Perry International

What the U.S. Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Wed, 02 May 2012 21:54:23 -0400

What is the Department of State's role during a crisis overseas? Do you always evacuate U.S. citizens during a crisis overseas?

The actions we take depend on the nature of the crisis. In some instances, we may only need to provide information on conditions in the country, such as warning about areas of unrest, how and where to seek help, and other useful advice. In more serious situations, we may recommend that U.S. citizens leave the foreign country, and, if commercial transportation is not available, provide departure assistance, as our resources permit. See the rest at Department of State Website

U.S. Passport Card - Apply Online

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:27:37 -0500

The U.S. Department of State is proud to announce it is conducting a limited pilot program allowing U.S. citizens to apply online for a U.S. passport card. 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. U.S. State Department

Record Number Of Americans Now Hold Passports

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:44:13 -0500

"Over one-third of the population to be exact, or nearly 110 million out of 313 million Americans. That’s more than double the number of US passports in circulation in 2000 (48 million)" Forbes Article. For year by year statistics see the State Department's site at State Department.

New Names for U.S. Embassy "Warden Messages"

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:52:54 -0400

The phrase "Warden Message" has been replaced by two new message headings. "Message for U.S. Citizens" is the label for routine but important messages such as voting news, town hall meetings, and new passport procedures. Embassies or Consulates will use an “Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens” to inform U.S. citizens about events or threats that can affect their personal security. This includes demonstrations, civil disturbances, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and other breaking events. Whenever the Department revises the Worldwide Caution or issues a Travel Alert or Travel Warning for a country or region, posts (Embassies or Consulates) will also disseminate it with an Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Fri, 27 May 2011 19:17:30 -0400

The world continues to shrink. News from around the world continues to have a greater impact on our lives. Having a face to face experience to understand the world has never been more important. As the annual convention for NAFSA takes place in Vancouver, BC, Perry International is proud to be able to send me to present An Outline of the United Kingdom's Entry Regulations and Visa Procedures.

NAFSA's belief that "international education and exchange, connecting students, scholars, educators, and citizens across borders is fundamental to: establishing mutual understanding among nations, preparing the next generation with vital cross-cultural and global skills, and creating the conditions for a more peaceful world" has made us realize that supporting this organization is beneficial to everyone. Volunteering with the Visa Education and Consular Affairs Liaison subcommittees is another way that we can give back and follows on our commitment to our Travelers Giving Back Program.

New Regulations on Academic Travel to Cuba

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 14:45:18 -0500

Travel to Cuba is like travel to any other country that requires a visa for U.S. passport holders. It is upon return to the United States where travelers must be able to comply with Department of the Treasury regulations or face possible civil penalties and criminal prosecution.
The Cuban Assets Control Regulations are enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and affect all U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The regulations require that people be licensed in order to engage in any travel-related transactions for travel to, from, and within Cuba. U.S. law enforcement authorities enforce these regulations at U.S. airports and pre-clearance facilities.
OFAC recently issued new regulations for academic travel to Cuba and will be issuing additional guidelines within the coming weeks. According to the NAFSA's Resource Library the new regulations allow accredited U.S. institutions of higher education to sponsor travel to Cuba for course work for academic credit under a general license. They allow accredited U.S. graduate or undergraduate degree-granting academic institutions to sponsor or co-sponsor academic seminars, conferences, and workshops related to Cuba or global issues involving Cuba, by specific license. Regulations specify that students/ faculty/ staff participating on such programs will be required to carry letters “stating that the Cuba-related travel is part of a structured educational program of the sponsoring U.S. academic institution, and stating that the individual is a member of the faculty or staff of that institution or is a student currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate degree program at an accredited U.S. academic institution and that the study in Cuba will be accepted for credit toward that degree".

International Education

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 22:13:59 -0500

As Perry International has begun to realize the benefits that International Travel brings to humanity, international education stands out as one of the most positive reasons to travel. I recently came across www.connectingourworld.org and wanted to recommend it to anyone interested in learning how they can help promote this critical component to global citzenship.

