Global Visa Consultant

Expo 2023 marks the first international horticultural exhibition in Qatar and the broader Middle East and North Africa region.  The Secretary-General of Expo 2023, Mohammed Al-Khoury, informed Doha News that specific details about the entry process have not been disclosed yet. He emphasized that they anticipate an increase in tourism facilitated by streamlined procedures.  "We are anticipating the participation of 80 countries and the arrival of three million visitors to Doha throughout the exhibition's duration," stated the high-ranking official.  In efforts to bolster tourism, Qatari authorities have revealed plans to expand the Hayya platform further. "Relaunched Hayya platform has emerged as the primary portal for travelers requiring visas to enter Qatar. Hayya will serve as the singular portal for all tourists seeking entry into the country," noted Akbar Al-Baker, Chairman of Qatar Tourism, during a recent press conference.  According to the report from Doh...

  BNO passport holders are permitted to apply for permanent residency in the UK after residing in the country for five years, and after an additional year, they can seek British citizenship.  A spokesperson from the Chinese embassy informed CGNT that the UK's actions were not aimed at safeguarding the people of Hong Kong, as they claimed, but were intended to tarnish and undermine Hong Kong's reputation. According to the spokesperson, some Hong Kong residents who relocated to the UK have encountered financial hardships and societal discrimination.  The spokesperson urged the UK to cease its critical actions and refrain from interfering in China's internal affairs.  In 2021, the Chinese Foreign Ministry declared that it would no longer recognize the BNO passport and visa as valid travel and identification documents, with the change scheduled to take effect in January 2021. The Ministry reserved the right to take further actions.  British authorities have previous...

 Secretary of State Antony Blinken, through his official social media account, announced that visa restrictions will be imposed on officials in Nicaragua who have been involved in violations of human rights and the undermining of democracy in the country. Blinken emphasized the need for the Nicaraguan regime to promptly release Bishop Álvarez and others who have been unjustly detained.  In his statement on his official Twitter account, Blinken stated, "The State Department has taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 100 Nicaraguan officials who restrict Nicaraguans’ human rights and undermine democracy. We call on the regime to unconditionally and immediately release Bishop Álvarez and all those unjustly detained."  Bishop Rolando Álvarez, a vocal critic of the Nicaraguan government, was arrested by the Ortega regime for allegedly aiding anti-government protesters. Earlier this year, he was sentenced to 26 years in prison after refusing to board a plane carrying exiles...

 The US Department of State has declared that a significant risk persists for US citizens and nationals in terms of arrest and prolonged detention, which poses an immediate threat to their physical safety. This information was conveyed in a notice to the Associated Press (AP).  The ban on using a US passport to travel to, from, or through North Korea remains in effect and will continue until August 31, 2024. This ban was initially introduced by the former Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, during the Trump administration in 2017. It was implemented following the death of an American student, Otto Warmbier, who sustained severe injuries while in North Korean custody.  Otto Warmbier, a participant in a group tour of North Korea, was leaving the country in 2016 when he was arrested for allegedly stealing a propaganda poster. He was subsequently sentenced to 15 years in prison and tragically passed away in a US hospital six days after his return. Humanitarian organizations ha...

During their visit, citizens of Pakistan will have the opportunity to explore approximately 100 historical and religious sites in the cities of Makkah and Madinah, renowned for their significance in religious tourism. The Saudi Minister also emphasized his government's commitment to reducing the costs associated with Hajj for pilgrims, given the strong diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.  The Minister further disclosed that civil aviation authorities from both countries have inked agreements to increase the number of flights between these two predominantly Muslim nations.  Additionally, individuals over the age of 65 from Pakistan who intend to undertake Hajj and Umrah will be exempt from the biometric requirement, a request made by the Pakistani representative. He also noted that the provision of alternative accommodations for Pakistani pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah is due to the expansion of the premises surrounding the two holy mosques. The annual Hajj pilgr...

  According to the same source, it is anticipated that global investments in the travel and tourism industry will increase by 11.5 percent this year, reaching a total value of $955 billion. Nevertheless, a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels is not expected before 2025.  The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) report highlights a substantial decline in capital flow during the pandemic. In 2020, investments plummeted by 24 percent, followed by an eight percent reduction in 2021.  Prior to the pandemic, investments from both the public and private sectors in the travel and tourism industry maintained a consistent growth rate of 4.3 percent annually from 2010 to 2019. This growth propelled the figures from $754.6 billion in 2010 to $1.1 trillion by 2019. WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson emphasized the significance of investment in Travel & Tourism for global recovery and growth, stating, "Investment in Travel & Tourism is integral to the world’s recovery...

 The data reveals that nearly 154,000 sponsored study-related visas were given to students' dependents, but this benefit will be discontinued starting in January 2024, as reported by VisaGuide.World. Undergraduate students are no longer allowed to bring their family members with them, whereas students pursuing postgraduate research courses will still have the option to bring dependents to the country even after 2024.  The number of sponsored study visas granted to students by the year ending in June 2023 has surged by 108 percent compared to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, reaching a total of 498,626.  The data indicates that non-EEA students have been the primary drivers behind the increase in study visas granted, contributing to a 24 percent rise in the past year, while the number of EU students has seen a minor decrease of one percent, as highlighted in Home Office analysis.  Additionally, a total of 142,848 sponsored study visas were issued to Indian nationals, ...

  Australia is contemplating a significant overhaul of its visa requirements for international students. Currently, individuals seeking a student visa to study in Australia are subject to the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement. This criterion necessitates that applicants demonstrate their intention to pursue education in Australia as a genuinely temporary endeavor. Furthermore, these students are required to submit a 300-word statement elucidating the motivations behind their decision to study abroad. However, the GTE requirement prohibits students from indicating an intention to acquire Australian residency through their educational pursuits.  The Australian government is now exploring the possibility of replacing the GTE requirement with a new evaluation standard known as the Genuine Student Test. Under this new approach, highly skilled international students may be permitted to remain in Australia after completing their studies, thereby contributing to the country'...

  The government of New Zealand is introducing a new residence pathway for Ukrainian citizens who are in the country on the Special Ukraine Visa.  This visa pathway aims to provide certainty and permanent residency to those Ukrainians who have sought refuge in New Zealand due to the ongoing conflict in their home country. New Zealand's Minister for Immigration, Kris Faafoi, emphasized that the government has a humanitarian obligation to offer these individuals stability as the war in Ukraine continues. The government will work to streamline the application process for the residence pathway. This move demonstrates New Zealand's commitment to supporting those affected by the conflict in Ukraine and upholding a rules-based international system. The Special Ukraine Visa program, initially introduced as a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, will now pave the way for permanent residency for those who wish to make New Zealand their permanent home. As of August 20, 2023, over...