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US testing Digital Visa Authorization: Here's what it means for future travel

11:07 PM | 22 Sep, 2023
US testing Digital Visa Authorization: Here's what it means for future travel

WASHINGTON - In a major tech push aimed at facilitating passengers, the U.S. Department of State has announced that it is developing the capability to issue digital visa authorizations (DVA).

The initiative would replace the traditional visas that are printed and placed in applicants’ passports and would streamline the travel authorization process by automating the transfer of data from visa application, to airline verification, to border inspection, and U.S. admission. 

The authorities in the United States have been under fire for prolonged delays in the processing of visa applications due to multiple reasons including the pandemic which put everything to a halt.

The DVA pilot program is apparently part of a comprehensive plan to develop a secure system for the electronic issuance and validation of U.S. travel documents.

At present, the State Department is developing digital visa authorizations and conducting the proof of concept at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Ireland but if the project is successful, digital visa authorizations will be available for other visa classes and other consulates.

Specifically, the initial proof of concept for the DVA technology is currently being tested with K-1 (fiancé(e)) visas in Dublin.

The reason for selecting K-1 visas is because they are single-entry visas and the U.S. Embassy in Dublin was selected due to the presence of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pre-clearance procedures at Dublin Airport. 

Many of the airlines providing direct flights from Dublin to the United States are already enrolled in CBP’s Document Validation Program. The State Department has confirmed expanding the program in later stages meaning that flyers from other countries would also take benefit soon, Mondaq reported.

There are multiple advantages DVA would offer over the traditional system. Firstly, because the DVA would not need to be physically placed in travelers’ passports, it could reduce the number of visa applicants who are asked to attend consular interviews. 

Moreover, upon issuance of a DVA, a traveler’s information would automatically be sent to CBP which would allow CBP to digitally notify airlines as to whether an individual had valid travel credentials prior to boarding, adding another layer of security.

The DVA has the potential to enhance automation while minimizing the likelihood of errors, thereby bolstering the safety and security of international travel.

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Pakistani rupee inches up against US dollar, Euro, Pound and other currencies - Check forex rates here

Pakistani rupee advanced its winning momentum against US dollar, and other currencies in the open market amid strong economic cues.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Saturday, the US dollar was being quoted at 285.15 for buying and 287.95 for selling.

Euro moves down to 309.9 for buying and 310.5 for selling. British Pound rate stands at 359.4 for buying, and 360.05 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED also moved down to 77.45 whereas the Saudi Riyal drops to 75.82.

Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan – 2 December 2023

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar ‎USD 285.15  287.95 
Euro EUR 309.9  310.5 
UK Pound Sterling GBP 359.4  360.05 
U.A.E Dirham AED 77.45  77.6
Saudi Riyal SAR 75.82 75.97
Australian Dollar AUD 187.72 188.22
Bahrain Dinar BHD 759.94 767.94
Canadian Dollar CAD 209.99 210.49
China Yuan CNY 39.78 39.88
Danish Krone DKK 41.95 42.05
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.38 36.48
Indian Rupee INR 3.39 3.5
Japanese Yen JPY 1.49 1.56
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 926.39 935.39
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 60.38 60.98
New Zealand Dollar NZD 173.44 175.44
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.25 26.55
Omani Riyal OMR 742.16 750.18
Qatari Riyal ‎QAR 78.5 79.2
Singapore Dollar SGD 212.45 212.95
Swedish Korona SEK 27.09 27.19
Swiss Franc CHF 325.38 325.88
Thai Bhat THB 8.05 8.09

Gold registers big fall in Pakistan; check today gold rates in Pakatan - 2 December 2023

The price of gold fell by thousands of rupees as precious metal lost shine despite an upward trend in the international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 2 December 2023

On Saturday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs217,300 and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs186,300.

Meanwhile, single tola of 22 Karat gold costs Rs199,190, 21 karat rate costs Rs190,138 and 18k gold rate is Rs162,975.

Globally, gold prices hover at around $2072, gaining $32 on Saturday.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Karachi PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Islamabad PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Peshawar PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Quetta PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Sialkot PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Attock PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Gujranwala PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Jehlum PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Multan PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Bahawalpur PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Gujrat PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Nawabshah PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Chakwal PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Hyderabad PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Nowshehra PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Sargodha PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Faisalabad PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705
Mirpur PKR 217,300 PKR 2,705

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