For tourists, it can be very difficult to travel into regions that have different visa policies. Some will not permit you to return into the country once you leave it because they only issue single-entry visa. However, things will be changing in Thailand thanks to their double entry visa program.

New Form of Tourist Visa in Thailand

On Friday, November 29, the Thai government announced that tourists who will be visiting Thailand and its neighboring countries can now get the new double entry visa for tourists. With this visa, tourists can go in and out of Thailand and visit its neighboring country like Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos. Once they are finished with their journeys to these countries, they can go back to Thailand without problems.

According to Kobsak Pootrakul, deputy secretary-general to the Thai PM, the new tourist visa may soon be available online. A three-month trial is scheduled to try out the system in two land entry points – Nong Khai (between Thailand and Laos) and Sadao (between Thailand and Malaysia). The two entry ways will be open for 24 hours a day throughout the trial.

Unfortunately, the government has yet to reveal when the trial will start. However, some report that it may be at the end of this year or next month. Once the trial ends, officials will look at the statistics to see how they can operate the program. For instance, they will see if if they should continue with a 24/7 operation or not.

The new tourism visa is just part of the country’s efforts to help the tourism sector in Thailand grow. Kobsak says that the government aims to bring in 42 million visitors to the country by 2020. So far, they have welcomed 20 million tourists in the first half of 2019 and the year-end total is close to 39 million.

Experts say that the validity of the visa will be limited. Details are not yet out for the public to review.

Thailand Travel Tips

If you plan to visit the country, there are a lot of travel guides available. You can start your search at the Tourism Authority of Thailand website. We also wrote some articles to help you pick the best place to stay in Bangkok.

On the other hand, if you aim to move to this beautiful country, we also wrote some articles as a starter guide. These articles include the average salary in Bangkok and the cost of living in the city.

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Foreigners who wish to live in the country of Saudi Arabia used to find it difficult to do so. The country has very strict requirements and they don’t allow foreigners to visit easily unless it is for work or if they are Muslim. However, they are now shifting their policies to become more open as seen in their latest program.

Permanent Residency Program

On Wednesday, November 13, the Saudi government issued 73 “premium” residency to foreigners under its new program. The program aims to bring in overseas investment by allowing foreigners to buy property in the country and do business without a Saudi sponsor.

The announcement of the program led to the application of thousands of foreigners who wish to get in the country. Permanent residency can be acquired for 800,000 riyals or a one-year renewable permit for 100,000 riyals. The lucky foreigners who got the program came from 19 countries. They come from various professions as well according to the Premium Residency Center’s statement on Monday, November 11. However, it is visible it did not include how many got the permanent residency status.

The new program was introduced in May and shows Saudi’s changing perspective on how the economy can stay afloat. So far, the country has been heavily reliant on oil, but the prices have caused some importers to move to cheaper suppliers.

The program or the “priviledge iqama” system will provide eligible residents the chance to build their business, own property, and go in and out of the country without sponsorship. They will also get family status and use the processing services for Saudi nationals in the airport.

Interested foreigners must have their valid passport, financial requirements and be at least 21 years old and older.

In an interview in 2016 with Bloomberg, Saudi’s Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman said that the government has been considering a special Green Card system for expats. This can generate billions of dollars for the national economy should the program be successful.

Saudi Arabia Tips

For those interested to travel to Saudi Arabia, there are a lot of guides available to help. You can visit the official tourism website of the Kingdom through this link. The site also has details about how international tourists can get visa to visit the country. You may also check with your local Saudi Embassy for more details about traveling to the country.

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The Golden Visa program is open to select countries who wish to drive in more investments from foreigners. Each golden visa is unique per country, from how much the investment must be to how long the residence permit will be. In Greece, the options are now broader to help more people get a chance to apply for it.

New Scheme

On Thursday, the Greek government released a new statement regarding the criteria for non-European Union residents who wish to have the visa. A joint ministerial decision says these applicants can now get a five-year residence permit if they will be able to invest a minimum of 400,000 euros in Greek securities and companies. This investment will help with the country’s foreign direct investment and help non-EU nationals get the visa faster.

The new policy also ensures that even a time deposit at a Greek bank will be enough to get the visa. If one has a real estate in the country, they can use it to get in the program.

For those who prefer state bonds or mutual funds, the joint decision allows it for the program. The state bonds must be around 400,000 euros and held in a Greece-based bank for three years. Mutual funds must be around 400,000 euros as well and they must be actively on shares and bonds in Greece. The total assets must be around 3 million euros.

Foreigners who have 800,000 euros in stock or corporate bonds in the Greek capital markets can also qualify. They only need to present a permit to prove their investment.

