Malayalam actor Dulquer Salmaan is the latest Indian personality to be honoured with a UAE Golden Visa...reports Asian Lite News
Introduced in 2019 by the UAE government, the 'Golden Visa' is a new system for long-term residence visas. It lets outsiders live, work and study in the Gulf states without the need of a national sponsor and with 100 per cent ownership of their business on the UAE mainland.
Dulquer has been feted with a 10-year Golden Visa by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi Government, reports gulfnews.com.
The actor posted a picture on Instagram on receiving it.
"Had the privilege and honour of receiving my golden visa from His Excellency Saood Abdul Aziz in the presence of Mr Yusuf Ali," Dulquer captioned the image.
"It was wonderful to hear of all the future plans of the Abu Dhabi govt to promote film and production activities, and also to encourage new talent locally and internationally. Looking forward to productions, shoots and spending more time in Abu Dhabi and the UAE," he added.
Last month, his father and superstar Mammootty also received his UAE Golden Visa, which was given to him at the same time as Malayalam cinema's other superstar, Mohanlal.
Malayalam actors Prithviraj Sukumaran and Tovino Thomas too received their UAE Golden Visa this month.
Among the Hindi film actors, Sanjay Dutt received the UAE Golden Visa, owing to his contribution to the world of arts, culture, and cinema
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Malayalam actor Dulquer Salmaan is the latest Indian personality to be honoured with a UAE Golden Visa…reports Asian Lite News
Introduced in 2019 by the UAE government, the ‘Golden Visa’ is a new system for long-term residence visas. It lets outsiders live, work and study in the Gulf states without the need of a national sponsor and with 100 per cent ownership of their business on the UAE mainland.
Dulquer has been feted with a 10-year Golden Visa by the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi Government, reports gulfnews.com.
Indian actor Dulquer Salmaan receives UAE Golden Visa
The actor posted a picture on Instagram on receiving it.
“Had the privilege and honour of receiving my golden visa from His Excellency Saood Abdul Aziz in the presence of Mr Yusuf Ali,” Dulquer captioned the image.
“It was wonderful to hear of all the future plans of the Abu Dhabi govt to promote film and production activities, and also to encourage new talent locally and internationally. Looking forward to productions, shoots and spending more time in Abu Dhabi and the UAE,” he added.
Last month, his father and superstar Mammootty also received his UAE Golden Visa, which was given to him at the same time as Malayalam cinema’s other superstar, Mohanlal.
Malayalam actors Prithviraj Sukumaran and Tovino Thomas too received their UAE Golden Visa this month.
Among the Hindi film actors, Sanjay Dutt received the UAE Golden Visa, owing to his contribution to the world of arts, culture, and cinema.
Mr. Mohaimeed Saleh Al Salem, Chairman of the Najran Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mr. Sumanth Kapoor, Regional Head – KSA, Bahrain and Oman, VFS Global
VFS Global services are expected to launch at the Chamber’s premises by October 2021…reports Asian Lite News
VFS Global has announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with the Najran Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the city of Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to provide end-to-end visa and passport services. Moving forward, the Chamber’s members and employees will benefit from the availability of these services on its premises, providing ease, convenience and ensuring they do not have to visit a Visa Application Centre.
Mr. Mohaimeed Saleh Al Salem, Chairman of the Najran Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mr. Sumanth Kapoor, Regional Head – KSA, Bahrain and Oman, VFS Global, signed the MoU on 07 September 2021 at the Chamber’s headquarters.
Mr. Mohaimeed Saleh Al Salem, Chairman of the Najran Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mr. Sumanth Kapoor, Regional Head – KSA, Bahrain and Oman, VFS Global
“We are proud to partner with VFS Global to provide unmatched convenience to our members and employees for their visa and passport requirements. Through this joint initiative, we offer Indian and Philippine residents an additional avenue to renew their passports. Furthermore, the revolutionary doorstep visa service will provide much relief to people living in Najran as they can now apply for a visa in comfort at a preferred location.” said Mr. Mohaimeed Saleh Al Salem, Chairman of the Najran Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
VFS Global services are expected to launch at the Chamber’s premises by October 2021. Following services will be available to customers from Sunday to Thursday between 09.00 am and 03.00 pm.
