visa news stories on Newser

US Hangs Iraqi Translators Out to Dry

Kevin Spak — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:12:05 CST

When the US signed up translators in Iraq, it promised them an inside track for a special visa to the US. But now that the war is over, the visa approval process has slowed to a crawl, leaving translators stuck in Iraq—where many want them dead for helping the...

Senate Bill: Want a US Visa? Buy a Big House

Kevin Spak — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:26:21 CDT

Are you a wealthy would-be immigrant with a penchant for real estate? Well, then have Chuck Schumer and Mike Lee got a deal for you. The Democrat and Republican senators have introduced a bipartisan bill that would grant a visa to foreigners who buy at least $500,000 worth of...

Immigration Blocks Brit Boy's Disney Vacation

Matt Cantor — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:05:00 CST

A 9-year-old boy from Britain with plans to visit Disney World was denied entry to the US this week; immigration officials cited a concern he wouldn’t leave the country. “Because you either did not demonstrate strong ties outside the United States or were not able to demonstrate that your intended...

Ex-Footballer Faces Caning, Fraud Charges in Singapore

Matt Cantor — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:11:00 CDT

An American citizen who faces caning in Singapore after overstaying his tourist visa has also been charged with fraud, the AP reports. The former Florida State football player was already at risk of being the first American to be caned in Singapore since 1994. Now he’s been slapped with charges...

US Refuses to Recognize Iroquois Passports

Mary Papenfuss — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 05:25:00 CDT

US officials are refusing to recognize passports held by Iroquois native Americans, blocking champion lacrosse players from traveling to a top international competition in Great Britain. The Iroquois Nationals, including players from upstate New York and Canada, have been traveling for 20 years with the passports, which were issued by...

China Lifts Ban on Bald Taiwanese

Kate Schwartz — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:46:00 CDT

If you're a bald Taiwanese man, good news: China wants you back. The southern Chinese city of Xiamen has axed a controversial visa restriction that barred hairless people from applying for the one-year multiple-entry permits most common among business travelers. Authorities had said that the ban was a protective measure...

Lohan Dodges Law in Sweat Shop 'Rescue'

Mary Papenfuss — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:45:39 CDT

Lindsay Lohan is in trouble with foreign authorities after indicating in a tweet that she rescued 40 kids from a sweat shop in India. Actually, she was in the US and nowhere near the Indian factory during the raid, but that's not what upset India officials. "Over 40 children saved...

Immigrants Fill Dugouts of Minor League Teams

Kevin Spak — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 10:29:29 CDT

Foreigners, willing to work for less money, are taking American jobs … on the baseball diamond, the Wall Street Journal reports. Ever since George W. Bush signed the Compete Act in 2007, which essentially gave baseball teams unlimited work visas, teams have been snapping up foreign talent at a record...

UAE Denies Israeli Tennis Player Visa

Matt Cantor — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 13:05:06 CST

The United Arab Emirates denied an Israeli tennis player a visa to compete in a tour in Dubai, preventing her from becoming the first Israeli athlete to play professionally in the country, CNN reports. Dubai could lose its World Tennis Association membership over the incident, which violates WTA policy guaranteeing...