Tsunami Warning Live Updates: Russia declares emergency in Kamchatka; evacuations in Japan, US as massive earthquake triggers Pacific-wide tsunami warnings
Tsunami warning Russia Earthquake live: A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday, triggering tsunami warnings across the Pacific, from Hawaii and Alaska to New Zealand. Though no serious injuries were reported, authorities across multiple countries urged evacuations amid widespread coastal alerts and transport disruptions. Tsunami News Live Updates: Evacuations are under way in Japan, Hawaii, and along parts of the U.S. West Coast after a colossal magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami warnings across the Pacific Ocean.
Tsunami hits Russia after Earthquake in Morning: According to reports in Western media, tsunami waves between 3 and 4 meters (10 to 13 feet) have already been observed in Russia's Kamchatka region. In northern Japan, waves of about 30 centimeters (12 inches) were recorded in Hokkaido, where evacuation protocols have been activated.
Tsunami Warning in California and Hawaii: In the United States, Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged residents and tourists to heed evacuation instructions and remain calm. The U.S. Coast Guard has closed key ports across the Hawaiian Islands. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump issued a statement advising Americans to stay alert and closely monitor updates from the U.S. Tsunami Warning Centers.Russia's state-run TASS news agency reported that several people have been injured in the Kamchatka region, where aftershocks are expected to continue. Emergency services are responding to damage in affected areas and residents have been moved to higher ground.Tsunami alerts have also been issued in China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Guam, Peru, and the Galápagos Islands off Ecuador, although the level of threat varies by region. Experts warn that tsunami effects may persist for hours or longer, and that a tsunami is not a single wave but a series of powerful surges that can follow the initial shock.The earthquake, which struck early Wednesday local time, is one of the strongest globally in recent years, and preliminary assessments suggest extensive economic damage in the affected regions. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center continues to issue updates and urge all coastal communities to stay vigilant. Show more A massive undersea earthquake struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday, generating tsunami warnings and advisories across a vast stretch of the Pacific — from Japan and Alaska to Hawaii, California and down to Mexico. Read more A tsunami wave measuring 1.3 meters (4.3 feet) has struck Kuji Port in Japan's Iwate prefecture, located in the country's northeast, the Japan Meteorological Agency said on Tuesday.According to the agency, the tsunami waves are continuing to grow. Authorities have issued urgent advisories for coastal areas and are monitoring the situation closely as aftershocks and further wave surges remain possible. Tsunami waves have begun hitting US shores, with initial surges reaching Hawaii's coastlines, CNN reported, citing data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).According to NOAA, water levels rose over 4 feet in Haleiwa, located on the north shore of Oahu island. 'We will likely see water levels rise and fall as more waves approach,' the agency said in its advisory.The waves follow a massive undersea earthquake in the Pacific, which triggered tsunami warnings across several countries and US territories. Authorities are urging coastal residents to remain alert and follow evacuation orders where issued. Tsunami waves have begun impacting Hawaii following the massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) confirmed in an urgent update.'Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property,' the PTWC said, stressing that the situation remains dangerous. 'Waves are now impacting Hawaii,' it added, noting that tsunami activity could persist for several hours.The warning comes amid widespread evacuations in coastal areas across the Pacific, including Japan, California, and other parts of the U.S. West Coast. Residents in low-lying regions have been advised to move to higher ground immediately.Authorities say the waves may not strike all areas at once or with equal intensity, and that multiple surges could occur. The PTWC continues to monitor the situation and issue real-time advisories as conditions evolve.