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Quant Small Cap Fund adds Jio Platforms and 4 others; increases stake in Adani Power, 5 more
Quant Small Cap Fund added Jio Platforms, Primo Chemicals and three other stocks to its portfolio in October. The fund also increased exposure to Adani Power and LIC Housing Finance, exited five stocks and trimmed holdings in three others.
Lithuania changes residence permit rules, creating fresh hurdles for Indian workers and students
In a move to tighten immigration control, Lithuania has established new residence permit rules that pose challenges for foreign nationals, especially from India. This shift affects Indian workers and students looking for work or study opportunities within the country. Particular visa types will now encounter more scrutiny, necessitating that employers assess the eligibility of candidates accurately.
Canada launches free CRS calculator to help Express Entry candidates check new high-wage points
CanadaVisa has released a free online calculator for Express Entry candidates to determine their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores following the implementation of Canada's high-wage occupation changes, effective November 3, 2026. The updated calculator factors in points for qualifying high-wage Canadian work experience or job offers, alongside other CRS factors such as age, education, language skills and employment history.
Govt eases passport, visa rules for foreign nationals residing in India
The Union home ministry has announced relaxed passport and visa requirements for certain foreign nationals. These amendments apply to individuals including Pakistani citizens and minority refugees. Exemptions also cover members of religious communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan on humanitarian grounds. Registered Sri Lankan Tamils and Tibetans who entered India under specific permits are included in the amendments.
Amagi, Shiprocket post profits; US polls’ impact on IT
Amagi’s Q2 profit surged nearly 30x while Shiprocket swung into the black for the first time. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
US midterm results bring hope for Indian students, but visa worries remain
The recent midterm elections in the US could provide optimism for Indian students seeking to study abroad. Experts suggest that while immediate policy changes are not expected, immigration restrictions may be challenged. The shift in Congressional control may help protect against further cuts to student and work visas. Students and families remain concerned about job opportunities amidst existing visa scrutiny.
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Centre relaxes passport, visa rules for select foreign nationals; revises Nepal, Bhutan travel norms
The Centre has announced amendments to immigration rules for several categories of foreign nationals residing in India. Pakistani citizens who entered India before December 31, 2009, may be exempt from renewing their passports. Additionally, certain refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan fleeing persecution are included in these exemptions. Registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals and Tibetans with specific entry permits also benefit from relaxed requirements.

French fried: Texas Republican pays the price for anti-Indian politics
French's defeat has given a stark electoral warning to an increasingly uncomfortable contradiction within the Republican Party: a party that spent years courting Indian-American voters, celebrating their entrepreneurial success and welcoming Indian investment particularly in Texas, is now struggling with a section of its own political base questioning whether Indians belong in Texas at all.

India plans to cut visa categories from 13 to 9 and reduce application form fields by 70%
In a significant turn of events, India's Union Home Ministry is undertaking a major overhaul of the country's visa system, reducing the existing 13 categories down to just 9 while revamping the application process to enhance user experience.

UAE Golden Visa: International graduates from top 100 universities can qualify for 10-year residency
The UAE has rolled out a remarkable 10-year Golden Visa aimed at graduates from the world's top 100 universities. Candidates must boast a minimum GPA of 3.5 and submit their applications within two years of graduation. The Golden Visa permits these graduates to reside and work in the UAE without needing a local sponsor.

Midterm results may slow US visa curbs, but no quick relief likely for IT
The opposition party’s takeover of both chambers of US Congress is expected to bring greater scrutiny of the administration’s policy decisions, potentially slowing further restrictions, industry experts told ET. However, any improvement in sentiment is unlikely to translate quickly into higher hiring or technology spending.

Trump hits a midterm wall: Past precedents & impact on India
The Democrats are expected to take control of both chambers of the US Congress after recent elections. This shift may disrupt Donald Trump's presidential agenda for the remaining two years. Additionally, the issuance of H-1B visas for Indians significantly decreased due to a recently imposed fee levy. Indian exports to the US saw fluctuations, closing at slightly positive growth figures.

Sentiment boost for students chasing the American dream as election verdict could temper Trump’s immigration agenda
The recent midterm elections in the United States have raised hopes for Indian students aspiring to study there. Experts believe that while the electoral outcome may boost sentiments, policies regarding immigration are unlikely to change immediately. Existing visa restrictions and uncertainties pose challenges for prospective students as they transition to employment. The Democrats can potentially mitigate any further restrictive immigration measures through their Congressional control.

US Midterm elections results: Indian-American Democrat Pramila Jayapal wins against Nirav Sheth from Washington; continues fight for immigrant rights
Pramila Jayapal, the Indian-American Democrat, secures her re-election in Washington's 7th Congressional District with a commanding 87.5 per cent of the vote. A prominent advocate for immigration reform and healthcare, Jayapal's journey from immigrant rights activist to Congress showcases her commitment to progressive issues. Read about her impact on immigration policies and her wide-ranging legislative focus beyond just her district.

US midterm elections 2026: First polls close in Indiana, Kentucky; Trump calls it "big deal"
The first polling stations in Indiana and Kentucky closed at 6 pm local time on Tuesday, marking the start of vote counting in the 2026 US midterm elections. Early findings from CNN's Voter Poll showed widespread dissatisfaction with Congress, the Supreme Court and both major political parties.

