New Year Brings New Changes for India

by Mirissa R. Spears, Country Information Coordinator for India

The Indian Government will be introducing a new visa application in the United States over the next several weeks. It has been confirmed that the old application will continue to be accepted for up to two weeks after the new visa application has been introduced in each location. One major change will include a revised online application that is currently being utilized worldwide in over 30 countries. We anticipate major delays in processing speeds across the board once all locations have been introduced to the new visa application.

The Government of India has opened a new Honorary Consulate to serve the Southeast.  The new Consulate is located in Atlanta, Georgia; Georgia is the 10^th largest exporter to India among US states.  In addition to Georgia, the office will serve states of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee, as well as the US Virgin Islands and the US commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Consulate has a temporary location and is currently awaiting approval from its home government in New Delhi and the US State Department on a pending contract for its permanent space. It is expected that this Honorary Consulate will be upgraded to Consulate General status later this year, at which point it begin issuing visas.  We will continue to provide detailed information as it becomes available.

China Enforcing New Regulations

As of February 1, the Chinese government is enforcing strict new visa regulations.  Same-day visa service has been discontinued, though applicants may still appear in person in extremely urgent cases to request same-day processing.  G3 is still able to process visas in 24 hours.

The Chinese Embassy will also be enforcing consular jurisdiction, meaning that applicants must apply at the consulate that has jurisdiction over their state of residence.  With our nationwide network of offices, G3 is able to assist residents of every state to get their Chinese visas quickly and easily.  If you have any questions, or would like to request the appropriate visa instructions, please email China@g3visas.com.

Passport Cards Available Online
The U.S. State Department is currently running a test and allowing holders of valid passport books to apply online for passport cards.  Travelers can apply at U.S.Passport Cards, and the cards will be issued without having to submit the passport book.  The test period will run through mid-April.

Passport cards are valid for land or sea travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean only.  All international air travel requires a passport book.

Consular Updates
Azerbaijan - The Embassy of Azerbaijan has released a new visa application.

Belarus - Visa fees for Belarus have been increased.

Cameroon - Gun permit regulations have been changed.  Hunters may now import only one gun to Cameroon instead of two.  The Embassy of Cameroon is also taking an extended period of time to issue gun permits, up to one month or more.

Democratic Republic of Congo - As of February 1, the Embassy has discontinued rush processing.  The fastest visa processing currently available is three business days.

Iran - The visa process for Iran requires the visa section to request approval from Tehran.  We have been seeing a slowdown in the time it takes for the approvals to be issued; in some cases, the approvals have taken more than eight weeks.

Niger - Visa fees for Niger have been increased.

Turkey - Visa fees for Turkey have increased by a few dollars due to currency fluctuations.

Embassy and Consulate Closures for February
February 3:  Mozambique and Sao Tome closed. Mawlid Al-Nabi (birthday of the Prophet Mohammed) – many embassies closed, including Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Jordan.
February 6:  Burundi closed.
February 9: Lebanon closed.
February 10: Cameroon closed.
February 13:  Myanmar closed
February 15: Afghanistan closed.
February 17: Gambia closed.
February 20: Washington’s Birthday - All US Passport offices closed. Most embassies closed, including Brazil, China, India and Vietnam.  All G3 offices open.
February 21: Bangladesh closed.
February 23: Russia closed.
February 28: Egypt and Taiwan closed.

Further embassy closures are possible; not all embassies announce their closure schedules in advance. For updated embassy closures calendars, please see www.g3visas.com or our Facebook page.

Questions?  Ask Us! Do you have any questions about visas or passports that you’d like us to answer?  Email them to newsletter@g3visas.com, and we’ll make sure your question is answered, and you may see your question featured in a future edition of G3 Global Insight!

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.

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.”

3. Take the Stress out of the airport with this app. GateGuru is a phone app I use (and recommend often) every time I travel. Instead of wondering where to eat, where to buy a book or a souvenir, where to find the services I need, I now click on GateGuru and get all the answers instantly. Especially when you’re traveling with kids, you want to know what food options will be available past the security check point, where the bathrooms are, and where you can take them to pass some time or buy a toy if your plane is delayed. GateGuru tells you all that and much more. The app is free and available for both iPhone and Android users. More great apps for frequent travelers. 

4. Use Wanderfly to help you book the best flights*, hotels, and excursions. Not sure where to book… and want any easy way to coordinate the flights, hotels, and the destination? Go to Wanderfly and get inspired. Wanderfly, a web site that shows all your options, based on your personal criteria, and take the agony out of decision-making. Type in your budget and the dates you have in mind, then click on the kind of trip you think the family will enjoy and see what comes up. *I always recomend to people traveling with kids to book nonstop whenever possible and to get an early flight when delays or cancellations will be less likely.

