News for 'US Consular Officers'

US tightens Green Card rules, visa holders must apply from home countries

US tightens Green Card rules, visa holders must apply from home countries

Rediff.com23 May 2026

The US government on Friday issued a new policy memo tightening rules for foreign nationals on temporary visas seeking permanent residency, stating that persons wanting a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in "extraordinary circumstances".

US to pause visa for Russia, Iran among 75 countries from Jan 21

US to pause visa for Russia, Iran among 75 countries from Jan 21

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

The pause will begin on January 21 and will remain in effect indefinitely until the State Department completes a reassessment of visa processing, the report said.

Indian Techies Face Green Card Uncertainty

Indian Techies Face Green Card Uncertainty

Rediff.com25 May 2026

This could come as a setback to thousands of Indian engineers who have waited for years for their work visas to pave the way for the coveted Green Card.

Missing Indian student found dead in California

Missing Indian student found dead in California

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

A 22-year-old Indian postgraduate student, Saketh Sreenivasaiah, who went missing in the US, has been found dead, according to the Indian mission in San Francisco.

Rubio meets Modi, discusses West Asia, extends Trump's invitation to visit US

Rubio meets Modi, discusses West Asia, extends Trump's invitation to visit US

Rediff.com23 May 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed various aspects of India-US bilateral ties, focusing on defence, trade, energy, and technology. Rubio extended an invitation from President Donald Trump for PM Modi to visit the US.

UK Calls for Negotiation After US-Israel Strikes on Iran

UK Calls for Negotiation After US-Israel Strikes on Iran

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

The British government has called for a negotiated solution to prevent further escalation of conflict in the Middle East following joint strikes by the US and Israel on Iran, emphasizing the safety of UK nationals and the need to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Indian students recovering after stabbing at Russian university

Indian students recovering after stabbing at Russian university

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Four Indian medical students injured in a stabbing attack at a Russian university are reported to be stable and recovering well. The attacker, a 15-year-old, is also hospitalized.

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.

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.

Nepal Undertakes Rescue Operations for Citizens in Gulf Amid Rising Tensions

Nepal Undertakes Rescue Operations for Citizens in Gulf Amid Rising Tensions

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

Nepal is actively involved in rescuing its citizens from Gulf countries due to escalating tensions in West Asia, with thousands registering to return home. The government is committed to ensuring the safety of Nepalese citizens in the region and has formed an Emergency Response Team to manage the crisis.

3 Indians dead, 5 missing in Mozambique boat capsize

3 Indians dead, 5 missing in Mozambique boat capsize

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

The boat, which was carrying a total of 14 Indian nationals, overturned in the waters off Beira under yet-to-be-determined circumstances.

HC asks Centre to help Celina communicate with brother

HC asks Centre to help Celina communicate with brother

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The Delhi high court has directed the Centre to facilitate communication between actress Celina Jaitly and her brother, a former army officer detained in the UAE. The court is addressing a plea by Jaitly seeking legal representation for her brother, who has been detained since September of last year.

Foreign visitors may need to pay $15,000 bond to enter US

Foreign visitors may need to pay $15,000 bond to enter US

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

The Trump administration is implementing a pilot program requiring visitors from countries with high visa overstay rates to pay a bond of up to USD 15,000.

Closely monitoring situation: US on Red Fort explosion

Closely monitoring situation: US on Red Fort explosion

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

The US Department of State's Consular Affairs, in a "security alert", said that "while the cause of the explosion is unknown at this time, the Government of India has placed several Indian states on high alert."

B'desh summons Indian envoy over its missions' security

B'desh summons Indian envoy over its missions' security

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry condemned the violence, citing threats to diplomatic personnel and establishments, and urged India to ensure their safety and security.

'My Life Has Been Paused Without My Consent'

'My Life Has Been Paused Without My Consent'

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Thousands of Indian H-1B workers are stranded in India after sudden visa appointment cancellations at US consulates.

Indian mission offers consular help to arrested couple

Indian mission offers consular help to arrested couple

Rediff.com30 Nov 2012

India on Friday assured all help to the Indian couple arrested in Norway for allegedly trying to discipline their 7-year-old son for wetting his pants.

Want A US Visa? Unlock Your Social Media First

Want A US Visa? Unlock Your Social Media First

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

To 'protect national interest', US now require all F, M, and Jvisa applicants (students/exchange visitors) to make socialmedia profiles public for nationalsecurity vetting.

Abducted In Dubai: Celina Jaitly Fights For Brother

Abducted In Dubai: Celina Jaitly Fights For Brother

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

Her brother, Celina Jaitly says, is a fourth-generation soldier, a man who dedicated his youth to the nation's service and received the Chief of Army Staff's Commendation for Gallantry.

'Inaccurate info circulating on Nimisha's Yemen pardon'

'Inaccurate info circulating on Nimisha's Yemen pardon'

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

Earlier, the office of Indian Grand Mufti Kanthapuram AP Abubakker Musliyar had claimed that "the death sentence of Nimisha Priya, which was previously suspended, has been overturned. A high-level meeting held in Sanaa decided to completely cancel the death sentence that was temporarily suspended earlier."

Applying For US Visa? Clean Your Social Media First

Applying For US Visa? Clean Your Social Media First

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

Delete posts that are offensive, political, divisive, or just plain immature, counsels Dr Karan Gupta.

