News for '-visa'

2nd US flight with 119 deportees to arrive in Punjab today

2nd US flight with 119 deportees to arrive in Punjab today

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

The deportation of 104 Indian nationals from the US, followed by another 119 set to arrive in Amritsar on Saturday night, has sparked controversy in India over the treatment of returnees. The US government's intensified crackdown on undocumented immigrants has led to criticism of the use of handcuffs and shackles for deportees, even those who have committed no crimes beyond immigration violations. The issue has led to heated debates in the Indian Parliament, with opposition leaders demanding an inquiry into the deportation process. The Indian government is engaging with US officials to ensure the humane treatment of deportees, while also facing the challenge of reintegrating returnees into Indian society. The deportations highlight the ongoing tension between border control and human rights, and the complexities of US-India relations.

Karti Chidambaram denied anticipatory bail in visa scam case

Karti Chidambaram denied anticipatory bail in visa scam case

Rediff.com3 Jun 2022

A Delhi court Friday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of Congress MP Karti Chidambaram in a case registered by the Enforcement Directorate in the alleged Chinese Visas scam.

Visa on time: Embassies work to meet spike in applications by Indians

Visa on time: Embassies work to meet spike in applications by Indians

Rediff.com21 Jun 2022

Visa delays have perturbed Indian visitors this summer. But a solution could be in sight soon, as embassies gear up to address the challenges caused by a spike in applications and staff shortages. While the British High Commission has said it is working urgently to reduce the current visa processing time, the German Embassy has introduced extra shifts to process more visas. However, appointments with the latter are fully booked till August-end due to high volumes.

Birthright citizenship meant for children of slaves: Trump

Birthright citizenship meant for children of slaves: Trump

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

President Donald Trump has said that birthright citizenship was primarily intended for the children of slaves and not for the whole world to "come in and pile" into the US. Trump issued an executive order against birthright citizenship on his first day in office, which was struck down by a federal court in Seattle the next day. Trump has said that he would appeal against it and is confident that the Supreme Court will rule in his favor. A group of Republican Senators introduced a bill in the US Senate to restrict birthright citizenship to the children of illegal immigrants and non-immigrants on temporary visas. They argue that birthright citizenship is a major pull factor for illegal immigration and a weakness for national security.

Conspiracy Theories Behind India's Win

Conspiracy Theories Behind India's Win

Rediff.com27 Feb 2025

Pakistani fans forget that Dubai was once Pakistan's home ground where they played all their international matches until Imran Khan became the country's prime minister.

'Minister acted correctly in cancelling Djokovic's visa'

'Minister acted correctly in cancelling Djokovic's visa'

Rediff.com20 Jan 2022

Djokovic was deported from Australia, just hours after the court dismissed his effort to stay in the country to play at the Australian Open

'How To Save Tax On Retirement'

'How To Save Tax On Retirement'

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

Ask rediffGURU and tax expert Mihir Tanna your income tax-related questions.

LAC row: 'You still have 50,000 troops facing each other'

LAC row: 'You still have 50,000 troops facing each other'

Rediff.com29 Jan 2025

Foreign policy expert C Raja Mohan has said that the recent disengagement of troops with China in eastern Ladakh has given a small opening to India, but the "big issues" remain. He also stressed the importance of strengthening India's ties with the US for technological and economic growth.

Does Your Accent Affect Test Scores?

Does Your Accent Affect Test Scores?

Rediff.com24 Feb 2025

Three out of five test-takers believe that removing their Indian accents while speaking English will positively impact test scores.

Health budget up by 11%, daycare cancer centres announced

Health budget up by 11%, daycare cancer centres announced

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

The Union health ministry has been allocated Rs 99,858.56 crore in the Budget 2025-2026, an around 11 per cent hike over the Rs 89,974.12 crore in the budget (revised estimates) of 2024-2025 with the government announcing setting up daycare cancer centres at all district hospitals over the next three years.

Visa hurdle to India-West Indies T20 matches in US

Visa hurdle to India-West Indies T20 matches in US

Rediff.com31 Jul 2022

Uncertainty hanging over India-WI T20 matches in US due to visa issues

Visa scam: Karti Chidambaram gets protection from arrest

Visa scam: Karti Chidambaram gets protection from arrest

Rediff.com26 May 2022

The ED recently registered the money-laundering case against Karti Chidamabaram and others in the alleged scam about the issuance of visas to 263 Chinese nationals in 2011 when his father P Chidambaram was the home minister.

India suspends tourist visas issued to Chinese nationals

India suspends tourist visas issued to Chinese nationals

Rediff.com24 Apr 2022

India has been raising with China the plight of approximately 22,000 Indian students enrolled in Chinese universities who are unable to go back for physical classes. However, the neighbouring country has till date refused to let them enter.

