Jacqueline Fernandez has received a Delhi court NOC allowing her to apply for renewal of her Indian work visa. The Sri Lankan actor remains involved in a ₹200 crore money-laundering case linked to Sukesh Chandrashekar, while the FRRO will decide her visa request independently. A Delhi court has granted actor Jacqueline Fernandez a no-objection certificate allowing her to apply for renewal of her employment visa in India while her money-laundering case continues.

  Cap-exempt H-1B jobs can allow qualifying workers to avoid the annual H-1B lottery when employed by certain universities, affiliated nonprofits, nonprofit research organizations or governmental research organizations. This guide explains eligibility and employer changes. What does cap-exempt H-1B mean? Most new cap-subject H-1B cases fall under annual limits of 65,

  H-1B workers can work for more than one US employer, but they cannot simply take an unrestricted second job. Each employer generally must file its own H-1B petition and Labor Condition Application. This guide explains concurrent employment and job changes. How concurrent H-1B employment works An H-1B worker can legally work for more than one US emp

H-1B workers who lose a US job may qualify for an up-to-60-day grace period to take immigration action. This guide explains the current rule, changing employers, changing status, employer obligations and a new DHS proposal that could eliminate the grace period. How the H-1B grace period works When H-1B employment ends, either voluntarily or involuntarily, federal regulations currently allow an

H-1B workers can generally receive extensions within a six-year maximum, while some qualify for additional time through AC21 or recaptured time abroad. This guide explains Form I-129 extensions, continued work while a case is pending and the major exceptions to the six-year limit. How the H-1B extension process works H-1B status is generally granted for periods of up to three years. An employer

    An H-1B worker can change US employers when the new company follows the required petition process. This guide explains H-1B transfer rules, the LCA and Form I-129 process, portability, when work can begin and when another H-1B lottery may or may not be required. How the H-1B transfer process works An H-1B “transfer” is commonly used

H-1B visa eligibility depends on more than holding a degree. The US job must qualify as a specialty occupation, the worker must have appropriate education, training or equivalent experience, and a qualifying employer must offer a bona fide position and file the petition. The job must qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation Most H-1B workers qualify through a specialty occupation

President Donald Trump extended the H-1B entry restriction through September 21, 2027. The proclamation again cites a $100,000 payment for certain workers abroad, but federal court rulings have blocked implementation while appeals continue over its legality. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on September 18, 2026, extending restrictions on the entry of certain H-1B workers for another 12 months. The renewed meas

The proposed $4,000 H-1B extension fee would not apply to every employer or visa holder. It targets companies with at least 50 U.S. employees when more than half hold H-1B or L-1 status, expanding the surcharge to same-employer extension petitions as well. Which employers meet the threshold? The eligibility rules are part of a broader

A pending DHS rule could extend the $4,000 H-1B extension fee and $4,500 L-1 surcharge to routine stay extensions filed by large visa-dependent employers, increasing retention costs for technology and consulting companies and affecting many India-born professionals. DHS keeps broader surcharge at final-rule stage The Department of Homeland Security proposed the change on June 6, 2024. It would

Did Indian nationals exploit H-1B visas? Guilty plea reveals visa fraud scheme. Two Indian nationals have admitted to orchestrating a fraudulent H-1B visa scheme, confirming that the program was deliberately misused through false job claims linked to the University of California system. Between June 2020 and January 2023, the accused used a firm associated with one of them to submit petitions containing fabricated employment details, influencing approvals under the US immigration process.

A young Indian professional’s experience reflects a broader reality faced by many Indians working abroad, especially in countries like the UK. After spending several years building a career overseas, many Indian workers hope to transition into long-term roles. However, visa restrictions often become a major hurdle. As work visas near expiration, professionals must secure jobs that offer sponsorship—something that is not always easy to find. Many companies are hesitant to sponsor for

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 prolonged delay in H-1B visa stamping that began in December has continued into the new year, with no signs of immediate relief for thousands of skilled workers dependent on timely consular processing. No new interview slots have been opened at US consulates in India, and applicants are now receiving notifications that their previously scheduled appointments are being deferred as far as 2027, intensifying anxiety among visa holders and employers alike. Immigration attorneys and

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

The United States has announced a major overhaul of its H-1B visa programme, scrapping the long-running lottery-based selection system in favour of a wage-weighted model that prioritises higher-paid and higher-skilled foreign workers. The new rule, issued by the Department of Homeland Security, will come into effect on February 27, 2026, and will apply to the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration cycle, with registrations expected to open in March 2026 for jobs beginning on October 1. While

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

Thousands of Indian H-1B visa holders who traveled to India in December for routine visa renewals are facing serious uncertainty after US consulates unexpectedly canceled or postponed their interview appointments. What was planned as a short visit during the holiday season has turned into a prolonged ordeal for many professionals, with several applicants now being told that their next available interview dates could be as late as October 2026. The sudden changes have left thousands stranded in I

Fresh delays in H-1B visa interviews following expanded social media screening by the United States government have left hundreds of Indian professionals stranded outside the country, creating serious uncertainty around their employment and legal status. Immigration attorneys say the extended checks have slowed consular operations significantly, pushing interview appointments months into the future and placing workers at risk of losing their jobs while waiting abroad. The US Department of St

Hundreds of Indian professionals holding H-1B work visas have found themselves unexpectedly stranded in India after US authorities postponed visa interviews that were originally scheduled for December, pushing them to March, April, or even later next year. The abrupt decision has disrupted travel plans, employment continuity and family stability for many skilled workers who were visiting India temporarily and expected to return to their jobs in the United States within weeks. The sudden uncertai