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US non-immigrant visa may cost more: Report

US non-immigrant visa may cost more: Report

Observera day ago
Muscat: Visitors to the US with non-immigrant visas will need to pay a 'visa integrity fee, making travel expensive under the new 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Act.
The fee has not yet been implemented, and it is not clear when it will begin, according to the CNBC Travel report.
Visa applicants would need to pay $250 in the fiscal year 2025 from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. The fee is expected to be hiked after the fiscal year or adjusted for inflation, the report said.
Currently, the cost for a US B1/B2 visa issued by the US Embassy in the Sultanate of Oman is over RO70.
Applicants of tourist/business (B-1/B-2), student (F/M), work (H-1B), and exchange (J) visas will have to pay the integrity fee, and if the visa is denied, then there is no need to pay the fee. It will need to be paid once your visa is issued. Visa holders must comply with the conditions of the visa and not overstay the period. Once the visa validity date expires, the reimbursements will be made.
To get their money back, visa holders must comply with the conditions of the visa, which include 'not accepting unauthorized employment' and not overstaying the visa validity date by more than five days, according to the provision. Reimbursements will be made after the travel visa expires, according to the CNBC Travel report.
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US non-immigrant visa may cost more: Report
US non-immigrant visa may cost more: Report

Observer

timea day ago

  • Observer

US non-immigrant visa may cost more: Report

Muscat: Visitors to the US with non-immigrant visas will need to pay a 'visa integrity fee, making travel expensive under the new 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Act. The fee has not yet been implemented, and it is not clear when it will begin, according to the CNBC Travel report. Visa applicants would need to pay $250 in the fiscal year 2025 from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. The fee is expected to be hiked after the fiscal year or adjusted for inflation, the report said. Currently, the cost for a US B1/B2 visa issued by the US Embassy in the Sultanate of Oman is over RO70. Applicants of tourist/business (B-1/B-2), student (F/M), work (H-1B), and exchange (J) visas will have to pay the integrity fee, and if the visa is denied, then there is no need to pay the fee. It will need to be paid once your visa is issued. Visa holders must comply with the conditions of the visa and not overstay the period. Once the visa validity date expires, the reimbursements will be made. To get their money back, visa holders must comply with the conditions of the visa, which include 'not accepting unauthorized employment' and not overstaying the visa validity date by more than five days, according to the provision. Reimbursements will be made after the travel visa expires, according to the CNBC Travel report.

Telegraph Island project shortlisted for World Architecture Festival awards
Telegraph Island project shortlisted for World Architecture Festival awards

Observer

time08-07-2025

  • Observer

Telegraph Island project shortlisted for World Architecture Festival awards

Muscat: The design for the revitalisation of Maqlab Island (Telegraph Island) has been shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival (WAF) 2025, under the Future Projects – Culture category. This international recognition underscores the cultural, historical, and architectural significance of the project and places it among the world's most forward-thinking and visionary designs. The World Architecture Festival is renowned as a global platform for celebrating architectural innovation and excellence. Being shortlisted for this award reflects the project's strong design narrative, cultural sensitivity and commitment to storytelling through architecture. An artist's impression of the project Maqlab Island, located off the coast of Musandam, is steeped in history dating back to 1864 when it served as a telegraph cable repeater station. The ruins of the island have long stood as silent witnesses to its past, nestled in a lagoon surrounded by dramatic cliffs and pristine waters. The project's vision is to transform Maqlab Island into a culturally rich, environmentally conscious destination — celebrating its unique heritage, attracting ecotourism and promoting educational and recreational experiences. An artist's impression of the project Early design explorations considered reconstructing the island's original features. However, the final concept embraced a more forward-looking approach: blending preservation with minimal yet impactful architectural intervention. The result is a design that overlays the island's existing foundation without altering its structure — introducing a new architectural layer that echoes the island's story through form and materiality. A multifunctional structure will serve as a visitor hub, art installation and event space for exhibitions, gatherings, and cultural programmes. Designed to visually harmonise with the natural landscape, the building blends into its surroundings by day and transforms into a glowing architectural jewel by night. An artist's impression of the project Enhancements include a dedicated arrival jetty, accessible pathways, interpretive signage, viewing platforms, and telescopes — all designed to enrich the visitor experience while respecting the island's scale and serenity. The island will be fully self-sufficient, powered by solar energy and supported by its own RO plant. Measures such as offshore buoys will protect coral ecosystems from boat anchors. The structure is designed to achieve zero carbon emissions, reinforcing H+S's environmental commitment. The project is implemented by Hoehler + al Salmy (H+S), a leading architectural consultancy rooted in a legacy of innovation, cultural sensitivity and international collaboration.

US Vice President Vance casts tie-breaking vote as Senate passes GOP megabill
US Vice President Vance casts tie-breaking vote as Senate passes GOP megabill

Times of Oman

time02-07-2025

  • Times of Oman

US Vice President Vance casts tie-breaking vote as Senate passes GOP megabill

Washington DC: US Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday cast the decisive tie-breaking vote in the US Senate as Republicans were able to deliver a legislative victory for President Donald Trump by passing One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, a sweeping legislative package, The Hill reported. The final 51-50 vote followed intense negotiations as lawmakers worked through the weekend before launching a 27-hour marathon of amendment votes on the floor, during which Republican leaders sought to win the support of holdouts, the report said. As per The Hill, the massive GOP bill, which includes significant tax cuts, deep reductions to federal aid programmes, and major shifts in energy and immigration policy, was passed despite unified Democratic opposition and defections from three Republican senators: Thom Tillis (NC), Rand Paul (Ky.), and Susan Collins (Maine). The bill's fate remained uncertain until the final hours, with GOP leaders scrambling to secure support from Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who raised strong concerns over proposed cuts to Medicaid and food assistance (SNAP) in her home state. According to The Hill, the initial carve-out for Alaska was rejected by Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough for violating the Byrd Rule, which restricts what can be included in a budget reconciliation bill. Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), worked through the night to revise the provisions to pass muster with the parliamentarian. They broadened the SNAP waiver to apply to 10 states with the highest benefit error rates, including Alaska, allowing for a more gradual reduction in aid. After hours of back-and-forth negotiations, Murkowski finally signalled her support, giving the GOP the crucial 50th vote needed -- with Vice President Vance stepping in to break the tie, The Hill reported. Despite its passage in the Senate, the bill faces headwinds in the House, where at least six GOP lawmakers have voiced opposition due to the deeper Medicaid cuts, rollbacks of clean energy incentives, and changes to the House-passed state and local tax (SALT) deduction provisions. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) is also seen as a likely "no" vote, citing concerns over the bill's estimated USD 3 trillion addition to the national debt. As per The Hill, the legislation is a legislative behemoth, including USD 160 billion for border security and immigration enforcement, USD 150 billion increase to defence spending, and a USD 5 trillion raise to the national debt ceiling. The Bill also announced an extension and expansion of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, tax exemptions for tipped income and overtime pay, new deductions for interest on US-made auto loans, THE creation of "Trump savings accounts" for minors and a phase-out of renewable energy tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act. As per The Hill, the Republicans touted the bill as a transformational win that aligns with their economic and national security priorities. However, within GOP ranks, there is unease about its long-term political ramifications, especially the scale of cuts to safety net programs and the soaring national debt.

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