Visa Updates2h ago
Why Indian visa centres in Bangladesh are seeing a massive rush
Why Indian visa centres in Bangladesh are seeing a massive rush
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Why Indian visa centres in Bangladesh are seeing a massive rush
Editorial Policy Snapshot
Curated highlights for categories where the practical policy impact matters more than the raw article count.
Broad visa operations changed through interview rules, screening expansion, fee changes, and appointment bottlenecks.
Applicants across categories should expect deeper scrutiny, more checks, and less tolerance for weak or incomplete files.
For many applicants, access to appointments and consular capacity remain as important as formal eligibility.
Higher application costs are becoming part of the practical burden of visa planning.
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A consortium of financial giants are taking aim at the top two stablecoin issuers. On Tuesday, Open Standard, a company that says it’s partnered with Stripe, Visa , BlackRock and over 140 other businesses, announced that it will launch a new stablecoin called Open USD, or OUSD. The two largest stablecoin issuers, Tether and Circle, are notably not part of the new consortium. OUSD will launch later this year and is structured to return most reserve revenue, or interest earned on the assets backing it, minus a small management fee, to participants. Open Standard did not disclose on which blockchain the stablecoin will operate. “It’s a stablecoin built for the internet economy, designed by the businesses growing it,” Zach Abrams, interim CEO of Open Standard, said in a statement. Abrams is also the cofounder of the stablecoin startup Bridge, which Stripe acquired for $1.1 billion in 2025. The new initiative appears to be a serious challenge to Tether and Circle, which have long dominated the market for stablecoins, or cryptocurrencies pegged to real-world assets like the U.S. dollar. In April, Tether’s stablecoin, USDT, accounted for about 62% of the stablecoin market, while Circle’s USDC held roughly 25%, according to a report from the crypto analytics company CoinGecko. Circle’s stock slipped 13% after the announcement and now trades at $66 per share. “We welcome continued innovation and competition in the space,” Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire wrote on X following the announcement. “Welcome OUSD. Player 2 has entered the game,” wrote Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino.
At TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Join us on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.
Subscribed with another email? Addressing this restriction is essential to unlocking growth, enhancing competitiveness, and strengthening India’s position in global tourism flows, it said. On the demand side, despite progress through mechanisms such as e-visa, India’s visa regime has not yet evolved to match the accessibility, scale, and user experience offered by leading tourism economies, it noted. Scaling visa facilitation in line with global benchmarks will be critical to enhancing India’s international accessibility and competitiveness, it said. On the regulatory front, rationalising requirements, eliminating redundancies, and streamlining approval processes can significantly improve the ease of doing business in tourism. The Tourism Ministry also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Google India Pvt. Ltd. on Tuesday (June 30) to strengthen the digital promotion of India’s tourism destinations through the use of the latest technologies, artificial intelligence, data-driven insights, and capacity building. The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration between the Union Ministry and Google India in key areas including knowledge sharing, capacity building, and the use of emerging technologies for enhancing visitor engagement. Shekhawat said, “Digital technologies have the potential to create immersive experiences that can showcase the glory and grandeur of India’s cultural sites to audiences across the world. By harnessing cutting-edge digital technologies, we can transform the way travellers discover, experience and engage with India’s rich cultural and natural heritage.” Terms & conditions | Institutional Subscriber Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences.
NITI Aayog has proposed a sweeping overhaul of India's tourism regulations, recommending multiple-entry Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) for travellers from select countries, easier approvals for hotels, simpler licensing norms and major regulatory reforms aimed at attracting investment and boosting international footfall. The policy think tank has argued that India's tourism potential remains constrained not by a lack of demand, but by regulatory bottlenecks that delay investments and discourage international travellers. According to the report, India welcomed around 20.6 million international tourists, including NRIs, in 2024. Among its biggest recommendations is the introduction of a 90-day, multiple-entry Visa-on-Arrival for travellers from selected countries. Eligible visitors would be able to obtain visas at designated airports and seaports without applying in advance, reducing paperwork and making India a more accessible destination. The report also proposes simplifying India's visa architecture by reducing multiple e-visa sub-categories into a smaller set of broad-purpose visas covering tourism, business visits, short-term medical treatment, student travel and attendant visas. To encourage repeat travel, NITI Aayog has suggested allowing multiple entries during the visa validity period, introducing faster processing for frequent visitors, integrating visa systems with tourism services and even examining a Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) that would allow foreign tourists to claim GST refunds on purchases made in India. The report noted that hotel projects in India typically take 36-48 months from approvals to commissioning, compared with 12-18 months in competing ASEAN destinations. India's branded hotel inventory currently stands at around 2 lakh rooms, accounting for less than 8% of the country's estimated lodging capacity, despite strong domestic tourism demand. The report pointed out that simplifying regulations, improving ease of doing business and making entry procedures more traveller-friendly was critical to achieve India's long-term ambition of becoming a leading global tourism hub.
The Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian citizens planning the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through private tour operators to exercise caution. The issue was raised on Saturday by Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule, who called on the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian missions in Nepal to step in and provide immediate support to the affected pilgrims. She further requested intervention from the External Affairs Minister and Indian embassies in Nepal and China. "Requesting Dr S Jaishankar, Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Nepal, Embassy of India in Beijing, China and Ministry of External Affairs, India to kindly look into the matter and extend the necessary support to ensure their safe onward journey," she added. These include a valid Chinese visa or, for those entering Tibet from Nepal, a Chinese Group Visa. According to the official website of the Chinese Embassy, India, "The Indian Pilgrims to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, Xizang, China, should apply Chinese group visa at the Chinese Embassy in India via Chinese Visa Application Service Center in New Delhi. The Indian Pilgrims who are resident in Nepal could apply Chinese group visa at the Chinese Embassy in Nepal with relevant supporting documents." The address of Chinese Visa Application Service Center:Concourse Floor,Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, New Delhi. On June 20, the first batch of pilgrims undertaking the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026 crossed into China through the India-China border at Nathu La Pass. Companies: Comprehensive news and analysis on listed and unlisted companies, corporate announcements, corporate chatter, C-suite, business trends, hiring alerts, layoffs, work-life balance, world's top billionaires and richest and more. 2. Riya R Alex, Trainee Content Producer Stay updated with the latest Trending , India , World and US news.
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DR Congos Lumumba fan denied US visa for mustwin clash vs Uzbekistan
More applicants now need in-person interviews, including many who previously expected smoother renewals.
Location restrictions made it more difficult to treat visa stamping as a flexible global process.
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The Japanese Government announced a fivefold increase in visa costs for all foreigners on Friday. From July 1 onwards, single-entry foreign visa fees will rise from the current Rs 1755.27 to Rs 8776.36. The Japanese Government are pushing for cost hikes to align its visa and residency tied fees closer to those of the other G7 economies. For example, in the US, the non-immigrant visa application costs from $185 to $315. A standard short-term visa for the UK with a maximum duration of six months costs $135 for foreigners. (This article has been curated by Seekriti Saha, who is an intern in The Indian Express) The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ...
Answer Yes. In general, applicants may travel internationally while their naturalization applications are pending. However, it is important to avoid any scheduling conflicts with USCIS (U.S. immigration agency) appointments. Applicants also should ensure that any travel does not affect their ability to satisfy the continuous residence and physical presence requirements for naturalization. (16.Jun.2026) Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here . Access more FAQs here . Copyright © 2026, MURTHY LAW FIRM. All Rights Reserved The post I am applying for naturalization but have heard that USCIS is not scheduling oath ceremonies for many applicants, even when the interview goes well. Am I allowed to travel internationally while my naturalization application is pending? appeared first on Murthy Law Firm | U.S Immigration Law .
F - 1 visa and EAD renewal : What Indian students need to know about the new US work permit rule
This fall has proven to be a pivotal time for U.S. immigration, marked by a swift tightening of national security measures and significant procedural changes for visa applicants. From emergency responses following a security incident in Washington, D.C., to long-term proposals for biometric data, the landscape is shifting toward stricter vetting and standardized processing. Here is a comprehensive summary of the critical updates every applicant, sponsor, and traveler needs to know. 1.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requesting additional information or documentation for an immigration petition or application prior to rendering a final decision. While an RFE may be discouraging, it does not necessarily mean that an immigration petition or application will be denied, but it may lead to uncertainty and delays when applying for an employment-based visa or work authorization. By developing a strong employment-based visa application initially, you are more likely to avoid RFEs and achieve faster, more favorable outcomes.
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program , commonly referred to as the green card lottery, was established by the U.S. government to provide individuals from countries with low immigration rates a chance to live and work in the U.S. Each year, the U.S. Department of State conducts a random lottery drawing to select 55,000 applicants who will be given the opportunity to apply for a Diversity Visa (DV).
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