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October 30, 2019 By Bob Leave a Comment

Three Benefits of Having the Special Resident Retiree Visa (SRRV) in the Philippines

If you’ve ever thought of living or investing in the Philippines, but are unsure about how to proceed, the SRRV Visa may be the answer for you! The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) is a special non-immigrant visa for foreign nationals who would like to make the Philippines their second home or investment destination.

This can come in handy in many ways for individuals who wish to reside in the Philippines for the long term, taking advantage of the country’s growing economy and well-governed society. President Duterte has promised to turn the Philippines into a global powerhouse and world leader, and it will be a fascinating and beautiful place to live in, no doubt.

It would also make for a peaceful and joyful retirement, no doubt, to live closer to the lap of nature in the tropics. If all of this sounds intriguing and tantalizing to you, you should consider getting a Special Resident Retiree Visa (SRRV). Some of the benefits of the SRRV are:

1. Indefinite stay with multiple-entry/exit privileges

The SRRV lets you stay on indefinitely in the Philippines. This means you will not have to deal with the hassle of getting your work visa renewed or having to leave the country and apply again for reentry. In addition, the SRRV grants you multiple entry and exit privileges to make your way in and out of the country as smooth as possible.

Why spend time and money dealing with the bureaucratic process over and over again when you can get it all done at once, and never have to think twice about it again? The choice is clear as day and right as rain, and you must know it to be true in your heart of hearts.

2. Exemption from Taxes and Fees

The SRRV also grants you exemption from a lot of taxes and fees, making it an investment dream. You can avoid paying the following taxes or fees:  The Philippine Bureau of Immigration ACR-I Card (Annual Report);  Customs duties & taxes for one time importation of household goods & personal effects worth up to US$7,000.00 Tax from pensions & annuities; Travel Tax, if you have not stayed in the Philippines for more than 1 year from the last date of entry; and Student Visa/Study Permit. This exemption from taxes is sure to save you a lot of hassle and money in the long-term, allowing you to focus on growing your business or company instead.

The Philippines, with its rapidly growing economy but a low cost of operations, combined with these tax exemptions, can prove to be just the place to get a business to flourish and grow into a multi-million dollar global force. Thus, the Special Resident Retiree Visa can and will pay for itself many times over. Even Tantalus in Hades could not lay claim to such a lucrative deal himself!

3. Access to Benefits and Programs

In addition to the above-listed benefits, the SRRV also grants you access to other benefits and programs that can prove to be vital to staying in the Philippines. You will gain, for instance: Access to the Greet & Assist Program at selected Philippine airports; a free subscription to the Philippines Retirement Authority Newsletter; discount privileges from Philippines Retirement Authority accredited Merchant Partners; free assistance in transacting with other government agencies; and entitlement to PHILHEALTH benefits & privileges. This should make your transition into life in the Philippines that much easier. With lower costs, a tempting currency exchange rate, and all these benefits put together, you can live a life of ease, luxury, and plenty in the Philippines, making your twilight years fit for a king. All of this put together in the neat SRRV package make it quite a difficult prospect to turn down such a tantalizing and utilitarian deal!

Filed Under: Visa

October 1, 2019 By Townley Leave a Comment

All You Wanted to Know About Mt Rainier Tours

There’s nothing quite like the stunning Mount Rainier National Park- it is regarded as one of the most stunning national parks in the whole world. But somehow whenever you plan your trip, there is always something you miss out on- maybe you got the blooming season for wildflowers wrong, or forgot your raincoat because you didn’t account for the rainy weather. No trip is perfect, but one can always hope (and in this case, prepare).

What’s The Ideal Time To Visit?

Even though there’s no wrong time to visit Mount Rainier, most people prefer visiting during summer and fall. This is perhaps because of the ideal weather, snow-free trails, and the fact that the wildflowers usually bloom around then (depending on the season, however). Anytime between July and October would seem ideal, typically.

Even so, keep in mind that this world-known national park gets busy during the weekends. If you’re looking for some peace, your best shot would be to arrive midweek and steer clear of busy holidays like the 4th of July!

