Posts Tagged ‘visas’
Friday, August 24th, 2012
Overstaying a visa is a serious offense. The penalties can be harsh if you are caught overstaying a visa. A man arrived in China on a multiple entry tourist visa that would allow him to stay in China for 90 days. After 90 days he would need to leave and would be allowed to re-enter the country with his passport.
However, it turns out that the man never actually left. Instead he used six counterfeit passport stamps to cover up the fact that he overstayed his visa for almost a full year. The man was caught when he tried to board a flight to Hong Kong and it was discovered that his visa contained several counterfeit passport stamps.
If he had exited and re-entered the country as he was supposed to, then there would not have been a need to fake the passport stamps. Counterfeit passport stamps can result in fines and arrest. As it turns out, the man received a fine after it was determined that his actions didn’t produce any serious consequences. Altering a US passport is a federal offense.
When it comes to passports and visas it is best to do everything by the book. It doesn’t pay to try to commit passport fraud because eventually it will catch up with you. In the United States, passport fraud is a serious offense and can result in jail time.
If you are interested in getting a passport or visa, give us a call at (212) 643-9305. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Tags: China visa, hong kong passport, hong kong visa, passport, passport china, passport fraud, passport ny, Passport Services, passport US, passports, passports nyc, rush passport, rush passport nyc, US visa, Visa, visa ny, visas
Posted in Latest Passport News | Comments Off
Thursday, June 14th, 2012
According to a previous Rush Passport™ blog entry, Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin surrendered his US passport and renounced his US citizenship to allegedly avoid paying capital gains taxes. However, a new trend involving foreign investors is creating thousands of new potential US citizens who will soon be US passport holders.
Thousands of foreign investors have been making investments in US countries and have been issued “investor visas.” The US Department of State is expected to hand out over 6,000 “investor visas” during the current fiscal year. These investor visas could soon turn into passports for these wealthy investors.
Under the “investor visa” program, investors from foreign countries can acquire visas that permit them and their families to live, work and attend school in the United States. In order to qualify for the visa, investors are required to invest a minimum of $1 million in a new or recently formed business. Investors can also take advantage of the investor visa by investing a minimum of $500,000 to fund companies in rural locations or areas that are high in unemployment.
The concept is that the investment must be shown to have been responsible for the creation or preservation of at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers over a period of two years. Once this condition is met, foreign investors and their families advance to permanent resident status and in three years may apply for US citizenship and acquire US passports.
This investor visa program, known as EB-5, is not a new program. It has actually been in effect for over twenty years. However, as of late there has been an increase in wealthy participants – especially from China.
Other countries such as Australia and Ireland have initiated similar programs to try to lure wealthy investors to their country. Currently there are approximately twenty countries that offer similar incentives. For many, investor visas are the path to getting US passports.
If you are interested in getting a passport or visa, give us a call at (212) 643-9305. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Tags: australia visa, China passport, eduardo saverin passport, facebook passport, investor visas, Ireland visa, passport, passport card, passport ny, passport photos nyc, passports, rush passport, US passport, Visa, visas
Posted in Latest Passport News, Visa | Comments Off
Thursday, March 8th, 2012
Are you looking forward to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London? Are you planning to visit England to see the games in person? Be sure to get your passport.
Team USA Basketball is gearing up for the 2012 Summer Olympics to be held in London, England. While it is obvious that all of the players representing the USA will need passports to travel to England, there are plenty of other NBA players who will be using their passports to play for their native countries.
Several players have the option to play for different countries. Cleveland Cavalier rookie sensation Kyrie Irving holds dual US / Australian passports. It is reported that he has rejected the opportunity to represent Australia in the Olympics because he would like to represent Team USA in the 2016 Games.
It is also reported that Charlotte Bobcats’ rookie Byron Mullens has gotten a British passport in an attempt to play for England. In the meantime, Indiana Pacers player Darren Collison and Memphis Grizzly Dante Cunningham tried to prove British family ties, but were both denied. Detroit Pistons guard Ben Gordon committed to play basketball for Team Britain, but may not play afterall. Chicago Bulls Luol Deng is scheduled to use his passport to play for Great Britain.
Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs is using his French passport to play in the Olympics. Dirk Nowitzki won’t be using his German passport because Team Germany didn’t qualify.
Pau Gasol, Ricky Rubio, Juan Carlos Navarro and Rudy Hernandez will use their Spanish passports to make the trip to London for the 2012 Games.
In the meantime, let’s hope that the following Team USA players have their passports ready to roll this summer:
LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Kobe Bryant, Tyson Chandler, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Tyreke Evans, Rudy Gay, Eric Gordon, Danny Granger, Blake Griffin, Jeff Green, Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, LeBron James, Al Jefferson, David Lee, Brook Lopez, Robin Lopez, Kevin Love, O.J. Mayo, Lamar Odom, Chris Paul, Kendrick Perkins, Tayshaun Prince, Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, Amar’e Stoudemire, Dwyane Wade, Gerald Wallace, Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams.
If you plan on traveling to England this summer to catch the 2012 Olympic Games, be sure to get a passport. If you have questions or need assistance getting a visa, an expedited passport, an emergency passport please contact Rush Passport™. If you are interested in passport renewal, getting a same day passport, US Passport book or a US Passport Card contact Rush Passport™. If you are in need of passport photos or other passport services, be sure to contact Rush Passport™. You can visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Tags: 2012 summer olympics, adult passport, Al Jefferson, Amar'e Stoudemire, Andre Iguodala, australian, Ben Gordon, Blake Griffin, Brook Lopez, byron mullens, Carlos Boozer, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Danny Granger, Dante Cunningham, darren collison, David Lee, Deron Williams, Derrick Rose, dirk nowitzki, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, England, Eric Gordon, Gerald Wallace, Germany, Jeff Green, juan carlos navarro, Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, Kobe Bryant, kyrie irving, Lamar Odom, LaMarcus Aldridge, LeBron James, lost passport, Luol Deng, NY Passport, O.J. Mayo, olympics passport, passport, passport photo, passport renewal, passports, pau gasol, Rajon Rondo, ricky rubio, Robin Lopez, Rudy Gay, rudy hernandez, rush passport, Russell Westbrook, spain, Stephen Curry, stolen passport, Tayshaun Prince, team usa passport, Tony Parker, Tyreke Evans, Tyson Chandler, US Passport Book, US Passport Card, USA, Visa, visas
Posted in Latest Passport News | Comments Off
Wednesday, January 4th, 2012
An article in the USA today states that “For most foreigners, taking a last-minute business or leisure trip to New York, Los Angeles, Miami or other U.S. travel hubs would be nearly impossible. The average wait time for a visa interview in Rio de Janeiro, for example, was 87 days, according to the State Department.”
In a perfect world, visa interview wait times should not be more than a week, travelers would not overstay their visas and terrorists would not apply for visas. However, this not being a perfect world, the US must do its best to balance the importance of visa applications and national security.
Most visitors to the United States enter through the country’s Visa Waiver Program. The Visa Waiver Program allows travelers from 36 countries to temporarily visit the United States without a visa. Currently, Argentina, Brazil, Poland and Taiwan are not part of the Visa Waiver Program. Many feel that these nations should be added because their residents are not likely to illegally overstay their visas and decide to stay in the United States indefinitely.
It is also tough for tourists from countries like India, China, Mexico to use their passports to travel to the US because they must obtain nonimmigrant visas. The nonimmigrant visa process is lengthy and expensive.
Passport holders who live far away from their country’s visa processing centers must visit the interview location without knowing whether or not their visas will be approved. A proposed solution to the visa interview process is videoconferencing. However, the US Department of State is not willing to explore this option due to safety and technological concerns.
Prior to 9/11, in-person visa application interviews were not required. Visas could be approved by consular officials based solely on responses entered into the visa application. Visa applicants must go through more intense screenings that include fingerprint checks and facial recognition screening of passport photographs.
