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Japan Tourism Recovery After Tsunami

March 11, 2011 marks one year to date when the horrific tsunami and earthquake hit Japan.  The devastation took over 15, 000 lives and parts of the growing country demolished.  The catastrophe hurt various steady and constant industries, including tourism.

Japan has begun to see some daylight with tourism growth in Tokyo and surrounding areas per a recent Newsday-Associated Press report.  Shuichi Kameyama, director of the International Tourism Promotion Division at Japan Tourism Agency, stated tourist numbers in January this year are only 4% lower  than January 2011.  This is heading in the right direction, as projected tourist recovery would occur in 2012 by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

Tokyo is one of the major areas for tourism.  The three disasters caused a nuclear plant meltdown in Fukushima, about 180 miles from Tokyo.  However, signs of recovery is showing in the hotel industry.  Malcolm Thompson, general manager of The Peninsula Tokyo hotel, said in the report, “Corporate business is 95 percent back,” he said. “It’s really the high-end leisure traveler from America and Europe. They’re the ones we are not seeing yet. They’re the ones who are still very tentative about Japan. We here know that everything is fine and life is back to normal in most parts of Japan, but that’s not the perception.”

Promotional campaigns are being made by Japan to help tourism recover.  Japanese tourism officials will be launching a “Japan: Thank You” campaign to build tourist support.  In the US, they will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Japan’s gift of flowering cherry trees to Washington DC, which draws a million people.  In New York there will be marked what will be called “Japan Week”.  Digital cherry blossom displays will be held in Times Square and “Dine Out for Japan-Restaurant Week from March 7-11.  Donations will given toward the disaster relief.

You can aid tourism recovery in Japan, yet, you will need a visa or passport  to get there.  Expedited visa and passport services provided by  Washington Express Visas can meet all your travel 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:  3.9.12, Newsday-Associated Press, Beth J Harpaz-Japan tourism recovering a year after disaster

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Top Valentine Day Travel Getaways

The new year 2012 has just begun, and already the most romantic holiday right around the corner.  Valentine’s Day is a time when many expressions of love are given through memorable gifts and the reddest of roses.  However, many individuals desire to go beyond the normal patterns of giving gifts and do some traveling.  There is nothing comparable to a romantic Valentine’s Day getaway.  If you are looking to surprise your spouse or loved one with a getaway for Valentine’s Day, there are some great places to go and see.

One place to travel on Valentine’s Day is Arizona.  The state is turning 100 years old on February 14th and there are bound to be celebrations for this momentus occasion.  The state is full of attractions, not to mention it’s sunny weather. If you are seeking to travel somewhere warm and stay in the United States, Arizona is the place.  Another destination to visit would be Churchill, Manitoba.  This year will be the most scenic time for visibility for the Northern Lights in 50 years!  It will be a wonderful experience.  Mexico, Bermuda, and Colombia are also great getaways for their beautiful beaches and low cost of travel.  Last but not least, Paris is the city of love and known all over the world for its’ romantic appeal.  With Valentine’s Day landing on a Tuesday, it’s a perfect travel time to catch some amazing mid-week deals and opportunities to save money.

Enjoying a getaway a great way to make this year a Valentine’s Day to remember.  While you are making your plans and deciding on your destination, do not forget to become informed of any visa and/or passport requirements your destination may have.  If you do not have the proper travel documents you need, companies likes Washington Express Visas can help you.  Washington Express Visas specializes in expedited Visa Services and Passport Processing and Document Authentication.

Washington Express Visas is the Washington DC metro area’s fastest Visa Services, Passport Processing, Document Legalization and Translations specialists. Washington Express Visas is also the Washington DC metro area’s largest and fastest courier service.  Washington Express Visas professional office staff and specially trained visa agents provide same day pick up service to deliver visa applications, passports, document legalization and translations to every Embassy and agency in the Washington, DC metro area.  Call us at 1-877-675-5571 today!

