Limited Stay Visas for Indonesia

Should you be coming to Indonesia for work or for other purposes such as research or to make an investment, a single entry Limited Stay Visa may be appropriate. Once the visa is obtained, its holder can extend it and obtain a temporary permit (KIMS/KITAS) once he/she arrives in Indonesia. In addition and if the holder of the Limited Stay Visa is planning to exit and re-enter Indonesia within a valid period, a single/multiple exit and re-entry permit can be obtained.

The requirements for Limited Stay Visas are the following:

1. Original passport valid up to 24 (twenty-four) months form the date of issuance of the visa. Validity of the passport depends on the intended length of stay.
2. A Copy of flight itinerary.
3. The Copy of Notification of Authorization from Indonesian Immigration in Indonesia. The notification of Authorization is usually obtained by the sponsor/individual/organization in Indonesia Immigration grants the Authorization.
4. The Letter from the sending company mentioning the purpose of the stay in Indonesia.
5. The Letter from sponsor/agent in Indonesia mentioning the purposes of the stay in Indonesia.
6. Passport contains at least one blank visa page. Amendment and endorsement pages cannot be used for visa purposes.
7. Application form (in duplicate) must be completed and signed by the applicant. The application form could be downloaded from the website.
8. Two recent color photographs (passport size_ on picture-quality papers.
9. For Visa application by mail, please read carefully:
   • Visa application by mail should enclose a self-stamped and addressed envelope for Express mail only. The Embassy of Indonesia will not process a visa application by mail unless there is an enclosed a self-stamped return envelope. The Embassy of Indonesia is not responsible for any applications that are lost in transit.
   • Before you mail the application, please remember that the application must be send along with the applicant�s passport. The Embassy would attach the visa in the passport. No passport, no visa.
   • Please be advised that we will return your application and passport if we found there are no blank visa pages on the passport. This will delay your application processing.
10. For Non-US Citizen: Please provide Copy of US Permanent Residence/Visa/Valid I-20 from schools/Universities. Please be advised that applicant with B1/B2 visa would not be processed. Such applicant suggested for obtaining Indonesian visa from country of origin/country of residency.

Fees for Limited Stay Visa are payable by cash or money order and are the following:

1. Up to 6 (six) months: US$50.
2. Up to 1 (one) year: US$100.
3. Up to 2 (two) years: US$175.

Processing a Limited Stay Visa can be completed in three working days if hand delivered to an Indonesian Embassy while it can take five working days or longer when done via mail. It should also be noted that an Indonesian Visa must be used within 90 days from the date of issuance.

Although obtaining a business visa for Indonesia can be a fairly straight forward process, business travelers should still consult with the nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General to obtain the most up-to-date and accurate information as rules may be different depending upon your nationality.

Man with Indian passport visits every country on earth (and takes really lousy pictures…)

If you are not a citizen of a so-called “first world country” and are having difficulty traveling due to your passport, the Hemingway Never Ate Here blog as recently noted that a 55-year-old Indian citizen named Kashi Samaddar has spent nearly seven years and £350,000 to visit all 194 countries in the world to set a new world record. However, the real purpose of his trip was to prove that an Indian (obviously one with plenty of money and time on his hands) with an Indian passport could see the entire world.

You can read the the full story about his adventures and why he set out to establish a new record in the Daily Mail. Apparently though, the picture below was the best picture he could take of London and don’t even ask to see the other pictures!

Thailand’s Three-Year Non-Immigrant Visa “B” option

If you are visiting Thailand for business purposes, you may want to consider applying for a three-year Non-Immigrant Visa “B.” This visa allows businessmen to enter the country multiple times over a 3 year period so long as each visit does not exceed 90 days (However, employment of any kind is strictly prohibited).
Applications must be submitted to the Royal Thai Embassy or the Royal Thai Consulate-General in the applicant’s country of residence (or at the Royal Thai Embassy which has jurisdiction over his or her country of residence). However, it should be noted that Honorary Consul-Generals are not authorized to issue this type of visa.   
When submitting an application, the basic documents required include:

1. An application form completed in full and signed by applicant.
2. A passport valid for travelling to Thailand with sufficient remaining validity. 
3. Two passport-sized photographs (4x6cm) taken within the previous 6 months.

