Latest news with #Consulate
Skift
25-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
What Your International Attendees Need to Know to Enter the U.S.
U.S. entry requirements vary by country and can be confusing. We break it down for you. The two most important things to remember when bringing international attendees into the U.S. for an event are: 1. to start early and 2. to carefully explain the process to avoid any confusion. B-1/B-2 Visas A B-1/B-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to travel to the United States temporarily for business (B-1), tourism (B-2), or a mix of both (B-1/B-2). Many meeting attendees coming from afar choose to spend some time traveling on their own before or after the meeting, so the B-1/B-2 visa is common, while attendees who are planning only to attend the meeting would choose a B-1 visa. This can be confusing because a B-2 visa is adequate for those attending a conference, but only if it is related to a personal interest, such as events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations, or enrollment in a short recreational course of study that's not for credit toward a degree. More information is available on the U.S. Department of State website. The visa process involves submitting documents that show the purpose of the trip and financial proof that the attendee can return to his or her home country. Visa applications and step-by-step instructions are available on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website. Attendees will need to fill out the online visa application, Form DS-160, which requires uploading a photo, then print the application form confirmation page to bring to the interview. An in-person interview is the next step required for visa applicants; attendees should generally schedule an appointment for their visa interviews at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where they live. Appointment wait times are based on workload and staffing and can vary. A list of wait times by country can be found on the U.S. Department of State website. The cost for a visa is $185, and B visas are typically valid for up to 10 years from the issue date. Letter of Invitation Planners are required to create a letter of invitation for international attendees to bring with them to their visa appointment as proof that they have been invited to the conference. It's important that the letter includes: conference details — name, date, and location organizer information — name, affiliation, and contact details invited participant information — name, affiliation, and contact details. One way to learn more about invitation letters is to research those written by other organizations for their international conferences, which are often available right on their websites for attendees to download. Visa Waiver Program The Visa Waiver Programm, administered by the Department of Homeland Security, enables citizens or nationals of 40 countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa. Attendees should submit their ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) applications, which include biographical information and eligibility questions, as soon as they start planning their travel. They must have an e-Passport with an embedded electronic chip to apply for the Visa Waiver Program. It's important to note that the final determination of whether a traveler is allowed into the country is ultimately made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers upon arrival. What is the New Visa Integrity Fee? A new $250 'integrity fee' (adjusted annually for inflation) will start in fiscal year 2026, which begins October 1. The fee will apply to all non-immigrant visa holders, including meeting-goers. People from the more than 40 Visa Waiver Program countries and Canada are not subject to the visa integrity fee. Travelers are eligible for reimbursement after the visa expires, as long as they don't overstay the visa expiration date by more than five days or engage in unauthorized work. Details about how to apply for reimbursement are forthcoming.
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Business Standard
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Nasscom launches US CEO Forum to boost India-US tech collaboration
Industry body Nasscom has launched a special forum to deepen India-US technology collaboration and provide a platform to reinforce the bilateral tech corridor as a foundation for global digital transformation and inclusive economic growth. The Nasscom US CEO Forum was launched at the Consulate General of India in New York last week. Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar has been named Chair of the Forum, while Amit Chadha, CEO and Managing Director of L&T Technology Services, will serve as Co-Chair. Conceived as a premier leadership platform, the Nasscom US CEO Forum aims to advance the technology and innovation partnership between India and the United States, one of the world's most forward-looking bilateral relationships, the industry body said in a statement. The forum will bring together leading Indian tech CEOs and key US stakeholders to drive strategic dialogue across innovation, enterprise, policy, and talent development. A major milestone for the IndiaUS tech corridor! the Indian Consulate said in a post on X on the launch of the forum which is a strategic platform to strengthen cross-border technology collaboration reaffirming India's position as a trusted technology & innovation partner. Consul General of India in New York Binaya Pradhan said in a statement that the creation of the platform is timely, and it has potential to act as a force multiplier for India-US tech partnership and the future of innovation, talent, and global leadership. Nasscom President Rajesh Nambiar said the US CEO Forum brings together industry leaders to foster meaningful collaboration, align with key stakeholders, and explore new frontiers in innovation, talent, and investment. As both nations look to shape a future driven by technology and shared values, the Forum aims to strengthen connections that generate lasting impact across economies, communities, and global markets, Nambiar said. The Nasscom statement added that through strategic dialogue, policy engagement, and thought leadership, the forum advances the broader vision of deepening bilateral trade, as outlined in the Mission $500 Billion by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump. The initiative aims to more than double total bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. "The US CEO Forum will serve as a sustained engagement platform to reinforce the IndiaUS tech corridor as a foundation for global digital transformation and inclusive economic growth," the statement said. Addressing the forum's launch at the Consulate, New York