Can an F-1 student start a business in the US? Ownership and employment are separate. F-1 students may pursue entrepreneurship through qualifying OPT, while unauthorized day-to-day work can violate status. STEM OPT startups face additional employer and training requirements. An F-1 international student may be able to own or invest in a U.S. business, but actively working for that business is a separate immigration

Can an H-4 holder start a business in the US? An H-4 spouse may generally own or invest in a company, but actively working in it requires employment authorization. This guide explains H-4 EAD eligibility, LLC ownership and what entrepreneurs should know before operating a business. An H-4 dependent spouse can generally own or invest in a U.S. business, including an LLC. However, H-4 status alone does not a

Can an H-1B holder start a business in the US? Business ownership is generally possible, but actively working for the company requires proper H-1B authorization. Newer rules also allow qualifying beneficiary-owned companies to petition for their founders under specific conditions. An H-1B visa holder can generally own or invest in a U.S. business, including an LLC or corporation. However, owning the compan

Can an Indian citizen start a business in the US? Yes, but business ownership and permission to work are separate issues. This guide explains LLC registration, EIN requirements, taxes, immigration limits and why Indian nationals should check visa rules before operating a U.S. business. An Indian citizen can start or own a business in the United States, including while living in India. But ownership and permission t

Pakistan has issued an Umrah warning for citizens travelling to Saudi Arabia, urging pilgrims and workers to strictly follow local laws and avoid begging. The advisory highlights Saudi begging laws and reminds Pakistani nationals that violating visa conditions or local regulations can bring serious consequences. Pakistan Umrah warning targets begging violatio

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

Indian student applications to US colleges are showing signs of pressure ahead of Fall 2026. Common App submissions from India fell 14%, while visa appointment delays and new F-1 rules add uncertainty for the largest international student group in America. Applications from India are showing signs of slowing as U.S. colleges prepare for Fall 2026. Common App submissions from international applicants declined 9% for the 202

Fall 2026 US student visa delays are creating uneven appointment availability for Indian applicants. Current State Department data show waits varying by consulate, while students are urged to apply early, monitor new slots and contact their university if arrival may be delayed. International students preparing for Fall 2026 are facing uneven access to U.S. visa appointments. NAFSA said on August 11, 2026, that limited or d

The F-1 fixed admission rule scheduled for September 15, 2026, would replace open-ended duration-of-status admissions with fixed periods. Indian students may face new requirements involving I-94 dates, program extensions, OPT, transfers and graduate study. F-1 students would receive a fixed admission date A major U.S. immigration rule scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026, would end th

US international student enrollment could fall 9.5% in Fall 2026, with NAFSA and JB International projecting up to 111,000 fewer students. Visa delays, policy changes and graduate-level declines could cut $3.4 billion in spending and affect 39,000 U.S. jobs. U.S. colleges and universities could enroll up to 111,000 fewer international students in Fall 2026, according to preliminary projections released August 11, 2026, by

Ohio power outages can create added problems for NRIs, international students and temporary visa holders who rent homes, rely on immigration documents or face food losses. This guide explains insurance, utility claims, SNAP limits and document protection after severe storms. Ohio outages create added concerns for NRI households Severe storms on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, caused widespread power failures across centra

The Tucson murder case involving 19-year-old Julissa Rubi Salazar has led to the arrest of Indian national Varun Batchigari in Germany. He faces first-degree murder and kidnapping charges in Arizona and is being held pending extradition to Pima County. A 20-year-old Indian national accused of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend in Tucson, Arizona, has been arrested in Germany and is awaiting extradition to Arizona. Varun Ba

India e-visa entry points have expanded to 88 nationwide, including 37 airports, 38 seaports and 13 land ports. The additions include the Attari border crossing, several other land ports, and Bhopal and Tirupati airports. India has expanded its network of e-visa entry points to 88 locations, giving eligible international travelers more airports, seaports and land crossings through which they can enter the

 India e-visa entry points now total 88 after the government notified Attari e-visa access, Bhopal Airport, Tirupati Airport and eight other land ports during 2026, giving eligible foreign travellers more authorised routes into the country.   India Opens Attari and 10 More Entry Points to E-Visa Holders New Delhi, August 11, 2026: India has expanded its electronic visa network by notifying 11

An approved Form I-797 confirms an H-1B petition but normally does not replace the visa needed to return to the United States after travel abroad. H-1B workers should understand the roles of the visa stamp, I-797 and I-94, along with the narrow automatic revalidation exception. An H-1B worker may have a valid employment approval extending for months or years but still face a problem after leaving the United States: For

H-1B workers considering visa stamping outside India now face stricter U.S. guidance. Since July 15, 2026, nonimmigrant applicants should interview in their country of nationality or residence, while third-country applicants may face longer waits and greater difficulty qualifying. H-1B workers who cannot find convenient visa appointments in India sometimes consider traveling to another country for visa stamping. That strategy, commonly called third-country stamping,

An emergency H-1B visa appointment in India may be requested when an applicant has an urgent, unforeseen need for earlier U.S. travel. Applicants must first complete the DS-160, pay the visa fee and book a regular appointment before asking the consular section to expedite it. H-1B workers stranded in India because they need a new visa stamp may consider requesting an expedited visa interview when normal appointment dates are t

H-1B applicants in India who cannot find a suitable visa appointment still have several steps to consider. Current U.S. guidance allows applicants to watch for newly released slots and request expedited interviews for qualifying emergencies, while newer rules limit other shortcuts. H-1B workers who travel to India and need a new visa stamp can face a difficult situation when suitable interview appointments are unavailable. For someone expected back at a U.S. job, a

An H-1B worker stranded in India without a valid visa stamp may need a new visa before returning to the U.S. This explainer covers I-797 approval, unavailable H-1B appointments, expedited interview requests, required steps and the risks of seeking stamping outside India. An H-1B worker who traveled to India during a family emergency says they are now unable to return to the United States because they do not have a valid H-1B v

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