References:  1.19.12, www.washingtonpost.com, Robert Reid, A Love Surprise: Perfect Valentine’s Day Getaways You Hadn’t Thought Of

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Traveler Successfully Uses iPad Instead Of Actual Passport

MSNBC recently reported a man successfully uses his iPad to cross the border into the United States.  Canadian traveler Martin Reisch was thirty minutes to border crossing, realizing he had left his actual passport at home.  He decided to make an attempt of displaying to the U.S. Border officer a scanned copy of his passport from his iPad.  “I thought I’d at least give it a try,” Reisch said. “He took the iPad into the little border hut. He was in there a good five, six minutes. It seemed like an eternity. When he came back he took a good long pause before wishing me a Merry Christmas.”  He also used it tocross the border back home that same day.
There are other stated facts about the incident by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that aided to Mr. Reisch success.  No one can cross the U.S. border with merely a scanned image alone.  “In this case, the individual had both a driver’s license and birth certificate, which the CBP officer used to determine identity and citizenship in order to admit the traveler into the country,” said spokeswoman for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Jenny Burke.  Canada ended the driver’s license only policy to cross the border in 2009.

Scanned passports are not anything unknown for several countries, especially Canada.  Scanned passports have been the basis of creating the highly anticipated e-passports.  In fact, Passport Canada, the agency that is responsible for canadian passports, is set to introduce e-passports by the end of 2012.  Special diplomat pilot e-passport projects already exist and currently there are no difficulties reported.

Indeed, e-passports may be the way of the future.  Until then, passports are still needed and there are companies like Washington Express Visas that can meet your needs.  We are the Washington DC metro area’s fastest Visa Services, Passport Processing, Document Legalization and Translations specialists.  Washington Express Visas has 29 years of experience and is also the Washington DC metro area’s largest and fastest courier service.  Call (202) 393-3030 and let us help you today!

1.4.12, Msnbc.com staff and news service reports-updated, Canadian man uses iPad to enter US; 9.15.11,, Future Travel Experience, Canada set for 2012 ePassport rollout

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Visa and Passports for the Holidays

Holiday travel is a great time, but can be an awful time if we don’t pack properly. It can be stressful when we’re trying to make our flight and things just seem to make the packing aspect of your holiday experience difficult. There are recommended ways to pack this time of year to help you travel during the holidays with ease.

First of all, take only basic outfits. Coordinate your shoes, stockings, undergarments, and other accessories you are planning to bring. Roll the clothing up as well. Keep traveling with jewelry to a minimum. Put your socks inside your shoes. Store items such as jewelry, medications, and toiletries in pouches or ziplock bags between your clothing. This makes for space maximization and easy accessibility. If you are taking a short trip, decide you are going to take your dirty laundry home and pack a large plastic bag.

A great way to pack is to get everything you are traveling with into one soft side bag. One that is roughly 9″ + 14″ + 22″ = 45″ total. This size can fit under the airline seat in front of you. It will give you a sigh of relief if any delays or unexpected flight transfer occur due to the holiday travel volume, and all you have carry is one bag to make it to your connecting flight.

Most importantly, if you are traveling outside the country, don’t forgot your passport. Your holiday travel will come to a scretching halt if you leave your passport on the nightstand at home. If you need a passport, companies like Washington Express Visas can assist you. Their expertise in expediting passport and visa services can help meet your immediate travel needs and still enjoy your holidays.

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H1-B Work Visas Still Available

Recent reports is that H1-B Work Visas are still available in the United States. There is a cap of 49,200 work visas that can be filed each year. The number of filings have steadily increased per month, with last month numbers at 19,100. Currently, the cap is not close to being met with 15,900 visas still not filed in 2011.

The H1-B visa is the most commonly used work visa for newly hired professionals. Most notably in professions such as engineering, IT, scientists, and business. The US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) caps all entries for this visa on April 1st of each year. They continue until that cap is reached. There is no cut-off date or deadlines for filing, it is just the issue of what year your filing with be grouped with. Therefore, if a worker files after April 1st, their H1-B Visa will be grouped with the 2012 cap.