How Long Should I Stick Around For?

Even though a very subjective question, from a first-time tourist perspective, the ideal time to visit Mount Rainier would be anywhere between 2-4 days. This is just the right amount of time to bag down all the major highlights while visiting some of the more closed-off areas. However, Mt Rainier tours last anywhere between 1-5 days.

Where Should I Stay?

If you are planning your Mount Rainier tour from scratch, don’t fret about finding a place to stay. There are multiple lodging options available inside and outside of Mount Rainier. If you wish to stay inside the park, the National Park Inn and the Paradise Inn would be recommended. There are also some campgrounds and overnight backcountry camping spots sprinkled through the park, so really, you’re good!

What Are the Must-See Attractions Here?

A Mount Rainier tour, without doubt, has multiple sights to offer. How do you know what not to miss? Here is a list of things you must look out for:

• While making your way towards Mount Rainier, look out for the beautiful and serene Christine Falls (close to the southwest entrance), which offers stunning sights and great photograph opportunities.

• The Reflection Lakes is simply serene, and the mountain views it offers is undisputed. Catch the reflection of Mount Rainier on the calm waters of the lake and don’t forget to snap away!

• Step into the wildflower meadows for some exceptional views.

• For some great mountain vistas, drive through Paradise, all the way to Sunrise. This path offers a scenic view that shouldn’t be missed.

What Are the Hike Trails I Shouldn’t Miss?

Ah, after all, everyone goes to Mount Rainier expecting a hike, even if a short one. There is just something about walking through the natural beauty of it all that makes you forget about the workout. Here are some of the hiking trails that are most commonly enjoyed by the general public, but should you feel like you’d like more of a challenge, note that there are harder trekking trails:

• The Fremont Lookout:

This is perhaps the hiking trail most people take to view unmatched views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains in the backdrop. With a 900-feet elevation, you’re sure to feel like you’ve accomplished something.

• Skyline Loop:

Showing off a closer view of Mount Rainier than the Fremont, and a glance of the Nisqually Glacier, this path is much higher but worth the result! A 1700-feet elevation gain is no joke, after all.

• Comet Falls:

Presenting a view that shows off a bit of forest trail, colored patches of wildflowers, and a close-up view of the mighty Comet Falls, this trekking trail is a path worth taking. At an elevation of 320-feet, you won’t feel too giddy!

• Naches Peak Loop:

Uniquely boasting the capacious Mount Rainier with a splash of color from the wildflower meadows and huckleberries, this trekking trail adds a touch of dramatic flair to your pictures. At an elevation of 500-feet, you don’t have to worry about struggling on your trek either.

Even though you now know a little more about an ideal Mount Rainier tour than you did before, ensure that you plan an itinerary based on your liking and capabilities. Above all, remember to take in the beautiful and unmatched views Mount Rainier has to offer.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

August 31, 2019 By Bob Leave a Comment

All You Need to Know About IR1 Visa

So what is the application process of IR1 visa, what the eligibility criteria for applying IR1 visa is, and how much it costs; we will look at all these aspects in this article.

Visa application process

Filing petition- The first step to obtain an IR1 immigrant visa for your foreign spouse is to file a Petition for Alien Relative with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Approval by USCIS- Petition is received by USCIS, and after reviewing your petition, USCIS approves the petition and send it to the National Visa Center (NVC).

Application sent to NVC for the next processing phase- USCIS forwards case to NVC. Once your petition is received by NVC, a case number is assigned for the petition, and NVC instructs the applicant to complete required forms. NVC will start processing the applicant’s case and provide the applicant and petitioner with instructions on how to submit the appropriate processing fees. After you pay the fees, the NVC will request you to submit the necessary immigrant visa documents, application forms, civil documents, Affidavit of Support, and other documents required for processing the application ahead.

NVC Contacts U.S. embassy or consulate- After the applicant successfully submitted or mailed the documents, NVC determines whether the file is complete with all the required documents. If they found everything as required, they schedule the applicant’s interview appointment. NVC will contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the applicant will be interviewed for a visa and sends the file containing the applicant’s petition and required documents.

