AISA Business License Application

Transcription

1 AISA Business License Application As of 1 SEP, all foreign companies must have an AISA license. Licenses are valid for 3 years. Application packets include the following: Notarized Power of Attorney for any third party (law firms or expeditors) POAs produced outside of AF require validation by State Dept. of country of origin Passport/Visa or Tazkira of President, VP, and/or equity partner Three color copies of passport/visa of president, VP, equity partner, and legal representative Four 3x5 cm color photos of President/VP/equity partner Contract, lease, or RS physical presence memo (if on an RS facility) Application Form ( n forms) Application fee

2 AISA Business License Authentication Application must be authenticated by Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. RS International Agreements and Customs Coordination will produce letter of introduction including the names of the company president, vice president, equity partner and/or legal representative.

3 AISA Business License Trends Overall processing times have improved significantly since the last CCF. The more complex the business arrangement, the more likely there will be complications or processing delays. Expeditors and Afghan Law Firms vary widely in skill and ethical conduct. Caveat emptor.

4 Contractor Visas As of 1 September, all contractors, regardless of function, must possess a valid passport and visa to legally enter, work in, or exit Afghanistan. Visa exemption certificates of all form are invalid. The SOFA stipulates that NATO contractors can be issued multi entry visa (MEV) for a period of not less than one year. (AR 13 2)

5 Contractor MEV Application Process the MoFA consular section at with the following information: Letter from senior company representative which introduces the company and the name, and citizenship and passport number for each employee A letter of introduction identifying the company employee or third party who will provide the passports to the relevant diplomatic mission Date and location where the passports and visa applications will be processed Power of attorney if a third party expeditor will be used. At the agreed upon date/time and place, the company produces original passport, visa applications, 1 4x5 cm photo, and application fee (varies by lactation)

6 Contractor Visa Trends Expeditors are confusing work visas and MEVs. If an expeditor asks for school records, it s the wrong visa. Contractors are entering country on visas other than MEV, and then expecting to apply for a MEV in Afghanistan. This complicates the process, and can lead to assessed penalties from MoFA when the tourist or work visa expires.

7 Air Travel Trends Do not present any form of Visa Exemption Certificate to Afghan Border Police/customs enforcement. It will only slow down the process Contractors who fly in military air currently have no way to obtain an entry stamp for their passport, which complicates exit through civilian airports.

8 Weapons Permits Contractors are authorized to be armed only as an exception to policy and are subject to all Afghan laws: Know The Law! Contractors work with their DOD chain of command to complete all training and documentation necessary to submit an exception to policy request in accordance with USFOR A FRAGO The request is reviewed by the Armed Contractor Oversight Division (ACOD) and forwarded to the approval authority an Arming Authorization Letter will then be granted, signed by DCG S if approved; usfora.bsajc@afghan.swa.army.mil or ellen.r.klein@afghan.swa.army.mil to obtain the latest template for application; Then complete the template and send to Elle Klein with the relevant AALs; I will produce the signed document (which will need to receive an RS seal); This Intro Letter along with: Copy Letter of Authorization (LOA); Copy of Arming Authorization Letter (AAL); Copy of the AISA business license (company name should match the LOA); Two 4x5 photos, completed Application Form, completed Statement of Understanding of Afghan Law and copy of passport. Take the complete application package with payment to the Ministry of Interior Affairs Counter Terrorism Division.