International Travel Updates November 2012
November 5, 2012
Taiwan Added to List of Visa Waiver Program Countries
Effective November 1, 2012, Taiwan has been added to the list of approved Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries. The VWP allows nationals and citizens of VWP countries to travel to the U.S. for business or pleasure for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa in their passport at a U.S. Consulate abroad. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the VWP accounted for 18.3 million visits to the United States in fiscal-year 2011, or more than 60 percent of tourist and business travelers entering the United States by air. The following countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.
American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai Announces Visa Service for Corporate Members
The American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, known as AmCham Shanghai, recently announced some attractive additions to its Corporate Visa Program (CVP). The CVP, which is administered by AmCham Shanghai in cooperation with the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai, facilitates more streamlined nonimmigrant visa issuance for the employees of select corporate members. Eligible categories include B-1/B-2, C-1, J-1, L-1, H-1B, H-3 and F-1. According to AmCham Shanghai, visa applicants whose employers participate in the CVP enjoy expedited visa appointments and benefit from direct email contact with a CVP liaison officer at the Consulate for any visa-related questions, among other benefits. New AmCham Shanghai member companies that apply to join the CVP within one year of joining AmCham Shanghai will not be required to supply the company's annual report, financial statement or audit report again upon applying to CVP. Find more information about the Corporate Visa Program here.
