Tag: Visa

Kuwaiti citizens can travel to 50 countries without a visa

[ad_1]
The Kuwaiti ‘Consular Affairs Sector of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ announced that citizens of Kuwaiti can travel to 50 countries without any visa procedures.
The Visa Bulletin for 2023 has drawn-out detailed information on visa procedures for permission into foreign countries, whether through embassies or ports.
According to the Visa Bulletin reports, 50 out of 199 countries permit Kuwaiti citizens to enter their country with ordinary passports without a visa.

These include 10 nations from Europe, 3 nations from Australia and its neighbouring regions, 6 nations from Asia, 4 nations from Africa, 13, nations from the American continent, and 14 nations from the Arab world.
However, 43 countries have made entry visas mandatory at the airport or through their website, and for 106 countries, visas need to be acquired through their country’s embassy only.
Subscribe us on
[ad_2]
#Kuwaiti #citizens #travel #countries #visa

( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

May 3, 2023
Saudi: Umrah visa begins on the day holder of visa enters the kingdom

[ad_1]
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Haj and Umrah said that the duration of the Umrah visa is 90 days, and it begins from the moment the pilgrim enters the territory of the Kingdom.
This came in response to an inquiry on the ministry’s Twitter account, asking that Umrah visa has been issued, bearing in mind that it will expire after the Haj season, so will the pilgrims leave before the Haj?
In response, the ministry of Haj and Umrah stated that the visa “starts from the date of entry into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the necessity of adhering to the validity period of the visa.”

In the same context, the Ministry of Haj clarified that the length of stay for those coming with Umrah visas is 90 days.
On April 15, Saudi Arabia has opened reservations to perform Umrah at the Grand Mosque, Islam’s holiest site in Makkah, during the current Islamic month of Shawwal that began on April 21.
Reservations are made through the Nusuk application, which allows Muslims wishing to perform Umrah or visit holy places in Saudi Arabia to obtain the appropriate visas and permits, in addition to packages related to purchasing online.
According to the Saudi authorities, obtaining an electronic permit for Umrah is still mandatory.
Millions of Muslims, who cannot physically or financially afford the annual haj, flock to Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah pilgrimage.

In recent months, the Kingdom has unveiled a host of facilities for Muslims abroad to come to the country to perform the Umrah.

[ad_2]
#Saudi #Umrah #visa #begins #day #holder #visa #enters #kingdom
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 30, 2023
Saudis will no longer need visa to enter Singapore from June 1

[ad_1]
Riyadh: Saudi national will no longer need to apply for a visa to enter Singapore, starting from Thursday, June 1.
Singaporean embassy in Riyadh said on Twitter, citing a statement from the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, “Saudi nationals with passports issued by the KSA will no longer need to apply for an entry visa to enter Singapore from June 1, 2023.”
Except for holders of Saudi diplomatic passports, who are already exempt from Singapore visa requirements, all other Saudis must apply for a visa if they intend to enter Singapore before June 1.

“There is strictly no refund of the visa processing fee for those who have already submitted or received the outcome of their entry visa applications,” the embassy added on Twitter.
اعلنت هيئة الهجرة والجوازات في جمهورية سنغافورة عن إعفاء المواطنين السعوديين من الحصول على تأشيرة دخول مسبقة الى سنغافورة وسيكون الاعفاء ساريًا بدءًا من تاريخ (1 يونيو 2023م).
— Saudi Embassy In Singapore (@KSAembassySOM) April 28, 2023
Subscribe us on

[ad_2]
#Saudis #longer #visa #enter #Singapore #June
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 30, 2023
US Consulate in Hyderabad announces student visa appointment schedule
[ad_1]
Hyderabad: The US Consulate in Hyderabad has announced the schedule for student visa appointments for the upcoming season. The first batch of appointments will be open in mid-May, with additional appointments released later in the season. The consulate has advised students to prepare themselves for the appointments.
Attention students! In mid-May, the U.S. Mission to India will open the first batch of appointments for the upcoming student visa season. Additional appointments will be released later in the season. Prepare for your appointments and stay tuned for more student visa related… pic.twitter.com/buDOeRmf64
— U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad (@USAndHyderabad) April 28, 2023
To ensure a smooth and efficient process, US Consulate in Hyderabad has recently released a video detailing the prohibited items at its Nanakramguda facility. Visitors, including US citizens, must undergo security screening upon arrival, and there are several items that cannot be taken inside the consulate.
List of prohibited items at US Consulate in Hyderabad
There are several items that cannot be taken inside the US Consulate General in Hyderabad.