Indian passport renewal – application form filling assistance, form submission and collection of renewed passport
Indian passport renewal – application form filling assistance, form submission and collection of renewed passport
Indian passport renewal – application form filling assistance, form submission and collection of renewed passport
VFS Global provides a range of optional services, including travel insurance, COVID-19 test booking and document scanning.
“The need to receive services ‘at your doorstep’, irrespective of location or time, is very crucial in today’s world. Our doorstep visa service offering is of immense benefit to those who reside in cities away from the existing centres and spend time travelling to the nearest centre. Our partnership with Najran Chambers will bring ease and convenience to customers living in the Najran Province,” added Sumanth Kapoor, Regional Head – KSA & Bahrain, VFS Global.
Blackstone in talks to acquire Dubai-based VFS Global for $1bln..reports Asian Lite News
US-based alternative investment management company Blackstone is in advanced talks to acquire Dubai-headquartered VFS Global, the world’s largest visa outsourcing company, for $1-1.2 billion, India’s Economic Times website reported citing people with knowledge of the matter.
Blackstone
Founded in India, VFS Global is a spinoff of Swiss travel group Kuoni. It is 90 percent owned by Swedish private equity firm EQT and 10 percent by the Kuoni Foundation, Hugentobler Foundation and founder CEO Zubin Karkaria.
The due diligence process for the acquisition is complete and the legal documentation is expected in the coming weeks, the report said.
VFS began as a visa application services company for the US embassy in India in 2001. Since then, it has expanded to 143 countries across five continents.
Indians welcome UAE's decision to allow vaccinated tourists
An international holiday destination is set to reopen with the UAE announcing that it would issue visas to all fully vaccinated tourists…reports Asian Lite News
Indians are responding enthusiastically in kind to the UAE’s decision to reopen tourist visas to people from all countries who are fully vaccinated with one of the COVID-19 vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Travel agents from east to west and from north to south of India today reported a flood of enquiries for flight bookings to UAE airports and a surge in ticketing for flights which have already been confirmed.
Dubai EXPO 2020
“An international holiday destination is set to reopen with the UAE announcing that it would issue visas to all fully vaccinated tourists,” The Times of India reported. “Dubai was the second biggest destination for travellers after Bangkok before the pandemic,” the newspaper quoted Anil Punjabi, Chairman for the eastern states of the Travel Agents Federation of India.
With big attractions in the UAE, such as EXPO 2020 Dubai, T20 Cricket World Cup 2021and the game’s Indian Premier League on the anvil, Indians are eager to visit the emirates.
“As UAE resumes tourist visa, flight rates soar,” a headline in The Hindu daily read. Many Indians, who had put off family visits to the UAE, are now rushing to take advantage of the opening up.
“The reopening of Dubai has come at the right time. EXPO 2020 Dubai is a global event. Thousands of Indians will be eager to attend this event that will be an experience in itself,” one newspaper quoted Manav Soni, Chairman of the Travel Agents Association of India, as saying.
The move comes as the daily number of positive cases continued to drop in the country, having gone lower than 1,000 since last week…reports Joy Chakravarty
Starting from Monday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will resume issuing tourist visas to those who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
The move comes as the daily number of positive cases continued to drop in the country, having gone lower than 1,000 since last week. The vaccination rate was closing on the 92 per cent mark, the highest in the world after Malta.
Both Federal Authority For Identity and Citizenship (ICA) and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA) jointly announced that application for tourist visas will be open to people from all countries who have received the World Health Organization (WHO)-approved vaccines.
The UAE’s official news agency WAM said: “This comes as part of the country’s strategy to create a balance between public health and the activities of vital sectors, and in support of the national efforts to achieve sustainable recovery and economic growth.”
Travellers who wish to receive the benefits provided to individuals vaccinated in the UAE, like visiting malls and public spaces in Abu Dhabi, can register their vaccination via the ICA platform or Al Hosn application.
