Blog

In a recent development that’s sending ripples across Indian applicants eyeing US visas, the United States has rolled out a fresh restriction: if you’re applying for a visa from the US, you now likely have to go back to your home country to apply. The change undermines flexibility and complicates what was already a soul-testing process.   What’s Changed, Exactly? No More Applying Abroad: As it stands, most visa applicants can’t use third countries (e.g. while on study/work/travel visas elsewhere) for visa interviews. You’ll have to return to India (or your country of citizenship) for processing. Exceptions Are Few & Far Between:...

If you’re an international student aiming for study in the U.S., there are important changes proposed that could affect your plans. As your visa/immigration counsel, VKM is keeping a close eye on these developments. Here’s a breakdown — and how to navigate them. What’s Changing Fixed Maximum Duration The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed replacing the existing “Duration of Status” rule for F-1 student visas with a fixed 4-year cap. That means, under the new regulation, your visa would expire after four years, no matter how long your program is supposed to take. End of “Flexible Stay Until...

When a U.S. citizen wants to sponsor a close family member for a green card, the typical route is filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). But in certain urgent and exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to file the petition directly at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad — including in India. This path can sometimes save valuable time, but it’s important to know who qualifies, what counts as exceptional, and how the process works.   Who Can File at the Embassy? This option is available only to U.S. citizens (not permanent residents). And it applies...