News for 'Citizenship and Immigration Services'

Fearing father's layoff, Indian schoolgirl goes missing in US

Fearing father's layoff, Indian schoolgirl goes missing in US

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

Tanvi Marupally from Conway, Arkansas was last seen in her neighbourhood on January 17 when she left for school on the bus, the Conway police department said.

US charges 61 people in Indian call centre scam

US charges 61 people in Indian call centre scam

Rediff.com27 Oct 2016

More than 60 individuals and entities, an overwhelming number of them Indians, were on Thursday charged by the Justice Department for allegedly participating in a multi-million dollar scam involving call centres based in India which conned thousands of American citizens.

Canada withdraws 41 diplomats from India amid row

Canada withdraws 41 diplomats from India amid row

Rediff.com20 Oct 2023

Canada will be pausing all in-person services at the consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai and Bengaluru and is now directing all Canadians in India to the High Commission in New Delhi.

Indian techies on H-1B visa can now work for more than one US firm

Indian techies on H-1B visa can now work for more than one US firm

Rediff.com13 Dec 2017

This is not a new rule, but very few people know about it.

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.

Democrats' win in US mid-terms opens a door of hope for IT firms

Democrats' win in US mid-terms opens a door of hope for IT firms

Rediff.com21 Nov 2018

With Democrats having an upper hand in US Congress, the Donald Trump administration will find it difficult to come up with any future legislative changes with regard to visa regulations.

US has record number of H-1B tech visa applications

US has record number of H-1B tech visa applications

Rediff.com14 Apr 2015

Applications for H-1B visas totalled a record 233,000 for fiscal 2016, according to figures released recently.

US allows some H-1B visa seekers to re-submit their applications

US allows some H-1B visa seekers to re-submit their applications

Rediff.com24 Jun 2021

Some foreign guest workers in the US will be able to re-submit their applications for the H1-B visa, the most sought-after non-immigrant visa among Indian IT professionals, if their petition was solely rejected because it was based on the initial registration period, according to a federal agency. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), such re-submission of applications is for those whose applications have been rejected or administratively closed solely because the requested start date was after October 1, 2020. The H-1B visa allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

Lawsuit filed seeking transparency in US' H-1B visa lottery

Lawsuit filed seeking transparency in US' H-1B visa lottery

Rediff.com24 May 2016

The lawsuit has been filed by American Immigration Council and American Immigration Lawyers Association.

H1B issues affect people, not companies

H1B issues affect people, not companies

Rediff.com12 Nov 2017

'We are only talking about 65,000 H1B visas a year, it is not going to go down drastically.' 'If the number reduces and when you spread that reduction across all the top IT services companies, the impact will be marginal.'

Trump admin says H-4 visa holders won't be allowed to work

Trump admin says H-4 visa holders won't be allowed to work

Rediff.com15 Jun 2018

"Removing H-4 Dependent Spouses From the Class of Aliens Eligible for Employment Authorisation," said the US department of homeland security's unified agenda in the federal register notification of its semi-annual regulatory agenda.

Indian IT firms worst hit as H-1B visa rejections rise

Indian IT firms worst hit as H-1B visa rejections rise

Rediff.com31 Oct 2019

Among IT services firm, Cognizant witnessed over 60 per cent of its initial applications rejected, followed by Capgemini, Accenture, Wipro, and Infosys. In 2018, the top six Indian firms got just 16 per cent or 2,145 H1B work permits.

H-1B visa: Changes that Trump administration is planning

H-1B visa: Changes that Trump administration is planning

Rediff.com9 Nov 2018

The changes if legalised would have a detrimental effect on the functioning of Indian tech companies in the US and also small and medium-sized contractual farms in the IT sector, which are mostly owned by Indian Americans.

Biden plans to host a global Summit for Democracy in 1st yr of Presidency

Biden plans to host a global Summit for Democracy in 1st yr of Presidency

Rediff.com8 Nov 2020

India, being the world's largest democracy, is likely to play an important role in such a summit. Biden defeated incumbent President Donald Trump in the bitterly-fought presidential election that attracted a record number of Americans to cast their votes.

