Don’t leave for a vacation without taking care of these four things

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There are very few experiences in life that compare to travel and the exploration of new destinations. However, just like any worthwhile endeavor in life, going on a trip requires a measure of preparation.

On that note, here are four things you have to take care of before going on a trip.

Travel documents: For people going abroad, travel documents such as passports, visas, travel insurance, and the like have to be organized and prepared. Experienced travelers recommend photocopying each document and keep the copies in a separate envelope.

Cards: ATM and credit cards are important and the preferred choice of many travelers who are wary of bringing cash. Just make sure that these cards can work well in other countries.

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Itinerary: The best thing about coming up with an itinerary before leaving is that it saves people a lot of time when they’re already in their destination. Having a schedule ready also eliminates any debate on where to go and when to go there, especially if one is traveling in a big group.

Luggage: Bags need not be expensive; they have to be dependable. Travelers should never bring any luggage that’s worn and looks to be easily opened. Sturdy luggage is a good investment, especially if one plans to travel to multiple places in the future.

Cox & Kings Global Services is a business process outsource agency that was incorporated in 2008. It specializes in providing administrative support and managing non-judgmental tasks related to the entire lifecycle of visa, passport, and consular applications. More information on the company here.

Passports, travel documents, and other essentials seniors should bring on a trip

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For seniors and retirees, there are very few things as exhilarating as a trip abroad. After all, they now have the time (and hopefully, the funds) for it. However, the excitement of the imminent adventure may overwhelm seniors so much so that they may forget a few things needed for the journey ahead.

Here’s a list of a few of the most important things that should be included in their baggage.

Passports and travel documents

Passports are always a given. In fact, a lot of people bring their passports with them wherever they go, since it also counts as a valid ID. Speaking of which, seniors should also bring along at least one valid ID (aside from the passport) and other important travel documents such as their itinerary and the number of the embassy in the country they’re visiting.

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Travel insurance

Travel insurance is such an underrated thing to have. As with most other types of insurance, travel insurance has the potential to save a person thousands of dollars in expenses should the unthinkable happen.

First-aid kit

Nobody really realizes how important a first-aid kit is until they actually need one. Seniors need to have the mindset of a prepper when traveling to a different country. They’ll need to bring along the essentials such as maintenance medications and first aid kits to name a few. And on that subject, bringing along ointments such as rash creams and sunblock may be a good idea as well.

Cox & Kings Global Services is a specialist business process outsource agency focused on serving the consular sections of diplomatic missions. The agency was incorporated in 2008. For more information about the company, visit this website.

Keep away from passport fraud and identity theft with these tips

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Illegal immigration, smuggling of contrabands, economic crimes, international crimes, and other grave crimes are typically related to passport fraud. With the abundance of online services that pop up on one’s screen after keying in the terms “passport application,” scam artists can pose as travel agents and take an applicant’s money and identity.

Passport fraud is preventable. Most of the time, individuals want their documents processed in an instant. Scam artists would trick people into availing their services for faster transactions. It’s always best to follow application instructions completely as directed by the government. The next best thing to do is for one to make a copy and leave it with a trusted person. While on a trip, people must keep their passport with them the whole time.

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Oftentimes, travelers can get overwhelmed by the place they’re visiting, losing track of their belongings. Never leave the passport on a table or counter as it can be easily forgotten. While on vacation, make good use of the hotel safe and keep the passport inside the safe rather than just lying around in the room.

To further prevent passport fraud and identity theft, report a lost or stolen passport immediately. An American passport book is a travel document issued only by the U.S. Government to a U.S. citizen for the purpose of travel to and from the United States of America. Every American citizen issued this travel document must always ensure its validity when traveling abroad and stateside. Abiding by government provided guides will make the application process easier and go smoother.

Cox and Kings Global Services, formerly known as Quoppro Global Services, specializes in providing administrative support and managing non-judgmental tasks related to the entire lifecycle of a visa, passport, and consular application process to support the consular sections of diplomatic missions. Learn more about the company here.

Awesome travel destinations for the rest of 2018

Half of 2018 is over, but the spring and summer months have arrived and now may just be the best time to push through with that trip abroad, while the kids are starting their school vacation. We’ve listed below three of the best places to visit for a truly memorable, life-event experience these coming months.

