Philippine Entry Visa Not an Entry Guarantee to Philippines

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has reminded foreigners that possession of a Philippine entry visa is not a guarantee that its holder will be automatically admitted into the country. Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. made the statement following complaints from some members of the Filipino-Chinese community about the alleged excesses of BI officials in preventing the entry of arriving Chinese tourists with valid visas at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). He explained that a visa imprinted on a foreigner's passport merely authorizes the bearer to present himself for admission to an immigration officer in a Philippine port of entry. "It denotes that the visa application of the visa holder has been properly examined...

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Posted in: Bureau of Immigration , Immigration News , Philippine Embassy , Philippine entry visa , philippine immigration , travel news

US Election Result Brings Hope of Immigration Reform

THE people of the United States have reelected Barack Obama to a second term as America’s chief executive. Over the next four years, President Obama will maintain the ability to appoint justices to the Supreme Court and to the lower federal courts and to the heads of the federal agencies. Obama has pledged during his campaign that he remains committed to immigration reform, and to policies that favor the growing immigrant base that just helped him win the election. When Obama was first elected president, he promised to bring comprehensive immigration reform before Congress. In his first term, his efforts at reform were thwarted by a Congress that was unable or unwilling to make bipartisan compromises in order to promote effective change....

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Posted in: Immigration News , travel news , Travel Tips , us election result , us immigration

Travel Entrepreneur to Complete Seven Continents with Young Daughter

Travel entrepreneur RJ Samson and his 12-year-old daughter Lizzie’s travel story is a unique one. The US-based Lizzie, who lives with her mom, began traveling alone at the tender age of eight to the Philippines, and has already been to six continents by the age of 12.  Before Lizzie turns 13, the father and daughter tandem will make a trip to Australia to complete the seven continents, followed by a cruise to the Antarctic. “Lizzie and I are definitely excited about this trip. We’ve had such a wonderful time traveling around the world, just the two of us, and we can’t wait for our next adventure,” says RJ, who runs a travel company called iTraveler Asia. While RJ and Lizzie’s father-daughter bonding is far from ordinary,...

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Posted in: iTraveler , travel entrepreneur , travel news , travel story

Wealthy Investors Lured with New Visas

Business-savvy migrants with at least $5 million to invest in Australia can apply for new investor visas from November. The investment visas were announced in May and Immigration Minister Chris Bowen released what the conditions were on Wednesday. People can submit expressions of interest through SkillSelect from November 24."The $5 million minimum is considered to be sufficient for a meaningful investment contribution, justifying eligibility for visa concessions such as not having to meet the points test, no upper age limit and access to reduced residence requirements," Mr Bowen said in a statement. They will have to invest in state and territory government bonds, Australian Security Investment Commission-regulated managed...

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Posted in: Australian immigration , Australian visa , Immigration News , immigration tips , travel news , Travel Tips , visa tips

PHILTOA Launches the Country's Largest Tourism Expo

If you've ever thought about taking a vacation and exploring the Philippines, now would be the best time to turn that idea into a reality. It doesn't matter if you want a quiet retreat or a thrilling adventure; whether you're planning your honeymoon or just going out with friends, there is no shortage of options in the upcoming 23rd Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) this coming August 10 to 12 at the SMX convention Center in Pasay City.Now bigger than ever, the Philippine Travel Mart (PTM)—the longest-running travel trade show in the country—is set to showcase the Philippines in the upcoming Sale ng Bayan. Featuring heritage and eco-adventure tours from all over the Philippines, the 23rd PTM is the result of various familiarization and exploration...

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Posted in: philippine travel , PHILTOA , Tourism Expo Philippines , travel news , Travel Tips

Rhapsody Residences - Resort-Inspired Condo in the South

Here's a good news for all those who wants to own a Condo unit but do not want to live in the busy cities like Quezon City or Makati City. Rhapsody Residences is DMCI Homes’s resort-inspired condominium village project located along East Service Road in Barangay Buli, Muntinlupa City. The construction that started two years ago is turnover ready by the fourth quarter of 2012.Since DMCI Homes has been in the business for almost 60 years, it will be a plus factor for me because a land developer has to be reliable and be able to deliver their projects on time. Also, the community of Rhapsody Residences has access to main roads and is near business and technology hub Northgate Business District and the country’s premier shopping centers like Alabang...

