VISA CONCERNS
China suspending multiple visa issuances, Pakistan planning to allow visa free entries for Indian nationals, India reducing approval time for Filipinos and other Asean applicants, and Philippines introducing VIMS. Read all about it.
Visa concern # 1ENTRY VISA TO INDIA
The Indian Embassies in Asia have slashed approval time from a few days to a maximum of 48 hours and 24 hours being the norm. Formerly it used to take anywhere from 3 days to 7 days. In the Philippines this would now benefit Filipinos traveling to India, which has now seen a huge up rise of numbers being approved by the Indian Embassy. Working visas for Filipinos wishing to work in India are being granted easily with an initial 3 months approval in Manila. Upon arrival in India, the applicant can easily secure a working visa with unlimited exit and entries up to 24 months.
Visa concern # 2ENTRY VISA TO PHILIPPINES
Under the so called VIMS or visa issuance made simple Commissioner Libanan together with the Board of Investments have done wonders to an age old problem.
The good news: Indian tourist visas can now be applied in the Philippine embassy in New Delhi as well as the three consulates in Mumbai, Kolkota and Chennai. Formerly, tourist visas could only be applied in the Embassy. Yes, it is also possible to apply since 2004 visas at a third venue country, where the applicant does not usually reside, work or has a residence status.
Another kind of visa facility has been introduced by the government. Secure permission to board the airline and get visa upon arrival. This is somehow patterned after Dubai immigration policy.
PA_VUA or pre approved visa on arrival can be applied for businessmen and accompanying spouse in the Philippines through a local chamber, such as the Indian Chamber of Commerce or any Top 1000 Multinational companies. Costing US$ 25 and pesos 10, this approval is given in 48 hours. Upon arrival, a 30 days visa chop is given on the passport. Prior to boarding show your approval copy to the Airline counter and who in turn will verify if they indeed had received such a notice from their airline counterpart in the Philippines.
PI-VUA or pro-investor visa upon arrival is basically the same concept as above except that it is granted also to non Businessmen. Costing Pesos 5500 this would grant the applicant a 3 years multiple visa facility with a 30 days entry permission per visit. Upon the first visit, an Immigration stamp has to be included in the passport by presenting it to the Immigration main office.
In both cases, there is no need to go to the Embassy or even verify with them, no need for photos. Just the local sponsor would present a copy of your valid passport and a fixed incoming itinerary though the outgoing ternary is needed, but can be advanced or postponed by the applicant. Upon approval, the local sponsor would send a photocopy to the applicant in any part of the world. You can fly in from any airport in the world. No restrictions.
As usual there some teethes or unseen unavoidable problems such as airlines not being informed.
Applying at the Embassy or consulate is still a difficult task though travel agents can make it easier for the applicant, as they know the procedures. Lots of documentations are required. These somehow compare to other Asean countries need a lot of improvement. The Government is working towards it.
In this website you would find more details in other sections.
Visa concern # 3 ENTRY VISA TO CHINA
Chinese authorities have stopped issuing multiple-entry visas to foreigners until October 2008. There is no official confirmation yet this is already in place. No travel agent will be able to get more than a double entry visa for China. This means scaling back a program that used to issue multiple-entry business visas that lasted up to three years.
Another report says that China has also suspended one-day travel visas to the neighboring Chinese city of Shenzhen, a popular shopping destination.
Hong Kong-based travel agent Forever Bright Trading Ltd. said on its Web site that multiple-entry visas have been suspended from March 28 until Oct. 17. The Beijing Olympics are scheduled to take place August 8-24.
Fewer Chinese visa offices are handling visas. Agencies used to submit applications to visa offices at the Chinese Foreign Ministry's office in Hong Kong office and in Shenzhen and another neighboring Chinese city, Zhuhai, but only the Foreign Ministry's Hong Kong office is currently accepting applications. This has slowed approval time.
Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese rule in 1997 but has retained separate political and economic systems. It allows visa-free access for citizens of major Western countries, so foreigners often use the city as a base to travel to mainland China.
More so now, with the Canton China Fair scheduled between April 15th to April 30th. It is strongly advisable to apply for visa in advance.