If you need a visa, an expedited passport, emergency passport, passport renewal, same day passport, US Passport book, US Passport Card, passport photos or other passport services, be sure to contact Rush Passport™. You can visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Tags: argentina visa, Brazil visa, emergency passport, how to get a passport, how to get a visa, India visa, manhattan passport office, mexico visa, nonimmigrant visa, NY Passport, passport, Passport holders, passport office, passport photos, passports, Rio de Janeiro, rush passport, Taiwan visa, US Passport Card, Visa, visa application, visa-waiver program, visas
Posted in Latest Passport News, Visa | Comments Off
Monday, January 2nd, 2012
Customs officers in the United States check passports of non-resident visitors everyday at airports all over the country. Passport holders from countries all over the world visit the United States and spend money on food, hotels, clothing and souvenirs. Visitors use their passports to visit New York City, Las Vegas, Disney World and a host of other destinations.
While the tourist industry in the United States is doing well, many believe that it could be doing better. Passport holders abroad must sometimes wait months to find out whether or not their tourist visa applications will be approved. This inconvenience may cause travelers who wish to come to the United States to use their passports to travel to other destinations instead.
It was not always the case that foreign visitors had to wait so long to get a tourist visa to visit the US. After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks foreign visitors certainly have a tougher time getting a temporary visa. A campaign is in motion that may sway Congress into giving the US Department of State’s tourist visa application process an overhaul.
The proposed amendments to the US passport and visa process are expected to increase the number of visitors to the United States. However, while tourism may see a boost, these changes must not compromise the nation’s security. It is not an easy task for the State Department to increase passport visa services while maintaining tight security.
When it comes to visa services in the United States, security is the top priority. The visa system must enforce the immigration laws of the United States. Some are opposed to increasing the number of visitors because they feel that more visas would mean that the nation would be placed at greater risk.
The risk of freely handing out visas doesn’t only mean that there is more potential for terrorism, it also means that people may enter the country with temporary visas and never return to their countries of origin. While the US Department of State would like people who enter the US with visas to go home when their visas expire, many people want to come and live here.
If you need a visa, an expedited passport, emergency passport, passport renewal, same day passport, US Passport book, US Passport Card, passport photos or other passport services, be sure to contact Rush Passport™. You can visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Tags: argentina visa, Brazil visa, emergency passport, how to get a passport, how to get a visa, India visa, manhattan passport office, NY Passport, passport, Passport holders, passport office, passports, rush passport, Taiwan visa, US Passport Card, Visa, visa application, visa-waiver program, visas
Posted in Passport Services, Visa | Comments Off
Wednesday, April 27th, 2011
Want to travel abroad? Getting a passport may not be enough. Did you know that US citizens need something more than a passport to travel to Brazil, China and India? All of these countries not only require a US passport, but they also require American travelers to get a visa before visiting.
Most US citizens are not even aware of what a visa is. Many US citizens think that all they need is a passport. However, many US citizens have experienced a rude awakening upon landing in Brazil and being sent back to the US without even being able to leave the airport.
A visa is a travel document that is required by some nations in addition to a US passport. Visas are also needed for travel from the US to Vietnam, Cambodia, Nigeria, Russia and Australia.
Can you imagine all of the preparation that goes into a trip abroad only to find out once you have arrived that you are not allowed to enter the country because you don’t have a visa? Then think about how you would feel if you were sent right back to the United States immediately after getting off the plane.
Some visas can take several weeks to process. Other countries offer passport holders immediate approval. Some countries even let US passport holders apply for visas upons arrival.
This does not mean that every country requires US passport holders to have a visa. In actuality for most countries a US passport by itself is just fine.
The main reason that some countries require visas and some do not is generally due to money. Wealthier countries tend to require travelers from poorer nations to get a visa. Another reason that some countries require visas is due to politics. Brazil requires a visa from US passport holders as retaliation for the US requirement for Brazilian’s to get a visa to travel to America.
It is best to apply for a visa one month prior to your trip, but unfortunately that is not always possible. If you need a visa for travel and your trip is less than a month away, it is a good idea to contact Rush Passport™, Official Passport and Visa Expeditors Registered with the US Dept of State and Foreign Consulates.
