NRI News ( Page 1 of 23 )

Canada's study visa approvals for Indian students to drop by 50% in 2024 September 10, 2024 14:36

Indian students wishing to study in Canada face major challenges as study permit applications are expected to drop by nearly 50% this year. While student visa approvals are expected to return to recent levels in 2018 and 2019, the number of approvals has declined due to measures by the Canadian federal government to reduce the number of international students. This information comes from the ApplyBoard report. The Globe and Mail reported Tuesday. "In the first half of this year, the number of study permits issued in India has halved," the report said. This can be an indication of what the whole year will look like. ApplyBoard, a company that connects international students with universities and colleges around the world, reports that by the end of 2024, the number of new study permits will exceed 231,000, a sharp contrast to 436,000 in 2023. The number of study permit applications in Canada increased by 39% in 2024 compared to 2023. In 2022, of Canada's 5.5 million international students, 2.26 million are of Indian origin, and 3.2 million Indians remain in Canada on student visas and contribute to the economy as casual workers. The Canadian government's decision to increase financial requirements for international students and proposals to tighten immigration policies are putting off many potential students, said Meti Basiri, CEO and co-founder of ApplyBoard. “In recent months, Canada has not been seen as a host country for international students,” Pasiri said, according to The Globe and Mail. Germany and France. In December 2023, Immigration Minister Mark Miller introduced new financial requirements for students applying for a study permit. They should set the minimum amount at $20,635, replacing the $10,000 requirement that has been in place for two decades. This policy change is intended to slow the growth of international student numbers and address the rising cost of living in Canada. In January 2024, Mr. Miller announced a cap on international student growth over the next two years, which would result in a 35 percent decline in student numbers in 2024 compared to 2023. Canada's international student population is particularly dire. According to the Globe and Mail, study permits for Indian students halved in the first half of this year. If the current process continues, the government's target of approving 364,000 study permits in 2024 based on the cap of 606,000 applications will not be achieved, the applications committee report said. Taking into account factors such as about 20% of students applying for renewals each year, 97,000 approvals fell short of the target, resulting in a revised goal of 364,000 study permit approvals. The original target was 485,000 new international students in 2024. "This projected number of admissions is approximately 47 percent lower than the 436,000 new admissions approved in 2023," the report said, according to the Globe and Mail. In addition, applications for graduate programs such as master's and doctoral programs that do not fall under the state cap have also dropped significantly. From January to June 2024, only 114,000 study permits were approved, a decrease of 48 percent compared to the same period last year. The number of requests processed in the second quarter of 2024 (April to June) also fell by 54% compared to the previous year. IRCC spokesman Geoffrey MacDonald acknowledged that early indications suggest that the cap introduced in January has had an impact on the amount of study permits issued. “Early indications are that the cap announced on January 22, 2024 will impact study permit numbers,” MacDonald was quoted as saying by the Globe and Mail. He said: “Approvals and applications fell significantly in the first half of this year, but considering that the busiest times for processing study permits are in the summer and early autumn, it is still too early to fully assess the impact of this cap".

Four Indians Die In Road Accident September 04, 2024 15:56

In a devastating incident, four Indians were killed in a road accident on August 30th on Highway 75 in Anna, Texas. The victims died in an SUV by a speeding truck, which left the vehicle burnt into ashes. The four deceased were identified as Aryan Raghunath Orampati, his friend Farooq Shaik and Lokesh Palacharla, all three are from Hyderabad and one more Darshini Vasudevan is from Tamil Nadu. The accident took place on Friday afternoon at around 3:30 PM. The impact was severe, and the car caught on fire. The deceased were trapped inside the car and unable to come out. As per Texas media, four individuals were in a carpool connected via app and were heading to Bentonville. Aryan and Farooq were returning from a trip to Dallas, and the residents of Bentonville. Lokesh Palacharla was travelling to Bentonville to meet his wife and Darshini Vasudevan was on her way to visit her uncle. Darshini Vasudevan was a Master’s degree graduate from the University of Texas at Arlington. The identification of the victims also became difficult because they were burnt completely. Authorities depending on the carpooling app details identified the victims. After the incident, vehicles on highway 75 were standing still and the traffic was heavily slowed down. The speeding truck collided with the vehicle, leading to this fatal accident. Several Indians, who went to the USA for their education or for jobs, died in vehicular road accidents. Recently, three members of an Indian-origin family were killed in a car crash in Texas, Houston. Not only this, On May 14th three Indian students in Alpharetta, Georgia died in a road accident in a major car crash. The Indian diaspora has been left in shock, they are planning to send the bodies to India. But sadly the bodies were completely burnt.

