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To enroll in TSA PreCheck just follow these three steps or walk into any enrollment location. Be sure the enrollment provider selected has enrollment locations near you. To renew simply click here and complete your renewal online in as little as 5 minutes.

1. Apply Online

Select an enrollment provider with enrollment locations near you. Submit your TSA PreCheck application online in as little as 5 minutes.

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NEXUS is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, approved travelers into Canada and the United States. By paying one fee, NEXUS members have crossing privileges at air, land, and marine ports of entry that support the program.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) are cooperating in this joint venture to simplify border crossings for members, while enhancing security.

To apply for membership in the NEXUS program:

• Use the Trusted Travelers Programs (TTP) website ;
• Submit an application and go through a registration process;
• Satisfy the eligibility criteria;
• Be admissible in Canada and the United States; and
• Pass risk assessments by both countries.

The application-processing fee of $50  (USD) per adult applicant is non-refundable . Children under the age of 18 must also apply and, if eligible, are admitted to the program free of charge.  Once approved, membership is valid for five years. For more information regarding the program requirements, please visit the NEXUS Program page.

Once the risk assessment by the United States and Canada is complete, you will receive an email on the dashboard of your TTP account.  When this notification is received, you will be “conditionally approved” and eligible to schedule an interview at a NEXUS enrollment center to complete the application process. 

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After you have submitted your application and scheduled an interview at a NEXUS Enrollment Center , if you require assistance for the interview because of a disability, contact the NEXUS Enrollment Center where your interview is scheduled to request a reasonable modification or auxiliary aid or service to complete the interview.  Requests for a modification, aid, or service should be made as soon as possible and prior to the date of an interview to allow sufficient time for making the appropriate arrangements at the interview location.

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Should I Apply for Work & Travel Permits During the Green Card Process?

Weighing the pros and cons of including the optional work and travel permit forms in your green card application, apr 10, 2024.

If you’re applying for a green card from within the United States (otherwise known as the “ adjustment of status ” process), you may have heard about Form I-765 and Form I-131.  Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) and Form I-131 (Application for Travel Document) allow green card applicants to work legally in the U.S. and travel in and out of the country while the green card is pending. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of including the work permit and travel permit forms in your green card application.

Do I Need to Include These Forms in My Green Card Application?

Including Form I-765 and/or Form I-131 in your adjustment of status (green card) application is optional. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not require that applicants include either form in their completed application, so it is at your discretion to decide whether to complete and file the work and travel permit forms during the green card process. Now that the forms come with additional fees, some individuals and families may choose not to include them in their application to save on filing costs. 

It is important to note that the green card process can be a lengthy one, depending on the USCIS field office processing your application and the details of your specific case. USCIS processing times change often, but for many applicants, it could be several months to several years before they have a green card in-hand — and with it, the ability to work and travel freely.

Work & Travel Permit Pros

Working in the u.s..

If you’d like the ability to work and earn a living in the U.S. while awaiting your green card , you will need to complete Form I-765 and include it in your adjustment of status application.

In order to work in the U.S., you must have official work authorization from USCIS. Any unauthorized work could have serious consequences for your immigration journey and ability to remain in the country.

Learn more about working in the U.S. with a pending green card application in Boundless’ guide .

Avoiding Travel Issues

If you think you may need to travel outside the U.S. for any reason while your green card is pending, it may be beneficial to complete Form I-131. Obtaining the advance parole travel document provides the freedom and flexibility to leave and re-enter the U.S. in case of a family event or emergency abroad, without jeopardizing your green card application.

Without a valid travel document, your green card application will be terminated if you leave the U.S. while your application is still pending.

Learn more about traveling abroad with a pending green card application in Boundless’ guide .

Work & Travel Permit Cons

Form I-765 and Form I-131 have long been free to include in a family-based green card (adjustment of status) application. This means that green card applicants could file Form I-765 and Form I-131 alongside their adjustment of status form (Form I-485), for no additional costs. However, on April 1, 2024, USCIS rolled out a new fee structure , which increased the filing fees for both Form I-765 and Form I-131. Form I-765 now costs $260 when filed as part of an adjustment of status application, while Form I-131 costs $630. While these fees may be manageable for some applicants, they can pose a financial burden for others, especially considering the already substantial costs associated with the green card application process.

Additional Forms to Complete

If you choose to file Form I-765 and/or Form I-131, it does add additional work when preparing your green card application. Both forms must be completed thoroughly, accurately, and to USCIS standards. Both Form I-765 and Form I-131 have their own requirements, including specific form questions to be answered and supporting documents that must be included when filing. If there are any errors or issues found in Form I-765 or Form I-131, it could lead to complications that may delay the overall green card application.