Additional documents that may be requested could include the following:

1. National Identity Card, Residence documentation or valid proof of identity.
2. A letter from the employer giving details of the applicant’s position, length of employment, salary and purpose of the visit(s) to Thailand. If the applicant is self-employed, he or she must provide documentation of his or her business undertaking such as business registration and details of business operation. 
3. Copies of correspondence with business partners in Thailand.
4. A letter of invitation from trading or associated partners/companies in Thailand.
5. Corporate documents of associated partners/companies in Thailand such as:
- Business registration and business license.
- List of shareholders.
- Company profile.
- Details of business operation.
- Map indicating location of the company.
- Balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30) of the latest year.
- Value-added tax registration (Por Por 20).
6. A letter of recommendation from previous employer or business associations of which the applicant is member.

The visa fee is 10,000 Baht and this is non-refundable.

Senior Executive (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 161) for Australia

If you are a senior executive employee of a major overseas businesses with significant net assets and a genuine and realistic commitment to participate in the management of a new or existing business in Australia, then you may want to consider the Senior Executive (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 161). This visa is also the first step towards being granted a permanent Business Skills visa (after two years).

In short, the visa is intended for senior executives from overseas who have gained the skills to successfully manage a business in Australia. With this visa, applicants can:

• Establish a new or an existing business in Australia.
• Travel in and out of Australia any number of times for as long as the visa remains valid.
• Bring their family, including their partner and any dependants, with them to Australia. They will have work and study rights.

In that business, applicants must also do at least one of the following:

• Develop business links with international markets.
• Create or maintain employment in Australia.
• Export Australian goods.
• Produce goods or services that would otherwise be imported.
• Introduce new or improved technology.
• Add to commercial activity and competitiveness within sectors of the Australian economy.

Applicants may also need to complete a monitoring survey to keep the Department of Immigration and Citizenship informed about their business activities in Australia. In addition, applicants will need to be under 45 years of age and must pay a non-refundable visa charge when a visa application is lodged. The first installment due is A$3,360 and a second installment of A$3,510 is due for dependents 18 or over with less than functional English.

The Philippines: Obtaining an extension of a Visitor’s Visa under Section 9a

If you will be visiting the Philippines for pleasure, business or for health purposes, a 21-day visa is usually granted upon arrival while a 59 day visa can be obtained before arrival from any Philippine embassy or consulate general. Obtaining an extension of Visitor’s Visa under Section 9a (Non-Immigrants) is also fairly straight forward and applicants should observe the following procedures:

• Verification of travel and derogatory records, assessment of filing, implementation and other fees and generation of Order of Payment Slip.
• Releasing of OPS to the applicant.
• Payment to collecting officer and issuance of an official receipt.
• Approval of Extension.
• Updating of records, visa implementation and document archiving.
• Release of Passport.

Requirements for a Temporary Visitors Visa or extension are as follows:

• Valid passport of the applicant.
• Tourist Visa Extension form duly accomplished (BI Form No. MCL 07-02).
• Bureau of Immigration (BI) Clearance Certificate.

The fee structure for all visas and visa extensions are outlined on the Bureau of Immigration’s website and extensions may be done either in person at a Bureau of Immigration office or via an accredited representative (such as an immigration attorney or even a travel agent) for a small additional fee.

Generally speaking, visitors to the Philippines (so long as they are not working in the country) can live there for up to a year without ever leaving just by properly obtaining visa extensions (further information about how to do this can be found on the Living in the Philippines website and listserv). However, any visitor coming to the Philippines to work in the country must secure a proper work permit (preferably prior to arrival). 