Embassy proceeds with the visa application process- The applicant, petitioner, attorney or third-party agent will receive all the details of the appointment, including the date and time of the applicant’s visa interview along with instructions on emails or via letters. Applicants need to bring their valid passports and documents mentioned at the time of the visa interview. Applicants will receive their original civil documents back at the time of interview. If you are issued an immigrant visa, you will be given your passport containing the IR1 immigrant visa by the consular officer in a sealed packet. You are not allowed to open the sealed packet as it can only be done by the U.S. immigration officials when you enter the United States. You are supposed to enter the United States before the expiration date printed on your visa.

Entry to the U.S. – IR1 visa allows foreign citizen spouse of a U.S. citizen to travel to the U.S. and request permission to enter the U.S., but it does not guarantee entry into the U.S. The DHS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials can deny permit or deny admission to the U.S. Therefore, the applicant should review important information about admissions and entry requirements on the CBP website.

Eligibility criteria of IR1 visa

• The U.S. petitioner must be 18 years old

• The petitioner must be a citizen of the U.S.

• The petitioner must be legally married to the alien beneficiary for more than 2 years

Fee charged

• Filing an immigrant Petition for Alien Relative. This fee is charged by USCIS.

• Processing fee of immigrant visa application

• Medical examination and vaccinations fee

• USCIS Immigrant fee for translations; photocopying charges; fees for obtaining the documents you need for the immigrant visa application (such as passport, police certificates, birth certificates, etc.); and expenses for travel to the U.S. embassy or consulate for a visa interview.

So this is all you need to know about an IR1 visa. I hope this post has provided you the basics information on the IR1 visa.

Filed Under: Visa

August 31, 2019 By Bob Leave a Comment

Fiancé Visa – Essential to Bring Your Fiancé to the USA

What exactly is this fiancé visa USA, what is the process of filing it, and what are its eligibility criteria? We will look at all in this article.

What is a fiancé (e) visa?

K-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows a foreign citizen fiancé (e) of U.S citizens to travel to the United States and marry him/her within 90 days from the date of arrival in the United States.

What are the eligibility criteria for the fiancé (e) visa?

Well, it is not easy to deal with U.S. immigration laws. USCIS has laid strict criteria for granting a K1 visa. If you want to bring your fiancée to the U.S, you have to meet the following requirements:

• You are a U.S. citizen

• You and your fiancée intend to marry each other within 90 days of her admission to the United States on a K-1 nonimmigrant visa

• You and your fiancée are both legally free to marry. It means any previous marriages have been legally terminated by divorce, death, or annulment

• You and your fiancée met each other in person at least once within 2 years before you file your petition. If you haven’t met your fiancée in the last two years, you may request a waiver of this in-person meeting requirement by showing that meeting in person would violate strict and long-established customs of your fiancée’s foreign culture or social practice or result in extreme hardship to you, the U.S. citizen petitioner.
What is the visa application process?

It is a little complex process and involves many steps. Let’s understand it in detail.

Step-1:

The first step is to file a petition for fiancé visa USA with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office that has jurisdiction over the place of residence of the petitioner. It must be filed by the U.S citizen. You have to file the form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé (e). This form request USCIS to recognize the relationship between you and your fiancée. And to do so, you have to provide the list of documents mentioned according to the form instructions. These documents include proof of U.S. citizenship such as a copy of a birth certificate or passport, as well as evidence that you and your fiancée are both legally free to marry, a proof that you have met within the last two years, evidence of the commission of any violent or domestic crimes, and other documents mentioned in the form I-129F. There will be a processing fee that you have to pay to the USCIS to process the application.

Step-2:

Once the petition is submitted and the fee is paid, USCIS will review your Form I-129F and documents. They may mail you a request for additional documentation or information if required. If you establish your eligibility, USCIS will approve your form and sent a Form I-797 Notice of Action acknowledging receipt. After that, USCIS will send the approved Form I-129F to the DOS National Visa Center (NVC).