(reports BBC) Tsunami Warning Live Updates: A small stretch of Northern California's coastline is under heightened tsunami risk due to a rare geological feature on the seafloor that could amplify wave strength, CNN reported, citing the National Weather Service.'There's like an underwater valley that leads up to that area,' Danny Schmiegel, a meteorologist at the NWS office in Eureka, California, told CNN.This underwater topography, described as a funnel-like formation, has the potential to concentrate tsunami wave energy as it approaches shore, increasing both wave height and impact force. The area under greatest threat extends from Cape Mendocino to the Oregon border, where tsunami waves of up to 5 feet are expected Tuesday night.The National Weather Service has issued a tsunami warning — the highest level of alert — for this stretch, while the rest of the U.S. West Coast, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, remains under a lower-level tsunami advisory.Schmiegel emphasized that residents along the Northern California coast should avoid beaches, harbors, and low-lying coastal areas. The warning zone includes Crescent City, a town particularly vulnerable due to its location and elevation. Crescent City was devastated by a tsunami in 1964, when a 9.2-magnitude quake in Alaska generated waves that killed 11 people and destroyed much of the town.Emergency services are monitoring wave activity closely as surges move across the Pacific, triggered by the massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. A tsunami wave measuring 3.1 feet (about 1 meter) has been observed at Midway Atoll, a remote U.S. territory roughly 1,000 miles northwest of Hawaii, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, CNN reported Tuesday.This is the highest tsunami measurement over open water recorded so far in the Northern Pacific following the 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. The reading raises fresh concerns that larger waves may strike the Hawaiian Islands, where the first impacts are expected within the hour."This is officially the highest tsunami observation over open water that we have seen in the Northern Pacific so far," CNN reported, citing warning center officials.With the water rise at Midway signaling the force of the incoming waves, authorities in Hawaii have issued urgent evacuation orders for coastal areas, warning residents to move to higher ground immediately. Beaches, harbors, and low-lying zones have been cleared as a precaution, while the U.S. Coast Guard has closed ports statewide.Officials warn that tsunami waves may arrive in multiple surges and linger for hours, with the potential to inundate vulnerable areas depending on local topography. As tsunami warnings grip Hawaii following the massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, a University of Hawaii seismologist has issued a stark warning about the danger facing coastal communities.'A tsunami wave is extremely different than your typical ocean wave … it's very much just like a torrent of floodwater coming at you at the coastline,' said Helen Janiszewski, assistant professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, in an interview with CNN.Unlike standard ocean waves, tsunami surges move with extreme force, carry massive volumes of water, and don't recede quickly. 'Water moving quickly can really knock a person down quite easily. You don't need a lot of it. And so it's very, very dangerous,' Janiszewski added.She also warned that if the tsunami strikes Hawaii's shores, it could arrive in 'complicated patterns,' potentially surging inland in multiple episodes and lasting for an extended period — especially dangerous for low-lying coastal zones.Hawaii Governor Josh Green has urged immediate evacuations from vulnerable areas. 'Right away, residents in coastal zones should move to higher ground,' he said. 'The waves may wrap around the islands,' he added, cautioning against underestimating the threat.Emergency alerts have been issued across Hawaii, and state officials are asking residents to stay off beaches and away from ports and harbors until the threat has passed. Tsunami Warning Live Updates: One of the world's strongest earthquakes struck Russia's Far East early Wednesday, an 8.8-magnitude temblor that caused tsunami waves in Japan and Alaska and prompted warnings for Hawaii, North and Central America and Pacific islands south toward New Zealand.Ports on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia near the quake's epicenter flooded as residents fled inland. Cars jammed streets and highways in Honolulu hours before tsunami waves were expected, with standstill traffic even in areas away from the shoreline.People were advised to move to higher ground around much of the Pacific coast and warned that the potential tsunami danger may last for more than a day. Most places where tsunami waves have already washed ashore