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India has temporarily suspends visa services in <keyword id="6356687" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="canada" source="Orion">Canada</keyword> as per a notice on India Visa Application Centre Canada's website. The notice states, "Due to operational issues, with effect from 21 September, 2023, Indian visa services have been suspended till further notice." Earlier, last evening, India advised its nationals in Canada and those contemplating travel there to exercise utmost caution in view of anti-India activities in some parts of that country. The advisory came amid further deterioration of diplomatic relations between the two countries following Canadian Prime Minister <keyword id="1740494" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="justin-trudeau" source="Orion">Justin Trudeau</keyword>'s allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist <keyword id="7575364" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hardeep-Singh-Nijjar" source="Orion">Hardeep Singh Nijjar</keyword> in June. "In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in the advisory. It said, "Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda." "Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents," it said. The MEA said the Indian High Commission and consulates general will continue to be in contact with the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the Indian community in Canada. "Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant," it said in the advisory. (With text inputs from PTI)

India temporarily suspends visa services in Canada

<ul><li>The US approved more number of H1-B visas this year — both entry level and extension on work visas. </li><li>According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it extended over 389,000 visas in 2019 fiscal — higher than 335,000 visas approved last year. </li><li>However, the number of approved L1 visas — which are given to existing employees at technology firm to relocate to the United States — dropped to 71.9%, as compared to 77.8% last year. </li><li>In a recent update, the US embassy said that the visa applicants should apply at least three months before the start of their employment.</li></ul>In good news to Indians, the US approved more H1-B visas this year — both entry level and work visa extensions. According to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), it extended over 389,000 visas in 2019 fiscal — higher than 335,000 visas approved last year. In the last four years, as many as 100,000 more visas rolled out. This is despite Trump government tightening visa norms. In spite of stricter norms, the demand for work visas continues to be high. "It used to be that if the job requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree (or foreign equivalent) and the beneficiary (whose H-1B visa was being sponsored by the employer) possessed this qualification, the H-1B application was likely to be approved. Not anymore, as is reflected in the spate of requests for evidence (RFEs) and lower approvals post an RFE," Snehal Batra, Managing Attorney, NPZ Law Group<a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/more-scrutiny-but-more-h-1b-visas-okd/articleshow/71572241.cms"> told </a>TOI. However, the number of approved L1 visas — which are given to existing employees at technology firm to relocate to the United States — dropped to 71.9%, as compared to 77.8% last year. Technology companies like Amazon, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have been most impacted by the new immigration rules. The renewal of work visas has also thrown up hurdles, has hurt Indian IT majors. According to an ET <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visa-and-immigration/decline-in-us-visa-approvals-continues/articleshow/71546846.cms">report</a>, the rejection rate for work visas has been increasing — with over 50% rejections during the first six months. While last year, TCS, Cognizant and Infosys faced the most <a href="https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/corporate/indian-it-firms-see-higher-h-1b-visa-extension-rejections-us-firms-get-more-visas/68310179">rejections </a>in extension of H1-B work visas, as per the Centre for Immigration Studies, a US-based think tank. H1-B work visas are initially provided for three years — but can be extended for a similar term later. The US embassy also said that applicants should apply at least three months before the start of their employment. <div type="twitter" handle="USAndIndia" handlename="U.S. Embassy India" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/624159508307185664/CyuUQx2F_normal.jpg" favoritecount="36" retweetcount="8" status="Applying for your work #USvisa? You can apply up to 90 days before the employment start date noted on your I-797. #USVisas" createdat="1570684441000" id="1182162345121861632"></div>

 See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-us-government-wants-to-check-social-media-handles-before-giving-a-green-card/articleshow/71003314.cms">The US government wants to check social media handles before giving a green card</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indians-studying-in-the-uk-have-doubled-in-the-last-three-years/articleshow/70804829.cms">Indians studying in the UK have doubled in the last three years</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/usa-has-passed-a-bill-to-help-indian-it-professionals-get-permanent-residency/articleshow/70170952.cms">Indians can get permanent residency easily in the US, if the Senate clears the Bill</a>

