- Consider cost, coverage offered by both Indian and foreign insurers before taking a call
For Indian students pursuing higher education abroad, choosing the right health insurance is crucial. While foreign plans prioritize health coverage, Indian policies offer many travel-related and non-medical benefits. Some universities mandate taking local health insurance plans, but they can be costly. Indian insurers provide affordable options with broader coverage, including study interruptions and baggage loss. However, consider factors other than cost as well, before buying any cover.
Planning finances for studying abroad: Why you must take a headstart with investments and look for scholarships
Many Indian parents aspire to send their children abroad for education, but the high costs associated with it can be daunting for many. Early financial planning, investing wisely, and actively looking for scholarships abroad are crucial to ensure that you are not financially overwhelmed during the process. Experts advise accounting for tuition, living expenses, and currency fluctuations, with a 10% annual increase for education inflation.
Tufts student from Turkey details arrest, crowded detention conditions in new court filing
Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, is contesting her detention by immigration officials, alleging mistreatment and fear for her life. Accused of supporting Hamas without evidence, Ozturk's arrest follows criticism of Tufts' stance on Palestinian activism. A coalition of Jewish organizations is challenging her detention, citing violations of free speech and due process.
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What is Trump Card? $5 million 'gold card' US visa unveiled by President Donald Trump
Donald Trump has unveiled USA's first "gold card". Here are important details about the residency permit sold for $5 million each.
Dubai makes hotel booking and return ticket mandatory for tourist visas
Dubai has tightened tourist visa requirements, now mandating travelers to submit hotel bookings with QR codes and return tickets during the application process. This change, applicable to both tourist and visit visas, aims to streamline the process and ensure compliance. While offering convenience, the new rules have led to processing delays for some applicants.
New opportunities for Indians in America? US updates green card guidelines for those with extraordinary ability
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has revised its guidelines for the EB-1 visa category, which is for individuals who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in fields like science, arts, education, business, or sports. Many Indians with STEM backgrounds are shifting to the EB-1A option due to long wait times in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories, with only 140,000 Indians currently in line for EB-1 compared to over a million for EB-2 and EB-3.
US Court upholds rule allowing H-1B spouses to work in America
The US Court of Appeals confirmed the legality of a rule permitting spouses of H-1B visa holders to work, which was challenged by Save Jobs USA. Major tech firms backed this rule as it helps attract and retain skilled international talent. This decision supports the US tech sector despite recent federal agency power limitations.
Relief for H-1B spouses as US Supreme Court refuses to review work visa rules
About a hundred thousand Indian spouses, predominantly women, possess an EAD, granting them the ability to work or be self-employed. Official data from December 2017 indicates that 84,360 Indian spouses held an EAD, constituting 93% of all EADs issued.
Travelling abroad? Recent visa rule changes you need to know
Indians are seeing visa norms being relaxed in several countries. Indonesia has made visa-free travel ban official, though Indians can still travel with a visa on arrival. The US has raised its visa fees for business, tourism, and other categories; clearance-received and department-authorized travelers can now avail of interview waivers for new visas.
US court ends uncertainty over work permit for H-1B spouses
The United States had granted more than 59,000 work authorisations - called Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs) and Form I-765 - in 2021, including both initial and renewal to holders of H-4 visas that are granted to spouses of H-1B visa holders who are mostly from India. There are more than 100,000 H-4 EAD holders now, mostly women.
US court dismisses court challenging work authorisation of H-1B spouses
The H-4 visa is issued to spouses of H-1B visa holders that allows them to apply for employment authorisation (EAD) to legally work in the US. It is estimated that about 90% of the over 90,000 H-4EAD holders are Indian women.
H-1B visa-holders' spouses can work in US, says judge
The ability of H-1B holders’ spouses to also get jobs in the US has been a major attraction for highly skilled foreign workers, the tech companies have argued. Amazon.com Inc., Apple Inc., Google, Microsoft Corp. were among the companies who urged the judge to let the rule stand.
Indian startup ecosystem gets visa boost
The governments worldwide are tapping opportunities to get the Startups to move their base from India permanently. The founders of these start-ups are on the way to become future successful NRIs.
NRI Helpdesk: Do you qualify for an emergency US visa appointment?
For our NRI readers, we have started an immigration helpdesk. Write to us at nri.economictimes@gmail.com and our team of experts will address the most pressing issues.
NRI Helpdesk: Can R-1 visa holders travel to the US despite the travel ban?
For our NRI readers, we have started an immigration helpdesk. Write to us at nri.economictimes@gmail.com and our team of experts will address the most pressing issues.
UAE issues new guidelines for Indian passengers. Here are the details
The UAE has resumed visa on arrival, but only for Indian nationals who have a visa or residence permit issued by the USA, United Kingdom or an EU Member State. As of now, only these travellers from India would be eligible for a visa on arrival.
NRI Helpdesk: Can IR-5 immigrant visa holders travel to US despite travel ban?
We have started an immigration helpdesk. You can write to us at nri.economictimes@gmail.com and our team of experts will address the most pressing issues.
NRI Helpdesk: Can students enrolled in Optional Practical Training Programs (OPT) enter the United States in July?
For our NRI readers, we have started an immigration helpdesk. Write to us at nri.economictimes@gmail.com and our team of experts will address the most pressing issues.
Confused about where to study? This is how US, UK and Canada stack up for Indian students
While in the US, tuition fee averages $28,000 a year, but it can easily go up to $50,000 per year, depending on whether you go to a public or private university. In the UK, the average tuition is lower at about $20,000. Depending on the course and university, fees in Canada can be as low as $7,500.
Impact of 2020 US Elections on Indian students seeking American education
The USA was a destination for about a million international students last academic year – of which over 200,000 students are from India 3 – contributing to over $8bn to the US economy. It is now a well-known fact that the USA as the preferred destination for Indian students is declining over the past few years.
One lakh Indian families in the US get relief due to Trump admin's appeal against revoking H4 visas
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) argued that the American technology workers, who had challenged the 2015 ruling on giving work permits to H-4 visa-holders, have not been irreparably harmed by such work authorisation.
US court refuses to strike down work permits for spouses of H1B visa workers
The judges found that the rule will cause more H–1B visa holders to remain in the US than otherwise would.
End of career draws nearer for spouses of H-1B visa-holders
The Obama administration had in May 2015, introduced a rule known as H-4 EAD that enabled spouses to work while the principal H-1B visa holder waited for a green card.
US court to hear lawsuit against H-4 visa authorisation to spouses of H1B visa holders
The Barack Obama administration in 2015 allowed H4 visa-holders - mainly spouses of the H-1B visa-holders - to be gainfully employed in the US.
Trump administration tells court decision to revoke work permits to H4 visa holders within 3 months
H-4 visas, issued to immediate family members of H-1B holders, are most sought-after for Indian techies.
SelectUSA to help resolve visa issues of Indian firms
Established by President Obama in 2011, SelectUSA promotes and facilitates business investment into America. It is a wing of US Department of Commerce.
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