If you need a visa, US passport card or other passport services such as an expedited passport, emergency passport, same day passport, US Passport book or passport photos be sure to contact Rush Passport™. You can visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida
Tags: Australia, australia visa, Brazil, Brazil visa, Cambodia, do I need a visa to travel to russia, emergency passport, emergency visa, India, passport, passport holder, passport ny, passport photos, passport US, passports, rush passport, rush visa, Russia, US visa, Visa, visa expediter, visas
Posted in Visa | Comments Off
Monday, April 11th, 2011
In a previous Rush Passport blog entry it was stated that the government shutdown was averted and that “Passport Day in the USA” went off without a hitch. However, that statement is only half correct. The government shutdown was in fact averted, but as it turns out, “Passport Day in the USA” was canceled. It had been scheduled for Saturday, April 9, 2011. The passport event was intended to offer passport applicants a Saturday in which they could apply for passports.
The bad news is that “Passport Day in the USA” was cancelled. The good news is that Rush Passport™ is always open on Saturdays to assist you with your passport needs. Rush Passport™ offers passport services Monday – Saturday at their New York City passport office.
There is no official word on whether or not “Passport Day in the USA” will be rescheduled, but in the meantime feel free to visit Rush Passport™ for all of your passport needs. We offer a variety of passport services including passport photos, passport renewal, passport replacement, adult passport, child passport, passport expediting, passport booklets, passport cards, visas, add passport pages and much more.
If you need an expedited passport, emergency passport, same day passport, US Passport book, US Passport Card, passport photos or other passport services, be sure to contact Rush Passport™. You can visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.
Tags: add passport pages, adult passport, celebrity passports, child passport, passport agency ny, passport agent, passport booklets, passport cards, Passport Day in the USA, passport expediting, passport expeditors, passport office ny, passport office nyc, passport photos, passport renewal, passport replacement, Passport Services, passports, rush passport, US passport, visas
Posted in Latest Passport News, Passport Ponderings, Passport Services, Visa | Comments Off
Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
Passport News Update: The US Customs and Border Protection agency has announced two important changes to the Visa Waiver Program. This policy change is in effect for foreign passport holders planning to visit the US.
The first change begins on September 8, 2010. Business and leisure travelers who use their passports to enter the US will be charged a new operational and travel promotion fee of $14.00. This fee will register passport holders for ESTA. This is an electronic travel authorization that passport holders must get before boarding a plane or ship to the United States. The ESTA application is to be filled out online prior to travel. Once approved, ESTA travel authorization is valid for two years or until the traveler’s passport expires.
The second change, involves a transition to paperless processing for Visa Waiver Program travelers. It applies to those passport holders arriving by air or sea who have already obtained ESTA authorization. Under the new automated process, if a passport holder is at a designated port of entry, the passport officer will stamp the applicant’s passport. The passport holder’s departure from the US will be documented electronically.
Currently, thirty six countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program. Those countries are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
If you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Passport Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency. Rush Passport™ Official US Passport Expeditors, serving Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Westchester County, Nassau County & Suffolk County, Long Island, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Miami, Florida.
Tags: adult passport, American Passport, Australia, child passport, Connecticut Passport, get a passport, getting a passport, live passport agent, New York Passport Agency, passport, passport agent, passport applicants, passport application, Passport holders, passport renewal, passports, rush passport, rushpassport.com, US Department of State, US passport, US Passport Card, Visa, visas, westchester county passport
Posted in Latest Passport News, Passport Services, Visa | No Comments »
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
Passport fraud is more prevalent than expected as evidenced by the results of “Operation Goalkeeper”; a recent passport initiative launched at US – Mexico borders. During the weeklong passport sting, customs officers seized 107 fraudulently obtained / counterfeit passports and visas at the following five ports of entry: San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, Calexico and the Andrade border crossings.
People are trying more and more creative ways to cross the US - Mexico Border.
Between June 7th and June 13th, “Operation Goalkeeper” targeted individuals attempting to present stolen, lost, counterfeit or altered passports to illegally enter the United States.