Step-3:

NVC will forward your petition to the U.S. embassy or consulate having jurisdiction over the fiancée’s place of residence. The embassy will inform the fiancée about their requirements for forms, medical examination, and documents. U.S. Embassy or consulate notifies you when the visa interview for your fiancée is scheduled. If the consular officer approves your visa application, then the K-1 visa is issued to your fiancée, but it does not guarantee admission to your fiancée to the United States. A CBP officer will ask you to present the K-1 visa at the port of entry and make the final decision whether to admit your fiancée, which in most cases they allow to enter the visa holder.

So this is how you can bring your fiancée to the U.S. with the help of fiancé visa USA.

Filed Under: Visa

July 22, 2019 By Bob Leave a Comment

Reasons to Select Half Day Tours

The Pacific Northwest is a captivating region where legends have sprung. In the pocket of Puget Sound Lowlands, the Seattle city has developed thereby welcoming new residents and visitors. From majestic nature to the city-specific opportunities that prosper around it, here are the top reasons for choosing the Seattle half day tour.

Rich History

Seattle was founded in 1851 and named after Chief Seattle, the chief of the Duwamish and Suquamish Native American tribes who build a relationship with the settlers. After a few decades, in 1889 the Great Seattle Fire destroyed the city. While rebuilding, the workers have constructed a network of underground tunnels, so make sure to take the Underground Tour.

Sustainable Environment

The city works very hard for staying evergreen. It is not difficult to think about the environment when Mt. Rainier takes up your rear-view mirror on the way to work daily. You will inhale fresh air while strolling around the city. Seattle City Light became the first in the US for becoming carbon neutral. Over the past 30 years, due to recycling, the people have saved more than 3 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Seattle is one of the five cities in the US, where more than 50% of workers drive to work on a sharing basis.

Seattle Center

When visiting the city for the first time, make sure you do not miss the Seattle Center. It was originally designed with the Space Needle for the 1962 World Fair and till date, it has remained a prominent and relevant landmark. The center has two professional sports teams – the Seattle Reign and the Seattle Storm. Both the Seattle International Film Festival and Bumbershoot takes place on its campus. However, the center is famous for Pacific Science Center, the Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle Monorail and the Space Needle.

Best Attractions

The Seattle half day tour will take you to famous sites that you will not find in other places such as the Fremont Troll, the Ballard Locks, the Gum Wall, and the Pike Place Market.

Stunning Views

A city with bumper traffic and skyscrapers sandwiched between the Cascade Mountains beyond Lake Washington to the east, the Olympic Mountains to the western side and the salty Puget Sound. From any of the side, you will be catching a glossy city skyline squashing into the glory that is Pacific Northwest. This is ‘spectacular’ redefined.

Diversified Ecology

Seattle has access to islands, farmland, city, desert, a rainforest, ocean, mountains, and volcano. It is worth driving a few hours away from the city for exploring the wilderness.

Art

Other than the show-stopper, Chihuly Garden and Glass, the city boasts five art museums, over 200 art galleries and several public art projects found around the city. For helping people to discover the city, the Office of Arts and Culture has a public art app known as STQRY and the local government provides maps that can be downloaded.

Music Legends

Settle not only takes pride for entrepreneurial geniuses but also musical superstars. If you are in awe of Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Chris Cornell, Macklemore, then you will be appreciating the city’s musicians. It is one of the few cities that are credited with the invention of its own music genre: grunge. You should stop for a while and watch live music that happens around the city.

Movie References

From Twilight to a Gentleman to an Officer to Sleepless in Seattle, this city has provided the background and inspired for multiple films. You can look for the Stadium High School in Tacoma that was featured in 10 Things I Hate About You or visit amazing landmarks feature in shows like Frasier.

Zoo and Aquarium

The Woodland Park Zoo and the Seattle Aquarium leads the city by example. The aquarium is famous for reaching to the community and in a mission for supporting marine conservation. In 1899, the Zoo was established and was awarded for various sustainable operations, conservation efforts and education programs.