US plans to end work permits for spouses of H-1B visa holders

US plans to end work permits for spouses of H-1B visa holders

Rediff.com24 Apr 2018

H-4 is issued to the spouse of H-1B visa holders, a significantly large number of whom are high-skilled professionals from India.

US hikes H-1B, L1 visa fee; to hit Indian IT companies

US hikes H-1B, L1 visa fee; to hit Indian IT companies

Rediff.com13 Jan 2016

In addition, for those applying for certain L-1A and L-1B must submit an additional $4,500.

Why SRK?!!!!!

Why SRK?!!!!!

Rediff.com12 Aug 2016

'No Indian citizen should be humiliated by the US authorities.' 'And Shah Rukh Khan happens to be one of India's most well known citizens.'

H-1B visas: Biden administration says lottery system to continue till Dec 31

H-1B visas: Biden administration says lottery system to continue till Dec 31

Rediff.com5 Feb 2021

The Biden administration has announced that it is delaying the H-1B policy of the previous Trump administration on allocation of the popular foreign work visas by continuing with the lottery system until December 31, 2021, to give the immigration agency more time to develop, test and implement the modifications to the registration system. On January 7, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced to do away with the traditional lottery system in deciding the successful applicants for the H-1B visas. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

Indian cos bear brunt of H1B visa denial, shows study

Indian cos bear brunt of H1B visa denial, shows study

Rediff.com5 Mar 2020

While the denial rate has dropped slightly to 21 per cent in 2019 from 24 per cent in 2018, the National Foundation for American Policy has said it is much higher for Indian IT companies like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Wipro and very low for American companies like Amazon and Google. For instance, the denial rate for TCS and Infosys in 2019 was 31 per cent and 35 per cent respectively, whereas for Wipro it was 47 per cent and 37 per cent for Tech Mahindra. On the other hand, the denial rate for the new H-1B petitions in 2019 was just four per cent each for Amazon and Google. The denial rate for Microsoft during the same period was six per cent, and Facebook along with Walmart was just three per cent each.

Why are the Rich Leaving India?

Why are the Rich Leaving India?

Rediff.com16 Aug 2021

'For HNIs, shifting economic activities outside India by creating regional hubs for businesses is a better option.'

H-1B visa: Silicon Valley-based IT firm sues US govt

H-1B visa: Silicon Valley-based IT firm sues US govt

Rediff.com17 May 2019

The company's H-1B petition on behalf of Anisetty was denied on the sole ground that the job offered to him did not qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation.

Have $500,000? You can become a US citizen

Have $500,000? You can become a US citizen

Rediff.com17 Mar 2018

Under the EB-5 visa programme you can become a US citizen provided you invest $500,000 in an approved project and create targeted employment. But only 700 Indians can do so each year.

'H-1B visa system is broken, needs to be fixed'

'H-1B visa system is broken, needs to be fixed'

Rediff.com9 Apr 2015

US to fix the immigration system that keeps American firms from hiring the top world talent they need.

US cheers Indian IT workers, grants 86% H-1B visas

US cheers Indian IT workers, grants 86% H-1B visas

Rediff.com12 Aug 2015

About 76,000 H-1B visas were issued to people in computer occupations in 2014.

Mandatory minimum pay hike for H-1B workers to be delayed

Mandatory minimum pay hike for H-1B workers to be delayed

Rediff.com12 Mar 2021

The Biden administration on Friday issued a formal notification to delay the implementation of the previous Trump regime's controversial rule to raise mandatory minimum pay for foreign workers on H-1B visa, the most sought after among Indian IT professionals. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. The Department of Labour in its federal notification published on Friday said that it is considering whether to propose a further delay of the final rule's effective date and accompanying implementation periods that are currently scheduled to take effect on May 14, 2021, and July 1, 2021, respectively.

HC raps govt for not doing enough to track producer's children in Pakistan

HC raps govt for not doing enough to track producer's children in Pakistan

Rediff.com21 Sep 2022

The Bombay high court on Wednesday rapped the Union government for "half-baked assurances and lips service" on tracking film producer Mushtaq Nadiadwala's two minor children, who he claims have been illegally detained by his wife in Pakistan since 2020.

