JAM Asia Pacific’s Post

Starting Wednesday, foreign residents living in Hong Kong and Macao can apply for multiple-entry visas to the Chinese mainland with a validity period of up to five years by following a simplified procedure, according to the central government. The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region announced on Wednesday that non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents and non-Chinese Hong Kong residents who are traveling to the mainland for tourism, business, family visits or cultural and academic exchanges can apply for a visa valid for up to five years, which will allow them to stay on the mainland for up to 180 days. Under the new arrangement, applicants are not required to provide proof of round-trip tickets or hotel reservations when applying for visas, the office said. #china #visa #immigration #relocation https://lnkd.in/eBvN9zp2

𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐧… And with the summer months comes a peak in visa applications from people wanting to visit New Zealand. This surge makes for an extra busy time for Immigration NZ, so prior preparation and submission of accurate and complete applications for visitor visas is strongly advised. But what do you need to have ready to apply? Applications need to include the required evidence: - a photo that meets INZ requirements - a valid passport - proof the applicant has enough money while in New Zealand or has an acceptable sponsor - evidence that shows the applicant is genuinely intending to visit and then return home - English translations of any documents not in English Mark your calendars. Anyone wishing to travel to New Zealand to celebrate Christmas should apply for their visitor visa no later than 15 October 2024. If travelling in the New Year, including Chinese Lunar New Year, applications should be submitted no later than 15 November 2024. #pittandmoore #heretohelp #legaladvice #immigration #immigrationpolicy #newzealand #immigrationexperts #immigrationlawyer #visitorvisa Elly Fleming I Heather Collins I Marty Logan I Hannah McCarthy I Lavinia Askin

South Africa's New Visa Rules: What Nigerians Need to Know As a visa advisor, I am pleased to share significant changes to South Africa’s visa policy that will positively impact Nigerian travellers. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently introduced a five-year multiple-entry visa for qualified Nigerian business people and removed the requirement for Nigerian tourists to submit their passports when applying for visas. These changes aim to foster stronger economic and cultural ties between our nations. However, as with any travel process, careful planning is crucial to avoid pitfalls. Here’s my advice for Nigerians considering travel to South Africa: 1. Ensure Eligibility: The five-year multiple-entry visa is targeted at business travellers. Provide all required documents, such as proof of business engagements, to strengthen your application. 2. Double-Check Documentation: While passport submission has been waived for tourists, ensure you have accurate and complete details on your application form. Errors can lead to delays. 3. Plan Ahead: Apply well in advance of your travel date to accommodate any unforeseen delays in processing. 4. Understand Restrictions: Always comply with South African immigration rules during your stay. Overstaying your visa or misusing the visa type could lead to penalties or future denials. These changes reflect a commitment to improving ease of travel and fostering economic collaboration. By adhering to the requirements and planning meticulously, Nigerians can seize these opportunities. #SouthAfricaVisa #VisaAdvisory #TravelTips #ExploreSouthAfrica #NigerianTravellers

China Visa Fee Changes The Commissioner's Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong S.A.R. has announced adjustments to visa fees for visiting Mainland China. This change, effective from December 11, 2023, to December 31, 2024, is particularly notable for UK passport holders, reflecting a drop in fees due to reciprocal arrangements. Key Points: - The fee reduction is significant for multiple entry visas. Previously, the cost was $1170, but now it has been reduced to $930 for most nationalities. - This adjustment is part of a broader initiative to streamline and make visa processes more cost-effective for international travelers. This development is expected to have a positive impact on travel between Hong Kong and Mainland China, especially for frequent travelers and those holding UK passports. The reduced costs may encourage more travel and cultural exchange, benefiting both regions economically and socially. For more detailed information on the specific fee changes and how they might affect individual travel plans, it is advisable to consult the official notice or contact relevant authorities. Prepared on the information from geoexpat.com https://lnkd.in/gGDzQ_gn

South Africa Eases Visa Requirements for Nigerian Tourists and Businesses In a significant move to strengthen ties between South Africa and Nigeria, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the relaxation of visa requirements for Nigerian tourists and businesses. During the opening of the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Cape Town, Ramaphosa revealed that Nigerian visitors can now apply for visas without submitting their passports. He also introduced five-year multiple-entry visas for eligible Nigerian businesses(people), aiming to facilitate travel and economic exchange between the two nations. These measures are part of South Africa's broader strategy to foster deeper economic cooperation, remove investment barriers, and improve the ease of doing business, both domestically and internationally. Ramaphosa highlighted the longstanding relationship between South Africa and Nigeria, emphasizing the mutual benefits of stronger bilateral ties. With 30 years of diplomatic relations, both nations have seen growth in trade and investment, with South Africa hosting several Nigerian businesses. The South African president also acknowledged Nigeria's reforms to enhance its business environment, aligning with South Africa's own efforts to improve its investment climate. As part of ongoing collaboration, the leaders expressed a commitment to addressing shared challenges, such as boosting investment and removing operational hurdles. Furthermore, Ramaphosa underscored the importance of Africa's development on the global stage, particularly with the upcoming G20 Summit set to take place on African soil.

The proposed Schengen-like visa for South East Asia isn't as good as you think it is. It actually restricts the time you can spend, rather than make it easier. If they apply this visa to everyone, SEA could be severely damage their economy. Instead of getting 30-90 days in each country individually, you'll now be restricted to 90 days across them all. It's clearly a ploy to promote failed digital nomad visas. Instead, they should make it easier to get the digital nomad visas by: Working with countries to share key documents/data easier without needing a notary. Expand the Hague Apostille Convention, if needs be. Extend the length of the visa. Sometimes, it takes 6 months to apply for 1 year visa. For many people (including me), it's just not worth it. Lower the salary requirements or have a stepped agreement. I get they're trying to attract the wealthy, but lowering the requirements would bring in more families who will spend more locally. Or at least have a stepped agreement. Like, you have to increase your income by year 3 to £XX,XXX to continue your visa. I love South East Asia. I'm raising my children in Malaysia. And I don't want this region to suffer by taking this approach. What are your thoughts on the proposal?