have reported no significant damage so far.Waves less than a foot (under 30 centimeters) above tide levels were observed in the Alaskan communities of Amchitka and Adak, said Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator with the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska.White waves washed up to the shoreline on Japan's Hokkaido in the north and Ibaraki and Chiba, just northeast of Tokyo, in footage aired on Japan's NHK public television.A tsunami of 60 centimeters (2 feet) was recorded at Hamanaka town in Hokkaido and Kuji port in Iwate, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Several areas reported smaller waves including 20 centimeters (8 inches) in Tokyo Bay five hours after the quake.Hawaii and Oregon warn residents of potential damageThe impact of the tsunami could last for hours — such as in Adak, a community of about 70 people in Alaska's Aleutian Islands -- or perhaps more than a day, Snider said.(reports AP) A tsunami warning has been issued for a 100-mile stretch of Northern California's coastline, from Cape Mendocino to the Oregon border, following the powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia's eastern coast, The New York Times reported.The National Weather Service said waves of up to 5.5 feet could strike Crescent City, a vulnerable coastal town about 20 miles south of the Oregon border, shortly before midnight Pacific time. Residents in the warning zone were urged to move inland and avoid coastal areas, as powerful currents and flooding are likely.Crescent City, home to fewer than 7,000 residents, has a long and tragic history with tsunamis, having been hit 32 times since 1933, including a devastating 1964 event that killed 11 people and destroyed nearly 30 city blocks. Emergency officials began evacuating the town's commercial fishing fleet on Tuesday evening, according to Lori Dengler, emeritus professor of geology at Cal Poly Humboldt.The rest of the U.S. West Coast remains under a tsunami advisory, meaning dangerous surf, strong currents, and minor coastal flooding are possible but widespread inundation is not expected. In San Francisco, waves are forecast to reach around 1 foot, but riptides and strong currents could still pose risks, said Mary Ellen Carroll, head of the city's emergency management department.Authorities continue to monitor the situation as tsunami impacts could persist for hours or days following the quake, which sent alerts across the Pacific from Japan and Hawaii to Peru and Mexico. Tsunami Warning Live Updates: Millions of people across the Pacific region — from Tokyo to Hawaii, and California to New Zealand — are on high alert following a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia's far eastern coast that has triggered tsunami warnings across multiple continents, reports the BBC.The earthquake struck at 11:25 local time near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, causing flooding, minor injuries, and setting off fears of a prolonged tsunami event. Tsunami waves of 40 cm (16 inches) have already reached northern Japan, and more powerful surges are expected across the region.Japan has ordered the evacuation of 1.9 million residents from coastal areas, warning that tsunami waves may continue for more than 24 hours. Evacuation orders and port closures are also in effect in Hawaii, where tsunami waves are expected to arrive imminently.In the U.S., California officials have asked people to avoid beaches and coastal areas, citing potential hazardous wave activity. The U.S. Coast Guard has shut ports in Hawaii and is coordinating emergency response.Tsunami alerts have also been issued in China, the Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, Peru, Mexico, and other Pacific nations, underscoring the vast reach of this seismic event.The BBC notes that while some early tsunami waves may appear small, the threat remains ongoing due to the nature of these events. 'A tsunami is not just one wave,' officials warned. 'It can involve a series of surges over many hours.'As Pacific nations brace for potential disaster, authorities are urging residents to follow local alerts, move to higher ground if instructed, and stay away from coastal areas until further notice. Tsunami in Russia, Japan Live: A power grid was damaged in Russia's Sakhalin as result of quake, according to RIA news agency.Authorities in the Russian far eastern region declared on Wednesday a state of emergency in the northern Kuril Islands, where tsunami waves have damaged buildings and caused flooding."A state of emergency has been declared in the North Kuril District, where an earthquake and tsunami occurred today," the Sakhalin government said in a statement. RIA reports citing regional governor The mayor of Russia's northern Kuril islands district said Wednesday that "everyone" there had evacuated to safety following a tsunami which caused flooding and swept away buildings."Everyone was evacuated. There was enough time, a whole hour. So everyone was evacuated, all the people are in the tsunami safety zone," Mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov said at a crisis meeting with officials.