Despite tighter norms, the US approves 389,000 H1-B visas this year

<ul><li>The UK’s new post-Brexit points-based <keyword id="184172" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="immigration-system">immigration system</keyword>, described by the government as “simple, effective and flexible” will bring home “the brightest and the best” from around the globe.</li><li>Indian-origin Britain’s home secretary Priti Patel also brought back the post-study work visa last year, after Theresa May scrapped it in 2012.</li><li>These are the key rules in the UK’s new points-based visa and immigration.</li><li> Alongside the skilled worker visa, a number of other routes have opened today — here are the details.</li></ul>Indians now will be able to find it easy to work and study in the UK as applications for new <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/points-based-immigration-system-opens">points-based visa and immigration</a> systems kicks in today (December 1). The UK’s new post-Brexit points-based immigration system, described by the government as “simple, effective and flexible” will bring home “the brightest and the best” from around the globe, including India. Although the applications are now open, the UK Home Office said applicants for the new Skilled Worker Visa could work and live in the UK from January 1, when the Brexit transition period ends to bring European Union (EU) migrants in line with non-EU countries. This brings in the country’s biggest immigration change in the last 50 years. Indian-origin Britain’s home secretary Priti Patel also brought back the post-study work visa last year, after Theresa May scrapped it in 2012. “The new immigration rules will ensure that businesses can recruit the most highly qualified from across the globe to drive the economy forwards and keep the UK at the frontier of innovation,” the UK Home Office said in a statement. These are the key rules in the UK’s new points-based visa and immigration <ul><li>Points will be awarded for a job offer at the appropriate skill level, knowledge of English and being paid a minimum salary. And, the visas will be awarded to those who gain enough points.</li><li>People will normally need to be paid at least £25,600 per year unless the ‘going rate’ for that job is higher.</li><li>Applications are made online, and as part of this, people will need to prove their identity and provide their documents.</li><li>Once someone outside the UK has applied after finishing all these steps, they will usually get a decision within 3 weeks. The visa lasts for up to 5 years before it needs to be extended.</li><li>You will also need to have enough money to pay the application fee (ranging from £610 to £1,408), the healthcare surcharge (usually £624 per year) and be able to support themselves (usually by having at least £1,270 available in their accounts).</li></ul> Alongside the skilled worker visa, a number of other routes have opened today. <ul><li>UK Global Talent visa: The Global Talent visa is for people who can show they have exceptional talent or exceptional promise in the fields of science, engineering, humanities, medicine, digital technology or arts and culture.</li><li>UK Innovator visa: The Innovator visa is for a person seeking to establish a business in the UK based on an innovative, viable and scalable business idea.</li><li>UK Start-up visa: The Start-up visa is for a person seeking to establish a business in the UK for the first time.</li><li>UK Intra-company Transfer visa: The Intra-company Transfer visa is for established workers who are being transferred by the business they work for to do a skilled role in the UK.</li></ul>The <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/education/news/uks-new-visa-rules-make-it-easier-for-international-students-to-study-and-work-now/articleshow/78127748.cms">student route opened up on October 5</a> this year and replaced the old Tier 4 visa route. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/heres-what-to-expect-from-maruti-mm-hero-bajaj-auto-in-november-car-bike-sales/articleshow/79489474.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink"> November auto sales estimates — Here’s what to expect from Maruti, M&amp;M, Hero, Bajaj Auto, and other automakers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/centre-invites-agitating-farmer-unions-for-talks-on-december-1-two-days-ahead-of-a-scheduled-meeting/articleshow/79502391.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Centre invites agitating farmer unions for talks on December 1, two days ahead of a scheduled meeting</a>

Visa application for UK’s new points-based immigration system kicks in today — here’s all you need to know

<ul><li>The US government is mulling nearly 10%-15% cap on H1-B visas for selective nations — including India. </li><li>The move is targeted on nations that restrain from global data storage norms seeking foreign companies to store data locally. </li><li>Of the 85,000 H1-B visas that are granted every year, nearly 70% go to the Indians. </li><li>This has hit the IT sector employees the most with nearly 40% <keyword id="61274" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="US-Visa">US visa</keyword> rejections. </li></ul>In bad news for Indians, the United States of America(USA) is reportedly considering nearly 10%-15% cap on H1-B visas for selective nations — including India. Amid the rising tensions over trade and tariffs, the government is considering the move on nations that restrain from global data storage norms seeking foreign companies to store data locally, according to a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-india-exclusive/exclusive-us-tells-india-it-is-mulling-caps-on-h-1b-visas-to-deter-data-rules-sources-idUSKCN1TK2LG">Reuters report</a>. The US government is considering the move on nations that restrain from global data storage norms seeking foreign companies to store data locally, according to a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-india-exclusive/exclusive-us-tells-india-it-is-mulling-caps-on-h-1b-visas-to-deter-data-rules-sources-idUSKCN1TK2LG">Reuters report</a>. The H1-B visas are issued to the skilled Indians planning to work in the US, every year. "The proposal is that any country that does data localisation, then it (H-1B visas) would be limited to about 15% of the quota. It's being discussed internally in the US government," Reuters reported citing sources. This comes just ahead of Mike Pompeo’s India visit. In a recent US-India Business Council event, he told that the US government will focus on consumer privacy, thereby allowing free flow of data across borders. The US, however, has not put a limit on visa grants to a specific country, TOI reported. Of the 85,000 H1-B visas that are granted every year, nearly<a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visa-and-immigration/us-tells-india-it-is-mulling-caps-on-h-1b-visas-to-deter-data-rules/articleshow/69865212.cms"> 70% go to the Indians</a>. The Trump government has been aggressively cracking down on the immigration rules. Recently, it directed the visa applicants to share their <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/us-visa-seekers-will-now-have-to-submit-their-social-media-handles/articleshow/69632144.cms">social media handles</a> that they have used in the last five years. This will enable the government to have access to applicants’ email address, phone number and locations among others. This has hit the Indian IT sector employees the most with nearly 40% US visa rejections. According to the US think-tank <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tcs-and-infosys-face-most-rejections-on-h1-b-work-visa-extension/articleshow/68316202.cms">Centre for Immigration Studies</a>, top IT firms Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Cognizant and Infosys faced the most rejections in extension of <keyword id="7779297" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="H1-B-work-visas">H1-B work visas</keyword>. Given that, "The next phase will be that Indian IT firms will go acquire more companies in the US. And, those companies will have back-end engineering in India,” Mohandas Pai, the former CEO of Infosys and a startup investor <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/us-h-1b-visa-rejection-rate-may-trigger-tech-ma/articleshow/69721592.cms">told</a>. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/us-h-1b-visa-rejection-rate-may-trigger-tech-ma/articleshow/69721592.cms">Rise in US H-1B visa rejection may force Indian tech companies to look at M&amp;A</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/us-visa-seekers-will-now-have-to-submit-their-social-media-handles/articleshow/69632144.cms">US visa seekers will now have to submit their social media handles</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tcs-and-infosys-face-most-rejections-on-h1-b-work-visa-extension/articleshow/68316202.cms">New H1-B rules bring more rejections on work visa renewals</a>

