News for 'Immigration Department'

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.

Trump signs executive order to end separation of immigrant families

Trump signs executive order to end separation of immigrant families

Rediff.com21 Jun 2018

The US president says 'we're going to keep families together' after facing huge backlash for his 'zero tolerance' stance.

US readies plan to facilitate H-1B, L1 visa holders

US readies plan to facilitate H-1B, L1 visa holders

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

The US is planning to resume the process of domestic visa revalidation in certain categories, like H-1B and L1 visas, on a pilot basis later this year, a move that will benefit tens of thousands of foreign tech workers, particularly from India. Until 2004, certain categories of non-immigrant visas, particularly the H-1B, could be renewed or stamped inside the US. After that, for the renewal of these visas, in particular, those on H-1B, the foreign tech workers have to go out of the country, mostly to their own country to get the H-1B extension stamped on their passport.

Obama may accept deal offering legal status to 11 mn immigrants

Obama may accept deal offering legal status to 11 mn immigrants

Rediff.com2 Feb 2014

In a major shift, US President Barack Obama has signalled a potential compromise on the contentious issue of immigration reform that could provide a path to citizenship to 11 million people, including some 2,40,000 Indians, already in America illegally.

US screening immigrants' social media profiles at entry points

US screening immigrants' social media profiles at entry points

Rediff.com30 Jan 2017

The US authorities are checking people's social media accounts for their political views before allowing them into the country after the recent travel ban imposed by President Donald Trump on people from seven predominantly Muslim nations, a media report said.

Reprieve for 104-yr-old woman

Reprieve for 104-yr-old woman

Rediff.com9 Mar 2005

The Australian government has granted a permanent visa to a 104-year-old Chinese woman at the centre of a decade-old immigration row.

Canadian govt dumps immigration rule against Singh

Canadian govt dumps immigration rule against Singh

Rediff.com27 Jul 2007

On July 25, Ottawa said they are reversing their 10-year old policy and in future there won't be any objection to Singh and Kaur as last names, despite the fact these are too common names.

10 Indian-Americans win state, local polls in US

10 Indian-Americans win state, local polls in US

Rediff.com9 Nov 2023

At least 10 Indian-Americans, almost all of them Democrats, have won local and state level elections held in several parts of the country, reflecting the growing political empowerment of the ethnic community that constitutes a little over one percent of the United States' population.

Retd Army officer who led ops in Myanmar to handle Manipur violence

Retd Army officer who led ops in Myanmar to handle Manipur violence

Rediff.com4 Sep 2023

The appointment of Col (retired) Nectar Sanjenbam for five years followed Union Home Minister Amit Shah statement last month that Kuki people started entering Manipur from Myanmar illegally following a military crackdown on militants.

UK: NRI jailed for bogus weddings

UK: NRI jailed for bogus weddings

Rediff.com8 Feb 2007

Paul Singh, a non resident Indian from Punjab, has been jailed, and a clergyman who joined hands with him in conducting sham marriages to hoodwink Britain's immigration department has been given a two-year suspended sentence.

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.

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.

Vijay Babu arrives in Kochi, appears for questioning

Vijay Babu arrives in Kochi, appears for questioning

Rediff.com1 Jun 2022

While granting him interim protection from arrest till June 2, the high court had directed him to immediately appear before the Investigating Officer (IO) of the case and had permitted the police to interrogate or question him.

718 Myanmarese entered Manipur illegally last week: Home dept

718 Myanmarese entered Manipur illegally last week: Home dept

Rediff.com25 Jul 2023

A statement issued by Home Department said that the illegal influx was reported on July 22 and 23 in Chandel district by Assam Rifles, the India-Myanmar border guarding force.

This is NOT a Muslim ban: Trump defends immigration order

This is NOT a Muslim ban: Trump defends immigration order

Rediff.com30 Jan 2017

Defending his controversial executive order on banning people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering America, United States President Donald Trump has insisted that it is "not a Muslim ban" as is "falsely" reported by the media.

Stricter US visa norm continues to plague IT cos

Stricter US visa norm continues to plague IT cos

Rediff.com21 Jul 2011

These firms are already affected by falling margins, delays in getting orders and the ongoing financial crisis in their second-biggest market, Europe.

Kolkata: Woman alleges rape at gunpoint, 2 detained

Kolkata: Woman alleges rape at gunpoint, 2 detained

Rediff.com16 Feb 2012

Two persons were detained in connection with the alleged rape of a Anglo-Indian woman in a car in Kolkata even as the police said there were inconsistencies in her statements on the suspects.

Grace period for retrenched H1-B workers to be extended to 180 days

Grace period for retrenched H1-B workers to be extended to 180 days

Rediff.com15 Mar 2023

A presidential advisory sub-committee has recommended the federal government to extend the grace period for H1-B workers, who have lost their jobs, from the existing 60 days to 180 days so that the workers have enough opportunities to find a new job or other alternatives. "The immigration subcommittee recommends the Department of Homeland Security and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to extend the grace period for H1-B workers, who have lost their jobs, from 60 days to 180 days," Ajay Jain Bhutoria, member of the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, said on Tuesday. In his presentation, Bhutoria highlighted the significant challenges faced by H1-B workers laid off from their jobs.

German student told to leave India for protesting against CAA

German student told to leave India for protesting against CAA

Rediff.com24 Dec 2019

A German student at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras has said he was asked to leave India for protesting against the new citizenship law that has sparked unrest across the country. During a protest in Chennai last week, he had carried a poster that made a reference to the Nazi rule in his own country: "1933 to 1945 - we have been there".

