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From a bitter experience, my definite answer is Singapore.I know, some of you may disagree with me.My daughter is a post graduate in physics from a national Institute of India. Most of the students after the same course, join for PhD at universities like Oxford, MIT, Stanford, CalTech, Princeton, Cambridge, Harvard etc….As there was a gap of some eight months left before joining her PhD program, she applied for the temporary post (for six months) of Research assistant in a reputed university of Singapore. After an interview through video conferencing, she got selected for the post. Since it was her maiden travel abroad, and the university doesn't provide hostel facility, I had to accompany her, mainly to find her a suitable accommodation near the university campus.After confirmation of her selection through email, the university liaison officer sent her online forms to be filled up and submitted, along with her photo (according to their Singapore specifications!) and signature in digital format. These were the documents required to apply for the work pass, which would be forwarded by the university to the government. The university was satisfied with everything like her performance at the interview, her CV and other documents including passport and asked my daughter to wait till the work pass (no separate visa required) was ready from the government of Singapore .But to accompany my daughter , I need to posses a prior tourist visa (sanctioned for 30 days) before landing in Singapore . Indians come under assessment level 1 of those requiring a prior visa (no ‘visa on arrival' facility for Indians!). There are level 2 countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan etc as well.People from the European Union, Australia, Norway, South Korea, Switzerland, and the United States can visit and stay in Singapore for 90 days without any visa. Mind you, Singapore is not an European country, but a tiny Asian country (just the size of one of our districts in India)!Searching their website for visa, I could locate a travel agency in Thiruvananthapuram authorized to forward my visa application. They gave me a list of documents including my current passport, prior passport (at that point of time I couldn’t question why my prior passport was required for applying for a visit visa for 30 days?), my professional degree certificate etc.. along with a fees of ₹ 2750/-. But the executive dealing with Singapore visa at the travel agency reminded me of occasions of visa rejections from Indian applicants.As I couldn't afford to take a chance, I asked my daughter to send mail to the university asking for a letter from them to support my visa application. They promptly sent an offer letter, specifying the post for which my daughter was selected, monthly salary, date on which she was supposed to join etc.. Receiving the offer letter (confirmation of the appointment), my daughter was ecstatic, because she was about to go to a foreign country (a dream come true for her), going to earn her first remuneration, a chance to come across so many scientists etc..!!My visa was ready after 15 days of submission of application, and my daughter’s work pass would be ready within two weeks for sure, according to the university official. Everythig on track, it’s time for us to enter into the second phase of our preparations for the journey.First priority went to booking our flight tickets, as ticket details are mandatory for booking a hotel room. Comparing the rates, timing and different connection flights from different websites, I booked our tickets and of course, my return ticket as well.After searching on different websites we finally booked hotel room for seven days near the university.Then we went on a shopping spree for three full days to collect each and everything from toiletries, dresses etc..etc.. for six months to trolley bags.The next day my daughter received a mail from the university apologizing for the delay in getting the work pass, citing the reason that the application was initially rejected (not an unusual procedure) by the department of manpower , but they have appealed against the decision and they are expected to receive the WP shortly. Since the university was the applicant, we have no role to play.Our journey day was nearing!Five more days left. No positive feedback.Four more days left.Reminder sent to the university .Three more days left. Nothing happened.Two more days left.Reminder sent to the university again . They conveyed their helplessness in their reply.One more day left. We were in dilemma. We were unable to cancel the tickets either. We decided to hopefully wait till the last day.On the final day all the bags packed, dressed up we were still waiting for the final message any time, that my daughter’s WP was ready.As visit visa was obtained for me alone, we were unable to proceed with the journey without the work pass! We considered several options but nothing would work out. The experience after our scheduled journey time was utterly horrible. My daughter lay totally disappointed and dejected. I had no words to console her. After being selected by this university, there were offers from top ranking Institutes from India for similar assignments, but eyeing the offer from this Singapore university, she avoided them.The next day a message came from the university that the second apeal also was rejected!! They apologized for the inconvenience caused to my daughter. My daughter wanted to know why her application was rejected. The strange reply was that the government was doubtful about the qualifications!! Stupid fellows? Do they think that this university rank above Oxford, MIT, Stanford etc?? If they have any doubts about the degree or PG, they could have sought clarification from the university who selected her.It's either arrogance or ignorance. Dear readers, please judge and comment.In the process, a financial loss of nearly ₹200000/- from my pocket (cost if flight tickets, insurance, rent for hotel room for seven days, visa charges, foreign exchange commission etc..), wastage of precious six months from the career of my daughter, mental agony, utter disappointment plus a loss of ₹ 900000/- by way of lost salary were caused for none of our mistakes.The following two Indians ruled Singapore for a total period of sixteen years between them and still Indians are treated this way.Devan Nair (a Keralite)Term of Office:Oct 24, 1981 - March 28, 1985Mr Nair was one of the founding members of the People’s Action Party, and among the founders of the National Trades Union Congress. He helped steer the labour movement through fraught episodes, such as the 1980 dispute between SIA pilots and management, and as president, continued to champion workers’ rights.A former teacher, he was also vocal on education and healthcare issues.2. S.R. Nathan (Sellappan Ramanathan) (a Tamil)Term of Office:Sept 1, 1999 - Sept 1, 2011Singapore’s longest-serving president, Mr Nathan - a veteran diplomat - was elected unopposed for two consecutive terms, as there were no other eligible candidates in the 1999 and 2005 presidential polls.