Indians leaving Sweden in Record Numbers August 24, 2024 07:46

Many Indians migrate abroad in search of a better future. Traditionally, countries like the US, UK and Canada have been popular choices for Indian students and professionals looking for better opportunities. But in a surprising development, the European nation of Sweden has reversed this trend with more Indians emigrating abroad. Between January and June 2024, Sweden recorded a significant increase in the number of immigrants of Indian origin. With 2,837 departures compared to 1,046 departures in the same period last year, there was a significant increase of 171%. According to Swedish statistics, Indians are the largest immigrant group from Sweden, surpassing immigrants from Iraq, China and Syria. This decline could be influenced by current challenges such as layoffs in the technology sector and stricter work permit regulations. According to Swedish statistics, the population of Indians in Sweden was 58,094 in 2023. The change marks the first time since at least 1998 that Sweden recorded negative net migration of residents of Indian origin in the first half of this year. From 1998 to 2010, a total of 24,034 residence permits were issued to Indian nationals. Of these, 61.2% (14,705 people) were used for work, 25.8% (6,200 people) for school, 9.6% (2,307 people) for family renewal, 3.1% (747 people) for adoption and 0.3% (75 people). ) was done for humanitarian reasons. According to the European University Institute report. Robin Sukia, secretary general and CEO of the Sweden-India Business Council, cautioned against jumping to conclusions. We do not believe there is a single reason for this change as it is likely due to a variety of factors including the high cost of living, lack of serviced apartments and general accommodation issues. Sukia told Local Sweden. According to a local Swedish newspaper, despite this increase in immigration, Indians will still be one of the largest groups of new immigrants to Sweden in 2024, just behind Ukrainians. From January to June 2024, a total of 2,461 people born in India immigrated to Sweden, compared to 3,681 in the same period last year. Excluding the pandemic years 2020 and 2021, this is India's lowest immigration rate since 2017. The decline follows years of steady growth, fueled by strengthening diplomatic ties and Sweden's efforts to attract skilled workers to fill gaps in areas such as technology. However, recent challenges such as layoffs and stricter work permit regulations in the tech sector are affecting this trend. The number of work permits issued for highly skilled immigrants fell 20 percent in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, while the number of first-time work permits for Indian nationals fell by 30 percent. These trends reflect the changing challenges faced by Indians in Sweden and indicate possible changes in the country's migration dynamics.

Newly-wed Indian-origin man shot dead in front of wife in USA July 22, 2024 15:04

In the US state of Indiana, a 29-year-old Indian man was shot dead in front of his wife in a traffic accident. The victim was armed with a handgun in his van when he confronted the other driver, and the suspect, who was initially arrested at the scene, was later released, suggesting the two may have acted in "self-defense." According to police and media reports, the incident occurred last week, on July 16, at an intersection in Indianapolis. Police said the victim, Gavin Dasaur, was on his way home with his Mexican wife, Viviana Zamora. According to local news reports from WTHR, the man, who was from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, married on June 29, just two weeks before Zamora's death. The video shows Dasaur approaching the driver of the van, holding a gun in his right hand and banging on the door. He then moved his right hand to the window of the truck and transferred the gun to his left hand. In response, the pickup driver fired three shots and Dasaur immediately fell to the ground. During the brief seven-second encounter, the suspect never got out of the car. USA - An Indianapolis road rage incident has claimed the life of 29-year-old Gavin Dasaur. He approached another car and can be heard screaming "You want to play with me?" as he banged his gun against the door of the pickup truck of the man he was arguing with. Dasaur was… pic.twitter.com/GzT8z7ZKbX — The Many Faces of Death (@ManyFaces_Death) July 18, 2024 Officer Amanda Hibshman of the Indianapolis Police Department (IMPD) reported that just after 8 p.m. on July 16, authorities received a report of a gunshot victim at an intersection on the city's southeast side. Arriving officers reported seeing a man lying on the ground in the middle of the street with at least one gunshot wound. The shooting victim was identified by the man's wife. “I held him while he bled and waited for an ambulance,” the victim’s widow told the Indianapolis Star. According to IMPD, the shooting and the alleged road rage incident remain under investigation. While mourning her husband's death, Dasaur's wife condemned the shooting. “He was a hard-working man who wanted to give me and my family the world and always tried to help others,” she told local media.