Below is a list from the US Citizen and Immigration Services that shows a history of our yearly available H1-B Visas and when they were capped.

Year: 
H1B Cap Numbers
 Date H1B Cap Reached
2003
65,000
 October 1, 2003
2004
65,000
 October 1, 2004
2005
85,000
 August 10, 2005
2006
85,000
 May 26, 2006
2007
85,000
 April 3, 2007
2008
85,000
 April 7, 2008
2009
85,000
 December 21, 2009
2010
85,000
 January 26, 2011
2011
85,000
 Present – Currently Open

 

This year’s openings could possibly be due to less interest in working in the United States with recent employment challenges. Inspite of its’ challenges, The United States is still a viable competitor in the global market and the uncapped filings show there’s opportunity to work in America. Expedited visas service companies are a good resource that have the expertise and up-to-date visa knowledge to make your visa process easy. Companies, such as Washington Express Visas, can assist you receive your H1-B work visa in an expedited manner.

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England Has New Student Visa Policy

This year the British government has enacted a new student visa policy. The new policy is expected to decrease foreign student immigration by 25%. Per the home secretary, Theresa May, two of the goals of the new policy is to control immigration and protect legitimate students from poor-quality colleges. Universities did campaign against the new government policy.

Under the new student visa policy rules, a student visa will be limited to five years for study toward a bachelor’s degree or beyond. The new policy has created a no limit timeframe for students seeking a degree. There was a three-year limit on students’ study in nondegree courses, which will not change. Also, foreign students are restricted from bringing family members to Britain with them. Britain will only allow graduate students enrolled at universities and government-sponsored students to admit family members into the country with them.

Students entering Britain for degree-level courses will have to demonstrate a higher level of proficiency in English and can be refused if they cannot speak English without an interpreter. Also, the Post-Study Work Route gives students two years to remain in Britain and seek jobs after their programs end. This has been eliminated. Only university and public “further education” college students will retain the right to work while pursuing their studies, but all other students will be prohibited from seeking employment. Only graduates with an offer of a skilled job from a sponsoring employer will be allowed to remain in Britain to work once they have finished their studies.

Washington Express can meet your student visa needs. Washington Express Visas specializes in Visa Processing and Authentication. Our expedited service provides same day pick-up and specially trained visa processing agents to deliver your visa applications for processing and authentication to every Embassy in the Washington, DC area. Call us at 1-202-393-3030 and let Washington Express help with your visa today.

References: http://chronicle.com/section/Home/5

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Expedited Passport Processing

You have been waiting to go on vacation and you have everything you need–except a passport. Getting a passport is one thing. Getting a passport fast is another. Your vacation is five days away. What can you do? There is answer for this type of dilemma. You can turn to utilizing expedited passport processing.

Passport processing from an expediter is different from the government expediting. The government can expediting timeframe is up to four weeks upon mail receipt. If this timeframe is too long, you must travel to one the only 13 regional passport agencies in the US. There are expedited fees in addition to the standard government fees. With an expediter, you can receive your passport within one day and have it in your possession the next morning. Depending on the timeframe will determine the cost. For example, some can range from $100-$300. This is in addition to the standard government fees.

Although your passport is expedited, you still are responsible for the normal aspects of the process. You have to have your passport photo, provide your ID materials (i.e. birth certificate or expired passport), and paperwork completion. You also have to have the documents vetted and sealed by a local processing center (post office or courthouse), then mailed to the expediter. After this is complete, the expediter will complete the process. You can have your passport fast!

