The GSN 2015 Digital Yearbook

challenges for both civilians and government officials
all over the world. The first obvious disadvantage of
applying for or issuing a visa is the time required to
process the application. Under normal circumstances,
a traveler seeking to apply for a visa would need to
fill out the necessary paperwork and then either mail
or hand deliver the paperwork to the desired nation’s
local embassy or consulate. After this time-consuming
procedure, the embassy will process the documents
and then mail the visa back to the applicant if approved.
As a result, the life cycle of receiving a visa could take
anywhere from two weeks to two months. This can be
very costly and time consuming for immigration officials
and can cause problems if a traveler needs to apply for a
visa last minute. Another obstacle travelers and officials
face is the lack of infrastructure and personnel available.
Many developing nations are simply not equipped with
the proper personnel, technology and infrastructure
needed to issue these documents in a timely and efficient
manner without compromising safety or security.
Long queues build up at immigration desks at airports,
embassies and consulates, further increasing the document
process time. This increased workload for the immigration
staff can hinder their ability to work efficiently
and securely. Governments should look to improve
their immigration processes, starting with the system for
issuing visas. Many of the challenges caused by the visa
application process can be overcome by simply transitioning
to an electronic visa system, which streamlines
the process and ensures accountability for both governments
and travelers. By transitioning to an electronic
visa system, governments will improve and ease the process
of applying for a visa, which can lead to a multitude
of benefits for the country. For example, a country such
as Honduras could benefit greatly from implementing
an electronic visa system. Honduras, located in Central
America, is home to some of the world’s best beaches,
coral reefs and diving locations in addition to the world
famous Mayan city of Copan and Rio Platano Biosphere.
These attractions make Honduras a great location for
travelers who wish to experience the wonders of Central
America. However, the long process for applying for a
visa can be a major deterrent to tourism in the country.
Just recently, the Honduran government has made
tourism a national priority, believing that the tourism
industry will not only benefit the country by stimulating
the economy, but also by strengthening the national
identity, increasing development and providing Hondurans
with a higher standard of living. By implementing
an electronic visa system, like Securiport’s eVisa Management
System, countries, such as Honduras, could
save time and money by operating more efficiently to
improve the way they communicate and engage with
citizens. By addressing key challenges and streamlining
the process it takes to apply and receive a visa, the
number of total visa applications and number of visitors
will inevitably increase, improving revenue generated
from tourism. Government officials, business travelers,
and tourists alike will benefit from a more convenient
and efficient visa application process.
Section 2 – Features and Benefits of the eVisa System
Securiport’s eVisa Management System is a modern,
comprehensive ICAO-compliant system that provides
travelers with a quick, convenient and completely
secure way to apply for a visa. It can be easily integrated
and deployed to preexisting visa procedures and systems
such as national centers and consulates, providing
immediate support to immigration officials. Securiport’s
software engineers and cyber security professionals have
invested a substantial amount of time and resources
into developing an absolutely secure system. When dealing
with such sensitive information, it is imperative that
proper research and precautions regarding security are
taken. Securiport’s advanced proprietary systems and
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