School is out, Kids are Home, and What do You Mean I Need a Passport …

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Justin Hackett

At last it’s here… Spring term is over, kids are out of school, and work is matriculating into summer hours. Thinking about planning a summer vacation? Why not? Rates for travel are at an all time low, resorts are half booked, and you really deserve a vacation! So you decide to book a week long cruise, maybe a backpacking adventure in Canada, a few Mai Thais in Cancun, or a cultural excursion in London; it all sounds fantastic. But there are a few things every traveler should do before they book the excursion of their dreams.

First and foremost, check your passport. If your passport will expire within six months, it is highly recommended to renew your passport before you even step foot into an airport. Most airlines, cruise lines, or border crossing points will not allow you to enter if your passport is in question. Sometimes they will let you pass, but immigration officials at your final destination can/will turn you away. This is a certain way to cut your vacation short and waste lots of money.

Second, verify that where you are travelling doesn’t need a visa to enter the country. Please make note, visas and passports are too completely different things. A passport will let you travel internationally, but some countries require an entry visa in addition to the passport to enter. I highly recommend you reference three points of information, when making your travel plans. First, call the air/cruise line, second call a visa expediter company, and third, contact the host Embassy of your intended destination. Do not rely on information from a friend or the internet, as this is a sure way to end your summer plans.

Lastly, after you have secured all the necessary paperwork and documents, I strongly implore you to make copies of everything. It is best to make two copies as one set you should leave with someone for safe keeping and the second set to stow away in your travel bags. You could inadvertently misplace your passport, take a dive in the ocean, or fall privy to market pick pocket; having copies in your possession will make things so much easier when you approach the US Embassy.

Follow these tips and suggestions to enhance your summer vacation, keep more money in your pocket, and have a peace of mind. Now let the good times roll!!

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Travelling Internationally With Credit Cards

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Justin Hackett

Purchasing power

 More times than not credit cards make travelling the world much easier. I know when I travelled throughout North Africa; I always had a credit card as a backup form of payment. There is not a need to deal with travelers cheques, exchange large amounts of money, or wearing that annoying fanny pack, which clearly labels you as a tourist. But the simplicity of credit cards should not be overlooked as consumers can find themselves in a leap of financial trouble.

First, I recommend calling your financial institution and letting them know where/when you will be travelling. If you forget to call your financial institution, there is a high chance the bank will automatically block you card. This usually is an attempt to block any fraudulent transactions. Once the bank has been notified, they can adjust your account and allow you to use your card without any provocation.

Credit cards generally charge a fee, which is known as a foreign transaction fee. These fees generally hover around 3 percent and can add up quite quickly once you factor in all the miscellaneous items you will be purchasing. You may think this fee only applies to purchases made in foreign currency, but in recent times credit card companies are assessing the fee on any international purchase. So even if you are travelling in a country who lists their prices in US dollars, there is a chance you will still be assessed a fee. The best way to avoid these fees is to have a reserve amount of cash on hand, which can be used to for small knick-knack gifts. Save the credit card for big purchases, such as dinners, hotels, or expensive excursions.

It is a prudent idea to have a digital image of your credit card. You could scan a copy to a flash drive, snap a photo on your Smart Phone, or store in a similar fashion on your tablet. This is helpful in the event you lose your card, need to call the bank in a pinch, or are not carrying your credit cards but still want to make payment.

If you are travelling in some European countries, they utilize a smart card or pin encrypted credit card. This card has an extra layer of security, which may contain a microchip or an extra PIN number, which must be entered to complete the transaction. Most European countries do accept US credit cards, but beware there are exceptions especially for automatic vending machines. By vending machine, I do not mean a machine which will disperse chips, but some train kiosks issue tickets via a vending machine. It sure beats going to the window!

Always, always, always carry a back up card! This card should ONLY be used in extreme cases. I highly recommend having this back up card associated with a different bank then the rest of your cards. When I was in Algeria, my two primary cards were cancelled because they were linked with the same bank. I was forced to use my back up card and was very happy that it was associated with a different bank.

Lastly, it is important to diversify your payments by using your different credit cards. In addition you should always have a small amount of reserve cash just in case things go awry with your cards. In case you lose your cards you should make a note of the various toll free numbers, your personal banker, or a service center. This way a card can be quickly cancelled and a replacement card placed in the mail. In the meantime use your cash to get by.