New bill proposes major changes in green card, H-1B visa systems

New bill proposes major changes in green card, H-1B visa systems

Rediff.com11 May 2023

The US Citizenship Act 2023 introduced by Congresswoman Linda S nchez creates an earned roadmap to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants, providing Dreamers, TPS holders, and some farmworkers with an immediate path to citizenship.

Trump's 'America First' agenda may lead to higher tariffs

Trump's 'America First' agenda may lead to higher tariffs

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

With Donald Trump all set to become US president, Indian exporters may face high customs duties for goods like automobiles, textiles and pharmaceuticals if the new US administration decides to pursue the 'America First' agenda, opined trade experts. Experts also said that Trump could also tighten H-1B visa rules, impacting costs and growth for Indian IT firms. Over 80 per cent of India's IT export earnings come from the US, making it vulnerable to changes in visa policies.

Visa approved, Djokovic will play 2023 Australian Open

Visa approved, Djokovic will play 2023 Australian Open

Rediff.com16 Nov 2022

The 35-year-old Serb was sent home from Australia on the eve of last year's event after a row about his COVID-19 vaccination status.

US waives in-person interviews for H-1B visas

US waives in-person interviews for H-1B visas

Rediff.com24 Dec 2021

Amid growing concerns of surging COVID-19 cases, the US has announced that it will waive the in-person interview requirement for a range of visa applicants during the entire year in 2022, including for H-1B workers and students, many of whom are from India. 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.

'Handcuffed and humiliated': Cong on deportation of Indians

'Handcuffed and humiliated': Cong on deportation of Indians

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

The Congress on Wednesday expressed sadness over 'pictures of Indians getting handcuffed and humiliated' while being deported from the United States and recalled that America had to express regret over the treatment meted out to India diplomat Devyani Khobragade in 2013 after the then United Progressive Alliance government retaliated sharply.

No threat to Dalai Lama, Chinese woman held for visa overstay: Bihar cops

No threat to Dalai Lama, Chinese woman held for visa overstay: Bihar cops

Rediff.com30 Dec 2022

Patna's additional director general of police JS Gangwar said the woman had been staying in India for the last two years while her visa only allowed her to stay in the country for 90 days only.

EV launches, Chinese models... What Auto Expo Has In Store

EV launches, Chinese models... What Auto Expo Has In Store

Rediff.com17 Jan 2025

For the first time, the event will take place across three locations in Delhi: Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan, Yashobhoomi Convention Centre at Dwarka, and India Expo Mart at Greater Noida.

Coaching comes naturally to high IQ Murray: Djokovic

Coaching comes naturally to high IQ Murray: Djokovic

Rediff.com10 Jan 2025

While forthcoming with Murray, Djokovic was in no mood to elaborate on comments that he had been fed poisoned food while in detention during the 2022 Australian Open visa saga.

Chinese visa case: ED books Karti, others for money laundering

Chinese visa case: ED books Karti, others for money laundering

Rediff.com25 May 2022

The federal agency has filed its case under the criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) taking cognisance of a recent first information report (FIR) registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the same case, they said.

How Weak Rupee Affects Your Travel Plans

How Weak Rupee Affects Your Travel Plans

Rediff.com22 Jan 2025

Many travellers are now opting for domestic destinations like Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, Lakshadweep, Himachal Pradesh, and the North East.

Paid Rs 30L for US job, returned handcuffed: Chef from Punjab

Paid Rs 30L for US job, returned handcuffed: Chef from Punjab

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

Several Indian immigrants, including 30 from Punjab, were deported from the US after being apprehended at the border. They had paid hefty sums to travel agents who promised them a better life in America, only to be met with illegal crossings and harsh detention conditions. Their dreams are now shattered, leaving them with heavy debts and a bleak future.

Less than 48 hours left for departure, six CWG-bound cricketers await visa

Less than 48 hours left for departure, six CWG-bound cricketers await visa

Rediff.com22 Jul 2022

The BCCI is in touch with the Indian Olympic Association on the issue.

CBI grills Karti in Chinese visa case for 3rd day

CBI grills Karti in Chinese visa case for 3rd day

Rediff.com28 May 2022

He arrived at the CBI headquarters early in the morning to face the investigation team. The questioning is likely to continue throughout the day with a lunch break, they said.

CBI grills Karti Chidambaram for 9 hours in visa bribery case

CBI grills Karti Chidambaram for 9 hours in visa bribery case

Rediff.com26 May 2022

A special court had ordered him to join the CBI investigation within 16 hours of his arrival from the United Kingdom and Europe, where he had gone with the permission of the Supreme Court and the special court itself.