Singapore visa extensions for a short visit for business purposes

Should you need to visit Singapore for a short visit for business purposes and need an extension longer that the Visit Pass granted upon arrival, applying for an extension of stay (up to 30 days) is easy and can be done online via e-XTEND if you meet all of the following conditions:

• You are a national from one of the countries listed here.
• You have not previously sought/obtained an extension of stay on this trip. 
• You wish to extend your stay for not more than 30 days from the date of entry into Singapore. 
• Your Visit Pass has a remaining validity of not less than 2 days, excluding Sunday and public holiday. 
• You will not return to Singapore within 5 days from the departure date of your current trip.

A physical endorsement is not required for an approved application submitted via e-XTEND. However and if you are unable to fulfill all of the above requirements, an application for extension of stay must be submitted at the Visitor Services Centre (VSC). Should you need to visit the Visitor Services Centre (VSC) to submit your application, the following documents are required for submission of applications for extension at the Visit Pass Unit:

• A completed Form 14 signed by the applicant and a representative from the sponsoring company. 
• A completed Form V39I signed by a representative from the sponsoring company (Malaysians are not required to complete this form). 
• A letter from the sponsoring company, stating the nature of the applicant's business visit and providing a statement of undertaking for the maintenance and repatriation of the applicant. 
• Applicant's travel document (passport) with at least 6 months validity. 
• Applicant’s Disembarkation/Embarkation (D/E) card with a valid Visit Pass granted on entry into Singapore. 
• A confirmed onward/return ticket (for all non-Malaysian applicants).

The following fees (which are payable by NETS or CashCard) are applicable for visa extensions:

• S$40 for an extension of stay accumulating to a period of 3 months or more from the date of entry/issuance of pass. This fee is applicable for every subsequent extensions of stay accumulating to 3 months or more.
• A visa fee of S$30 is applicable if the applicant has resided in Singapore beyond the visa-free period.
• Some applicants may be requested to furnish a security deposit in support of the application for extension. Where applicable, the local sponsor should furnish the required amount in the form of a Banker's Guarantee, Cashier's Order or NETS.

In addition, visitors who are performing Work Pass Exempt Activities (MOM website) within the validity of their current visit pass and not exceeding a 60-day period, are required to submit an e-Notification (MOM website) to inform Ministry Of Manpower before engaging in these activities.

The address for the Visitor Services Centre (VSC) is:

Visitor Services Centre (VSC)
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
4th Storey, ICA Building
10 Kallang Road
(Next to Lavender MRT station)
Singapore 208718

Operating Hours:
Monday to Friday : 8.00 am to 4.30 pm
Saturday : 8.00 am to 12.30 pm

Should you need to visit the Visitor Services Center (VSC), peak periods to avoid are Saturdays, the eves of public holidays and the day after public holidays and between 11:00 to 14:00 on Mondays through Fridays. 

China’s Business Visa (F Visa) for short-term business trips

If you plan to visit China to do business, perform due diligence, attend a lecture or conference, or to take part in a scientific/technological or educational/culture exchange for a period of no more than six months, a Business Visa (F Visa) should be obtained prior to arrival. To apply for a Business Visa (F Visa), an application must be submitted to the visa office at a Chinese Embassy or Consulate General either in person or through an intermediary (in person) and generally speaking, mailed applications are not accepted.

When filing an application, the following documents will need to be submitted:

• A valid passport with at least six (6) months validity and containing at least one blank visa page in it.
• One completed Visa Application Form (forms may be downloaded from the website of China’s embassy in the USA) with a recent 2x2 inch photo. If you are a first time applicant whose former nationality was Chinese, then your Chinese name must be included in the application form along with your original Chinese passport or a photocopy of the information page of the passport.
• A Visa Notifications Form from an authorized Chinese Unit or an invitation letter from a host organization in China or an introduction letter from a US company.
• Copies of previous “F” visas issued if you have availed of it at least twice in the past.