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Posted in: Condo for Sale in Alabang Muntinlupa , DMCI Homes , Rhapsody Residences

Cotabato City - A Must-Visit Tourist Destination in Philippines

A city evaded by most travelers, Cotabato City’s reputation is scarred by bombings, infrequent kidnappings and the infamous Maguindanao massacre, the single deadliest attack for journalists in history. What was once one of the most progressive cities in Mindanao, has declined economically in the past few years. Located at the heart of Maguindanao, but politically independent from the said province, this blemished beauty is slowly making its mark on the map of domestic tourism.For first timers, the city may seem ordinary, not exactly the type that you will put on your bucket list for a leisurely walk. The bustling city center is clogged by tricycles and jeeps, vendors, and old, forgotten buildings. A few famed fast food chains have sprouted...

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Posted in: Cotabato City , philippine travel , Tourist Destination in Philippines

Tattoos can Cause Trouble for Immigrants

Legally immigrating to the United States can be a long and difficult process. Potential immigrants to this country have to maintain a job and clear criminal records or they can face deportation to their home country. It isn’t easy, but for those who achieve it, it is well worth it.To add to the difficulty for immigrants, tattoos can also play a role in their being denied a green card to the become United States citizens. Many tattoos in certain countries and cultures have connections to gangs and other criminal organizations. Certain tattoos can affiliate a person from Japan with the Yakuza, certain iconography is associated with the Russian mafia, and various Latin street gangs have tattoos that identify their affiliations. The issue with...

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Posted in: green card , immigration and travel , Travel Tips , us immigration , US Visa , visa tips

Black Canyon Coffee: Travel Free Thai Cuisine Experience

Hi guys here's a good news for all those who wanted to try Thai cuisine without travelling to Thailand. Last 24 June 2012, I was invited to attend a food tasting session and also launch of a new Thai style cafe-restaurant which is also their first branch in our country. Black Canyon Coffee is a cafe and restaurant based in Thailand and is located at the Food Street of the newly re-designed SM South Mall along the busy Alabang-Zapote Road of Las Piñas City. Black Canyon Coffee is one of the most successful Thai names in coffee and dining. They made its name from its concept of being a full-service casual dining coffee place that serves not only a wide range of specialty coffee drinks and beverages, but also a complete range of delicious...

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Posted in: Black Canyon Coffee , coffee and dining , coffee shop , SM South Mall , Thai cuisine experience , Thai style cafe-restaurant

Changes on UK Family Visit Visa System

Foreign nationals refused a UK visa for a short visit to see family members in the UK will lose the full right to appeal the decision in the courts, the department of immigration has announced. The step is a necessary one and will save tens of millions of pounds and free up tribunals to deal with more serious cases said immigration Minister Damian Green. In future the vast majority of failed applicants will have to re-apply, rather than launching a lengthy, taxpayer subsidized appeal. ‘We are not stopping anybody visiting family in the UK. If an applicant meets the rules they will be granted a visa. However, it is grossly unfair that UK taxpayers have had to foot the huge bill for foreign nationals who, in many cases,...

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Posted in: Immigration News , immigration tips , travel news , UK Embassy , UK Family Visit Visa System , UK Immigration , UK Visa , visa tips

New Temporary UK Visitor Visa Announced

The new UK visa for visitors is aimed at allowing small groups of professionals to visit the UK for a variety of short term purposes. To apply through the new visitor route, applicants need only a formal invitation and proof that the intended visit relates to their field of expertise. Holders of the visitor visa are permitted to stay in the UK for up to one month and undertake paid work for which they have been invited for. This can include giving a lecture or examination to students, participating in a chair selection panel, providing advocacy or arbitration in a legal dispute or working as a pilot instructor. Applicants can also be professional artists, entertainers or sports professionals invited to the UK to take part in a particular...

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Posted in: Immigration News , UK Embassy , UK Immigration , UK Immigration System , UK Visa , visa tips

French Government to Suspend Visa-free Travel to France

French government officials are lobbying the European Union to allow the country to suspend visa-free travel to France amid concerns over mass immigration and stubbornly high rates of unemployment, reports the Irish Times. Currently, tourists planning to travel to France and other E.U. nations do not require visas to move throughout the continent. However, French interior minister Claude Gueant said the Schengen treaty was encouraging illegal immigration and threatening further economic instability in the Euro Zone. "Schengen Visa is not functioning in a satisfactory manner," said Gueant, as quoted by the news source. "There are, according to experts, some 400,000 people who have entered in an irregular manner. Between two and four...