Following is the list of prohibited items at the consulate
1. Cell phones
2. Battery-operated or electronic devices,
3. Bags including purses, travel bags, backpacks, briefcases, and suitcases (Unsealed plastic bags, small cloth bags and zip folders)
4. Food or drink items
5. Cosmetics
6. Sealed envelopes or packages
7. Flammable items
8. Sharp objects
9. Weapons
10. Long-handled umbrellas, and
11. Powders of any kind, including religious-related powders or spices.
If you have a visa interview or a U.S. citizen services appointment with us, there are restrictions on what you can bring with you – including restrictions on cell phones. Please watch this video to learn more about security restrictions at the the U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad. pic.twitter.com/Vx1yBzLtdi
— U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad (@USAndHyderabad) April 28, 2023
Visitors including those with US student visa appointments must carry government-issued identification, and it must be the original document. Photocopies of IDs are not accepted. Additionally, visitors must ensure that the name on their identification matches the name on their appointment at US Consulate in Hyderabad.
New address of US Consulate at Nanakramguda
The new facility of the US Consulate in Hyderabad is located at Sy. No. 115/1, Financial District, Nanakramguda, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500032. The consulate serves as the largest US diplomatic mission in South Asia
The consulate office was built with an investment of USD 340 million and is situated on a 12.2-acre site with 54 visa processing windows.
On March 15, 2023, the consulate officially ended its lease of Paigah Palace and began operations at the new facility on March 20, 2023.
[ad_2]
#Consulate #Hyderabad #announces #student #visa #appointment #schedule
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )
April 30, 2023
Indian-origin man jailed in Singapore for arranging sham marriage for visa

[ad_1]
Singapore: An Indian-origin man in Singapore has been sentenced to six months in prison for arranging a marriage of convenience between a colleague and his niece to gain an immigration advantage, a media report said.
Meeran Gani Nagoor Pitchai, 73, asked Abdul Kader Kasim, an Indian national who wanted to extend his short-term visit pass in 2016, to marry his cash-strapped niece in return for the payment of S$25,000, the TODAY newspaper reported.
Short term visit pass applicants, seeking an extension of 89 days from their date of entry to Singapore, require a local sponsor.

As part of the arrangement, Pitchai arranged for his niece, Noorjan Abdul, to become Kasim’s sponsor.
After Kasim and Noorjan agreed to the marriage and the financial arrangement, it was agreed that Pitchai would get S$1,000 as Noorjan’s former husband owed him money.
The marriage was solemnised in September 2016, and Pitchai was arrested last year by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers for arranging a sham marriage to obtain immigration benefit.
“Sham marriages are an offence, they are difficult to detect as evidence of sham marriages is difficult to uncover,” Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Ganeshvaran Dhanasekaran from ICA told the court on Wednesday.
He sought a six-month jail term for Pitchai from the court, stating that ICA takes a serious view of sham marriages.

Defence counsel Rajan Supramaniam said his client was “very remorseful” and his intention was only to help his colleague and niece.
Supramaniam did not propose a specific sentence but sought a lesser sentence for Pitchai, the TODAY reported.
District Judge Wong Peck noted that Pitchai did not profit financially from the arrangement, but played a “major role” in arranging the marriage.
“I agree with the prosecution that there is a need for general deterrence as sham marriages are difficult to detect,” Peck said.
Kasim was sentenced to six months’ jail in August last year, while Noorjan was sentenced to seven months jail in February this year.
In Singapore, sham marriages conducted to obtain immigration advantage can lead to a jail term for up to 10 years or a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.
[ad_2]
#Indianorigin #man #jailed #Singapore #arranging #sham #marriage #visa
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 27, 2023
How Germany Job Seeker Visa paves way to settlement in Europe
[ad_1]
Germany is offering a job seeker visa that allows individuals to search for jobs in the country, and if they find a suitable job, they can convert their visa into a work visa.
The Germany job seeker visa not only offers a pathway to employment in Germany but also to settlement in Europe.
Germany Job Seeker Visa
The Germany job seeker visa is granted to individuals who have at least five years of work experience, a degree recognized in Germany, proof of funds to support their stay in the country and other necessary documents.

For Indian citizens, the fee for the job seeker visa is 75 Euros. If granted, the applicant can stay in Germany for up to six months to search for a job. During their stay on a job seeker visa, they are prohibited from working.
The application process for a job seeker visa in Germany involves submitting an application, proof of accommodation, funds, academic qualifications, experience, and health insurance, a valid passport, a resume, and a cover letter.
From Germany Job Seeker Visa to Work Visa or EU Blue Card
After finding jobs in Germany, applicants can apply for either a work visa or an EU Blue Card.
To obtain a work visa, the applicant must receive a job offer from an employer in Germany. If the applicant’s age is beyond 45 years, the annual salary of the job must be at least 48180 Euros, or they must provide proof of adequate old-age pension provisions.
Once granted, work visa holders can stay in Germany for up to four years or the duration of the work contract, whichever is shorter.