Trump plans a 15% cap on H-1B visas — and Indians will be hurt the most

<ul><li><keyword id="10591" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="samsung" source="Orion">Samsung</keyword> has announced the launch of its co-branded credit cards in partnership with Axis Bank.</li><li>The company has launched two credit cards – Signature and <keyword id="101580" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="infinite" source="Orion">Infinite</keyword>.</li><li>The company has announced a cashback of 10% on Samsung products and services on transactions done using its credit cards.</li></ul>Co-branded credit cards have become quite popular over the years and several companies like Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, Tata Neu among others have partnered with banks to offer their own credit cards. Now, Korean smartphone giant Samsung is now entering the Indian credit card market with its own Visa co-branded credit card in partnership with Axis Bank, one of the largest private lenders in the country. Co-branded credit cards offer additional benefits on the company’s platform. For example, the Amazon Pay ICICI credit card offers extra cashback on all purchases on its platform. Similarly, Samsung’s co-branded credit cards offer a 10% cashback on Samsung products and services. The Samsung Axis Bank Credit Card, powered by Visa, is our next big India-specific innovation that will change the way our customers buy Samsung products and spend on services through a series of industry-leading features. We’re excited to be able to put the control into our consumers’ hands," said Ken Kang, president and chief executive office, Samsung South-West Asia. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Samsung Signature and Infinite credit cards – joining fees and welcome benefits" comment="subhead" text="Samsung Signature and Infinite credit cards – joining fees and welcome benefits">Samsung Signature and Infinite credit cards – joining fees and welcome benefits</cmsannotation> Samsung has announced two credit cards in partnership with Axis Bank – Signature and Infinite. While the Signature will be the entry-level card, Infinite will be the premium offering. Users who sign up for the Signature credit card will get 2,500 Edge rewards worth ₹500 and users who sign up for the Infinite credit card will get 30,000 Edge rewards worth ₹6,000. While the Signature credit card has a joining fee and an annual fee of ₹500, the premium Infinite credit card has a joining fee and annual fee of ₹5,000. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Flat 10% cashback on all Samsung products and services" comment="subhead" text="Flat 10% cashback on all Samsung products and services">Flat 10% cashback on all Samsung products and services</cmsannotation> Samsung has announced several offers for its upcoming credit cards but the highlight of the cards is the flat 10% cashback on all Samsung products and services, including purchase of extended warranty, device repairs and Samsung Care+ purchase. The Signature credit card will have a cashback limit of ₹2,500 per month with an annual cap at ₹10,000. The premium Infinite credit card will offer a monthly cashback of up to ₹5,000 with an annual cap of ₹20,000. The cashback will be available across Samsung online store purchases, offline store purchases, Flipkart and Samsung authorized service centres across the country throughout out the year. On non-Samsung spends, users will receive 5 Edge reward points per ₹100 on both Signature and Infinite cards for domestic transactions. If you use the Infinite card for international transactions, you will get 15 Edge reward points. Apart from this, Samsung has also partnered with Zomato, Myntra, Tata 1MG, Big Basket and Urban Company to offer additional rewards. Users will receive 10 Edge rewards and 15 Edge rewards on every ₹100 spent on these platforms using the Signature and Infinite credit cards respectively. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Samsung Signature and Infinite credit card application" comment="subhead" text="Samsung Signature and Infinite credit card application">Samsung Signature and Infinite credit card application</cmsannotation> The Samsung Signature and Infinite credit cards will soon be available. The registrations for the card are now live on Samsung’s website and the application process will begin soon. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/amazon-great-indian-festival-sale-best-deals-and-offers/articleshow/94004700.cms">The best Amazon Great Indian Festival deals and offers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/the-zepto-boys-competition-that-amazon-never-saw-coming/articleshow/94399979.cms">The Zepto Boys: Competition that Amazon never saw coming</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/nifty50-sensex-start-on-a-negative-note-ahead-of-rbi-policy-meeting-this-week/articleshow/94445282.cms">Nifty50, Sensex start on a negative note ahead of RBI policy meeting this week</a>

