Latest news with #SurbhiGloriaSingh
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Canada study visa: Indian students must show Rs 14 lakh for living expenses
Canada will raise the minimum funds international students must show for living expenses to ₹14 lakh from September 1, 2025, affecting new study permit applicants Surbhi Gloria Singh New Delhi Indian students planning to study in Canada will soon need to show more money in their bank accounts. Starting September 1, 2025, those applying for a Canadian study permit must demonstrate access to at least CAN $22,895 (₹14 lakh) for living expenses, up from the current CAN $20,635. The new rule was announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on June 2, 2025, and will apply to all international students heading to provinces and territories outside Quebec. The amount is in addition to the first year's tuition fee and travel expenses. The revised amount reflects an annual update in line with the cost of living. Students bringing family members with them will also need to show increased funds. 1 person: CAN $22,895 2 people: CAN $28,502 3 people: CAN $35,040 4 people: CAN $42,543 5 people: CAN $48,252 6 people: CAN $54,420 7 people: CAN $60,589 Each additional family member: CAN $6,170 This requirement applies only to study permit applications submitted on or after September 1, 2025. The current amount—CAN $20,635—will remain in effect for all applications submitted before that date. What counts as proof of funds? IRCC accepts a variety of financial documents to demonstrate that a student can support themselves in Canada. These include: • A Canadian bank account in the student's name (if funds have already been transferred) • A Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution • Proof of a student or education loan from a recognised bank • Bank statements for the past four months • A bank draft convertible to Canadian dollars • A letter from the person or school funding the student • Proof of funding from within Canada (such as a scholarship or paid educational programme) These documents help assess whether a student can afford the cost of living while studying in Canada. For those applying with dependents (like spouses or children) the total proof of funds must include their living costs as well.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Bank holidays in July 2025: Here's the national and state-wise list
Banks will be closed for 13 days in July 2025 across India. Check the full state-wise holiday list and plan your in-branch visits accordingly Surbhi Gloria Singh New Delhi Bank holidays in July 2025: Planning to visit your bank in July? You might want to double-check the dates. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), banks across India will remain shut for 13 days this month due to a mix of weekend closures and state-specific public holidays. As per RBI's classification, bank holidays fall under three categories: those under the Negotiable Instruments Act, banks' closing of accounts, and Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) holidays. While branches may shut on select days, digital banking channels remain unaffected. Bank holidays in July 2025 July's 13-day closure includes Sundays, the second and fourth Saturdays, and public holidays in certain cities. Here's a state-wise breakdown: July 3 (Thursday): Kharchi Puja – Agartala July 6 (Sunday): Weekly off – Nationwide July 12 (Saturday): Second Saturday – Nationwide July 13 (Sunday): Weekly off – Nationwide July 14 (Monday): Beh Deinkhlam – Shillong July 16 (Wednesday): Harela – Dehradun July 17 (Thursday): Death Anniversary of U Tirot Singh – Shillong July 19 (Saturday): Ker Puja – Agartala July 20 (Sunday): Weekly off – Nationwide July 26 (Saturday): Fourth Saturday – Nationwide July 27 (Sunday): Weekly off – Nationwide July 28 (Monday): Drukpa Tshe-zi – Gangtok What will continue to work While physical bank counters may be closed on these days, most essential services are still accessible online. Customers can continue to use: • Internet and mobile banking for balance checks, bill payments and fund transfers • ATM withdrawals and card-based transactions • NEFT and RTGS transfers (based on availability windows) • Online service requests such as cheque books and demand drafts 'For those planning in-branch transactions, it's best to schedule around the holiday calendar and rely on online channels when needed,' said a senior public sector bank official. RBI's holiday classification The RBI groups holidays for banks into the following categories: RTGS holiday: RTGS transfers are available 24x7 all year round. Funds are credited in real time, and the service remains active even on weekends and public holidays. Closing of accounts holiday: These apply to the second and fourth Saturdays, all Sundays, and select holidays when branches close for administrative reasons. Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act: These are notified public holidays applicable to banks, insurance companies, and financial institutions, often based on state-level events. Though the list may appear long, for most customers, the availability of digital banking means they can carry out routine transactions without disruption.
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Business Standard
23-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
No US visa if your social media profile isn't public: Embassy warns Indians
Indian students applying for US F, M, or J visas must now make their social media profiles public for screening, the US embassy has said Surbhi Gloria Singh New Delhi Planning to study in the US? You'll now have to make your social media accounts public before your visa interview. The US embassy in India has said that all applicants for F, M, or J non-immigrant visas—including students and exchange visitors—must ensure their social media profiles are set to 'public' to enable background checks. 'Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media accounts to public to facilitate vetting necessary to establish their identity and admissibility to the United States under US law,' the embassy said in a post directed at student applicants on Monday. This follows the resumption of F-1 student visa processing after a brief suspension. But with the restart comes tighter scrutiny. Social media vetting already in place since 2019 The embassy said social media checks are not new, but the change now is that students must make those profiles publicly visible. 'Since 2019, the United States has required visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms. We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to US national security,' the post read. What Indian students should keep in mind Education experts say visa success increasingly depends on how consistent and transparent students are—both online and offline. 'A key reason behind the success of applicants is the authenticity of the application and the intent that they are able to communicate to the visa officers. Therefore, students are advised to be honest and clear about their academic background, journey and goals,' Piyush Kumar, regional director (South Asia, Canada and Latin America) at IDP Education told Business Standard. 'Consistency and transparency help establish credibility. Applicants must ensure that the visa application forms are filled out accurately and reflect the same information shared during the interview and on their social media platforms,' he added. What you should do Make all social media profiles public before applying for the F, M or J visa • Ensure your application, interview answers, and online activity match • Do not post anything that contradicts your stated reason for travelling • Keep academic and career intentions clear and factual across platforms The US embassy has reiterated that holding a visa is not a right and that visas can be revoked if a person is found to be in violation of the law, even after arrival.