Eligibility for the Global Entry program is limited to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents, plus citizens of a small number of additional countries: Colombia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and Mexico. Apparently President Trump has announced that India will be added to this select list. That's wonderful news.I cannot say for certain whether applicants from countries other than the United States will face problems in obtaining Global Entry status in addition to those facing U.S. citizens. My wife and I both joined the program - she as a naturalized U.S. citizen, I as a native-born citizen - and both found the process quite straightforward. Basically, you fill out an online application that connects you to your passport, and allows the authorities to verify that you're not a terrorist. You pay a fee of $100 when you apply, which covers five years in the program if approved. Then you wait until your background has been reviewed - for us a few days - and receive an appointment for an interview. The interview took each of us about 5-10 minutes, and is simply aimed at verifying that you are the person who submitted the application, and to take your fingerprints. (The machine at the airport that allows you entry relies on a fingerprint scan.) All very much worth it for the great pleasure of skipping a long,long line at Dulles immigration at 6am after an overnight flight!How closely the experience of applicants from India will resemble that of U.S. citizens is impossible for me to say. I would assume that the background check might take longer, given the greater difficulty of conducting the necessary background checks overseas. It does not obviate the need for a visa to enter the United States, and indeed the Customs and Border Patrol website has a list of visa categories that are incompatible with Global Entry membership. Getting to the interview site might be more troublesome. And finally, the review process could be less certain, putting your application fee at risk.But assuming that your application is successful and you are accepted into the program, the only downside is the need to inform CBP about any changes in your visa status. See U.S. Customs and Border Protection for more details.In short, the process of obtaining Global Entry membership may be more burdensome for non-U.S. citizens than for those who are citizens. But once you have obtained membership, I don't see any significant downsides - only benefits.

UPDATED 25/03/20As of March 25, Vietnam’s Ministry of Health confirmed a total of 134 cases of COVID-19. The latest cases were all linked to international flights. 19 cases were announced on March 22 itself – the biggest single day total.Ho Chi Minh City authorities have ordered the closure of all restaurants (with a capacity of 30 people or more), gyms, beauty salons, barbershops from March 24 to March 31.Samsung’s Galaxy Note smartphone faces production delays due to Vietnam’s restrictions on South Korea. However, around 180 Samsung Display employees were allowed following an agreement with both governments. In addition, Samsung and LG plan to send 430 engineers to support operations in Vietnam on chartered flights.Vietnam has stopped exporting rice from March 24 to ensure national food security.Ford Motor Company will temporarily suspend production in Vietnam from March 26.All international airlines have been asked to stop transporting overseas Vietnamese to Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City from March 25 to March 31 to prevent overcrowding at quarantine facilities.Vietnam has suspended the entry of all foreigners from March 22 to limit the spread of COVID-19. The measure will not apply to diplomats and officials as per Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.The Prime Minister also ordered the suspension of all international flights, though it’s unclear exactly when this will take effect.The Health Ministry has advised all arrivals from March 1 to self-isolate at home if they have not been quarantined in a centralized zone in the past 14 days.Public transport passengers are required to fill out health declaration forms. These include travelers on long-haul buses, trains, tourist boats, and domestic flights.The government has also asked religious organizations to cancel religious festivals, activities, and conferences that attract large crowds as a precaution.Vietnam and Cambodia have closed their borders from March 20 to further prevent the spread of the epidemic. The measures do not apply to official and diplomatic passports.Vietnam Airlines will suspend all international routes in a phased manner by March 25 until April 30. VietJet will suspend ASEAN routes from March 20.Vietnam’s military is expanding quarantine facilities for up to 60,000 people as thousands of Vietnamese return home from virus hit countries. The government will also use university dormitories to meet the demand should it be required. In light of the arrivals, authorities in Hanoi have urged residents to stay home.Vietnam plans to issue several incentives for businesses affected by COVID-19. For more information on this, read our article here.From March 18, Vietnam stopped issuing new visas to all foreign nationals for 30 days