Spotting Whales

To watch whales, mainly Orcas, the best place to visit is the San Juan Islands.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

June 12, 2019 By Bob Leave a Comment

The Five Questions You Should Ask in Your K1 Visa Process

Any type of visa application process requires great care and attention to details. Even a slight error can delay the process and create problems for you. It is especially true when you are applying for time-sensitive visas such as required for weddings. One such example is the fiancée/fiancé K1 visa.

What is the fiancée/fiancé K1 visa?

The K1 visa is a necessary document that foreign nationals need if they wish to marry their fiancée or fiancé who is a citizen of the United States.

So, for instance, the K1 visa is required for Filipinos getting married to American citizens in the USA. The petition for it needs to be filed by the American citizen with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Upon the approval of the petition by the relevant authorities in the US, it is then sent to the Embassy located in Manila. The process then moves forward when the Embassy contacts the fiancée/fiancé with details about the next steps to take for the visa application.

It is best to clarify the details before sending in an application with erroneous information. A simple mistake in the application can indefinitely delay your visa processing. You can seek information directly from the Embassy or hire a reliable visa service company or provider to help you out with the process and do away with any hassles involved with it.

Consider these five questions to ask in your K1 visa process.

Question 1 –

What is the approximate time frame for processing of the K1 visa?

The time to process the K1 visa can be anywhere from 3 months to 6 months. The confirmation of the time frame will help you plan your trip in a more efficient manner. You will also be free from the stress of not knowing when you can finally get your visa.

Question 2 –

What are the restrictions associated with the K1 visas?

The K1 visa is only valid for a single entry. It is primarily meant for the fiancée/fiancé to enter the US in order to get married to the petitioner who is the US citizen.

The K1 visa is only valid for a period of 90 days since the issuance date. So, if you will need to marry the petitioner within that period or else the K1 visa will become null and void.

Question 3 –

Is it possible to file the petition for the K1 visa in the country of the fiancée/fiancé?

You can file the petition for the K1 visa in the US only. In fact, the US citizen in the situation needs to be the petitioner and file it in the country. The rest of the process moves forward once the USCIS approves it. If the authorities don’t find any problem or fault with the petition then they send it for further processing.

Question 4 –

Can the children of the fiancée/fiancé enter the US on the K1 visa?

The children of the fiancée/fiancé can enter the US along with them but they will require the K2 visa. The children can remain in the US for 90 days on the K2 visa.

If the fiancée/fiancé marries the petitioner, the children can also apply for more permanent immigration status. But if the marriage doesn’t happen within the stipulated 90 days then the children are also required to leave the country within a period of 30 days or as instructed.

Question 5 –

What are some of the common questions to expect during the K1 visa interview?

Some of the common questions will pertain to your name, date of birth, place of birth, previous marriage/s, children if any etc. The next set of questions will pertain to the petitioner. These questions can pertain to some basic information such as the petitioner’s name, occupation, income, family etc. The other questions can be more specific such as the petitioner’s favorite food, interests, known languages etc. The rest of the question can be related to the wedding itself such as the venue, the date etc. The other question can be about your relationship – how you met, where etc. The fiancée/fiancé will need to answer correctly to all the questions.

Filed Under: Visa

May 21, 2019 By Bob Leave a Comment

Why Helicopter Tours are a Superb Choice?

There is often more than one way to enjoy the unique beauty of a place. But there is something to be said about enjoying nature – the mountains, waterfalls, rivers, foliage – from an aerial point-of-view.

Helicopter tours offer travelers a unique opportunity to experience a place, unlike any other way. For instance, helicopter tours Seattle offer visitors a chance to explore the natural scenery of the city from a vantage point where you simply can’t miss the scenic allure of the place.

A Distinct Experience – in Limited Time

Helicopter tours help visitors see a place they won’t otherwise be able to witness or appreciate in limited time. How do you get up close and personal with the mountain peaks, the wilderness, and the waterfalls in a natural landscape? Yes, you can scale peaks, and hike to the highest waterfall. But you can’t do either in limited time.