(reports AFP) Travel across the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii is being disrupted as tsunami warnings ripple across the Pacific following a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula.Multiple flights headed for Honolulu were diverted mid-air, while others faced delays and cancellations, according to data from FlightRadar24. Flights departing late Tuesday from Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Vancouver turned back toward their origin airports as tsunami alerts spread.Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines have begun holding departures bound for the islands, rerouting some flights already in the air, and advising passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.The U.S. Coast Guard has shut down ports in Hawaii, and emergency response efforts are ramping up as officials warn that tsunami effects could continue for hours or even longer.(reports CNN) Authorities in Russia's far eastern Sakhalin region declared on Wednesday a state of emergency in the northern Kuril Islands, where tsunami waves have damaged buildings and caused flooding."A state of emergency has been declared in the North Kuril District, where an earthquake and tsunami occurred today," the Sakhalin government said in a statement.(reports Reuters) Thirty additional tremors were recorded following the main earthquake off the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's Far East on Wednesday, a regional branch of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences said.The tremors had a magnitude of between 2 and 5, the Service said in a post on the Telegram messaging app.(reports Reuters) Hawaii has closed all major ports and placed National Guard troops on standby as the Pacific braces for tsunami waves triggered by the massive 8.8 earthquake off Russia. Medical helicopters are already deployed, with air and ground units ready to assist across all counties.(reports CNN) Dave Snider, tsunami warning coordinator with the National Tsunami Warning Center in Alaska, said Tuesday evening he had not heard of any specific reports of damage from the tsunami generated by the 8.8-magnitued earthquake.Forecasted maximum tsunami heights ranged from less than 1 foot to about 5 feet (less than 30 centimeters to 1.5 meters) across parts of Alaska, Oregon, Washington and California, with higher levels projected in isolated areas.The center said some places could still be feeling impacts from the tsunami for hours or perhaps more than a day.'A tsunami is not just one wave,' Snider said. 'It's a series of powerful waves over a long period of time. Tsunamis cross the ocean at hundreds of miles an hour — as fast as a jet airplane — in deep water. But when they get close to the shore, they slow down and start to pile up. And that's where that inundation problem becomes a little bit more possible there.'(reports AP)
- China's tsunami warning centre Tsunami in Russia, Japan Live: The colossal 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka coast is tied for the sixth most powerful quake ever recorded, according to the USGS. Officials warn of extensive damage, tsunami risks, and potential economic losses running into tens of billions of dollars.(reports NYT)
- US President Donald Trump Mexico's Navy says waves between 30 to 100 centimeters (1 to 3.3 feet) are expected on the Mexican Pacific coast after the tsunami set off by the 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Russia's Far East.In a report, the Navy's tsunami warning center said the waves will begin to reach the northern coast in Ensenada, near California, at around 2:22 a.m. Wednesday central time in Mexico, and it will continue south along the Pacific coast until it reaches the Chiapas states around 7:15 a.m. local time.(reports AP) The province's emergency preparedness agency said waves of less than 30 centimeters (less than 1 foot) were expected to reach Tofino around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday local time. A tsunami advisory spans much of British Columbia's coast and the agency said 'multiple waves over time' were expected. The waves are expected to first reach remote Langara Island around 10:05 p.m.