Confusion prevails over hikes in Dubai tourist visa fee

DUBAI: Unconfirmed reports of a “possible hike” in UAE tourist visa fees is causing confusion in the travel market.
Some travel agents have claimed that they received “official circulars” two weeks ago informing them that the visa charges would be hiked by Dh90 from November 13, Gulf News reported.
They claimed that as per the “new regulations”, the tourist visa would be valid only for one month from the date of entry, with no grace period or extension. However, within the next three days, they got back to their clients, saying the fee change had been withdrawn until further notification.
One travel agent reportedly said, “We received two circulars. The first one said the visa fees would increase by Dh90 from November 13 and that the tourist visa duration of stay will be 30 days from date of entry and cannot be extended (no grace period). The second, which we received on November 16, noted that the visa changes detailed in the earlier announcement had been postponed, so the old rates would hold good.”
Premjit Bangara, general manager of Sharaf Travels, was quoted as saying by Gulf News that the agency had updated its clients about both developments.
“As a matter of policy, we keep our clients informed. We were able to handle the situation smoothly,” he further said.
However, some travel agents said they had not received any official notice.
Kulwant Singh, managing director of Lama Tours and Travels, reportedly said: “We have not yet received any written communication from the authorities in this regard and hence, we are charging the same fees.”
Another travel agent reportedly said: “There have been a lot of e-mails floating around. Ten days ago, we heard that the visa fee would be increased by Dh90 with effect from November 13. Then we heard that it has been postponed till the end of the month. But we don’t know of any official announcement and our rates remain the same.”
General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs was not available for comments, Gulf News reported.

Source: http://filipinotimes.ae/editors-pick/2014/11/27/confusion-prevails-over-hikes-in-dubai-tourist-visa-fee/

Post-study work visa could be introduced in Scotland

Political parties have agreed to consider the introduction of a new post-study work visa scheme for international students in Scotland

The issue is included in the final report of the Smith Commission, which has recommended which additional powers should be devolved from Westminster. However, no additional powers need to be devolved to allow the scheme to become a reality.
Instead, the five political parties in the Scottish Parliament have agreed that the UK and Holyrood governments should work together to “explore the possibility of introducing formal schemes to allow international higher education students graduating from Scottish further and higher education institutions to remain in Scotland and contribute to economic activity for a defined period of time”, the report says.
The agreement responds to calls from higher education and business leaders, who warned that Scotland’s economic growth was being hampered by skills shortages.
A joint letter sent to the Smith Commission earlier this month by representative organisations warned that the removal of the UK-wide post-study work route in 2012, combined with the hostility of the public debate around immigration, had resulted in a significant fall in the number of international students coming to Scotland.
Signatories of the letter included Universities Scotland, the University and College Union Scotland and NUS Scotland, alongside business groups including the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Institute of Directors Scotland.
Speaking earlier this month, Pete Downes, the convenor of Universities Scotland, said a modified visa policy could deliver “significant economic and social benefit” north of the border.
“Scotland has distinct demographic challenges that adversely affect our potential for economic growth,” said Professor Downes, the principal of the University of Dundee.
“We face skills shortages in key sectors, as articulated by business, and our universities are forced to operate in an anti-competitive environment in attracting international talent that could be of great economic and social benefit to Scotland.”
There is a precedent for Scotland having distinct visa arrangements to the rest of the UK. Between 2005 and 2008, an initiative called Fresh Talent allowed students to stay in Scotland and seek work for two years after graduation.
The Smith Commission report also recommends that the Scottish Parliament should be given the power to set income tax rates and should retain all the income tax raised in Scotland. It also proposes that Holyrood should be given powers to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in Scottish elections.
Alastair Sim, the director of Universities Scotland, said there was a “very strong” case for the introduction of a Scottish post-study work visa.
“We recognise that further devolution of powers are not necessary to deliver this as the Fresh Talent initiative was delivered under existing powers of the Scottish Parliament but the weight of the Smith Commission’s support gives renewed impetus to the fact that Scotland should be enabled to set its own policy in this area,” said Mr Sim.
Source: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/post-study-work-visa-could-be-introduced-in-scotland/2017234.article

Israel among 43 nations to be eligible for India's new e-visa

Travelers walking in Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India, March 8, 2012. Photo by Bloomberg

 

India phasing in Tourist Visa on Arrival program, which will eventually be open to almost all of the 180 countries which host its diplomatic mission
Israel will be among 43 countries in the first phase of India's new program to issue electronic visas to visitors with which it has diplomatic relations, Business Standard announced Wednesday.
The list will be issued Thursday, as is expected to include most European Union states, as well as Russia, South Africa, Turkey, Oman, Argentina and Kazakhstan. The previous Indian government earlier this year announced the proposal for the Electronic Travel Authorization, which enables the Tourist Visa on Arrival without having to issue a physical visa.
According to Business Standard, visitors from all but eight countries that host India's diplomatic mission will eventually be eligible for the e-visa, the exceptions being Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Sudan.
Over 48,000 visitors from Israel arrived in India in 2011, according to statistics from the Indian Ministry of Tourism, accounting for 0.76% of all foreign tourists in the subcontinent nation.

Source: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.628636
 

India to provide immediate visa for patients from SAARC: PM

Kathmandu: Pledging to extend all possible cooperation to SAARC countries in diverse fields, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday announced that India will provide immediate medical visa for the patient and an attendant for treatment in the country.