What if you don’t have hours or the strength for these efforts? Do you miss visiting and experiencing a place then? No, you can simply hop on a helicopter tour and witness the gloriousness of nature or the distinct appeal of urban landscapes in an easy, fun, and unique manner.

Plenty of Options

When it comes to helicopter tours, you do have several options for sightseeing. Companies offering helicopter tours plan different types of excursions depending on the terrain and weather. For instance, helicopter tours in Seattle can be about short excursions to see Mt. Rainier along with a hike to see the wilderness up close as well. Similarly, excursions can be for mornings or afternoons. Some tours may also include an option to see the city skyline along with nature excursions.

You can easily choose a tour according to your convenience. Most tour companies also offer to pick up from the hotel before the start of the helicopter ride. With convenience factor topped with a number of options, you won’t have to compromise on selecting a helicopter tour with your family or friends. Your tour company may even offer to personalize the excursions in case you need to accommodate the tour in less time or wish to enjoy the ride for longer.

Incredible Memories

With a helicopter tour, you can create memories of a lifetime without too much effort. The ride itself can be magical enough depending on the tour operator and the guide. To top it all, watching a city skyline or natural vistas in a place from inside a helicopter is enough to fill anyone with a sense of wonder and awe.

Imagine – you are swooshing by in a helicopter with your family or friends over hills and cascades. The wilderness taking your breath away and you are filled with a sense of admiration and fascination. You see the city skyline from your ride and experience it with a new angle. When you see a place like this, you can gain a new perspective on it.

Quite Economical

Yes, you can’t put a price on enriching experiences such as delightful helicopter rides. But of course, you will have to pay the tour company for arranging the rides. It may seem so that helicopter rides would be very expensive; that not everyone can afford it enjoy them. But it isn’t so. You can book your ride at economical rates rather than exorbitant ones.

The actual rates will vary from one operator to another. The rates will also depend on the terrain covered and the facilities provided for the rides. But you can inquire about it prior to booking your ride and work out the economy of the rates beforehand.

Accessible

When something is as good as a helicopter ride with your loved ones (or even by yourself and the tour guide); there is no reason to not indulge in it more often. With economical helicopter rides now available via many tour companies, there is no point in not utilizing them for more than once. Whether you plan to do it once or more than once – it is now possible to enjoy helicopter rides easily. Many helicopter tour companies have made it easier for people to avail of these rides in a convenient manner.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

May 21, 2019 By Bob Leave a Comment

How Half Day Tours are Worth the Money?

Half-day tours can be the right way to spend exploring a place in limited time. If you are just passing through a city or visiting it for a day (with some time to spare), you can take advantage of half-day tours to see a new place or experience a familiar city in a new way.

Half-Day Tours – the Cost Factor

Needless to say, you won’t find every half-day tour to your satisfaction. But there are tour operators who take special care to create packages to help visitors utilize their time sightseeing in the best possible way – within a really limited time.

For instance, you can find incredible Seattle half day tour that can be covered within three to four hours. If the tour covers every major attraction in the city with ample time to enjoy every stop then it can be really worth the money you spend on it. If the tour is hurried simply to wind it up within a specific time then it cannot be worth your while. Even if the cost of the tour is affordable than others available for the same place; it can turn out to be a waste of your money without the opportunity to see any of the attractions properly.

For half-day tours to make sense for the visitors, the excursions still need to be well-planned. The objective needs to be the satisfaction of the visitors in experiencing a place within a limited time frame but properly and in a cost-effective manner. Merely rushing from one place to another doesn’t really make any sense if you can’t spend any time exploring an attraction even for a bit.

The cost of such tours must be set on the basis of tiered pricing to really work in your favor. If you are just two people wanting to explore a city via a half-day tour, you should be able to pay for it accordingly. If the price is set, it doesn’t really work out economical for smaller groups. So, it is important to find tour operators who offer tiered pricing for such excursions. 