(reports AP) The Consulate General of India in San Francisco is monitoring the potential tsunami threat following the recent 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Indian nationals in California, other US West Coast states, and Hawaii are advised to take the following steps:Follow Local Alerts: Carefully monitor alerts from US authorities, including local emergency management and the US Tsunami Warning Centres-Move to higher ground if a tsunami alert is issued-Avoid coastal areas.-Prepare for emergency & keep devices charged.The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has also issued a helpline number: +1-415-483-6629 Gov. Josh Green of Hawaii declared an emergency on Tuesday ahead of a tsunami that was expected to reach the state within hours, after a rare 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's eastern coast.Sirens and cellphone alerts blared across Hawaii's islands on Tuesday afternoon. The first wave was expected to arrive at 7:10 p.m. local time, the state's emergency authorities said.Green said on social media that emergency operations centers had been fully activated, and he urged residents to take the situation seriously."If you are in a coastal area, move inland and to higher ground immediately. Do not wait," he said.On Hawaii's Big Island, a cruise ship docked in Kailua-Kona harbor summoned its passengers back to the boat with a siren. Police officers warned tourists at food trucks to leave.Many people on Oahu, where Honolulu is situated, did not wait for official advice to seek higher ground, and traffic was dense along mountain roads.Among the early evacuees was Jaqueline Mylroie, who owns a general store in Puakō, a coastal community on the Big Island, and was trying to find shelter in Waimea, which is on higher ground. Some of her neighbors in Puakō had not left yet, Mylroie said.The earthquake, about 78 miles east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, took place at 7:24 p.m. Eastern time Tuesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It could be the sixth-strongest earthquake ever recorded, according to the Geological Survey, whose seismologists often revise the magnitude of earthquakes as they gather more data.Tsunami warnings were also issued for Japan's Pacific coast and two eastern regions of Russia, and watches and advisories were in effect along the West Coast of the United States and as far away as Chile. The National Weather Service warned people in California to stay away from beaches and waterways.(reports the New York Times) The first visuals of the tsunami sparked by a massive undersea earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula emerged on Wednesday, showing buildings along the coastline underwater and seawater flooding roads. The video, quickly shared across social media, came just hours after the 8.8 magnitude quake hit near the Russian coast. Read more
Tsunami in Russia, Japan Live: Japan's Fire an Disaster Management Agency said so far no injuries or damage have been reported.The agency, in response to the tsunami alert, issued an evacuation advisory to more than 900,000 residents in 133 municipalities along Japan's Pacific coast, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. The number of people who actually took shelter was not available. A massive earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula early Wednesday, prompting a tsunami warning across parts of the Pacific. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the quake occurred at approximately 23:24 GMT on Tuesday, with its epicenter located about 125 km southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a major city in the far eastern region of Russia. Read more
Tsunami in Russia, Japan Live: The quake hit at 8:25 a.m. Japan time, with a depth of just 20.7 km — shallow enough to trigger massive surface shaking and tsunamis. Multiple aftershocks followed, one as strong as 6.9, making the situation still volatile. Tsunami in Russia, Japan Live: Japan halted ferries, suspended some trains, and evacuated workers at the Fukushima plant to higher ground. Hawaii sounded tsunami sirens and told residents to act fast. New Zealand and the Philippines issued coastal alerts and told people to stay out of the water. In Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, buildings cracked, power lines went down, phones stopped working — but no major casualties so far. Locals fled to high ground as sirens wailed. Officials are warning of aftershocks lasting a month. Russia, Japan Tsunami Alert Live: The earthquake struck off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, with the epicenter located about 119 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of 180,000 people. It hit early Wednesday local time and is being called the strongest quake in the region since 1952.
