News for '-visa'

Wait, your US visa could be coming from China!

Wait, your US visa could be coming from China!

Rediff.com31 Mar 2023

Due to the huge pile-up of visa applications, the US consular officers in the neighbouring country are now adjudicating Indian visa applications where interview requirements have been waived.

All About Vanuatu, Which Rejected Lalit Modi

All About Vanuatu, Which Rejected Lalit Modi

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

Vanuatu offers citizenship to people who are willing to invest $150,000 in the country.

Know English Before Migrating to the UK

Know English Before Migrating to the UK

Rediff.com26 May 2025

According to the 2021 England and Wales Census data, of the 915,855 citizens born in India, 49 per cent (444,500) said English was their main language, followed by 41 per cent (373,583) who said another language was their main language but that they spoke English very well or well.

'Pakistan Generals Are Unhappy With Munir'

'Pakistan Generals Are Unhappy With Munir'

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

'Pakistan's army has got a streak of democracy. It is more democratic than the country.'

Remittance tax: Cost of sending money home to rise for Indians in US

Remittance tax: Cost of sending money home to rise for Indians in US

Rediff.com17 May 2025

In President Donald Trump's big priority bill, there is a proposal for a 5 percent excise tax on remittance transfers that would cover more than 40 million people, including those holding green cards and H1B visas.

Satish-Aadya: Climbing rankings while embracing trials

Satish-Aadya: Climbing rankings while embracing trials

Rediff.com8 Feb 2025

Just 18 months after pairing up, the young mixed doubles pair of Sathish Kumar Karunakaran and Aadya Variyath rise to World No 33.

India bans 16 Pak YouTube channels, raps BBC for calling Pahalgam terrorists 'militants'

India bans 16 Pak YouTube channels, raps BBC for calling Pahalgam terrorists 'militants'

Rediff.com28 Apr 2025

The Indian government has blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content as well as false and misleading narratives against India, its Army and security agencies. The decision was taken following recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs in the wake of the April 22 terror attack at Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.

I do not belong to Pak: JK cop after HC stays deportation

I do not belong to Pak: JK cop after HC stays deportation

Rediff.com3 May 2025

For Ali, who hails from Mendhar sub-division near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, the uniform is more than a job -- it's a calling. He has dedicated nearly half his life in the police force, serving its various wings with distinction and earning multiple commendations for his courage and unwavering commitment to duty.

Pak was developing Haryana YouTuber as an 'asset': Police

Pak was developing Haryana YouTuber as an 'asset': Police

Rediff.com18 May 2025

Pakistani intelligence operatives were allegedly developing Haryana YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was arrested on espionage charges, as an asset, said a senior Haryana police officer on Sunday.

Indian Wushu team devastated after visa issue blocks athletes from Hangzhou

Indian Wushu team devastated after visa issue blocks athletes from Hangzhou

Rediff.com24 Sep 2023

The three wushu fighters from Arunachal Pradesh were issued stapled visas instead of stamped ones, India's foreign ministry said.

PCB chief discusses visa delays for Pak media and fans with Foreign Secretary

PCB chief discusses visa delays for Pak media and fans with Foreign Secretary

Rediff.com9 Oct 2023

PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf on Monday met Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi to discuss the delay in visa issuance to Pakistani fans and journalists for the ongoing World Cup in India.

US market a 'wild card' for Indian IT: Nasscom Prez

US market a 'wild card' for Indian IT: Nasscom Prez

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

United States, the largest market for the $282 billion Indian IT sector, is a "wild card" for the industry, lobby grouping Nasssom's president Rajesh Nambiar said on Monday. Speaking to reporters Nambiar said the tariff threats by the US may turn out to be the biggest headwind for the sector. "Broadly, if you were to look at the headwinds, the biggest unknown there would be the tariffs and the impact of what happens in the US market," Nambiar said.

Djokovic says he was 'poisoned' during 2022 Melbourne detention

Djokovic says he was 'poisoned' during 2022 Melbourne detention

Rediff.com10 Jan 2025

Novak Djokovic was "poisoned" by the food he ingested while detained during his 2022 Australian Open visa saga.

The Scotsman Who Knows India Better Than Many Of Us

The Scotsman Who Knows India Better Than Many Of Us

Rediff.com18 Apr 2025

Bill Aitken came to India nearly 60 years ago. He never returned. An Indian citizen since 1972, he tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih how India changed his life forever.