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Posted in: Schengen countries , Schengen treaty , Schengen Visa , suspend visa-free travel to France

Alabama House Votes to Strip Language from HB 56

Last Thursday, the Alabama House of Representatives voted 64-34 to make major revisions to the State's immigration enforcement law, HB 56.  (Montgomery Advertiser, Apr. 19, 2012) The changes were adopted through the passage of HB 658, introduced by Rep. Micky Hammon, also the House author of HB 56. House passage of HB 658 comes only two weeks after the bill's introduction, during which time the bill was heard and amended by the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee. (See Alabama House Bill Status for HB 658) HB 658 weakens HB 56 in several ways. It limits the circumstances under which law enforcement officers check immigration status, weakens the penalties for knowingly hiring illegal aliens, eliminates the prohibition...

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Posted in: immigration tips , US Embassy , us immigration , US Visa , visa tips

Tech City on visas: Stop complaining, Start claiming

Critics of the U.K.’s recent changes to immigration rules — which introduced new startup visas for entrepreneurs, but eradicated an entire class of visa used by engineers — are not taking full advantage of the system, according to Tech City chief Eric van der Kleij.Speaking to GigaOM, the CEO of Tech City Investment Organization — the government arm charged with boosting London’s credentials as “the digital capital of Europe” — said that while the caps imposed on the number of skilled workers who can migrate to Britain have caused controversy, the reality is that applications for residency have been massively under-subscribed. “They [startups] tell me they’re worried about the skills shortage and the type of visa that you hire talented, skilled...

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Posted in: Immigration News , immigration rules , immigration tips , Tier 2 visa , type of visa , visa needs , visa tips

US Non-Immigrant Visa Fees Increased by US Embassy Starting Friday

The US Embassy announced it is raising fees for some non-immigrant visas, including tourist, business and student visas, starting tomorrow (April 13). Those applying for tourist, business, crew member, student and journalist visas will have to pay $160, from the current $140. Nonimmigrant Visa Processing Fees Type of VisaPrevious FeeNew Fee Tourist, Business, Transit, Crew Member, Student, Exchange Visitor, and Journalist visas$140$160 Petition-Based visas (H, L, O, P, Q, and R)$150$190 Treaty Investor and Trader visas (E)$390$270 Fiancé(e) visas (K)$350$240 Border Crossing Card (age 15 and older)$140$160 Border Crossing Card (under age 15)$14$15 However, there will be lower fees for all immigrant visas, as well as those for fiance/fiancee...

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Posted in: Immigration News , immigration tips , US Embassy , US Non-Immigrant Visa , US Tourist Visa , US Visa , visa tips

UKBA Launches Priority Visa Services for Thai Visitors

The UK Embassy in Bangkok made an announcement on April 03, 2012 about the introduction of two new premium visa services offered by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and its commercial partner for visitors wishing to enter the UK in 2012 – the year of the London Olympics. As indicated in the announcement, UKBA launched a priority visa service that allows visitor visa applicants to have their UK visa application placed at the front of the processing queue if they meet certain criteria and pay an additional fee. Applicants have to pay 3,000 baht for the new priority service at the time the application is submitted. The UKBA aims to turn around priority applications within three working days. In addition, to bring more convenience to applicants, the...

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Posted in: Thailand Immigration , UK Embassy , UK Immigration , UK Visa

New Zealand Plans Simplification of Visa Application Process

Shifting immigration policies speak volumes about a country's desire to embrace change for its economic growth. New Zealand is the latest country to join the bandwagon.The plan has been published in the form of its Vision for 2015 document. New Zealand's immigration minister, Nathan Guy, welcomed the blueprint and voiced that "Immigration New Zealand has put a lot of hard work into winning back the confidence and trust of the public and the Government." He expressed that the plan was an important step towards building on these achievements. Additionally, he said that to benefit New Zealand visa applicants and staff at the visa offices, the immigration department has greatly reduced visa decision-making times. Some 500,000 visa decisions are...

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Posted in: immigration tips , new zealand visa , Travel Tips , visa tips

Parent and Grandparent Super Visa Increased

More than one thousand Parent and Grandparent Super Visa applications have been approved in less than three months since the Super Visa program took flight, for an overall approval rate of 77 percent, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today.“I'm pleased that the Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is working as intended and giving large numbers of eligible parents and grandparents an opportunity to spend extended periods of time with their families in Canada,” said Minister Kenney. The process for getting a Parent and Grandparent Super Visa is simple and straightforward. Applicants for the Super Visa must submit proof that the host child or grandchild meets a minimum income, demonstrate that they have...

