Ghana: Visa-on-arrival available for African Union nationals
African Union nationals whose countries do not have a visa-free agreement with Ghana are now eligible for a 30-day visa-on-arrival for business and tourism. The visa-on-arrival program will be piloted for three months starting at Kotoka International Airport and will be extended to other ports of entry in the future. Travellers can extend their visa upon expiry in Ghana, and business travellers can apply for a longer-term visa at a Ghanaian consular post.
US: Summer travel planning for foreign nationals
Canada: Visa-exempt nationals to require Electronic Travel Authorization on or after September 30, 2016
Due to a relaxation of the deadline to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), visa-exempt nationals who plan to enter or exit and re-enter Canada by air will be able to board their flight and enter Canada as long as they have appropriate travel documents, such as a valid passport, until September 29, 2016.
UAE: New visa application process requires appearance at typing centre
The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA) has introduced a new electronic system for submission of visa applications which requires the foreign employee to appear at one of approximately 600 approved typing centers in Dubai, but eliminates the need for multiple appearances at a GDRFA branch. Most entry permits for visitors and residents will be issued electronically and emailed to the applicant, allowing the foreign national to carry the emailed copy instead of the original entry permit.
Nigeria: Status verification exercise requires personal appearance by company representative
Between March 14 and March 31, 2016, companies that employ foreign workers under Combined Expatriate Resident Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) status must present documentation to one of the CERPAC Production Centres, according to an announcement by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Employers’ representatives must bring the following documents to one of the CERPAC Production Centres on behalf of each foreign worker:
Costa Rica: Local identification card issuance subject to delays
Due to technical issues, foreign nationals seeking initial or renewed local identification cards (cédulas) should expect processing to take over a month after their cédula appointment, instead of the usual two weeks.
Foreign nationals should therefore carry their passport and processing receipt to use local services, and the approval notice of their respective category (e.g. Temporary or Permanent Residence, Stay Visa) if they travel. There is currently no estimate for the resolution of system issues.
US: Visa Waiver Program passport requirements take effect April 1
Starting April 1, 2016, all eligible Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travellers, including infants and children, must present an e-Passport – a passport that contains an electronic chip and is machine-readable – when entering the United States. The requirement is one of a range of enhanced VWP security measures that were enacted in December 2015.
India: e-Tourist visa expanded to 37 additional countries
India has expanded the e-Tourist Visa (eTV) program to applicants from 37 additional countries. Eligible visitors under the eTV include business visitors and those travelling to sightsee, visit friends or relatives or to make short medical visits. Nationals from a total of 150 countries are now eligible for the program, as was announced in March 2015.
India: Japanese nationals to be eligible for visa-on-arrival
Effective March 1, 2016, Japanese tourists, business visitors, conference attendees and medical visitors who are unable to apply for a regular visa or electronic visa will be eligible for a non-extendable 30-day single-entry visa-on-arrival. The visa-on-arrival allows two visits per calendar year.
The visa-on-arrival can be used in addition to the e-Tourist Visa (e-TV), which also allows two visits per calendar year in its own capacity.
US: Global Entry program opens to all eligible citizens of Germany
Beginning February 16, 2016, qualified German citizens can apply for membership in the Global Entry trusted traveller program, according to a Federal Register notice slated for publication next week. Successful applicants benefit from expedited immigration and customs clearance when they enter the United States through a participating airport.
Global Entry membership was previously open to a limited number of German citizens who participated in ABG Plus, Germany’s former trusted traveller program, through a pilot conducted in 2013.
Qualified U.S. citizens are now eligible to apply for membership in EasyPASS, Germany’s expedited entry program for pre-screened travellers.
Philippines: Long-term visa holders must comply with annual report requirement by March 3
Long-term work visa holders in the Philippines who have been issued Alien Certificate of Registration identity cards (ACR-I Cards) indicating "Worker" or "Treaty Trader" status – including but not limited to holders of 9(g) Pre-arranged Employment and 9(d) Treaty Trader work and dependent visas, and Section 13 immigrant visas – must personally appear at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) office and complete their annual report from January 4 through March 3, 2016.
Those who fail to submit the annual report by March 3 may face a fine and/or imprisonment at the discretion of the Commissioner of Immigration.
USA: What travellers need to know about the new Visa Waiver Program rules
The FY 2016 appropriations legislation enacted last week contains significant revisions to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The new law (1) prohibits citizens of VWP member countries from entering under the program – i.e., visa-free – if they have visited or have dual nationality with certain countries of concern; and (2) imposes more stringent passport requirements on VWP travellers.
Though several key provisions of the new law took effect when the law was passed on December 18, the Departments of Homeland Security and State have not yet provided guidance on how they will be implemented. Therefore, many questions about the impact of the new law – particularly the travel restrictions – remain unanswered for now.
The following are Fragomen’s preliminary responses to frequently asked questions about the new VWP passport requirements, travel restrictions and the potential impact of the new law on U.S. citizens travelling to VWP partner countries. These FAQs will be updated as the government provides more clarity about the revised rules.