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
Why Indian Nationals Are Ineligible for the 2025 DV Lottery
India is ineligible for DV‑2026 because its five‑year immigrant totals exceed the 50,000 threshold. The automatic exclusion means applicants must rely on employment, family, investor, or humanitarian immigration routes until…
OPT and STEM OPT in Peril: Indian Students Face New H-1B Rules
A $100,000 nonrefundable H-1B surcharge effective September 21, 2025, threatens OPT-to-H-1B conversions by raising employer costs. Caps remain…
India EB Green Card Dates Remain Largely Steady in Nov 2025 Bulletin
November’s Visa Bulletin leaves India’s EB queues largely unchanged, with EB‑1 retrogression and slight EB‑2/EB‑3 gains. USCIS permits…
Infosys: Majority of U.S. Workforce Local as Sponsorship Drops
Infosys says over 60% of its U.S. staff are local hires, making visa sponsorship the exception. The shift…
OPT Under Fire: Indian Students Face Uncertainty Over Jobs and Status
A proposed $100,000 H‑1B fee, tougher DHS rules, and stepped-up enforcement are making OPT-to-H‑1B transitions riskier for Indian…
India Requires Mandatory E-Arrival Card for Air and Sea Arrivals
India mandates e-Arrival Cards for all foreign travelers and OCI holders as of April 2026, replacing paper forms…
November 2025 Visa Bulletin: Global Cutoff Date Comparison by Country
November 2025 Visa Bulletin shows India and China with major EB-2/EB-3 backlogs; Mexico and the Philippines face old…
HCLTech Accelerates Local Hiring to Cut H-1B Reliance, U.S. Focus
HCLTech has shifted to a US-localized delivery model: 80% local hires by October 2025, ~1,728 H-1B workers, and…
Perfume Mistaken for Opium: Indian Immigrant’s Life Upturned
After a May 3, 2025 traffic stop in Benton, Arkansas, police mistook an Yves Saint Laurent “Opium” perfume…
Indian-Origin Vedam Exonerated After 43 Years, Detained by ICE
After his 1983 murder conviction was vacated in August 2025, Subramanyam Vedam was released on October 3 but…