News for '-uscis'

Texas governor orders freeze on new H-1B visas; Indians likely to be hit

Texas governor orders freeze on new H-1B visas; Indians likely to be hit

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed state agencies and public universities to suspend new H-1B visa petitions through May 2027, a move likely to affect Indian professionals. The order comes amid ongoing debate over skilled immigration and potential impacts on academic research and innovation.

Indians' Share In US Naturalisation Hits 9-Year Low

Indians' Share In US Naturalisation Hits 9-Year Low

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

As the Trump administration pushes denaturalisation targets, US citizenship trends show a decline in Indian naturalisations and longer scrutiny of immigrants.

Some naturalised Americans likely to lose citizenship

Some naturalised Americans likely to lose citizenship

Rediff.com19 Dec 2025

The Trump administration is looking at plans to strip some naturalised Americans of their citizenship, the latest in a series of efforts undertaken by President Donald Trump to crack down on immigration.

Will 'permanently pause' migration from all 3rd world countries: Trump

Will 'permanently pause' migration from all 3rd world countries: Trump

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The Trump administration said it will conduct a "rigorous" re-examination of all Green Cards issued to immigrants from "every country of concern".

India raises H1B visa concerns with US amid interview delays

India raises H1B visa concerns with US amid interview delays

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

India has raised concerns with the United States regarding the cancellation of scheduled H1B visa interviews for Indian applicants due to enhanced vetting measures. Both countries are engaged in discussions to address the disruptions caused by the delays.

Indians Stranded As H-1B Visa Renewals Stall

Indians Stranded As H-1B Visa Renewals Stall

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

The US has expanded its review of social media and online presence to cover all H-1B speciality occupation workers and their H-4 dependents, the US embassy in India said on December 10.

Thousands of H-1B visa interviews deferred for social media review

Thousands of H-1B visa interviews deferred for social media review

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

The US has postponed thousands of H-1B visa interviews in India, citing enhanced vetting measures including scrutiny of social media profiles. The delays are impacting applicants who were scheduled for interviews from December 15 onwards, with new dates being pushed back by several months.

Trump admin to fight lawsuits against H-1B fee hike

Trump admin to fight lawsuits against H-1B fee hike

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

The US government will fight lawsuits aimed at blocking the USD 100,000 fee imposed on new H-1B visa petitions, asserting that the system was spammed with fraud and must be overhauled to prioritise American workers.

Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee rule kicks in; US releases FAQs

Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee rule kicks in; US releases FAQs

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in a 'H-1B FAQ' document, released on Sunday, said that the September 19 proclamation took an "important, initial, and incremental step" to reform the H-1B visa programme to curb abuses and protect American workers.

US ends automatic work permit extensions for foreigners, Indians to be hit

US ends automatic work permit extensions for foreigners, Indians to be hit

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

As per the new rule, foreigners who file to renew their EAD on or after October 30, 2025, will no longer receive an automatic extension, the DHS said in a news release.

H-1B Visa: Which US Cities Topped Pay Scale?

H-1B Visa: Which US Cities Topped Pay Scale?

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

Companies such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro and HCLTech usually have big centres in cities to be in proximity with their clients.

Srini Gopalan named new CEO of T-Mobile

Srini Gopalan named new CEO of T-Mobile

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

Indian-American executive Srini Gopalan has been appointed chief executive officer of telecom operator T-Mobile, amid ongoing debates over H-1B visa policies. Gopalan's appointment, effective from November 1, 2025, comes as US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a staggering $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, triggering widespread panic, concern and fear among Indian professionals on work visa.

TCS likely to be hit hard by Trump's H-1B visa fee hike

TCS likely to be hit hard by Trump's H-1B visa fee hike

Rediff.com20 Sep 2025

According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Amazon had 10,044 workers using H-1B visas as of June, 2025. Coming in at the second spot was TCS with 5,505 H-1B visas approved.