in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19. Travelers from countries with visa exemptions will only be allowed if they can show medical documents certifying they are free of the virus. The suspension also does not apply to diplomats and those entering on government business, however, they will be required to follow quarantine protocols.In addition, all travelers from the US, Europe, and ASEAN countries will be required to undergo medical checks and a 14-day quarantine when entering Vietnam.Nearly 7,000 passengers entered Vietnam airports on March 18. These included mostly locals returning to the country as well as some foreigners. Travelers came from Europe as well as ASEAN countries.Vietnam is set to officially export 7,500 COVID-19 test kits to Ukraine and Finland. Other European countries have also shown interest.Vietnam Airlines will temporarily suspend flights between Vietnam and Malaysia until the end of March from March 18. In addition, flights between Vietnam and France have been indefinitely suspended.As of 12:00 pm on March 15, Vietnam suspended all visas and will deny entry to travelers from the UK and the 26 Schengen countries; this includes travelers that have visited or transited through these countries in the past 14 days. This will be effective for 30 days.In addition, Vietnam has suspended visa on arrival for all foreign nationals except for those on official or diplomatic trips. Those who currently hold visas to enter Vietnam will need to undergo screenings and may be quarantined when entering the country.Ho Chi Minh City officials have announced restrictions on organizing meetings attended by over 1,000 people. In addition, all bars, clubs, cinemas, massage parlors, karaoke shops, and online gaming centers will be closed from 6:00 pm on March 15 until March 31. Officials in Hanoi have implemented similar measures until March 31.Vietnam railway authorities have suspended several domestic routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from March 16.Authorities in Binh Duong and Long An provinces have shut down all entertainment facilities such as cinemas, discos, massage parlors, and karaoke clubs.Health officials announced changes to mass lockdowns – they would enforce a small-scale lockdown applicable to households in the immediate vicinity of confirmed patients.Vietnam has mandated that people wear face masks at crowded places such as airports, bus stations, supermarkets and on public transport.The Formula 1 (F1) Vietnam Grand Prix in Hanoi scheduled for April 5 has been postponed due to the epidemic.Authorities have shut several tourist sites in Hanoi as well as Hoi An. All tourist activities in Quang Ninh province have also been suspended.The World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11 declared COVID-19 as a pandemic which is an “epidemic occurring worldwide” as per the WHO. To put this in context, the latest pandemic was declared in 2009 caused by the H1N1 swine flu.From March 12 to March 26 tourist attractions such as Ha Long Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay, and Yen Tu Complex will be closed to visitors.Vietnam Airlines stated that all flights from London and Frankfurt will be suspended from March 15 but reversed the ban allowing passengers meeting strict requirements to board flights.Two communes – Viet Hai and Gia Luan in Hai Phong were put under lockdown on March 9 after a British tourist with the virus visited there. This is in addition to four residential areas already under lockdown.Authorities have restricted all foreigners from the tourist destination of Ly Son island in Quang Ngai province from March 9. Vietnamese tourists entering the island will have to fill out health declarations. In addition, authorities have also barred tourists from Cham islands, off the coast of Hoi An from March 10.Vietnam launched a mobile app that will allow all Vietnamese to declare their health status. The government has urged citizens to update their health status on the app.Around 300,000 residents of Ha Long town were required to fill out health declaration forms from March 8 after 52 tourists traveled to Ha Long due to the epidemic.City authorities in Hanoi disinfected Truc Bach street where the first COVID-19 patient was detected, as well all main streets in Ba Dinh district as a precaution.The Vietnamese government is expected to unveil a credit package of US$10.8 billion and a fiscal package of US$1.3 billion in March for businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak.Health authorities will require all passengers arriving from any country into Vietnam to fill out health declaration forms from March 7.The Vietnamese Prime Minister has asked ministers and government officials to consider canceling foreign trips to the epidemic.Instant noodle demand has surged by 67 percent due to the COVID-19 epidemic. This was preceded by mouthwash at 78 percent as per a market study by Nielsen Vietnam.Vietnam will produce 10,000 COVID-19 test kits daily after a successful pilot and approval from the World Health Organization (WHO).Ethnic Vietnamese from South Korean and Italy will longer be granted visa-free entry from March 8.From March 1, all flights from South Korea will not be allowed to land at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City airports, instead they will be directed to Van Don (Quang Ninh province) and Can Tho airports for processing and quarantining of passengers.Vietnam on February 29 suspended the visa-waiver program for South Korean nationals. In addition, all incoming travelers from South Korea will be subject to a mandatory 14-day isolation.Vietnam Airlines and low-cost carrier Vietjet will temporarily suspend all flights to and from South Korea from March 5 and March 7 respectively. Earlier on February 26, Bamboo Airways had suspended all flights to and from South Korea.High school students in 58 provinces resumed classes from March 2, while elementary school students will resume classes on March 8. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City schools are expected to remain closed until the end of March.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on February 27, removed Vietnam from the list of destinations vulnerable to community transmission of COVID-19 citing Vietnam’s comprehensive actions against the epidemic. The CDC will also send a delegation in March to enhance medical cooperation between the US and Vietnam. It also plans to establish a CDC regional office in the country.Vietnam’s Prime Minister has ordered the tax authorities to reschedule tax payments to support businesses affected by COVID-19.Vietnam and China have agreed to reopen further border crossings to ease restrictions and normalize trade. Several border crossings in Quang Ninh, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Lang Son, and Ha Giang have reopened. However, backlogs remain, and other border crossings remain closed.Khanh Hoa province, home to the tourist destination of Nha Trang has been declared COVID-19 free as of February 26. The province has not reported any COVID-19 cases since February 4. Despite the epidemic, Russian tourists have continued to visit the tourist destination of Nha Trang with just a slight dip compared to last year in the same period.Vietnam’s labor ministry announced that it will stop issuing new work permits to foreigners who come from areas hit by COVID-19.Vietnam’s civil aviation authority suspended all flights to mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan on February 1. However, the authority lifted the ban for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan from February 2. Flights to and from mainland China (including transit) remain suspended.The northern province of Cao Bang, which shares its border with China has run out of rooms for quarantining people for those returning from China. Authorities there have had to send patients to neighboring provinces of Bac Kan and Thai Nguyen for isolation. Around 700 Vietnamese that arrived from China between February 4 and 22 have been kept in isolation in Cao Bang.Up to 300 businesses in Vietnam have temporarily suspended operations while others have downsized due to the outbreak.The novel coronavirus has been renamed as COVID-19 as per the World Health Organization (WHO). The Co and Vi come from coronavirus, with D meaning disease and 19 for 2019.The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has announced a list of medical supplies including masks, dry hand sanitizers, filters, epidemic prevent suits, among others exempt from tax until the epidemic ends.We are hearing accounts of travelers in more remote border crossings into Vietnam being denied entry if they possess any China visa history in their passport. While this may not be an official policy, it appears to be implemented at certain border crossings in more remote areas. If travel into Vietnam is required we recommend using the main border entry-exit points.Dezan Shira & Associates‘, Trent Davies, Manager of our Ho Chi Minh City office, spoke at an AmCham Vietnam event Impact of Novel Coronavirus on Your Health and Business in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. During the event, Trent discussed the broad economic impact of the epidemic in Vietnam, especially in vulnerable industries such as education and tourism. A full summary can be found here.Vietnam issued Decision No.173.QD-TTg declaring coronavirus as an epidemic – in line with the World Health Organization’s declaration of the virus as a global health emergency.The government has ordered the health ministry to supervise and early detect infected cases, monitor border crossings, airports, and seaports, particularly for passengers coming from affected areas.Vietnam stopped issuing visas for Chinese tourists on January 30 as a temporary measure. Foreign visitors who have visited mainland China (including transit) in the past 14 days from arrival will also be denied entry into Vietnam.Passenger train services between Vietnam and China have been suspended until further notice, however freight train services between the two countries continue to operate.The labor ministry has also asked businesses to keep names and other information of Chinese and foreign workers who have visited virus affected areas. In addition, they must be quarantined for two weeks for health checks.Vietnam’s airports have been ordered to deploy additional personnel and coordinate with local health agencies to deploy body temperature scanning equipment as well as a screening of passengers.Building management of