Visa News

Russians Want Visa-Free Travel to Cyprus

The Republic of Cyprus is urged to seek for ways to recover its attractiveness for Russian tourists.

The Greek part of the island had always been one of the most popular destinations for Russian tourists, but having joined the EU in May 2004 the Republic of Cyprus cancelled visa-free regime for Russia.

The problem has been clearly stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin at an annual news conference in Moscow. He suggested that Russia and Cyprus return to the pre-EU visa free relations.

“If no such procedures are introduced, then more and more people, who have no interest whatever in politics, believe me, they don’t even know what is going on in Cyprus, will go to Turkey and the northern part of Cyprus, because there they let them in without visas,” he said. “They turn up at the border, they get a stamp in their passport, they pay, I don’t know, 20 dollars, or 25, and they go and take their holiday.”

Sources: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060131/43261147.html , http://www.cyprus-mail.com

EU Newcomers Want Visa-free Travel to US

The EU members are calling on Washington to allow visa-free entry to the US from all EU countries.

While citizens of Western Europe do not need visa to travel to the US, visas are still required from eastern European states.

On a panel in Washington, which included John Bruton, the EU ambassador, and ambassadors from Poland and the Czech Republic, it was stressed that European Union “doesn’t want other people to be picking and choosing between its members”.

“Our countries don’t pose threats to US security,” said Janusz Reiter, Poland’s ambassador to the US. Citizens of these countries are very pro-american, which can’t be said about many western members of EU. The current situation could worsen pro-American public opinion in the east to a great degree.

In addition, the rate of Muslim population here is pretty low in comparison with western Europe where many Islamic extremists have found safe haven.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington think-tank, has argued that allowing visa-free travel from the Eastern countries, as well as South Korea and India would facilitate intelligence co-operation against terrorism.

Sources: http://news.monstersandcritics.com/ , http://www.workpermit.com/ , http://www.bangkokpost.com/ , http://www.baltictimes.com/art.php?art_id=14426

Vietnam invests in tourism promotion activities

Annually Vietnam spends about $253.000 to attract foreign travellers. Aiming to gain a status of premier tourist destination, this year Ho Chi Minh City is going to invest more than $629.000 into tourism promotion campaign.

Large festivals will be organized in Ho Chi Minh as a part of the promotion campaign, such as two Flower Festivals, the second Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival, the Southern Fruit Festival in the Suoi Tien Tourism Resort, and the International Tourism Exhibition 2006 (ITE 2006).

To attract more tourists the Saigontourist Travel Services Company will conduct a tour from the Ben Duoc tourism resort to the former War Zone D in Tay Ninh province and Can Gio eco-tourism resort.

Exempting foreign visitors from tourist visa requirements for 15-day stay and opening low-cost tours are among numerous tourism promotional policies.

The quality of existing tourism services will be improved, and developing new forms of travelling such as tourism with seminars, eco-tourism and shopping tourism is in the plans for 2006.

A very attractive thing about Vietnam is that you can enjoy high-standard hotel accommodation at a relatively low price, because of the country’s low living costs.

Sources: http://www.vneconomy.com.vn/eng/ , http://www.mofa.gov.vn/en/ , http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/

US Applies Advanced Technology to Improve Visa System

The Bush administration has announced the launch of “paperless” US visa application system. It will enable foreigners to apply for visas electronically and use digital video technology to conduct remote interviews.

“If we can do this successfully,” Condoleezza Rice said, “this process might make life dramatically easier for foreign citizens who must now travel great distances to be interviewed in person.”

“Today, 97 percent of approved travellers receive their visas in a day or two and we have dramatically decreased the wait time for the rest,” Rice said.

“These trends are important, but they are only the beginnings of our efforts to create more secure borders and more open doors. And today, while advancing our legitimate security interests, we are taking new steps to welcome a greater number of foreign visitors to America than ever before,” she said.

Announcing the initiative at the State Department, both Miss Rice and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff gave assurances that the schemes will not compromise U.S. security by making it easier for terrorists to enter the country.

“We’ll have the opportunity to transform our border management, decreasing wait times at ports of entry, and allowing us to focus our resources on that minority of people who pose a threat,” Mr. Chertoff said.

Sources: http://usinfo.state.gov , http://usinfo.state.gov/ , http://www.wpherald.com/ , http://news.monstersandcritics.com/northamerica/

India is to Outsource Visa Processing

India’s Ministry of External Affairs has started to outsource visa applications and collections to private agencies.

