The Travisa Connection
 
September 2015
Consular Updates
The government of Kenya has launched e-Visa, an electronic visa for Kenya.  Effective September 1, all visitors to Kenya need an e-Visa prior to entry, including travelers that used to be eligible to obtain a visa upon arrival. 

To apply online for a Kenyan visa, simply fill out Travisa's online form.

Consulate and Embassy Closings
Atlanta

Bahamas
: Monday October 12th
Brazil : Monday October 12th
Canada : Monday October 12th
India : Friday October 2nd
Israel : Monday September 14th, Tuesday September 15th, Tuesday September 22nd, Wednesday September 23rd, Monday September 28th, Tuesday September 29th, Monday October 5th, Tuesday October 6th
Japan : Monday October 12th
Nigeria : Monday October 12th
Peru : Friday October 2nd

Boston

Brazil
: Monday October 12th
Canada : Monday October 12th
Ireland : Monday October 12th
Italy : Monday October 12th
Japan : Monday October 12th
Mexico : Monday October 12th

Chicago

Argentina
: Monday October 12th
Australia : Monday October 12th
Brazil : Monday October 12th
Bulgaria : Monday September 21st, Tuesday September 22nd, Monday October 12th
China : Thursday October 1st, Friday October 2nd
Croatia : Thursday October 8th, Monday October 12th,
Denmark : Monday October 12th
India : Friday September 25th, Friday October 2nd
Indonesia : Thursday September 24th, Monday October 12th
Ireland : Monday October 12th
Japan : Monday October 12th
Korea (South) : Friday October 9th, Monday October 12th,
Peru : Monday October 12th
Spain : Monday October 12th
Thailand : Monday October 12th
Turkey : Thursday September 24th, Monday October 12th
Venezuela: Monday October 12th

Houston

Brazil
: Monday October 12th
Canada : Monday October 12th
China : Thursday October 1st, Friday October 2nd, Monday October 12th
Colombia : Monday October 12th
Indonesia : Thursday September 24th, Monday October 12th
Japan : Monday October 12th
Pakistan : Wednesday September 23rd, Thursday September 24th

London

Angola
: Thursday September 17th
Argentina : Monday October 12th
Australia: Monday October 5th
Bangladesh : Tuesday September 22nd, Thursday September 24th, Friday September 25th
China : Thursday October 1st, Friday October 2nd, Monday October 5th
Cyprus : Thursday October 1st
India : Friday October 2nd
South Africa : Thursday September 24th
Trinidad and Tobago: Thursday September 24th

Los Angeles

Australia
: Monday October 12th
Azerbaijan : Thursday September 24th, Friday September 25th
Bolivia : Monday October 12th
Brazil : Monday October 12th
Bulgaria: Monday September 21st, Tuesday September 22nd, Monday October 12th
Canada : Monday October 12th
Croatia : Thursday October 8th, Monday October 12th
Israel : Monday September 14th, Tuesday September 15th, Wednesday September 23rd, Monday September 28th, Tuesday September 29th, Monday October 5th, Tuesday October 6th, Monday October 12th
Italy : Monday October 12th
Japan : Monday October 12th
Kenya : Monday October 12th
Pakistan : Wednesday September 23rd, Thursday September 24th
Philippines : Monday October 12th
Poland : Monday October 12th
Thailand : Monday October 12th
Turkey : Friday September 25th, Monday October 12th

Miami

Argentina:
Monday October 12th
Brazil : Monday October 12th
Canada : Monday October 12th
Colombia : Monday October 12th
Italy : Monday October 12th
Japan : Monday October 12th
Peru : Monday October 12th
Trinidad and Tobago : Thursday September 24th, Monday October 12th

New York

Argentina
: Monday October 12th
Bangladesh : Thursday September 24th, Friday September 25th
Brazil : Monday October 12th
Bulgaria : Monday September 21st, Tuesday September 22nd, Monday October 12th
Canada : Monday October 12th
Chile : Thursday September 17th, Friday September 18th
China : Thursday October 1st, Friday October 2nd, Monday October 5th, Monday October 12th
Colombia : Monday October 12th
Croatia : Thursday October 8th, Monday October 12th
Czech Republic : Monday September 28th, Monday October 12th
Ethiopia : Wednesday September 23rd
India : Thursday October 1st, Friday October 2nd, Monday October 5th
Japan : Monday October 12th
Korea (South) : Monday October 12th
Luxembourg : Monday October 12th
Poland : Monday October 12th
Serbia : Monday October 12th
Singapore : Wednesday September 23rd
Spain : Monday October 12th
Sweden : Monday October 12th
Tanzania : Wednesday September 23rd
Thailand : Monday October 12th
Trinidad and Tobago: Monday October 12th
Turkey : Thursday September 24th, Monday October 12th
Uruguay : Monday October 12th