US midterms: JD Vance says administration fought replacement of American workers with lower-wage foreign employees
US Vice President JD Vance highlighted the Trump administration's actions to combat visa fraud and safeguard American jobs. He emphasized that American employment should be prioritized for citizens over foreign workers to ensure sovereignty. Meanwhile, disruptions during the 2026 midterm elections in North Carolina caused polling hours to be extended across several precincts.

New Zealand to remove 17 occupations from Green List Work to Residence pathway from March 2027
Effective March 8, 2027, New Zealand will revise its Green List Work to Residence visa pathways, eliminating 17 specific occupations. While these workers can transition to residency through fresh Skilled Migrant Category routes, special education teachers will notably have direct access to residency without needing prior work experience.

US Midterm Elections 2026: Could the SMARTER Act change how Indians get US Green Cards?
With the upcoming midterm elections, a new immigration proposal in Congress could reshape the future of green cards and family sponsorship, especially for Indian professionals. The SMARTER Act aims to introduce a points-based system, eliminate country-based visa limits, and restrict family immigration to closer relatives, but its success hinges on the election outcomes.

US Midterm elections 2026: Who really controls H-1B visas, green cards and student visas for Indians?
As the US Midterm elections approach, their results may have profound implications for immigration regulations regarding visas. Congress's ability to enact changes can directly impact Indian professionals, potentially reducing the green card backlog. Additionally, new legislative dynamics could alter policies surrounding student visas. The electoral outcome may ultimately dictate shifting priorities in immigration enforcement, influencing many lives.

Razorpay gets final Gift City licence to expand cross-border payments
Razorpay has attained a payment service provider licence from the International Financial Services Centres Authority. This licence allows the company to process foreign-currency payments from its base in Gift City, Gujarat. The approval enables Razorpay to offer multi-currency accounts and facilitate international transactions. With established integrations with RBL Bank and ICICI Bank, the service is expected to be utilized shortly.

Crypto cards enter RBI's radar as Indians use offshore wallets for everyday payments
Offshore crypto cards that allow Indian residents to spend digital assets on domestic purchases and withdraw cash have come under the scrutiny of the RBI and Financial Intelligence Unit. Several users have reported card deactivations in recent days, while authorities are understood to be examining potential violations of payment regulations and FEMA.

Mamdani says Trump agrees to grant visa to mother of Ghanian teen killed in Bronx shooting
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed a visa for Javits Frimpong's mother after his tragic murder. Frimpong, a 15-year-old immigrant from Ghana, was shot on his way to school. No arrests have been made yet, and the investigation continues. His father reported that Frimpong had been bullied at school days before his death. Ghanaian officials are collaborating with U.S. authorities to seek justice for this unfortunate incident.

Up to Rs 5.52 lakh interest on Rs 10 lakh investment: 5-year senior citizen FDs offering up to 8.50% rates
HIghest FD interest rate: Many senior citizens seek stable revenue through fixed deposits to support their daily expenses. Small finance banks typically offer higher interest rates than public sector banks for these deposits. Senior citizens should carefully compare options before making investment decisions.

Money changes from November 1, 2026: Revised PNB credit card charges, increased Indusind Bank fees and ITR deadline; know key changes
Effective November 1, 2026, IndusInd Bank will roll out new fees for any failed savings account transactions. Concurrently, Punjab National Bank will adjust service charges related to credit card transactions. Pensioners must provide their life certificates by November 30, 2026, to continue receiving benefits.

FCNR bounty in Q2 masks bank issues in growing deposits
An analysis of 10 banks shows that reported deposit growth averaged 21.1% year-on-year during July-September. However, excluding the special foreign currency inflows, domestic deposit growth was estimated at just 12.2%-a massive gap of nearly nine percentage points.

PNB credit card changes from November 1, 2026: Bank to revise Visa, RuPay card charges for ATM withdrawals, late payment fees, utility bill payments and more
Punjab National Bank will implement revised charges for credit card services on November 1, 2026. Changes will include increased fees for cash withdrawals and late payment charges for different outstanding amounts. Additionally, duplicate statement requests will incur a fee after three months, and reward point redemptions will now cost Rs 99. Utility bill payments exceeding Rs 50,000 will also attract a new fee of 1%.

West Asia conflict drives 15-20% rise in corporate working-capital demand at banks
Working-capital demand from banks has increased significantly due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Higher raw-material costs and elongated shipping timelines have led to greater funding needs for corporates. Mid- and large-sized companies reported a 12-20% increase in working-capital requirements. Several private sector banks have recorded strong growth in corporate lending during the recent quarter. This momentum was driven primarily by working capital needs and refinancing efforts.

New Zealand expands business visitor visa rules and specialist work visa eligibility for foreign professionals and providers
New Zealand has expanded the scope of activities permitted under its Business Visitor Visa for foreign nationals. Indian professionals planning business engagements should determine the appropriate visa pathway for their activities. The eligibility framework for the Specific Purpose Work Visa has also been clarified to include service suppliers and independent specialists.
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