Other Factors

A half-day tour is worth its cost only if it also stands out in other ways.

Does your tour operator offer the option to customize the tour for your convenience?

If you are on a private tour then you should be able to tweak the planned excursion to suit your needs. If a company offers you this option then it can be worth your while to check them out for booking your half-day tour. For instance, a Seattle half day tour can be customized so that visitors can spend more time at a specific spot such as the Pike Place Market instead of the Space Needle. After all, time is limited when you are on a half-day tour. You should be able to spend it in a way that favors your tour aspirations and your operator should be able to accommodate your request.

Does your tour operator offer transfer facilities?

Most people on half-day tours are either in a hurry to catch their next flight or to go elsewhere. Ideally, your tour operator needs to consider this important aspect and offer easy pick-up and drop-off points so that visitors can enjoy every free hour enjoying the tour rather than worrying about making it to the airport or the cruise terminals for their next trip.

Choose an operator who arranges the tour from any of the transit places without charging you anything extra for the service.

Does your tour operator arrange for proper transport?

The visitors on half-day tours often need to travel with their luggage with them. They either need to catch their next flight or are just coming into the city from elsewhere. The vehicle for the excursion needs to be roomy enough to accommodate a large group. Their luggage needs to be stowed away safely and comfortable at the back of the vehicle or in an attached trailer.

Check if the tour operator is able to make arrangements for child-booster seats with prior notice. Also, inquire if the transport vehicle is spacious enough to accommodate collapsible wheelchairs. Carefully consider these factors to see if a half-day tour is worth your money.

Filed Under: Travel Tips

April 26, 2019 By Bob Leave a Comment

K1 Visa: Everything You Need to Know

K1 Visa – Some Basic Points

K1 Visa is for the American citizens who intend to bring their engaged foreign partners (fiancé or fiancée) to the country. Many call this as the fiancé visa because of the practical purpose for which it is used. This visa system came into existence in the year 1970, and the base for the introduction was the Vietnam War. Some of the Vietnamese citizens who got interested in marrying the US soldiers had a terrible time in obtaining the legal papers for entering the US. They first had to get the exit visa from the Vietnamese government and then had to get the US immigrant visa from the American embassy. The entailed processes took a lot of time to fulfill the purpose. Thus the US authorities started to look for an alternative. Consequently, the Congress voted for the amendment of the Immigration and Nationality Act – 1952, and thus K1 visa was introduced. In this modern world, this method assumes a lot of significance, because many citizens are getting married to foreign ladies.

Underlying Factors

However, there are quite a few official stipulations. The couple must get married within ninety days of the arrival of the sponsored partner. If the couple does not comply with this stipulation, then, that will result in the cancellation of the visa. After the marriage, the individual concerned can straightaway submit an application for getting a ‘Green Card’, which is the permanent residence permit. This feature makes K1 visa all the more tempting. The official grade of this visa is non-immigrant; nevertheless, it has certain significant immigration benefits. The processing of this genre visa is usually performed by the immigrant visa departments of the embassies and consulates of the USA globally, because of this practical significance. The process of obtaining K1 is a bit complex and needs keen attention while preparing the documents and submitting the same. Because of the involved intricacies, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a professional immigration company for applying for this visa.

K1 Visa – Everything You Need to Know

• The marriage must be genuine. In other words, the filing of the document for K1 must not be for the simple purpose of getting an entry visa to the USA. In case any fraud is detected, the visa will become invalid.

• The applicant will have to file the Form 1-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé (e), duly filled. Filing this document is the primary step for getting this visa.

• One condition is that only American citizens can sponsor the K1 visa. This practically means that the other permanent residents (the Green Card holders) are not entitled to apply for this visa.

• Another condition stipulates that the foreign fiancé will have to enter the country within 4 months from the approval date of the visa.

• There is also another condition regarding the marriage between the sponsored individual and the sponsor. According to this, the marriage must take place within 3 months of arrival. If not, then that will lead to cancellation of the visa.