The passport security team consisted of officers from various agencies including the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, Customs and Border Protection and the United States Attorney’s Office.
In all, Customs and Border Protection officers stopped 47 violators with counterfeit or altered passports and visas. There were an additional 60 impostors who were carrying genuine passports that belonged to different people.
As a result of the passport sting operation, the United States Attorney’s Office is prosecuting a total of 39 cases of passport and visa fraud. Another 60 individuals were instead deported to Mexico and will never be eligible for lawful entry into the United States. (That won’t prevent them from trying again when the security is not as tight.)
To me, it seems mind blowing that on a weekly basis they were able to catch over 100 perpetrators of passport fraud. It makes one wonder how many violators were not caught, just how many individuals are here illegally and how many more will be crossing our borders without valid passports in the near future. More importantly, what is the effect that this has on our society?
If you are interested in obtaining a valid US Passport or US Passport Card, contact Rush Passport™ (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 / New York Agency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and speak with a Live Agent or visit us online at http://www.rushpassport.com
Tags: Operation Goalkeeper, passport fraud, passport initiative, passport security, passport sting, passports, rush passport, US passport, US Passport Card, valid passports, visas
Posted in Latest Passport News | No Comments »
Sunday, July 18th, 2010
The Iroquois national lacrosse team was prepared to travel to England for its first game in the tournament, but instead, because they are missing the visas needed to travel abroad - the team is stuck in a Midtown Manhattan hotel.
If you were one of the lucky passport holders to visit South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup – it was an amazing competition, but now it’s over. If you are looking for the next big sport to root for – you may find yourself turning to lacrosse.
You’ll need a passport to see this year’s lacrosse world championship as it takes place in England. However, an American team has run into an obstacle and may not be able to compete.
The Iroquois national lacrosse team was prepared to travel to England for its first game in the tournament, but instead, because they are missing the visas needed to travel abroad – the team is stuck in a Midtown Manhattan hotel.
What is at stake is on a larger scale than the tournament itself – it is a documentation dispute with the British consulate over American Indian sovereignty.
As it turns out, the lacrosse tournament has gotten a bit more complicated as the Iroquois players now must convince the State Department to honor their tribal passports.
The Iroquois team, also known as the Nationals, is considered a full member nation, just like the United States or Canada. The Nationals qualified and stand to enter this year’s tournament ranked fourth in the world.
The Nationals and their entourage made plans to travel to Manchester, England, using their own tribal passports. According to team officials, these tribal passports are the same ones that they have used for previous international competitions.
However, the British consulate made the team aware that they needed written assurance from the US government that they would be allowed back into the US before they would issue be issued visas. Neither the State Department nor the Department of Homeland Security was prepared to offer such a promise.
Ironically, lacrosse is a Native American game – they invented the game and now they are being denied the opportunity to travel to the world championship tournament.
A spokesperson for the State Department said that the Iroquois team has been offered expedited United States passports, but they have declined that offer.
The Iroquois feel that their own passports should be sufficient. But the State Department position is that federal law does not allow a tribal document to be used in lieu of a United States passport when traveling outside the United States.
It seems like this whole issue is over the players being prohibited from traveling with their tribal passports. It all comes down to a matter of tribal sovereignty and respect for the rights of the Native American population.
Even if the passport issue is resolved quickly, damage has already been done – the team will arrive with almost no time to practice before their opening contest and the delay has been a financial burden. The delay has already cost them $20,000 in accommodations, travel arrangements and various additional expenses.
Lacrosse player, Native American – or neither, if you are interested in getting a US Passport or US Passport Card, visit us at http://www.rushpassport.com or call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a Live Agent. (877) 937-7277 (All 50 States) or (212) 643-9305 New York Passport Agency.
Tags: Iroquois, passport, Passport holders, passports, rush passport, tribal passport, tribal passports, UK visa, United States Passport, US passport, US Passport Card, Visa, visas
Posted in Latest Passport News, Passport Ponderings, Passport Services, Visa | No Comments »