British Passport Tops List For Visa-Free Travel

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 21:33:13 -0400

British citizens are able to visit 166 countries for three days or less for business or pleasure without a visa. The UK has displaced Denmark from the top of the list , with France, Germany and Italy making up the rest of the top five of the list that is compiled by consultants Henley & Partners. San Francisco Chronicle Article

Global Citizen Diplomacy Summit

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 15:27:08 -0400

Perry International assists people traveling for many different reasons, to attend school, hold business meetings, or offer humanitarian assistance to name a few. One thing that all of these travelers have in common is that they will be interacting with government officials at immigration controls. They will likely have many more interactions where they will be representing their country to another country, but all will at least have one. As the world continues to grow ever closer, there is increasing need for all of us to have a few basic skills in diplomacy, the art and practice of conducting negotiations.
The U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy is holding a Summit for Global Citizen Diplomacy in Washington DC next month. They define Citizen Diplomacy as "the concept that the individual has the right, even the responsibility, to help shape U.S. foreign relations 'one handshake at a time.' ... They are motivated by a responsibility to engage with the rest of the world in a meaningful, mutually beneficial dialogue."

Even the experts can get confused

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:25:43 -0400

Here is an example of some of the confusion that one can run into when working with the ever changing diplomatic regulations. One of the embassies, that requires students to have documents legalized or stamped with their seal before the student can apply for a visa, advised us that they had started requiring an additional seal from the U.S. Department of State. We advised our clients.
A couple of weeks later one of our clients advised us that they had called the embassy and were advised that the U.S. Department of State Seal was not required. We followed up and were informed by a different staff member that indeed the additional U.S. seal was not required and proceeded getting work done without the additional seal. The new staff member even advised us that they had wondered why all of the documents now had the U.S. Seal.
We continued to try and find out what had happened and in the mean time the original staff member we talked with returned to the embassy and proceeded to advise us that documents from any of the states that fall within the embassies specific coverage area did not need the U.S. seal, but work from other states would need the U. S. seal. We pressed this staff member further and the consul himself came out and advised us that indeed the rules had changed and documents from any of the states outside the embassies coverage area would need the U.S. seal.

ESTA to cost $14

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 22:03:35 -0400

Beginning September 8 the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will cost $14. All payments for electronic travel authorization applications must be made by credit card or debit card when applying for or renewing an ESTA. CPB Announcement

Global Entry Enrollment Centers

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:18:30 -0400

The following link lists the airports that are setup for the U.S. Customs and Border Protections Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program. Global Entry Enrollment Centers. Global Entry is a program managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection which allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers expedited clearance upon arrival into the United States. Although this program is intended for frequent travelers who make several international trips per year, there is no minimum number of trips an applicant must make in order to qualify.

European Union Visa Code

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Wed, 05 May 2010 21:02:50 -0400

The European Parliament adopted regulation to apply a common visa policy for short stay visas. This will include all EU Member States, except for the United Kingdom and Ireland. Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus will apply the Visa Code once they become part of the Schengen area without internal borders. It will also include Iceland, Norway and Switzerland that are part of the Schengen area, but not EU members. Europa Press Release

China lifted its travel ban against people with HIV

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:40:18 -0400

China is the third country this year, after the United States and South Korea, to remove their bans against people with HIV. Associate Press Article

Volcanoe Creates Visa Nightmares

nospam@example.com (Aaron Caplan) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:56:39 -0400

As international flights continue to be canceled many countries must deal with those international travelers whose visas are expiring. As one of the first countries affected the United Kingdom's Border Agency issued a notice Apr 17th, stating that only proof of planned travel that would have enabled one to leave the UK before their visa expired would be needed. UKBA Notice On Apr 18th the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released an update that foreign nationals stranded in the U.S. must contact a U.S. Customs and Border Protection office to extend their stay. USCIS Update Just today the Indian government decided to allow special landing permits or extensions of visas to foreigners stranded in India for a maximum period of 14 days without charging any fees. Times of India Article Europa, the portal site of the European Union, posted a press release from the European Commission detailing their role in an entirely national decision to open or shut airspace in this unprecedented crisis facing Europe. It includes a section on visa problems. Europa Press Release
These are just the issues facing people currently traveling abroad. Next come the questions that we have started to receive at our offices from travelers who have been issued visas and have had to postpone or cancel trips. Will there be refunds from foreign governments? or the reissuing of visas with new dates? Does travel insurance cover the costs of lost visas?