Consular and Document Procurement

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1 Consular and Document Procurement 1

2 With You Today Insert picture Insert picture Insert picture Jamie Gan Senior Consular & Client Services Advisor (Singapore) Maija Morris Client Services Manager (Sydney, Australia) Victoria Jamour Practice Leader, Outbound Services (Sydney, Australia) 2

3 Recommendations and best practices for document procurement and consular Process AGENDA Global trends including stricter requirements on application documents and consular visa application assessment Alternative options to consider e.g. APEC card and concurrent passports 3

4 Document and Consular Services 4

5 ISSUES: Document Processing Variations of names on personal documents No formal avenues to expedite processing stages Personal appearance for fingerprinting for police clearances Insufficient time factored for lengthy document processing stages Validity of document based on issuance date Specific document requirements per host country requirements 5

6 TOP TIPS: Document Processing Initiate document services early Ensure assignees have access to their original documents Understand what is required in the host country Advance knowledge of applicant s location and travel plans Plan document processes to ensure documents are valid for WP filing Applicants needs to be flexible and allow time for personal appearance 6

7 ISSUES: Consular Processing Applicant lacks complete documents Applicant lacks ability to communicate purpose of visit Consulate delays Fraud or inadmissibility issues Additional considerations for nationals of higher risk countries Erroneous denials do happen 7

8 TOP TIPS: Consular Processing Travel with appropriate documents Clearly communicate eligibility for admission Allow enough time to obtain a visa, if needed Check passport validity Keep travel arrangements flexible until a visa is secured Maintain passport in good condition and with blank pages 8

9 Are Planned Activities Permissible? PERMISSIBLE NOT RECOMMENDED Passive activities, such as: Attending meetings Interacting with colleagues to promote understanding Taking notes Business negotiations Fact finding missions/exploring business and investment opportunities Further review required for activities involving: Assisting colleagues Developing client deliverables Developing client requirements Delivering or receiving training Other activities with a productive result Attending conferences Writing reports 9

10 When issues arise: Review Options Consider modifications to planned travel Modified activities Alternate candidates for travel Alternate destinations Duration APEC Cards Concurrent passports 10

11 Alternate Options to Consider Concurrent Passports A Concurrent Passport is a possible solution for those needing to travel urgently or unexpectedly for business Approval is generally limited to cases where significant delays could be caused while waiting for visas to be issued, or when a destination country will not accept a passport showing evidence of travel to another country in the first passport. Limited to a validity of 3 years from the date of issue APEC business travel cards The ABTC has the following benefits: Fast-track entry and exit through special APEC lanes at major airports. Permit's entry to 19 economies visa free for business purposes, allowing stays of days No need to individually apply for visas or entry permits each time you travel to any of the participating APEC economies as the card is your visa Cards are valid for five years from first issue 11

12 Document and Consular Trends Australia Singapore Mandatory police clearances for 457 visas from July 2017 Additional measures to check and verify employment pass applications. These stricter measures include verifying documents, qualifications and data with other government agencies and overseas organizations China Legalized police clearance and educational qualifications. For dependents, legalized relationship certificates 12

13 Document and Consular Trends China India US Official Invitation letter has been replaced by Company issued Invitation letter Requirements are subject to frequent change ETVoA available to more nationalities B1 for 6 month stay B2 for 12 month stay Increased immigration enforcement at the US border and in the US Electronic device restrictions 13

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