Washington Express Visas is a company that can meet your specific expedited needs. is the Washington DC metro area’s fastest Visa Services, Passport Processing, Document Legalization and Translations specialists. Washington Express Visas is also the Washington DC metro area’s largest and fastest courier service. Washington Express has been in business for 29 years with offices in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. We provide prompt and reliable service- you’ll always speak with a live person. Washington Express’ service times are the fastest available in the region with a 99% on-time track record. Our messengers specialize in urgent, on-demand delivery, and our management team is comprised of forward-looking, experienced transportation professionals. Give us a call at 1-202-393-3030 and let us help your with your expedited passport processing today!

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Visa Waiver Programs

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of 36 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor [B] visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The program was established for various reasons. It eliminates unnecessary barriers to travel. This is key especially if individuals will not be in the country for a long period of time. It also stimulates the tourism industry. As a result, different country economies can thereby experience short-term and long-term growth. The program permits the Department of State to focus consular resources in other areas as well.

VWP eligible travelers may apply for a visa, if they prefer to do so. Nationals of VWP countries must meet eligibility requirements to travel without a visa on VWP, and therefore, some travelers from VWP countries are not eligible to use the program. VWP travelers are required to have a valid authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to travel, are screened at the port of entry into the United States, and are enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security’s US-VISI program.

Per the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs, there are currently 36 countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program. Here are the countries as shown below:

Andorra Hungary New Zealand
Australia Iceland Norway
Austria Ireland Portugal
Belgium Italy San Marino
Brunei Japan Singapore
Czech Republic Latvia Slovakia
Denmark Liechtenstein Slovenia
Estonia Lithuania South Korea
Finland Luxembourg Spain
France Malta Sweden
Germany Monaco Switzerland
Greece the Netherlands United Kingdom

 

To be admitted to the Visa Waiver Program, a country must meet various security and other requirements. One requirement is an enhanced law enforcement and security-related data sharing with the United States. Also, timely reporting of both blank and issued lost and stolen passports. A country is required to maintain high counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, and document security standards as well. Finally, even with meeting the requirements, a country’s entry into the VWP is at the discretion of the U.S. Government.

Many may wonder who can enter the U.S. under this program. Review this VWP Quick Reference Guide (for new member countries) and make sure you review this webpage for detailed information. Nationals of the 36 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program may use VWP if:

  • They have received an authorization to travel under the VWP through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
  • They present the appropriate type of passport valid for six months past their expected stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). This is a requirement in addition to other passport requirements for all categories of passports — regular, diplomatic, and official – when the traveler is seeking to enter the United States for business or tourist purposes, for a maximum of 90 days;
  • The purpose of their stay in the United States is 90 days or less for tourism or business (Visitor (B) visa) purpose of travel. (If in doubt, travelers should check with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to verify that what they plan to do is considered tourism or business.) Transit through the United States is generally permitted.  Important Notice: Foreign media representatives planning to engage in that vocation in the United States are not eligible for VWP travel, as the purpose of their stay does not qualify as “business”. These professionals must obtain a nonimmigrant media (I) visa. Note also that travelers planning to work or study cannot travel on VWP, and they must obtain the appropriate visa to travel to the United States
  • If arriving by air or sea, they are traveling on an approved carrier (See the approved carriers list) and have a return trip ticket to any foreign destination;
  • They can demonstrate the intent to stay 90 days or less in the United States and demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves while in the United States.

VWP travelers who have been admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and who make a short trip to Canada, Mexico or an adjacent island generally can be readmitted to the United States under the VWP for the balance of their original admission period. See the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website for additional details. Also VWP nationals resident in Mexico, Canada or adjacent islands are generally exempted from requirements to show onward travel to other foreign destinations.

Source:  Travel.State.Gov

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New Version of B-1 Visa

Since 9/11 there has been an increased of security in our country and abroad. The Department of State and Homeland Security has made efforts to make visa requirements that ultimately provide safety. No area in which visas are required is being overlooked. This includes business. The maritime industry has received a new version of the B-1 visa for foreign citizens visiting the United States for business purposes.

