The Department of Homeland Security's new rule, effective Sept 15, eliminates the duration of status regime for international students. It grants a temporary exemption for OPT and STEM OPT students who filed on or before six months of the effective date, allowing them to avoid a separate extension of stay application.
Ananya Joshi, an Indian woman, moved to Germany after her US employer failed to sponsor her H-1B visa, forcing her to leave a $75,000 job. Despite finding stability in Germany, she's now contemplating returning to India due to lingering uncertainty about the US and the desire to start her own venture.
US visa interviews for India applicants often begin by asking about harm or mistreatment in India. This question screens for asylum intent, checks for human trafficking, and assesses credibility by understanding the applicant's personal background and the socio-political context of India.
Michel Kuka Mboladinga, aka 'Lumumba Vea', DR Congo's famous football supporter, was denied a US visa, missing his country's historic 3-1 World Cup win over Uzbekistan, amid scrutiny over US entry policies.
DR Congo's prominent World Cup superfan, Michel Kuka Mboladinga, known for his tribute to Patrice Lumumba, will miss the crucial match against Uzbekistan due to a denied US visa.
Former super-featherweight world champion Joe Cordina faces assault and offensive weapon charges in Cardiff, stemming from a February incident. His US visa was denied, preventing him from fighting for the WBO lightweight title in Cleveland on July 4.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that while progress has been made in issuing US visas to Russian diplomats, significant work remains. He noted that visas are being issued for official delegations and American officials have visited Russia, but full normalization of relations on this issue is still distant, depending on Washington's political will.
A viral Reddit post reveals US visa rejections at the Delhi Consulate are often due to unconvincing answers, not just documentation issues. Examples include a sports fan unaware of matches and a traveler citing 'fame' as a reason. The author's successful interview emphasized clarity, confidence, and documented history.
A Redditor shared their US tourist visa interview experience at the Delhi Consulate, detailing common reasons for rejection such as unconvincing travel purposes and lack of specific plans. The user's own visa was approved after they presented a detailed itinerary and background.
The July 2026 US Visa Bulletin shows EB-1 category retrogression for Indians to Oct 15, 2022. EB-2 and EB-5 are unavailable until Sept 30 due to per-country quotas being exhausted. Only EB-3 moves forward to Jan 1, 2014.
Cape Verde's star goalkeeper Vozinha's mother has been granted a US visa to attend her son's World Cup match in Miami, announced House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. Ana Candida Evora will be reunited with her son after visa fees were waived.
US visa officers may ask unexpected questions, like how an applicant would spend a Saturday night in Boston, to gauge preparedness beyond academic plans. Former diplomat Yvette Bansal explains these questions assess research into the city and the applicant's ability to respond calmly under pressure, revealing genuine interest and awareness of student life.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to help Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha's mother, Ana Candida Evora, enter the US for the World Cup. Evora couldn't afford the visa bond, despite recent US policy changes.
Iranian footballer Mehdi Torabi's US visa expired after the team's opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match. The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran is seeking a new visa. Iran is in Group G and has played one match in Los Angeles.
Cape Verde's 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha was named player of the match in their 0-0 World Cup draw against Spain, but cried at full-time as his mother could not afford the visa to travel to the US. New US government requirements for Cape Verdean citizens, including a returnable bond, prevented her application.
Indian professionals applying for US work visas are increasingly asked "Why can't an American do this job instead of you?" Immigration lawyers note this trend, linked to stricter policies and the "Buy American, Hire American" order, is causing visa refusals, especially in tech sectors.
Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Association, is in Mexico City awaiting a US visa to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He criticized the restrictions, calling them unfair to football representatives. Visa issues have affected delegates from several countries, with the US State Department yet to comment on Rajoub's case.
Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association, is awaiting permission to enter the US for the FIFA World Cup after being denied a visa. He joins other accredited individuals facing similar entry issues, highlighting new US restrictions on Palestinian passport holders.
Somali referee Omar Artan, denied entry to the US for the World Cup, has been nominated by UEFA to officiate the European Super Cup. This follows issues with US visa policies affecting fans and officials.
Iran's football federation claims the US revoked its World Cup ticket allocation for group stage matches, obstructing Iranian supporters' attendance amid a bitter diplomatic row.
Iran's World Cup team arrives in Mexico's Tijuana amid a diplomatic dispute with the US over denied visas for support staff, ahead of playing group matches in the US.
Iran’s World Cup 2026 squad arrived in Tijuana after a dispute over US visas delayed travel and reportedly barred some support staff. Iranian officials and players criticized the treatment, while a US official defended the restrictions.
Iran's football players have received US visas for the 2026 World Cup, but senior officials remain pending clearance, complicating team travel plans amid heightened US-Iran tensions.
Iran's 2026 World Cup delegation faces visa issues for support staff, sparking diplomatic tensions with the US, despite player visas being approved on June 5.
