Russians may now travel to Brazil without visas as the 2008 agreement between the two countries came into force on Monday, reported local media. Under the agreement both Russian and Brazilian tourists were not required visas to pass or stay on the countries' territories up to 90 days within each six-month-period from the first entry. So far those intending to remain to stay for a long period to receive education or seeking employment were still required to procure their visas. Brazil was one of the six Latin American countries that have scrapped visa requirements for Russians. Russian RBK daily said for this reason the two sides would establish a working group to regulate and organize direct air travel after it was disrupted in 1990s. Source: Xinhuanet … [Read more...] about Russian, Brazilian visa-free agreement comes into force
Visa
South Africa: World Cup fans to get free visas
Soccer fans that have tickets to the 2010 FIFA World Cup and needed a visa to visit South Africa will be able to obtain them for free on entering South Africa. Tabling her pre-budget vote on Wednesday, Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma pointed out that fans from Mexico and Nigeria would probably make the most use of the special free visa. Special queue lanes would also be set up for fans visiting the country during the World Cup, to ensure fast processing, she said. The department, working with the South African Revenue Service (Sars) is also putting in place a system for entry points in the country, The system was already in place for OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg and the plan was now to roll out the system to other entry points. Dlamini-Zuma said even though they had to change service provider sometime half way through the tender process, she was happy that the process was on course. She said the department has also negotiated agreements with certain … [Read more...] about South Africa: World Cup fans to get free visas
S. Korea to permit 56,000 foreign workers with E-9 visas next year
The government committee on foreign workforce policy finalized its plan for the 2018 E-9 visa quota during its 25th session presided over by Hong Nam-ki, the minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination under the prime minister's office.The number of new foreign workers to be granted the E-9 visa next year is set at 45,000, an increase of 2,000 from this year, while the number of those who will reenter the country with the same visa will be 11,000, a decrease of 2,000."We have decided on the figure in consideration of the need to address a shortage of workers at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and prevent foreign laborers from taking too many jobs local residents may want to get," a government official told reporters, declining to be named.The greatest number of E-9 visa holders will be set aside for SMEs, while the remaining workers will be asked to take jobs in the agricultural, livestock, fishery, construction and service industries, officials said.The … [Read more...] about S. Korea to permit 56,000 foreign workers with E-9 visas next year
No visa required for Chilean tourists
No visa required for Chilean tourists By Dao Loan – The Saigon Times Daily HCMC – The Government has given the nod to visa-free entry for Chilean visitors holding ordinary passports under a draft agreement between the two governments. According to a resolution signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is assigned to join hands with relevant agencies to hold negotiations with the Chilean side. The foreign minister is authorized to sign the agreement on visa-free entry for ordinary passport holders with Chile on behalf of the Government. Now, holders of diplomatic and official passports are exempt from visa. According to several international travel firms in HCMC, Chile is still a new source market for Vietnam, so there have been few tourists visiting there. At present, many companies are promoting this market, but they often target Chile and other South American countries altogether when organizing marketing activities. Bui Viet Thuy Tien, … [Read more...] about No visa required for Chilean tourists
Vietnam takes actions to realise ASEAN common tourist visa
Currently, Vietnam is taking a range of measures to support the domestic tourism industry in taking opportunities and enhancing competitiveness from the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community.In the immediate future, Vietnam has been together with other countries to focus on implementing the mutual recognition agreement on tourism workers within ASEAN, based on the ASEAN Common Competency Standards for Tourism Professionals, as well as developing ASEAN tourism standards and certification procedures for green hotels, residential accommodation, public toilets, spa services and clean tourist cities and community-based tourism. Cooperation will also focus on building ASEAN tourism programmes on nature tourism, cultural and heritage tourism, community-based tourism, cruise tourism, waterway tourism and medical tourism.There is a common Schengen visa model between the 26 European Union member states. Accordingly, international travelers only need to apply for a visa at the consular … [Read more...] about Vietnam takes actions to realise ASEAN common tourist visa