Samsung announces co-branded credit card in partnership with Axis Bank and Visa

<ul><li>CryptoSend, a startup in <keyword id="6355478" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="australia">Australia</keyword>, has teamed up with global payments and card issuing company <keyword id="6359421" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="visa">VISA</keyword> to create physical crypto <keyword id="6354770" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="debit-cards">debit cards</keyword>.</li><li>The physical debit card will let users spend their earned <keyword id="6357017" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="cryptocurrency">cryptocurrency</keyword> in nearby shops, bars, and more.</li><li>The development comes amid the Australian government mulling over new laws to regulate the crypto industry.</li><li>VISA’s approval of CryptoSend indirectly hints that the system can be trusted. The former has strict money laundering protocols to curb illegal transactions.</li><li>The supported cryptocurrencies on CryptoSend’s debit card include Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin.</li></ul>While the rest of Asia Pacific is busy trying to regulate cryptocurrencies the best way that they know how, Australia is already on the road to coming up with new use cases even though volatility is still a concern. CryptoSend, a startup created by two students from the University of Technology in Sydney, has<a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/visa-to-issue-first-australian-card-for-spending-bitcoin-20210714-p589i1"> teamed up</a> with global payments and card issuing company VISA. They intend to launch a physical debit card that'll let users spend their earned <a href="https://wazirx.com/signup?invite=2kpah6gr&amp;utm_source=business-insider&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsite">cryptocurrency</a> in nearby shops, bars, and more. Instead of converting cryptocurrency to fiat before every spend, the card will directly enable real-time settlement, enabling a direct purchase experience for the user. <div type="ExtQuote" text="We have customers that range from 18-year-old students to 70-year-old grandmothers… [This] further emphasises the growing appetite for people of all ages to use crypto as an everyday currency." auname="Richard Voice, co-founder and COO of CryptoSpend, said in a statement"></div> Australians have not been immune to the hype around cryptocurrencies during the pandemic. According to a report by the investor education app Finder, cited by <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/cryptocurrency-rising-in-australia-but-risk-remains-biggest-deterrent/news-story/1adb60ca30da69fffdd68bc3acf82cc3">The Australian</a>, every one in six Australian owns some sort of cryptocurrency as of June. Cryptocurrencies have been legal in Australia since 2017 and are also subject to taxation. However, as a result of recent developments, the government has floated a new proposal looking for feedback on setting up good market practices of financial instruments, which expose investors to cryptocurrency-backed assets. Even so, unlike its Asia Pacific peers like China and India, the country’s central bank has no plans to release a central bank digital currency (CBDC) for retail customers. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Partnering with VISA is a game-changer" comment="subhead" text="Partnering with VISA is a game-changer">Partnering with VISA is a game-changer</cmsannotation> Payments processing company Novatti, listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, shall issue the card, and New York-licensed custodian BitGo shall take care of the crypto holdings. The supported cryptocurrencies on CryptoSend’s debit card include <a href="https://wazirx.com/signup?invite=2kpah6gr&amp;utm_source=business-insider&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=microsite">Bitcoin</a>, Ether, XRP, Bitcoin Cash and Litecoin. The bigger accomplishment for the startup, however, is VISA’s participation. In addition to the vast number of potential users it brings to the table, the payments company has stringent security protocols and anti-money laundering requirements. VISA’s approval of CryptoSend indirectly hints that the system can be trusted, unlike the plethora of scams and alleged startups that try to disrupt an already disrupted industry. Although it's worth noting that VISA has previously issued such cards for crypto exchanges like Binance but they're not available in Australia. "The merchants don't have to change anything. It will be the same as any other VISA transaction to them. But on the backend, the crypto assets are instantly converted into fiat," Cuy Sheffield, head of cryptocurrency at VISA, told <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/visa-is-partnering-with-over-50-crypto-companies-to-allow-clients-to-spend-and-convert-digital-currencies/articleshow/84203557.cms">Business Insider</a> in an interaction earlier this month. The company also <a href="https://usa.visa.com/visa-everywhere/blog/bdp/2021/07/06/crypto-linked-cards-see-1625612645562.html">revealed</a> that over $1 billion had been spent on crypto-linked VISA cards in the first half of 2021. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Why are crypto debit cards a big deal?" comment="subhead" text="Why are crypto debit cards a big deal?">Why are crypto debit cards a big deal?</cmsannotation> Debit cards have revolutionised the payments industry and, despite being decades old, are a critical part of the global banking infrastructure. The card is a crucial method of cash replacement, further enabling digital transactions smoothly. However, they are usually dependent on a fiat currency like the dollar. CryptoSend aims to change that foundational block by allowing users to access cryptocurrencies using debit cards. Not only is that convenient for enthusiasts, but it’s also a way to have a familiar way to conduct transactions for those who are new to the space. Coinbase has a similar system in place, where users can link debit cards issued by the company to make retail transactions by linking the card to Apple Pay or Google Pay. But, Coinbase’s 56 million users <a href="https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/buying-stocks/articles/coinbase-reaches-56-million-users-should-you-open-an-account/">pale</a> in comparison to Visa’s reach of billions. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Australia has been ahead of the curve when it comes to regulating cryptocurrencies" comment="subhead" text="Australia has been ahead of the curve when it comes to regulating cryptocurrencies">Australia has been ahead of the curve when it comes to regulating cryptocurrencies</cmsannotation> While other countries are still mulling over how to regulate the crypto market, Australia declared crypto exchanges are legal and covered by Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act, 2006 nearly half a decade ago. Since 2017, exchanges have had to register with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) in order to operate locally. A cryptocurrency asset is treated like a fixed asset — akin to a house — in the country and hence, capital gain taxes are applicable. A few weeks ago, Australia's securities regulator <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/australian-regulator-seeks-feedback-managing-risky-crypto-assets-2021-06-30/">said</a> it would consult stakeholders on proposals to identify appropriate crypto assets and set up good market practices for financial instruments. Considering these assets as a new financial instrument could help the country adopt blockchain as a technology for self-growth. The authorities are considering opening up their financial sandbox to include cryptocurrencies and other blockchain-based projects. According to an October 2018 report by Deloitte, "The benefits of going through the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) sandbox vary.” It states that participation in the sandbox breaks the myth of regulation being a barrier to innovation. “On the contrary, it has shown that regulators can play an active and positive role in encouraging innovation by giving unique business models 'permission to play' in a highly competitive financial services sector," the report explains. The Australian regulator will issue a feedback report and publish information on good practices following consultation. The idea of a Bitcoin-based card is just picking up, and VISA is certain about the future despite the nascent nature of the industry. <a href="https://forum.businessinsider.in/">For a more in-depth discussion, come on over to Business Insider Cryptosphere</a> — a forum where users can deep dive into all things crypto, engage in interesting discussions and stay ahead of the curve. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/one-of-canadas-largest-bitcoin-mining-farms-sees-a-50-jump-in-production/articleshow/84437300.cms">Canadian crypto mining company is eyeing Bitcoin worth ₹96.6 crore this month after China’s crypto crackdown</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/wazirx-coindcx-and-coinswitch-kubers-advertising-roll-has-hit-a-roadblock-in-india/articleshow/84432645.cms">WazirX, CoinDCX and CoinSwitch Kuber have been asked to add ‘standardised disclaimers’ to their ads on television</a>

