One place to travel on Valentine’s Day is Arizona.  The state is turning 100 years old on February 14th and there are bound to be celebrations for this momentus occasion.  The state is full of attractions, not to mention it’s sunny weather. If you are seeking to travel somewhere warm and stay in the United States, Arizona is the place.  Another destination to visit would be Churchill, Manitoba.  This year will be the most scenic time for visibility for the Northern Lights in 50 years!  It will be a wonderful experience.  Mexico, Bermuda, and Colombia are also great getaways for their beautiful beaches and low cost of travel.  Last but not least, Paris is the city of love and known all over the world for its’ romantic appeal.  With Valentine’s Day landing on a Tuesday, it’s a perfect travel time to catch some amazing mid-week deals and opportunities to save money.

Enjoying a getaway a great way to make this year a Valentine’s Day to remember.  While you are making your plans and deciding on your destination, do not forget to become informed of any visa and/or passport requirements your destination may have.  If you do not have the proper travel documents you need, companies likes Washington Express Visas can help you.  Washington Express Visas specializes in expedited Visa Services and Passport Processing and Document Authentication.

Washington Express Visas is the Washington DC metro area’s fastest Visa Services, Passport Processing, Document Legalization and Translations specialists. Washington Express Visas is also the Washington DC metro area’s largest and fastest courier service.  Washington Express Visas professional office staff and specially trained visa agents provide same day pick up service to deliver visa applications, passports, document legalization and translations to every Embassy and agency in the Washington, DC metro area.  Call us at 1-877-675-5571 today!

References:  1.19.12, www.washingtonpost.com, Robert Reid, A Love Surprise: Perfect Valentine’s Day Getaways You Hadn’t Thought Of

Turkey is one of the highest traveled countries in the world today.  Over 23 million people visit Turkey every year.  The country is traveled by many for its’ diverse history, culture, and yachting, which is a favorite due to 5200 mile coastline.  If you are considering traveling there and need a visa, Washington Express Visas expedited visa and passport services can assist you in obtaining the most current visa needs.

Our professional visa and passport services staff will have one of our specially trained visa agents take your visa and passport processing documents to the appropriate Embassy or agency and get your documents processed properly for less than traditional visa and passport processing services charge.  Call us at 877-675-5571 today!

12.7.11, www.noonsite.com; Sue, New Turkish Visa Rules – starting February 2012 – Updated

Scanned passports are not anything unknown for several countries, especially Canada.  Scanned passports have been the basis of creating the highly anticipated e-passports.  In fact, Passport Canada, the agency that is responsible for canadian passports, is set to introduce e-passports by the end of 2012.  Special diplomat pilot e-passport projects already exist and currently there are no difficulties reported.

Indeed, e-passports may be the way of the future.  Until then, passports are still needed and there are companies like Washington Express Visas that can meet your needs.  We are the Washington DC metro area’s fastest Visa Services, Passport Processing, Document Legalization and Translations specialists.  Washington Express Visas has 29 years of experience and is also the Washington DC metro area’s largest and fastest courier service.  Call (202) 393-3030 and let us help you today!

1.4.12, Msnbc.com staff and news service reports-updated, Canadian man uses iPad to enter US; 9.15.11,, Future Travel Experience, Canada set for 2012 ePassport rollout

Costa Rica is always a favorite to travel to at the end of the year.  The country was named by CNN as the #1 holiday value destination in 2010.  The average temperature is 72 degrees and there plenty of activities to enjoy.  If price is not an issue, the Conde Nast Traveler’s Magazine recommends St. Bart as the best place to travel in December.  As one of France’s islands, the 8-mile long island is full of pristine white sand beaches and is known for having great yacht activities.  Celebrities adore this tropical travel spot.  Lastly, the Travel Channel Orlando is a top place to travel due to it’s combination of sunny weather, famous theme parks, and winter themes created in the city, such as ice sculptures and snow.

With these top places to travel and more, you can be sure to have great vacation.  However, if you are going to be traveling outside of your country, don’t forget you may need a passport.  Washington Express Visas is the Washington DC metro area’s fastest Visa Services, Passport Processing, Expedited Processing, Document Legalization and Translations specialists. Washington Express Visas is also the Washington DC metro area’s largest and fastest courier service. Call us at 1-(202) 393-3030 today.