Visas can be issued for a single entry (valid for 3 to 6 months), double entry (valid for 6 months), or multiple entry (valid for 6 months or 12 months) or a multiple entry visa valid for 24 months if documents are submitted that prove an investment in China has been made or there is an established collaboration with a Chinese company (However, applicants should check with the nearest Chinese Embassy or Consulate General to ensure that they can actually avail of all of the available entry visas based upon their nationality.) Moreover, validity starts 90 or 180 days from the date of issue and the normal duration of stay is for 30 days unless otherwise stated in the visa application.

Generally speaking, the regular processing time for visas is 4 working days while express service is 2 to 3 working days (an additional US$20) and there is a same day rush service for emergencies only (an additional US$30). However, applicants should take into consideration that visa processing times may vary from location to location.

In addition, the fees for the Business Visa (F Visa) are as follows:

Number of Entries	USA Citizen	Other Nationalities
Single Entry	US$130	US$30
Double Entry	US$130	US$45
Multiple Entry for 6 Months	US$130	US$60
Multiple Entry for 12 Months	US$130	US$90
Multiple Entry for 24 Months	US$130	US$90

Again, the exact rules and regulations for the Business Visa (F Visa) may vary from nationality to nationality and it is best to consult your respective embassy or consulate general in China or the respective Chinese Embassy or Consulate General in your home or resident country for the most up-to-date information.

Business Visas for visiting Indonesia

If you are planning to visit Indonesia for a more formal visit for business purposes, you will likely need to apply for a business visa. If you are a citizen of the USA, major European countries and a few other countries around the world (there is a list available online), you will not need a visa upon arrival if your stay is less than one month. For those of you who will be needing a visa, a visa on arrival fee for a stay of up to 7 days will cost US$10 and US$25 for a stay of up to 30 days. For stays exceeding 30 days, you will need to obtain a visa prior to your visit.

If you plan to obtain a visa prior to your arrival, there are two types of visas available: a single entry visa and a multiple entry visa. A single entry visa may only be used once to enter Indonesia and an Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General may issue a Single Entry Visa for a visit of up to 60 days (the fee is US$45). On the other hand, a multiple entry visa will allow you to enter Indonesia several times during the year and is valid for one year (the fee is US$100). However, your stay can be no longer than 60 days and your passport must be valid for at least a year.

Generally speaking, you will need the following documents in order to obtain a business visa:

A letter of intent (in duplicate) from your employer or sponsor describing the purpose of the visit and guaranteeing all transportation and living expenses that will be incurred while in Indonesia.

For a multiple entries visa, you will need a letter of invitation (in duplicate) from your business partner or sponsor in Indonesia that describes the purpose of your visit.

Itinerary (original/copy) or a letter from your travel agent or airline that confirms the purchase of tickets to Indonesia (you may be asked for a copy of the original airplane ticket).

However, due note that if your travel plans call for entering the restricted regions of Maluku, Poso and Irian Jaya/West Papua, you must obtain special authorization from Indonesian authorities and inform the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General of your intention to visit a restricted region (Note: They will not grant you a visa without official notification from the relevant authority to enter these regions). This rule also applies to anyone who has previously worked in these regions (i.e. Freeport employees). To obtain permission to enter these regions, your Indonesian sponsor may obtain permission through the Clearing House at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DEPLU). 

Although obtaining a business visa for Indonesia can be a fairly straight forward process, business travelers should still consult with the nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate General to obtain the most up-to-date and accurate information as rules may be different depending upon your nationality.

Multiple Entry Business Visas for visiting Vietnam

Should you be planning to visit Vietnam to do business and will be entering and leaving the country more than once, you should consider obtaining a multiple entry business visa. A multiple entry visa may be valid for three months, six months or up to one year depending upon the discretion of the Vietnam Embassy or Consulate General and fees will vary accordingly.