City Mayor Eric Adams reaffirmed NYC's commitment to strengthening ties with India's thriving innovation ecosystem, the Consulate's post on X said. The newly formed forum's chair Kumar noted that we are at the cusp of a new tech era driven by AI and deep tech, and this Forum will act as a vital bridge to navigate that transformation and unlock shared opportunities. Addressing the event, Deputy Commissioner for the Mayor's Office of International Affairs Dilip Chauhan said India's tech community continues to play an important role in driving global innovation. "Many of your companies are not only dealing in digital transformation but also creating jobs and investing significantly in the US, especially in New York City, Chauhan said. The forum will also focus on advancing the IndiaUS tech partnership from collaboration to co-creation, unlocking the transformative potential of AI, semiconductors, clean tech, and future skills. It will explore how cross-border partnerships can build resilient, secure, and innovation-led digital ecosystems. The launch brought together leaders from tech, policy, and industry to advance the IndiaUS technology partnership.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- The Hindu
Mid-air crash in Canada: Student pilot from India among two killed
'An Indian student pilot was killed in a mid-air crash in Manitoba province of Canada,' according to the Consulate General of India in Toronto. The Indian pilot, identified as Sreehari Sukesh, was killed when his single-engine plane collided mid-air with another similar aircraft piloted by a Canadian youth, who was also killed in the accident on Tuesday (July 8, 2025.) The Consulate General of India on Wednesday (July 9, 2025) said it was 'in contact with the bereaved family, the pilot training school and local police to provide all necessary assistance. The bodies of the two student pilots were recovered in the wreckage of their single-engine planes after both crashed mid-air on Tuesday morning (July 8, 2025) near Steinbach, roughly 50 km southeast of Winnipeg,' a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) news report said. 'The students collided when approaching a landing strip while practising takeoffs and landings,' the CBC report said, quoting Adam Penner, president of Harv's Air, the flying school where both pilots had been training. The Transportation Safety Board, the agency responsible for investigating aviation incidents in Canada, said it is gathering information and assessing the fatal crash. Sreehari Sukesh's age was not mentioned. The CBC said the Canadian victim was 20-year-old Savanna May Royes, who, it said, 'had always dreamed of becoming a pilot, following in the footsteps of her father.' A Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) statement said after its Steinbach unit was notified of the mid-air collision, the personnel from the RCMP, fire department and Emergency medical services attended and located the wreckage of two small, single-engine aircraft, south of Steinbach. 'The two pilots were pronounced deceased on scene. There were no passengers aboard,' it said. Nathaniel Plett, who lives near the flight school, told CBC News that he and his wife heard a loud bang on Tuesday morning (July 8, 2025). 'I said to my wife, 'That's a plane crash',' Mr. Plett said. 'There was a pillar of black smoke coming up, and a little later [we] heard another bang, and there was an even bigger pop of black smoke.'
BBC News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
New US visa policy go give Nigerians single entry visa for just three months
United States Department of State don announce new update to dia reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, wey go affect many kontris including Nigeria. Di new change to di US Visa Reciprocity Policy for Nigeria, wey go begin wit immediate effect, go affect non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas. From now, any Nigeria citizen wey wan apply for visa go only get single entry wey go last for just three months. Inside statement wey di US Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria post for dia website on Tuesday, dem say all non-immigrant visas wey dem bin issue before 8 July 2025 go retain dia status and validity. Di move na based on US reciprocity principle to match evri visa terms wey kontris set for dia kontri pipo wen dem apply for visa. Di embassy say visa reciprocity na di standard for di world, and na continuous process and diafore dis decision dey subject to review and change anytime. As part of visa reciprocity policy, kontris fit to increase or reduce permitted entries and duration of validity. We dey update dis tori...
India Today
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Vijay Deverakonda, Rashmika Mandanna to lead largest India Day parade in New York
Actors Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna have been announced as the Grand Marshals, who will lead this year's world's largest India Day parade in New York in August. They will take part in the events on August 15 and walk the Madison Avenue route on August 17. This will be their first joint appearance in several years amid their relationship Friday, the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) launched the countdown to the 43rd India Day Parade in New York. An event was conducted in the city began with a tribute to the victims in the Pahalgam terror attack and the Ahemedabad plane association announced that Vijay and Rashmika will be leading this year's parade. A video with their pre-recorded messages confirming their presence at the event was played at the event, held at the Consulate General of India in New York. Wishing everyone a happy 78th Independence Day in advance, Vijay Deverakonda, in his video message, said, "I am honoured and excited to be the grand marshal at the India Day parade happening on August 17 in New York City. I will also be part of the festivities organised on August 15. I am looking forward to celebrating this day with all of you and pay tributes to our motherland." advertisementRashmika Mandanna greeted her fans in multiple languages in the video and said, "I am honoured and excited to be the grand marshal at the largest India Day parade happening on August 17 in New York City. Let's come together to celebrate this festival with pride and pray tribute to our motherland."The two began their video message with the phrase, 'Sarve Bhavanthu Sukina' and ended with 'Jai Hind'.Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda have been making headlines after reports of their relationship surfaced. Recently, the couple, who are known to avoid joint appearances in public, were seen at the Mumbai presence at the India Day Parade will mark their first joint public appearance in several years.- EndsMust Watch