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.

Two students from Telangana killed in UK car crash

Two students from Telangana killed in UK car crash

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

Two students from Telangana were killed and five others seriously injured in a two-car collision in Essex, England. Police have arrested two men on suspicion of dangerous driving.

Sikh Woman's Deportation Sparks Outrage

Sikh Woman's Deportation Sparks Outrage

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

'This is so sad the way she was humiliated.' Harjit Kaur's deportation has drawn condemnation from civil rights organisations and the Sikh American community.

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.

Indian Motel Manager Beheaded In US

Indian Motel Manager Beheaded In US

Rediff.com12 Sep 2025

Chandra Mouli 'Bob' Nagamallaiah, originally from Karnataka, was killed after a dispute over a broken washing machine with a co-worker.

Heartbreaking, devastating: Modi, UK PM on AI plane crash

Heartbreaking, devastating: Modi, UK PM on AI plane crash

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

A London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed in a residential area moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. Many people are feared killed.

Consulate in Seattle accused of denying visa to PIO activist

Consulate in Seattle accused of denying visa to PIO activist

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

The Consulate General of India in Seattle was forced to deal with a law and order situation after certain individuals entered the premises unauthorized and engaged in aggressive and threatening behavior with the Consulate staff over alleged denial of visa to one of them. Former Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant was among those who entered the Consulate and refused to leave, alleging she was denied a visa because her name was on a "reject list." Sawant claims the denial is retaliation for her office passing a resolution condemning the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and for her efforts to ban caste discrimination in Seattle.

India got consular access to Baby Ariha in Berlin; Diwali celebrated with her

India got consular access to Baby Ariha in Berlin; Diwali celebrated with her

Rediff.com30 Dec 2023

The ministry of external affairs and the embassy of India in Berlin have been persistently advocating for the return of Ariha Shah to India.

The Country To Execute Most Indians Is...

The Country To Execute Most Indians Is...

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Kuwait has executed 25 Indian nationals in the past five years.

'With Trudeau in office, situation will get worse'

'With Trudeau in office, situation will get worse'

Rediff.com4 Nov 2024

'The response from the police was disgusting -- they acted as the arm of the Khalistanis -- they attacked the Hindus, they did not push the Khalistanis off. They attacked the Hindus in their own mandir'

Pak didn't grant 'unimpeded' access to Jadhav: MEA

Pak didn't grant 'unimpeded' access to Jadhav: MEA

Rediff.com16 Jul 2020

Pakistan claimed that Jadhav had refused to file a review plea on the Pakistani court military court's judgment which awarded the death penalty to the former naval officer on charges of espionage. India said that he had been coerced into doing that.

Race To Save Nurse On Death Row In Yemen

Race To Save Nurse On Death Row In Yemen

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

India is working with Yemeni authorities and friendly nations to find a solution for Nimisha Priya, the Indian nurse sentenced to death in Yemen for murder. The government is seeking more time for Priya's family to reach an understanding with the victim's family.

Modi's presence reflection of India's global leadership: Carney

Modi's presence reflection of India's global leadership: Carney

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attendance at the G7 summit is a reflection of the size and dynamism of the Indian economy and the leadership position India plays, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said.

EB-5 Visa Becoming Preferred Choice For US Migration

EB-5 Visa Becoming Preferred Choice For US Migration

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

With more than 1.2 million Indians stuck in green card backlogs, investor-driven EB-5 programme sees rising interest as a secure route for migration to the US.

Pak says it will grant consular access to Jadhav today

Pak says it will grant consular access to Jadhav today

Rediff.com2 Sep 2019

The retired Indian Navy officer is on death row in Pakistan which has accused him of spying.

India has no jurisdiction in Nikhil Gupta case: Czech Republic

India has no jurisdiction in Nikhil Gupta case: Czech Republic

Rediff.com22 Dec 2023

India's judicial authorities have 'no jurisdiction' in the case involving Nikhil Gupta, Czech justice ministry spokesperson Vladimir Repka has said, days after his family approached the Supreme Court seeking its intervention in the matter.

Pak yet to grant consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav

Pak yet to grant consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav

Rediff.com3 Aug 2019

One of the conditions put by Pakistan reportedly was the presence of a Pakistani official when the Indian prisoner is allowed to meet Indian officials as part of the consular access.

Consular access granted to Christian Michel

Consular access granted to Christian Michel

Rediff.com11 Jan 2019

The British high commission had sought consular access to Michel after he was arrested in the first week of December.

Pak envoy denied entry to US, deported despite valid visa

Pak envoy denied entry to US, deported despite valid visa

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

Pakistan's ambassador to Turkmenistan, K K Wagan, was deported from the United States after being denied entry at Los Angeles airport. The incident has sparked concerns about diplomatic protocol and the nature of the US authorities' decision. Wagan, who holds a valid US visa, was forced to return to his last port of departure. The Foreign Office confirmed the envoy had gone to the US on a private visit and is investigating the matter. It remains unclear what specific concerns triggered the deportation, but sources suggest the US immigration system flagged Wagan over controversial visa references. The incident has been communicated to Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Foreign Secretary Aamna Baloch, and the Foreign Ministry has directed its Consulate in Los Angeles to investigate.