India Extends e-Tourist Visa Scheme to 166 More Countries
US Slashes Interview Wait Times for Indian F-1 and B-1/B-2 Visa Applicants
HIRE Act Re-Introduced in US Congress, Seeks to Double H-1B Cap—Big Implications for Indian Talent
Latest News
Medical Counselling Committee Sets 48-Hour Window for NEET-PG 2026 NRI Status Change
India’s Medical Counselling Committee has given NEET-PG 2026 aspirants just two days to file complete proof if they want to be re-classified as Non-Resident Indians. The move aims to stamp out category misuse and brings stricter compliance to postgraduate medical admissions.
IGI Airport Police Bust Tamil Nadu-Linked Fake French Visa Syndicate
Delhi police have arrested a Tamil Nadu agent and three passengers for forging French D-type visas, highlighting a growing employment-visa scam targeting Indian job seekers. Companies are urged to tighten document checks as authorities step up airport fraud surveillance.
Indian IT firms’ new-hire H-1B approvals plunge 37 % in FY 2025, lowest in a decade
New USCIS data analysed by NFAP show Indian IT companies secured only 4,573 new H-1B approvals in FY 2025—a 10-year low and 37 % drop year-on-year. The fall reflects U.S. tech firms’ AI hiring spree, offshore delivery expansion by Indian vendors and quota pressure that favours renewals over new visas. Businesses may need to rethink assignment planning and explore alternative routes such as L-1s or Canadian postings.
Cyclone Ditwah disrupts South India travel; flights gradually resume as storm weakens
Cyclone Ditwah forced the cancellation of more than 50 flights and halted rail services across Tamil Nadu; Chennai airport began restoring operations on 1 December as the storm weakened offshore. Companies should expect lingering delays, review duty-of-care procedures and redirect travellers through alternative hubs until schedules normalise.
U.S. ‘HIRE Act’ bill seeks to raise annual H-1B cap to 130,000—big boost for skilled Indians
A newly introduced U.S. bill—dubbed the HIRE Act—would raise the annual H-1B visa cap from 85k to 130k, add anti-fraud safeguards and reserve visas for small firms. Because Indians receive the bulk of H-1Bs, the proposal could unlock roughly 45,000 extra slots a year for Indian professionals, easing staffing bottlenecks for multinationals. Legislative passage is uncertain, so companies should track amendments and keep alternative mobility options ready.
Dense-fog alert for north-east, cold wave in Punjab may snarl flights and road travel
IMD’s 1 December forecast flags dense fog in Odisha, Manipur and Himachal Pradesh and severe cold-wave conditions in Punjab. Airlines, railways and road carriers are bracing for visibility-related delays, and corporate travellers are advised to allow extra transit time and book flexible tickets.