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Botum Sakor National Park (Cambodia) Cambodia is one of those southeast Asian countries that only recently boomed in tourism, thus offering many, still-untrodden sights. One of the best places to go is this national park, which spans the southwestern corner of the country and is Cambodia’s largest. Catch sight of various ecosystems including grasslands, coastal plains, and rainforests, as well as flora and fauna that include the Asian elephant and various, rare species of birds.

Serbia While many tourists would prefer nearby Montenegro and Croatia, Serbia has been growing in popularity as a prime tourist spot in Eastern Europe in recent years. The country has a rich history coupled with great scenery and good value for the dollar. Visit its capital of Belgrade for its historic buildings and local restaurants offering the promise of world-renowned Serbian cheese, then go up the mountains and enjoy the views in the scenic Zlatibor and Kopaonik national parks.

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Nagano (Japan) Visitors to Japan often prefer the new-and-old tandem of Tokyo and Kyoto for a taste of the culture, but Nagano is a great alternative. It’s the city that hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and is now a top Japan destination for its winemaking, soba noodles, well-manicured ski slopes, and hot springs. It is also the home of the well-preserved Matsumoto Castle which was built in the 17th century.

Cox & Kings Global Services is well-placed to address the needs of diplomatic missions worldwide, as it focuses on addressing concerns regarding security, integrity, speed, and efficacy on the outsourced solution of the business. For more of the services the agency offers, visit this website.

A brief guide to applying for a U.S. passport

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While passport applications and renewal are generally becoming more efficient now, it can still be a long, tedious process for specific cases. After all, it’s the equivalent of a ticket for exploring the world out there. Many planned vacations and business trips are stymied by non-release or non-renewal of passports, so it pays to be aware of the process.

For first-time applicants, the initial step is to schedule a visit to and an appointment in the facility in your area that issues passports. Not all these facilities are walk-ins, so do your research online before going. To be sure, contact the National Passport Information Center.

Next is to collate all required documents specified in the guidelines. Central to these are proof of identity and citizenship. Note that in most cases the original documents are required, especially for birth certificates and the like, so take time to prepare them beforehand and don’t just bring photocopies.

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Don’t forget to have two identical passport I.D. photos taken before your visit, compliant with the standard size and other requirements in attire and photo demeanor. Your photographer should know these if you haven’t had a passport photo taken before.

Lastly, fill out Form DS-11. This is the vital document for formally applying for a passport. It’s available online, but you can likewise accomplish the PDF. Print it out before heading to the passport facility. Very important: don’t sign the form until you’re told to do so by the officer in charge as they must be a witness to your signature.

Cox & Kings Global Services is a business process outsource agency that was incorporated in 2008. It specializes in providing administrative support and managing non-judgmental tasks related to the entire lifecycle of a visa, passport, and consular application process to support the consular sections of diplomatic missions. For more insights on diplomatic missions, drop by its official website.

Some tips on getting that visa application approved

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Whether you’re visiting relatives, going abroad for work or school, or planning that dream travel, an important thing to secure in many countries is the visa. Not having a visa stamp on your passport will not allow for such a trip, so it’s crucial that you take time to make sure that you get the application approved. Here are some important tips.

The main thing to remember is to accomplish all the required forms and documents. Many visa applications are bogged down by incomplete papers, forcing applicants to travel back and forth to the embassy or consulate. Again, you cannot skip any document, as most embassies will just reject incomplete submissions. Save yourself the worry and headache.

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An important add-on tip here is to never, ever submit fake or “doctored” documents as these will most likely be detected, outright preventing your visa approval and banning you from future travels in the destination country.

Make sure that your passport has not expired or set to expire soon. Obviously, you won’t get anywhere abroad without your passport, and if it’s near expiration, the embassy staff will just question it. Renew your passport way before applying for a visa.

Lastly, prove that you are well-traveled. If you’ve visited the country before, show stamps even if they are on an older passport. Bring evidence of bookings or travel tickets to other destinations with you. The idea is to communicate to the embassy people that you have traveled overseas before and have not overstayed.