The Bottom Line

Including the work and travel permit forms in your green card application has both pros and cons. 

In general, if you choose to file Form I-765, you’re gaining the ability to work legally in the U.S. while your green card application is pending. This can be helpful for many green card applicants as they settle into a new country and jumpstart their career in the U.S. 

Filing Form I-131 ensures that you’ll be able to travel in and out of the U.S. in the event of an emergency or important event abroad while your green card is pending. For many green card applicants, obtaining the advance parole document offers peace of mind during the green card process.

Although the work and travel permits offer increased financial security and travel flexibility, they’re not without a cost. The new high fees for Form I-765 and Form I-131 may deter budget-conscious applicants from including them in their application. The immigration process can be expensive, and some may need to be more selective in managing optional costs when applying. Overall, it’s up to each individual to weigh the pros and cons of the work and travel permits and decide what works best for their immigration journey.

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Record your trips outside Canada

As a temporary or permanent resident, it’s a good idea to write down your trips outside Canada by air, land or boat, including day trips to the United States. You’ll need this information when you apply for a new Permanent Residence card and when you apply for citizenship .

The travel journal is an easy way to record trips outside Canada. Keep it with your passport or other travel documents. This is not an official document and we don’t need to see it. It’s just to help you remember your trips. You won’t need to send it to us with your application.

Download the travel journal

What to record

• The date you left and the date you came back to Canada, even if it’s the same day
• Countries you visited
• Why you left – give examples like vacation, work, family, etc.
• Include any day trips (less than 24 hours), including to the United States
• When the journal is full, keep it safe and print a new copy

Example of how to fill out the travel journal

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Visas for U.S. citizens traveling abroad

If you are a U.S. citizen planning to travel abroad, you may need a visa to enter a foreign country. Learn how to find your destination's visa requirements.

While not all countries require visas for American travelers, many do. Look up your destination using the U.S. State Department's Learn About Your Destination search tool . On the country’s information page, you will find entry, exit, and visa requirements. You will also find travel advisories and a link to the country’s embassy.

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Visa House has been working in the field of Russian visas since 1993. We provide visa assistance and consultations and help to obtain necessary documents from the Russian government. In 2000 we first introduced advanced online information technologies in the field of visa service, and since that time Visa House maintains the lead in this field. Visa House is officially licensed and registered; our Russian office is conveniently located in the center of Moscow.

Visa House will help you to get a Visa Invitation. You can get the visa itself at the Russian Consulate or Visa Centre on the basis of the Visa Invitation. If you already have the Invitation, you can contact the Russian consulate directly and apply for a visa at the state tariff. Visa House offers services according to our Price-list. Before placing your order, please read our Terms and Conditions .

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How to Expedite Your Passport After Applying

Need to expedite your passport application after you’ve already sent it in? Here’s what you should do.

While the Earth is home to just over 190 UN-recognized countries, each one is united through the use of one particular type of document: the passport, a pocket-sized booklet that allows holders to move beyond their own nation’s borders and explore far-reaching corners of the globe. For U.S. citizens, the document is an instrumental part of international travel plans, serving as a crucial transit tool whether they’re jetting off to New Zealand or just hopping across the border to Canada — so what happens if you need to expedite your passport after applying?

Whether you need to renew your passport or you’re finally taking the plunge into first-time passport ownership, we’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know to speed up the process once you’ve already submitted your passport application. 

There are private courier companies that claim to provide expedited passport services for a fee, but the U.S. Department of State says that using one of these services will not get you your passport faster than applying at one of their passport agencies. 

How to Apply for a New Passport or Renew Your Current Passport 

Never applied for a passport before? There’s no need to worry — the process is relatively painless. For adult U.S. citizens applying for their first passport, the journey typically begins with the completion of a DS-11 form, a document that can be accessed through the U.S. Department of State website . Once filled out, applicants can assess their total cost using the page’s handy calculator , then fill out a check or money order (as many passport acceptance facilities won’t take cash or card).

Next, applicants must obtain proof of U.S. citizenship (options range from a birth certificate to a certificate of naturalization) as well as a photocopy of the document, a valid ID and photocopy of said ID, and a photo that adheres to U.S. Department of State passport photo requirements . Once all the above documents have been compiled, applicants can search for a passport acceptance facility through the bureau’s online portal , then schedule an appointment to submit their application. Unfortunately, first-time passport applications can’t be processed by mail, so an in-person appointment (typically at a local post office) is necessary to obtain your document.

