VISA WAIT TIME
US Visa Bulletin For August 2024: Green Card applications from India see progress, but little
The August 2024 Visa Bulletin shows slight advancements for India's EB-2 and EB-3 categories, offering a glimmer of hope for applicants.
US Visa Bulletin For July 2024: Huge leap forward in a major Green Card category for Indians
For those who are applying for Green Cards, it is essential to comprehend the Visa Bulletin since it contains important details regarding the deadlines for modifying immigration status and eligibility depending on application submission. With two crucial sections, the bulletin serves as a roadmap for the Green Card application process.
A recent Supreme Court ruling may shake up US immigration laws, specially for H-1B workers
The US Supreme Court's recent decision to overturn the Chevron precedent has significant implications for immigration laws, particularly affecting the Indian diaspora. The ruling may impact H-1B visa holders and their employers, while also raising questions about the future of the H-4 EAD program.
Applying for a US student visa? American Embassy has a warning for you
Indian students continue to favor the United States as their top destination for overseas education, with expectations of increased student visa applications in 2024. In 2023, India issued 140,000 student visas, and the number of Indian students in the US surged by 35 percent to reach a record 268,923, constituting over 25 percent of the international student population in the country. Acting spokesperson Nicole Holler highlighted the appeal of US universities for their facilities, faculty quality, research opportunities, and career benefits.
Japan imposes new fees on Mount Fuji climbers to limit tourists
Park rangers on Japan's Mount Fuji launched this year's climbing season before sunrise, implementing new trail fees and capping daily hiker numbers at 4,000 to manage overcrowding. Climbers now pay ¥2,000 ($12) per person amid concerns over litter and trail congestion from last year. The season runs until September 10, aiming to mitigate environmental impact and safety issues, especially among eager "bullet climbers". Despite Japan's tourism boom, authorities seek to balance visitor numbers with sustainable management practices.
Australia's new visa rules kick in; here's how they will affect Indians
Starting July 1, individuals seeking Australian student visas must apply from outside the country. This change affects holders of certain visas, including Visitor and Temporary Graduate visas, who can no longer apply for Student visas while in Australia. Applications submitted within Australia before July 1, 2024, will still be processed, and Working Holiday Maker and Work and Holiday visa holders remain unaffected.
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US chip dreams will fade without more immigrants
In a rare display of bipartisan cooperation, Democrats and Republicans passed the Chips and Science Act to revitalize US semiconductor manufacturing. However, a failure to address the shortage of skilled workers threatens the industry's growth. Proposed solutions include a specialized visa program and increased support for STEM education.
Wait for earnings and Budget to identify attractive sectors for investment: Deepak Shenoy
These companies are quite cyclical, moving between downturns and upturns. Recently, there has been an upturn for Muthoot and Manappuram, partly because IIFL, a major player in the gold financing space, faced some RBI action leading to a slowdown in its gold lending portfolio.
Australian state invites tourists with surprise job offers. Are you ready?
Tasmania's Off Season offers 10 distinct experiences for those seeking a break from routine. From conducting music in caves to exploring paranormal activities at historical sites, these odd jobs promise adventure and creativity. Essential information for travelers includes visa requirements, biosecurity measures, time zone details, and communication options. Enjoy a winter adventure with these diverse experiences!
Delhi Airport sets biometric gate for faster immigration check
Delhi International Airport has introduced biometric registration kiosks for faster immigration processing, under the supervision of the Bureau of Immigration. The kiosks will halve the time required to process visas for foreign nationals arriving in India with a visa where biometric information was not collected during the application process.
DIAL sets up biometric registration kiosks for faster immigration processing
Delhi International Airport Limited introduced biometric registration kiosks supervised by the Bureau of Immigration for faster immigration processing. These kiosks, currently operational at the international arrival pier, expedite the process for foreign nationals without prior biometric data.
Record student visas to Indians last year, number likely to cross this year: US Embassy
American universities attract a large number of Indian students, and last year, the US consular team in India issued over 1,40,000 student visas -- higher than for any other country setting a record for the third year in a row.
World Cup 2024: All the visas that will let you play for the US cricket team
Many have remarked that few players on the host team are truly nationals of nations like India and Pakistan, and even fewer are recently naturalised citizens, as the Men's T20 World Cup 2024 is currently taking place in the United States. Which visas or immigration routes allow you to represent the United States cricket team?
Indian immigration agent pleads guilty in international students fraud case in Canada; sentenced to three years in jail
Brijesh Mishra, an Indian immigration agent involved in a scam issuing fake college admissions to Indian students to obtain Canadian visas, was sentenced to three years in jail after pleading guilty in a Vancouver court. Mishra, 37, was linked to fraudulent acceptance letters for Canadian colleges provided to students between 2016 and 2020. Arrested in Surrey, BC, in June 2023, he apologized for his actions and expressed remorse. Mishra will serve an additional 19 months, having already spent time in custody since his arrest.
