Quick Takes: News You Can Use

Here's just a few short clips from recent news.  I think you might make good use of them.

Chile appears set to join those countries on the US Visa Waiver Program effective in 2014.  This allows visa-free entry to US for up to 90 days - just register online through ESTA.  This could be helpful to those considering Chilean citizenship, now that Chile has streamlined some new routes to immigration and possible citizenship.  For American citizens looking to Chilean citizenship with an eye to possible renunciation of their US citizenship, it means visa-free entry for those quick visits back to the US to visit friends and family, or wrap up business interests.  Chile seems more and more appealing as a place to live, work, launch a business, explore as a PT through South America, even immigrate.  Land of 21st Century opportunities.

Complaints about TSA employees' unethical conduct and worse are up 26%.  More and more travelers are seeking routings which avoid the US.  For example, one American man with lots of international business interests hops from Mexico City to Vancouver when heading from Latin America to Asia.  He heads from Latin America to Europe through Brazil to Portugal and onward.  He claims it's worth a bit of extra expense to avoid transiting any US airport - even though he's a US citizen.  Consider planning your travels to avoid transiting the US, too.  What woman wants to be groped in public?

Still need help securing your personal info against PRISM and other malfeasance, invasions of privacy, risks to your safety and security?  Check out this "Black Paper" on digital privacy by Simon Black, privacy maven, inveterate PT, international business expert.  Loaded with excellent tips to protect yourself, your identity, your communications, especially while traveling. 

May your road rise to meet you, fellow Road Warrioress!
Ann

Essential Business Traveler Card for APEC Region

Travel often on business to the APEC Region?  Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation has a unique program to speed pre-approved business travelers through immigration formalities.  It's geared solely to boost trade and investment in the region.  With the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), you speed through special lanes at immigration checkpoints if you are coming for a short-term stay.

The following countries participate:  Australia, Brunei, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), Thailand, Vietnam.  See: www.apec.org/apec/business_resources/apec_business_travel0.html

Most of these countries allow preapproved business travelers 60 or 90 days entry for business purposes without further need for a visa.  It acts something like a multi-country multi-entry business visa.  And it's for citizens of APEC countries.

The US is supposedly a "transitional member."  This means those carrying the ABTC may use the express lanes at airports (same lanes used by airline crews) to enter the US, but still must have their passports plus any normally required visas.  US citizens are not yet eligible to obtain the card for their business trips to member countries.  No wonder US is uncompetitive in international markets and exports are not moving the way they could.  www.businessmobility.org/key/usa.htm

Great idea for Road Warrioresses!  If you are eligible, look into it, and save yourself some hassle at the airports.