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TSA Removing Non-Privacy Body Scanners From Airports Nationwide

TSA has pursued continual security improvements since 9/11 to keep travelers safe. However, many people have felt some security measures like the use of graphic airport body scanners, violates privacy and goes a little too far. As of later this year, TSA is going to change that.

TSA has announced they will remove airport body scanners that reveal graphic images of travelers’ bodies in June 2013. The body scanners received much criticism while in use. TSA has pursued to solve the problem with the backscatter machines by having their contracted manufacturer, Rapiscan, upgrade them with privacy software. Rapiscan informed the TSA that they could not meet the congressional deadline for the software implementation, therefore, TSA has decided to remove them. “It is big news,” said Marc Rotenberg, the Electronic Privacy Information Center Executive Director. “It removes the concern that people are being viewed naked by the TSA screener.”

Backscatter machines appear to be technology of the past. Security privacy called Automated Target Recognition or ATR is software that only shows a body outline. Millimeter wave machines will be TSA’s preferred machine. They have the privacy software, but backscatter machines do not. Backscatter machines also use X-Rays, which to some travelers deem as a health concern. Millimeter wave machines use radio waves instead. Backscatter machines after more scanning study and/or if the ATR can be developed for them in the future.

Traveling will become quicker and easier through the airport. There are 174 backscatter machines in 30 airports that are expected to be removed. Currently, 170 airports are using the millimeter wave machines. At the same token, it will also increase security as well.

Whether you are traveling in the US or abroad, you will need a passport. Washington Express Visas can assist you with all of your expedited visa services and expediting passport processing needs. Washington Express Visas is the Washington DC metro area’s fastest visa services, passport processing, document legalization and translations specialists. Washington Express Visas provides expedited passport processing service with same day pick up. Our professional passport specialists hand carry your passport documents to ensure that your documents get the expedited attention they need to meet all of your travel needs and deadlines. Call us at (877) 675-5571 today!

References: 1.19.13, CNN, Mike M. Ahlers, TSA removing ‘virtual strip search’ body scanners

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New Thailand And Cambodia Single-Entry Visa

A single-entry visa is not just going to be held by the European Union any longer. A couple of small countries have decided to join in and see how effective it can be for higher tourism for both of them. Thailand and Cambodia have launched a single-entry visa into their countries.

The Asia News Network reported that Thailand and Cambodia have released the launching what is currently known as the Acmecs Single Visa. It is the Asean version of the European Union’s Schengen Visa scheme. The Acmecs, the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy, is made up of five countries, which include Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Thailand and Cambodia are the first of the two to implement the new single-entry visa. Tourists can now use either country’s embassy and receive a single-entry visa for both countries. “If the initial project is successful, then the remaining Acmecs members will join the scheme,” said Foreign Minister Surapong Towichuk-chaikul.

The main objective of the new single-entry visa is to boost tourism throughout these Asian areas. The report stated 21 million tourists visited Thailand in 2012. In contrast, Cambodia only experienced a fraction of that tourism at 2.3 million. Since Thailand is the most attractive, tourists will enjoy being able to travel to Cambodia as an additional destination. The single visa will definitely benefit both and eventually, all five countries of the Asean scheme. From the onset, the emerging idea was “four countries-one destination”, in which Vietnam joined later.

The new single-entry visa, however, will not exempt tourists from being required to pay the actual visa fees of the country the desire to travel to. For example, the Thai embassy will have its’ own entry fee. If the tourist is planning to travel to Cambodia, they will have to pay the entry fee for Cambodia at the Thai embassy at the same time in order to travel there.

For the aspiring countries to pursue economic growth together should be no surprise. Both countries have already agreed to increase their trading with one another by 30% per year. They will also begin upgrades on the infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, to handle the increased tourism.

Whether you are traveling to Thailand, Cambodia or any other country throughout the world, you will need a visa to get there. Washington Express Visas can assist you with all of your expedited visa services and expediting passport processing needs. Washington Express Visas is the Washington DC metro area’s fastest visa services, passport processing, document legalization and translations specialists. Washington Express Visas professional office staff and specially trained visa agents provide same day pick up service to deliver all our services to every Embassy and agency in the Washington, DC metro area. Call us at (877) 675-5571 today!

References: 12.27.12, Supalak Ganjanakhundee in Bangkok/The Nation/Asia News Network, Thailand, Cambodia launch single-entry visa

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Letter From the CEO

Since 1981, Washington Express has been serving our loyal corporate and professional clients in the Metro DC area with pride for courier service, documents certification, visa processing, Capitol Hill line standing, and rush international shipping. Our goal is to always exceed expectations in order to show our dedication to professionalism and efficiency to those who have used our services.

Globalization has steadily increased demand on the part of clients for services related to international business and travel. With the addition of Andrew (Smiley) KatambaLujjo to our staff as our new resident to work alongside Paul Hofford, our longtime resident expert, we are expanding our Visa, Passport, and Document Legalization processing to be called Stop Shop” for our clients’ for visa processing, passport renewal, and document translations, and authentication.

As we become a true “Global Village”, the demand for international visa and document processing is growing dramatically. Our large courier fleet, our experienced customer service and dispatch team, and our real time, command and control logistics software have enabled us to perform at a high level of speed, accuracy, and dependability for our customers, our to provide for the timely processing of documents through the various Embassies and at the U.S. Department of State.

As the world economy again picks up steam, the demand for documents for both domestic and international business travelers will grow even faster than before and has created a flood of American passports. Likewise, we have seen significant new demand from corporate clients for visas and document processing related to the new emerging industrial economies in the world: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and the other ASEAN block countries.

In addition to corporate and professional firms, private individuals also have a growing requirement for the same services and we are now getting orders from across the nation and from other countries, via the internet from those who need passport and visa services that can only be obtained in Washington D.C. We have upgraded our website and have added more experienced professionals who understand how to handle these sometimes complex transactions and to accommodate these needs. We know what you need for visa processing and document certification and we can get it for you efficiently and effectively.

Gilbert Carpel / CEO

Washington Express Visas is a private company that is not affiliated with any government agency. We charge a fee to process and expedite passports, visas and document leglization applications at consulates and passport agencies.

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