When it comes to passport advice, I turn to G3 Visas and Passports. Communications Director Summer Jenkins advises what how to  avoid complications before you travel.

Your tickets are purchased, your bags are packed, you’ve checked to see if your destination requires a visa… but have you checked to make sure your passport is valid for travel?

Check Your Expiry Date
All too often, we receive frantic calls from the airport from travelers who have been denied boarding because their passport is too close to its expiration date.  Almost every country in the world follows the “six month rule,” meaning that your passport must be valid for six months after your planned departure from the country.  Even if you don’t have any travel planned, we recommend that you keep an eye on your expiry date and renew your passport when it nears that six-month mark.

Check Your Pages
Before you travel, flip through your passport and check to see if you still have any blank pages marked “Visas.”  You will need to have at least one completely blank page for entry to any country, and the pages near the back of the passport that say “Amendments” or “Endorsements” do not count. Some countries, such as South Africa, require you to have two blank pages next to each other.

Check Your Passport’s Condition
If your passport has endured hard wear or has taken a trip through the washing machine, it might be considered mutilated.  Common examples of mutilated passports include loose or missing covers, water-damaged pages, or peeling plastic coating on the photo page.  Mutilated passports aren’t just invalid for travel; they no longer count as valid proof of US citizenship.

If you need to renew your passport, have passport pages added, or replace a mutilated passport, G3 can help with expedited passport services.  We even offer same-day passport service through our Concierge Level Emergency Passport Service – just call G3 or email CLS@g3visas.com to begin your customized emergency service.

Everyone knows traveling with small children and young kids can be a challenge even on a good day. Here are some fresh ideas for families who travel, and an unusual one for expecting parents!

1. Keep young children safe in a seat belt. We all know that lap belts aren’t safe for little kids in cars, and the same goes for airplanes. Airlines don’t offer over-the-shoulder harnesses for kids, but you can get your own from CARES. Instead of carrying a heavy, cumbersome car seat on board, take a lightweight CARES harness that fits in your pocket and is easy to install in any plane seat. Your child will be safer and you will have peace of mind.

2. Keep older kids connected.  Older kids like to venture out on their own—whether you’re traveling as a family, they’re on a teen tour, or just visiting a friend. And you want to know where they are and what they’re doing. I’mOK is an iPhone app that makes it fun and rewarding to check in. Each time kids check in their location shows up on your phone. They can then add more information, such as whom they’re with and what they’re doing. They can even send pictures. And for every detail they provide, they earn additional points that can be redeemed for rewards you’ve agreed on in advance. As the I’mOK web site says, “It’s knowing without the nagging.” [Read more →]

2011 in Review, and Looking Forward to 2012

By Summer Jenkins, Communications Director, G3 Visas & Passports

The world of visa processing is a world of constant change.  Embassies change their visa applications, their processing times, requirements and fees; not a week goes by without updates to our website and PDF visa instructions.  However, 2011 brought major changes to our top two countries, China and Russia, and even saw the creation of a brand-new diplomatic mission in Washington, Southern Sudan.

In February, China’s embassy in Washington released a new visa application, replacing the two-page application they’d used for years with a far more detailed application consisting of four pages with a two page supplement for select applicants.  Over the next few months, the other Chinese consulates in the US phased in the new application, and the New York consulate released its own version of the application.  Further requirement changes followed: first the consulates insisted that the application must be completed typed with no handwritten answers (G3 provides fillable PDF applications for the convenience of our clients), and then they instituted a rule that all questions must be answered, even if the answer is “n/a” or “none.”

Russia’s changes were even more extreme.  On July 1, the Russian government abruptly instituted a new online application, which must be [Read more →]

Snapette: This app (to the right) is for the fun and fashion hungry! Its touted as the “global go-to applications for die-hard shoppers.” It virtually lets you window shop the most coveted bags and shoes in stores near your current location and around the world. Check out the hottest trends in New York, Paris, Tokyo  and beyond by reading what’s being posted.

GO TRY IT ON: Now that you have found the uber outfit, what would your best friend say– or what would a professtional stylist think about it? You can even create a network of Personal Stylists! Whether you need some inspiration, get advice or just a second opinion, this app puts more fun in fashion.

Obscura: (right) Now that you are in the dressing room and emailing your friends for fashion advice, you may not want everyone to see everything. Or OMG, you spotted an unbelievable dress or outfit when walking down Madison Avenue, but you want to protect the person’s identity. You can censor your own photos with a black triangle, a mosaic, or even stars! Its a cool way to “cover up” if your photo is too revealing in any way. The Obscura app was actually created when a Belgium based ad agency “Famous” was tired of being censored online, deeming the lingerie brand, La fille d’O, showed too much skin.

I know how hard it can be to come up with just the right gift at just the right price, so I did a bit of research, and I’ve come up with 10 great gifts at a variety of price points and one great idea for the last minute shopper!

1. I love beautiful coffee table books, and perhaps it’s because I recently was in Rio de Janeiro that this book is especially alluring… Brazilian Style published by Assouline, is informative, inspiring, and visually stunning. It’s certain to have any armchair traveler wanting to fly down to Rio.