VISA crypto debit cards are coming to Australia amid regulatory uncertainty

Bangkok, <keyword id="11905404" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="thailand" source="Orion">Thailand</keyword> is mulling on new tourism incentives to revive its Covid-19 pandemic-battered economy, betting on higher vaccination rates that allow quarantine-free travels. After more than one year of border control and an initiative to bring back foreign visitors to the resort island Phuket from July, Thailand is set to reopen more of its popular tourist destinations to fully-vaccinated foreign visitors starting next month, reports Xinhua news agency. Regions including the capital city Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan are set to reopen to vaccinated foreign visitors from October 1, while another 21 destinations may reopen from mid-October, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced on Friday. The reopening plans came following the Phuket Sandbox pilot, which allowed fully vaccinated foreign visitors to enter the island without quarantine. The Phuket program had attracted more than 26,000 tourists during the past two months to the island, generating 1.63 billion baht ($50 million) in revenue, according to TAT. Local tourism may also get a big push as the government considered measures to encourage domestic travelling starting from mid-October if the number of new Covid-19 cases remains at a manageable level. According to Minister of Tourism and Sports Phiphat Ratchakitprakan, two local tourism campaigns in the pipeline are the "We Travel Together" Phase 3 and "Travel around Thailand", which would be subject for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)'s approval at the end of this month. "We are closely monitoring the development trend on the number of new daily infections following the lockdown easing that took effect on September 1. If the new case tally remains at a manageable level, we will continue to pursue our plans," Phiphat told the local media on Friday. The Minister said the two campaigns, which had been postponed because of the third wave of the outbreak since early April, will be important for the survival of Thai tourism industry. Under the "We Travel Together" scheme, travellers will be given a 40 per cent discount on accommodation, a 600-baht voucher for food and beverage for every night booked and another 40 percent discount on plane tickets, according to Phiphat. It is expected to cover 2 million applicants. The "Travel around Thailand" project will subsidise 40 per cent of tour packages of up to 5,000 baht for 1 million Thai tourists. TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn expected the campaigns to help unleash pent-up demand. "Most Thais will prefer to travel within the country for the end of this year as going aboard can still be considered quite a challenge, due to the ongoing global pandemic," Yuthasak said. TAT estimated that there would be 90 million domestic trips this year, in line with the number recorded in 2020. The tourism incentives are part of the Southeast Asian country's efforts to strike a balance between pandemic containment and economic growth as long as the Covid-19 infections remain at a level that does not overwhelm the public health system. The revival of tourism sector has been high on the Thai government's agenda as the sector accounted for about one fifth of the country's gross domestic product in years before the pandemic. The government has also been accelerating vaccine roll-out, vowing to inoculating about 70 percent of the whole population by the end of the year. Till date, more than 16 per cent of the population have been fully vaccinated, according to the CCSA.

Thailand rolls out new tourism incentives to revive Covid-hit economy

It remains to be seen how much has increased <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=H1B+visa&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">H1-B visa</a> fee by the US impacted the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=indian+IT+companies&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Indian companies</a> but the maximum number of <keyword id="931341" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="H1-B-visas">H1-B visas</keyword> this year has been from India only. 
 
As per the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, it received nearly 250,000 petitions for H-1B visas, out of which majority of them was either from Indian companies or had huge footprint in India. 
 