Cox & Kings Global Services specializes in serving consular sections of diplomatic missions. The business process outsource agency was incorporated in 2008. For more insights on the industry, visit this Twitterpage.

What one needs to learn about temporary work visas in the US

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Many noncitizens hope to get work in the United States, but a number of standard regulations and procedures must be strictly followed to get that chance. Applying for a temporary worker visa is one way of doing so. Typically, people try to obtain a nonimmigrant or immigrant visa depending on the length of stay, for temporary visit or permanent residency, respectively. The temporary worker visa is a specific type that is required for a noncitizen who wishes to obtain a permit for working in the United States during a defined duration. It bears to emphasize that this is neither permanent nor indefinite.

The United States made a detailed categorization of various industries where a possible employer might be classified under and the corresponding kind of visa that an applicant must secure to enter the country officially as a temporary worker. Other categories might also consider country of origin and degree of employer-employee relationship as factors in visa type eligibility.

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H-1B visas are for specialty occupations that require higher education degrees and skill sets, while H-2As and H-2Bs are for agricultural and non-agricultural works. H-3 is designated for a trainee or Special Education visitor who works with children with disabilities. L is a visa category that includes intracompany transferees. O is for exceptional individuals who have attained great achievements in their fields. The different P categories are intended for artists, athletes, and entertainers working in various capacities, while Q-1 accounts for participation in an international cultural exchange program.

Before the visa application for temporary work, the United States obligates the future employer to file Form I-129 which is also known as the Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. It must, in turn, be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Other pertinent requirements and procedures might be unique to specific US embassies or consulates. One should check this information by visiting their dedicated websites that outline tailored processes for visas application.

Cox & Kings Global Services is a business process outsource agency that was incorporated in 2008. It specializes in providing administrative support and managing non-judgmental tasks related to the entire lifecycle of a visa, passport, and consular application process to support the consular sections of diplomatic missions. To know more about its work and services, visit this website.

What to know about upcoming changes to the U.S. passport

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Americans who have upcoming international travel plans should be extra-aware that now might be the best time to apply or renew their passports, as huge changes are coming. In fact, the U.S. Department of State estimates that these new implementations would raise passport applications and requests to as much as 20 million come 2018.

There’s no reason to wait it out if you don’t want to ruin your planned vacation and trip overseas. These requests are actually already piling up as people start to take note of the urgency. This surge is mainly due to the imminent installation of a vicinity-read frequency identification (RFID) chip. Once fully implemented, this chip will make for a more efficient and convenient airport experience as well as deter fraud, as it will provide biometric data on all passengers.

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Complementing the installation of the new RFID chips is the passing of the Real I.D. Act, which is set to take effect in January 2018. This new law comes with a set of federal security guidelines that will govern state driver’s licenses, require more specific information from users, and introduce machine-readable technology for better traffic management.

The Real I.D. Act is crucial to air travel and for passport holders altogether as it’s a nationwide implementation. Meaning, if certain states have yet to comply with the act's requirements completely and have yet to issue actual or temporary new identification cards, passengers may find themselves prohibited from traveling abroad or even entering the airport.

Incorporated in 2008, Cox & Kings Global Services has been providing administrative support and managing non-judgmental tasks related to the entire lifecycle of a visa, passport, and consular application process. Learn more about the company’s services here.

Not quite a tourist: Securing a Thai transit visa

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For many foreign travelers, entering a country would typically require a visa, or an endorsement on the passport indicating that the holder can enter and stay for a given period. An example of this is the tourist visa, which is required for those who will travel for pleasure or short medical procedures.

Another type of visa that is given to foreigners who wish to enter a country is the transit visa.

Although there are similarities between tourist and transit visas, their main difference is that a tourist visa gives more time to the traveler to explore the country, whereas the transit visa just gives an individual enough time to pass through the country before heading to their final destination.

Application procedures for a transit visa are the same with the tourist visa. For example, if you are securing a Thai transit visa, you need to have a passport or a travel document with validity not less than six months. A correctly filled visa application form, a photocopy of confirmed returned ticket, and a proof of hotel accommodation need to be presented as well, among other requirements.