2. Grooming Lounge specializes in men’s grooming products, and “The Greatest Shave Ever” Try Me Kit includes four of their top-rated products—face wash, shave cream, shave oil, and aftershave—in small, TSA-approved sizes. A great gift for the traveling man in your life.

3. Winner of the 2011 Conde Nast Traveller “Favorite Travel Website” Mr & Mrs Smith are premiere bookers of boutique and luxury hotels. Now they’re offering a stylishly wrapped “Get a Room!” gift voucher sgood for use toward an accommodation at any of their more than 850 hotels around the world. Cards start at $50.00, and for $100.00 or more you’ll also get one of their best-selling travel guides of your choice. Add it to your gift to inspire the recipient to explore someplace new. [Read more →]

 Years ago I was working a flight out of Las Vegas when, as we were getting ready to land, I noticed that one of the passengers seemed to be unconscious. He wasn’t traveling with anyone (so no one could speak for him) and I had no idea what was wrong with him—it could have been anything. But as I and four other flight attendants gathered around trying to revive him, he woke up, totally confused and indignant—just as we were unbuttoning his shirt (to prepare for CPR).

Turns out he’d been partying hard for a couple of days (starring in his own version of “The Hangover” with his buddies) hadn’t eaten much, and had then taken some kind of prescribed stomach medication. The combination of alcohol, medication, and an empty stomach had caused him to pass out.

So if you’ve had too much (holiday) cheer and are not feeling great when you need to board a plane, here are a few things you can do to make it better.

• Even if you are not thirsty, buy a large bottle of water (and maybe some aspirin) after you go through security and drink A LOT! Not only will your body appreciate it, it will hydrate your brain.
• Even if you are not hungry, buy a snack to take aboard, but make it light (even if there is food onboard, it may take a while for the flight attendants to get to you). Food will help to absorb some of the alcohol, but anything too heavy, too spicy, or too rich will just make you feel worse. [Read more →]

Gathering as much information as you can before you leave home is a smart way to cut down on the stress of holiday travel. Here are a few tips and apps that will help you to know before you go.

1. Download My TSA is an app that gives you great travel info. Just select the airport you’re departing from and you’ll get information about real time delays and the wait times at various security check points along with everything you need to know about what you can carry on and how to dress to speed up your check-in time.

2. Ship your gifts whenever possible. Not only will you avoid having to drag cumbersome packages through crowded airports, but also, you’ll probably be saving money because of increasing charges for both checked and carry-on luggage. And if you must carry gifts with you, don’t wrap them. They will be opened and your expensive gift wrap (not to mention the time you spent wrapping) will be tossed in the trash. [Read more →]

Russia Holiday Update

By Summer Jenkins, Communications Director, G3 Visas

With Christmas and New Year’s fast approaching, please be aware that Russia will close its consulates and the Foreign Ministry in Moscow for an extended period. We can expect the Russian Foreign Ministry to be closed as early as the 30th of December and possibly staying closed to the 16th of January, which is the first Monday after the celebration of Old New Year’s on the Julian calendar.  This means that there will no business invitations issued during this period. The embassy will most likely be closed for 7-10 business days as well, with a short week schedule in the second week of  January.

We recommend that any travelers planning a business trip to Russia in January or early February should contact G3 now to initiate visa processing, as business invitation processing will come to a virtual halt for about three weeks during the holiday.  For more information, please contact G3′s Country Information Coordinator for Russia, Jonathan Phillips, at Russia@g3visas.com.

Visa Updates
India: The updated visa application which was scheduled for release in early November is currently on hold. Our sources do not know when the new application will be released. As the new application is expected to be more difficult than the current one, we recommend that travelers planning trips to India get their applications in now, before the application changes. As all India visas are valid for at least six months after the date of issue, visas can be applied for well ahead of the departure date. [Read more →]

NEW YORK CITY 

What’s more exciting during the holidays than being in New York City? Seriously! And every year, when it comes to dining out, visitors and locals alike eagerly want to know “what’s new and what’s hot.”

There is no one better to turn to than Kate Edwards, a restaurant consultant here in New York City, for her insider tips on where to make your holiday (and beyond) restaurant reservations.

Kate Edwards Consulting is a boutique restaurant consulting firm that specializes in opening new restaurants and retail concepts as well as revitalizing existing, long-standing restaurants. Some of Kate’s clients include The Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel, Le Cirque, and South Gate at The Essex House. Kate also is an instructor at the Institute for Culinary Education, my alumni culinary school (yes I am a foodie) here in Manhattan.

Carolyn: For a fast and festive New York City experience, where do you suggest dining?

Kate: For seafood fans the Grand Central Oyster Bar is a NY classic. It has a daily menu with a huge variety and features dozens of types of fresh oysters. It is an iconic restaurant in an iconic building (Grand Central of course), one of a kind!

Carolyn: Now… what about a casual enviroment where its lively and the food is great.

Kate: For great Japanese noodles and food there is Ippudo on 4th Ave and 9th street. It is always packed (so arrive early) but is super delicious and fun…when you enter the dining room the entire staff (american and japanese staff) all call out in unison in Japanese, something like “welcome!”. Is surprising and then you hear them throughout the night, is a lively atmosphere!

Carolyn: I love trying new wines, and having delicious “bar bites.” What NYC spot would you suggest? [Read more →]