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Bulgaria: Curiosity – Entry Based on Schengen Visa Allowed

Immigration Specialist — Mon, 28 May 2012 08:00:31 +0000

Although Bulgaria has not yet acquired Schengen membership, visas issued by Schengen member states are recognized as equivalent to Bulgarian visas and allow their holders to enter Bulgaria. Non-EU foreigners may also enter the country based on permanent residence permits issued in a Schengen member state. Foreigners staying in Bulgaria on the basis of Schengen visas and residence permits are limited to no more than 90 days, within any 180 day period from the date of first entry.

While Schengen visas are recognized as Bulgarian equivalents, Bulgarian visas do not allow entry into the Schengen Area and foreigners must present their passports at the Bulgarian borders for inspection. In cases where travelers do not have the proper documents to enter the Schengen Area, they will be turned back.

Bulgaria will be able to issue Schengen visas as soon as the European Commission approves the country’s full accession. Up till now, however, Bulgaria’s accession is postponed due to the lack of progress in the fight against corruption and organized crime.

Our articles are for informational purposes only. Should you have any further questions regarding matters related to Bulgarian immigration procedures, please feel free to contact your global Move One immigration specialist, or send an e-mail to immigration@moveoneinc.com.

UAE: Immigration Bulletin – Governmental Fees Revision in DIFC Free Zone

Immigration Specialist — Wed, 23 May 2012 07:30:45 +0000

Effective 27 May, 2012 an Emirates ID card is mandatory for all new and renewal visa applications submitted to the Government Service Office of Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC ) Free Zone. The change is the result of a nation-wide scheme which links Emirates ID registration to visa processing in Dubai by June 2012. For information about Emirates ID registration deadlines please visit Move One’s earlier announcement.

The Government Service Office also announced that prices and processing times of documents have changed, including higher governmental fees for processing company index cards. An index card, also known as an establishment card, is issued by the Ministry of Interior and allows companies to process visas and permits for employees.

The updated prices and time-frames are available on the free zone’s website.

Transparency in the Immigration Process: Steering Clear of Corruption

Immigration Specialist — Mon, 21 May 2012 08:00:49 +0000

Navigating through the immigration maze may be intimidating to anyone without sufficient knowledge of the local processes. With multiple parties and authorities involved, certain officials can find any excuse to solicit a bribe from foreigners. Paying a little extra to ease an unscrupulous government official may not seem like much, but if a document is obtained through corruption it is considered fraudulent and both the issuing official and the foreigner are liable for an offense.

The consequences can be severe for the hiring company as well. For example, US companies undertaking business abroad fall under the jurisdiction of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which has zero tolerance towards bribery of foreign officials. The government focuses on the intent of the bribery rather than on the amount, so even an extra 10 dollars under the table can result in costly legal complications.

The United Kingdom also joined the global campaign against corruption and enacted UK Bribery Act, which constitutes a substantial upgrade to the country’s prior laws and is expected to become the most comprehensive and rigorous anti-bribery legislation in the world. The scope of the law is extra-territorial. Under the Bribery Act, a relevant person or company can be prosecuted for the corruption practices if the crimes are committed abroad and can be penalized with unlimited fines, as well as a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.

Therefore it is vital for an employer to offer support to its employees and choose suppliers operating in a transparent manner with sufficient knowledge of immigration regulations, ensuring that no payment is made to any officials to induce them to use their influence.

Choosing the Legal Way

Each country has its own immigration laws and regulations, and knowing these processes well is essential for a company to operate smoothly. Even, if common practice is known to be bureaucracy through bribes, there is no country with a written law permitting bribery in any form.

In Uzbekistan, for example, corruption is known to be high compared to other countries of the world. In 2010, Transparency International ranked Uzbekistan 172 out of the 178 surveyed in its Corruption Perceptions Index. Although corruption is pervasive, the government is encouraging citizens and foreigners to refuse improper payment. Eager to show itself as combating corruption, a special anti-corruption unit has been established to review the performance of government bodies, and hot-lines are open for reporting corruption.

Interdependency of Permits

The consequences of obtaining immigration permits though bribes are not limited to penalties only, but can also result in future complications with the use of the issued document. One permit is often issued on the basis of another, and in case one is not obtained in compliance with requirements the whole immigration process might be affected.

For example, officers have been reported to accept an incomplete application from inpatient applicants based on bribes, instead of returning it to them for corrections. However, if the paperwork is processed with errors, it may result in permits issued with incorrect information. When such permits are used for the basis of additional permit issuance, the errors will duplicate, resulting in a set of inconsistent certificates and cards, which are sure to catch an auditor’s attention.