Australia doubles student visa fees to curb Migration July 01, 2024 10:51

The Australian government has introduced a significant increase in the fees for international students, more than doubling the cost from AUD 710 ($473) to AUD 1,600 ($1,068). This new measure, implemented by the Anthony Albanese government, effective July 1, aims to curb the high influx of migrants that has put pressure on the housing market. The move is likely to affect Indian students, who make up the second-largest group of international students in Australia. Additionally, temporary visa holders, such as those on Temporary Graduate, Visitor, and Maritime Crew visas, will no longer be eligible to apply for a student visa while they are in the country. This change will impact thousands of Indian students currently residing in Australia. The Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Clare O'Neil, stated that "The changes coming into force today will help restore integrity to our international education system, and create a migration system which is fairer, smaller and better able to deliver for Australia." The Australian government's crackdown is intended to ensure that only genuine students are granted visas, thereby supporting the country's economic growth. The recent government data reveals a substantial influx of Indian students into Australian educational institutions. In 2022, over 100,000 Indian students were enrolled, and this number grew to 1.22 lakh during the January-September 2023 period. However, the increasing costs associated with obtaining an Australian student visa have made it significantly more expensive compared to options in the United States and Canada, where the fees are around $185 and CAD 150 ($110), respectively, as reported by Reuters. In response, the Australian government has announced measures to close loopholes in visa regulations that allowed foreign students to extend their stay repeatedly. This decision comes after observing a surge of over 30% in the number of students holding a second or subsequent student visa, reaching more than 150,000 in the 2022–23 academic year. Additionally, the government has raised the minimum savings requirement for student visas from AUD 24,505 ($16,146) to AUD 29,710 ($19,576).

Indian Man Shot Dead During Texas Robbery June 24, 2024 08:00

A 32-year-old Indian man was shot in a robbery incident that took place in USA in the state of Texas and the tragic indicent took place in a grocery store. Dasari Gopikrishna, a native of Andhra Pradesh's Bapatla district, arrived in America just eight months ago. The incident happened on June 21 at a gas station in Pleasant Grove, Dallas. The DC Consul General was in Dallas on Sunday for Yoga Day. Manjunath confirmed to PTI that the incident was not related to the Arkansas shooting. As various sources have already reported. Condolences to the Gopikrishna family, Mr. Manjunath said, “We are contacting the local family members after learning of the tragic death of Gopi Krishna Dasari of Indian origin at Pleasant Grove, Dallas, Texas.” A resident of #AndhraPradesh died in #America. Gopikrishna native of Bapatla district is residing in America. Gopikrishna was injured in a shooting at a store in Dallas. He died while undergoing treatment at the hospital. Gopikrishna went to America 11 months ago. pic.twitter.com/s9yY2eVP6b — Sowmith Yakkati (@YakkatiSowmith) June 23, 2024 The Consulate General of India, with the support of Indian associations, will provide all assistance in repatriating Mr. Gopikrishna's body to India, with local formalities including autopsy and issuance of death certificates. Mr Gopikrishna sustained serious injuries during the robbery and was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday morning. The incident deeply affected the Indian community in and around Dallas. Mr. Gopikrishna is survived by his wife and son.

Schengen Visa: Europe Trip Gets Costlier from Today June 11, 2024 11:00

Starting today, June 11, 2024, travelers to Europe will face higher visa application fees. The European Commission has implemented a 12% increase in Schengen Visa fees, affecting applicants worldwide. This move aligns with the bloc's efforts to boost tourism in the region. Under the new fee structure, adult applicants will now pay €90, up from €80, and children aged 6-12 will pay €45, increased from €40. Countries deemed uncooperative with the EU's repatriation efforts will experience steeper hikes, with fees reaching €135 or €180. The Slovenian government has confirmed the European Commission's decision to raise short-stay Schengen visa (visa type C) fees globally by 12%, effective from June 11, 2024. The Commission cites inflation and rising civil servant salaries as justifications for this increase, which follows a scheduled review of EU visa fees that took place in December 2023, as required by the Schengen Visa Code every three years. The Schengen visa system encompasses a group of European nations, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway (though not officially a member, it adheres to the regulations), Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. This development has brought disappointment, particularly for Turkish citizens who have long awaited a visa-free travel agreement with the EU. In 2023, the Schengen region experienced a significant increase in short-stay visa applications, reaching over 10.3 million, representing a 37% year-on-year rise. However, this figure still falls short of the pre-pandemic peak of 17 million applications received in 2019. India secured the third position in terms of visa applications for Europe, with a total of 966,687 submissions. The recent visa fee hike coincides with Europe's efforts to attract tourists from around the globe. Notably, on April 18, 2024, the European Commission introduced a new visa regime specifically for Indian citizens residing in India, referred to as a "visa cascade", which includes easier access to multi-entry visas, rewarding positive visa history, and the potential for a five-year visa.

