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By Arthi Prem
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Get instant insights and key takeaways from this YouTube video by Arthi Prem.
US Visa Fee Hikes and Passport Renewals
π US visa fees have increased due to inflation, with changes affecting various categories, requiring timely petition filing.
π Recent changes starting in December have impacted Indian passport renewals and OCI renewals, causing delays.
π Indian passport renewal now requires significantly more documentation, around 20 documents, compared to previous, less stringent requirements.
Indian Passport Renewal Process Changes
π Police verification is now being triggered frequently for passport renewals, even for those residing in the US for a long time.
π Applicants must provide exact address details (e.g., street number and name matching) on the form to avoid triggering verification holds.
β±οΈ If police verification is triggered, it relies on contacting the provided Indian address; delays can extend processing from one month to three months if verification is not promptly handled locally.
OCI Renewal Updates
πΆ OCI renewal rules have been tightened, especially for those under 20 years old, requiring a new OCI when the passport is reissued after turning 20.
π Foreign documents submitted for OCI (like Indian birth or marriage certificates) now require Apostille documentation from the respective state headquarters where the document was issued, which is a significant change causing delays.
Upcoming US Visa Fee Changes and Premium Processing
πΈ Major visa fee increases are scheduled to take effect from March 1, 2026, driven by inflation adjustments.
βοΈ Premium Processing fees for H1B are slated to increase from approximately $2,800 to $2,965 (a hike of over $150).
π
Individuals planning to use Premium Processing should aim to file before March 1, 2026, to utilize the current, lower fees, saving potentially $150 to $160.
Travel Booking Insights and Discounts
ποΈ The peak travel booking season, offering better deals, is typically from January to March.
πΈ City Tours Travel is currently offering a 4% discount for confirmed US-to-destination bookings made within the last week and a 1% discount for bookings coming from India to the USA.
Key Points & Insights
β‘οΈ Ensure your passport validity is checked well in advance, ideally renewing at least six months to one year before expiry to prevent stress during crucial processes like H1B renewal.
β‘οΈ If Indian police verification is required for passport renewal, ensure a relative or friend immediately follows up at the nearest police station with supporting ID (like Voter ID or Aadhaar) to expedite the process, often resulting in passport issuance the next day.
β‘οΈ Take advantage of the lower existing Premium Processing fees by filing before the March 1, 2026 deadline, as employees typically bear this cost, avoiding future additional financial burdens.
πΈ Video summarized with SummaryTube.com on Jan 18, 2026, 02:31 UTC
Find relevant products on Amazon related to this video
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases
Full video URL: youtube.com/watch?v=Io_gBMt1dmM
Duration: 16:50
Get instant insights and key takeaways from this YouTube video by Arthi Prem.
US Visa Fee Hikes and Passport Renewals
π US visa fees have increased due to inflation, with changes affecting various categories, requiring timely petition filing.
π Recent changes starting in December have impacted Indian passport renewals and OCI renewals, causing delays.
π Indian passport renewal now requires significantly more documentation, around 20 documents, compared to previous, less stringent requirements.
Indian Passport Renewal Process Changes
π Police verification is now being triggered frequently for passport renewals, even for those residing in the US for a long time.
π Applicants must provide exact address details (e.g., street number and name matching) on the form to avoid triggering verification holds.
β±οΈ If police verification is triggered, it relies on contacting the provided Indian address; delays can extend processing from one month to three months if verification is not promptly handled locally.
OCI Renewal Updates
πΆ OCI renewal rules have been tightened, especially for those under 20 years old, requiring a new OCI when the passport is reissued after turning 20.
π Foreign documents submitted for OCI (like Indian birth or marriage certificates) now require Apostille documentation from the respective state headquarters where the document was issued, which is a significant change causing delays.
Upcoming US Visa Fee Changes and Premium Processing
πΈ Major visa fee increases are scheduled to take effect from March 1, 2026, driven by inflation adjustments.
βοΈ Premium Processing fees for H1B are slated to increase from approximately $2,800 to $2,965 (a hike of over $150).
π
Individuals planning to use Premium Processing should aim to file before March 1, 2026, to utilize the current, lower fees, saving potentially $150 to $160.
Travel Booking Insights and Discounts
ποΈ The peak travel booking season, offering better deals, is typically from January to March.
πΈ City Tours Travel is currently offering a 4% discount for confirmed US-to-destination bookings made within the last week and a 1% discount for bookings coming from India to the USA.
Key Points & Insights
β‘οΈ Ensure your passport validity is checked well in advance, ideally renewing at least six months to one year before expiry to prevent stress during crucial processes like H1B renewal.
β‘οΈ If Indian police verification is required for passport renewal, ensure a relative or friend immediately follows up at the nearest police station with supporting ID (like Voter ID or Aadhaar) to expedite the process, often resulting in passport issuance the next day.
β‘οΈ Take advantage of the lower existing Premium Processing fees by filing before the March 1, 2026 deadline, as employees typically bear this cost, avoiding future additional financial burdens.
πΈ Video summarized with SummaryTube.com on Jan 18, 2026, 02:31 UTC
Find relevant products on Amazon related to this video
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases

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