In addition to such complications, in most cases a bribe does not actually improve a service and leads to more corruption as officials get used to applicants paying.

Business Reputation

A company’s reputation is also tainted when a bribe is given by anyone associated with the firm, especially when other companies are able to go past the administrative obstacles on their own. Officials may associate the bribe-giver with the company, expecting bribes for future situations as well. It is always advisable to decline payment and adhere to full compliance practices according to the law.

Move One is aware of all the ins-and-outs of immigration compliance and operates ethically and legally in document procurement, acting in line with various acts worldwide. Contact your global Move One immigration specialist, or send an e-mail to immigration@moveoneinc.com to find out more about our immigration services and how our team can help you with your specific needs.

Boosting Security in the Global Supply Chain

Move One — Sun, 20 May 2012 08:37:58 +0000

Move One is pleased to report a recent and pivotal industry update. After several years of negotiations, and acknowledging growing threats to the security of the global supply chain, the EU and USA have agreed to mutually recognize each other’s “trusted traders”. This is a long awaited and important step forward in terms of EU-US trade relations – and in securing the global supply chain.

What the agreement means is that reliable companies that are security certified under the EU AEO system, and the US C-TPAT system, will now enjoy easier, cheaper and more predictable procedures at customs. By mutually recognizing each other’s reliable companies, the EU and USA will be able to re-focus resources on where security risks really lie. Customs will become even more effective in the protection it provides for us all on a daily basis.

For companies, the mutual recognition will facilitate business and promote trade at a time when such measures are much needed for economic growth. For customers, the recent accord offers benefits to each and every citizen, through greater supply chain security.

The is particularly welcomed news for the thousands of companies that were previously only European AEO certified, as now that they are also certified under the US C-TPAT system, it opens up new trade opportunities on both sides of the Atlantic.

It is estimated that close to 5,000 companies are AEO certified in the EU. The value of EU and USA’s imports and exports in 2011 alone was almost 500 billion Euro. It is expected that the mutual recognition will boost trade opportunities and enable uninterrupted flow of goods, without compromising security standards on both sides.

As EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud, Algirdas Šemeta, said in his statement on 4 May: “From what we have achieved together to date, I am confident that we will be able to confirm a common commitment and high level of ambition in going forward. Transatlantic cooperation on supply chain security improves the business environment, accelerates trade and contributes to the safety of our citizens. Today’s mutual recognition decision, therefore, is one to truly be welcomed.”

Article source: EUROPA

Russia: Immigration Bulletin – Language Test May Be Required for Standard Work Permit Applicants

Immigration Specialist — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:56:09 +0000

The new president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, has announced the future implementation of compulsory exams aimed at migrant workers. Once the presidential decree comes into force, foreign employees, with the exception of highly skilled professionals, will have to prove their knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history, and the basics of Russian legislation in order to work in Russia.

The information was posted on the presidential website on 7th May, 2012 and calls for the introduction of the new system by November, 2012 as part of a larger scheme to harmonise ethnic relations in the country. Until November however, further announcements are expected to reveal the full extent of the exam requirements and exemptions. Move One is closely monitoring the changes and will provide updates as necessary.

Special Shipment of Dragon Boats from Hong Kong to Dubai

Move One — Thu, 10 May 2012 10:09:49 +0000

Move One recently completed a shipment with a difference. Always expanding and open to new and exciting possibilities Move One, in partnership with Dubai Diggers Dragon Boat Club, shipped two traditional teak dragon boats from Hong Kong to Dubai. This shipment proved yet again, Move One has the ability to ship anything, anywhere, regardless of shape or size.

Dragon Boating has become extremely popular among the Dubai community. More and more clubs are opening every year and many companies now use dragon boating as a means for corporate team building. An ancient Chinese sport, Dragon Boating originates from Stanley Main Beach in Hong Kong, where the biggest single-day dragon boating event takes place. The event is held during the Tuen Ng Festival and commemorates the death of Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in political protest.

It is from these historic waters that the latest additions to the Dubai Diggers fleet originate. Made of traditional teak, the boats each weighing upwards of 600kg have been shipped on behalf of the Dubai Diggers. The boats will be housed at the Al Fazza Beach Club and will be used by the Diggers for training purposes, as well as the upcoming Paddle for the Planet event.

Dubai Diggers is the brain child of Australian Nick Hando; Hando spent 13 years in Hong Kong where he formed the Bondi Diggers. Upon arrival in Dubai, Hando saw the potential for the sport and formed the Dubai Diggers. The Diggers would go on to have immediate success, claiming the Dubai championship from 2008-2011. In 2010, the women’s crew placed 4th at the world championships, while the mixed crew finished in 12th place. The Diggers will again send crews to this year’s world championship in July. The new arrivals will prove a valuable resource in the training and preparation for the crews.