In the case of an EU Blue Card, the applicants must not only get jobs in Germany but also ensure that the gross annual salary is at least 58400 Euros. However, in case of employees in the fields of mathematics, IT, natural sciences, engineering, and human medicine, the annual salary must be at least 45552 euros.
While on an EU Blue Card, applicants can bring their family to Germany
Settlement in Germany
After 33 months of getting an EU Blue Card, the applicants can apply for a settlement permit. In some cases, it will be issued after 21 months of stay in Germany.
In the case of a job visa, the applicants can apply for a settlement permit if they have been a holder of a residence permit for at least four years and pass the ‘Life in Germany’ test.
A Permanent EU Residence Permit is granted to persons who have legally lived in Germany for at least five years and have sufficient command of the German language and basic knowledge of the legal and social system and way of life in Germany.
Germany Citizenship
It is granted to settlement permit holders who have been living in Germany legally for at least eight years. Apart from it, persons with a limited residence permit that can be converted to indefinite residence who have been living in Germany legally for at least eight years are also eligible for Germany citizenship.
Apart from the residency requirements, they must have sufficient knowledge of the German language.
The applicants must give up their previous nationality after they are naturalized.
EU citizenship
As Germany is one of the 27 European countries, the citizen of Germany also automatically become EU citizens.
Following is the list of EU countries
1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Bulgaria
4. Croatia
5. Republic of Cyprus
6. Czech Republic
7. Denmark
8. Estonia
9. Finland
10. France
11. Germany
12. Greece
13. Hungary
14. Ireland
15. Italy
16. Latvia
17. Lithuania
18. Luxembourg
19. Malta
20. Netherlands
21. Poland
22. Portugal
23. Romania
24. Slovakia
25. Slovenia
26. Spain and
27. Sweden
The EU citizens can move and reside freely within the EU.
[ad_2]
#Germany #Job #Seeker #Visa #paves #settlement #Europe
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )
April 25, 2023
Visa interviews for Indian students to be increased by 30 per cent this summer: US envoy

[ad_1]
Aurangabad: The US aims to increase visa interview appointments for Indian students by 30 per cent this summer, US Consul General in Mumbai Mike Hankey said here on Tuesday.
He said US consulates processed nearly 1.25 lakh visa applications of students in India.
During his visit to Aurangabad, Hankey held meetings with members of industries. He also visited Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University and interacted with students.

“Last year, we sent more than 1.25 lakh Indian students to the US, setting a new record for Indian students going to the US in a year and establishing India as the leading country of sending students. This year we are trying to increase that number (of students) further,” he told PTI.
“Our goal is to expand the number of interview appointments we offer for students by 30 per cent this summer. We hope to welcome more Indian students to the USA,” Hankey added.
During his interaction with students, the American envoy appealed to them to visit websites and find an appropriate curriculum for them.
The US Consulate Mumbai tweeted that Hankey met with conservationist and industrialist Mukund Bhogale to learn about the historical legacy of the Marathwada region, efforts towards the preservation of its heritage, and areas of cooperation with the city’s business community.
He also interacted with an industrial delegation over supplying aluminium to support the global aerospace and defence supply chain.

Subscribe us on
[ad_2]
#Visa #interviews #Indian #students #increased #cent #summer #envoy
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 18, 2023
Saudi Arabia announces new three-month temporary work visa
[ad_1]
Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has introduce a new three-month temporary work visa service, local media reported.
The visa enables companies to issue a temporary work visa, whose holder can work for a period of three months from the date of entry, according to the Qiwa platform.
The visa can also be extended for a similar period. Foreign nationals applying for this visa do not need to obtain a residence or work permit.

The visa application must be submitted by the employer or authorized representative of Qiwa.
The regulations for the temporary work visa service require that the organization must be active and have a valid commercial registration, except for activities that do not require a commercial registration.
In addition, enterprises with the same unified number must have no expired work permit and have sufficient balance in the enterprise’s national unified number in the Absher account.
The temporary work visa is issued by Qiwa immediately and requires no documents.
The visa is electronic and valid within one year.