The new rules mirrors the requirements of other EU countries offering the visa program. It also adds to the current requirement of 250,000 euros in local real estate. This is the usual way foreigners can get into the program.

In September, Greece’s Golden Visa was cited to have a high approval rate as compared to other countries who offer it.

Greece Tips

Interested in traveling in Greece? You can check out Visit Greece to find out more about the country. We also have guides on where to stay in Corfu if you will be heading around that area.

If you will be working in the country, we have a guide on the salary and cost of living in Athens.

If you plan to retire in Greece, we have a full guide as well that you can check out.

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eVisa programs are now becoming very popular around the world because of how efficient it makes traveling to foreign countries faster. They are also more secure than old visas since more information is within them. The latest country to introduce this system is Oman.

Oman’s eVisa Program

On Sunday, the Royal Oman Police announced that visitors traveling to Oman must now get their eVisas prior to their arrival in the Sultanate. Previously, travelers can avail the visa on arrival to get in Oman.

In their social media post, the police said that the visa on arrival option will only be granted in certain situations. The eVisa should be “used wherever possible.”

It is very easy to apply for the eVisa. Tourists can simply apply online and upload their passport, a passport-style photo of themselves and pay the fee of OMR5.

Processing takes around 4 days and once it is available, they can stay in Oman up to 10 days.

Currently, the eVisa program is open to 71 countries, including the European Union, the United States and Australia. The other countries not included in the list will need to apply for their visas normally through their respective Omani embassy in their home country. Requirements vary which is why it is important to inquire first before applying.

Those from the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait do not need a visa to enter Oman.

This latest announcement regarding Oman’s visa policy comes after the recent announcement of visa-free travel for Omani nationals to Saint Petersburg, Russia. In the announcement, Oman is one of the 53 countries qualified for the visa-free program. They are ok to visit Saint Petersburg with the new visa, but not visit other areas like Moscow since the visa does not cover it.

For those interested to apply for Oman’s eVisa and to see if you qualify, you can visit https://evisa.rop.gov.om/.

Oman Travel Tips

The Sultanate of Oman is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the Middle East. Tourism has contribute greatly to Oman’s GDP and many tourists entering the country are from nearby countries.

Oman offers a very diverse range of travel destinations for tourists. Many tourists come to try out Oman’s cultural tours, which showcase the country’s World Heritage Sites. Aside from these cultural tours, there are also nature based activities available. Sporting and cultural events are also in the country’s calendar for visitors to enjoy.

To find out more about Oman, check out the official website of Oman Tourism.

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Getting a US visa is very difficult because it requires a lot of paperwork and interview. Many countries often hope for the chance to get into the the US visa-free waiver program. However, not all are given the chance to get in the program because of the various factors that influence the US’s decision. For Poland, their efforts to get in the waiver program came through since they will now be able to travel to the US visa-free.

Visa Waiver Program Details

On Wednesday, the US Department of Homeland Security said that Poland is now under the Visa Waiver Program and it will be active starting next week. Poland, according to the announcement, is a “trusted partner” of the US and its inclusion to the program is a testament to their “special relationship” and cooperation.

Poland’s inclusion to the program makes them the 39th country to be a part of the program. Under the visa-free program, Polish citizens traveling to the US will only need to register online and pay $14 to get in the country.

The move will help the country’s business and tourism industries, as well as boost cultural ties between both countries.

Polish President Andrzej Duda welcomed the news. He said that starting Monday, Poland’s Independence Day, Polish citizens can now travel to the US visa-free. They will also be able to stay up to 90 days for both tourism and business. He also thanked President Trump for approving Poland’s application to the Visa Waiver Program. The country has been applying for the program since 1990 after the end of communism in the country.

Early this month, US President Donald Trump said that Poland will be included in the US’ Visa Waiver Program in the coming weeks. He and President Duda met after Duda visited the country for the UN General Assembly. Trump had plans to visit Poland but had to reschedule it due to Hurricane Dorian.

Poland Travel Tips

Interested to go to Poland? You can check out the official website of Polish Tourism to get some ideas.

We also have a guide in this site on what international airports are in Poland, which 8 cities should you visit in Poland, how to get prepaid internet in Poland and how to travel via train from Lublin and Lviv. We also listed down the best places to stay in Warsaw, in Krakow and in Lodz.

For those interested to work in Poland, you may visit the Polish migration page of the International Organization for Migration.

We also have a guide in this website about the cost of living in Warsaw and in Krakow. We also did an average and minimum salary guide for those who will stay in Warsaw.

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The tech sector is one of the fastest growing industries worldwide. Many companies are rallying to find the best tech workers and bring them to their hubs abroad. Australia’s tech industry is also cashing in on this boom and the government is working on ways to get workers in the country. The new tech visa aims to make things easier for the sector to grow.