Indian entrepreneur shares plight of Schengen Visa delays, says even Rs 4 lakh and months of waiting aren't enough
An Indian investor based in London, Aashima Arora, missed an international flight despite spending over Rs 4 lakh and waiting months for a Schengen visa to visit Denmark. Arora, a venture capitalist at LocalGlobe, expressed frustration over the lengthy visa process, highlighting the impact on her business plans. The wait time for Schengen visas remains particularly high for Indian travelers.
US Consulate in Hyderabad extends student visa season by two weeks after 10,000 F-1 visa slots disappear in 5 minutes
The US Consulate in Hyderabad extends student visa season by two weeks in response to appointment booking issues raised by students through an online petition. Limited US visa slots and long wait times in Hyderabad compared to other cities pose challenges for students.
US releases first tranche of student visa appointments in India for September 2024 intake
The United States Embassy released the first tranche of student visa appointments in India for September 2024, aiming to expedite processing. Ambassador Garcetti leads efforts to reduce visa wait times, emphasizing the importance for Indian students.
Visa time for Europe-bound travellers unlikely to fly soon
The European Union announced Monday that, according to the new "cascade" regime, Indians can now be issued long-term, multi-entry Schengen visas valid for two years after having obtained and lawfully used two visas within the previous three years. The Schengen visa is an entry permit valid for 29 European countries, including France, Germany, Spain and Italy.
"Eric, I want you to bring down visa wait times in India": Envoy recalls US President Biden's order
US envoy Garcetti discusses efforts to reduce visa wait times in India, legislative challenges with green card backlog, high demand for American visas from Indians, and plans for new consulates in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.
US working to reduce visitor visa wait time for Indians
The United States is reportedly working to further reduce wait times for visitor visas for Indians, with a decrease of 75% recorded last year. Rena Bitter, Assistant Secretary of the US Bureau of Consular Affairs, noted that the embassy in India processed 1.4 million visas last year. While wait times have been reduced by 75% for most categories, there is still some wait time for first-time tourists to the US, which officials are actively working to address.
Ben Stokes says no blame game after 'anxious' Ahmed visa wait
England skipper Ben Stokes announced that teenage spinner Rehan Ahmed has managed to overcome a visa scare ahead of his scheduled appearance in the third Test against India. Ahmed had a single-entry visa that expired after leaving for a mid-series break to the United Arab Emirates. He was initially stopped at the airport before being granted a temporary entry permit.
Tourist visa appointment wait times down by 75%, US processes record number of visas to Indians
In 2023, the US processed a record-breaking 1.4 million visas for Indians, leading to a 75% reduction in wait times. Indians now make up 1/10th of all US visa applicants globally, with demand increasing by 60%. The US Embassy and Consulates in India highlighted the surge in visa applications across all categories, with visitor visas and student visas reaching historic highs.
Wait time for German visa appointments are now between two and five days
"And that's India-wise. So basically, we are very proud that now with the current service, we are extending to the Indian public, visas can be issued in a very short time, much better than a year ago. And I think we'll crack this year... I'm very happy to tell you that on the visa front, things are much better than they were," he added.
Your US visa wait time is set to reduce as more slots is expected to open soon
The Hyderabad facility is expected to be fully staffed and is expected to process around 3,500 visa applications a day, he said. It will become Asia's biggest visa processing consulate. The United States is also expected to open consulates in India - Ahmedabad and Bengaluru.
Planning a trip to the United States? Be prepared for a 500-day wait. At least.
The B1 visa lets individuals travel to the United States for business purposes, while the B2 visa is designed for tourists, those visiting friends and family, and individuals seeking medical treatment or participating in social events without receiving payment. Typically, these visas are issued together as a B1/B2 visa, enabling the holder to engage in both business and leisure activities during their stay in the US.
Wait time for getting interview appointment for B1 and B2 US visas 37 days in Delhi
According to the data updated November 1 on the website, the current waiting period for getting an interview appointment for an American visa in the B1 and the B2 categories stands at 37 days in Delhi, 322 days in Mumbai, 126 days in Kolkata, 341 days in Chennai and 511 days in Hyderabad.
Looking past visa delays and rejections, Indians are on track to breaking their US & Schengen records
The number of visa applications in India is expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year. VFS Global, which manages visa applications for multiple countries, has already processed over 30 lakh applications from January to June 2023, compared to 60 lakh in all of 2019.
Wait time in India sky-high, US consulate opens up special visa window for Indians in Frankfurt
According to the State Department's website, the wait times for B1/B2 visa interview appointments in India have reached staggering durations, with 441 days in Hyderabad, 486 days in Chennai, 526 days in Delhi, 571 days in Mumbai, and 607 days in Kolkata. In stark contrast, the wait time in Frankfurt is just three days.
Be careful! Your US visa application may expire even after you've paid
The United States is ending allowances made during the pandemic, including extensions of visa application validity. The US Embassy in India has warned applicants to check their receipts and schedule an interview on time, or risk having to pay the fee again.
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