Archive March 2024

Lots of Asian countries are now letting Indian tourists visit without needing visas, and it's got everyone buzzing with excitement!

Thailand Opens Its Doors, Demand Shoots Up by 30%!

Guess what? Thailand said Indians could come to visit without fussing over visas, and wow, did that get people excited! Demand shot up by a whopping 30% compared to last year, according to Rajeev Kale from Thomas Cook (India) Limited.

Malaysia Joins the Party to Woo Indian Travelers!

And hold onto your hats! Malaysia just decided to let Indians visit without visas from December 1st! It's like they're rolling out the red carpet for us, hoping we'll come check out all their cool stuff, says Rajeev Kale.

Holiday Bookings Jump Over 20%—People Can't Wait to Jet Off!

You know what else? More and more of us are booking holidays like crazy! Daniel D’Souza from SOTC Travel says bookings for October to December 2023 jumped by over 20% compared to last year. We're all itching to hit the road!

Travel Rules Get Easier—No More Headaches with Visas!

After all the stress of the pandemic, it's nice to hear that traveling is getting easier. Countries in Asia are making their visa rules more relaxed, so we don't have to worry so much about paperwork anymore. Phew!

Online Searches Skyrocket! It's Like Everyone's Got the Travel Bug!

Hey, did you notice? Searches for flights and hotels online have gone through the roof! Hong Kong, Bangkok, Colombo—everyone's looking up these places like crazy! It's like we've all caught the travel bug!

Sri Lanka Tops the Charts for Hotel Searches—Looks Like We're Ready to Explore!

And guess where we're all dreaming of staying? Sri Lanka! Searches for hotels in Colombo shot up by a massive 550%! Looks like we're all set to start exploring new places and making memories.

Anil Goteti Says: Let's Go Explore!

Anil Goteti, the big boss at Scapia, thinks this is all fantastic news! He says it's great to see so many of us eager to explore new places and make memories. Let's keep the travel dreams alive!

More Countries Joining the Visa-Free Party!

And hey, the fun doesn't stop there! Fiji, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles—they're all joining in on the fun too! More countries are welcoming us with open arms, so there's no shortage of places to explore. Let's pack our bags and go make some memories, shall we?

So, guess what? Australia is making some changes to its rules for study visas. You know, like when people from other countries want to come to Australia to study? Yeah, that! So, from March 23, they're swapping out this thing called Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) for something called Genuine Student (GS).

This change was talked about back in December 2023, but it's only starting from March 23, 2024. Basically, before, you had to prove you were just coming to Australia for a bit and then heading back home after your studies. Now, they want to make sure you're a real student, like super serious about it.

Oh, and there's this language test called IELTS. For some visas, they're upping the score you need to pass.

Following the new rules, you'll need a higher test score to get a Temporary Graduate visa. It's going up from 6.0 in IELTS to 6.5. And for a student visa, it's going up from 5.5 in IELTS (or equivalent) to 6.0.

So, if you want to apply for a Temporary Graduate visa, you now need a higher score. Plus, the time they accept the test results for this visa is shorter now, just one year.

Also, they're introducing this new test for all international students to prove they're genuine about studying. It's like they want to be extra sure everyone coming to study in Australia really means it. And they're going to look extra closely at applications from students from certain countries.

Oh, and one more thing – they're saying you need to have more money saved up to get a student visa now. Like, around $24,505.

So, they're really looking into whether you're serious about studying in Australia. They're checking stuff like your background, if you've followed visa rules before, and if you're really on track with your studies.

But you know, some people are worried. Like, experts are saying these changes might make it harder for students from places like India to get their visas accepted. So, it's kind of a big deal for a lot of folks who dream of studying Down Under.

Thinking about applying for an H-1B visa in the US for 2025? Awesome! Let's make sure you're up to speed with all the latest updates to make your application a breeze. Ever wondered how beneficiaries are chosen? 

Curious about where to send your forms? And what about those pesky fee changes? 

Don't worry, we've got you covered! 

Let's dive into everything you need to know for your H-1B visa application journey. Ready? Let's go!

United States Closes Registration for FY 2025 H-1B Cap Season

The United States ended the sign-up time for the H-1B visas for the year 2025 on March 25, 2024. This time was extended by three days.

USCIS to Pick H-1B Beneficiaries Randomly

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will soon choose the people who can apply for H-1B visas for 2025. They will select them randomly from those who applied.

Change in Where to Send H-1B Forms

Starting April 1, 2024, you need to send your H-1B visa forms to a different place. Now, you must send them to USCIS lockbox locations instead of service centers.

New Fees and Form for H-1B Applications

From April 1, 2024, there are new fees and a new version of Form I-129 for H-1B visa applications. Make sure to use the new form and pay the new fees if you apply after this date.

Tips for Sending Form I-129

• • If you mail your form before April 1, 2024, you can use the old version.
  • If you mail it on or after April 1, 2024, you must use the new version.
  • Only use the version from April 1, 2024, if you mail it on or after that date.

USCIS Changes Premium Processing Fee

USCIS made a rule change about the fee for a faster processing service. If you send the form for this service on or after February 26, 2024, make sure you pay the new fee.

New Online Accounts for Organizations

USCIS now has online accounts for groups. This helps people work together on H-1B applications. You can start using this on March 25 for some applications and on April 1 for others.

No More Prepaid Mailers

From March 25, USCIS stopped using prepaid mailers for H-1B applications. They will now send notices electronically and then by regular mail.

Phew! That's a lot of information to take in, but don't let it overwhelm you. 

Remember, you've got this! With the latest updates on H-1B visa applications in the US at your fingertips, you're well-equipped to tackle any challenges that come your way. Stay organized, double-check those forms, and keep an eye on deadlines. 

And hey, if you ever need a helping hand, don't hesitate to contact us. 

Your H-1B visa journey may have its twists and turns, but with determination and preparation, you'll reach your destination. Best of luck, and here's to a successful application process!

When you apply for a visa to the UK, people from the Home Office check your application and papers. They decide if you can get the visa or not. They will tell you their decision in a letter.

The time it takes for them to decide is called the 'processing time'. The Home Office has rules about how long this should take.

Here's what happens:

• First, you apply online and prove who you are.
• Then, they decide on your visa and let you know by email or letter.

If you apply from outside the UK:

• Regular visas take about 3 weeks.
• Long-term visas take about 24 weeks.

Sometimes, it might take longer if they need more information or if your case is not easy. They will tell you if this happens.

Right now, many people are applying for visas because of new rules starting soon. This means the Home Office is very busy. So, it might take longer than usual to get your visa.

As per the UKVI website, here are the current times it takes to process applications from outside the UK:

Here are the current processing times for visas:

• Work visas: 3 weeks
• Temporary work visas: 3 weeks
• Visit visas: 3 weeks
• Student visas: 3 weeks
• Family visas: 24 weeks
• Ukraine visas: 3 weeks
• British National (Overseas) visas: 12 weeks

If you're in a hurry, you can pay extra for faster service. This can get you a decision in a few days instead of weeks. But even then, it's not guaranteed.

To avoid delays:

• Make sure your application is complete and correct.
• Check that you've given all the documents they need.
• Mistakes or missing information can slow things down.
• Get it right the first time for the best chance of getting your visa quickly.

So, remember these tips to speed up your UK visa process. Stay positive and keep track of the timeframes. With a little effort, you'll get your visa soon.