On the other hand, those with passports nearing their expiration date (side note: most countries require visitors’ passports to be at least six months away from expiration in order to enter) or running out of stamp space can enter a much more hassle-free process for passport renewal. If eligible for renewal by mail, applicants can compile a filled-out DS-82 form, their current passport, any necessary name change documents, an acceptable photo, and a check or money order, then drop their application in the mail for processing.

How to Get a Passport Quickly

Travel plans can change in an instant, and if you suddenly have an international voyage in the works and no valid passport to call your own, there may still be hope on the horizon. The U.S. Department of State works in tandem with multiple passport agencies and centers, each one designed to receive patrons who have urgent travel plans in the next 14 calendar days.

Travelers can contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to make an appointment, with both Life-or-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service options available depending on the circumstances. Once contacted, the center will work with eligible callers to set up the soonest available appointment in a nearby office. Note that walk-ins are strictly forbidden, so all travelers will need to call the above number in order to properly facilitate an appointment.

Related: How to Get a New Passport as Quickly as Possible

If you’re eagerly awaiting your passport and need to make a last-minute trip, you’ll need to call the National Passport Information Center at the number given above and request a change from routine to expedited processing. Following the phone call, travelers will receive information via email about how to pay the $60 processing fee that’s required for making the change. To speed up the process even further, applicants can also pay a $19.53 fee for 1-2 day delivery of the passport once it’s been printed by the office.

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Moscow Travel Guide

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Why travel to Moscow

Contrasts: 12th century monasteries and some of the tallest skyscrapers in Europe can be found side-by-side in this complex and captivating city. The diversity of this mega-city is astounding. Only a few steps away from the solemn red facade of the Kremlin and the sounds of righteous church bells, a buzzing night scene and alternative-fashion boutiques can be found.

Culture: In Moscow only the best goes. Be it a theatre, restaurant or gallery, the standards are certain to be world-class. The Bolshoi ballet company is reputed to be even better than the Mariinsky’s and “MMOMA” (Moscow’s museum of modern art) exhibits works of art as profound as any that could be found in the famed MOMA.

Convenience: Unlike the rest of Russia, it’s easy enough to get by with just English in Moscow and, driving excepted, it is surprisingly safe: the murder rate is lower than in some of America’s major cities.

Top Sights in Moscow

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Why visit Moscow

It would take more than two days to walk around the perimeter of the biggest city in Europe, Moscow. Many of its inhabitants barely know what’s beyond the few blocks around their flat and there are so many attractions that it’s almost impossible to know where to start. If there is such a thing as an antidote to boredom, Moscow City is it. The mind-boggling range and diversity of things to do, places to eat, parks, historical monuments and more means that a vacation in Moscow has a wealth of activities to offer for every type of traveler, from young families to retirees.

Reasons to Vacation in Moscow in 2022

The Bolshoi theatre is familiar to almost everyone as Russia’s grandest theatre, but what people don’t know is that there are many more bolshoi (big) sites in Moscow that are worth travelling all the way to Moscow to see. For more than 100 years, the world’s biggest bell has been hidden behind the Kremlin’s walls and inside Moscow’s main park (which is bigger than some countries!) there is the world’s largest outdoor ice-rink. Travelers that visit Moscow can stay at the Izmailovo, Europe’s biggest hotel, then eat at the largest and most historic McDonald’s in Europe and after that have fun at the largest European indoor theme park!

Ancient Past & Stunning Architecture:

As those who travel to Moscow will see, just because Moscow is a city of record-breaking, glitzy high-rises doesn’t mean that there is no history. On the famous Arbat street, time-worn, wooden storehouses and century-old churches are squashed up against grey, soviet blocks which are then towered over by 21st century office-blocks. Unlike its much younger sibling, St Petersburg, Moscow’s roots stretch way back to the 12th century. Within the walls of the Kremlin, the city’s oldest building the Cathedral of Assumption can be admired in all its 500+ years of age.

Culture & Convenience

For a foreigner who has never visited Russia, Moscow is the perfect stepping stone into this great land of mystery. From the country’s best classical ballet troupes to snow-white troikas trotting through the parks, all the highlights of Russian culture can be had in Moscow without any of the complications that would be expected in other, less developed regions of Russia.

Cheap as Caviar

In Moscow, everything is bargain when with the current foreign exchange rates being what they are. Even caviar doesn’t seem so dear when the exchange rate is at 60rub to the dollar, so go on indulge yourself! Take your 2022 vacation in Moscow and have the best of both worlds, with European luxury at very affordable prices.