In his address at the 18th SAARC summit here, Modi also said that India will now give business visa for 3-5 years for SAARC nations.
Identifying health as a major sector for cooperation among the member countries, Modi said India will support monitoring and surveillance of polio-free countries, and provide vaccines where it might reappear.
"In the area of health, India will meet the shortfall in funds to establish the SAARC Regional Supra Reference Laboratory for TB and HIV. We offer the five-in-one vaccine for the children of South Asia," he said.
Seeking better environment for trade among the SAARC nations, Modi said, "India will now give business visa for 3-5 years for SAARC. Let's make it even easier for our businesses through a SAARC Business Traveller Card."
Modi said information technology has removed all barriers to quality education and India was prepared to connect the South Asian students through online course and E-libraries.
"When we set up India's National Knowledge Network, we will be happy to extend it to the SAARC region.
"The dream of a South Asian University has become a reality in New Delhi. But, to be truly South Asian, it must also have partnerships with at least one university in each SAARC country," he said.
During the course of his 30-minute speech, Modi also referred to India's "gift" of a satellite for the SAARC region and said it will benefit the countries in areas like education, telemedicine, disaster response, resource management, weather forecasting and communication.
"We will also host a conference in India for all South Asian partners next year, to strengthen our collective ability to apply space technology in economic development and governance. And, we plan to launch our satellite by the SAARC Day in 2016," he said.
"As neighbours, we should also be together in good and bad times," he said.
The Prime Minister also offered India's capability and expertise in disaster management saying it will always be available to South Asia.
"A prosperous SAARC needs the strong foundation of a secure South Asia. If we are sensitive to each other's security, and the lives of our people, we will deepen friendships, spur cooperation and advance stability in our region," he said.
 

Source: http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/india-to-provide-immediate-visa-for-patients-from-saarc-pm_1505085.html

Business visa for 3-5 years for SAARC countries: Modi

11:14 am: PM pushes for a South Asian University, immediate medical visas for patients from SAARC countries

11:12 am: As we remember the horror of the terror attack in Mumbai in 2008, we feel the endless pain of lost lives. Let us work together to fulfil the pledge we have taken to combat terrorism and trans-national crimes: PM

11:10 am: India's gift of a satellite for the SAARC region will benefit us: PM

11:09 am: IT has removed barriers to education.We are prepared to connect our South Asian students through online course & E-libraries: PM

11:07 am: We should use strength of shared heritage and our diversity to encourage tourism within our region and present South Asia to the world:PM

11:05 am: India will now give business visa for 3-5 years for SAARC Countries: PM

11:04 am: Let's all make our procedures simple, our facilities better, our standards common and our paper work less burdensome: PM

11:03 am: Why do goods from India to Pakistan go through other countries,take so long? Think of what we are doing to consumers and environment, PM Modi says.

11:02 am: As SAARC we have failed to move with the speed that our people expect and want: PM

11:02 am: India and Nepal have started a new era of cooperation in energy and, India and Bhutan are making those ties stronger by the day: PM

11:00 am: South Asia is slowly coming together: PM

10:56 am: Nowhere in the world are collective efforts more urgent than in South Asia; and, nowhere else is it so modest: PM

10:55 am: Cynicism and skepticism out of place in a region throbbing with optimism, says PM Modi

10.52 am: Last Summit was 3 years ago. Only 2 of us here were present. PM Hasina has come after her re-election, Mr. Rajapaksa will go into one: PM

10.51 am: The future I dream for India is the future I wish for our entire region: Modi

10.50 am: PM Modi commences speech at the SAARC summit

10.45 am: Bhutan knows it has sacrificed growth for sustainable development, but we will continue to do what is right for us, says Tshering Togbay, Bhutan TM

10.21 am: Sheikh Hasina SAARC:Agricultural growth has helped eradicate abject hunger and poverty.Bangladesh target being middle income country by 2021

10.17 am: Stern comments made by President Rajapaksa against what he calls "external threats" to member states over human rights concerns

10.15 am: Human rights is a moral issue, but used as a political tool. Interventions are planned in the guise of HR concerns, says Mr. Rajapaksa

Diplomats were scrambling till late on Tuesday night, ahead of the plenary session of SAARC leaders, as serious differences emerged over the agreements to be adopted at the conclusion of the summit. Read

Read: SAARC: Bursting with potential, burdened with disappointment

10.10 am: Rajapaksa at SAARC:Must pass agreement on energy cooperation,focus on health and sanitation. Compliments Modi on SAARC satellite idea

10 am: Nawaz Sharif at SAARC : Need a dispute free Asia. Instead of fighting each other, we should fight disease, poverty, illiteracy

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (centre) waves as he arrives at the Tribhuwan Airport to attend the SAARC summit. Photo: AP

Read: A case for SAARC reforms by Subramanian Swamy

With all eyes on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s take on the future of South Asia, the 18th SAARC Summit commenced on Wednesday morning.

Narendra Modi, waves to the media as he is received by Nepalese Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam upon arrival at the Tribhuwan Airport. Photo: AP

Apart from host Nepal, all seven heads of state and government are in Kathmandu to attend the summit. As chair of SAARC, Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul opened the summit and handed over the responsibility of the chair of the regional bloc to Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushil Koirala.

This is the third time Nepal is organising the summit - first in 1987 and then again in 2002.

Ahead of the summit, three meetings at foreign ministers’, foreign secretaries’ and joint secretaries’ levels decided to scrap three SAARC regional centres and merge four others into one 

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/live-saarc-summit-2014/article6635706.ece