Will Pak hockey team travel to India for Junior WC?

Will Pak hockey team travel to India for Junior WC?

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

Pakistan qualified for the 2025 Junior Hockey World Cup event after finishing runners-up in the Asia Cup held in Oman recently. They had lost the continental final to India 3-5.

Assam CM may order SIT probe into 'Pak links' of Gogoi's wife

Assam CM may order SIT probe into 'Pak links' of Gogoi's wife

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations of Pakistan links of Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi's British wife Elizabeth Colburn. Sarma alleged that Colburn had visited Pakistan after her marriage and that there are apprehensions of ISI infiltration into the Chief Minister's Office when Gogoi's father, the late Tarun Gogoi, was the chief minister. Sarma also shared screenshots of social media posts by Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, an advisor of the Pakistan Planning Commission and a former colleague of Colburn, claiming that the relationship between the Gogois and Sheikh appeared to be "deeply rooted." Sarma's allegations have been rejected by the Congress as "laughable and entertaining."

Diplomatic Row Derails Students' Canada Dreams

Diplomatic Row Derails Students' Canada Dreams

Rediff.com23 Oct 2024

'We used to get 400-500 applications for Canada on a yearly basis until last year, but this has gone down to just 70 this year.'

Pak cricketers, officials to get Indian visas for blind World Cup

Pak cricketers, officials to get Indian visas for blind World Cup

Rediff.com6 Dec 2022

The PBCC said 'it strongly condemns this discriminating act of India as sports should be above regional politics'.

'False and fabricated': Hasina's son denies US role

'False and fabricated': Hasina's son denies US role

Rediff.com12 Aug 2024

Wazeb strongly denied the authenticity of the statement, asserting that the report attributed to his "mother published in a newspaper is completely false and fabricated."

'Strongly told US...': India on treatment of deportees

'Strongly told US...': India on treatment of deportees

Rediff.com22 Mar 2025

India has expressed concern to the US authorities over the treatment of deportees on a flight that landed on February 5, particularly with respect to the use of shackles, especially on women. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also registered its concerns regarding the need to accommodate the religious sensitivities and food preferences of the deportees. The US side has confirmed that no women or children were restrained on the deportation flights that landed in India on 15th and 16th February, 2025.

Day after Trump's order, NCAA bans transgender women from sports

Day after Trump's order, NCAA bans transgender women from sports

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

The NCAA previously allowed transgender women to compete as long as they met testosterone limits on a sport-by-sport basis.

Djokovic 'extremely disappointed' with visa cancellation

Djokovic 'extremely disappointed' with visa cancellation

Rediff.com16 Jan 2022

The Serbian champion said he hoped the focus would now return to tennis

'Travelled 6 countries, crossed sea, jungle to reach US'

'Travelled 6 countries, crossed sea, jungle to reach US'

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

Over 100 Indian immigrants, including 33 each from Haryana and Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, and several from other states, were deported from the US after undertaking perilous journeys filled with extortion and hardship. The returnees landed in Amritsar in a US military plane and are now back home, facing huge debts and emotional trauma. Many of them were lured by promises of a better life in the US but fell victim to human trafficking and extortion rings. The families of the deportees are demanding strict action against the travel agents who facilitated their illegal journeys.

Report reveals Elon Musk wanted Ramaswamy out of DOGE

Report reveals Elon Musk wanted Ramaswamy out of DOGE

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

As Indian-origin entrepreneur and Republican leader Vivek Ramaswamy pulled out of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), just 69 days after he was announced the co-head of the team along with tech billionaire Elon Musk, a report has revealed that it was the Tesla CEO who wanted Ramaswamy 'out' of the team.

Visa Or No, Djoko ready for Australian Open

Visa Or No, Djoko ready for Australian Open

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

World No 1 Novak Djokovic began practice on Friday, January 14, 2022, to pursue a record 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in Melbourne, which begins on Monday, January 17.

Foreign secretary to visit Bangladesh for talks amid tensions

Foreign secretary to visit Bangladesh for talks amid tensions

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is scheduled to visit Bangladesh next week for a foreign secretary-level meeting, amidst ongoing tensions between the two countries. The visit comes after the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took power in Bangladesh, following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as prime minister. The meeting will focus on a range of bilateral issues, including the potential extradition of Hasina and visa-related matters. Tensions between the two nations escalated further with the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh, leading to concerns from India regarding attacks on minorities in the country.

Relief for professionals, students as China lifts Covid visa ban on Indians

Relief for professionals, students as China lifts Covid visa ban on Indians

Rediff.com14 Jun 2022

Separately, China is also processing requests of thousands of Indian students studying in Chinese universities who have conveyed their interest to re-join their colleges and universities.