Hari Karasani, a 24-year-old Indian student visiting Alaska from Texas, remains missing more than eight months after he was last seen in Healy. Alaska State Troopers continue to seek information from anyone who may know what happened after he left the Aurora Denali Lodge. Nearly nine months after Indian student Hari Karasani disappeared during a solo trip to Alaska, his whereabouts remain unknown. Karasani, 24, was last seen leaving

Two Indian students from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry died in a Canada flight training accident. Canadian authorities are investigating a Cessna 172 crash near Kisbey, Saskatchewan, while the Indian consulate has offered repatriation assistance to their families. Two Indian students from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have died in an aviation accident in Canada while undergoing flight training, the Consulate General of Ind

Are dakshina and Hindu priest payments taxable in the US? IRS rules generally treat compensation for religious services as taxable income. Temple salary, direct ceremony payments, self-employment tax and qualifying housing allowances can follow different rules. Payments made to Hindu priests in the United States can be taxable even when described as dakshina, honorarium or offerings. For federal tax purpo

A temple volunteer is not automatically an employee under U.S. law. Genuine unpaid religious service is generally permitted at nonprofits, but regular duties, expected compensation or replacing paid workers can change the analysis. Visa holders also face separate immigration rules. Indian temples across the United States often depend on volunteers for festivals, kitchens, religious programs, administration and community events. But when does un

Unauthorized employment in the USA can include working without permission, working beyond an approved period or taking employment outside the limits of a visa category. H-1B, F-1, R-1, visitor and dependent visa holders can face very different rules. Taking a side job, freelancing or accepting paid work in the United States can create immigration problems when a visa holder does not have the required empl

An R-1 Hindu priest can potentially work for two temples in the United States, but approval from one temple does not automatically authorize employment with another. Federal rules require each additional qualifying religious employer to obtain authorization for the worker. A Hindu priest in R-1 religious worker status can potentially work for two temples in the United States. However, approval to work for

Can an R-1 Hindu priest perform private pujas for money in the USA? A home ceremony is not automatically prohibited, but R-1 workers cannot freely take independent paid work. The sponsoring employer, approved duties, work locations and payment arrangement can determine whether the work is authorized. Hindu priests in the United States are often invited to homes for weddings, housewarmings, Satyanarayana p

The R-1 visa allows qualifying Hindu priests and other religious workers to work temporarily for eligible U.S. religious organizations. Key requirements include two years of denominational membership, an approved employer petition and at least 20 hours of religious work weekly. The R-1 visa for Hindu priests allows qualifying religious workers to serve temporarily at eligible religious or

Can a Hindu priest work a second job in the USA? Citizens and green card holders generally have broad employment rights, but priests in R-1 religious worker status face specific restrictions on employers, job duties and outside secular work. A Hindu priest working in the United States may or may not be able to take a second job. The key factor is not the person's religious role itself, but their U.S. immigration and employment status

When an Indian citizen dies in the US, the appropriate Indian Consulate can help the family with death registration, documentation, coordination with local authorities and repatriation formalities. In qualifying cases, financial assistance may also be considered. When an Indian citizen dies in the United States, the Indian Consulate responsible for the state where the death occurred can b

The cost to repatriate a body from the US to India varies by funeral home, departure city, airline, preparation requirements and destination. Private providers commonly quote several thousand dollars, with funeral services, embalming, casket preparation and air cargo forming major expenses. Families arranging international repatriation after a death in the United States can face expenses running into several thousand dollars. There is n

When an Indian dies in the US, the family may need to coordinate with local authorities, a funeral home and the appropriate Indian Consulate. This guide explains the basic repatriation process, required documents, transportation arrangements and where families can seek assistance. When an Indian dies in the US, bringing the deceased person's mortal remains back to India can involve several agencies. Families may need to work wi

Mohammed Jaber Hussain, a 27-year-old Hyderabad native living in Lowell, Massachusetts, died on September 14, 2026. His family is seeking assistance to repatriate his mortal remains to India, prompting appeals for support from authorities and the Indian community. Hyderabad family seeks urgent assistance International transportation of mortal rem

India to U.S. parcel customs duty may be collected differently depending on whether a shipment travels through FedEx, UPS, DHL or the postal network. CBP determines applicable government charges, while carriers may collect them and add separate clearance or advancement fees. When a parcel arrives in the United States from India, the delivery company may ask for payment of customs charges. That does not mea

A customs duty email can be legitimate when a carrier is collecting import charges, but fake parcel-payment messages are also common. U.S. recipients should verify the tracking number, carrier, shipment details and payment portal before entering card or personal information. An email or text demanding customs duty on a parcel from India should not automatically be treated as either genuine or fraudulent. Shipping companies can legitimately con

Customs duty on gifts from India to the U.S. does not apply automatically to every parcel. CBP maintains a separate exemption for qualifying unsolicited gifts worth up to $100 per recipient per day, even as broader de minimis treatment remains suspended. A gift sent from India to a friend or relative in the United States can still qualify for duty-free treatment in certain circumstances, despite major changes to U.S. rules

A restaurant lease checklist USA helps NRI buyers determine whether an existing location can support the acquisition. Rent, additional charges, remaining lease term, assignment rights, renewal options, permitted use and landlord conditions should be reviewed before closing. A restaurant's lease can be one of its most important operating commitments.

US taxes for NRI restaurant owners depend on tax residency, business structure and location. Foreign owners may face federal income tax, EIN or ITIN requirements, foreign-owner reporting, payroll obligations and state or local taxes when operating a U.S. restaurant. Owning a restaurant in the United States can create tax responsibilities even wh

A restaurant due diligence checklist USA helps NRI buyers verify whether an existing business is worth its asking price. Financial records, taxes, leases, permits, equipment, liabilities and contracts should be examined before a purchase agreement becomes final. Buying an operating restaurant can save time compared with starting from scratch, bu

Choosing an LLC or corporation for an NRI-owned restaurant affects liability, taxes, paperwork and foreign-owner reporting. This guide explains how LLCs and C corporations differ, why S-corp status may be unavailable, and what Indian investors should review before forming the business. Choosing a legal structure is one of the first decisions for an NRI planning to