This measure aims to fulfil the demand for visas to India, as Tourism Ministry gets regular complaints from foreign tour agencies that Indian embassies can barely cope with the requests for visas.

India figures among the top ten world travel destinations and is the fifth choicest place to visit, but, as the MEA claims, its staff strength in most missions is nowhere near the numbers required to meet the rapidly increasing demand for Indian visas.

Hopefully, outsourcing some key visa services will help solve the problem. According to The Hindustan Times, in December 2005 Dhaka, Bangladesh has become the first mission where visa applications and collections have been outsourced to private agencies. Dhaka faces a massive demand for visas from those wanting to visit India for pilgrimage, treatment and shopping. Either Rome or Madrid is being considered to shortly begin outsourcing of visa applications and collections.

Sources: http://travelvideo.tv/news/ , http://www.indianexpress.com/

Order a visa to India from Direct Passport and Visa Comapny online.

Taiwan Welcomes Young Travellers

In order to invigorate long-ignored youth and student travel industry Taiwan’s National Youth Commission has proclaimed 2006 as Taiwan International Youth Travel Year.

The ambitious program aims to bring in at least 1.25 million young travellers into Taiwan this year.

“The youth travel market is one that we can no longer ignore. First, they tend to stay in a country longer than the average tourist, and second, repeat-visits among young travellers are quite high,” Steven Kuo, deputy director general of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, told local tour operators.

To this effect a number of activities, special events, discounts, travel cards and work opportunities have been planned to lure a record number of young people from around the globe. There are eight main themes to the Taiwan International Youth Travel Year: Taiwanese Cuisine, Youth Guesthouse Network, Living in an Aboriginal Village, Natural Wonders, Learning Chinese, Traditional Festivals, Ilha Formosa Music Festival and Working Holidays.

With the coming tourism improvements and welcoming efforts of the Commission, right now could be the best time for young people to visit Taiwan.

More information can be obtained here:
http://www.etaiwannews.com , http://www.etravelblackboard.com

UK denies toughening visa regime for Pakistan

Director of UK visa and consular services in Pakistan Alex Pond denied that the UK had toughened visa regulations for Pakistanis after the 7/7 London bombings, which were blamed on terrorists having links with madarassas in Pakistan.

She stated that “the British High Commission in Pakistan was accepting visa applications from all categories of citizens” and that machine-readable passport is not necessary to obtain a UK visa.

Source: http://www.newkerala.com

US visa for Muslims as unachievable as a star

Sept, 11th of 2001 has made Americans reconsider and toughen visa politics regarding visitors from Muslim countries. The US borders were actually closed for Muslims.

Today we hear thousands of complaints from legitimate tourists and business travellers, who say that “it is practically impossible for Arab men to obtain US visas”.

www.startribune.com has released a story of Egyptian University professor who has been waiting for his US visa for 20 months. The author, Sharon Schmickle is trying to find the reasons for such inexcusable delays.

Source: http://www.startribune.com/stories/722/5789591.html

Thai-Russian Visa free tourism agreement ratified

Thailand has ratified a draft visa exemption accord with Russia. This accord is believed to help promote tourism, trade and communication between the two countries. It will be signed within the framework of the ASEAN-Russia summit on December 13th.

According to the pact Thais and Russians with valid travel documents will be allowed to stay in each other’s country for up to 30 days.

Statistics of the Tourism Authority of Thailand shows, that the number of Russian tourists visiting Thailand is growing constantly and it is expected to rise further during the coming year.

Sources: http://news.xinhuanet.com , http://etna.mcot.net

Russia loses foreign tourists due to visa politics

Russian tour operators appealed to the government on the question of ease of visa regime and suggested to invest more in promoting the country. They state the fact, that there is a steady decline in the number of foreign tourists.

The head of the Federal Tourism Agency, Vladimir Strzhalkovsky, recently told the MPs that the number of foreign tourists has fell by 70% over the last 10 years. Today the world’s biggest country hosts only 1% of all tourists in the world.

The main reasons for the decline are difficulties in getting a Russian tourist visa and a lack of official promotional campaign. With the abolition of visa regime by its neighbours Russia has lost 50 to 60% of its tourists.

What is keeping the new Russian authorities from understanding the problem is unclear. They approve the construction of another 5 star hotel, when all that is needed is eased visa restrictions and quality 3 star hotels in the main tourist destinations.

It seems that there are some much needed changes in Russian visa politics, hopefully progress can be made with the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Sources: http://www.mosnews.com , http://english.mn.ru

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