When applying for a multiple entry business visa prior to arrival, applicants should have the following:

• An original and signed passport that is valid for six months beyond your stay in Vietnam. There must also be a blank visa page available for the visa stamp.
• Two visa application forms per applicant with an original signature on each application.
• One recent 2 x 2 passport sized photograph.
• A formal invitation letter from your partner, host, representative, relative, friend or a travel agency in Vietnam. This must be pre-approved ahead of time by the Immigration Department, Ministry of Public Security (258 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City or 40a Hang Bai, Hanoi). Based upon their approval, the Embassy of Vietnam will issue the visa to the applicant.
• A business letter from an employer or sponsoring company printed on company letterhead that introduces the applicant and indicates the applicant’s employment status/position held in the company and clearly states the purpose of the visit to Vietnam. The letter must indicate who will be financially responsible for the applicant and provide detailed contact information for the host entity.
• Proof of departure in the form of a computer generated flight itinerary from the airline or travel agency or a copy of your airline tickets.

Applicants should allow for up to a week for processing unless expedited processing is requested. However, for those planning to visit Vietnam for business, it is advised to contact either your embassy or consulate general in Vietnam or the nearest Vietnamese embassy or consulate general in your home or resident country.

Thailand’s Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B” (Business Visa)

For foreigners visiting Thailand employment purposes, a Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B”  (Business Visa) will likely be needed. Once a Non-Immigrant visa is granted, a foreigner can work in Thailand only after a work permit has been granted. Any foreigner who violates immigration law by taking up employment without a work permit or who violates Royal Decree B.E. 2522 (1979) which concerns the holding of employment in certain restricted professions or occupations, will face severe penalties if caught. Hence, it is strongly that foreigners moving to Thailand for employment purposes to consult with all relevant authorities before they leave.

To obtain the Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B” Business Visa, the following documents will be needed:

• Passport or travel document that is valid for at least 6 months.
• Completed visa application form.
• Recent passport-sized photograph (4 x 6 cm) of the applicant taken within the past 6 months.
• Evidence of adequate finances - 20,000 Baht (US$588) per person and 40,000 Baht (US$1,176) per family.
• Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour. To obtain this, the prospective employer in Thailand must submit Form WP3 at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour (Phone:  02-2452745 or 02-2452745) or at the Provincial Employment Office in his or her respective province.
• Copy of Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Labour and alien income tax or Por Ngor Dor 91 if applicable (in the cases where the applicant has previously worked in Thailand).
• Corporate documents of hiring company in Thailand. These documents may include:
  1) Business registration and business license.
  2) List of shareholders.
  3) Company profile.
  4) Details of business operation.
  5) List of foreign workers stating names, nationalities and positions.
  6) Map indicating the location of the company
  7) Balance sheet, statement of Income Tax and Business Tax (Por Ngor Dor 50 and Por Ngor Dor 30 of the latest year).
  8) Value-added tax registration (Por Por 20).
• Document indicating the number of foreign tourists (for tourism businesses only) or documents that indicate export transactions issued by banks (for export businesses only).

Nationals of certain countries must apply for a visas only at Royal Thai Embassies or Royal Thai Consulate-Generals in their home or residence country (The website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contains a directory of links to Thai embassies and consulates around the world). However and given the (often sudden) changes in Thailand’s visa policies and their complexity, foreigners again are strongly advised to consult with their respective embassy in Thailand and with the nearest Royal Thai Embassy or Royal Thai Consulate-General before they make plans to visit Thailand for employment purposes.

The Employment/Work (Z) Visa for China

If you will be relocating to China for employment purposes, you will need to obtain a Employment/Work (Z) Visa. To apply for an Employment/Work (Z) Visa, an application must be submitted to the visa office at a Chinese Embassy or Consulate General either in person or through an intermediary (in person) and generally speaking, mailed applications are not accepted.

When filing an application, the following documents will need to be submitted:

• A valid passport with at least six (6) months validity and containing at least one blank visa page in it.
• One completed Visa Application Form (Q1) with a recent photo of 2 x 2 inch photo. If you are a first time applicant whose former nationality was Chinese, then your Chinese name must be included in the application form along with your original Chinese passport or a photocopy of the information page of the passport.
• An original and a photocopy of the Work Permit for Aliens that was issued by the Chinese Labor Ministry or an original copy of the Foreign Expert's License issued by the Chinese Foreign Expert Bureau.
• A visa notification issued by the authorized Chinese unit while proof of kinship (marriage certificate, birth certificate etc.) will be required for any accompanying family members.