Explained: Trump's H1 Order Decoded

Explained: Trump's H1 Order Decoded

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

A deep dive into Trump's new policy and what it means for Indian professionals and companies.

Trump's H1B Diktat Fuels Anxiety For Indians

Trump's H1B Diktat Fuels Anxiety For Indians

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

Social media feeds and immigration forums lit up with questions from workers and families who feared they might be stranded abroad, unable to return to their jobs or reunite with loved ones.

Trump admin faces lawsuit over H-1B visa fee hike

Trump admin faces lawsuit over H-1B visa fee hike

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

The US Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's decision to impose a USD 100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, arguing it harms American innovation and competitiveness.

US govt restricts sports visas for transgender women

US govt restricts sports visas for transgender women

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

Trump to sign order creating Olympics task force ahead of 2028 games

New H-1B visa fee not for existing holders, clarifies US

New H-1B visa fee not for existing holders, clarifies US

Rediff.com21 Sep 2025

The Donald Trump administration has clarified that the new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas does not apply to current visa holders and is a one-time payment only for new petitions.

Trump's $100K H-1B visa hike hits Indian workers hard

Trump's $100K H-1B visa hike hits Indian workers hard

Rediff.com20 Sep 2025

The Trump administration has announced a massive increase in H-1B visa fees, imposing a $100,000 annual charge that will fundamentally alter how American companies hire skilled foreign workers, particularly impacting Indian IT professionals who comprise the largest group of beneficiaries.

H-1B fee: Indian industry to spruce up local US hiring, says Nasscom

H-1B fee: Indian industry to spruce up local US hiring, says Nasscom

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

Nasscom on Monday said the US clarification that the H-1B visa fee hike will not affect current visa holders and will apply as a one-time fee only to fresh petitions has helped address the immediate ambiguity surrounding eligibility and timelines.

Cost of H-1B fee hike? $500 mn for 5,000 new filings

Cost of H-1B fee hike? $500 mn for 5,000 new filings

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

The magnitude of the new H-1B visa application fee for fresh petitions - math of which works out to USD 500 million in case of 5,000 filings - may nudge IT companies to expand offshore delivery or increase local hiring, according to Motilal Oswal Financial Services.

'This Benefits H1B Visa Holders In The US'

'This Benefits H1B Visa Holders In The US'

Rediff.com23 Sep 2025

'You are a guest in the US. It's not your home, you're a guest. If they don't feel comfortable, you have to step out.'

Indians Secured 7% of US Green Cards In 2023

Indians Secured 7% of US Green Cards In 2023

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

Green card holders have the right to live permanently in the country, but only if they do not commit deportable offences.

Study USA: New OPT Rules For F-1 Students

Study USA: New OPT Rules For F-1 Students

Rediff.com30 Jun 2025

Dr Karan Gupta offers guidance on how to pick the right international course and university.

Wrong to assume that sacked H-1B staffers have to leave America within 60 days: USCIS

Wrong to assume that sacked H-1B staffers have to leave America within 60 days: USCIS

Rediff.com28 Mar 2023

Amid mass layoffs in the tech sector, the federal agency for immigration services has said it is wrong to assume that sacked workers holding the much-sought-after H-1B visas have to leave the country within 60 days, asserting they have multiple options to stay in the US. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

New US Visa Policy: No Impact On H1-Bs

New US Visa Policy: No Impact On H1-Bs

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

'Of course, people will have to carry documents all the time. There is overall uncertainty in living in the US.'

USCIS sued for tweaking H-1B duration

USCIS sued for tweaking H-1B duration

Rediff.com17 Oct 2018

'USCIS has been making arbitrary rules for over eight years, it's our top priority to set things right.'

United States reaches 65,000 H-1B visa cap for 2022: USCIS

United States reaches 65,000 H-1B visa cap for 2022: USCIS

Rediff.com1 Mar 2022

The US has received enough petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa cap for the fiscal year 2022, a federal agency has announced. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

USCIS award for Subir Chowdhury

USCIS award for Subir Chowdhury

Rediff.com28 Apr 2009

Subir Chowdhury, chairman and CEO of ASI Consulting Group, LLC, has been named for the 'Outstanding American by Choice Award' by the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) in recognition of his work and contributions to the US.

