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 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

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

USCIS scrutiny of H-1B workers seeking B-2 status is creating new uncertainty for laid-off professionals. Attorneys report more evidence requests, questions about temporary intent and job hunting, and pressure to secure a transfer or leave. USCIS increases scrutiny of B-2 applications Laid-off H-1B workers generally have up to 60 days to secure new employment, change immigration status or leave

Applications for the H-1B visa program for skilled non-immigrant workers have dropped sharply this year, with immigration experts estimating a decline of nearly 50 percent compared with the previous year. The fall in filings follows significant changes to the US immigration framework that have altered the dynamics of employer participation in the work visa program. Experts say the decline is linked largely to policy adjustments that introduced a steep increase in registration costs

The United States has begun implementing a new visa facilitation programme known as FIFA Pass as part of its preparations for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The initiative is designed to help international football fans secure visa interview appointments more quickly as demand for travel to the tournament is expected to surge in the months leading up to kickoff. According to US officials, FIFA Pass is intended to reduce long wait times for non-immigrant visas by prioritising inter

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

Australia has moved India into its highest-risk category for student visa applicants, a decision that will result in stricter scrutiny and longer processing timelines for thousands of prospective students. The change, implemented under Australia’s Simplified Student Visa Framework, takes effect from January 8, 2026, and represents an out-of-cycle reclassification driven by concerns over emerging integrity risks in the student visa system. Under the revised framework, India has bee

A significant legal challenge to the steep increase in H-1B visa fees has suffered a major setback after a US District Court ruled that the federal government acted within its legal authority. The ruling has delivered a blow to business and employer groups that argued the move would restrict access to skilled foreign talent, even as the H-1B visa programme continues to face mounting pressure from stricter regulations and prolonged processing delays across the globe. The decision was i

Several major technology companies in the United States have advised employees working on H-1B visas to avoid international travel or return to the country immediately, as uncertainty grows around new immigration rules, higher application costs, and prolonged delays in visa interview appointments. The guidance reflects mounting concern among employers and workers about potential re-entry complications and extended periods of disruption caused by recent policy changes. In recent mont

Recent calls by some US political activists to reduce or eliminate the presence of Indian professionals in American workplaces have reignited a long-running debate over immigration, national identity and economic growth. Mark Mitchell, a US pollster who has promoted what he describes as a “de-Indianisation” consultancy, has become a prominent voice in this discourse. His arguments reflect a broader strain of nativism that has surfaced periodically throughout American history, often at mom

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Wednesday that radical Islamic movements represent a growing and consequential threat not only to the United States but to global security as a whole. Describing these organisations as revolutionary in nature, Rubio said their objectives extend far beyond holding limited territory, and instead involve expanding their influence across regions and cultures. He noted that the ideological framework guiding these groups envisions a broad reach

​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

The United States is making significant changes to its non-immigrant visa procedures, reinstating mandatory in-person interviews for most applicants under the B1 and B2 visa categories, which cover short-term business and tourist travel. These new regulations will take effect from September 2, 2025, and will affect a broad segment of travelers, especially from countries like India that have a high volume of B1/B2 applicants. According to an official update from the government on J

Tech investor and venture capitalist Vinod Khosla has warned that the United States could lose its leadership position in climate technology due to ongoing immigration restrictions, many of which stem from policies introduced during former President Donald Trump’s administration. Speaking at a recent conference in Seattle, Khosla emphasized that innovation in climate-focused sectors is already being hindered by a slowdown in the inflow of skilled workers from abroad. Khos

The Trump administration is reportedly considering a major expansion of its travel ban, potentially adding 36 countries to the list of those restricted from entering the United States. This move comes amid President Donald Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, which began in earnest during his second term. Earlier this month, Trump signed a proclamation banning travelers from 12 countries, citing national security concerns and threats posed by foreign t

Washington: In a major policy move reminiscent of his earlier presidency, US President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping new executive order placing fresh travel restrictions on citizens of 12 countries and partial limitations on seven others. The directive, which the White House confirmed will go into effect on Monday, targets nationals of Afghanistan, Iran, Yemen, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. A separate but related