Agency suspends India visa services in Canada, resumes in few hours

Agency suspends India visa services in Canada, resumes in few hours

Rediff.com21 Sep 2023

A private agency hired by India to carry out initial scrutiny of visa applications of Canadians on Thursday put out a note on its website on suspension of visa services but hours later withdrew it.

No data on undocumented Indians residing in US: Centre

No data on undocumented Indians residing in US: Centre

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

The Indian government does not track the number of undocumented Indian immigrants residing in the US. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha, said these immigrants have "legally exited India" but have either overstayed their visa validity, or have entered the US illegally or without valid documents. The response comes at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to the US, during which he will hold a bilateral meeting with President Trump. The two leaders are likely to discuss India-US cooperation in sectors like trade, investment, energy, defense, technology and immigration.

Bengaluru Gets A US Consulate, But...

Bengaluru Gets A US Consulate, But...

Rediff.com18 Jan 2025

To begin with, the consulate in Bengaluru will not offer visa services.

Australia's Khawaja flies to India after visa approved

Australia's Khawaja flies to India after visa approved

Rediff.com2 Feb 2023

Australia opener Usman Khawaja will join his Test team mates in India later on Thursday following a delayed approval of his visa.

Vietnam: A Wonderful Place For A Holiday

Vietnam: A Wonderful Place For A Holiday

Rediff.com12 May 2025

Whether it's navigating the labyrinthine Cu Chi Tunnels, boating on the Mekong, marveling at ancient Champa temples, or the Mekong Bay, Vietnam promises a journey like no other.

Spying case: Police say many YouTube channels under scanner

Spying case: Police say many YouTube channels under scanner

Rediff.com21 May 2025

An operation was underway to find if more people were involved in espionage against India and several YouTube channels were under scrutiny, a top Haryana official said on Tuesday after five, including a Youtuber, were nabbed from the state for spying.

No Pakistan at Asia Cup? Government advisory holds the key

No Pakistan at Asia Cup? Government advisory holds the key

Rediff.com14 May 2025

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives and injured many, the government ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave the country and revoked their visas.

Trump, Xi hold talks, agree to resume trade negotiations

Trump, Xi hold talks, agree to resume trade negotiations

Rediff.com6 Jun 2025

The call lasted approximately one and a half hours, and resulted in a very positive conclusion for both countries.

US takes steps to reduce visa backlog in India

US takes steps to reduce visa backlog in India

Rediff.com9 Feb 2023

India was one of the very few countries where applications for US visas saw a major upswing after coronavirus-related travel restrictions were lifted.

Haryana YouTuber held on charge of spying for Pak; in 5-day police custody

Haryana YouTuber held on charge of spying for Pak; in 5-day police custody

Rediff.com17 May 2025

She has been booked under the relevant sections of the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, said the police.

Vivek Ramaswamy wants to end H-1B visa system he used 29 times

Vivek Ramaswamy wants to end H-1B visa system he used 29 times

Rediff.com17 Sep 2023

Ramaswamy's stance on H-1B visas is reminiscent of the 2016 Trump campaign, when then-candidate Donald Trump, who has also hired a number of foreign workers under H-1B visas for his businesses, took a hardline stance on these foreign workers before later softening his rhetoric.

'Difficult To Trust Yunus Govt In Dhaka'

'Difficult To Trust Yunus Govt In Dhaka'

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

'It was the hostility of the Yunus regime that made India careful and wary of dealing with them.' 'They gradually backed off and lowered the noise, but the damage was done.' 'Their true colours had been exposed.'

10 Reasons Student Visas Get Rejected

10 Reasons Student Visas Get Rejected

Rediff.com5 Jul 2022

As an applicant, you must understand there is a difference between getting an offer letter from a university and receiving a study visa, explains Ajay Sharma, president, and founder, Abhinav Immigration Services.

Sharp Increase In Illegal Indian Migration To US

Sharp Increase In Illegal Indian Migration To US

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

Indians have topped the number of illegal immigrants from Asian countries caught at land, sea, and air checkpoints of the US since 2022.

French visa fraud mastermind fled India before filing FIR: CBI

French visa fraud mastermind fled India before filing FIR: CBI

Rediff.com15 Mar 2023

The Central Bureau of Investigation had booked Shubham Shokeen and another former employee Aarti Mandal in the case on the basis of a complaint from the French embassy.

