President-elect Donald Trump has appointed prominent Indian-American venture capitalist Sriram Krishnan as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. This historic appointment reflects the growing influence of Indian-Americans in U.S. politics. Krishnan is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping U.S. immigration policies and steering the future of technological advancements. Thi

Ahead of the Union Budget 2025-26, the government is expected to introduce measures to aid small businesses, farmers, and the export sector. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently held her fourth pre-budget consultation, where she discussed key economic policies and priorities with stakeholders. Sources suggest that the government may announce tax relief for middle-class citizens to help revitalize the slowing economy, along with support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

As 2024 draws to a close, plans are underway to kick off 2025 with a range of new changes and updates. Starting January 1, 2025, significant nationwide changes will take effect, impacting households, professionals, travelers, and finances. These updates cover various areas, including data charges, visa processes, and GST regulations. Key Updates Effective January 1, 2025 GST Compliance Changes Several important adjustments to GST compliance w

In a significant policy shift, the Government of Canada has announced that starting spring 2025, job offers will no longer provide additional points for candidates applying for permanent residency under the Express Entry system. Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller explained the rationale behind the move: “We are taking important steps to reduce fraud while continuing to attract the skilled talent our economy needs. Immigration has always been a

US President-elect Donald Trump, set to assume office in January 2025, has begun implementing stricter immigration policies, leading to a significant crackdown on undocumented individuals. Among the 1.45 million people slated for deportation, nearly 18,000 undocumented Indians are at risk. India Among "Uncooperative" Countries India has been classified as one of the "uncooperative" countries in the deportation process, alongsid

Elon Musk’s Tesla has become one of the top employers of H-1B workers, with over 1,700 H-1B visas approved for Tesla employees in 2020. This marks a significant reliance on skilled foreign workers as Tesla continues to grow. Musk’s early career began with illegal work on a student visa in the U.S., but now Tesla’s future is intertwined with the availability of H-1B workers, a visa program that is crucial for attracting talent to the tech industry. The Trump adminis

 In light of US President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariff measures on China, Canada, and Mexico, India is poised to capitalize on potential shifts in global manufacturing. With Trump’s plan to impose tariffs of 25% on Canada and Mexico and 10% on China, manufacturers may seek alternative locations to bypass the 60% levy on Chinese goods. India, with its low-cost labor, skilled workforce, and growing tech sector, is an attractive destination for this shift. Invest

President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his plan to end birthright citizenship, a policy that grants U.S. citizenship to children born within the country, regardless of their parents' citizenship. This right, enshrined in the 14th Amendment for more than 150 years, could soon be under scrutiny after Trump takes office on January 20th. Trump has called the practice "ridiculous," stating that the U.S. needs to "get it changed," and that "maybe we&rsquo

The UK government has announced an extension of the grace period for accepting expired physical travel documents until March 31, 2025, as part of its transition to a fully digital eVisa system. This move is intended to ease the burden on visa holders facing challenges in the ongoing switch to eVisas.   Who Is Affected? The initiative, led by the UK H

President-elect Donald Trump has outlined his vision for major immigration changes in an interview with Meet the Press. His plans include ending birthright citizenship, deporting families with mixed immigration status, and finding a solution for Dreamers, undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. Ending Birthright Citizenship Currently, the U.S. grants citizenship to anyone born on its soil, regardless of their parents' immigr

US universities are urging international students and staff to return to campus ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office in January, amid growing concerns over his pledged immigration policies. Trump has vowed to enact the largest deportation operation in US history, creating widespread uncertainty among students and academic institutions. During his election campaign, Trump proposed mass deportations and hinted at utilizing the US military to implement his immigration ag

The 1990 Immigration Act brought significant changes to the H-1B visa program and employment-based green cards, imposing caps of 65,000 and 140,000 annually, respectively. These restrictions were implemented without considering the growing demand for skilled labor fueled by technological advancements. The arbitrary cap on H-1B visas quickly became insufficient as more than 70% of graduate students in tech fields at US universities were international students. In response to the escalat

Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance’s campaign promises to overhaul U.S. immigration policy on their first day in office have raised serious concerns, especially among Indian-American communities. Trump has vowed to curb the process of naturalized citizenship, and his pledge to introduce a sweeping immigration reform on "Day 1" could impact millions of children born in the United States to immigrant parents. Under Trump’s proposed executive order, childr

With Donald Trump set to become the US president, Indian exporters may face challenges due to potential changes in trade policies. Experts suggest that the 'America First' agenda could lead to higher customs duties on goods like automobiles, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, stricter H-1B visa rules may impact Indian IT firms, as a significant portion of their revenue comes from the US market. The US is India's largest trading partner, accounting for a substantia

In a notable shift in immigration policy, Canada has decided to cut its immigration targets significantly, responding to increasing public concerns regarding the impact of new arrivals on housing and resources. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the government will lower its immigration goals from a planned 500,000 new permanent residents in 2025 to 395,000 for 2025 and 380,000 for 2026. This decision follows a recent survey indicating that a majority of Canadians now believe the co

India has launched an innovative Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. This initiative aims to significantly reduce the time taken for immigration clearance, slashing wait times from a minimum of 30 minutes to just a few seconds. The program utilizes biometrics to provide pre-verified travelers with a smoother experience during both arrival and departure. The Ministry of Home Affairs has plans to expand the

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced a strategic move to reduce the number of international study permits granted to foreign students, aiming to curb the rising population of temporary residents in the country. As part of this initiative, the government will decrease the number of study permits by 35% this year, with plans for an additional 10% cut next year. This decision underscores the government's intent to crack down on abuses of the immigration system.

The Forbes World Billionaires annual list for 2024 has revealed that 25 new names from India have joined the ranks of the world's wealthiest, bringing the total number of Indian billionaires to 200. This surge in wealth is seen as a product of the Narendra Modi era, which has coincided with significant economic shifts, including the COVID-19 pandemic, reverse migration, and a crisis in agriculture. Despite these challenges, the nation has witnessed a remarkable rise in billionaires, promp

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically reshaped global immigration policies, introducing a myriad of changes aimed at balancing public health concerns with the needs of international mobility. Countries worldwide have had to adapt their immigration frameworks, leading to significant shifts in travel restrictions, visa processing, and health requirements for entry. Initially, the pandemic prompted swift and stringent travel restrictions. Many nations close

The United States accepts hundreds of thousands of foreign workers each year in a variety of industries. Persistent U.S. labor shortages and accusations of abuse have reenergized the debate over the scale of these programs.   Summary Temporary foreign workers have long supported the U.S. economy, providing American industries, such as agriculture and technology, with a critical labor force. These