More trouble brews for Indian techies in US

More trouble brews for Indian techies in US

Rediff.com3 Jan 2018

The proposals aims to impose new restrictions to prevent abuse and misuse of H-1B visas, besides ending the provision of granting extension for those who already have a green card.

No H-1B visa caps for data localisation: US State Department

No H-1B visa caps for data localisation: US State Department

Rediff.com21 Jun 2019

International companies usually store data on global servers and the requirement to store data locally would require them to make an additional investment. But policymakers in India believe storing data locally would help monitor and conduct investigations if the need arises.

Trouble brews for Indian techies as H-1B visa norms get tougher

Trouble brews for Indian techies as H-1B visa norms get tougher

Rediff.com2 Nov 2018

The new information required by the Department of Labour is significant because before sponsoring a foreign worker for the H-1B visa, the company needs to get its labour application approved by it.

'Sangeeta Richard resolute in her commitment to be a cooperating witness'

'Sangeeta Richard resolute in her commitment to be a cooperating witness'

Rediff.com21 Dec 2013

'The outcome of this trial will not directly impact Ms Richard, but we are hopeful that justice will be served,' says a spokesperson for Safe Horizon, the organisation taking care of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade's former domestic help.

H-1B visa: White House receives crucial recommendations from Homeland Security

H-1B visa: White House receives crucial recommendations from Homeland Security

Rediff.com22 Feb 2019

Now White House would carry out its review of the proposed regulation, take inputs from various agencies, before taking a final call. The entire process could take from a few weeks to several months.

US to revoke work permits to spouses of H-1B holders in 3 months

US to revoke work permits to spouses of H-1B holders in 3 months

Rediff.com22 Sep 2018

The move will have a major impact on Indian women as they are the major beneficiary of the Obama-era rule.

US to accept H-1B visas from today

US to accept H-1B visas from today

Rediff.com1 Apr 2014

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services will determine from today the allocation of visas -- highly popular among IT professionals -- through computerised draw of lots.

Bill to remove country cap on Green Card introduced in US Congress

Bill to remove country cap on Green Card introduced in US Congress

Rediff.com3 Jun 2021

A bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the US House of Representatives to eliminate the per country cap on employment-based Green Card, a move which is likely to benefit Indian IT professionals languishing over decades of waiting for the Permanent Resident Card. The legislation was introduced by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and Congressman John Curtis. The Equal Access to green cards for Legal Employment (EAGLE) Act, 2021 needs to be passed by the Senate before it can be sent to the White House for the president to sign it into a law. A Green Card, known officially as a Permanent Resident Card, is a document issued to immigrants to the US as evidence that the bearer has been granted the privilege of residing permanently.

US to start accepting H-1B petitions from April 1

US to start accepting H-1B petitions from April 1

Rediff.com26 Mar 2014

As in the previous years, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services can issue a maximum of 65,000 H-1B visas, which is most popular among IT professionals and companies in IT services.

US receives 172,000 H1B visa petitions, lottery decides fate

US receives 172,000 H1B visa petitions, lottery decides fate

Rediff.com14 Apr 2014

All advanced degree petitions not selected then became part of the random selection process for the 65,000 limit.

Obama opens US border to more talent from India

Obama opens US border to more talent from India

Rediff.com22 Nov 2014

To secure a work visa in the US, students have to find an employer who can sponsor it.

For HNIs, EB-5 investor visa better than F-1 student visa: Experts

For HNIs, EB-5 investor visa better than F-1 student visa: Experts

Rediff.com28 Dec 2014

The EB-5 Programme has been in effect since 1990 as an opportunity for the immigrant and their family to obtain permanent residency to the US.

Protests against CAA 'mostly political': Amit Shah

Protests against CAA 'mostly political': Amit Shah

Rediff.com2 Jan 2020

Shah also challenged Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to show one clause in the CAA under which anyone is going to lose Indian citizenship.

Ahead of election, Trump imposes new curbs on H-1B visas

Ahead of election, Trump imposes new curbs on H-1B visas

Rediff.com7 Oct 2020

The Trump administration has announced new restrictions on H-1B non-immigrant visa programme which it said is aimed at protecting American workers, restoring integrity and to better guarantee that H-1B petitions are approved only for qualified beneficiaries and petitioners, a move which is likely to affect thousands of Indian IT professionals.