When you apply for a US visa, you need to be clear and honest about why you chose this course or country and what you plan to do with the qualification afterwards -- whether you will be returning home or building a career abroad, says Sonal Kapoor, global chief business officer, Prodigy Finance.
The US is reportedly considering a USD 100,000 fee for Optional Practical Training (OPT) visas, which allow international students to work in the US after graduation. This move by the Trump administration follows a rejected H1-B visa fee proposal and could significantly impact foreign graduates and tech companies. The Department of Homeland Security is also exploring a USD 100,000 bond for green card applicants.
Australia increased its student visa application fee from 1,600 to 2,000 Australian dollars. This is now the highest such visa fee in the world.
'What we want students to understand when they're applying for that visa is that we want to see a use of that visa that is in line with their application.'
A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration rule that sought to cap the stays of foreign students, journalists, and exchange visitors, citing potential 'catastrophic' damage to the US economy and higher-education system.
US President Donald Trump has extended the USD 100,000 fee on employers for H-1B foreign workers for another year, citing a significant decrease in registrations from large IT outsourcing firms. This move, aimed at protecting American jobs and ensuring highly-skilled workers, also includes a separate proclamation for enhanced scrutiny of H-1B applications, particularly concerning potential layoffs of US workers.
'One important clarification is that the reported US action is not a blanket cancellation of all US tourist visas.'
A 25-year-old Indian man who went to Russia on a student visa has allegedly been 'deceitfully' recruited into the Russian Army and pushed into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, his family claims. They are seeking the Indian government's help for his safe return.
Dr Pananjay Tiwari, founder and director of Impel Overseas Education, highlights what international students should keep in mind in order to be safe in a new country and avoid being deported.
The number of Indians travelling abroad for education fell from 908,364 in 2023 to 770,127 in 2024 and 626,606 in 2025.
With the duration of stay capped at four years, the biggest impact of the new F-1 visa rules is likely to be on PhD scholars, students enrolled in longer professional programmes, those whose graduation gets delayed and students moving from one academic programme to another, highlight education experts.
The Trump administration is considering requiring all foreign students applying to study in the United States to undergo social media vetting, according to a report in Politico. In preparation for such required vetting, the administration is ordering US embassies and consular sections to pause scheduling new interviews for such student visa applicants. The report noted that if the administration goes ahead with the plan, it could severely slow down the processing of student visas and hurt many universities who rely heavily on foreign students to boost their financial coffers. This move comes days after the Trump administration ordered the Department of Homeland Security to terminate Harvard University's Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) certification, a move that meant Harvard could no longer enroll foreign students.
Two individuals have been booked for allegedly defrauding a young man of Rs 20 lakhs under the guise of arranging a student visa for overseas education, according to police reports.
Three residents from Gujarat, India, who attempted to travel to the US via an illegal route, have gone missing in Ethiopia. Their families claim they were kidnapped and are being held for a ransom of Rs 1 crore, having already paid substantial amounts to agents for the illicit journey. Police have registered a missing persons complaint as contact was lost after September 22.
'Tightening of visa norms for international students around the world are a concern for the university and the education sector, even as the UK continues to offer relatively attractive post-study work opportunities compared to several competing markets.'
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.
'We're doing a lot of work around work-integrated learning, providing students with every opportunity to take at least part of their education as a practical work-based experience.'
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested seven individuals, including two foreign nationals, for their involvement in an interstate cocaine trafficking network operating between Bengaluru and Kerala. The operation, named 'Domino', led to the seizure of 33.1 grams of cocaine worth Rs 16.55 lakh and uncovered links to individuals previously deported from the UAE for drug offences.
The FBI has placed gangster Satinderjeet Singh, known as Goldy Brar, on its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, offering a USD 1 million reward for his alleged involvement in the Lawrence Bishnoi Organized Crime Group's violent activities across North America.
Satinderjeet Singh, alias Goldy Brar, a former petty criminal from Punjab, has escalated to become a leader of transnational organised crime and is now featured on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. The FBI has offered a USD 1 million reward for information leading to his arrest, citing his alleged involvement in assassinations, extortions, and trafficking of narcotics and weapons across the US and Canada. Brar is also linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, designated an "individual terrorist" by India, and accused of orchestrating the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala.
A 23-year-old Indian student, Vidhi Megha, was found dead in a home in the Niagara Region, Canada. Police have launched a murder investigation and a suspect has been charged. The Indian Consulate in Toronto is providing support to the family.
The H-1B visa once symbolised the American Dream for Indians, but today's students are increasingly asking whether they need America at all. In 1995, the question was: How do I get to America? In 2026, it may be: Do I need to?
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship of Australia has introduced new changes to support and service Indian students.
Australia's new student visa rules focuses on stricter eligibility, higher financial and English language requirements among others.
The US mission to India has invited students to visit https://educationusaindia.usief.org.in/ and also participate in the EducationUSA University Virtual Fairs, to be held on Friday, August 27, for prospective graduate students and Friday, September 3, for prospective undergraduate students.
The fees for the students' visa was raised from 145 pounds to 199 pounds while the dependent relative visa would be charged 1680 pounds. The increased fees will come into from April 6.
An Indian doctoral student from Tamil Nadu, Q Manivannan, has sparked a debate on immigration and representation in UK politics after winning a local election in Scotland. Manivannan's victory has drawn criticism from anti-immigration voices, highlighting the rules that allow foreign nationals to contest elections in Scotland.
'Violating the terms of your student visa can result in revocation, deportation and even long-term ineligibility for future US visas,' says the US embassy in India.
The Congress party has accused the Indian government of imposing new charges on UPI transactions due to pressure from the United States, specifically to benefit American card companies. The opposition party demanded the withdrawal of the decision, calling it "anti-national" and alleging it fills the coffers of US firms while burdening Indian citizens. The government, however, clarified that the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges apply only to commercial transactions above Rs 2,000 and are not levied on consumers, a stance supported by the BJP which accused Congress of spreading "fake news".
Nasscom said while the visa programme has been used by companies to address the skill gap in the US by bringing in foreign employees, the number of H-1B employees from Indian companies have come down substantially over the last decade.
India has launched two special category visa for international students intending to pursue higher education in academic institutions in the country.
Education Consultant Karan Gupta describes the US student visa process. He dispels common myths and gives advice on how to prepare.
90 per cent of institutions recorded no improvement in international student metrics, despite government initiatives such as the Study in India programme, UGC regulations on internationalisation, and efforts to attract foreign students.
The US embassy in India issued a warning that law violations by Indian students could result in immediate visa cancellation, deportation and permanent travel bans.
Check if you are eligible. Keep documents ready. Plan in advance to avoid last-minute delays.
If you are a student in the US with a J-1 or an M-1 visa, what employment options are open to you? Read on to find out.
The UK has imposed a study visa ban on Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar, and Sudan due to a surge in asylum applications, with further restrictions on skilled worker visas for Afghan nationals.
India on Thursday said it expects the United States to consider visa applications of Indian students on merit amid growing concerns over the Trump administration halting new student visa interviews.
US visa expert Dr Arun Vakil guides students and working professionals about US visa application procedures.
Words of advice from Peter G Kaestner, US Consul General, New Delhi.