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News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Teachers, Doctors, Even Retirees: Why China Won't Let Its Public Workers Travel Abroad
Last Updated: A sweeping crackdown is forcing Chinese public employees to surrender passports, seek layered approvals, and avoid foreign contact, even for personal trips A report by The New York Times revealed that China has significantly expanded restrictions on overseas travel for public sector employees. These rules now apply not only to senior government officials, but also to frontline teachers, hospital workers, civil servants, and even retirees. The new policies require many public employees to surrender their passports to their employers and obtain formal approval for any foreign trip, including personal travel. In several cities, foreign vacations have been banned entirely. Employees across sectors have described receiving internal communications warning them that failure to comply could lead to disciplinary action or even dismissal. In one documented case, a literature teacher at a public school in southern China found a clause in her employment contract stating that unauthorised foreign travel could result in termination. The controls are not limited to teachers. A nurse interviewed by NYT said she would need four levels of administrative approval to obtain permission to travel abroad. Retired government employees in some cities are being told they must wait as long as two years before they can reclaim their passports. Who Is Being Affected By The Travel Ban? Shanghai is one of the only exceptions where such applicants are still permitted to apply. But even there, candidates with a spouse or close relative living abroad may be deemed ineligible for law enforcement roles. In addition to passport controls, employees in some areas have been instructed to avoid speaking with foreign media while overseas, and to report any contact with foreign organisations, particularly those labelled 'anti-China forces", to Chinese embassies. In some institutions, workers have been ordered to disclose all past international travel, in some cases dating back to 2018. Why Is China Cracking Down On Public Workers' Travel? The travel restrictions are part of a wider shift under Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has steadily expanded the Chinese Communist Party's control over not just policy, but the everyday behaviour and thinking of public employees. Beijing has offered three main justifications for the new rules: national security, political discipline, and cost control. The national security angle has gained prominence in recent years as China's relations with the West have deteriorated. The government has warned of increasing risks from 'hostile foreign forces" — a term often used to describe Western governments, NGOs, and media outlets that Beijing sees as attempting to interfere in Chinese domestic affairs. In 2023, China's Ministry of State Security publicly accused a Chinese national in Italy of spying for the CIA. Around the same time, Beijing passed amendments to its counter-espionage law, broadening the definition of spying and effectively giving authorities more power to monitor foreign interactions. But the crackdown is also about ideological control. Xi has repeatedly stressed the importance of political loyalty within the civil service. In July 2025, the People's Daily, the Communist Party's flagship newspaper, declared that 'people-to-people diplomacy exists because of the Party and must be led by the Party." The statement underlined a growing fear in Beijing that unsupervised contact with the outside world, even for a teacher or a nurse, might lead to ideological drift or unapproved narratives about China. The third reason is fiscal discipline. In May 2023, the Chinese government issued orders to cut 'wasteful and unnecessary" spending. According to a report by Firstpost, Official notices singled out travel, alcohol, receptions, flowers, and office luxuries. Senior Party leaders, including Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi, urged cadres to stop 'extravagant eating and drinking." The Party's long-running anti-corruption campaign has now been expanded to include personal travel by public employees, even if those trips are self-funded. By limiting exposure to foreign countries and cultures, the leadership hopes to insulate its officials from ideas or influences that might challenge the Party line, even indirectly. For Xi, it's about ensuring that every government employee, no matter how junior, stays tightly aligned with the official narrative, at home and abroad. How Are These Rules Being Enforced Across China? The implementation of the policy has varied by province and department, but the trend is clear: mobility is being tightly monitored and increasingly restricted. Public employees are being asked to submit written requests for travel abroad, provide detailed justifications, and seek clearance from multiple levels of management. In many cities, passport surrender is mandatory and indefinite. Some institutions have introduced formal questionnaires requiring workers to disclose whether any relatives hold foreign citizenship or permanent residency abroad. In certain local governments, employees are required to undergo ideological education or security briefings before travel is approved. Applicants to government jobs are facing stricter vetting as well. Individuals with any history of foreign education or professional experience overseas are being screened out during recruitment, especially in provinces outside Shanghai. In some regions, even short-term academic exposure to foreign countries has become a disqualifier. Has China Done This Before? This is not the first time China has placed foreign travel under scrutiny. In October 2023, Reuters reported that civil servants and state-linked enterprise employees were facing tighter constraints on personal overseas travel. The restrictions included bans on foreign trips, shorter allowable durations abroad, and more complex approval processes. Some workers were allowed to travel only once per year, and only for up to 12 days. Others had to attend pre-departure confidentiality training. Public announcements by government entities such as the national pension fund confirmed the tightening of travel rules. In some cities, employees were also asked to submit details of foreign relatives and previous international trips. The Reuters report described a growing push by Chinese authorities to monitor the foreign ties of its workforce and track any exposure to overseas influence, particularly as China's relations with Western countries grew more strained. top videos View all How Are Workers Responding To The Clampdown? There has been no visible public pushback, but discontent is simmering. Workers interviewed by NYT described feeling trapped and confused, especially given the contradiction between China's public push for foreign investment and tourism, and the internal message that its own citizens, particularly public employees, must stay put. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Chinese government public sector Xi Jinping view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 05, 2025, 11:34 IST News explainers Teachers, Doctors, Even Retirees: Why China Won't Let Its Public Workers Travel Abroad Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Pay to stay? US may ask tourists for $15,000 bond – What it means? Should you be worried?