Follow these handy tips for financial security while travelling abroad and you can focus more on enjoying the fun, then what is happening at the banks. Remember, it is a vacation!!

 

 

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I Got My Passport Back, Now What?

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Justin Hackett

Okay, after a long arduous wait, I finally got notification from Travel Visa Pro’s online system that my passport/visa request had been completed. I anxiously tracked the package, even took a half day from work, and voila, it finally arrived. I am not sure what I expected to happen as I feverishly opened the package but, I was thinking streamers, colorful paper, or something spectacular to jump out of the box. Sadly, it was just an envelope and my passport. So I thought to myself, what should I do now? I was not sure, so I phoned Travel Visa Pro, and one of their helpful representatives instructed me on the steps one should always follow, once the passport is back in their possession.

  1. Check the name on the passport, to make sure that is indeed you, and there are not any spelling mistakes.
  2. SIGN your passport in blue or black ink. The agent on the phone could not stress this enough. He politely informed me that an unsigned passport could cause tremendous headaches such as a visa being denied, not being able to board a flight, or having your entry refused. I thought to myself, this is really important!
  3. Make sure the picture is you! Mistakes can happen and that picture may not be you. This is more common with visas then the actual passport, but nevertheless it could happen.
  4. Double check that any and all court/official documents you submitted have been returned.
  5. When looking at your visa, make sure that again the name is spelled correctly.
  6. The entry and exit dates match your exact travel plans.
  7. For some countries, make sure that the place you are allowed to enter is listed on the visa.
  8. That you have at least 6 months validity on your passport before you travel. There is not a more unpleasant experience then having to be denied a flight because your passport will expire will abroad.
  9. Make sure there are blank visa pages other then the amendment pages. Technically, visa stamps are not allowed to be stamped on the amendment page.
  10. Lastly, make a copy of your passport and any respective visa, in case you were to lose your passport while travelling abroad.

    Check the demographic information ASAP

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Demystifying the Saudi Arabian Visa Process

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Justin Hackett

Are you thinking of travelling to Saudi Arabia in the future? But you are not sure what type of visa you may require or better yet on how to apply for a Saudi Visa. This article will examine the different types of Saudi Visas and the intricacies associated with applying for each one. Hopefully, upon completion of the article the Saudi visa process will be demystified.

First and foremost a tourist visa does not exist for Saudi Arabia. Let me say this again, there are no tourist visas for any visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Many people would like to visit the Kingdom as a tourist, but currently this cannot happen.

The most common visa gleaned from Saudi Arabia is a business visa. This entitles the individual to travel to Saudi Arabia to consult and conduct business on behalf of his/her company. Generally, the client in Saudi Arabia, also known as a host, will meet with the client to discuss joint business ventures. This is a relatively simple, straight forward visa to apply for. The host in Saudi Arabia will ask the client for a scan of his/her passport and will then proceed to apply for an invitation letter. This is accomplished by submitting the scan to the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Once the Ministry has approved the invitation, it will be reverted back to the host company. They will in turn stamp the invitation with their company seal. Once all these steps have been completed, the invitation letter will be made available to the client. The client will then need to contact a registered agent, such as Travel Visa Pro, to facilitate the stamping of the visa at the Embassy.

Instead of a business visa, your host company in Saudi Arabia may offer you a visiting work visa. Quintessentially this is same as a business visa, but instead of just meeting with your host contact in Saudi Arabia, you will perform special tasks while in the country. You will still be paid by your direct employer and will not receive any compensation directly from the Saudi host.

A government visa will be issued to those who are meeting directly with Saudi Arabian government employees. This is a gratis visa and the invitation letter will list that you are authorized for a government visa. This visa is arranged the same way as a business visa.

A family visit visa is a visa which allows an individual to travel to Saudi Arabia to see as you can imagine a family member! This can be a wife, husband, brother, sister, cousin, aunt, uncle, or whoever is related to you as long as they can prove the relation. This can be established through a marriage decree, birth certificate, family tree, or any other official document. Once the familial chain has been established a family visit will be granted. The family member in Saudi Arabia will have to appear in person at the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They will furnish a copy of the guests passport and apply for a familial invitation. The family member who applied for the invitation letter will now become the sponsor for the intended guest. A familial invite will be provided and this in turn will be sent to the guest. They will need to show this at the Embassy in order to apply for the visa. Generally, a family visa will be a single entry visa, valid for 30 days. If you intend to stay longer than 30 days, it is imperative that you inform your host about the length of stay you require.

