ICICI Bank, with Visa, has launched India’s first USD-denominated debit card issued from its IFSC Banking Unit at GIFT City. The card is linked to ICICI Bank’s USD Global Savings Account and lets NRIs spend their US dollar balance globally at ATMs, POS terminals and e-commerce. The offering runs on the Visa Infinite platform and includes security controls such as EMV chip compliance, channel enable-disable, and daily transaction limits, plus Visa Infinite privileges and curated brand and travel benefits.
US President Donald Trump said after meeting Xi Jinping in Beijing that China wants to buy US oil and soybeans again, marking a possible reversal from the tariff-driven slowdown. Trump noted China had purchased only small amounts of US oil before the tariffs and that soybean imports had shifted toward Brazil. He also pressed for broader access for Visa to China’s credit card market during the talks, adding a financial-services angle to the claimed trade thaw.
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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.
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.
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.
BLS International has begun Belarus visa processing in Mumbai through a partnership with the Consulate General of the Republic of Belarus. The newly launched Visa Application Centre is designed to improve access and streamline applications for Indian travelers visiting Belarus for work, tourism, and other purposes, reflecting rising outbound travel demand from India.
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Visa card payments in the UAE are expected to feel noticeably faster after Emirates NBD was appointed as the National Net Settlement Service agent. Domestic card transactions can be settled locally in dirhams, cutting processing time and reducing dependence on international rails for routine purchases.
Visa has teamed up with Emirates NBD to process UAE dirham transactions locally, speeding up domestic Visa card payments for everyday spending like shopping, dining, and travel. The shift to local processing aims to reduce delays while keeping card usage exactly the same for consumers, offering quicker turnarounds without new steps.
Saudi Arabia has issued a stern advisory ahead of the Hajj season, warning visitors against visa overstays. Authorities say violators could face jail time, hefty fines, and deportation as enforcement of entry and pilgrimage rules intensifies. The move aims to maintain safety and order during one of the world’s largest annual gatherings, with regulators signaling zero tolerance for rule breaking.
Visa has appointed Suresh Sethi as its Group Country Manager for India and South Asia, entrusting him with strategy and operations across six countries. Based in Mumbai, Sethi will report to Stephen Karpin. He previously headed Protean e-Gov Technologies Ltd, and the move signals a fresh leadership direction for Visa in the region.
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Visa is reportedly set to appoint Suresh Sethi, the former CEO of Protean eGov Technologies, as its new India country head, succeeding Sandeep Ghosh. The move comes as Visa steps up focus on digital payments and deeper regional partnerships. With Sethi’s background across banking and technology, the leadership change signals a renewed effort to accelerate growth in India’s fast-evolving payments market.
Immigration New Zealand will move family visa applications linked to temporary visa holders to an enhanced online system from June 1, 2026. The change, under its “Our Future Services” programme, is designed to streamline processing, improve the applicant experience with dynamic forms and identity document readers, and reduce waiting times.
Japan’s 2026 travel bill is set to rise sharply as new taxes and price hikes hit travelers across accommodation, transport, and departure fees. Kyoto and other regions are introducing lodging taxes, while the international departure tax is expected to triple. Rail pass prices are also increasing, and visa fee hikes are being discussed.
New Zealand will ease health insurance requirements for its Peak Seasonal Visa starting April 19, 2026. The update is designed to simplify compliance for both migrants and employers by aligning insurance needs with products available in the local market. Officials expect fewer application uncertainties and faster visa processing for seasonal workers.
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New Zealand will increase income and sponsorship thresholds for Parent Category Resident Visa and Parent Boost Visitor Visa applicants starting April 30, 2026. The move raises minimum earnings and savings requirements using updated wage levels, and similar revisions will also apply to Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota visas, bringing eligibility rules in line with current living costs.
Many Indian students are pausing or deferring study-abroad plans, pushing decisions to the next intake season. Rising global unrest and uncertainty are driving them to seek alternatives closer to home or in steadier destinations, as families weigh risk, visa timelines, and travel disruption against long-term academic goals.
Bengaluru payments firm Cashfree has named Sameer Gandhi as its new Chief Financial Officer. Gandhi previously headed finance at Visa India, and will now steer Cashfree’s financial strategy and commercial operations. The appointment is aimed at supporting the company’s plan for faster growth and improved profitability in the coming quarters, even as it processes over $80 billion in annual transactions.
USCIS has wrapped up H-1B selection for FY2027, fully filling the 85,000 annual quota. Employers have been informed and petition filings will open April 1, 2026. The biggest shift: a weighted lottery that favors higher wage offers, replacing the older random selection approach—meaning pay could now decide who gets in.
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Even as West Asia tensions rise, Indian workers are still lining up at Gulf visa centres in Delhi. With pay gaps widening and limited job options at home, applicants say financial pressure and family responsibilities outweigh safety worries. Many believe the conflict will eventually ease, and some point to targets they think won’t hit labour camps, keeping plans moving.
The Union Cabinet has approved extending the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) scheme for five more years beyond March 2026, taking it forward to 2031. The government has allocated ₹1,800 crore for the continued programme, aiming to modernize systems for managing immigration and foreign nationals following a new law.
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