The US department said it reached the Congressional mandated cap for H-1B visas in the general category and also the 20,000 for those who completed higher education from inside the US in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects. 
 
"We had 230,000 H-1B visa petitions last year. I think, this year it is going to be higher. We think 250,000 H-1B petitions were filed this year," Bill Stock, incoming president of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and a founding partner of Klasko Immigration Law Partners told in an interview. 
 
This is fourth consecutive year that the Congressional mandated cap has been reached in the first five days of the filing. "Unless the economy changes again, we would continue to see it," he said. 
 
Majority of these estimated 250,000 H-1B visa applications are "certainly" either by companies that have Indian owner like <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=TCS&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">TCS</a> or companies that have substantial operations or development centres in India like IBM, Stock said in response to a question. 
 
The recent increase on certain category of H-1B visas, he said, "may have had a little impact" on Indian companies. "But I think their business so much depends on H-1B and being able to send people on projects, they (Indian companies) are going to pay fees on those petitions," Stock said.

Regardless of increased fee, majority of H1-B visa applications are from Indian companies

<ul><li>New <keyword id="2896546" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="H1-B-visa-rules">H1-B visa rules</keyword> have been an unwelcome change for Indian IT firms with new visas as well as renewals, according to data by Centre for Immigration Studies. </li><li>Homegrown IT majors TCS and <keyword id="6354512" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Infosys">Infosys</keyword> faced maximum rejections for extension of the work work visas. </li><li>According to the US Department of Labour, Deloitte Consulting and Apple received the maximum work permits. </li><li>Six Indian IT outsourcing companies — TCS, Infosys, Wipro, <keyword id="28721" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cognizant">Cognizant</keyword>, HCL and US arm of Tech Mahindra — got only 2,145 work permits, which was 16% of total work visas bagged by companies.</li></ul>Under the Trump administration, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/h-1b-visa-revised-rules-go-into-effect-on-april-1-favouring-advanced-degree-applicants/articleshow/67768709.cms">new H1-B visa rules</a> have brought new challenges for applicants of these temporary work visas, heavily used by Indian IT majors. Now, it appears that renewal of these work visas has also thrown up hurdles, particularly hurting Indian IT majors. According to the Centre for Immigration Studies, a US-based think tank, top IT firms Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Cognizant and Infosys faced the most <a href="https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/corporate/indian-it-firms-see-higher-h-1b-visa-extension-rejections-us-firms-get-more-visas/68310179">rejections </a>in extension of H1-B work visas in 2018. H1-B work visas are initially provided for three years — but can be extended for a similar term later. With most of its workforce in India, Cognizant witnessed nearly 3,548 rejections for extension of these work visas in the year, which is so far the highest for any company hiring foreign employees. While the homegrown ITs Infosys and TCS saw 2,042 and 1,744 rejections, respectively, said the report. Analysing a broader range of top 30 IT companies, the analysis also found that the six major outsourcing companies — TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, HCL and US arm of Tech Mahindra — constitute nearly two-third of extensions for work visas. The six outsourcing companies got only 2,145 work permits, which is 16% of total work visas bagged by all companies. On the flipside, several US-based technology companies — Microsoft, Amazon and Apple-- were able to increase their foreign work staff via the new H1-B rules, showing the new regulation in fact benefitted the American companies, noted the report. A<a href="https://trak.in/tags/business/2019/02/16/deloitte-apple-grab-most-number-of-h1b-visas-hcl-only-indian-company-in-top-10-list/">ccording to</a> data with the the US Department of Labour, Deloitte Consulting and Apple received the most number of H1-B visas, while only HCL from India made it to the top 10 list with a total of 5,085 certifications in US. However, many legal experts point that Indian ITs are the largest consumers of H1-B visa. But recent moves by the US government point to growing protectionism. Indian IT companies have also faced backlash by locals for allegedly discriminating against American workers. On Thursday, alleging discrimination at workplace, a US employee filed a <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/ites/its-cognizants-turn-to-face-us-lawsuit-alleging-discrimination/articleshow/68296041.cms">lawsuit</a> against Cognizant for calling an American a ‘diversity candidate.’ “Protectionism happens without making any policy changes to favour their own companies. This slant is not unusual. This has happened under President Barack Obama, not just under Donald Trump,” ET<a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visa-and-immigration/h-1b-extension-rejections-rob-indian-it-firms-of-visa-power/articleshow/68312136.cms"> reported</a> citing Sid Pai, founder of Siana Capital, who has led outsourcing deals of over $ 20 billion in the past. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/h-1b-visa-revised-rules-go-into-effect-on-april-1-favouring-advanced-degree-applicants/articleshow/67768709.cms">New H-1B rules to go into effect on April 1, visas for advanced degree holders expected to jump 16%</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/trump-may-have-an-ugly-surprise-for-h-1b-applicants-and-indian-it-companies/articleshow/67552613.cms">Trump may have an ugly surprise for H-1B visa applicants</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indians-seeking-uk-visa-will-now-have-to-shell-out-a-lot-more/articleshow/67435527.cms">Indians seeking UK visa will now have to shell out a lot more</a>