Telugu girl Nitheesha Kandula goes missing in Los Angeles June 03, 2024 11:06

A mysterious disappearance has left authorities in California searching for a young Indian student. Nitheesha Kandula, a 23-year-old enrolled at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), was last seen in Los Angeles on May 28th. Her family reported her missing two days later. CSUSB Police Chief John Guttierez has appealed to the public for any information regarding Kandula's whereabouts, sharing her physical description and the details of the car she may have been driving, a 2021 Toyota Corolla with a California license plate. Law enforcement agencies, including the CSUSB Police and the Los Angeles Police Department, are working together to locate the missing student. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain unclear. This incident comes just a month after another Indian student, Rupesh Chandra Chintakindi, 26, went missing in Chicago. Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to contact the CSUSB Police Department or the LAPD's Southwest Division, in the hopes of bringing Nitheesha Kandula home safely. In April, a young man from Hyderabad named Mohammed Abdul Arfath, aged 25, was tragically found deceased in Cleveland after disappearing in March. Additionally, in December 2023, the FBI escalated its search efforts for 29-year-old Mayushi Bhagat, an Indian student who vanished in the US after leaving her New Jersey apartment on April 29, 2019. She was reported missing on May 1 of the same year. The FBI is now offering a substantial $10,000 reward for any information that could lead to the discovery of Mayushi Bhagat's whereabouts. The FBI's website states, "We are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for details that could assist in locating or recovering the missing person, Mayushi Bhagat, and for the identification, arrest, and conviction of the individual(s) responsible."

Telangana girl hit by Speeding Car While Crossing Road In US May 28, 2024 10:15

A 25-year-old woman from Telangana has died after being hit by a car in Florida, her family said on Monday. Guntipalli Soumya died on the spot after she was hit by a speeding car while crossing the road on Sunday evening, her family said. Sowmya, who hails from Yadagaripalli in Yadadri Bongir district, went to America for further studies. After earning a master's degree from Florida Atlantic University, he looked for work. Soumya's family was shocked to learn of her death. His parents Koteswara Rao and Balamani appealed to the central and state governments to take his body to India. Telangana Minister Komati Reddy Venkat Reddy expressed his condolences to Soumya's family. According to him, they are trying to return his body. He went to study in America two years ago. He is said to have been trying to find a job after completing his master's degree. Soumya, a resident of Yatakaripalle village in Telangana, was looking for a job. Her parents Koteswara Rao and Balamani were deeply saddened to hear the sad news of their daughter's death. Soumya's family has appealed to the government to help bring her body to Telangana. Koteswara Rao, a former CRPF jawan, said his daughter had recently celebrated her 25th birthday on May 11. “I even sent him clothes,” he lamented over his loss. According to the GoFundMe website, Soumya's father struggled to raise money for her education and sacrificed a lot to give her a chance to fulfill her dream. Rao currently runs a general store (Kirana Store) in Telangana.