As of June 3, the WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines include AstraZeneca/Oxford/CoviShield, Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech, Sinopharm and Sinovac.
WAM added that “passengers arriving on tourist visas must take a mandatory PCR test at the airport”.
Despite an entry ban, India continued to be the Dubai International Airport’s) top destination country by traffic volume in the first half of 2021 with passenger numbers exceeding 1.9 million, reported Gulf News.
Emirates airlines continues to be the preferred choice of Indians travelling to the US and Canada and Dubai is a convenient place for transit.
Earlier this year in March, the UAE Cabinet had approved a five-year multiple entry tourist visa for all nationalities.
Otherwise, the tourist visa is granted for either 30 days or 90 days.
Indian citizens with valid visa of the US or UK are also eligible for visa on arrival.
Since November 2019, Nawaz has been living in London after he was allowed to leave the country for medical treatment…reports Asian Lite News.
Former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s request for an extension in his visit visa has been rejected by the UK government, Geo News reported on Thursday.
According to the publication, Nawaz’s six-month visit visa had expired, after which he had put in a request with the UK Home Office to grant him an extension on health grounds. The immigration department, however, denied the request.
In 2018, accountability court Judge Mohammad Arshad Malik had convicted Nawaz in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills Company (ASCL) and Hill Metal Establishment (HME) reference and awarded him seven years imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1.5 billion and USD 25 million.
In 2019, after Nawaz was said by his doctors to be suffering from complicated cardiac disease and an immune system disorder that resulted in a dangerously low platelet count, his sentence in the Al Azizia reference was suspended by a two-member bench of the IHC comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, for eight weeks on medical grounds, reported Geo News.
Since November 2019, Nawaz has been living in London after he was allowed to leave the country for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed said that Nawaz’s passport — a diplomat passport owing to him being a former prime minister — had expired on February 16 and that he is “no longer a citizen of Pakistan”, Geo News reported.
The interior minister said that Nawaz cannot travel anywhere with his expired Pakistani passport. “If Nawaz Sharif wishes to come to Pakistan, he can obtain a passport within 24 hours,” he added.
Rasheed said the embassy can only issue a passport for his return to Pakistan. He further stated that Pakistan has been trying to bring Nawaz back for a while but is unable to do so.
However, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that the UK home department stated in their response that Nawaz can appeal the decision with an immigration tribunal, reported Geo News.
She said Nawaz’s lawyers had therefore filed an appeal with the tribunal, which include his medical records. Marriyum stated that until the tribunal makes a decision, the home department’s orders will remain ineffective. (ANI)
While the parents stay here on their H1-B or H4 visas and wait for green cards, their children will not be eligible to continue on their H-4 visas as soon as they turn 21 and can be deported….reports Arul Louis
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have pledged to work with the Asian community on immigration reforms, according to the White House.
On Thursday, the two leaders told representatives of the Asian, Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community that they supported providing a path to citizenship for essential workers, farm labour, people from nations like Nepal and Myanmar who are given temporary protection status against deportation because of unsettled conditions in their home countries, and those who were brought to the US illegally when they were children.
Biden and Harris said they backed achieving this by using the budget process known to get the necessary legislation for it through the Senate, where the Democrats do not have the 60 votes needed for passing a separate law for it.
But their plan for urgent action through the budget process does not seem to cover the several thousands of Indian children who came to the country legally and followed the immigration rules and are threatened with deportation as soon as they turn 21 even while their parents are still legally waiting for their green cards or permanent immigrant status.
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris (Photo:instagram)
Asked at her briefing about the protection for these children, Biden’s spokesperson Jen Psaki said that helping them was not in the current legislative effort through the budget legislation.
“It’s not in the current, I think it’s not in the current discussions, but it is something the President would like to address.”
Psaki added that it is something that Biden “has proposed addressing in a comprehensive immigration bill”, and supports giving these children protection.
While the parents stay here on their H1-B or H4 visas and wait for green cards, their children will not be eligible to continue on their H-4 visas as soon as they turn 21 and can be deported.