Another near certain way for foreigners to reach mainland China without the rigors of a standard visa application: Go to a Macau-Zhuhai immigration checkpoint for a three-day tourist visa on arrival. I did this on June 9 at the west end of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge. It took me about half an hour and cost exactly 142.9 Hong Kong dollars. The officers were polite but used the old rube “hello?” with a question mark to address me as a white person. The visa fee included a photo taken by their on-site machine. No docs are needed save for a passport and a Hong Kong ID card (if you have one). Citizens of Western countries basically all qualify. This works much like the Hong Kong-Shenzhen scheme, which offers five-day city visas. The Zhuhai visa limits us to the city of Zhuhai only: shopping malls by the Macau line and coastal paths-slash-landscaping further north along the Pearl River estuary. Exit Zhuhai from any crossing and no special procedures. Committed to hanging out in China? Check out my guidebook (https://lnkd.in/gv8bY-Qh) on how stuff works there.

A recent analysis of New Zealand visitor visa applications reveals a wide range of rejection rates across different countries. While some nationalities face significant challenges, others have demonstrated high approval rates. #VisaRejection #Immigration #India #Indonesia #NewZealand, #Visa #Pakistan #VisaNews #VisaRejection #VisaUpdate #VisitorVisa

If you would like to immigrate to an Asian country, in most of the cases you usually can have just a kind of Golden Visa, like MM2H in Malaysia, Thai Elite Visa, Global Investor Program (GIP) in Singapore etc., but all of them have a limited time duration and require a significant investment of money. I am not talking about employment or student visa, but about options equally open to different groups of interested persons, like investors, digital nomads, retirees etc. For example, the cheapest version of Thai Golden Visa (validity 5 years only) would require a payment of 900.000 BTH (approximately 27.000 USD). A Visa for 15 years would cost you already somewhat around 74.000 USD (2,5 million BTH). These fees are not reimbursable. The conditions of MM2H were significantly changed after the lockdown and require a minimum deposit of 150.000 USD out of which you can use 50.000 USD for selected activities, like housing purchase. But the minimum deposit of 100.000 USD is to be maintained in the account. Malaysia also requires a minimum stay in the country of 90 days per year. If you plan to move to Malaysia anyway, it should not represent an issue. But if you are a digital nomad or would like to secure a residency as a plan B, this would be not the right choice for you. Philippines have long-term visa options as well, like SRRV (Special Resident Retiree’s Visa) in different variants like Classic, Cortesy, Expanded Cortesy or SIRV (Special Investor’s Resident Visa). Due to abuse of these programs in the past decades, the government is currently reviewing both programs and the Philippines Congress is revising the immigration law for both of them. But at the same time, a new program was set up – FIV or FAB Investor Visa. FAB is the Freeport Area of Bataan – a special administrative region directly attached to the Presidential Office. Philippines is the country with the most boosting economy in South-East Asia in the last years. It has renowned hospitality of its citizens, stunning natural beauty (over 7.000 islands with beautiful beaches, snorkeling and diving areas, mountains and tropical forests). The population is mainly very proficient in English which makes the communication much easier. Being an emerging economy, Philippines provides a huge range of business and investment opportunities. But it is also a good opportunity for families and retirees to move to. The country is very family friendly, there are a lot of international schools. The health care is of a very high-quality level. You can seek treatment in public or private hospitals at affordable costs. And even if you do not plan to move directly to Philippines, FIV is a great possibility for a plan B with one of the fastest, easiest and cheapest process with an immediate permanent residency and no stay requirements. Your residency remains valid even if you do not stay in Philippines. Full article can be found on https://lnkd.in/eFDfW8VG

𝝖𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝝾𝗿 𝝢𝗲𝘄 𝝛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝝾𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 📣 The summer months are the busiest time for Immigration New Zealand (INZ), with a surge in visa applications from travellers worldwide. Due to the high volume of applications, those planning to travel during the summer season should apply early, otherwise may result in delays and travel plans may be disrupted. 🎄For Christmas travel: suggest submitting it by 15 October 2024. 🎊For New Year or Chinese Lunar New Year travel: suggest applying no later than 15 November 2024. 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝝾𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝝾𝗻 📑 𝟭.𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗽𝝾𝗿𝘁: the passport must be valid for at least three months 𝟮. 𝝖𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗵𝝾𝘁𝝾: a recent photo (must be less than 6 months old) that meets INZ’s photo requirements. 𝟯. 𝝖𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝝾𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝝾𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝝾𝗻: make sure all personal details match the information provided on the passport. 𝟰. 𝗣𝗿𝝾𝝾𝗳 𝝾𝗳 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝝾𝗻𝘀: documentation showing the genuine intentions of the temporary visit to New Zealand and return to the home country afterwards. 𝟱.𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗱𝝾𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝝾𝗻: provide certified English translation documents for those that are not in English 𝟲. 𝗣𝗿𝝾𝝾𝗳 𝝾𝗳 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝝾𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝝾𝗻𝘀𝝾𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽: provide sufficient funds evidence to support the stay in New Zealand, or show the acceptable sponsor To learn more about the requirements to apply for a visitor visa, please read our full article https://hubs.ly/Q02PXl9D0. For further information and assistance on these updates, please contact Arno Nothnagel, our NZ Immigration Director, at arno.nothnagel@absoluteimmigration.com #AEWV #skillsexemptions #NZimmigrationupdate