Hando’s passion for the sport is infectious and you get the feeling he could talk “dragon boats” all day. Such is his passion for the sport and the seas upon which the sport relies, Hando and a select few have developed the event Paddle for the Planet.

On 2nd June, 2012 over 50 countries will take part in a worldwide paddling relay. At 8am on June 2nd paddlers worldwide will unite to paddle their craft in support of the planet. Paddlers from all sports, dragon boating, surf skiing, outriggers and surfers will unite for a common goal – to raise funds and awareness for the protection of the world’s marine environments. The event aims to raise money through corporate sponsorship and on the day donations, to support environmental efforts and in particular, the protection of the Daram Marine Reserve in Indonesia.

The new boats will be central to Paddle for the Planet and will allow a greater number of paddlers to participate and therefore, generate more funds for such an important cause. Move One is proud to be associated with Paddle for the Planet and to play its part in supporting the protection of our planet.

Working Dogs on the Move

Move One — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:26:04 +0000

When it comes to animals, Move One’s Animal Transportation department has extensive experience in not only relocating family pets, but also providing comprehensive transportation services for security and working dogs. The global demand for security dogs remains strong, particularly for specially trained munitions detection dogs and standard government security dogs, employed in hazardous and remote locations. Due to the political unrest in many countries, a growing number of police and private institutions are also using security dogs, with the price of a working dog now averaging US$15,000.

Apart from the challenge of standard cargo and logistics projects, transportation of ‘live’ cargo such as working dogs demands exceptional skills, expertise and knowledge. In only a short period of time, Move One has come to specialise in the transportation of working dogs deployed to support military field operations in war zones, safeguard military bases, embassies, and consulates; and detect land mines, explosives, and other ordinances.

With a wide distribution of offices in the Middle East, to include Qatar, UAE (Headquarters for Move One), Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia, Move One has earned a reputation in the region for specialising in the transportation of working dogs, but we also address the needs of the ‘rest-of-the-world’ as well. For example, our Pet Transportation Specialists have assisted the shipment of 26 detection dogs from the Mine Detecting Dog Center in South-East Europe to Azerbaijan, Lebanon, and Iraq. We also shipped a consignment of working dogs within Afghanistan from Kabul to Herat, further demonstrating our capabilities of transporting these animals within challenging environments such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Nearly nine years of in-country experience in both countries provides us with deep insight into their transportation conditions, giving Move One an advantage over other carriers and forwarders in the same line of business.

In September last year, Move One again had the opportunity of handling transportation of 31 Military Working Dogs who completed their service in Baghdad, Iraq, and were scheduled to be shipped back to Houston, Texas. This involved a lengthy road trip with security and a flight from Erbil, Iraq to Dubai. Our team kept their ‘eyes-on’ our four-legged customers, from the time of pickup to airlift to Dubai.

Military working dogs are ‘four-legged soldiers.’ Their tasks in war zones are equally dangerous as those of soldiers. These powerful, agile and specially trained dogs risk their lives protecting military operations wherever they are needed. They are loyal companions, members of a military family, sharing good and bad with their human handlers.

The process of shipping these dogs represents a unique challenge. With its vast experience in transportation of military working dogs, especially in the region of the Middle East, to and from Iraq and Afghanistan conflict areas, Move One has developed the specific expertise, not only in the technical aspects of transportation, but also in understanding how to handle and prepare these animals for shipment. For example, Move One needs to be fully aware of watering and feeding requirements as well as exercising and dog hygiene at transit points. In addition there is a host of medical and administrative documentation which allows the transfer of animals from origin to final destination. In short, each animal must be ‘fit’ to travel, but more importantly, qualified to travel based on origin export policies, and final destination requirements clearing the animal for a safe and legal entry. When animals are shipped, it is mandatory that they travel in kennels fitting the size and weight requirements stipulated by IATA and the airline. Water and food supplies may accompany the consignment based on the customer’s requirements.

As part of the pre-shipment preparation, it is necessary that staff handling the shipment, and especially transit of the dogs, are familiar with all technical and legal requirements for export and import of these animals. Dogs being transported to and from a country of deployment require the following documents as a minimum:

• Vaccination records of the dogs
• Health certificate from country of export
• Permission (OK-to-transit) at transit points
• Import permit – required for most countries

With the increase in security risks, in both war zones and high political risk countries, the demand for security working animals has also escalated. To meet these needs, Move One has increased its service capacity by expanding its operations in the UAE to include Sharjah and Abu Dhabi as import and export points. This will provide greater flexibility in handling inbound and outbound requirements.