5. Last chance for a “Mancation!” Okay, you’re expecting, and that’s exciting. Expectant moms get baby showers, but what about the dads? Babyshowerforguys.com thinks men should have a last fling, and they’ll help you plan a “mancation” to enjoy before your little bundle arrives. Let’s face it, your spouse probably doesn’t want to go fishing or golfing anyway, so while she’s doing girlie things she’ll be happy for you to indulge in a bit of harmless manly fun before you turn into a dad.

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 completed on a Russian government website before being printed and signed for submission to the consulate.  The online application is extremely complex, stretching over more than twenty web pages, and is prone to bugs and glitches.  G3 responded with a specialized Concierge Level Service offering.  For the ease of our travelers, we provide a simplified questionnaire that can be emailed to G3.  A CLS associate then completes the online application, which is double-checked by another member of the team before it is emailed back to be printed and signed.  We even provide a pre-paid FedEx airbill to send in all the documents!

Looking forward to 2012, we expect to see many more changes.  We are still waiting for the changes to the India online application that were announced this fall, but a firm date for the revised application has not yet been revealed.  We also expect to see further changes to Russia’s visa regime, which may include changes to the consulate structure and to the procedure of acquiring official invitations.  Whatever changes and surprises may lie ahead, rest assured that G3 is committed to providing the most up-to-date, accurate instructions and innovative solutions for our travelers.

U.S. Passport Application Update
The U.S. State Department has changed the link for the online passport application to http://pptform2.state.gov.  The applications themselves remain unchanged.  For assistance with the passport application or with any other passport questions, email our passport team atDCPassportAssociates@g3visas.com.

New ETA Procedure for Sri Lanka
As of January 1, Sri Lanka has instituted a new Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa system that will imact US citizens.  Previously, US citizens visiting Sri Lanka for tourism did not need to acquire visas, but visas were required for business trips.  With the new ETA system, US citizens and the citizens of many other developed nations (including Canada, Australia, all European nations, China, India and Russia) will need to apply for an ETA regardless of the nature of their trip.  G3 can aquire Sri Lanka ETAs; for instructions or any other questions, please email our ETA team at ETA@g3visas.com.

Embassy and Consulate Closures for January
January 2: New Year’s Holiday - G3 Closed.  All US Passport offices and almost all consulates closed.
January 2-9: Russia Closed.
January 4:  Angola and Myanmar Closed.
January 6: Orthodox Christmas - many embassies closed, including Armenia, Belarus, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Lebanon and Sudan.
January 12: Tanzania Closed.
January 13:  Cape Verde and Togo Closed
January 16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - All US Passport Offices and most embassies closed. All G3 Offices Open.
January 19: Algeria and Ethiopia Closed.
January 20: Cape Verde and Mali Closed.
January 23-24: China Closed.
January 25: China Closed (NYC Consulate Only).
January 26: India and Uganda Closed.
January 30: Nepal Closed.

Further embassy closures are possible; not all embassies announce their closure schedules in advance. For updated embassy closures calendars, please see www.g3visas.com or our Facebook page.

Questions?  Ask Us!
Do you have any questions about visas or passports that you’d like us to answer?  Email them to newsletter@g3visas.com, and we’ll make sure your question is answered, and you may see your question featured in a future edition of G3 Global Insight!

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.

4. Road IDs are great gifts for athletes on the go. They come in wrist bands, ankle bands, and a version that can be strapped to your shoe. But there’s also a dog tag that you can put on your key chain, so you don’t have to be a runner, biker, or hiker to use it. I gave one to my mother for when she’s walking her dogs with only her keys in her pocket. The ID is made of stainless steel and is engraved with all your essential contact information. The blank side of the dog tag can even be customized with an image that suits your particular interests or personality, and the bands come in a variety of colors. If you give a Road ID gift card or eCard the recipient can customize it to his or her needs.

5. I don’t know about you, but I always take my favorite perfume along with me when I travel. These Travalo Perfume Atomizers are a great invention. Just take the spray top off your perfume bottle, insert the tip of the Travalo atomizer, and press the other end to pump in the perfume. It’s really simple, spill-proof, and approved for your carry-on luggage. I also pump some of my favorite room spray so that I can freshen up my hotel room and it smells just like home!

6. Chargepod by Callpod is something I don’t leave home without. It charges up to 6 devices in just one outlet, and I use it for my phone, my BlackBerry, iPad, iPod, and whatever else I happen to have with me.

7. Whether she’s going away for a week, a weekend, or just to the gym, a woman needs her makeup, and the Dior Holiday Deluxe Face Palette includes all the essentials, including eye shadows, powder, blusher, lip gloss, and brushes, all in a chic, compact tweed case that looks like it’s tied with a bow. Throw it in your purse and you’re ready to go.