US President Donald Trump administration has unveiled a new 12-month pilot program that could require foreign visitors applying for B‑1/B‑2 tourist or business visas to post a bond of up to $15,000, in an effort to curb visa overstays and improve vetting standards. "Aliens applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure (B-1/B-2) and who are nationals of countries identified by the Department as having high visa overstay rates, where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient, or offering Citizenship by Investment, if the alien obtained citizenship with no residency requirement, may be subject to the pilot program," the US department said in a Federal Register notice on Monday. "Consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance, as determined by the consular officers," the notice added. The Department said it will roll out the new 12-month visa bond pilot program, starting August 20 and it will remain in effect for one year from the date. What Indian travelers should know While the program hasn't yet named target countries, India's existing history of visa violations, particularly in overstay and screening lapses, could raise the risk of being included. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pierce Brosnan's Wife Lost 120 Pounds - This Is Her Now Undo According to a public notice posted on the Federal Register's website, the program will require certain applicants for B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visas, typically used for tourism or short-term business trips, to post refundable bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. Eligible travelers include nationals from countries with high visa overstay rates, insufficient screening procedures, or offering 'Citizenship by Investment' programs without residency requirements. The pilot program gives consular officers the discretion to determine bond amounts 'sufficient enough to ensure the alien does not overstay,' while also factoring in the applicant's individual circumstances. "The funds will be returned to travelers if they depart in accordance with the terms of their visas," the notice stated, emphasising that the bond is fully refundable upon compliance. While the notice did not name the countries included, it clarified that the list of covered nations will be announced at least 15 days before the program takes effect and could be updated throughout its duration. These will include countries with "high visa overstay rates," and "deficient screening and vetting information," or those offering citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs where citizenship is granted without any residency requirements. The State Department said the pilot is not just about enforcement, but also intended as a "tool of diplomacy", encouraging foreign governments to tighten their internal security systems. "The pilot program is further designed to serve as a diplomatic tool to encourage foreign governments to take all appropriate actions to ensure robust screening and vetting for all citizens in matters of identity verification and public safety... and to encourage specified countries with visa overstays to ensure their nationals timely depart the United States after making temporary visits," it added. Quoting data from the Department of Homeland Security, the document noted that in fiscal year 2023, the US recorded over 500,000 suspected in-country overstays, individuals who remained beyond their authorized period of stay. This comes as tough immigration policies under Donald Trump continue to impact travel to the United States, with some international visitors opting to skip US trips altogether. Adding to traveler concerns, a new provision passed in July by the Republican-led US Congress introduces a $250 "visa integrity fee" for all approved non-immigrant visa applicants. It will take effect from October 1. US visa bond pilot program: Key FAQs 1. Who it affects Applies to applicants from certain high-risk countries. Applies to B-1/B-2 visas (business/tourist). Designed to reduce visa overstays and ensure travelers return home on time. 2. How the process works A. Visa application Apply as usual through the US embassy/consulate Pay regular visa fees and attend an interview A consular officer will determine if the applicant falls within the scope of the Pilot Program. B. Bond requirement During interview, if you're selected under the pilot, the officer may require a bond: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 Visa will be denied temporarily (under INA 221(g)) until bond is posted. C. Paying the bond You'll receive a link by email to submit Form I-352 and pay the bond. Anyone can post the bond (you or a sponsor). Bond rules apply until you leave the US. 3. Getting the visa: Once bond is posted and you're approved: Visa issued is valid for a single entry. Must enter within 3 months of visa issue. Visa will show a special note saying bond has been posted. 4. Entry rules Entry allowed only through specific ports of entry (to be announced). Stay in the US limited to 30 days by CBP officers at the airport. 5. Bond refund (cancellation): You'll get your money back if, You leave the US on time. You don't use the visa at all. You are denied entry at the airport by CBP. No interest is paid on refunded bonds. You can also request manual bond cancellation: 6. What if you overstay Bond is forfeited if you break visa rules (e.g., overstay or work illegally). DHS will decide final bond breach after a review.