Move One’s Animal Transportation department specializes in the transportation of military and other working and service dogs, as well as household pets and exotic animals. Please contact us at pet@moveoneinc.com for a tailor-made quote or more information.

Above and Beyond in Mongolia

Marko Lukic — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:48:36 +0000

Move One recently completed a challenging shipment from the United States (U.S.) to Mongolia for a global manufacturer of industrial tools and equipment. The company entrusted Move One with the delivery of oversized cylinders, containers, and batteries to serve Mongolia’s rapidly growing mining industry. The purchase order, which included three shipments – normal container loads, individually loaded break bulk shipments by sea, and a dangerous goods (DGR) shipment of lithium batteries by air – required the Move One team to respond quickly and draw on years of experience in the field of global logistics.

As there are no direct flights from the U.S. to the Mongolian city of Ulaanbaatar, Move One secured a flight to Beijing, China for the DGR shipment of lithium batteries. Due to the extensive knowledge of Move One personnel, the operations team was able to foresee that land transportation would be the only solution to forward the cargo to its final destination. In fact, Move One was able to properly advise its customer ahead of time and included repackaging services upon arrival in Beijing in order to abide by land transportation regulations for this DGR shipment. This essentially saved the customer time and money as Move One coordinated the arrival of the batteries with the other freight arriving via ocean and consolidated all shipments for a single convoy of land transportation.

Move One arranges special packaging for cylinders to reduce shipping costs

“We also had a shipment of cylinders which consisted of delivering two pieces of 14.5 meter cylinders and two shorter ones,” explains Miroslav Georgievski, Move One’s Operation Coordinator for Mongolia. “For less experienced freight forwarding companies this may have presented a challenge which, if overlooked, could prove needlessly costly for the client.”

Georgievski points out however, that Move One avoided extraneous costs by repacking the two shorter cylinders onto standard European wooden pallets. “If they had remained packed in the containers, this would have significantly increased the shipping costs,” he points out.

According to Business Development Manager Karl Trottier, Move One is accustomed to exceeding customer expectations and delivering customised solutions. “Planning and foresight have been at the core of Move One logistic operations since its early beginnings 20 years ago,” he says. “Today we still operate under the same philosophy that we expect the unexpected.”

With some of the world’s largest untapped reserves of gold, coal and uranium, Mongolia is a growing market for Move One. This market includes the Oyu Tolgoi project, a mineral deposit large enough to produce a third of the world’s copper. This and other mega-scale projects in Mongolia have attracted foreign investors to the region’s rugged and often remote locations, investors who have since come to rely on Move One’s local expertise. With an office in Ulaanbaatar, Move One is actively involved in multiple aspects of Mongolia’s economic development, using all resources at its disposal to assist with freight forwarding and logistics services such as warehousing, purchase order management, and transportation.

For further information about logistics services in Mongolia, please contact Sean Kosa, Move One’s Country Manager for Mongolia at sean.kosa@moveoneinc.com.

Transportation of Armored Vehicles

Middle East Insider — Wed, 09 May 2012 12:25:52 +0000

The demand for armored vehicles in the world is growing. Such vehicles have become standard equipment for organisations and companies operating in conflict zones and dangerous and hostile environments. In recent years, the use of armored vehicles has increased, especially in the regions such as Iraq and Afghanistan, ensuring safe transportation for military, civilian and government personnel operating in unsafe areas.

As a consequence of such a trend, there is an increased need for international transportation of armored vehicles. As opposed to transportation of civilian cars, moving armored vehicle from one country to another is a demanding task. It takes special expertise as armored vehicles are far more difficult to manage and are way more expensive than ordinary civilian cars. Such a job can be rather difficult and requires high expertise, especially when transporting armored vehicles to remote and volatile environments, like Afghanistan.

Move One has a long history, experience and expertise in Global Logistics, particularly in Afghanistan, offering its services to various Government agencies like Consulates and Embassies. Such services range from secure convoys, warehousing and online shipment tracking to air, sea, road, and rail services, as well as purchase order management. It also includes transportation of armored vehicles. With twelve offices, strategically located across Afghanistan, Move One Logistics has the experience and resources needed to handle any logistical requirement in the region, and beyond. The company has offices and operations facilities in all central Middle East countries, and therefore is able to facilitate transit clearance and other operations in the whole region. When it comes to international transportation of armored vehicles to remote and dangerous areas, like Afghanistan, the most important asset the company offers is its experienced and knowledgeable staff. Move One staff in Afghanistan is made up of skilled individuals from around the world, supported by plenty of local talent.