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Holders of transit visa will be allowed to stay in Thailand for 30 days. Their stay may be extended for another 30 days if warranted. Long-term extensions, similar to tourist visas, can be obtained, too, but the holder of transit visa cannot apply for a work permit. Transit visas can be changed to non-immigrant visas if needed.

Apart from travelers who will be passing through Thailand before proceeding to their final destination, individuals who can apply for transit visa include participants of sports activities and crew of a conveyance coming to a port or station in the kingdom.

Cox & Kings Global Services’s Thailand Visa Application and Processing Centers in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Goa, and Indore handle transit visa applications. For more information, click here.

Understanding the biometric enrollment process

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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports that in 2016, 3.7 billion passengers flew to various destinations, a 6.7 percent hike in international air traffic from 2015 figures. But these international passengers, whether first-time travelers or seasoned globetrotters, would not be reaching their destination if they did not have the necessary travel documents.

It is, thus, important that for those who dream of seeing the world to fully understand what they need to accomplish before booking their flights and accommodations. For new travelers, a passport, an official document issued by a government bearing the holder’s identification and citizenship and right to travel to and from foreign countries, is essential. And for some countries, a visa or an endorsement that the passport holder can stay in the territory for a particular period is also required.

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Apart from the usual documents that need to be submitted when applying for a passport or visa, almost all countries these days require applicants to enroll their biometric data. After the 9/11 attacks, governments saw the need to improve security policies, particularly those that concern international travel, to prevent similar disastrous incidents. Since then, countries started improving their passport and visa application processes, with biometrics at the forefront of their revamped initiatives.

Briefly defined, biometric identifiers are distinctive, measurable characteristics that identify an individual. These physiological characteristics include but are not limited to face recognition, fingerprint, DNA, palm print, and iris recognition.

For passport and visa applications, biometric enrollment calls for the collection of a digital photograph and electronic fingerprints. When collecting biometric data, government institutions, including diplomatic missions and their outsourced service providers, must follow the international standards for capturing and storing of information. As biometric enrollment is a mandatory requirement in passport and visa processing in most countries, applicants who refuse to provide their data will have their application denied.

Visit this website to learn more about biometric enrollment service CKGS provides to the diplomatic missions it serves worldwide.

To-do list for first-time travelers to Japan

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It is not surprising that Japan is one of the dream holiday destinations of many. The Asian country’s allure is its uniqueness; Japan showcases the perfect fusion of ancient traditions and modern life. And this juxtaposition is seen all over the country – from its food (traditional vs. fusion) to its popular landmarks (ancient temples and shrines vs. museums and city towers) to the way its citizens dress up (kimono vs. Harajuku street fashion). Indeed, there is always something new to discover and experience in Japan.

If you plan to travel to Japan soon and you are a first-time visitor, here are some tips to help you plan your trip to the Land of the Rising Sun:

1. Fix your itinerary. There are many beautiful places to visit in Japan. First-time travelers can easily get overwhelmed by the country’s beauty. But before booking your flights and accommodations, it is essential to plan your journey. Although you can always come back to Japan (and many do return), it is best to maximize your stay and see and experience the best the country has to offer the first time around. Among the must-visit cities for first-time travelers are Tokyo (Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace, Roppongi), Kyoto (Fushimi-Inari-Taisha, Kyoto International Manga Museum, Gion), and Osaka (Osaka Castle, Shitennoji Temple, Umeda Sky Building).

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2. Embrace technology. You need a little help from today’s gizmos and gadgets to make your visit to Japan a breeze. For instance, renting a wireless router (or pocket wi-fi as it is called in Asia) helps you stay online and enables you to make calls via online phone services, download apps such as Google Translate, Tokyo Metro app, and Hyperdia, or do a quick search anytime, anywhere.

3. Secure your visa. Nationals from countries like China, the Philippines, and India would need a visa to enter Japan. It is important for travelers from these countries to ensure that they have all the necessary documents needed when they submit their visa application. Processing of application and release of passport (if approved) may take time, so it is important to take note of this when planning your trip. 