Global Talent- Independent Program

On Tuesday, the Global Talent – Independent Program is officially launched to help Australian companies get highly skilled workers in the country. The program became known early this year by the Coalition as part of its major immigration strategy. Under the program, highly skilled workers can get their permanent residency faster than before.

With the opening of the program, 5,000 visas are on offer for brilliant tech workers to get for this financial year. Several government officials are now in Berlin, Singapore, Dubai, Shanghai and Washington DC to assist with the program. A new office will also be open in New Delhi this week for the program.

Experts say that applicants in the program may earn more than $148,700 yearly in the country. They will also have a choice between seven industries: AgTech, MedTech, cybersecurity, space and advance manufacturing, FinTech, energy and mining and quantum information. They can also work in advanced data science, digital science and ICT if they joined the program.

According to StartupAus CEO Alex McCauley, the program will usher a new era for Australia in the field of skilled migration. It will open opportunities for Australian tech companies to grow globally now that they have access to the global market.

“It’s not a tech visa. It’s a talent visa targeted at tech because there’s a growing recognition within government and industry that Australia needs to become a world leader in technology if we want to keep up with the rest of the world as the industry moves on,”

He further adds, “If we can attract some of the kind of people that this visa is seeking to target. We’ll rapidly improve our ability to build new technology in Australia.”

It is important to say that the program is not similar to the Global Talent Employer Sponsored Initiative. The program is permanent and the visa open for employers to apply  for. Meanwhile, the new program targets the best global talent directly.

Australia Tips for Migrants

Interested migrants who wish to find work in Australia can also check our short guide here. We also have a guide on where you can stay in Sydney and Melbourne here in the site.

For other visa information and inquiries, check out the official webpage of the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

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In recent months, Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are introducing new programs to bring in tourists. Visa-free policies and new visa types are now available for some countries, and a new visa is in the works: a joint visa.

Joint Visa Details

On Friday, a report from the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh said that both countries are working a joint visa. The new visa will allow foreigners to travel to both countries without filing for a separate visa.

The announcement was made by UAE’s Minister of Economy Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori. He mentioned the new project during the latest FII meeting, which happened on October 31. Around 6,000 attendees worldwide were in the session and 300 of them are decision-makers for 30 countries.

In a statement quoted by Al Eqtisadiah newspaper, Al Mansoori said “This initiative aims at taking advantage of the enormous potential and great measures taken by Saudi Arabia to facilitate the entry of tourists to the Kingdom.”

Once the negotiations are complete, the visa will be active next year. Full details about the joint visa project are not yet available.

Around 24,000 tourists came to Saudi Arabia since the beginning of its newest visa system on September 27. According to Saudi media, most of these visitors came from China with 7,391 tourists. They are followed by British and American citizens respectively with 6,159 and 2,132 tourists respectively. Saudi’s Foreign Ministry says the country aims to target 100 million visitors yearly by 2030.

Currently, 41 million visitors visit Saudi every year.

Saudi and UAE Tips

For those interested to travel to Saudi Arabia, there are a lot of guides available to help. You can visit the official tourism website of the Kingdom through this link. The site also has details about how international tourists can get visa to visit the country. You may also check with your local Saudi Embassy for more details about traveling to the country.

Meanwhile, if you are planning to visit the UAE, there are a lot of articles online to help you out. You can check out the Dubai Tourism Board or the Abu Dhabi Tourism Board to find out more about the two cities. You can also check out our article about the Best Places to Stay in Dubai for some extra ideas.

The post Saudi and UAE Teaming Up for New Joint Visa appeared first on Check in Price.

For many foreigners, Serbia is European country that is not well-known. However, it is a perfect place to adventure seekers thanks to its unique natural landmarks. Culture lovers would also enjoy its festivals and the old monasteries that still exists today. Unfortunately, visa policy for those who wish to live or work in the country have been difficult. But, this will change with the latest announcement of its visa application process.

Application Process

On Thursday, October 10, the Serbian government announced that they will be relaxing their visa policy for residency, long-term stay and work. This will be the first time the government is relaxing its immigration laws. It also opens the opportunity for foreign workers to work after they enter the country.

Currently, Serbia is having problems with its workforce because of brain drain and the aging workforce. With the improved migration rules, the country will be able to attract migrant workers to the country.

Starting December 20, 2020, foreign nationals who wish to work in the country will now be able to apply for both their residence and work visa together. They will only need to submit one application form while in their home country. Originally, foreigners will need to stay in the country without work and wait for 30 days for their permits to work. They also do not need to submit duplicate applications to two different departments.

Workers will also be able to apply for a work permit extension at least 60 days before their work permit expires. Previously, they can only apply 30 days before their permit’s expiry. The extension will also help employers to consider renewal options, especially if it is rejected. Workers also do not need to submit notarized documents for their applications.

