Work Visa News (H-1B, Work Permits & Skilled Migration)
News on work visas and skilled migration worldwide — H-1B developments, work-permit rule changes, blue-card and skilled-worker routes, and salary-threshold updates.
H-1B Interview Slots Unavailable in India Until 2027
All five US consulates in India show zero H-1B interview slots through 31 December 2026, pushing H-1B visa stamping appointments to 2027.
Jun 25, 2026 H-1B Visa Fraud: Two Indians Plead Guilty in California Scam
Two Indian-origin men pleaded guilty to H-1B visa fraud in California, creating fake University of California positions between 2020-2023.
Apr 20, 2026 US H-1B Visa Forms Updated with New Requirements from April 2026
US mandates updated Form I-129 for all H-1B cap-subject petitions from April 1, 2026. New forms require detailed wage and job information for applicants.
Apr 3, 2026
New Zealand Student Visa: Who Can Bring Family
Indian students in New Zealand can sponsor partners and children only if studying Level 7+ qualifications. New median wage threshold of NZ$35/hour applies from 9 March 2026.
Mar 22, 2026
UK Visa Fees Rise 6-7% from April 8, 2026
UK increases visa fees by 6-7% from April 8, 2026, with Skilled Worker visa now ₹67,300, Student visa ₹45,800, and Visit visa at ₹11,100.
Mar 20, 2026
Greece Tech Talent Visa and EU Blue Card 2026
Greece launches Tech and Talent visas from February 6, 2026, with 3-year EU Blue Card validity and new pathways for Indian tech professionals.
Mar 18, 2026 US Green Card Queue Advances for Indians in April 2026 Bulletin
April 2026 US Visa Bulletin shows EB-2 final action dates advance 10 months for Indians. Filing windows widen across employment categories.
Mar 18, 2026
Canada Visa Processing Times Drop for Indians March 2026
Canada reduced visitor visa processing for Indians from 71 to 57 days in March 2026. Work permits also faster by one week for Indian applicants.
Mar 12, 2026 New Zealand Graduate Work Visa Changes 2026
New Zealand introduces a Short-Term Graduate Work Visa from late 2026 offering 6-month open work rights for level 5-7 graduates with NZ $5,000 funds.
Mar 12, 2026 USCIS Rejects Old Form I-129 for H-1B From April 2026
USCIS will reject old Form I-129 editions from April 1, 2026. Updated form adds wage level details critical for FY27 H-1B cap season filings.
Mar 12, 2026 WISA Act Introduced in Congress to Remove H-1B Visa Restriction
New WISA Act in US Congress aims to reverse Trump-era H-1B restrictions including $100,000 employer fees, easing path for skilled Indian workers.
Mar 10, 2026
Australia Doubles Post-Study Work Visa Fees
Australia doubled Subclass 485 visa fees from AUD 2,300 to AUD 4,600 starting March 1, adding ₹2,50,000 burden for 3.4 lakh Indian students.
Mar 9, 2026 UK Introduces Visa Brake System and Stricter Salary Rules
UK publishes new Immigration Rules on 6 March 2026 with Visa Brake mechanism and mandatory salary thresholds every pay period for Indian Skilled Workers.
Mar 8, 2026 Australia Doubles Post-Study Work Visa Fee to ₹3 Lakh from
Australia's Temporary Graduate visa fee doubled to AUD 4,600 (₹3 lakh) from 1 March 2026. Indian students now pay twice as much for post-study work rights.
Mar 7, 2026
Bhutan Digital Nomad Visa Launched with $10,000 Investment
Bhutan launches digital nomad visa allowing 24-month stays with a $2,800 annual fee and mandatory $10,000 TER token investment for all applicants.
Mar 7, 2026
Europe Jobs for Indians: €135,000 STEM Roles Open
STEM professionals can earn up to €135,000 annually in Europe as job vacancies reach 2.5%, with Germany offering over 1 million visa-sponsored roles.
Mar 6, 2026 H-1B 2027 Registration Opens March 4 - New Weighted
H-1B 2027 registration opened March 4 with new weighted selection system prioritizing higher-paid workers. Registration closes March 19, 2026.
Mar 6, 2026
US Visa Expiring Soon? Emergency Steps for Indian Traveler
US embassies in Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait suspended visa services. Immigration experts advise filing Form I-539 extension immediately.
Mar 6, 2026 New Zealand Open Work Visa Rules Tightened from April 2026
New Zealand restricts open work visa employment conditions from April 20, 2026, banning some visa holders from operating businesses under new rules.
Feb 25, 2026 Spain Digital Nomad Visa Tops Global Rankings 2026
Spain ranked world's #1 digital nomad destination with 32,000 visas issued since 2023. Indians earning ₹30 lakh annually can access 3-year EU residency.
Feb 23, 2026
Kuwait Launches Freelance Visa for ₹80,000-₹1,00,000 - No Sponsor Needed
Kuwait introduces sponsor-free freelance visa at ₹80,000-₹1,00,000 annually. Indian professionals can work independently without traditional kafala system.
Feb 19, 2026 UK Opens 3,000 Work Visa Slots for Indians: 48-Hour Application Window Starts February 17
UK's India Young Professionals Scheme opens February 17-19 with 3,000 two-year work visas for Indians aged 18-30. No employer sponsorship required.
Feb 11, 2026
Sri Lanka's New 12-Month Digital Nomad Visa Targets Indian Tech Workers
Sri Lanka launches 12-month Digital Nomad Visa and extends tourist e-visa to 90 days, targeting Indian remote workers with streamlined online applications.
Feb 6, 2026
H-1B Visa Interview Dates for Indians Pushed to 2027 - No Slots in 2026
Indian H-1B workers face unprecedented delays as US visa interview slots now unavailable until 2027
Jan 27, 2026US H-1B Visa Interview Dates Pushed to 2027 at Indian Consulates
US consulates in India are scheduling H-1B visa interviews for 2027, creating significant delays for Indian professionals.
Jan 26, 2026