References:  www.travelchannel.com/best-places-to-visit-in-december; www.cntraveller.com/recommended/itineraries/top-10-holiday-destinations/december; www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/11/02/five.to.go.winter.travel/index.html

First of all, take only basic outfits. Coordinate your shoes, stockings, undergarments, and other accessories you are planning to bring. Roll the clothing up as well. Keep traveling with jewelry to a minimum. Put your socks inside your shoes. Store items such as jewelry, medications, and toiletries in pouches or ziplock bags between your clothing. This makes for space maximization and easy accessibility. If you are taking a short trip, decide you are going to take your dirty laundry home and pack a large plastic bag.

A great way to pack is to get everything you are traveling with into one soft side bag. One that is roughly 9″ + 14″ + 22″ = 45″ total. This size can fit under the airline seat in front of you. It will give you a sigh of relief if any delays or unexpected flight transfer occur due to the holiday travel volume, and all you have carry is one bag to make it to your connecting flight.

Most importantly, if you are traveling outside the country, don’t forgot your passport. Your holiday travel will come to a scretching halt if you leave your passport on the nightstand at home. If you need a passport, companies like Washington Express Visas can assist you. Their expertise in expediting passport and visa services can help meet your immediate travel needs and still enjoy your holidays.

The H1-B visa is the most commonly used work visa for newly hired professionals. Most notably in professions such as engineering, IT, scientists, and business. The US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) caps all entries for this visa on April 1st of each year. They continue until that cap is reached. There is no cut-off date or deadlines for filing, it is just the issue of what year your filing with be grouped with. Therefore, if a worker files after April 1st, their H1-B Visa will be grouped with the 2012 cap.

Below is a list from the US Citizen and Immigration Services that shows a history of our yearly available H1-B Visas and when they were capped.

This year’s openings could possibly be due to less interest in working in the United States with recent employment challenges. Inspite of its’ challenges, The United States is still a viable competitor in the global market and the uncapped filings show there’s opportunity to work in America. Expedited visas service companies are a good resource that have the expertise and up-to-date visa knowledge to make your visa process easy. Companies, such as Washington Express Visas, can assist you receive your H1-B work visa in an expedited manner.

Under the new student visa policy rules, a student visa will be limited to five years for study toward a bachelor’s degree or beyond. The new policy has created a no limit timeframe for students seeking a degree. There was a three-year limit on students’ study in nondegree courses, which will not change. Also, foreign students are restricted from bringing family members to Britain with them. Britain will only allow graduate students enrolled at universities and government-sponsored students to admit family members into the country with them.

Students entering Britain for degree-level courses will have to demonstrate a higher level of proficiency in English and can be refused if they cannot speak English without an interpreter. Also, the Post-Study Work Route gives students two years to remain in Britain and seek jobs after their programs end. This has been eliminated. Only university and public “further education” college students will retain the right to work while pursuing their studies, but all other students will be prohibited from seeking employment. Only graduates with an offer of a skilled job from a sponsoring employer will be allowed to remain in Britain to work once they have finished their studies.

Washington Express can meet your student visa needs. Washington Express Visas specializes in Visa Processing and Authentication. Our expedited service provides same day pick-up and specially trained visa processing agents to deliver your visa applications for processing and authentication to every Embassy in the Washington, DC area. Call us at 1-202-393-3030 and let Washington Express help with your visa today.

References: http://chronicle.com/section/Home/5

Passport processing from an expediter is different from the government expediting. The government can expediting timeframe is up to four weeks upon mail receipt. If this timeframe is too long, you must travel to one the only 13 regional passport agencies in the US. There are expedited fees in addition to the standard government fees. With an expediter, you can receive your passport within one day and have it in your possession the next morning. Depending on the timeframe will determine the cost. For example, some can range from $100-$300. This is in addition to the standard government fees.

Although your passport is expedited, you still are responsible for the normal aspects of the process. You have to have your passport photo, provide your ID materials (i.e. birth certificate or expired passport), and paperwork completion. You also have to have the documents vetted and sealed by a local processing center (post office or courthouse), then mailed to the expediter. After this is complete, the expediter will complete the process. You can have your passport fast!