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Business Standard
4 hours ago
- Business Standard
$15,000 visa bond: US tightens rules for visitors from overstay countries
Soon, visitors to the US could be asked to pay bonds of up to $15,000. Starting August 20, 2025, the United States could start requiring bonds of up to $15,000 (Rs 13 lakh) for certain tourist and business visa applicants. The move is part of a pilot programme to discourage visitors from overstaying their visas, according to a government notice seen by Business Standard on Monday. Under this programme, US consular officers will be given the authority to impose bonds on visitors from countries with high rates of visa overstays or where screening and vetting information is considered inadequate. Which visas are affected and who decides? The programme applies to B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas. Consular officers will have discretion to impose bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, but the default expectation is $10,000, the notice said. These funds will be refunded if the traveller leaves the US within the permitted time. This initiative is linked to Executive Order 14159, 'Protecting The American People Against Invasion,' which directs the Departments of Treasury, State, and Homeland Security to establish a bond administration system under the Immigration and Nationality Act. A spokesperson for the State Department said countries will be identified based on 'high overstay rates, screening and vetting deficiencies, concerns regarding acquisition of citizenship by investment without a residency requirement, and foreign policy considerations.' The countries likely to be impacted While no formal list has been published yet, the notice mentioned that countries with high visa overstay rates, particularly in Africa and Asia, are under scrutiny. Nations previously targeted by Trump's travel ban—including Chad, Eritrea, Haiti, Myanmar, and Yemen—are also likely candidates. Customs and Border Protection data for fiscal year 2023 showed that countries like Burundi, Djibouti, and Togo recorded high overstay rates. Additionally, 12,882 Indian nationals on leisure or business trips overstayed their visas in 2023, as per the US Entry/Exit Overstay Report. When does the programme start and how long will it run? The pilot programme will go into effect on August 20 and is expected to run for about a year. A similar attempt was made in November 2020 during the final months of Trump's first term but was never fully rolled out due to pandemic-related travel disruptions. Trump's immigration crackdown continues Former US President Donald Trump has consistently focused on tightening immigration controls. He issued a travel ban in June that restricted entry for citizens of 19 countries on national security grounds. These actions have already impacted travel trends—transatlantic airfares in May dropped to pre-pandemic levels, while travel from Canada and Mexico to the US fell 20% year-on-year. $250 visa integrity fee adds another layer Alongside the visa bond pilot, a $250 'visa integrity fee' will be introduced on October 1. This fee, passed as part of a spending package in July, will be charged to all non-immigrant visa applicants once their visa is approved. The U.S. Travel Association has voiced concerns, saying, 'If implemented, the U.S. will have one of, if not the highest, visitor visa fees in the world.' The group estimates that around 2,000 applicants from a handful of countries with low travel volume to the US will be affected by the bond programme. Key points to note • Bond amounts will be $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 per applicant, with $10,000 as the norm • effective August 20, for a duration of one year • bonds apply to B-1/B-2 visa holders from countries with high overstay rates or insufficient vetting • $250 visa integrity fee will be mandatory from October 1 for all non-immigrant visa applicants • bonds will be refunded if visitors comply with visa departure rules • around 12,882 Indian visitors overstayed in the US in 2023