New H1-B rules bring more rejections on work visa renewals

<ul><li>The United States of America (USA) has passed a bill which will help Indian technology professionals get permanent residency soon. </li><li>The bill could help many of the 300,000 Indian H1-B temporary work visa holders now in the US and in various stages of the green card process. </li><li>It will allow up to 85% of green cards to be given to Indians and Chinese in the first two years and 90% in the third year, to clear the backlog.</li></ul>In a rare good news, the United States of America (USA) has passed a bill which will help Indian technology professionals get permanent residency soon. But the US house has been facing backslash in the Senate, which could block it from becoming a law. This bill, which is sponsored by 311 representatives, will do away with the cap on the number of green cards given out for citizenship. This can open doors to qualified applicants from India and China. The bill could help many of the 300,000 Indian H1-B temporary work visa holders now in the US and in various stages of the green card process. Of the 85,000 <keyword id="931341" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="H1-B-visas">H1-B visas</keyword> that are granted every year, nearly<a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visa-and-immigration/us-tells-india-it-is-mulling-caps-on-h-1b-visas-to-deter-data-rules/articleshow/69865212.cms"> 70% are for Indians</a>. Under the current system, there is a cap on the maximum number of green cards that can be granted to people from any country, whether it is as large as India and China or as small as Maldives and Luxembourg. This is at 7% of the total, which is about 26,000 per annum. This quota affects Indian technology professionals and other highly qualified people who have to wait of 10 years. During the time those who are already in the US on temporary H1-B work visas face uncertainty about their future prospects. If passed, the bill can bring cheer to Indian companies which have been facing visa rejections. According to the US think-tank <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tcs-and-infosys-face-most-rejections-on-h1-b-work-visa-extension/articleshow/68316202.cms">Centre for Immigration Studies</a>, top IT firms <keyword id="6357585" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="tata-consultancy-services">Tata Consultancy Services</keyword> (TCS), <keyword id="28721" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cognizant">Cognizant</keyword> and <keyword id="6354512" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Infosys">Infosys</keyword> faced the most rejections in extension of H1-B work visas. Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019 The bill, officially known as Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019, seeks to eliminate the cap. It will allow up to 85% of green cards to be given to Indians and Chinese in the first two years and 90% in the third year, to clear the backlog. After that, the backlogs are unlikely to build up unless there is a comprehensive immigration reform. The bill received the votes of 224 Democrats and 140 Republicans. However, it was opposed by both the extreme left and the right. Two important leftist members, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, were among the eight Democrats who voted against it. On the Republican side, 57 voted against it. With inputs from IANS

Indians can get permanent residency easily in the US, if the Senate clears the Bill

