With the Grimsvotn volcano erupting over the weekend, it is a sobering reminder of last year’s Eyjafjallajokull eruption that reached Europe, closing much of its airspace!

My advice… Be prepared– travel rarely goes as scheduled. I learned the hard way, even for the day trips I used to take a suitcase with me (overnight clothes/toiletries/snacks)  – If it can happen, it WILL happen, and it did indeed happen on more than one occasion.

It just took just one time for me to get stuck on an island without any clothes or supplies before I learned the hard way (Snowstorm shut down the East Coast.) My only alternative was to shop at the hotel gift shop.

In your case, I recommend when taking your trip, ask yourself– what if I don’t get home on time? Always have a Plan B. 

1. Leave home with a clean slate. Take care of anything that’s pressing before you leave home (apts, meetings, obligations) not only will it make your re-entry into your life easier, but it will de-stress your entire trip.

2. Whats your Plan B? Have a back up plan before you leave for your trip. Now, if you don’t get home as scheduled things can still run smoothly without you (meetings, kids, apts.) For example, don’t schedule important doctors appointments for the day of your arrival. That way, if you don’t get home when you are scheduled, it isn’t a catastrophe. [Read more →]

May Holidays: International Workers’ Day and Victory Day

By Jonathan V. Phillips, Executive Advisor, G3 Washington DC

May Day has long been a traditional holiday in Europe, but the current May Day holiday, International Workers’ Day, has its roots in the not-so-distant past. The Second International, an organization of socialist and worker parties from around the world, met in Paris in 1889 and declared May 1st International Workers’ Day.

The holiday commemorates the workers’ fight for an eight hour work day and the memory of the “martyrs” of the 1886 Haymarket  Square massacre in Chicago, in which dozens of  unarmed  people were killed at the hands of the Chicago Police during a labor demonstration.  This event in Chicago galvanized worker parties around the world and reinforced the concept of an international struggle shared by all workers.

Today International Workers’ Day is one of the largest secular holidays celebrated around the world. This holiday is officially observed by dozens of countries, including China, Russia and the former Soviet nations, the majority of European Union nations such as France and Germany, India, Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Brazil and Venezuela,  and is unofficially observed on every populated continent.  This year, because May 1st falls on a Sunday, the holiday will be officially observed on Monday, May 2. [Read more →]

Do you think that you’re unfairly being singled out for additional screening or scrutiny when flying internationally? The reason may be that your name or your profile is the same or similar to that of someone on the government’s watch list.

Or, as a frequent flyer, do you wish there were a way to clear customs and get on your way sooner when you return from abroad? Well, the good news is that, in both instances, there are things you can do to make the process easier.

People who are constantly delayed by additional screening can seek redress through the Department of Homeland Security’s Traveler Redress Inquiry Program Inquiry Program (DHS Trip). Just go to the government’s website to start the process and receive a Redress Control Number you can use to track the progress of your complaint and present when you book a flight after your complaint is resolved. [Read more →]

1.     American Express Travel App

Includes Tripit, the travel organizer. Just forward confirmation e-mails to your phone and Tripit will create your itinerary. You’ll also be able to view restaurants and shops near your airport gate, access a directory of travel providers, and more. Platinum card members will also receive alerts to flight delays or cancellations and gate changes, information about alternate flight availability, and the location of airport lounges available to them.

2.    Currency

Provides instant, up-to-date exchange rates for more than 100 currencies and countries, and you can see several of your personal choice on the same screen simultaneously.

3.     Zinio

Get all your favorite magazines delivered directly to your phone so that you don’t have to carry them with you or buy hard copies at exorbitant prices abroad (if you can find them). Resize the type, bookmark and share, or download articles to read offline later. [Read more →]

It is our pleasure to have G3 Visas contribute to In-Flight Insider each month, to provide the latest valuable information on passports, visas, embassy and consulate closures around the world.

Middle East Update
By Jonathan V. Phillips, Executive Advisor, G3 Washington DC
Civil unrest continues through the Middle East and North Aftrica. Their respective consulates continue to issue visas without much change in the already existing protocols; Yemen and Libya being the major exceptions.

Algeria: The embassy is open and issuing visas within 3-5 days. Demonstrations continue but they have waned in recent days as the government has lifted a state of emergency that had been in place for nearly two decades.

Egypt: The embassy and consulates are open and issuing visas at normal processing speeds. The situation, although tense, has stabilized. According to the State Department, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo remains on ordered departure status for dependents, but most employees have returned and the Embassy is resuming normal operations. The Egyptian police have not fully reconstituted and security is still in a process of being organized.

Tunisia: The embassy is open and issuing visas in 3-5 days. Relative civil order has returned but travelers are to be advised of the humanitarian refugee situation on it’s eastern border with Libya. [Read more →]

Have you seen the little credit card size U.S. Passport Card? I just had an interesting conversation with a friend the other day where she wanted to know what the passport cards are all about?

Annie: I saw someone without the “book” version, but I saw a credit card like version? What is it?