Generally speaking, fees are US$130 for American citizens and US$30 for citizens of other countries and the regular processing time for visas is 4 working days while express service is 2 to 3 working days (an additional US$20) and there is a same day rush service for emergencies only (an additional US$30).

However, applicants should take into consideration that visa processing times for the Employment/Work (Z) Visa may vary from location to location while rules and regulations may also vary from nationality to nationality. Hence, it is best to consult your respective embassy or consulate general in China or the respective Chinese Embassy or Consulate General in your home or resident country for the most up-to-date information.  

Obtaining a Short Validity Business ETA (visa) for Australia

Business travelers planning to visit Australia for a short business trip will need a visa and may want to apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). An ETA will allow business travelers to stay up to three months in Australia provided that the applicant has an ETA Visa-eligible passport. Applicants will need to be overseas at the time they apply and passport-holders from certain countries (Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and the USA) can apply online through the Australian Electronic Travel Authority System.

Normally, business travelers should obtain a Short Validity Business ETA which will allow multiple visits as many times as necessary for up to 3 months per visit and is valid for a 12 month period. However, employment is strictly prohibited. Applications by eligible applicants may be made online via the Australian Electronic Travel Authority System and these applications will cost A$20.

For further information about ETA visas or Australian visas in general, the Department of Immigration & Citizenship contains comprehensive information and all necessary forms and applications. In addition, eVisas to Australia Pty Ltd. has posted a helpful video with additional tips on Youtube.com while their service accepts ETA applications from applicants who hold passports from a longer list of countries than the service offered by the Australian Electronic Travel Authority System.

Short-term visa options for Malaysia

For business travelers coming to Malaysia, a visa may or may not be required depending upon your nationality. However, should you be needing a visa, there are three types of visas issued by Malaysia to foreign nationals and these visas include:

• A Single Entry Visa is issued to foreign nationals who are visiting Malaysia either for social or business reasons. This visa is normally valid for a period of three months from the date of issue.
• A Multiple Entry Visa is issued to foreign nationals who are visiting Malaysia for business or government related matters. This visa is normally valid for a period within three to twelve months from the date of issue.
• A Transit Visa is issued to foreign nationals who are entering Malaysia on transit. However, a foreign national who does not leave the airport premises and is continuing their journey on the same flight do not require transit visa.

Generally speaking, an entry visa requires the following documents:

• Passport
• Form IM.47 (Three copies) or other relevant forms.
• Three passport sized photographs
• Return or onward journey ticket
• Proof of sufficient funds

Visa applications should be made to the nearest Malaysian embassy or consulate abroad or to the nearest British High Commission or Embassy in countries where Malaysia does not have a mission.

For the most up-to-date information about Malaysian Visas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs homepage contains a section with visa information while the Immigration Department’s homepage has a section entitled Entry Requirements into Malaysia.

Short-term visas for Japan

A short-term visa will be needed for business travelers coming to Japan to engage in business activities such as market surveys, business liaison, business talks, contract signings and after-sale services for machinery imported into the country. For such travelers, there are two choices for short-term visas: a temporary visa or a transit visa. Either visa is good for a visit of up to 90 days; however, neither visa can be used to engage in a profit-making operation or paid activities or paid work. In addition, US citizens and citizens of other countries with reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with Japan may be eligible to visit without having to obtain a visa while visitors from certain countries are exempted from visa fees. Otherwise, the standard fee for a single-entry visa is US$29.

However, should you be needing a short-term visa, you will need to provide the following documents:

1. A completed application form.
2. Valid passport.
3. One 1.7 inch square photograph taken within the previous six months of application.