Ottawa

Angola
: Thursday September 17th
Czech Republic : Monday September 28th
India : Friday October 2nd
Indonesia : Thursday September 24th
Japan : Monday September 21st
Korea (South) : Friday October 9th
Turkey : Thursday September 24th

San Francisco

Brazil
: Monday October 12th
China : Thursday October 1st, Friday October 2nd
India : Thursday September 17th, Friday October 2nd
Italy : Monday October 12th
Singapore : Monday October 12th
Vietnam : Monday October 12th

Toronto

China
: Monday September 28th, Thursday October 1st, Friday October 2nd
Cyprus : Thursday October 1st
India : Friday October 2nd
Indonesia : Thursday September 24th
Italy : Monday October 12th
Japan : Monday September 21st
Turkey : Thursday September 24th

Washington

Angola
: Thursday September 17th
Argentina : Monday October 12th
Australia : Monday October 12th
Bangladesh : Thursday September 24th, Friday September 25th
Botswana : Wednesday September 30th, Thursday October 1st, Monday October 12th
Brazil : Monday October 12th
Brunei Darussalam : Thursday September 24th, Monday October 12th
Bulgaria : Monday September 21st, Tuesday September 22nd, Monday October 12th
Cambodia : Monday October 12th
Canada : Monday October 12th
China : Thursday October 1st, Friday October 2nd
Croatia : Thursday October 8th, Monday October 12th
Czech Republic : Monday September 28th
Denmark : Monday October 12th
Ethiopia: Wednesday September 23rd, Monday September 28th
India : Friday October 2nd
Indonesia : Thursday September 24th, Monday October 12th
Iraq : Wednesday September 23rd, Monday October 12th
Ireland : Monday October 12th
Italy : Monday October 12th
Japan : Monday October 12th
Lesotho : Monday October 12th
Mozambique : Friday September 25th
Myanmar : Monday October 12th
Namibia : Monday October 12th
Norway : Monday October 12th
Peru : Monday October 12th
Qatar : Monday October 12th
Slovak Republic : Monday October 12th
Tanzania : Wednesday September 23rd, Monday October 12th
Thailand : Monday October 12th
Turkey : Thursday September 24th, Monday October 12th
Uganda : Friday October 9th, Monday October 12th
Venezuela : Monday October 12th
Vietnam : Monday October 12th
Zambia : Monday October 12th

Did You Know?
Border Controls Reappear within Schengen 'Border Free'Area
 
Several countries within the Schengen Area of Europe have introduced temporary controls and checks at border entry points to cope with the influx of migrants.  The Schengen Area consists of 26 European countries that have a single common visa with external border controls, and normally have border free international travel between the member states.  Though the Schengen Agreement abolished internal borders, these are considered exceptional circumstances.

European, Canadian and US travelers should, for the most part, be unaffected.  However, travelers heading anywhere in Europe and particularly if crossing borders within Europe over land should be prepared in case of delays.  For example, train travel between Germany and Austria was suspended for 12 hours over the weekend due to these checks.

"Simply THE BEST!!! You guys got it right! I've traveled much and dealt with several different agencies, Travisa is beyond the best, with online tools and a team of very and I repeat VERY courteous folks. I never leave feedbacks, but in this case, I had to. Job Well Done!"

 

Ruslan B.

Featured Article
September is Passport Awareness Month!

The U.S. Department of State is celebrating Passport Awareness Month during September by launching an "Apply Early" campaign for U.S. citizens thinking about renewing their current passports or applying for the first time.

The State Department is expecting an increase in passport applications through 2018 and encourages travelers to submit passport applications well ahead of their planned travel dates in order to avoid delays in receiving their travel documents.  Typically, applicants can receive their passports more quickly when applying between the months of September to December.