A residence visa will be needed if you intend to live or relocate to Saudi Arabia. This is probably one of the most uncommon visas as not many individuals are invited to live in Saudi Arabia for a length of time. This is a special invitation which will come from the Ministry of Interior and is usually associated with work or those relocating to be with ones who work in Saudi Arabia. Many call the invitation the long yellow form, as it will always be yellow and is twice as long as a normal piece of paper. This invitation will allow the individual to travel to Saudi Arabia and once you enter the E gate immigration, you will be given an Iqama card. This card serves as your identification in Saudi Arabia and shows that you are a valid resident. It is recommended to keep this card on your person at all times.

By far the most difficult and complicated visa for Saudi Arabia is a work visa. This visa is presented to those who have been offered a work contract with a Saudi company. This is entirely different then a business visa, as a work visa means you will be paid directly by a Saudi firm. Getting a work visa is very lengthy process and will start with an individual having an interview with a Saudi recruiting firm, who will then refer your resume to a Saudi company. If the company deems the candidate suitable for their needs, they will furnish an employment contract. Once the employment contract has been accepted, the company in Saudi will provide the candidate with a visa block invitation letter, which will have the job title, type of passport held, and the corresponding visa number. Once the invitation letter has been received, the candidate will now need to complete the rest of the steps to apply for a Saudi visa. This will include a comprehensive medical exam, a police report, gathering the necessary certifications/degrees, and many other pertinent documents. It is in your best interest to contact Travel Visa Pro as soon as you have received the visa block, as they do expire in 60 days from issuance.

You can be offered a temporary work visa instead of an actual work visa. This is very similar to a work visa, but your contract is limited and will generally expire in 3-6 months. A temporary work visa will require an invitation letter from Saudi Arabia authorizing you for this visa. Once the contract has expired, you will return back to your host country.

Saudi Arabia offers two types of religious visas. Hajj and Umrah visas are available at their respective times throughout the year. There is no invitation associated with this type of visa, but only those who adhere to the Muslim faith may apply. In certain instances the Consulate may ask to see a copy of your Islamic decree from you local mosque. These visas can be obtained either by themselves or with an all inclusive package, which will have hotels, airline tickets, and transportation.

There are many types of visas categories for Saudi Arabia and it is important to consult with your host to make sure all of your demands are met. Equally it is as important to work with a registered visa agent of the Embassy and to make sure such agent understands the visa process. I can say with certainty Travel Visa Pro has such expertise!

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PASSPORT DAY IN THE USA on MARCH 10, 2012

Posted on March 8, 2012 by Justin Hackett

My oh my passports have certainly changed in the past twenty years. The National Passport Center which is the largest passport processing center in the United States have seen a multitude of changes with forms, protocol, function, and staff; but … Continue reading →

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BRIEF HISTORY OF WOMEN’S DAY

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Justin Hackett

International Women’s Day is a recognized global holiday which finds it origination from the tumultuous and expansive times of the early 1900’s. This is when the world saw a major population growth and the influence of a multitude of ideologies … Continue reading →

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Travel Visa Pro Offers Concierge Service

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Justin Hackett

Some of you may know that a few weeks ago we recently launched a concierge concept to our business. We decided to expand on our already high level of customer service and include a VIP/Concierge level service for those that are interested. Our VIP/Concierge level service is for clients who are too busy to deal with the hassle of trolling through pages of consular literature, clients on the super rush, and anyone that is having a tremendous technological difficulty. For the latter point, we have become quite aware that Nigeria, Russia, China, and Kenya visas pose significant difficulty for most of our clients. If you happen to experience difficulty with these visa applications, concierge service is certainly for you! There are many benefits of the program, which for a small, nominal fee, you can fully experience. Details of the program are listed below and we have an explicit VIP Line, 202 618 3373, which you can call anytime to speak with one of our concierge representatives.