In addition, an applicant must prove that they are properly classified as a temporary visitor by providing further evidence that may include:

1. Arrangements to depart Japan such as an airline ticket (original and one photocopy) or confirmation of a travel plan from travel agency or airline company.
2. Arrangements to cover the cost of the trip such as a personal bank statement, a pay stub or  a letter or an invitation from a business firm that indicates their intent to defray travel costs.
3. A letter stating the purpose of the trip from a business firm, travel agency or another source that indicates the intended length of stay, itinerary and the name and address of a business reference in Japan.

For the most up-to-date information regarding visas for Japan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs homepage has a section containing extensive information including necessary forms and an FAQ section.

Korean short-term business visas

Business travelers coming to South Korea for short-term work or business purposes must obtain a 90 day C-2 Short-Term Business Visa. In fact, the C-2 visa can also be used as a substitute in the event that you do not qualify for a long-term working visa. However, under these circumstances, you will need to leave the country every 90 days or else face a substantial fine. Hence, a good number of foreigners who are either working in or engaged in medium or even long-term business activities in the country will simply hop on a plane to Japan, stay there for a day or two and re-apply for another 90 day C-2 visa at the nearest Korean Embassy or Consulate.

The documents required for the C-2 Short-Term Business Visa are fairly straight forward and the actual form can be downloaded from the website of the Korean Consulate General in New York City. These documents include:

1. A passport.
2. A completed visa application form.
3. A photo(2"×2" size, taken within the last 6 months).
4. Documents confirming trade or business relationship with a Korean counterpart (inviter).
5. Documents that confirm a trade or a business relationship with a Korean counterpart may include an invitation letter, an export license or contract, a letter of intent for business cooperation or partnership or similar documents.
6. Documents to prove the identity of the Korean counterpart and this documentation may include a copy (certificate) of business registration, an attested copy of corporation registry, a certificate of tax payment or similar official documents.
7. Other documentation required includes documents or letters that prove the status of the applicant in a company and information about the current activity of the company.

In addition, the following visa fees are required to be submitted with the application:

• US citizens: US$45
• Non-US citizens: $30(Single Entry/staying less than 90 days), $50(Single Entry/staying more than 90 days) and $80(Multiple Entries)

For the most up-to-date information regarding the C-2 Short-Term Business Visa or any other Korean visa, refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade homepage, KoreaLaw.com, the e-Government for Foreigners homepage or the Official Korean Tourism Guide homepage.

Obtaining a work permit in Hong Kong

For business travelers and expatriates coming to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for professional employment purposes, getting a visa is a relatively simple and pain free process. For administrative purposes, Hong Kong classifies would be professional employees into three basic categories:

- Applicants who have obtained a degree in Hong Kong in a full time and locally accredited degree program may apply to stay and or return (within 6 months of graduation) to Hong Kong to work under the "Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates" or "IANG" scheme.

- For applicants who did not attend school in Hong Kong but have special skills or expertise that is not readily available in Hong Kong may apply under the “General Employment Policy” or "GEP" scheme.

- And finally, for Chinese Mainland residents who are not local graduates but have special skills or expertise may apply under the “Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals” or “ASMTP" scheme.

A person applying under the IANG scheme should apply for an extension to work within 4 weeks of the limit of their stay while a non-local graduate must secure an offer of employment at a level commonly taken up by local degree holders and at a salary package that is set at market levels. For those who are setting up a business venture in Hong Kong, proof of this business is required.

In general, applicants will be permitted to remain for a 2 or 2 to 3 year period without other conditions and an applicant is free to change employers without seeking permission from the Immigration Department.

For the latest general information, forms and fee schedules for visa and entry permit requirements for Hong Kong, visitors should refer to the website of Hong Kong’s Immigration Department as well as the Hong Kong government’s information portal. For specific information regarding visas for professional employment, the information portal has a dedicated page while the Immigration Department has a Guidebook for Entry for Employment as Professionals in Hong Kong posted on its website.