This affects Indians because the wait for green cards is more than decade, a period long enough for many children to turn 21.
Ironically, if they had come in illegally or failed to follow the immigration laws, they would have received special consideration from the Democrats who give priority to illegal immigrants.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal has reported quoting a State Department official that 100,000 green cards meant for those eligible because of their work status will go to waste if they are not distributed by the end of September.
Most of those affected will be Indians working in the tech sector “who have been waiting to become permanent residents in the US and are watching a prime opportunity to win a green card slip away”, the newspaper said.
The Journal said that this was because the government was not able to handle the green card applications because of backlogs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the green cards not handed out by the end of next month will expire.
The newspaper pointed out that the the Democrats are trying to make six million people illegally in the country eligible for green cards through their $3.5-million budget package they are trying to get Congress to pass.
The loss of the 100,000 green cards would affect those who came to the country legally and have abided by the immigration laws.
Human rights groups are calling for up to 2,000 visas specifically for vulnerable women and women’s advocates, reports Asian Lite News
The Biden administration is considering an expedited visa path for vulnerable Afghan women who may become targets of the Taliban. That’s according to US officials.
Women politicians, journalists and activists continue to face intimidation, discrimination and violence.
Human rights groups are calling for up to 2,000 visas specifically for vulnerable women and women’s advocates. After the US military pull out of Afghanistan this month – advocacy groups have urged the White House to develop a plan to evacuate thousands which include those who have worked with foreign forces and translators.
One of the officials also said men and minorities working in high-risk professions are also being considered.
The White House declined to comment, but President Biden said he will speak on Afghanistan on Thursday.
Women police officers, media workers, judges and medical workers have been assassinated in Afghanistan as foreign military have left the country.
Women who appear on TV and radio faced particular threats, Human Rights Watch wrote in April.
Under the Taliban, women were barred from education or work, required to fully cover their bodies, and could not leave home without a male relative.
Taliban enters Afghan provincial capital
Meanwhile, Taliban militants entered Qala-e-Naw city, the capital of Afghanistan’s western Badghis province on Wednesday as fighting continued, a top official said.
According to the official, Taliban fighters entered the city after capturing police headquarters on Wednesday morning and fighting was going on for the control of Qala-e-Naw city.
Another official also confirmed the development, saying the Taliban militants “after capturing all the districts in the restive Badghis province” entered Qala-e-Naw city.
He also asserted that the prisoners availing opportunity had also escaped the jail from provincial capital Qala-e-Naw.
Badghis governor Hasamudin Shams said that “enemies entered Qala-e-Naw” and fighting erupted.
If captured, Qala-e-Naw would be the first provincial capital overrun by the Taliban militants to consolidate position in conflict-battered Afghanistan.
Taliban militants have reportedly captured more than 100 districts since the start of the US-led forces withdrawal from Afghanistan on May 1.
After troops exit, safety of US Embassy in Kabul top concern
US Embassy warns of rights violation
The US embassy in Kabul on Wednesday said the recent rise in violence by the Taliban violates the human rights of Afghans and is bringing hardship to the people of the country. US Deputy Ambassador, Ross Wilson, in his Twitter post wrote that the country is already going through a tough time struggling with poverty, coronavirus, and drought, and the surge in violence by the Taliban will double their problems. The tweet read that increase in these attacks is a violation of the human rights of Afghans, reported The Khaama Press.
Wilson also expressed concern over the system supposed to be imposed in Afghanistan and added that citizens of Afghanistan do not support a system in which their basic rights are violated. Earlier, President Ghani in a cabinet meeting directed the relevant ministries to provide aid to the people displaced because of the violence. He also said that the administration will provide necessary arrangements to the victims of drought.
Recently, the US intelligence assessments have suggested the country’s civilian government could fall to the terror group within months of US forces withdrawing completely. (ANI/IANS)
The step is an implementation of the Cabinet resolution, under which work permits for Golden Residency holders were created….reports Asian Lite News
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced the start of issuing work permits for Golden Residency holders.
