A California obstetrician of Indian origin, Dr. Athiya Javid of San Jose, has drawn scrutiny after a US House Committee inquiry into alleged “birth tourism” businesses. Lawmakers say foreign patients used maternity services to secure automatic citizenship for children by traveling on temporary visas, and accuse some clinics of offering support beyond healthcare such as housing help and legal consultations. Investigators are requesting records dating to January 2020, including ads, contracts, visa coaching materials, and revenue figures. The move renews debate over immigration and birthright citizenship.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement says it has identified 10,000 foreign students, including some from India, accused of abusing the Optional Practical Training (OPT) part of their visas. OPT allows limited US work for up to 12 months, sometimes 24, and can be a path to H-1B sponsorship. ICE acting Director Todd Lyons said investigators found cases involving suspect employers and instances where beneficiaries were “managed” from India, violating rules requiring US training and direction. ICE calls OPT a “magnet for fraud.”
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The US is easing entry rules for World Cup fans by ending visa bond requirements for foreign visitors from select qualifying countries. Citizens from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Tunisia who hold World Cup tickets will no longer have to post large visa bonds to enter the country. The move aims to make travel smoother for fans attending matches.
Bali’s immigration authorities are warning tourists and influencers against doing unpaid promotional or work-like activities on visitor visas. Officials say collaborations that appear harmless, including portfolio building, can still breach immigration rules. Travelers are urged to match their activities to their visa purpose or face scrutiny and potential sanctions, with other visa routes available for genuine professional work.
Kuwait has rolled out an online domestic driver entry visa service through the Sahel app, introduced by the Ministry of Interior. The move lets citizens apply electronically, cutting paperwork and time spent on government visits to service centers. Officials say the streamlined process will make visa handling faster and more convenient.
Indian students applying for New Zealand visas are facing longer processing times, with applications averaging around 30 working days—nearly twice as long as Chinese applicants. While rejection rates have reportedly improved, the slow turnaround is worrying students and immigration professionals, raising doubts about whether New Zealand will remain as attractive a study destination.
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June 2026’s US Visa Bulletin brings a blow to many Indian applicants seeking employment-based green cards. EB-1 and EB-2 final action dates have retrogressed amid heavy demand. The State Department also flags the possibility of additional delays or even visa unavailability if annual numerical limits are reached, with effects potentially spilling into EB-5 unreserved as well.
The US State Department says it will ease visa rules for select World Cup visitors by waiving the bond payments required from some applicants. Bonds will be dropped for teams competing in US matches and for fans from participating countries who already hold tickets and have enrolled in the visa priority system.
Karnataka High Court upheld a “Leave India” notice against a French citizen who ran a restaurant in Karnataka for 15 years while on a tourist visa. The court said tourist visa holders have no right to reside or carry on business in India. The man must leave within seven days after the FRRO notice.
Assam is signaling a new phase of development and prosperity under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said. He highlighted safeguarding native land rights and tackling immigration challenges as central priorities, framing the effort as a bid for harmony, stability, and long-term growth.
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Kazakhstan has issued a fresh decree aimed at attracting international investors and highly skilled professionals. The policy introduces a Golden Visa scheme and reforms residency rules, shifting toward an incentive-driven approach to make the country more appealing for global talent and capital inflows. The move signals Kazakhstan’s push to strengthen its position in international migration and business.
Thailand is reviewing visa rules across major visitor categories with a focus on “quality” tourism rather than higher volume. The government is considering scrapping the 60-day visa-free scheme for tourists and introducing tougher screening, including background checks and proof of sufficient funds, aiming to balance travel benefits with national security concerns.
The UK’s Immigration Advice Authority has rolled out a nationwide campaign to warn people looking for immigration help. It urges migrants to verify that any adviser is officially regulated before handing over documents or money. The effort targets fraud and confusion, using the slogan “Before you trust them, check them,” and points users to a free online Adviser Register.
Washington is considering a wave of legislative proposals aimed at tightening the H-1B program and the broader skilled-immigration pipeline. Measures discussed under bills such as the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act 2026 include pauses on hiring, lower caps, mandated higher salaries, and ending Optional Practical Training—changes that could reshape tech and talent supply chains.
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Thailand has introduced a compulsory online Thailand Digital Arrival Card for all foreign visitors, replacing older paper forms. The move is designed to speed up immigration and strengthen security checks. Travelers are required to submit the card at least three days before their arrival, so planning ahead is essential to avoid last-minute issues at entry.
Indian-born, non-binary anthropologist Q Manivannan has won a seat in Scotland’s Parliament, representing the Scottish Greens on a “kinder politics” agenda. The victory was made possible after a rule change allowing visa holders to stand for election. Manivannan, a queer Tamil immigrant, says he will focus on care, solidarity, and stronger representation for marginalized communities at Holyrood.
Immigration New Zealand says a surge of scam calls is targeting international students and migrants. Fraudsters impersonate INZ officials, claim urgent visa problems, and pressure victims to share personal information or make payments. The warning urges recipients to hang up immediately and report any suspicious call activity, especially when callers demand quick action.
New Zealand’s government has announced a mandatory citizenship test starting in 2027, prompting many migrants to apply earlier than planned. The test will include 20 questions on civic rights and democratic values. Supporters say it strengthens integration, but critics warn of added costs, language hurdles, and extra challenges for refugees and people with learning or accessibility needs.
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An Indian-American man, Debashis Ghosh, is facing US denaturalization proceedings after authorities allege he concealed involvement in a $2.5 million investor fraud scheme when applying for citizenship. Prosecutors say he misrepresented his criminal history and continued fraudulent activities even after becoming a citizen in 2012, as part of a push to revoke citizenship obtained illegally.
A Trump administration proposal seeks to sharply raise H-1B visa minimum salaries, including setting an entry level software engineer wage in San Francisco at $162,000. Supporters say it will stop foreign workers from undercutting American pay, but critics warn it could increase employer costs by billions and reduce job opportunities for younger US talent.
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