USCIS to suspend premium processing of H-1B petitions

USCIS to suspend premium processing of H-1B petitions

Rediff.com4 Mar 2017

The United States on Saturday announced that from April 3 it will temporarily suspend the 'premium processing' of H-1B visas that allowed some companies to jump the queue as part of its efforts to clear the backlog.

'Steep' decline in H-1B visas applications this year: USCIS

'Steep' decline in H-1B visas applications this year: USCIS

Rediff.com18 Apr 2017

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency which receives and determines the successful applications for H-1B visas, said yesterday that it received 199,000 H-1B applications for the 2018 fiscal year.

USCIS gears up for H-1B deadline

USCIS gears up for H-1B deadline

Rediff.com26 Mar 2009

Like last year, the agency will receive applications between April 1 and April 5. If the cap is not reached, it will continue to accept applications for five more days.

USCIS to review its H1B cap exemptions

USCIS to review its H1B cap exemptions

Rediff.com17 Mar 2011

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced to review its policy in H-1B cap exemptions for non-profit entities that are related to or affiliated with an institution of higher education.

US reaches H-1B cap for fiscal year 2024

US reaches H-1B cap for fiscal year 2024

Rediff.com15 Dec 2023

The US has received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach a cap for the much-sought-after H-1B foreign work visas for the fiscal year 2024, a federal agency has announced. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

25,000 H-2B left, USCIS accepts fresh petitions

25,000 H-2B left, USCIS accepts fresh petitions

Rediff.com7 Aug 2009

In a statement, USCIS said about 25,000 of the Congressional mandated 66,000 H2B visas are still left to be filled out for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009. On January 7, 2009 USCIS had announced to have received enough applications to fill Congressional mandated cap of 66,000 H-2B visas.

65,960 Indians took American citizenship in 2022: Report

65,960 Indians took American citizenship in 2022: Report

Rediff.com22 Apr 2024

An estimated 46 million foreign-born persons resided in the United States in 2022, approximately 14 per cent of the total US population of 333 million, according to American Community Survey data from the US Census Bureau.

Ahead of Modi's US visit, Biden eases green card norms

Ahead of Modi's US visit, Biden eases green card norms

Rediff.com16 Jun 2023

The Biden administration has eased norms by releasing policy guidance on the eligibility criteria for those waiting for green cards to work and stay in America, days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US.

H-1B, L-1 visa fees to be hiked massively

H-1B, L-1 visa fees to be hiked massively

Rediff.com5 Jan 2023

The Biden administration has proposed a massive hike in immigration fees, including the much sought-after H-1B visas for high-skilled foreign workers, which is very popular among Indian tech professionals. Under the proposed rule, published by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Wednesday, the application for the H-1B visa increases from $460 to $780, and L-1 from $460 to $1,385. The application fee for O-1 visas has been proposed to increase from $460 to $1,055.

Good news for those in US on business or tourist visa

Good news for those in US on business or tourist visa

Rediff.com23 Mar 2023

The US has announced that individuals travelling to the country on a business or tourist visa - B-1 and B-2 - can apply for new jobs and even appear in interviews, but the prospective employees must ensure that they have changed their visa status before starting a new role. B-1 and B-2 visas are generally referred to as "B visas", and they are the most common types of visa issued for a wide range of uses in the United States. The B-1 visa is issued mainly for short-term business trips, while the B-2 visa is issued mainly travelling for tourism purposes.

H-1B visa: US reaches cap for 2023

H-1B visa: US reaches cap for 2023

Rediff.com24 Aug 2022

The US has received sufficient number of applications needed to reach the Congressionally mandated 65,000 H1-B visa cap for the fiscal year 2023, the country's federal agency for immigration services said on Tuesday. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.