H-1B Visa Stamping Crisis Deepens: US Consulates in India Push Appointments to 2027
India Expands e-Tourist Visa Scheme to 166 Countries, Bolstering Business Travel
India and European Union Clinch Long-Awaited Free Trade Deal, Paving Way for Mobility Chapter
Latest News
IndiGo Halts Flights to Central Asia and Caucasus Through 28 January Amid Iran-Related Tensions
IndiGo has suspended flights from India to Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan until 28 January due to security concerns linked to tensions around Iran. The move disrupts corporate itineraries and supply-chain cargo; travellers are advised to seek refunds, rebook via alternate hubs and monitor further advisories.
US Visa Ban on 75 Countries May Release 50,000 Extra Green Cards—Opportunity for Indians
A new US executive order freezing immigrant visas for 75 countries will likely leave tens of thousands of family-based green-card numbers unused. Under statutory rollover rules, about 50,000 could transfer to employment-based categories in FY 2027—potentially accelerating green-card timelines for Indian H-1B workers.
US Consulates Push H-1B Visa Interview Dates in India to 2027, Stranding Professionals
All five US consulates in India have pushed H-1B visa-stamping interviews to 2027 because of social-media vetting requirements and the end of third-country stamping. The backlog strands Indian professionals, delays US projects and forces employers to find stop-gap staffing solutions.
India–EU Mobility Pact Set for 27 January Summit, Opening New Work and Study Routes
Officials say the forthcoming India–EU Mobility and Migration Partnership will create unified work- and study-permit pathways for Indian nationals across all 27 EU states, addressing Europe’s labour shortages while giving Indian talent greater freedom of movement.
India Expands e-Tourist Visa Coverage to 166 Countries, Streamlines Digital Entry
A website update on 25 January shows India’s e-Tourist Visa now open to citizens of 166 countries, expanding the digital entry system and giving businesses faster, paper-free options to bring in clients, partners and delegates.
Social-Media Screening Triggers Surge in 221(g) Visa Refusals for Indians
Tougher US social-media screening has led to a jump in ‘administrative processing’ (221(g)) refusals for Indian visa applicants, disrupting travel plans and increasing compliance costs for businesses that rely on short-term travel to the United States.
Visa-Free Thailand Tops Republic-Day Weekend Bookings for Kolkata Flyers
MakeMyTrip data show Thailand—thanks to visa-free entry and plentiful direct flights—captured the lion’s share of Kolkata’s Republic-Day long-weekend outbound traffic, illustrating how streamlined border rules can redirect Indian leisure and “bleisure” demand.