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Reuters / Andrew YatesA man uses his mobile phone to film London Mayor Boris Johnson speaking at a Vote Leave rally in Newcastle, Britain April 16, 2016.</div></div></div><ul><li>The UK faces the huge and complex task of registering over 3.6 million EU nationals ahead of Brexit. It says a new, digital system will make the process much easier.</li><li>In an exclusive preview of the new system BI spoke to a person tasked with test-running the new registration app which is being designed to register EU citizens - which is still in its testing phase.</li><li>We also spoke to two people who the UK government has briefed on some details of the registration process.</li><li>Here's how the registration process is likely to work.</li></ul> LONDON - The UK faces the enormous task of registering over 3.6 million EU nationals ahead of Brexit. Theresa May's government has not yet publicly spelled out exactly how they plan to achieve this. However, the Home Office insists that plans are in place to create a new "digital, streamlined, user-friendly scheme" for European citizens which safeguards their right to stay in the UK by granting them 'settled status.'So what will this new system look like? Business Insider has spoken to several people familiar with the process to build a picture of how it is likely to look.Here's everything you need to know about the new Brexit registration process for EU citizens.<h2>The smartphone app</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Business Insider</div></div></div>Last week EU citizens expressed alarm after the <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/the-uk-government-brexit-app-for-eu-citizens-wont-work-on-iphones-2018-4">Home Office admitted that the new smartphone application for registering EU citizens' 'settled status' in the UK, wouldn't work on iPhones</a>. So how would the vast numbers of people without access to an Android-operated phone be able to register? What about people without chips in their passport?First things first: The Home Office is keen to emphasise that the app is only one part of a much wider new system, albeit one that's received the bulk of media coverage.The app will be able to scan passports with biometric chips which instantly upload a user's data to the cloud. But there will also be non-digital options available, the Home Office said, likely to be similar to the ones that currently exist for visa extensions and permanent citizenship applications."Technology will play an important role in making applications simple but this is only part of the process for those who choose to use it, and there will be alternative non-digital routes available to all applicants to prove their identity," a Home Office spokesperson told BI.<h2>How will the app work?</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Jeff J Mitchell / Getty</div></div></div>That said, the app will be an important part of the registration process for many people as it will allow those with the right technology to identify themselves almost instantly. One EU citizen asked to test-run the app, which remains in its pilot phase, told BI how it currently works:1. When you open the app, you will be asked to answer some basic questions: Your name, whether you're an EU national, whether you live in the UK, and whether you have a criminal record.2. You will then be asked to provide documentation proving your identity. If your passport contains a biometric chip, you will be able to scan it using an Android phone's built-in scanning software. Apple doesn't allow third-party apps to use that software, which means the app won't work on iPhones, a problem the Home Office revealed in a meeting with MEPs this week.The person who tested the app said their passport was recognised and scanned by the phone almost instantly.3. You will then be asked to take a selfie, which appears to be for the purpose of verifying that you are who say you are.If you are unable to access an Android phone, it will be possible to revert to more old-fashioned methods of proving your identity, such as posting a passport or ID card to a processing centre.<h2>What happens next?</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">GettyThe Home Secretary Sajid Javid</div></div></div>Once an individual has been identified, their application will be passed to a caseworker in Liverpool.Usually, the burden of proof falls on the individual applicant to prove their right to remain in the UK, by providing extensive documentation. The new system places that responsibility on the government instead.Business Insider understands that the Home Office will use data from Her Majesty's Revenue &amp; Customs (HMRC), the Department for Work &amp; Pensions, council records, and other government data to prove how long they have been resident in the UK. Residents will need to prove they have lived in the UK for five years in order to be granted settled status.The status of children of will likely be determined by establishing their relationship to an adult with a permanent record of residency. Further details of that aspect of the scheme will be made clear in the summer, the Home Office said.<h2>Criminal checks</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Neil Hall/ReutersA police car is parked outside the London Stock Exchange in London, Britain August 15, 2017. REUTERS/Neil Hall</div></div></div>The Home Office says this has already been decided, and indeed it formed part of the December and March agreements struck between the UK and EU.Any deportations or refusals on the grounds of criminality will be in line with EU law up to and including the implementation period, which is scheduled to last until December 2020.The agreement means only criminals who can be deported under EU law will have their applications refused. As one person familiar with the plans pointed out, it's highly likely that criminals who are liable to be deported under EU law are already on the Home Office's radar, meaning that the application process is unlikely to directly result in criminals being deported.After the transition period ends in December 2020, criminals from EU states will likely be subject to the same rigorous UK deportation rules as criminals from the rest of the world.<h2>How will marginalised groups be able to register?</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Reuters / Toby MelvilleAnti-Brexit demonstrators wave EU and Union flags outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, January 30, 2018.</div></div></div>When representatives from the3million, an EU citizens' rights group, met immigration minister Caroline Nokes last month, one of the three primary concerns they raised was the potential difficulties faced by vulnerable groups of people who seek to apply for settled status.A Home Office spokesperson told Business Insider that they "are planning a range of support for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children and families, victims of domestic violence and those with English language difficulties.""We are well aware of the challenges of ensuring that three million EU citizens and their family members living here understand the need to apply and have the ability to," the spokesperson said.However, exactly what form that "range of support" will take remains to be seen.<h2>Will it actually work?</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Carl Court / Getty</div></div></div>A host of problems remain for the Home Office, and there remain significant doubts among EU citizens whether a department known for its blunders, particularly on IT-related projects, is capable of registering such a large number of citizens in such a short amount of time.In its broadest sense, EU nationals say the 'settled status' scheme amounts to a <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/all-the-rights-eu-citizens-in-the-uk-are-set-to-lose-after-brexit-2017-6">loss of rights</a> from the arrangement they currently possess under the EU's freedom of movement rules. It also falls far short of granting them full British citizenship.Other significant concerns include the fact many people are likely simply not to register, either because they are scared of having their applications rejected, or unaware that they are required to do so. Among a group of 3.6 million people, the chances are that large numbers will inevitably fall through the cracks. What then happens to those individuals?As Business Insider <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/eu-citizens-theresa-may-hostile-environment-immigration-brexit-2018-4">reported last week,</a> EU citizens living in the UK could become the next victims of the so-called "hostile environment" immigration policies which have hit the 'Windrush generation' of Caribbean-born UK citizens.That policy aims to crack down on illegal immigration by making life as difficult as possible for people who lack sufficient documentation to prove their residency in the UK, but in practice saw people being threatened with deportation, and left destitute despite being legally resident in Britain.These and other serious questions hang over the immense bureaucratic task facing the Home Office. Until full details of the registration scheme are released, those questions will remain. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-crown-prince-salman-met-trump-oprah-bill-gates-2018-4">Why the Saudi crown prince met with Trump, Oprah, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos</a></h3> <div> </div> </div>

You Searched For "visa application centres" and got 11 results

India temporarily suspends visa services in Canada

BI India Bureau

Despite tighter norms, the US approves 389,000 H1-B visas this year

Prerna Sindwani

Visa application for UK’s new points-based immigration system kicks in today — here’s all you need to know

Navdeep Yadav

Trump plans a 15% cap on H-1B visas — and Indians will be hurt the most

Prerna Sindwani

Samsung announces co-branded credit card in partnership with Axis Bank and Visa

Sourabh Jain

VISA crypto debit cards are coming to Australia amid regulatory uncertainty

Shivam Vahia

Thailand rolls out new tourism incentives to revive Covid-hit economy

IANS

Regardless of increased fee, majority of H1-B visa applications are from Indian companies

BI India Bureau

New H1-B rules bring more rejections on work visa renewals

BI India Bureau

Indians can get permanent residency easily in the US, if the Senate clears the Bill

BI India Bureau

Here's what the new Brexit application process for EU citizens will look like

Thomas Colson

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