Japan visa applicants residing in territories within the jurisdiction of the Embassy of Japan, New Delhi can submit their documents to the closest CKGS Japan Visa Information & Application Center. For more information, click here.

Say cheese: Tips on taking the best biometric passport photo

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Biometric passports rely on information unique to the person. This includes not only fingerprints and iris scans but also facial features. The passport holder’s facial features would be measured against that of the photograph used in the passport to confirm their identity.

Because of the sensitivity of the software used, passport photographs must be accomplished a certain way to ensure that the correct facial features are captured. Any defects in the photographs themselves, such as distortion, can become a significant cause for delay in processing a new passport.

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Thus, guidelines exist in countries that use facial recognition biometrics to ensure that the photographs taken of each passport holders portray the face correctly. Some countries, like the United Kingdom, provide a template for photographers as a guideline to take pictures ideal for biometrics. Often, these photos should be well-lit to prevent shadow distortion and on white backgrounds to maximize the contrast of the face.

Although it is sometimes possible for individuals to take their own passport photographs, it is generally recommended that they seek professional passport photo services.

And because facial recognition software cannot always account for changes caused by the movement of facial muscles, rules must be put in place to limit facial distortion through expressions. In the United States, this meant that facial expressions must be kept neutral in passport photographs. Smiles are discouraged, and only closed-jaw smiles are permitted.

Cox & Kings Global Services provides consular and diplomatic offices with a range of services covering all aspects of visas, passports, and consular application processing. Learn more about the company’s biometric services from this page.

Some tips on interacting with visa officers

Securing a visa is an activity that essentially requires an applicant to be at the top of their game. It is also a social interaction, one that will see an interesting exchange between two personas. This is a very human reality. Here are a few helpful tips on interacting with visa officers.

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1. Come earlier than schedule.

Of course, the real objective here is to be on time, but going earlier is a way to get around the unpredictable delays. This is a fair standard because tardiness can be grounds for visa disapproval.

2. Always be polite.

You simply cannot play the arrogance card here, and you would be wrong to act condescendingly. Diplomatic officers are educated people, and they are very likely smarter than you. Treat them accordingly.

3. Don’t make up stories.

Visa officers are very perceptive people. While they talk to you, their attention toward you is focused on a different number of areas on your person. These people are trained to read body language, and they can say whether or not you’re telling the truth.

4. Dress appropriately.

You can’t enter an embassy looking uncivilized. There is a certain message of respect that emanates from an applicant whenever they wear the right clothes as they speak with an officer in a formal venue. However, you can’t attend to your visa appointment in your prom clothes either. Be at the same level of fashion as the person you’ll be meeting.

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Take your meeting seriously and act with your best manners. Visa officers are professional, and if you qualify, they would even be the ones to welcome you in warmly.

Cox and Kings Global Services is a specialist business process outsource agency that serves consular sections of diplomatic missions. For visa application advice, visit this website.

Connected: Tourists provided with free SIM card in India

For the longest time, foreign tourists have found it especially difficult to get an Indian phone number. The lengthy, bureaucratic process involves submitting various documents as proof of identity and address, a photocopy of the passport that contains an official visa stamp, a supply of passport photos, and the contact details of a local reference.

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Even after all the requirements have been provided, tourists would still have to wait a couple more days for the activation of the number.

This has provided a difficult time for foreigners. For instance, when the Indian government suddenly demonetized the high-value currency, tourists found themselves stranded with essentially no cash and limited means to communicate with people who could help them.

When Indian tourism minister Dr. Mahesh Sharma visited Sri Lanka one time, he was given a SIM card. He decided to adopt the measure in his home country to guarantee the safety of foreign tourists.

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Starting February 2017, upon arrival at airports, tourists will just need to show their passport and a copy of their e-visa to receive a pre-activated SIM card that is already loaded with 50 megabytes of data and 50 Indian rupees and will expire after one month. Through the SIM card, the user is also given access to a 24-hour government helpline that provides information in 12 different languages.

Cox & Kings Global Services is specialist business process outsource agency that provides consular sections of diplomatic missions with administrative support and management services for non-judgmental tasks related to the lifecycle of a visa, passport, and consular application process. Visit this website for more information about the company.

