India
Visa and immigration updates for Indian nationals — H-1B sponsorship trends, OCI card rules, NRI tax obligations, passport services, and bilateral agreements between India and destination countries.
Top questions about India
Answers from VisaVerge guidesHow have immigration policies affected Indian nationals hoping to live or work in the United States as of August 2025?
Indian EB-5 visa processing has been delayed by over six months, and USCIS has tightened family reunification document requirements, making it harder for families to join their loved ones in the U.S.
Read: Trump Aide Accuses India of Blocking US Goods and Cheating on ImmigrationWhat changes will H-1B visa applicants in India face starting September 2, 2025?
Starting September 2, 2025, all H-1B visa applicants in India must attend in-person interviews at a U.S. consulate, ending the dropbox option.
Read: When Did India Get H-1B Dropbox Option and Why Was It Dropped?What steps should Indian students take when applying for US visas after May 2025?
Indian students need to secure university admission, complete the DS-160 form, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, and prepare all required documents before scheduling a visa interview if available.
Read: US Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Expanded Social Media VettingHow Visa Status Shapes NRI Investment Planning Under U.S. Policy
The U.S. tax deadline for the 2026 tax year is April 15, 2027. This affects NRIs, students, and green card holders with both U.S. income and foreign assets like Indian NRE accounts. Failure to file can lead to significant penalties and immigration issues. Extensions are available until October, but payments remain due in April to avoid interest and late fees.
Read: How Visa Status Shapes NRI Investment Planning Under U.S. PolicyWhat specific impact does the new policy have on Indian nationals applying for Green Cards in 2025?
Most impact comes from broader changes like enhanced entry-exit biometrics, stricter residence reviews, and longer adjustment backlogs in EB-2 and EB-3.
Read: Green Card Changes in 2025: Biometric Entry-Exit and Reexaminations
H-1B Fee Surge: How India’s IT Sector Can Survive the Blow
A September 21, 2025 U.S. rule hikes the H-1B filing fee to USD 100,000, creating immediate financial shock for India’s IT exporters. Lack of clarity on exemptions intensifies uncertainty. Companies…
Sanjeev Sanyal: H-1B Benefits Favor the U.S., Not India
Sanjeev Sanyal said the US captures most benefits from H-1B migration and cited the new US $100,000 fee…
Indians Lead the U.S. STEM Workforce Through H-1B and Education
In 2024 Indians took over 70% of H-1B approvals, underpinning U.S. STEM roles. A proposed $100,000 H-1B fee…
JPMorgan Sees India Flourishing Despite U.S. Trade and Visa Hurdles
JPMorgan views U.S. tariffs and a $100,000 visa fee as short-term shocks, not derailers of India’s growth. Domestic…
H-1B 2026 Lottery: What the $100,000 Fee Means for Employers
From Sept 21, 2025, any new H-1B petition filed must include a $100,000 fee; FY2026 registration and lottery…
Why Make America Great Again Persists Despite U.S. Global Lead
The White House plan imposes a 10% baseline tariff, higher targeted duties including 100% on some Indian drugs,…
H-1B Surcharge: Indian IT Firms to Pass 30–70% to Clients
Effective September 21, 2025, a $100,000 one-time surcharge applies to new H-1B petitions for 12 months. Crisil forecasts…
India warns U.S. H-1B fee hike could hit services exports, remittance
A $100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B petitions (effective Sept 21, 2025) risks reducing India’s services exports and…
India Could Benefit as U.S. H-1B Fee Pushes Talent Home
The U.S. will impose a $100,000 one-time fee on new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025, exempting…
Veni, Vidi, Contuli: H-1B Fees Misprice Immigrant Promise
A New Indian Express opinion contends a $100,000 upfront H‑1B fee would deter early-career immigrant talent, favor big…