Indian Student Dies in USA in a Bike Mishap May 24, 2024 10:47

On Thursday, the Consulate General of India in New York informed that an Indian student, Shri Belem Atchyuth, had passed away in a bike accident on Wednesday. Shri Atchyuth was attending the State University of New York at the time of his death. The Consulate General expressed their condolences to his family and stated that they were in contact with them. They also reached out to local agencies for support. In a post on X, the Consulate General of India in New York shared their sadness over Shri Atchyuth's sudden passing and offered their deepest sympathies to his loved ones. They reassured that @IndiainNewYork is working closely with both the family and local authorities to provide necessary assistance, such as repatriating his remains back to India. Saddened to learn about the untimely demise of Shri Belem Atchyuth, a student at SUNY who met with a bike accident and passed away yesterday evening; our deepest condolences to the family; @IndiainNewYork is in touch with the bereaved family & local agencies to extend all… — India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) May 23, 2024 The recent incident is part of a concerning trend of deaths among Indian-origin students in the US. In April, the Consulate General of India in New York reported the tragic death of an Indian student, who had been missing since March, in Ohio. The consulate expressed its sorrow over the loss and is working with local authorities to ensure a thorough investigation into the case. In a post on their official X handle, they offered their deepest condolences to Mr. Mohammed Arfath's family upon learning about his passing in Cleveland, Ohio. Arafat, originally from Hyderabad, went to the US in May 2023 to pursue a Master's degree in IT from Cleveland University. However, he has been missing since March 7 of this year. According to Arafat's father, Mohd Saleem, they received a phone call about 10 days after his disappearance from an anonymous individual claiming that Arafat had been abducted. The caller demanded a ransom of USD 1200 for his safe return. In April, a fellow Indian student in Cleveland named Uma Satya Sai Gadde passed away and an investigation is currently ongoing. Additionally, in February of this year, another Indian student was brutally attacked in Chicago. The Indian Consulate in Chicago has taken note of these incidents and has been providing support to the victim, Syed Mazahir Ali, as well as his wife in India.

Indian student stabbed to death in Australia May 07, 2024 11:10

A young man from India, who was pursuing a master's degree in technology, was killed in Australia. The incident took place during a fight between some Indian students. The authorities are looking for two Indian-origin brothers in connection with the murder. According to the victim's uncle in Karnal, Haryana, Navjeet Sandhu was fatally attacked with a knife when he tried to intervene in a dispute between some Indian students over rent. Navjeet's friend had asked him to come along to his house to pick up some belongings. When Navjeet reached the house, he saw that there was a fight going on. He tried to intervene, but was stabbed in the chest. The alleged accused is also from Karnal. Navjeet's friend was also injured in the incident. The family received the news of the incident early Sunday morning and is in a state of shock. Yashvir revealed that his brother Navjeet had moved to Australia on a study visa a year and a half ago. His father had sold one and a half acres of land to support his education. Yashvir requested the Indian government's assistance to bring Navjeet's body home. Meanwhile, the Victoria Police are on a hunt for two men in connection with a stabbing incident in Ormond, Melbourne. The suspects are brothers Abhijeet and Robin Gartan, both of Indian origin. Abhijeet is 26 years old, 170cm tall, with a solid build and black hair. Robin is 27 years old, 170cm tall, with a solid build and black hair. The duo is believed to be travelling in a stolen white Toyota Camry sedan. They were last seen in the Ormond area shortly after the dispute occurred at 1 am on Sunday. Victoria Police reported that several individuals sustained injuries from stabbings, but the victims remain anonymous. Authorities are currently on the lookout for two men who are believed to have fled the scene. According to police, the individuals involved in the altercation were acquainted with each other, but the reason for the conflict is still under investigation.

Indian-origin man with ‘bipolar disorder’ shot dead by US police April 27, 2024 09:27

Sachin Sahoo, a 42-year-old man with bipolar disorder, was fatally shot by police in San Antonio on April 21. The incident occurred when Sahoo attempted to escape arrest for an aggravated assault case by hitting two officers with his vehicle. Officer Tyler Turner fired the fatal shot, according to investigators from the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD). Sahoo, who was originally from Uttar Pradesh, may have been a naturalized US citizen. The police were called to the Cheviot Heights area of San Antonio following a report of an aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon. Upon arrival, they discovered that Sahoo had collided with his 51-year-old roommate, Candace Byrnes, whom he had only known for about a month. Byrnes suffered serious injuries, including two broken bones in her pelvis and brain bleeds, requiring surgery. Following a certain condition, Sahoo was issued an arrest warrant by the police. However, the neighbors alerted the authorities that Sahoo had returned to the original location. Upon the arrival of the policemen at the scene and their attempt to communicate with Sahoo, he struck them with his car. In response, one of the officers discharged his firearm, resulting in Sahoo's demise. One of the injured officers received immediate medical attention, while the other was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officer Tyler Turner, who has been with the department for five years, has been placed on routine administrative leave as the SAPD investigates the shooting incident. Candace Byrnes encountered Sahoo outside the Salvation Army, where he introduced himself as an Uber driver and offered her a place to stay in exchange for assistance around the house. Initially feeling secure, Byrnes later noticed Sahoo engaged in self-conversation. Byrnes claimed that Sahoo had stopped taking his medication and desired a more intimate relationship than just friendship. According to her, Sahoo became enraged when she informed him of her intention to leave temporarily and return within a few hours.