Border rules rewrite international planning perspectivesBy Heidi Waldrop Bay
Word from the front lines indicates that a shift is happening in how destinations are chosen and what is demanded of the meeting planner when trying to balance an increasingly global meetings environment with new regulations. Among the new obstacles are recently increased immigration security measures in countries such as Japan. As of Nov. 20, all foreigners get fingerprinted and photographed upon entering Japan; with few exceptions, those refusing to cooperate are not granted entry.
In stepping up security, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has begun requiring 10 fingerprints instead of two from international visitors. All non-U.S. citizens between ages 14 and 79 are to submit to digital fingerprinting and photographing when applying for a visa and arriving at a U.S. port of entry. Began in December, the program will roll out to all 288 ports of entry by year end.
Click here for full PDF version.