The astounding architectural heritage of India

The architectural wonders of India go beyond the Taj Mahal and date far back in history. In fact, many of today's modern structures may have taken inspiration from the great ruins and monuments some of which have existed since the 6th century B.C. This is a look at some of India's oldest but very influential structures from bygone eras.

Khajuraho temples. Considered one of the ingenious masterpieces of Indian Art, the Khajuraho temples were built during the Chandella Dynasty between 900 and 1130 A.D. It is believed to be inspired by the Tantric school of thought with the portrayal of the sensual and non-sensual union of male and female images. These simply assert that one cannot exist without the other.

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Sun Temple, Konark. A tribute to the Sun God, the Konark Temple is an exemplary work of art from the 13th century. The intricate mammoth sculptural work is built to resemble the god's chariot, which has 24 stone-carved wheels and is drawn by seven stone horses.

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Ajanta and Ellora caves. The caves are replete with stone-carved sculptures and paintings that feature Buddhist symbols and images. These were built by many Buddhist monks over a long period and may have begun in 200 B.C.

Cox & Kings Global Services is a BPO agency focused on the administration and management of tasks pertaining to visas, passports and consular applications. For more articles about tourism in India, follow this blog.

Places to visit and reasons to get that Indian visa now

Everyone knows about the Taj Mahal. It’s far and away the most popular tourist attraction in India. But what many people don’t know, however, is that India is filled with captivating places that visitors will never forget. Here are some of them.

Jaipur

The capital of Rajasthan is also called the Pink City. It’s famous as a tourist city and as an education hub. The history in Jaipur is deep, with dozens of forts and monuments that show remnants of the colorful and dramatic past of India. It also has a lot of magnificent hotels for tourists.

Goa

The beaches in Goa are nothing short of breathtaking. Nine out of 10 tourists who visit Goa do so for the beach experience. A lot of residents in Goa are foreigners who stayed because of the relaxing ambiance of the place. Life is easy here.

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Kashmir

What was once upon a time one of the most beautiful places on the planet has been tarnished by terrorism. Kashmir was aptly named “Heaven on Earth” because it was home to the Himalayan mountain ranges.

Kanyakumari

There are very few places in India that rival Kanyakumari when it comes to the horizon come dusk or dawn. The sunrise and sunset here are sublime since three bodies of water – the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal – frame Kanyakumari. This mystical place can even afford visitors the chance to see both the moon rise and the sunset at the same time – on different horizons!

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Cox and Kings Global Services is a BPO agency that provides administrative support for consular sections of diplomatic missions worldwide. It also aids in the acquisition of Indian visas for Americans. Learn more by subscribing to this Twitter page.

Dressing up for your embassy appointment

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Securing a visa to a foreign country is a task that does not seem to be taken seriously enough by many people. When matters are taken too lightly, this reflects in other behaviors that immigration officers and embassy workers from all over the world are very keen at observing. In fact, they are trained to spot such subtleties, and with even the slightest hint of doubt, a visa application can be denied. A huge way to communicate intention is in the way one dresses up.

Having a shot at getting into a different country necessitates that you exact a certain amount of regard to its gatekeepers by showing up dressed appropriately. This is specifically useful when going for interviews in embassies or other immigration exercises, in which you are to subject yourself to scrutiny for gatekeepers to decide whether or not you are worthy to come to their country.

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Dressing up for a tourist visa may allow you a certain amount of liberty in choosing to wear more relaxed clothes. But in a more stringent visa application, such as a work visa, obviously, you need to show that you are there to prove that you are worthy of working as an asset to their economy. Treat it as sacredly as a job interview and dress professionally.

No doubt, dressing in a skimpy outfit just to make a creative impression on your interviewer may not be a good idea, as this might be found to be suspicious. In some situations, this is deemed disrespectful, even having led to as far as refusal of entry to embassy premises in the past.

The embassy appointment is a business engagement where what you wear can either make or break your chances of getting that approval.

Cox and Kings Global Services has been providing administrative support and managing non-judgmental tasks related to the entire lifecycle of a visa, passport, and consular application process. Learn more about its services by visiting this Facebook page.