Move One is very proud of its successful projects in this region, one example of its capabilities in the field of armored vehicle transportation to remote and volatile regions is a recent operation transporting 31 armored Toyota Land Cruisers to Kabul for the US Embassy. The company was responsible for moving these vehicles from Tallin port to Kabul, Afghanistan. The vehicles were sent to Bishkek in rail wagons, from where the shipment was taken over by Move One staff, who ordered trucks and forwarded the shipment further to Kabul via Tajikistan. Move one offices in Bishkek and Tajikistan took over the paperwork and arranged visas for the drivers, as well as customs documentation. A rather demanding task considering the fact that all the vehicles had to get permissions from the Afghan Ministry of Interior.

Thanks to the company’s cultural and geographical understanding of the area, combined with extensive experience of local rules and regulations, Move One managed to perform this job, as any other logistical task, on schedule and on time. Move One also specialises in Tax Exemption Protocol Processes for Afghanistan and is one of the most accomplished customs clearance brokers in the country, with the fastest service for Armored Vehicle and Restricted Items clearance.

Move One has been supporting military, humanitarian and commercial organizations in Afghanistan since 2001. For further information about Move One’s logistics services in Central Asia, please contact Gregory Forgrave at gregory.forgrave@moveoneinc.com.

What Do the New UK Pet Import Regulations Mean?

Pet Lover — Wed, 09 May 2012 08:26:09 +0000

Pet travel rules changed on 1 January, 2012 when the United Kingdom (UK) brought its procedures into line with the European Union (EU). From this date all pets can enter or re-enter the UK from any country in the world without quarantine, provided they meet the rules of the scheme, which will be different depending on the country or territory the pet is coming from.

This article explains what you and your vet have to do to bring your pet dog, cat or ferret into the UK from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is classified under Non-European Union listed countries and territories. The following contains only a summary of the rules, so please visit the defra website for comprehensive details of the rules for pet travel into the UK.

From 1 January, 2012 all pet dogs, cats and ferrets (including guide and hearing dogs) can enter or re-enter the UK from the UAE without quarantine provided they meet the rules of the scheme. Animals which do not meet all the rules must be licensed into quarantine until they are compliant. They might then be able to obtain early release if they can be shown to comply with the necessary pet travel requirements.

What you need to do if you are entering the UK from the UAE

Preparing your dog, cat or ferret:

• Step 1 – Have your pet microchipped – Before any of the other procedures for pet travel are carried out, your pet must be fitted with a microchip so it can be properly identified
• Step 2 – Have your pet vaccinated – After the microchip has been fitted your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. There is no exemption to this requirement, even if your pet has a current rabies vaccination. Rabies boosters must be kept up to date. The length of the waiting period before entry to the UK is 21 days after the first vaccination date. A waiting period is not required for subsequent entries into the UK, provided rabies boosters are kept up to date. If the vaccination is in two parts the 21 day wait will be from the date of the second vaccination
• Step 3 – Get pet travel documentation – For animals being prepared in an EU country, you should get an EU pet passport. If you are preparing your animal in a non-EU listed country or territory you will need to obtain an official third country veterinary certificate (apart from Croatia, Gibraltar, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland who also issue pet passports)
• Step 4 – Tapeworm treatment – (dogs only): before entering the UK, all pet dogs (including assistance dogs) must be treated for tapeworm. The treatment must be administered by a vet not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1-5 days) before its scheduled arrival time in the UK. There is no mandatory requirement for tick treatment. No treatment is required for dogs entering the UK from Finland, Ireland or Malta)
• Step 5 – Arrange for your animal to travel with an approved transport company on an authorised route – Your pet must enter the UK from a listed country or territory travelling with an approved transport company on an authorised route

What you need to do if you are entering the UK from a country other than the UAE

The rules differ depending on which country or territory the pet is travelling into the UK from:

• European Union (EU) countries and territories
• Non-European Union listed countries and territories – Such as the UAE
• Unlisted countries – Any country not listed in the lists above

For comprehensive details of the rules for pet travel into the UK please contact defra:
Website: www.defra.gov.uk/pets
Email: pettravel@ahvla.gsi.gov.uk
Helpline: +44 (0)870 241 1710

If you would like to book your pet’s specific relocation with Move One, or for further information about our general pet transportation services, please contact us at pet@moveoneinc.com. One of our dedicated animal relocation agents will follow up with you shortly with a quote tailor-made to your needs.

Reference:

defra