Lena, our guide in Moscow was excellent. She was very knowledgable and could answer any question we had for her. We liked that she could pick up on our interests and take us places we might not have thought of to go. When we realized that one of the places we had chosen to see would probably not be that interesting to us, she was able to arrange entry to the Diamond Fund and the Armoury for us. Riding the Metro with Lena was a real adventure and a lot of fun. In Saint Petersburg we found Anna well versed in the history of the Tsars and in the Hermitage collection. Arkady in Veliky Novgorod was a very good guide and answered all of our questions with ease. Novgorod was perhaps a long way to go for a day trip, but we did enjoy it. Vasily was a great driver to have and kept us safe with good humour and skill. We enjoyed ourselves so much, my daughter says she is already planning to return. We would both have no hesistation to recommend ExpresstoRussia to anyone we know.

Just wanted to let you know that My grandson Bruno and I couldn´t have been more pleased with our week in Moscow (6/15 - 6/21). We were absolutely enchanted with the whole experience, including getting lost a couple of times in the Metro during our free time. Although both our guides (both Eleanas) were excellent, I would particularly commend the first one (she took us to the Tatiakov, the KGB tour, and to that beautiful cemetery where so many great Russian artists, authors, composers, musicians, militarists, and politicians are buried). Her knowledge is encyclopedic; and her understanding of today´s Russia as a product of its past was, for us, truly enlightening. I will be taking another tour in Russia, with my wife, within the next two or three years. I will be in touch with you when the time comes. Meanwhile, I will refer you to other potential visitors to Russia as I meet them.

We had a great time both in Moscow and St Petersburg. Your travel agency was excellent in coordinating the whole trip. Everything worked like clockwork. The guides assigned to us were very nice and friendly. They had a great knowledge of their subjects. The cars and the drivers were great. The hotels were good and the itinerary was good. All in all, it was a wonderful experience. It was nice dealing with you and your company. Thank you very much for a great Russian experience. Have a great future ahead

• 31 reviews of Express to Russia Moscow Tours in Moscow

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Moscow extends a warm welcome to Indian travellers with enhanced infrastructure and hidden gems

Russia actively promoting moscow as a tourist destination for indian travellers, improving infrastructure and visa process..

Russia is making an active bid to attract Indian travellers to visit Moscow -- a huge megalopolis and the historical, political and spiritual heart of the Russian Federation. The Moscow City Tourism Committee is promoting the city not only as a cultural capital but also as a business hub as it plans to onboard trade partners, tourists and vacationers. Moscow has also strengthened cooperation with the tourism sectors of allied nations, hosting familiarization tours for delegates and arranging business trips to showcase the city's tourism potential.

To accommodate visitors, Moscow is improving its infrastructure: signs are now available in English and Chinese, all announcements on public transport are repeated in English, and hotels are also adapting to cater to the needs of guests from various countries and ensure a comfortable stay. "We are still on our way to restore the flow of Indian tourists in Moscow like it used to be before the pandemic," said Bulat Nurmukhanov, Head of International Cooperation Division of Moscow City Tourism Committee.

Bulat further said that before the pandemic, there was a steady growth of 12-15 per cent on a year-on-year basis. In the first half of the year, Moscow received about 20,000 Indians, compared to the same period a year ago, it is about 56 per cent higher. In a bid to make Moscow a must-visit destination, the committee is actively working on improving the infrastructure for international travellers. Moscow is spearheading the development of innovative standards in catering to the needs of foreign travellers.

Tourists arriving in the capital can stay in hotels of various price segments. They can savour traditional Russian cuisine, and can also indulge in a diverse culinary experience, with options ranging from authentic Indian delicacies to continental dishes prepared to the highest standards. In 2022, the number of foreign tourists who visited Moscow increased by 6.3 per cent compared to 2021, reaching a total of 1.7 million.

Travelling to Moscow has now become easier as tourists from India and 54 other countries can apply for an electronic visa to enter Russia from August 1, 2023. The impact of e-visa rollout would be available by October this year after the quarterly data from the Russian border control agencies is analysed, Bulat said.

Moreover, the Russian government is planning to come out with a virtual 'Foreign Tourist Card' that will enable cashless payments for various services. "The idea behind this card is, a person back home in India can remotely apply for this card and then he/she can transfer money from the personal bank account to this bank account," Bulat added.

Meanwhile, sources in the Indian Embassy in Moscow told reporters that the Indian tourism ministry as well as the governments of Goa and Kerala are slated to participate in roundtable discussions this month. There are also plans to engage social media influencers to improve the inward traffic to India. Before the pandemic, around 3 lakh Russian tourists visited India annually. The numbers are down to around 80,000-90,000 of late.