• In addition, if the individuals concerned decide against getting married, the visa will be quashed. In such a situation, the sponsored fiancé will have to leave the country straight away.

• If the marriage has already taken place, one cannot apply for the K1 visa.

• In the same way, if the couple plans to marry outside the country, this visa is not applicable.

• In addition, if the fiancé is already a legal resident of the USA, the couple is not entitled to apply for this visa.

Pick a Professional Visa Service Provider

Professional help will reduce the intensity of the effort required for applying for the visa. Individual efforts will often lead to time-delay, which will make conditions miserable for the partners. However, one must not approach an amateur company, as it may cause time-delay and also, unnecessary wastage of money. Make sure that the agency with whom you plan to have a tie-up is well experienced and reliable. Practically, this will be of much help to the individuals who need K1 immediately.

Filed Under: Visa

April 26, 2019 By Bob Leave a Comment

Applying for CR1 Spousal Visa – Things to Consider

CR1 Spousal Visa is the immigrant visa granted to the foreign spouses of the US residents. CR represents the conditional residency. This means that the holder has the legal right to stay within the boundaries of the United States of America continuously for a period of 2 years on certain predetermined conditions. The good part of this visa is that the individuals concerned can apply for the removal of the conditions, before 90 days of the expiry date of the visa. Here, they will get a regular 10-year Green Card. The spouse who stays in America is the petitioner, and the spouse who lives in another country is the beneficiary.

However, for applying for the CR1 Spousal Visa, there are some main conditions. Only when these conditions agree, the visa process will be carried out.

• The applicant must be an American citizen or a permanent resident. For Green Card holders the process will take much more time.

• The applicant must be an adult. He or she must be more than 18 years of age.

• The applicant must be officially married. Remember, the new trend of ‘living together’ is not considered for issuing CR1. Of course, bachelors and bachelorettes are not entitled to this visa.

• Minimum income requirement is a must; however, this varies according to the state laws. The other factors considered are the number of members in the house and the number of sponsored people.

ApCR1 Spousal Visa – Things to Consider

When the applicant follows the required processes for applying for the CR1 Spousal Visa as it should be, the spouse who lives in another country can finish the entire procedures even by staying outside the US. The affidavit of support that one must use is 1-134. The embassy will ask for the original petition and the related documents from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You will have to file only the I-130 form. One can file the application for the CR1 Spousal Visa by staying abroad. The processing time can be anywhere between 5 to 10 months. There will be an interview at the embassy for finalizing the visa proceedings. A consular official will conduct the interview, and the venue will be the nearest American embassy in the spouse’s country. The main thing that the interviewer will want to make sure is the authenticity of the applicant. When the officer gives the consent for the same, very soon the passport of the applicant will be stamped the allotted visa.

The entire proceedings are very simple and if you have the assistance of a professional immigration specialist, things will become less complicated. Moreover, the applicant will get the status of ‘Permanent Resident’ on arrival in the country. When the beneficiary arrives via a US POE (Port of Entry), he or she will be entitled to the ‘Green Card’, which they will receive in the given US address, very soon. In all probabilities, this will happen within a few weeks itself. Having said that, doing all the related works will be really an onerous task for individuals. Therefore, it will be practically helpful to the applicants to hire a professional immigration company. However, the company must be experienced and must possess in-depth knowledge regarding the paperwork and all other related formalities. By this way, you can stay away from the possible flaws that may creep into your application or the other documentation.

CR1 Spousal Visa – How to Hire an Experienced Company?

The main thing that one will have to take note of while hiring a specialized company for immigration is the practical experience. When a company possesses rich experience in dealing with the various formalities that are related to the immigration process, one can take the company as dependable. One can find such companies easily: just search through Google. Within seconds, you will get the web addresses of various companies. However, you must visit the websites and pick a professional company by taking into consideration the experience and the costs involved.

Filed Under: Visa

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I am a travel junkie, essentially a nomad. Been to a lot of places, many still on my agenda. I am not very regular and blog when I get time. Sign up for updates when I publish new posts on this blog. Your comments on are welcome and so are your emails.

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