The step is an implementation of the Cabinet resolution, under which work permits for Golden Residency holders were created.
The ministry stated that such permits are required in three cases. First are those who were unemployed when they received their Golden Residency, and wish to start working for a certain employer; second are Golden Residency holders who plan to start working for a new employer, and third, is when a current employer wishes to renew the work permit and contract of a Golden Residency holder.
The ministry explained that the same rules and procedures related to the issuance of work permits and contracts apply to dependents registered on their parents’ residency, if they are applying for work and are Golden Visa holders.
Work permits and contracts concluded between employers and workers who receive the Golden Residency will remain valid, and subject to all applicable UAE legislations.
According to the ministry, fees prescribed and applicable fees for work permits for those outside the country, as well as fees for renewing and amending work permits and contracts, will also be applicable to Golden Residency holders.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced 1,675 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 634,582.
According to the Ministry, the infected individuals are from various nationalities, are in a stable condition, and receiving the necessary care.
MoHAP also announced 8 deaths due to COVID-19 complications, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 1,819.
It called on all members of the society to cooperate with health authorities, adhere to the instructions and physical distance to ensure the health and safety of all.
MoHAP also noted that an additional 1,556 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 612,998.
The international graduates must have completed an eligible course at a UK higher education provider, with a track record of compliance with the government’s immigration requirements, to apply to the Graduate route, reports Asian Lite Newsdesk
The government has opened a new immigration route on Thursday allowing international graduates to kick start their careers in the UK after they have finished their studies at a UK university.
The Graduate route provides an opportunity for talented international graduates who have been awarded their degree from a UK university to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, at any skill level for at least two years.
The new route, part of the points-based immigration system, will help attract the best talent from around the world and ensures that businesses can recruit the most highly qualified from across the globe to complement the skills already in UK, the Home Office said.
It added that the new move will drive the economy forwards as Britain builds back better from the pandemic.
Home Secretary, Priti Patel said that it is vital “the UK continues to be a beacon for talented young people.”
“Our world leading universities welcome thousands of international students every year. As we build back better, it is vital that the UK continues to be a beacon for talented young people across the globe who want to make a difference,” Patel said.
@C – By Tim Green from Bradford, UK
“The new Graduate route does just that, giving the best and brightest graduates the opportunity to continue contributing to the UK’s prosperity and the freedom to kickstart their careers in the UK, she added.
The route will work for all corners of the UK, ensuring that communities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can benefit from talented individuals who want to build their careers in the UK after their studies.
“International students are a vital part of our society, and those who graduate from our world-leading universities should have the opportunity to stay and build meaningful careers here, in the UK,” Michelle Donelan, Universities Minister said.
“That is why we are introducing this new route for international graduates, enabling British businesses to attract and retain some of the brightest, most talented graduates across the globe, and helping this nation build back better from the pandemic, the minister added.
The Home Office clarified that international graduates must have completed an eligible course at a UK higher education provider, with a track record of compliance with the government’s immigration requirements, to apply to the Graduate route.
The Graduate route is unsponsored, meaning applicants do not need a job offer to apply to the route. There is no minimum salary requirements nor caps on numbers. Graduates on the route can work flexibly, switch jobs and develop their career as required.
A coronavirus concession on the date by which students must enter the UK, if they started courses in 2020 and are unable to travel due to the pandemic, has been extended to 27 September, recognising the continuing disruption many face due to international travel restrictions.
Applicants who began their studies in autumn 2020, or in spring 2021 will need to be in the UK with permission as a student, by 27 September 2021.Students beginning their course this autumn or early next year will need to be in the UK by 6 April 2022.
Anne Marie Graham, Chief Executive of UK Council for International Student Affairs, said that employability is a priority for international students coming to study in the UK.
“We welcome the Graduate route as a unique opportunity for eligible international graduates to further enhance employability skills and gain experience of the UK labour market for a period after completing their studies,” she said.
“International students who are able to access this route will have the flexibility to apply for work in any sector or role that fits their skills profile, including self-employment, without the need for employer sponsorship,” she added.