Carolyn: Yes, that’s the U.S. Passport Card but its not for international air travel though- “The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.”

Annie: Why was the U.S. Passport Card created?

Carolyn: The passport card was designed to address the specific travel needs of the northern and southern U.S. border communities with residents that cross the border frequently by land. Its also very popular with travelers who take cruises to these destinations.

Annie: My U.S. Passport expires in May and I am about to renew… Can I apply for the passport card and passport book at the same time using the same application? [Read more →]

It is our pleasure to have G3 Visas contribute to In-Flight Insider each month, to provide the latest valuable information on passports, visas, embassy and consulate closures around the world.

Unrest in Middle East and North Africa

By Jonathan V. Phillips, Executive Advisor, G3 Washington DC
Civil uprisings continue in nearly a dozen countries in the Middle East and North Africa. For the most part, the affected countries are still issuing visas without change or interruption to their existing protocols. Processing expectations for these countries are back to normal.

The State Department has renewed  travel warnings for the entire region and in the case of Libya is organizing evacuation. Below is a country by country synopsis of current visa processing expectations.

Algeria: The embassy is open and issuing visas within t3-5 days. Demonstrations continue but they have wained in recent days as the government has lifted a state of emergency that had been in place for nearly two decades.

Egypt: The embassy and consulates are open and issuing visas at normal processing speeds. The military is in control and the government ministries are functioning. Civil unrest continues but is isolated and contained by militarized police.

Tunisia: The embassy is open and issuing visas in 3-5 days. The state apparatus is functioning even though ministers continue to resign, including the newly appointed prime minister. Tensions are still high but demonstrations have quelled in the past days. [Read more →]

Delays Not Quite Over for India

By Mirissa R. Spears, G3 Country Information Coordinator for India

The Indian Consulate in Houston has slowly begun to see an increase in all visa processing speeds. While many are hopeful that processing speeds are going back to normal, this could potentially be short lived. Starting February 1, the Indian Visa Office in Houston will begin handling consular services for people of Indian origin that had previously been processed directly through the Consulate.

This change will bring a heavier workload to the Visa Office and possibly delay visa requests even more in Houston. It is expected that eventually all Indian consulates will outsource the processing of Renunciation Certificates, OCI  and PIO card applications, but before now only the Indian Visa Office in Washington, DC has taken on these services. The additional services have not caused delays in Washington, so we are hopeful that our visa applicants in Houston will not suffer in the long run.

China Visa Update – New Application and Holidays
The Chinese government has released a new visa application that is currently being accepted in Washington, Chicago and San Francisco.  G3 expects the consulates in New York and Houston will begin accepting the new application shortly.  The new application is four pages long, with an additional two-page supplement that must be submitted by applicants for work or student visas and by non-US citizens. [Read more →]

The Concierge is usually someone you speak with after you have arrived. What about when you are planning you trip? Calling ahead of your arrival will give you and added edge when it comes to making reservations for that amazing (and usually sold out) show or that uber chic-hard-to-get-into restaurant that is in all the magazines.

One important issue you might not think of, which the concierge can inform you about, is whether there are any local holidays or festivals that could impact your visit.  Particularly is some Asian countries, you could be surprised by closings or prohibitions about which the concierge can give you that all-important warning.

You’ve probably asked a hotel concierge to help you get restaurant and/or theater reservations, but don’t forget that he or she can also be your best resource for information about local customs, sights you wouldn’t normally see, and places the locals love to eat.

Most of us don’t think about asking the concierge what he would suggest. And because of that we may be missing out on some fabulous possibilities.

And please do remember to compensate him or her generously for the services he/she provides.

With over 300,000 apps created this year alone, if you have a smartphone and are travelling abroad there’s plenty of great mobile apps to choose from to help keep all your holiday plans on schedule.

Whether you are travelling solo or are planning a package holiday with the family, our selection of 10 of the best apps available will help with everything from planning your trip, how to tip and even sending an ‘iPostcard’ to your friends and family!

TRIP PLANNING

These apps are all designed to help you plan your trip and make sure you’ve got everything you need for your package holiday.

First up is Packing Pro. Worried that you might pack the sunscreen but forget the passports? Packing Pro lets you create a list of everything you’re planning to take on holiday and a tick function so you can check that everything’s where it should be! Available for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, Packing Pro requires iOS 3.0 or later. Packing Pro has been chosen by National Geographic and American Express as one of their best iPhone apps for travellers and is currently available for $2.99.

TripIt is a handy app that puts all your travel plans right on your iPhone no matter where you booked your excursions or trips. You can forward travel confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com to build a trip itinerary, so you know exactly where you should be all through your holiday. Ideal for package holidays with excursions as additional extras, TripIt is available for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad and it’s free!

Travel Buddy is a great app that is practically a travel agent in an app! This free app can be used on any mobile phone and can provide you with local information, send texts to your phone confirming your booking, itinerary, flight information and even weather reports. Additional information texts are charged at £2 plus your standard network charge.

GUIDES

[Read more →]