Author: washingtonexp

This year the British government has enacted a new student visa policy. The new policy is expected to decrease foreign student immigration by 25%. Per the home secretary, Theresa May, two of the goals of the new policy is to control immigration and protect legitimate students from poor-quality colleges. Universities did campaign against the new government policy.

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

Tags expedited visa, passport processing, Visa processing, visa services

You have been waiting to go on vacation and you have everything you need–except a passport. Getting a passport is one thing. Getting a passport fast is another. Your vacation is five days away. What can you do? There is answer for this type of dilemma. You can turn to utilizing expedited passport processing.

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!

Tags expedited visa, passport processing, Visa processing

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of 36 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor [B] visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The program was established for various reasons. It eliminates unnecessary barriers to travel. This is key especially if individuals will not be in the country for a long period of time. It also stimulates the tourism industry. As a result, different country economies can thereby experience short-term and long-term growth. The program permits the Department of State to focus consular resources in other areas as well.

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:

Andorra	Hungary	New Zealand
Australia	Iceland	Norway
Austria	Ireland	Portugal
Belgium	Italy	San Marino
Brunei	Japan	Singapore
Czech Republic	Latvia	Slovakia
Denmark	Liechtenstein	Slovenia
Estonia	Lithuania	South Korea
Finland	Luxembourg	Spain
France	Malta	Sweden
Germany	Monaco	Switzerland
Greece	the Netherlands	United Kingdom

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

Tags expedited visa, passport processing, Visa, visa services

Since 9/11 there has been an increased of security in our country and abroad. The Department of State and Homeland Security has made efforts to make visa requirements that ultimately provide safety. No area in which visas are required is being overlooked. This includes business. The maritime industry has received a new version of the B-1 visa for foreign citizens visiting the United States for business purposes.

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.

Tags b-1 Visa, expedited visa, visa service

Document Legalization for Non-Hague nations

Some countries are not a party to the Hague convention. The legalization process for these countries is lengthier than for Hague nations. There are slight variations depending on country. For instance, China requires a legalization form (G-1) to be filled out. Other countries do not. Some countries require an additional step, such as Chamber of Commerce certification. In general though, legalization for Non-Hague nations is a four step process:

Notarization,
Authentication of Notary signature. This is usually done by the State Secretary of State. (In some cases, Notary signature is authenticated by the County Clerk.),
U.S. Secretary of State Certification,
Consular legalization at the Embassy.

Document Legalization for Participating Hague nations/Apostille

Some nations are a party to the 1961 Hague Convention abolishing the requirement for legalization for foreign public documents. Documents for use in these nations are Apostilled and the legalization process is more streamlined. Again, there are slight variations depending on the country, but in general it is a two step process:

Notarization,
Apostille by the proper authority in the State or territory where the document is notarized. This is normally done by the State Secretary of State.

What is an Embassy? We hear this respected term all the time, yet most people don’t fully understand its’ function. An Embassy is a diplomatic office in country (usually in the capital city of the host country) where the highest diplomatic officer is the ambassador (or high commissioner, in British Commonwealth). There are thousands of embassies around the world, specifically there are 186 in the United States. The embassy has the role of a diplomatic mission to protect in the receiving State the interests of the sending State, within the limits permitted by international law. They promote friendly relations between the sending State and the receiving State, and developing their economic, cultural and scientific relations.

Relative to Visas, a foreigner can not legally enter into a foreign country without it. Having the visa simply communicates the support or backing of embassy. An embassy is stationed to promote diplomacy and protection for its’ own country and citizens. As a result, there are many and various visa requirements. Here an example to obtain a tourist “L” visa to enter China:
Submit U.S. Passport – valid at least 6 months beyond stay, or longer than the visa’s validity and containing at least one blank visa page (other than amendment/endorsement pages)

Visa Application Form (Q1) the 2 pages version only.
Passport type photograph required.
Applicants requesting Rush issuance (same day) or Express (24 hours) issuance of the visa must provide a travel agency or airline itinerary showing evidence of an urgent departure within 7 days.
Visitors to China whose purpose of visit is short term study (less than 180 days), intern etc., should not apply for tourist visas. Please click below for the appropriate visa instructions:

With so many requirements, why not allow an expert to work with the embassy and proper prepare your visa on your behalf? 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 will provide you with the specific requirements and what documentation is needed to enter into any foreign country. Instead of trying to wade through multiple websites trying to figure it all out, let our knowledgeable visa services staff walk you through the process step-by-step, making sure that you have all of the correct documentation, and then working on your behalf directly with the Embassy to get your visa application submitted and processed accurately and efficiently. We have 29 years of visa experience with offices in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. For our customer’s convenience, we have visa services information and requirements for the most traveled countries in the world in one centralized location on our website. Let Washington Express be YOUR EMBASSY EXPERT! Call us today!

reference: www.businessdictionary.com; www.wikipedia.org; www.traveldocs.com

Tags document legalization, expedited visa, passport processing, visa services

ISO 9001 certified? Many companies may know what this means. In business, it is an international standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It is a certification acquired based upon a company’s Quality Management System (QMS). This means that a company claiming to have a QMS meeting the requirements of ISO 9001, has been assessed and determined to have the ability to effectively provide consistent service within their area of business.

ISO requirements cover topics such as:

Quality Management System continuous improvement
Management commitment to quality
Resource adequacy
Employee competence
Process Management, such as administrative processes
Business Planning
Product or Service Design
Order Reviews
Customer Complaint Resolutions
Customer Perception Management

A customer may not know the definition of ISO 9001 Certification, yet they know exactly what it means. It means quality. It means reliability. It means trust. It means better sleep at night. It means your process prevents errors, even if it’s their own. It means proven expertise. It means you have customer care. It means they have a business relationship that works every time.

Washington Express Visas decided to solidify its’ position as the most trusted and reliable service for expedited Visas, Passports and Document Legalization in the Nation’s Capital by becoming ISO 9001 Certified. Washington Express has been in business for 29 years with offices in Washington DC. We are the only single source provider of expedited document processing in the nation’s capital. Being within the sect of courier services we are in, having a quality management system that executes optimal service every time is vital. Our team prides itself on quality service and meeting the needs of our customers.

We are internationally proven to have a Quality Management System established that works. Let Washington Express Visas be your single source visa and passport services provider. We know the meaning of being ISO 9001 certified, but we also know what it means to you!

Tags document authentication, document legalization, passport processing, visa services

(202) 393-3030

Get Started

Document Order Forms

Visa Order Forms