To apply online for a temporary work visa, the applicant must follow these steps
Select the temporary work visa service from e-services.
Then, complete all the required fields and submit the request.
Reasons given for the rejection of a request for the temporary visa include an insufficient balance in the unified number of the enterprise on Absher and rejection from the Ministry of the Interior.
The temporary work visa balance package can be cancelled and government fees refunded.
The cancellation request must be submitted by the business owner or a commissioner, the platform pointed out.
Subscribe us on
[ad_2]
#Saudi #Arabia #announces #threemonth #temporary #work #visa
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )
April 14, 2023
Amid layoffs, tech firms continue to exploit H-1B visa programme: Study

[ad_1]
New York: Amid massive ongoing layoffs in the tech sector, the top 30 H-1B visa employers hired 34,000 new workers in 2022 and laid off at least 85,000 workers in 2022 and early 2023, an Economic Policy Institute (EPI) analysis found.
According to EPI researchers, tech and outsourcing companies are exploiting the highly-skilled H-1B visa program, created to fill labor shortages in professional fields, by laying-off a bevy of workers employed in firms like Meta, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, etc.
“Most employers hire H-1B workers because they can be underpaid and are de facto indentured to the employer,” the EPI research said.

Also, 13 of the top 30 H-1B visa employers were outsourcing firms that underpay migrant workers and offshore US jobs to countries where labor costs are much lower.
“Its implementation has been bungled by the US Departments of Labor and Homeland Security,” the analysis said, adding that since employers aren’t required to test the US labor market to see if any workers are available before hiring an H-1B worker or pay their H-1B workers a fair wage, employers have exploited the program.
ECI said, in 2022, 48,000 employers registered with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in hopes of hiring at least one H-1B worker, and nearly 30,000 employers ultimately hired at least one new H-1B worker.
Citing an example, the ECI research said Amazon was at the top of the list in terms of both new H-1B workers and layoffs. It hired 6,400 new H-1B workers in 2022, and hired the most new H-1B workers in 2021 as well, when it hired nearly 6,200 workers. The tech giant has either recently laid off or plans to lay off 27,150 of its employees — more than twice the number of H-1B workers it hired in 2021 and 2022 combined.
Google and Meta, both long-time top H-1B employers, together hired over 3,100 new H-1B workers last year.The duo laid off 33,000 employees, almost 11 times the number of new H-1B workers they hired in 2022.

The H-1B program is the largest US temporary work visa program, with a total of approximately 600,000 workers employed by 50,000 employers.
Most of these workers are employed in occupations like computer systems analysis and software development.
Visas for new workers are capped at 85,000 per year, but many employers are exempt from that annual cap, including universities and their affiliated nonprofit entities, nonprofit research organizations, and government research organizations.
The study urged President Joe Biden to “implement regulations and policy guidance to prevent misuse of the program, stop the exploitation of college-educated migrant workers, and ensure the program is consistent with congressional intent”.
[ad_2]
#layoffs #tech #firms #continue #exploit #H1B #visa #programme #Study
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

April 13, 2023
Spouses of H-1B Visa holders in tech sector can work in US: Judge

[ad_1]
New York: In an immigration-friendly move, a judge has ruled that spouses of highly-skilled H-1B visa holders in tech sector can now work in the US, thus upholding an Obama-era rule under which partners were issued H-4 visas.
US District Judge Tanya Chutkan on Tuesday dismissed arguments by Save Jobs USA, who claimed that the Congress never granted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authority to allow foreign nationals, like H-4 visa-holders, to work during their stay in the US.
“That contention runs headlong into the text of the (Immigration and Nationality Act), decades of executive-branch practice, and both explicit and implicit congressional ratification of that practice,” Chutkan wrote in her ruling.
She further said that the DHS has authorised employment not just for students, but also for their spouses and dependents.
The lawsuit was also opposed by big tech firms like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft.
H4 visas are issued to dependent spouses and children who accompany H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 visa holders to the US.
The spouses of H-1B visa holders tend to be highly educated, many of them in STEM fields, and previously had careers of their own or worked to support their families.
In 2021, Google filed a legal brief with over 40 companies to protect the work authorisation programme that allows the spouses of H-1B visa holders to work in the US.

As part of his anti-immigration policy, former President Donald Trump had proposed to end the issuing of work authorisation (H-4 EAD) for certain spouses of high-skilled talent who came to the US on H-1B visas.
According to a National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) analysis, 90 per cent of the spouses of H-1B visa holders are female, two-thirds are from India and 6 per cent from China.
“The US can reap significant economic benefits, ease labor shortages, and attract more workers in the global competition for talent if it expanded current rules on work eligibility for the spouses of H-1B visa holders,” the 2022 study by NFAP said.
[ad_2]
#Spouses #H1B #Visa #holders #tech #sector #work #Judge
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

March 30, 2023