Agent promised legal US entry, spent around Rs 50L but....: Deportee

Agent promised legal US entry, spent around Rs 50L but....: Deportee

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

Rohit, a young man from Punjab, India, was deported from the United States after a perilous journey that cost him his life savings and left his family in financial ruin. He had been promised legal entry to the U.S. by a travel agent in Amritsar, but his hopes were dashed when he was apprehended for illegally crossing the border. The ordeal highlights the risks associated with illegal migration and the exploitation faced by vulnerable individuals seeking a better life.

US warns against travel near India-Pakistan border

US warns against travel near India-Pakistan border

Rediff.com9 Mar 2025

The United States has issued an advisory cautioning against travel to the immediate vicinity of the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict and to the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Jitendra Awhad reaches Maha assembly in handcuffs, here's why

Jitendra Awhad reaches Maha assembly in handcuffs, here's why

Rediff.com3 Mar 2025

Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar MLA Jitendra Awhad arrived in handcuffs at the Vidhan Bhavan complex in Mumbai on the first day of the Maharashtra legislature's budget session on Monday to highlight 'growing attack' on freedom of expression and protest the deportation of illegal immigrants from the United States.

Your visa got delayed? Here's why

Your visa got delayed? Here's why

Rediff.com28 Jul 2022

It was supposed to be a happy journey to London, one that the Imam family had been planning for the past two months. Everything was set - except the visa, which did not arrive in time for one of its members. "Visa was the villain...As a consequence, half of the family of four will be in London today and the other half at home in India and the US, respectively," Sanjar Imam, director of travel firm Panache World, wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.

US readies plan to eliminate visa wait time in India

US readies plan to eliminate visa wait time in India

Rediff.com18 Jan 2023

The US is 'putting every ounce of its energy' to eliminate the long visa wait time in India, including sending a cadre of consular officers to the country and opening up its other overseas embassies as far away as Germany and Thailand for Indian visa applicants, according to a senior US visa officer. India was one of the very few countries where applications for US visas saw a major upswing after coronavirus-related travel restrictions were lifted. There have been growing concerns in India over the long waiting period for first time visa applicants, especially for those applying under B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) categories.

Did US Intervention Off-Ramp Conflict?

Did US Intervention Off-Ramp Conflict?

Rediff.com17 May 2025

In the India-Pakistan situations, off-ramps have come either through foreign mediation (after months of kinetic warfare over Kargil, and a long stand-off with Op Parakram) or when a situation made it possible for both sides to claim a win, explains Shekhar Gupta.

US firms can now hire Indian graduates from top universities

US firms can now hire Indian graduates from top universities

Rediff.com27 Feb 2025

US President Donald Trump has said that the newly proposed 'gold card' initiative will allow American companies to hire Indian graduates from top US universities like Harvard and Stanford. Trump on Wednesday unveiled the 'gold card' initiative for wealthy foreigners, giving them the right to live and work in the country and offering a path to citizenship in exchange for a $5 million fee.

Is Xabi Alonso set to join Real Madrid?

Is Xabi Alonso set to join Real Madrid?

Rediff.com9 May 2025

'We've been talking during this week and now it's the right moment to announce it.'

India, Don't Spurn Bangladesh

India, Don't Spurn Bangladesh

Rediff.com2 Dec 2024

Our visa operations in Bangladesh constitute the largest visa operations India conducts worldwide. This has taken a hit after Sheikh Hasina's government was overthrown and India reduced its diplomatic presence in Bangladesh, notes Aakar Patel.

Why Are Indians Migrating Illegally To US?

Why Are Indians Migrating Illegally To US?

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

Many unauthorised migrants originate from Punjab and Gujarat, states known for high migration aspirations rather than political instability.

Shaurya Chakra awardee's mother not deported, family thanks GOI

Shaurya Chakra awardee's mother not deported, family thanks GOI

Rediff.com29 Apr 2025

Days after the Pahalgam terror attack, Jammu and Kashmir authorities have deported 59 Pakistani nationals, including the mother of Shaurya Chakra awardee Constable Mudasir Ahmad Sheikh. The Pakistani nationals were living in the valley for decades and were transported to Punjab for repatriation. However, the mother of the deceased soldier was later allowed to stay back. The deportation comes after the Indian government announced a slew of measures against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the downgrading of diplomatic relations.