Indian population on rise in Australia

Indian population on rise in Australia

Rediff.com27 May 2010

The Indian community in Australia has multiplied in the last six years, surpassing Italians and topping the chart of biggest migrant community on fourth rank.

Canada welcomes India's decision to resume some visa services

Canada welcomes India's decision to resume some visa services

Rediff.com26 Oct 2023

India's high commission in Canada said on Wednesday that the country's officials will resume processing some types of visa applications for Canadians applying from across the country as well as abroad.

Does India Need A Population Policy?

Does India Need A Population Policy?

Rediff.com13 Feb 2024

Experts recommend awaiting the findings of the 2021 Census, which is yet to be conducted, before introducing population control policies.

New York City Immigrant Affairs chief: I was in tears

New York City Immigrant Affairs chief: I was in tears

Rediff.com13 Feb 2017

Nisha Agarwal, commissioner of the New York Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, recalls, with both anguish and elation, the events of the last fortnight after the US President's order banning entry for people from seven countries was put in place.

US Supreme Court rules against Indian citizen in deportation case

US Supreme Court rules against Indian citizen in deportation case

Rediff.com17 May 2022

The US Supreme Court has ruled against an Indian citizen who has spent decades in the US and faces deportation after checking the wrong box on a driver's licence application.

Indian student applications for Australia nosedive

Indian student applications for Australia nosedive

Rediff.com7 Jan 2010

Spokesman Sandy Logan said racism and violence issue against foreign students were not mainly to be blamed for the slide in visa applications. It was also due to stricter and tougher scrutiny of applications and the immigration department has been rejecting a higher number of applications from India, he said.

Indians top list of foreign pros in Norway

Indians top list of foreign pros in Norway

Rediff.com15 Apr 2008

India has topped the list of foreign skilled professionals working in Norway, with fellow colleagues from other countries faring way behind.According to Norwegian Immigration Department figures for 2007, Indian skilled professionals constitute one-fourth of the total foreign qualified professionals inducted in Norwegian firms in the given year.

Amritpal said to be hiding in Nepal, India seeks help

Amritpal said to be hiding in Nepal, India seeks help

Rediff.com27 Mar 2023

The Indian embassy in Kathmandu has requested the government agencies to arrest Singh if he tries to flee from Nepal, the Kathmandu Post newspaper reported.

'Modi among 31 leaders to have personal details leaked at G20'

'Modi among 31 leaders to have personal details leaked at G20'

Rediff.com30 Mar 2015

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among 31 world leaders whose personal details were inadvertently compromised at the G20 summit held in Australia last year, a media report said on Monday.

Lawyers compare Haneef case to historic case

Lawyers compare Haneef case to historic case

Rediff.com17 Jun 2008

In a deft move, the lawyers of Mohammed Haneef, the Indian doctor who was accused of backing a terror outfit, have compared the medico's case to the sensational 'Children Overboad Affair'* that rocked Australia some years ago.

Indian Consulate blacklists 27 Dubai firms

Indian Consulate blacklists 27 Dubai firms

Rediff.com22 Jun 2006

The Indian Consulate in Dubai has blacklisted 27 Dubai-based companies after complaints of exploitation of workers.

Haneef's lawyers get to fast-track appeal

Haneef's lawyers get to fast-track appeal

Rediff.com14 May 2008

Lawyers for Indian doctor Mohammed Haneef, wrongly accused of involvement in the failed Glasgow car bombings, won a bid to fast-track a court challenge to secure confidential official documents relating to his case, on Wednesday.

Indian origin man cries foul over deportation

Indian origin man cries foul over deportation

Rediff.com26 Jan 2009

At one time the RCMP even suspected him of being involved in the murder of Vancouver-based journalist Tara Singh Hayer, who was to testify in the British Columbia Supreme Court regarding the Air India tragedy of June 23, 1985. However, he was found to be innocent after a polygraph examination on June 4, 2006.

Australia has thousands of jobs for you

Australia has thousands of jobs for you

Rediff.com16 Aug 2005

In its biggest recruitment drive since the 1950s, Australia is wooing 20,000 skilled workers from "anywhere", including India, to fill burgeoning job vacancies in the country, officials said on Tuesday.

Australian border security to be upgraded: Howard

Australian border security to be upgraded: Howard

Rediff.com8 Jul 2007

Howard said the introduction of the new border security system had been accelerated by the recent link of Australia to the UK bombing attempts.

Jessica Lal case: Shayan Munshi held, gets bail

Jessica Lal case: Shayan Munshi held, gets bail

Rediff.com13 May 2006

Munshi was one of the cases in the Jessica Lal case.

Bill to reform H-1B, L-1 visa programme introduced in US Senate

Bill to reform H-1B, L-1 visa programme introduced in US Senate

Rediff.com29 Mar 2023

A group of influential lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan legislation in the US Senate to comprehensively overhaul the H-1B and L-1 visa programmes and usher in more transparency in the recruitment of foreign workers. 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.

Indian-American held for taking part in rally

Indian-American held for taking part in rally

Rediff.com4 Aug 2006

An Indian-American man has been arrested for taking part in a rally in Edison to demand suspension of a police officer who he claimed had assaulted him at a fireworks display to mark American Independence Day.

What Angelina Jolie thinks of Trump's immigration ban

What Angelina Jolie thinks of Trump's immigration ban

Rediff.com3 Feb 2017

Hollywood icon Angelina Jolie has slammed President Donald Trump's controversial immigration ban on seven Muslim-majority countries, saying that shutting the door on refugees or discriminating among them will not make America safer.

No tax clearance required for overseas jobs

No tax clearance required for overseas jobs

Rediff.com9 Jan 2003

No tax clearance required for overseas jobs