Visa Today

Author: Shakthivel

  • Mongolia Urges Tourists to Stick to Approved Activities

    The Immigration Agency of Mongolia is advising international tourists to stick to tourism-related activities during their visit.

    In an effort to boost tourism, Mongolia has designated 2023 to 2025 as the “Years to Visit Mongolia.” As part of this campaign, Mongolia is offering visa-free entry to citizens of 34 countries, including several European nations.

    In total, citizens of 65 countries can visit Mongolia without a visa during this period. Additionally, citizens from 99 countries can apply for a 30-day electronic visa (e-Visa) for tourism purposes.

    However, the Immigration Agency has noticed that some visitors are misusing these visa facilities. Tourists are reminded to use their visas only for tourism and not for other activities such as work or trade.

    Key Points:

    • Visa-Free Travel: Citizens of 65 countries can visit Mongolia without a visa from 2023 to 2025.
    • e-Visa Option: Visitors from 99 countries can apply for a 30-day tourist e-Visa.
    • Proper Use of Tourist Visas: Tourists are urged not to engage in work, trade, or other non-tourism activities without proper authorization.

    The agency has highlighted a rise in violations where tourists, particularly those with e-Visas, are engaging in unauthorized activities like working in healthcare, education, or conducting religious propaganda.

    List of Countries Exempted from Visa Requirements (Up to 30 Days):

    No.Country Name
    1Republic of Austria
    2Kingdom of Belgium
    3Hungary
    4Hellenic Republic
    5Kingdom of Denmark
    6Kingdom of Spain
    7Italian Republic
    8Republic of Latvia
    9Republic of Lithuania
    10Principality of Liechtenstein
    11Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
    12Republic of Malta
    13Kingdom of the Netherlands
    14Republic of Poland
    15Portuguese Republic
    16Slovak Republic
    17Republic of Slovenia
    18Republic of Finland
    19French Republic
    20Republic of Croatia
    21Czech Republic
    22Kingdom of Sweden
    23Republic of Estonia
    24Kingdom of Norway
    25Republic of Iceland
    26Swiss Confederation
    27Republic of Bulgaria
    28Republic of Ireland
    29Republic of Cyprus
    30Romania
    31Principality of Monaco
    32United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    33Commonwealth of Australia
    34New Zealand

    Tourism Growth Goals

    Mongolia aims to attract one million tourists by 2024. In 2023, the country saw 650,000 tourists, up from 500,000 in 2019. In the first quarter of 2024, Mongolia recorded 86,200 foreign visitors, a 10.5% increase from the previous year.

    Tourist Demographics

    NationalityPercentage
    Chinese37.1%
    Russian35.1%
    South Korean10.2%
    Kazakhstani2.5%
    Japanese2.0%
    Other Countries13.1%

    Regional Breakdown:

    RegionPercentage
    East Asia and Pacific55.8%
    Europe39.7%
    Americas2.1%
    Middle East1.2%
    South Asia0.8%
    Africa0.4%

    Mongolia is considering extending its tourism initiative beyond 2025, potentially until 2030, to meet its ambitious visitor goals.

  • Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme Launched at Delhi’s IGI Airport

    In a significant move to enhance travel convenience for international passengers, the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi has recently introduced the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP). This initiative aims to streamline the immigration process, making it easier and hassle-free for travelers arriving in India.

    Passengers can now scan their boarding pass and passport at the electronic gates in Terminal 3, eliminating the need to stand in long queues to produce immigration documents to officers at the counters.

    Terminal 3 is equipped with eight electronic gates (four for arrivals and four for departures), ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers. In the initial phase, FTI-TTP will be introduced at seven major airports across the country, including Kochi.

  • India Tightens Chinese Visa Measures After Galwan Clash

    India has implemented stricter measures regarding visas for Chinese nationals in the wake of the border conflict between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army at Galwan four years ago. Senior officials within the national security establishment and economic ministries have revealed significant changes in visa issuance.

    Below are some of the key points that you should be aware of while looking into the issue of tightening Chinese Visas after the Galwan Clash.

    Visa Decline: In 2019, approximately 200,000 visas were granted to Chinese nationals. However, this number has dramatically plummeted to just 2,000 in 2024 following a comprehensive assessment of Chinese investments in India.

    Focus on Economic Security: The Narendra Modi government emphasizes national economic security, leading to a noteworthy shift in policy.

    Indian Electronics Industry: Over the past eight months, around 1,500 visas have been issued, primarily meeting the demands of the Indian electronics industry.

    Trade Deficit: Despite these measures, India faces a trade deficit exceeding $38.11 billion in the initial five months of this year. Exports to China totaled $8.93 billion between January and May 2024, while imports from Beijing were valued at $47 billion.

    Merchandise Exports Surge: Official data released on June 14 shows an over 9% surge in India’s merchandise exports in May 2024. Petroleum products, engineering goods, and electronics led the charge.

    Scrutiny of Chinese Investments: Post-Galwan, investigations into Chinese investments revealed violations by telecommunication companies. Vivo, in particular, faced allegations of tax evasion and illicit fund transfers back to China.

    Atmanirbhar Bharat: India’s cautious approach aligns with its “Atmanirbhar Bharat” plan, aiming to foster self-reliance in domestic manufacturing and insulate the economy from external vulnerabilities.

    While calls persist for greater access to visas for Chinese workers and technicians, India remains committed to rigorous vetting, prioritizing national security and economic resilience

  • New Requirement: English Translations will be Required for New Zealand Visitor Visa Supporting Documents

    Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced a new requirement for visitor visa applications starting from June 17, 2024. All supporting documents must be provided in English or include a certified English translation.

    Details of the New Requirement

    • Effective Date: June 17, 2024
    • Requirement: All supporting documents for visitor visa applications must be in English or have a certified English translation.

    Documents Requiring Translation

    Applicants must ensure the following documents are translated into English

    • Proof of funds (e.g., bank statements, pay records)
    • Flight itineraries, including return tickets
    • Proof of employment in the applicant’s home country
    • Leave of absence documentation
    • Identity documents other than passports (e.g., Hukou for Chinese nationals)

    Note: English translations of medical and police certificates are already mandatory if they are in a foreign language.

    Certified Translation Providers

    Certified translations can be obtained from:

    • Reputable private or official translation businesses
    • Community members known for their accurate translations (excluding the applicant, family members, or their immigration adviser)
    • Licensed immigration advisers (LIAs) who are reputable community members and are not advising on the application

    Implications for Applications

    Applications submitted without the required English translations are likely to be declined. Providing documents in English helps streamline the processing of visa applications, reducing delays.

    Visas Affected

    • This requirement applies to all visitor visa types offered by INZ.

    Additional Resources

    INZ provides a marketing media pack with information about the mandatory English translations. These resources are available in multiple languages.

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