Travel Visa Pro’s Concierge Program Will Give You Access to the Following Benefits

  1. Dedicated concierge staff which will be on the ready to answer all your questions. The staff can be accessed by calling 202 618 3373.
  2. We will assist you with the visa application which will include creation of the application, editing, printing, and priority submission to the Embassies.
  3. The ability to create Fed Ex air bills for inbound shipping to our office.
  4. A personal phone call to confirm that the package has been received in our office and that all documents are in order.
  5. For clients whom are requesting multiple visas, a phone call or an email will happen after each step of the process has been completed.
  6. An automatic upgrade to Fed Ex Priority Shipping. i.e. if you select three day shipping, we will upgrade you to priority overnight shipping free of charge.
  7. Prior to shipping we will verify the return address, call and let you know we are shipping, and email you confirmation with a tracking number.
  8. You will have special access to our emergency concierge service which will help clients who have lost their passports, visas have expired, or any issues at the airport. Services may include same day passport renewal, same day visa renewal, airport delivery, and many other options to ensure your delays are minimal.
  9. Your name will be tagged in our system as a VIP client, which ensures that all of our staff will recognize that you are entitled to VIP privileges.
  10. We will offer you free passport insurance.
  11. Free electronic photo printing at the office, normally a $10 fee.
  12. Discounted service fee for registration with US Embassies of your intended travel destination.
  13. Creation of travel itineraries which will be sufficient for document submission

The services listed above can be yours for a nominal fee of:

$35 for the first visa or passport application

$20 for any and all subsequent visas or passports within the same order

If you are facing a headache and want VIP treatment, Travel Visa Pro offers services which can make things much easier. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 202 618 3373 and let the VIP treatment begin!!!

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Travel Visa Pro on Facebook!

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Justin Hackett

We are proud to announce our reappearance on Facebook. We have swept out the cobwebs, changed a few things, and are now back on the market.

Given the recent explosion of social media, IOS apps, virtual updates, and living life on the “technological go”; Travel Visa Pro is excited to unveil our remapped Face book page. We have high expectations of our page and plan to deliver exceptional “on the fly” updates. First, on Travel Visa Pro’s homepage users can find a nifty, live ticker on the bottom of our page. This ticker will have live updates, recent closures, and anything that could affect your travel plans.  You will also be able to click the like button on the top or bottom of our page which will entitle you to receive an amazing offer! Lastly, we are searchable on www.facebook.com. Take a look at some our planned updates and notifications:

 

  1. Daily updates for Embassy closures throughout the U.S.
  2. Relevant articles which will explain recent changes with passports and visas
  3. Question and Answer forum, which travelers can post a question and an answer will be supplied
  4. Links to Travel Visa Pro’s Blog, which has excellent traveler advice
  5. Access to our picture galleries which will have valuable pictures of passports and visas
  6. Contests, discount vouchers, and many other benefits will be listed on our page
  7. Getting to know Travel Visa Pro, were not all business, all the time!!

 

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UK Passport Offices Cease In Person Apperances

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Justin Hackett

The UK passport in Washington, DC has released an important announcement. As of March 5, 2012 the UK Embassy in Washington, DC will no longer accept in person submissions for any passport related functions. In order to cut costs and reduce manpower, they will only process mail-in applications only. If you have a passport in process now, it is highly recommended you contact the UK Passport office in Washington, DC or Travel Visa Pro.

We are working diligently and vigilantly to provide you with the recent updates and to still provide you with excellent service. For UK passport questions please contact our DC office.

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Changes in Saudi Immigration

Posted on February 7, 2012 by Justin Hackett

King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia have recently introduced a new “e-Gate” system.

 This electronic system allows foreigners and frequent travelers to the Kingdom, whom are in possession of an activated e-Gate card, to complete their passport control on arrival and departure formalities more efficiently and without need to wait in a queue. An e-Gate card contains a holder’s biometric information that will be captured by immigration control upon each entry and departure.

The e-Gate card can be acquired at these two airports free of charge. To activate the card, clients will be asked to submit a fingerprint scan at the gate, ID # (Saudi passport or Iqama) and the airline boarding pass in order to complete the registration.  Please note that e-Gate card holders must depart and re-enter Saudi Arabia with their valid passport.  

The e-Gate system is designed to streamline registration of arrivals and departures and to establish some sense of urgent processing as many travellers experience mass delays while waiting in queue. Please remember that this is only a process and immigration officials have the right to pull any traveler aside and conduct a secondary inspection.

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