apartment buildings in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have begun body temperature checks for people entering the building. Ho Chi Minh City officials have asked building authorities to strengthen preventive measures at apartment buildings.25/03/20 - UPDATE ENDCOVID-19 Update for Vietnam 27/02/20All confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Vietnam cured, anti-epidemic measures strengthened16:34, February 26, 2020HANOI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's Ministry of Health on Wednesday announced that all the 16 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country had been cured and discharged from hospitals.The last patient discharged from hospital on Wednesday, also the last case confirmed in the country so far, is a 50-year-old resident of the northern Vinh Phuc province, which had the biggest cluster in the country with a total of 11 cases.The case was reported on Feb. 13 after his wife and two daughters, one of whom had been to central China's Wuhan, were confirmed to be infected with the virus.Vietnam has reported no confirmed case after Feb. 13, while Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has signed a directive to strengthen measures against the COVID-19 outbreak amid new concerning developments across the world.According to the document, Vietnam will deny entry to people from or transiting through the epidemic-hit regions of South Korea. Those on official missions will have to submit the health declaration forms and be obliged to 14-day quarantine upon their arrival in Vietnam.Meanwhile, Vietnamese citizens are told not to visit the epidemic-hit regions in the world except in necessary cases and when returning to Vietnam, they are subject to 14-day quarantine without exception, said the directive.Earlier the country's Transport Ministry announced that four Vietnamese flight carriers including Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vietjet Air and Jetstar Pacific which have so far operated 14 flight routes between Vietnam and South Korea would reduce about 60 percent of flights between the two countries.Vietnam is prepared for all scenarios, including the worst-case one when thousands are infected with the novel corona-virus (nCoV), said Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam on Tuesday.The warning was given during a meeting of the Steering Committee for the Prevention and Control of Dangerous and Emerging Diseases, under the Ministry of Health, held in Hanoi.Vietnam is among several countries with confirmed infected cases after a pneumonia outbreak, caused by nCoV – a new strain of the corona-virus family that caused SARS and MERS, first surfaced in Wuhan City in December 2019.A report of the Vietnamese health ministry reveals that as of 6:00 pm on Tuesday, a total of 6,973 people had been suspected of being infected with the virus while 60 had been discharged from hospital after recovery around the world.The total number of confirmed corona-virus cases in China stands at 5,974 as of late Tuesday, Reuters quoted a report by China’s National Health Commission.The death toll has climbed to 132, all in China, on Wednesday, according to the British news agency.In Vietnam, among the suspected cases, 25 have tested negative for nCoV and 35 are still kept in quarantine.Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, Deputy PM Dam assessed that Vietnam is doing well in controlling the acute respiratory disease caused by nCoV.However, he insisted functional forces work hard to prevent it from spreading, given the complex development of the disease in China.He asked the Ministry of Health to prepare medicines and necessary equipment and promptly detect and quarantine nCoV patients, urging centrally-run and provincial hospitals to swiftly set up emergency teams in different localities.Treatment methods for nCoV should be exchanged at online meetings to be jointly held by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Information and Communications, he said.According to Dang Quang Tan, deputy director of the Vietnam General Department of Preventive Medicine, those suspected of carrying the virus are being quarantined and supervised in Vietnam.Meanwhile, one of the two Chinese nationals who were the first confirmed cases of nCoV in Vietnam has recovered at Ho Chi Minh City-based Cho Ray Hospital, according to Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Truong Son.“This proves that the Vietnamese medical sector has sufficient capacity to treat nCoV patients,” Son underlined.At Tuesday’s meeting, Deputy PM Dam also asked the Ministry of Health to complete and update its plans to deal with nCoV in specific situations on Monday.According to the health ministry’s assessment, the nCoV epidemic in Vietnam currently stands at level 1, which means there are infected cases.The ministry also said that it is already ready to cope with level 2, when there is local contagion, and has a plan to respond to level 3 when there are over 20 infected cases according to ASEAN standards.Deputy PM Dam asked that the health ministry continue to follow the prepared plan while working to add more specific scenarios, including the worst-case one where the number of infected cases in Vietnam reaches into the thousands.