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Posted in: canada immigration , Canada Visa , immigration tips , super visa canada , visa tips

Let Our Voice be Heard - No to Mining in Palawan

We all knew that Palawan is one of the major tourist spot in the Philippines, and if the mining will be implemented in this place every beautiful and scenic spot in Palawan will be ruined. Join the battle cry and make your voices heard—loud and clear—in support of a national rally to protect our environment. Spread the word and play a key role in the evolution of consciousness of our people by urging more Filipinos to say NO to MINING in Palawan and other fragile island ecosystems. The signature campaign is the power of good; it’s the power of many. If we all own the battle and act decisively and dynamically, then maybe we can try for 3 million more signatures by the end of the month, before hitting the ten million mark by Easter Sunday, April...

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Posted in: major tourist spot in the Philippines , NO to MINING in Palawan , philippine travel

More Countries Added as Eligible Applicants for H-2A and H-2B Visas

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced last week that there have been five more countries added to the list of eligible nationals who can participate in the H-2A and H-2B programs in 2012. This brings the lists total to 58 countries. The list of Countries will be reviewed again one year from the date of publication.The H-2A and H-2B programs allow US employers to bring foreign workers to the US in order to fill temporary agricultural jobs and temporary non-agricultural jobs. USCIS generally may only approve H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries that are designated as eligible to participate in the programs. USCIS may also approve H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries not on the list if it is determined...

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Posted in: H-2A visa , H-2b visa , US Embassy , US Visa , USCIS

Philippine Special Visas available to Alien Traders

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has resumed granting Philippine special visas to foreign businessmen who put up businesses that employ at least 10 Filipinos. Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said the special visa for employment generation (SVEG) would allow the foreigners to remain in the country indefinitely along with their wives and children under 18.The visas were resumed two weeks ago after the BI issued the SVEG’s revised implementing rules and regulations that were approved by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. The SVEG was first introduced in November 2008 pursuant to Executive Order No. 758 issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to attract more foreign investors and create more jobs for Filipinos. But the BI suspended...

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Posted in: Bureau of Immigration , Philippine Embassy , philippine immigration , Philippine Special Visas , philippine travel , philippine visa

Liberal Immigration Critic Calls Conservatives’ “Super Visa” A Sham!

There has been a lot of discussion about the Conservative government’s new “Super Visa” in the community recently, but unfortunately it has turned out to be an insult to families desperate to bring their parents here. The Super Visa was supposed to bring families closer together by allowing parents and grandparents to visit their children in Canada for up to two years at a time over a decade.But the reality is that most families won’t be able to afford the high-costs involved with the Visa, including meeting minimum salary levels and paying thousands for private health insurance. All of this is assuming the application is even approved, and we all know how difficult that has become under the Conservatives. Worse, the Super Visa controversy...

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Posted in: canada embassy , canada immigration , Canada Visa , super visa canada

Processing Waivers for Family Members Reduced from Years to Months

Last Jan. 6, 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted a notice of intent in the Federal Register outlining its plan to reduce the time that U.S. citizens are separated from their spouses and children under certain circumstances while those family members go through the process of becoming legal immigrants to the United States.  Currently, spouses and sons and daughters of U.S. citizens who have accrued a certain period of unlawful presence in the United States, and have to leave the country as part of the legal immigration process, are barred from returning to their families for as long as 3 or 10 years.  They can receive a waiver to allow them to return to their families by showing that their U.S. citizen family...

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Posted in: US Embassy , us immigration , US Visa , USCIS

Canada Immigration Opportunities for Biologists and Related Scientists

Canada has a large demand for biologists and other scientists; Those looking to emigrate can apply under the Canada immigration Federal Skilled Worker program. This skilled immigration program is for people in a range of different occupations including for biologists, zoologists, pharmacologists, and geneticists. If you have skills in occupations listed on the Priority Occupation List under the Canadian skilled worker visa category you will not need sponsorship by an employer.Canada Immigration uses a Priority Occupation List which is a list of occupations deemed in demand by the Canadian Government; There is an ongoing national skills shortage in a number of areas. Skilled workers are people who are selected as permanent residents based on...

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Posted in: canada embassy , canada immigration , Canada Visa , Canadian skilled worker visa , immigration in canada