To facilitate easy visitor movement across the city, there is "Discover Moscow" -- a navigation and travel web portal about Moscow and "RUSSPASS travel service" -- a digital platform designed for planning trips across Russia. The Discover Moscow portal features descriptions of over 1,200 architectural landmarks in Moscow. The site provides news, digests with festival and event information and curated lists of exhibition venues.

By availing the RUSSPASS travel service, tourists can access all essential information for a trip to Moscow on the site, including visa and currency matters, accommodation and transportation options in the capital. The site also offers a trip builder feature, allowing tourists to select pre-designed city routes or create their own itinerary from their favourite locations. There are versions of the site in Russian, English, Spanish and Arabic.

On the cultural scene, Moscow boasts 10,000 cultural venues including theaters, museums, libraries, parks, cinemas, concert halls, and more. In the last decade, around 900 parks and green spaces have been renovated.

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Biden is canceling $7.4 billion in student debt for 277,000 borrowers. Here's who is eligible.

By Aimee Picchi

Edited By Alain Sherter

Updated on: April 12, 2024 / 3:29 PM EDT / CBS News

The Biden administration on Friday said it's canceling $7.4 billion in student debt for 277,000 borrowers, with the recipients scheduled to receive emails today to alert them to their loan discharges. 

The latest effort extends the debt relief provider under President Joe Biden after the Supreme Court last year blocked  his administration's plan for broad-based student loan forgiveness. With the latest batch of loan cancellations, the White House said it has forgiven about $153 billion in debt for 4.3 million student borrowers. 

Biden, who had made student loan relief a major campaign pledge, is tackling an issue that affects about 43 million Americans with a combined  $1.7 trillion in student debt. It's a burden that some borrowers and their advocates say has harmed their ability to save for a home or achieve financial milestones, an issue that was echoed by Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in a conference call with reporters. 

"I talked to a teacher in New York this week who took out a loan for $30,000," Cardona said Friday, "and after over a decade of paying and being a teacher the debt was $60,000, and she was saying that the interest was so high that the payments that she was making wasn't even touching her principal."

He added, "We are fixing a broken system. We're relentless and taking steps to transform a broken system into one that works people across the country."

Here's what to know about who is eligible for the latest round of forgiveness.

Who qualifies for the student loan forgiveness?

Three groups of people qualify under the latest round of debt relief, the White House said. 

• $3.6 billion for 206,800 borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan.

About $3.6 billion will be forgiven for nearly 207,000 borrowers enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, an income-driven repayment program, or IDR, that the Biden administration created last year. 

The White House said borrowers who are getting their debt discharged under SAVE had taken out smaller loans for their college studies. The plan allows people to receive forgiveness after they made at least 10 years of payments if they originally took out $12,000 or less in loans to pay for college; borrowers with larger loans are eligible after 20 or 25 years of repayment, depending on what types of loans they have. 

 "You sacrifice and you've saved for a decade or more to make your student loan payments, and you originally borrowed $12,000 or less, you're going to see relief," Cardona told reporters. "An overwhelming number of those who qualify for SAVE were eligible for Pell grants and come from low- and middle-income communities."

• $3.5 billion for 65,700 borrowers in income-repayment plans.

These borrowers will receive forgiveness through "administrative adjustments" to repayment plans where loan servicers had made it tougher for some borrowers to qualify for relief.  

"These are people who paid for a long time but were being deprived of relief because of administrative and servicing failures," Cardona said. "These people met the contract of their loan" and will receive forgiveness.

• $300 million for 4,600 borrowers through Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).  

The PSLF program is designed to help public servants like teachers and government employees achieve debt forgiveness after 10 years of repayment. It's a program that started in 2007 but had been plagued with complex rules that effectively hampered people from getting their debt discharged, with only 7,000 receiving loan forgiveness prior to the Biden administration. 

With the latest round of discharges, the Biden administration has forgiven $62.8 billion in loans for 876,000 borrowers through PSLF. 

Are there legal challenges to Biden's debt forgiveness plans?

In two separate lawsuits, Republican attorneys general in 18 states are pushing to have the SAVE plan tossed and to halt any further student debt cancellation. They say the SAVE plan oversteps Biden's authority and makes it harder for states to recruit employees. They also contend the plan undermines a separate cancellation program that encourages careers in public service.

It's unclear what the suits could mean for loans that have already been canceled. A court document filed by Kansas' attorney general says it's "unrealistic to think that any loan forgiveness that occurs during this litigation will ever be clawed back."

—With reporting by the Associated Press.

• Biden Administration
• Student Loan

Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.

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