Visa denied: The common problems in securing a visa to India

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As it is an adventurous prospect to go to India, a very culturally rich destination with an even richer history, preparing for what can be a challenging visa application is a smart move. Here are some common concerns:

1. The official application form is filled out online. It is best to be prepared for your answers with complete information, because this is not an application that can be saved and returned to at a later time. It is purposely designed to be accomplished in one sitting.

2. Research on the kind of visa that you will be applying for in your attempt to enter India. While it may sound sensible that you go for a visa which, in a crude and unexamined sense, ‘sounds just about right,, some have found out the hard way that intricate details of the trip and their purpose for going to India have been showstoppers to the goal. Knowing the differences between visas greatly increases your chances of getting approved.

3. India is such a huge country. While you are approved entry by means of visa, this does not mean that you can visit absolutely any destination within the country. Some have found out the hard way that visas have restrictions in local travel. The traveler who goes on business to Bangalore, for instance, might find it a bit disheartening that he is not allowed to go on a side trip to Mumbai, due to visa restrictions, requiring him to go through another process.

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India has been a favorite destination of many Americans for a number of reasons, whether it is business, pleasure, or anything in between. It’s a nice place to visit, and maybe knowing its visa challenges is but a small sacrifice to ensure approval.

Cox and Kings Global Services has been providing administrative support and managing non-judgmental tasks related to the entire lifecycle of a visa, passport, and consular application process. Learn more about its services by visiting this Facebook page.

Market and tourist visa fees: India's tourism industry to date

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India’s tourism continues to flourish, as travelers increase through the use of e-tourist visa system, which can be accessed in 150 countries. In the latest report of the Ministry of Tourism of India, the number of travelers last July 2016 skyrocketed to 219 percent compared to last year’s figures. It was recorded that there were more than 68,000 international tourists, with U.K. nationals partaking 17 percent of the statistics.

The continuous development of India’s tourism is apparent not just in terms of vacationers, but also when it comes to the number of people traveling for business purposes. In fact, The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) forecasted that the country would become a leader in business travel, contributing a great deal to its economic growth and opening up various job opportunities. For the past years, India has persistently improved its standing in the business travel market, moving up to the 10th spot.

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These news, however, don’t imply that there’s a chance for tourist visa fees to be waived. Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of Tourism and Culture, stated in a recent report that although scrapping of fees is out of the question, "a broad discussion on the overall liberalization of India’s visa policy is underway."

Meanwhile, a change in hotel tariffs in Dehli may happen soon. As of press time, there’s a luxury tax imposed to city hotels, but Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has proposed a bill to remove the said tax. The goal, as published by IndiaToday, is to make the city’s budget hotels cheaper to attract more tourists to the capital, given that most budget hotels are found in Paharganj, Karol Bagh, Mahipalpur, and Daryaganj.

For more news about India and other travel-related topics, follow this Cox and Kings Global Services Twitter account.

Three things you need to know about visas

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A visa is a written permission given to a traveler by the intended country to visit their area for a given period. The document lists down the duration, purpose, and a number of allowed entries into that specific country. It is a criminal offense to travel to another country without a visa. There are several categories of visas one can apply for, each with their set of requirements and documentation. For all of these types, there are three crucial things one needs to know.

Each country has their due processes: It sounds obvious, yet many travelers presume that all countries are the same. Some countries prefer an entirely online application while there are others that ask the applicant also to submit letters with supporting documents. It is best to ask for a third-party service to determine specific country requirements.

Research before taking trips: Travel agencies and cruise ships offer fantastic vacation deals. They do help travelers obtain necessary visas for that exact trip. This must be emphasized. This means, for example, that a traveler has the visa to be inside a ship traveling to certain areas, but cannot get out and explore the country. Individuals who expect to explore the country may find themselves unable to do so.

Consider a consulate service: This is a more thorough process and does require a certain amount of patience on the part of the traveler. Physical appointments are necessary as well as online applications. However, the initial hassle pays off in the long run as documentation is completed sooner and the traveler can visit his or her intended country with ease.

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CKGS is a visa application consulate service that assists individuals obtain their documents in the fastest and easiest way possible. Learn more by visiting this website.