Now is the time to get your passport and Travisa can help! Whether it is your first time applying for a passport, your passport is ready for a renewal or you are applying for your second valid passport, Travisa has the experience and knowledge to get you where you want to be. A second passport you ask? Yes!

Most travelers know that in order to leave their home country, holding a valid passport is the critical first step. However, the experienced US traveler might also suggest you hold two valid US passports. A concept that may seem very double agent to some is in fact highly recommended by Travisa. Though a second passport will only be valid for two years, it can reduce your risk of being stuck if your passport is lost, and even allow you to better manage your visa processing when you're out of town. If you travel internationally often (or plan on increasing your international adventures) it is recommended you get a second valid passport. And what better month to start the application than National Passport Month!

Not sure if you need to renew your passport? Maybe these quick facts can help you make your decision:
  • The US state department reports its busiest months are January through August, when passport demand is extremely high and when applications may take longer to process.
  • Many countries require U.S. passports to have at least 6 months of validity and some require two blank pages for entry.  Review the entry/exit requirements for your destination now.  
  • Look out for passport expiration dates because they can differ.  Many parents forget or don't realize that a child's passport is valid for 5 years unlike adult passports which are valid for 10 years. 
Holding your passport in your hands is an empowering moment, don't deny yourself that feeling. Visit Travisa.com to get your Passport application started now - the world is waiting!

Happy Travels!  
Travisa at GBTA


In August several Travisa executives attended the annual Global Business Travel Association Convention, where we connect and share with others who are in the travel industry.  One of the highlights of this year's event was a talk from keynote speaker Kevin Bacon about his organization SixDegrees.org, which connects celebrities with grass roots charities. Pictured above you will see our Vice President of Operations, Kim Conway, along with the CBTA Government Relations Committee and Mr. Bacon.  Thank you GBTA and Kevin Bacon for all of the fun!
Conde Nast Traveler
Mexico City's Architectural Moment: A Guide

Long an export, Mexico's finest architects have started staying home - and the work they're doing there isn't just some of the finest in Mexico, it's some of the finest in the world. Here's a short list of the buildings you absolutely must see.

CENTRO

Mexico City is having a major architectural moment. The country is producing many fine architects who, rather than leaving Mexico to pursue careers, are staying home and helping change the face of their capital city. One of those architects is Enrique Norten, whose bold, graphic redesign of CENTRO, a university for creative studies, covers some 55,000 square feet. It was done in partnership with Dutch-born, Mexico-based architect Jan Hendrix and features LEED-certified buildings and a public park. The campus reopens in September 2015.

Click to read more! 



Corporate Accounts and Travel Industry

 

Find out the benefit of opening a Corporate Account with Travisa, and find out how your organization can increase its profits by offering passport & visa services. 

Great Features From Travisa
Visa Widget

Give visitors to your website instant access to visa requirement information.  Travisa's complimentary Visa Widget allows travelers to choose their destination country, citizenship, and purpose of travel to see if a visa is required, with the added convenience of never leaving your site.  You can customize your Widget with a company logo or simply leave it the way it is.  Your account code can also be embedded within, ensuring that travelers will have access to correct pricing and account details.  We can even save a default destination and citizenship if your travelers have a common preference.  Adding the widget is easy.  Just visit the widget set-up page.  If you have any questions about how this can be of benefit to your travelers, you may also contact Travisa's Account Management Team for more assistance.


Smart Phone Apps

Have you ever been in a time crunch and not at your desk to check visa requirements for your upcoming international trip?  No problem!  Use Travisa's FREE App for Android or App for iPhone for easy access to visa and passport requirements on the go.  You can also e-mail the information directly from the App for easy retrieval at your convenience.

App for Android

Download Travisa's FREE App for Android. You can also find us on the Android market (just look for Travisa Visa).  Passport and visa requirements and instructions are now available anywhere you are.  You can look for information and send travel document requirements via e-mail for easy, convenient retrieval later on.


App for iPhone and iPad

With the Travisa Visa App, you can download FREE App for iPhone, iPad or iPod touch!  You can also access detailed information on travel visa requirements for over 200 countries and passport services directly on your iPad, even when you do not have internet access.  The Travisa Visa App is great for frequent international travel managers, as well as individual travelers, who need to know country visa requirements fast. Send your travel document requirements via email for easy, convenient retrieval later on, even in areas with no receptivity.


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