Visa News
Ukraine streamlines visa facilitation agreement with EU
Ukraine made yet another step toward facilitation and further liberalization of the visa regime with the EU, enabling Ukrainian citizens to undergo improved, simplified and clear EU visa application procedures. Such is the summary of the statement which accompanied the new Law of Ukraine “On ratification of the agreement between Ukraine and the European Union introducing amendments to the visa facilitation agreement between Ukraine and the European Community”, signed by the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych on April 8, 2013.
U.S. Travel endorses visa waiver program expansion legislation
The U.S. Travel Association has announced its endorsement of new legislation to help expand the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The Visa Waiver Program Enhanced Security and Reform Act, introduced by Sens. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), enhances security measures while extending the VWP framework to welcome additional countries.
New visa system for EU travellers
Officials at the European Union have launched the new Visa Information System (VIS) allowing visa applications to be processed faster thanks to the use of biometrics. Fingerprints and a digital facial image will facilitate the identification of visa holders and help to avoid identity theft, the EU explained.
UK passport leader aids travel document needs of Houston
Industry-leading passport and visa service, Travel Document Systems, Inc., announced today that their Houston division will specialize in providing expert passport services to the British business community in the region.
Sports Tourism: The importance of mega-sporting events
Visa has launched a new report illustrating the positive impact of mega-sporting events and the influence they have on tourism spending in the event host countries. Among the first organisations to note the increasing important of mega-sporting events to tourism was World Sports Tourism Congress, which will be examining the impact of the phenomenon during the Rugby World Cup later this year.
Hong Kong Tourism teams up with Visa
In Hong Kong, summer is not only the season of heat and energy, but also the perfect time to splurge, as the summer sale hails avid shoppers from around the world. This summer, there are even more reasons to come and spend in Hong Kong.
Citibank and Visa launch prepaid card
Citibank and Visa have launched the Citibank World Money Visa Platinum Card, a Visa Platinum Travel Prepaid card that brings together the benefits of both Citibank’s best-in-class Travel Prepaid cards platform and Visa Platinum cards, for the first time.
Complex visa applications hit European travel
Nearly half a million visitors have postponed or even cancelled trips to Europe due to the complexities of visa application programmes it has been alleged. Conservative estimates from the European Tour Operators Association put the financial loss to the European Union caused by poor visa processing at over €500 million per year.
Visa reports rebound of global tourism
A new report Tourism Outlook: USA from Visa Inc. indicates the tourism industry has begun to rebound during the first six months of 2010. This includes a strong growth in U.S. inbound spending from China and Brazil, which reinforces how Asia-Pacific and South America are seemingly the first to emerge from the downturn.
Visa claims World Cup victory
Visa transactions by international visitors in South Africa during the 2010 FIFA World Cup rose 70 percent to $312m, as the payments giant marked its first ever sponsorship of the football tournament.
US step closer to visitor fee
The US has moved a step closer to charging travelers who do not require a visa a $10 fee to enter the country.
Brits haggle at home but blow the beach budget
Britain is becoming a nation of holiday hagglers according to a major new travel report issued today by Visa Europe.