8. United Airlines’ Premier Baggage membership lets up to 9 people check two standard bags each without paying a baggage fee for one year. You must be a Mileage Plus member and everyone using the service at any one time must be traveling under the same confirmation number. If you travel United as a family or you travel often, those baggage fees can add up, so this would be a great gift.

9. iHOME iHM60LT Rechargeable Mini Speaker has amazingly great sound and is small (and light) enough to pack in your luggage without taking up very much space. I have one with me whenever I travel.

10. Sometimes it’s the most practical gifts that are the most appreciated. The Starbuck’s eGift card is not only a great gift but a great convenience. There’s a Starbuck’s in every airport and on every corner, so anyone can use it any time. Once the app is on your phone, the barrista can simply scan your purchase. The amount will be deducted from your card and you’re good to go.

If you’re flying back from a trip or home for the holidays and still haven’t finished your shopping, all is not lost because you can shop at the airport. Airports these days look like upscale malls with many shops to choose from. The American Express Travel app will let you know what shops are located in the airport you’re flying from (or to) and where to find them.

 

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.
• If you don’t feel well when you board, explain the situation to a flight attendant—especially if you’re traveling alone. At least if you do get sick, he or she will know what the problem is.
• Don’t think the “hair of the dog” will make you feel better—it won’t. Every drink you have in the air packs a double wallop because the air is thin and you brain is getting less oxygen.
• Don’t make the mistake of taking meds you happen to have with you because you think they’ll help. Meds and alcohol don’t mix. In fact the combination can be downright dangerous.
• Once you’re on board, try to take a nap. There’s a reason why people talk about “sleeping it off.” You’ll feel much better when you wake up.
• Sit as close to the front of the plane as possible. If there’s any turbulence it will be less bumpy up front. Ask the agent if there are any extra open seats, or you may be lucky enough to even get a row to yourself to relax. Being able to have a bit of space always makes the flight better.
• If you feel REALLY BAD, try to rebook on a later flight. No one wants to be up in the air when they’re feeling sick, with the thin air, turbulence, cabin pressure, and lack of oxygen… it could make you feel significantly worse.

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.

3. Be aware of local laws and regulations in the city to which you are traveling (and from which you will also be leaving). Within the United States, the Transportation Security Administration web site warns that.  “It is a passenger’s responsibility to be aware that origination and destination cities may have local laws prohibiting the possession of [specific items].” Go to tsa.gov to find out what’s allowed and what’s not.

4. Check out The Smart Traveler app, provided by the U.S. Department of State, will give you important information about any country you might be visiting, including any new travel warnings, safety issues, the current political situation, local rules and laws to be aware of, and U.S. embassy locations, among other useful information.

In addition, other countries may have rules that differ from ours. For example, I was departing Heathrow recently when a jar of my Egyptian Magic Skin Creme (its a solid olive oil, bees wax, and honey) I’d had in my carry-on luggage throughout many (domestic and international) trips was confiscated because Heathrow officials determined that it was a “paste,” and pastes in the UK are considered “liquids.” So check the airport web site in the country of your destination to avoid being unpleasantly surprised.

5. While most checked luggage is screened electronically, there may be a reason why the TSA finds it’s necessary to open a bag. If you’ve locked your luggage and the TSA can’t open it, your lock will be smashed. To avoid this, buy a lock that can be opened by security with a master key. They’re easily available at airports, many travel stores, and online.

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.

Cameroon: Gun permit applicants must also now provide original proof of their legal ownership of the guns. Photocopies of gun registrations or permits are no longer accepted.

Republic of Congo: A new version of the visa application has been released. Additionally, tourist visa applicants must now submit either a copy of hotel reservations or a confirmation letter from their Congolese tour operator.

Southern Sudan: A new visa application has been released.

Embassy and Consulate Closures for December
December 1: Central African Republic, Chad, and Myanmar Closed
December 2: Laos Closed
December 5: Thailand Closed. Ashura – many embassies closed, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
December 6: Ashura – many embassies closed, including Bangladesh and India.
December 8: Paraguay and Uzbekistan Closed
December 9: Cambodia, Tanzania and Thailand Closed
December 12: Kenya and Thailand Closed
December 16: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Kenya and South Africa Closed
December 19: Qatar Closed
December 22: Zimbabwe Closed
December 23: India Closed
December 26: Christmas/Boxing Day – all US Passport Offices and embassies closed. All G3 Offices Closed.

Further embassy closures are possible; not all embassies announce their closure schedules in advance. For updated embassy closures calendars, please see www.g3visas.com or our Facebook page.

Questions? Ask Us!
Do you have any questions about visas or passports that you’d like us to answer? Email them to newsletter@g3visas.com, and we’ll make sure your question is answered, and you may see your question featured in a future edition of G3 Global Insight!