Washington Express Visas is a company that can meet your specific expedited needs. is the Washington DC metro area’s fastest Visa Services, Passport Processing, Document Legalization and Translations specialists. Washington Express Visas is also the Washington DC metro area’s largest and fastest courier service. Washington Express has been in business for 29 years with offices in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. We provide prompt and reliable service- you’ll always speak with a live person. Washington Express’ service times are the fastest available in the region with a 99% on-time track record. Our messengers specialize in urgent, on-demand delivery, and our management team is comprised of forward-looking, experienced transportation professionals. Give us a call at 1-202-393-3030 and let us help your with your expedited passport processing today!

VWP eligible travelers may apply for a visa, if they prefer to do so. Nationals of VWP countries must meet eligibility requirements to travel without a visa on VWP, and therefore, some travelers from VWP countries are not eligible to use the program. VWP travelers are required to have a valid authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to travel, are screened at the port of entry into the United States, and are enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security’s US-VISI program.

Per the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs, there are currently 36 countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program. Here are the countries as shown below:

To be admitted to the Visa Waiver Program, a country must meet various security and other requirements. One requirement is an enhanced law enforcement and security-related data sharing with the United States. Also, timely reporting of both blank and issued lost and stolen passports. A country is required to maintain high counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, and document security standards as well. Finally, even with meeting the requirements, a country’s entry into the VWP is at the discretion of the U.S. Government.

Many may wonder who can enter the U.S. under this program. Review this VWP Quick Reference Guide (for new member countries) and make sure you review this webpage for detailed information. Nationals of the 36 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program may use VWP if:

• They have received an authorization to travel under the VWP through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
• They present the appropriate type of passport valid for six months past their expected stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). This is a requirement in addition to other passport requirements for all categories of passports — regular, diplomatic, and official – when the traveler is seeking to enter the United States for business or tourist purposes, for a maximum of 90 days;
• The purpose of their stay in the United States is 90 days or less for tourism or business (Visitor (B) visa) purpose of travel. (If in doubt, travelers should check with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to verify that what they plan to do is considered tourism or business.) Transit through the United States is generally permitted.  Important Notice: Foreign media representatives planning to engage in that vocation in the United States are not eligible for VWP travel, as the purpose of their stay does not qualify as “business”. These professionals must obtain a nonimmigrant media (I) visa. Note also that travelers planning to work or study cannot travel on VWP, and they must obtain the appropriate visa to travel to the United States
• If arriving by air or sea, they are traveling on an approved carrier (See the approved carriers list) and have a return trip ticket to any foreign destination;
• They can demonstrate the intent to stay 90 days or less in the United States and demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves while in the United States.

VWP travelers who have been admitted under the Visa Waiver Program and who make a short trip to Canada, Mexico or an adjacent island generally can be readmitted to the United States under the VWP for the balance of their original admission period. See the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website for additional details. Also VWP nationals resident in Mexico, Canada or adjacent islands are generally exempted from requirements to show onward travel to other foreign destinations.

Source:  Travel.State.Gov

As of February 1, 2011, the Departments of State and Homeland Security introduced an annotated version of the B-1 visa, issued to foreign citizens visiting the United States for business purposes that will make foreign maritime workers eligible to apply for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). The TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric identification card that maritime workers must obtain in order to gain unrestricted access to secure areas of U.S. maritime facilities. Maritime industry workers who will perform services in secure port areas must have their visas annotated “TWIC Letter Received.” Review Visitor Visas – Business and Pleasure for information on how to request an annotated B-1 visa for a maritime industry worker and TSA’s website at http://www.tsa.gov/twic for complete information about the TWIC program.

Washington Express aims to always keep you abreast of various passport and visa news. We also can be the visa courier of choice to assist you with these needs. Washington Express Visas is the Washington DC metro area’s fastest Visa Services, Passport Processing, Document Legalization and Translations specialists. Washington Express Visas is also the Washington DC metro area’s largest and fastest courier service. Washington Express Visas professional office staff and specially trained visa agents provide same day pick up service to deliver visa applications, passports, document legalization and translations to every Embassy and agency in the Washington, DC metro area.

Washington Express Visas utilizes state of the art dispatch software to monitor, track, and control every aspect of the visa and passport process. We offer customized billing and reporting options, such as paperless, electronic billing as well as reports customized to your specifications. Washington Express Visas can sort, group, and subtotal your invoice to meet your customized accounting specifications, and our billing is simple, informative and available on a monthly or semi-monthly basis. Call Washington Express at at 202-393-3030 today.