Japan Immigration Lifts Visa Requirement for ASEAN Countries

Japan has lifted visa requirements for a number of ASEAN countries including Thailand and Malaysia to help spur the nation's tourism industry and to develop relationships with Southeast Asian countries.

According to Foreign Ministry’s pronouncement, visa exemption will be effective for Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Viet Nam after July, 1. Ministry underlined the decision is adopted to celebrate “40th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation.” Visa exemption is valid for short time visit no longer than 15 days. Japan cautioned those travelers who want to stay longer must still need a visa.

The territorial dispute between Tokyo and Beijing lowered the Chinese travelers. Japan’s move to nationalize disputed islands at the East China Sea drew a harsh critic from Chinese’s officials and triggered a boycott from Chinese’s consumers and tourists. With no end in sight to the dispute, the Japanese government turned its eye to lucrative Southeast Asian market. Tokyo wants to attract 1 million Southeast Asian tourists this year, and 2 million in 2016. The number was 780,000 last year.

On the political side, the Japanese governments want to have a closer relationship with ASEAN countries. Nationalist leader Shinzo Abe who visited Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia after becoming prime minister is expected to tour Malaysia and the Philippines. During his visit, Japanese Prime Minister will try to develop relations with Southeast Asian countries to obstruct Beijing’s regional ambition, reports say. Malaysia and the Philippines have a territorial dispute with Beijing likewise Japan. Japanese PM Abe is due to host a special meeting of ASEAN leaders in Tokyo in December.

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Posted in: ASEAN , Japan Immigration , visa requirements

Philippines’ AirAsia’s 1st Birthday Blowout: “Piso” Fare for All Destinations

To celebrate its 1st birthday, Philippines’ AirAsia is offering a one peso base fare promo for all destinations starting today, April 15, 2013.  

"It is hard to believe, it has been a year already since we launched our operations. We had many challenges but the potential for growth is tremendous and we aim to play a big role in growing the market. The passenger traffic in Clark has grown tremendously last year and we have consistently remained committed in providing our guest with the highest standards in safety, efficiency and quality service,” Freddy Herrera, AirAsia Inc. Commercial Head said.  

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Posted in: AirAsia , philippine travel , travel news

Amanpulo getaway - Power Plant Mall’s Summer Shopping Raffle Prize

The heat is on, with a sizzling summer sale and fab raffle prizes to be won at Power Plant Mall! From April 11 to 14, participating tenants at the Power Plant will have their items discounted, and they've taken it up to 80% off on selected items. 

How about a relaxing vacation to complete your summer? Starting on April 11, shoppers get a chance to win a complete travel package to Aman Resorts, Amanpulo. The 3-day/2-night package includes a round-trip airfare, accommodation, massage, yoga class, snorkeling and other relaxing activities at the island. Make it a super summer as Power Plant Mall also raffles off two SUPER sunglasses care of L.S. Pascual. 

Every single receipt purchase worth a minimum of Php 2,000 from shops at the Power Plant Mall, One Rockwell, Manansala and Joya Residences, or Php 3,000 minimum single receipt purchase from Rustan’s Supermarket earns a raffle ticket. Receipts can be exchanged for raffle stubs at the redemption booth near the R1 level escalator, North Wing of Power Plant Mall.

Start shopping now at the Rockwell Power Plant Mall to get a chance to show off the cool sunglasses or go on an amazing beach getaway. The raffle promo winner of the vacation package must be at least 18 years old with a proof of Philippine residency. The Great Summer Getaway Promo ends on April 30, 2013 and the raffle draw is on May 2, 2013. Per DTI-NCR Permit No.A2-0321, Series of 2013. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/PowerPlantMall.

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Posted in: Aman Resorts Amanpulo , Amanpulo getaway , Power Plant Mall , travel news

UK Immigration Minister Announces Changes to Tier 2 visa system

Mark Harper, the UK immigration minister announced a series of proposed changes to the UK immigration system on Thursday 14th March 2013. He told the House of Commons that the changes will be introduced on April 6th 2013. The most significant changes will be made to the Tier 2 visa scheme, the tier visa of the UK's five tier points-based immigration system that is for skilled workers with a job offer.

Mr Harper announced a series of changes including

• Cap for Tier 2 (General) visas fixed at 20,700 per year until further notice
• An update of the Shortage Occupation List. Some medical occupations are removed from the list. Some engineering occupations are added
• Amendments to the Code of Practice for Employers
• Changes to salary thresholds and minimum appropriate salaries for individual occupations
• A series of changes designed to 'further improve flexibility for Intra-Company Transferees and for employers carrying out the Resident Labour Market Test'
• A rise in the level of fees
• The Tier 2 visa system was established in 2008 by the then Labour government. Skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area who have a job offer in the UK can apply for a Tier 2 visa. In order to apply, they must have a valid job offer from a UK employer which has a valid Tier 2 sponsorship licence from the UK Border Agency.

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Posted in: Immigration News , immigration tips , UK Embassy , UK Immigration , UK Visa

Filing H-1B Visa Petitions

As of April 1, 2013, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting H-1B petitions for Fiscal Year 2014 (FY2014). Petitions for FY2014 will allow foreign nationals to work for petitioning employers as of October 1, 2013. USCIS will continue to accept new H-1B petitions after April 1, 2013, until the H-1B cap has been reached. At this time we encourage you to identify any employees who may require H-1B sponsorship so that a petition may be filed well before the H-1B visas for the next fiscal year are exhausted.

Congress has placed a numerical limit, or “cap,” on H-1B visas. For FY2014, the limit is 65,000, with an additional 20,000 visas available for foreign nationals who have earned a U.S. Master’s degree or higher. In past years, the cap has been reached in the first few days of April. Last year’s cap was reached in June 2012. With continuing signs of an economic recovery, there is a significant likelihood that the cap may be reached well before June of this year and perhaps as early as the first week of April. As there is no way to predict when this year’s H-1B quota will be exhausted, it is advisable to prepare H-1B petitions for filing on March 29, 2013, to ensure receipt on April 1, 2013, in order to improve your chances of securing visas for H-1B candidates.

Although Congress is currently considering comprehensive immigration reform as well as separate measures specifically concerning H-1B workers and the STEM occupations (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), no changes have yet been made and H-1B cap processing will continue as in years past.

If you have responsibility for your firm’s immigration planning and processing and you have already identified H-1B candidates, please initiate the H-1B petition process as soon as possible, keeping in mind that each H-1B petition requires certification by the Department of Labor (DOL) of a Labor Condition Application (LCA), which can take up to seven business days to be certified.

As always, we are prepared to strategize with clients regarding those potential employees who either do not qualify for H-1B status or who may have a gap in employment authorization prior to the start of the next fiscal year. Please keep in mind that certain foreign nationals may not be subject to the cap on account of having prior employment in H-1B status or working for certain cap-exempt employers. Please contact an attorney with Mintz Levin’s Immigration Practice to discuss any questions you may have about H-1B sponsorship. If you have identified a candidate who might require sponsorship, now is the time to begin the H-1B process.

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Posted in: Immigration News , travel news , US Embassy , US Visa