With regards to long-term stay, foreigners will be able to apply for their long-term stay visa abroad starting January 1, 2020. The visa will allow them to start working within 30 days of their work visa being filed once they arrive in the country. Temporary residence permits can also be applied from overseas, which is not allowed currently.

Find more about these changes here.

Serbia Tips

Want to check out what Serbia has to offer? Check out the official website of the National Tourism Organization of Serbia to find out more about the country.

If you will be working in Serbia, we have a guide on the cost of living and average salary in the country.

We also have a full guide on how you can retire in Serbia.

The post Serbia to Facilitate Applications for Work and Residence Permits appeared first on Check in Price.

Visiting China is not very easy, especially with its visa policy. However, with the popularity of traveling, China is slowly opening its visa policy with the introduction of transit visas and short-term visas. One of their latest projects is the 144-hour transit visa and recently, they increased the cities included in the program.

What cities are covered?

In the latest report on Thursday by the Chinese news outlet CGTN, Xi’an, Chengdu, Chongqing and Ningbo can now be accessible to foreigners with the G Visa. The G Visa is the special 144-hour, six-day transit visa for tourists who wish to visit the country for a short period of time. The new cities can be accessed starting December 1st, bringing the total number of cities open for G Visa holders up to 20 cities.

Each city is well-known for being home to China’s historical landmarks. Xi’an, for example, is home to the Terracotta Warriors. Their location is a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is still being studied by experts worldwide. Chengdu, meanwhile, is home to pandas and spicy hotpot, two of China’s top exports. Both areas are also major transit hubs for China.

The G Visa also covers cities like Shanghai and Beijing and tourists can stay up to six days or less. However, it is not open for everyone to apply for.

Applicants must come from one of the 53 accepted countries, which include Japan, Singapore, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. They must also have a booked ticket to another destination via China. Hong Kong and Macau can be end destinations for the transit visa.

To apply, they will need to fill up the application form and have a passport-sized photo on the document. They must also ensure they have the visa for their end destination. Everything must be sorted out before they make their arrangements in China.

Travel to China

Traveling to China? If that is a yes, this website has a lot of guides for you to check out. We have a guide for the best places to stay in Beijing, Harbin, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Wuhan. We also have a guide about the Cheapest Cities in China.

For those planning to work in Beijing, we have a salary guide as well.

For more details about Beijing, check out the Beijing Tourism website. When it comes to visa details, check your local Chinese Embassy and inquire.

The post New Cities Included in China’s 144-Hour Transit Visa appeared first on Check in Price.

For investors who wish to go to a country and not have to wait a business or tourist visa, they invest on getting a Golden Visa. Countries offer this special visa for people who can invest thousands of dollars to the economy or purchase a property. While there are countries who see this visa as a good way to boost the economy, not everyone likes it. For instance, the government of the Balearic Islands in Spain have been commenting against it.

Why is there a comment against the Spanish Golden Visa?

On Monday, the Balearic Parliament formally requested to the Central Government to stop handing out Residency Permits or Golden Visas to non-EU investors who spend 500,000 euros for properties in the island. The visa is currently supported by the PP, Ciudadanos and PIs. They claim that these visas are for investors, workers and entrepreneurs.

According to the Socialist deputy Mercedes Garrido, the fact Venezuelan, Indian, Chinese and Russian millionaires can apply for this privilege is dangerous. Transparency International says that there is a possibility that the money of these millionaires came from dubious means.

One Mes spokesperson said that they do not see the measure as an effective one. They see that there is no clear proof that the country’s foreign investment went up thanks to these “Golden visa”. Podemos’ deputy Pablo Jimenez said that his party could not support a law that values people for their money.

Currently, around 116 foreigners have the “Express Visa” for the Balearic Islands. These foreigners got the visa after they bought properties worth half a million euros or more. The government has also yet to comment on the petition from the Balearic Government.

Visiting Spain

If you plan to visit Spain, there are a lot of guides out there to help you out. To get you started, check out our articles on the best places to stay in Valencia, Barcelona, A Coruna, Zaragoza, Granada, Seville and Madrid.

We also have a guide on the best hotels near El Prat Airport.

If traveling around, we have a guide on how to travel from Madrid Barajas Airport to Chamartin Station, Madrid Airport to Atocha Station, from Madrid to Toledo, Madrid to Valencia, Madrid to Barcelona, Barcelona to Valencia

For those who wish to work in the country, we have a guide on the minimum salary in Barcelona and in Madrid. We also have a cost of living guide in Madrid and Valencia. Our How to Retire in Spain guide is also available for those thinking of moving to the country.

For more information, visit Spain’s official tourism website.

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