The Russia travel warning remains at Level 4 as the US Embassy issues an Irkutsk alert over a suspected plague case. While the WHO update says the wider plague risk is very low, Americans are still urged to avoid Russia because of security and wrongful-detention concerns. US keeps Level 4 Russia warning as Irkutsk case draws attention The United States has reiterated its Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning for Russia while issuing a new

US visa revocations have surpassed 250,000 since President Donald Trump returned to office, according to the State Department. The total includes cases involving criminal conduct, visa violations, fraud and about 2,300 revocations connected to birth tourism. The U.S. State Department says it has revoked more than 250,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, marking a major increase in immigration screening and post-issuance enforcem

The U.S. visa interview for minors in India generally requires children to appear in person, including newborns and teenagers. The U.S. Embassy in India reiterated the rule as State Department interview-waiver standards remain narrower than in earlier years. The U.S. Embassy in India has reminded parents that minor applicants generally must appear in person for a U.S. visa interview, including newborns and teenagers approaching age 18. Sending only a parent or guar

The Trump administration is reportedly considering an expansion of US visa social media vetting that could affect foreign journalists and other applicants. The proposed changes may require covered applicants to make their social media accounts public so US officials can review their online activity during visa screening. The reported plan would extend an immigration screening practice already applied to several cat

The US visa bond program became permanent on August 3, 2026, allowing consular officers to require $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 bonds from certain B1/B2 applicants. The rule covers 50 countries, targets overstays and does not currently include Indian nationals. The U.S. State Department made its visa bond program permanent on Monday, August 3, 2026, allowing consular officers to require certain B-1, B-2 or combined B-1/B-2

The Trump administration is considering a $100,000 green card bond for certain applicants completing consular processing abroad. The unconfirmed proposal would examine financial self-sufficiency but leaves eligibility, refund rules and implementation unclear. The Trump administration is considering requiring certain people applying for U.S. green cards through consulates abroad to post bonds of up to $100,000, according to

WASHINGTON — The State Department will launch a six-month B1/B2 visa interview pilot on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, allowing a limited number of applicants to pay $750 for an interview appointment within 10 business days at selected U.S. embassies and consulates overseas. The paid option will be tested through Thursday, December 31, 2026. It is designed to measure demand for faster interview scheduling at consular posts where regular appointment waits can exceed one

US Clears Major Defense Sale To Kuwait The United States has approved a proposed $1.98 billion arms sale to Kuwait, a package centered on advanced counter-drone systems and related defense equipment. The State Department said the sale is intended to strengthen Kuwait’s ability to respond to current and future threats, particularly unmanned aerial systems that could endanger military sites, civilian infrastr

EB-2 India is unavailable for fiscal year 2026 after all available visa numbers for Indian applicants were used, pausing final Green Card approvals until the next fiscal year begins on Thursday, October 1, 2026. The U.S. State Department said all available Employment-Based Second Preference immigrant visas for applicants chargeable to India have been issued for FY2026. As a result, U.S. embassies and consulates cannot issue additional EB-2 immigrant visas in these cases for the rema

The United States government has urged Americans in parts of the Middle East to leave the region as fighting linked to the escalating Iran war intensifies, complicating travel and raising security concerns. The State Department issued updated guidance advising citizens to depart from 14 countries, including Israel, Lebanon, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, as regional security conditions deteriorate. Until recently, Americans in several of these countries had been instructed to s

The United States State Department is preparing to pause visa processing for applicants from approximately 75 countries beginning January 21, according to an internal departmental directive. The measure instructs consular officers to deny visa applications under existing immigration law while the department conducts a broad reassessment of screening and vetting standards. The pause is described as indefinite, with only very limited exceptions expected during the review period. The c

The United States government has revoked approximately 85,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office in January, according to a statement shared by the State Department on X. The announcement described the cancellations as part of a sharpened national security agenda endorsed by both the president and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The message emphasized that the administration intends to continue its intensified oversight of foreign nationals as part of its broader commitment

The United States government has announced a significant escalation in its immigration oversight, with the Department of State confirming that it is reviewing the records of more than 55 million foreigners who currently hold valid US visas. This large-scale review aims to identify potential violations of immigration rules or security threats that could make an individual ineligible to remain in the country. Officials have indicated that the move forms part of an

​Starting September 2, 2025, significant changes to United States visa policy will take effect, impacting thousands of H-1B and other nonimmigrant visa holders across the country. The U.S. State Department has announced that its long-standing Interview Waiver Program, which allowed many visa holders to renew without attending an in-person interview, will be largely discontinued. This shift means that most applicants, including those on H-1B visas, will now be