As of February 1, 2011, the Departments of State and Homeland Security introduced an annotated version of the B-1 visa, issued to foreign citizens visiting the United States for business purposes that will make foreign maritime workers eligible to apply for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). The TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric identification card that maritime workers must obtain in order to gain unrestricted access to secure areas of U.S. maritime facilities. Maritime industry workers who will perform services in secure port areas must have their visas annotated “TWIC Letter Received.” Review Visitor Visas – Business and Pleasure for information on how to request an annotated B-1 visa for a maritime industry worker and TSA’s website at http://www.tsa.gov/twic for complete information about the TWIC program.

Washington Express aims to always keep you abreast of various passport and visa news. We also can be the visa courier of choice to assist you with these needs. Washington Express Visas is the Washington DC metro area’s fastest Visa Services, Passport Processing, Document Legalization and Translations specialists. Washington Express Visas is also the Washington DC metro area’s largest and fastest courier service. Washington Express Visas professional office staff and specially trained visa agents provide same day pick up service to deliver visa applications, passports, document legalization and translations to every Embassy and agency in the Washington, DC metro area.

Washington Express Visas utilizes state of the art dispatch software to monitor, track, and control every aspect of the visa and passport process. We offer customized billing and reporting options, such as paperless, electronic billing as well as reports customized to your specifications. Washington Express Visas can sort, group, and subtotal your invoice to meet your customized accounting specifications, and our billing is simple, informative and available on a monthly or semi-monthly basis. Call Washington Express at at 202-393-3030 today.

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Embassy Visa Services Expertise

What is an Embassy? We hear this respected term all the time, yet most people don’t fully understand its’ function. An Embassy is a diplomatic office in country (usually in the capital city of the host country) where the highest diplomatic officer is the ambassador (or high commissioner, in British Commonwealth). There are thousands of embassies around the world, specifically there are 186 in the United States. The embassy has the role of a diplomatic mission to protect in the receiving State the interests of the sending State, within the limits permitted by international law. They promote friendly relations between the sending State and the receiving State, and developing their economic, cultural and scientific relations.

Relative to Visas, a foreigner can not legally enter into a foreign country without it. Having the visa simply communicates the support or backing of embassy. An embassy is stationed to promote diplomacy and protection for its’ own country and citizens. As a result, there are many and various visa requirements. Here an example to obtain a tourist “L” visa to enter China:
Submit U.S. Passport – valid at least 6 months beyond stay, or longer than the visa’s validity and containing at least one blank visa page (other than amendment/endorsement pages)

  • Visa Application Form (Q1) the 2 pages version only.
  • Passport type photograph required.
  • Applicants requesting Rush issuance (same day) or Express (24 hours) issuance of the visa must provide a travel agency or airline itinerary showing evidence of an urgent departure within 7 days.
  • Visitors to China whose purpose of visit is short term study (less than 180 days), intern etc., should not apply for tourist visas. Please click below for the appropriate visa instructions:

With so many requirements, why not allow an expert to work with the embassy and proper prepare your visa on your behalf?  Washington Express Visas is the Washington DC metro area’s fastest Visa Services, Passport Processing, Document Legalization and Translations specialists. Washington Express Visas is also the Washington DC metro area’s largest and fastest courier service.  Washington Express Visas professional office staff and specially trained visa agents provide same day pick up service to deliver visa applications, passports, document legalization and translations to every Embassy and agency in the Washington, DC metro area.

Washington Express Visas will provide you with the specific requirements and what documentation is needed to enter into any foreign country. Instead of trying to wade through multiple websites trying to figure it all out, let our knowledgeable visa services staff walk you through the process step-by-step, making sure that you have all of the correct documentation, and then working on your behalf directly with the Embassy to get your visa application submitted and processed accurately and efficiently. We have 29 years of visa experience with offices in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. For our customer’s convenience, we have visa services information and requirements for the most traveled countries in the world in one centralized location on our website. Let Washington Express be YOUR EMBASSY EXPERT! Call us today!

reference: www.businessdictionary.com; www.wikipedia.org; www.traveldocs.com

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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