Trust and transparency hold the key to APAC checkout: Visa

Visa, a world leader in digital payments, has released new survey* findings on the state of digital commerce in Asia Pacific, revealing that while consumers are increasingly using AI to shop, concerns over security and transparency are creating hesitation at the crucial moment - checkout.

With Asia Pacific’s rapid shift towards digital commerce and mobile-first shopping, the research shows that consumers are drawing a clear line between using AI to help them browse and trusting the same technology to handle their money and personal data, Visa highlighted. Clearly demonstrating how AI is used to spark discovery and securely handle payments is critical if consumers are to feel confident using the technology to shop and pay. 

“The way people shop is changing quickly, with AI now playing a growing role in how consumers discover and choose products,” said TR Ramachandran, Head of Products & Solutions, Asia Pacific at Visa. 

“But as AI becomes part of the checkout experience, trust and control become even more important. Consumers want to understand how their data is being used and feel confident that every transaction is secure. Building that trust is what will determine whether AI-powered commerce can truly scale.” 

Consumers across Asia Pacific are increasingly relying on AI for the early stages of shopping, with 74% using AI-powered tools to discover, track or learn about products. Yet 26% remain unsure if AI recommendations fully align with their best interests, pointing to a desire for greater transparency and user control in AI-powered shopping. 

The research also reveals that this caution is more pronounced among affluent households**, where 39% express higher expectations around how their data is used, compared to 29% among lower-income groups. Digital-first markets such as Australia (38%), New Zealand (37%) and Singapore (34%) also show above-average caution. 

These findings underscore the need for trusted frameworks in AI-driven commerce, an area where Visa is enabling businesses to connect consumers, AI agents and merchants through a secure, scalable trust layer supported by Visa Intelligent Commerce and the Trusted Agent Protocol.  

While consumers are comfortable using AI to compare prices and better understand product features, this confidence fades as transactions become more personal. The study finds that 32% of consumers remain reluctant to share personal or payment information with AI systems, and nearly half (45%) say they would be more open to AI-powered or agentic commerce if they had stronger assurances around payment security.

These findings highlight that while AI can successfully drive discovery, secure authentication and trusted payment experiences are essential to convert interest into action to unlock the full lifecycle of AI-enabled commerce. 

“Consumers are ready for AI to play a more active role in shopping, and agentic commerce has already started scaling beyond concept and into daily life,” added TR Ramachandran. 

“For this shift to accelerate, trust and secure authentication must be in place. With solutions such as Tokenisation and Visa Payment Passkeys, Visa is delivering the seamless and secure experiences customers need — enabling people to shop with greater confidence as AI becomes a more natural part of everyday commerce.” 

Openness to agentic commerce varies across Asia Pacific, revealing that digital maturity does not automatically translate into trust. India and Vietnam lead the region, with 42% of consumers in each market open to using AI for online purchases, indicating strong appetites to experiment with new ways of shopping.

In contrast, consumers in digitally-mature economies show greater reservation towards AI-enabled online shopping, with 14% in Singapore, 14% in Japan and 16% in New Zealand expressing interest. This hesitancy reflects higher expectations for data protection, security and personal control before embracing agentic commerce. The study also found that improved payment security is the strongest enabler of increased adoption in these markets, reinforcing the need for a secure and trusted agentic ecosystem.

*The State of Digital Commerce in Asia Pacific 2025 study was commissioned by Visa and conducted by YouGov in September 2025. The study surveyed 14,764 consumers aged 18 years and above across 14 Asia-Pacific markets.

**For the purposes of this study, “affluent households” refer to respondents with a monthly household income of US$8,000 or above. 

Powering Saudi's rise in tourism

Source: Saudi Tourism Authority. Aerial view of Qiddiya at night.

While KSA’s heritage remains the soul of its travel experiences, the kingdom has also been unveiling projects of unprecedented scale and vision:

Qiddiya 

Just outside Riyadh, Qiddiya is set to become KSA’s capital of entertainment, sports, and culture. It will host a wide range of attractions, from motorsports and live performances to cultural experiences.

Among its most anticipated highlights is Six Flags Qiddiya, the first Six Flags Park in the region. Record-breaking rides and roller coasters are expected to redefine theme park entertainment in the Middle East.

Aquarabia Qiddiya City

Aquarabia Qiddiya City will be the kingdom’s first water theme park, and the region's largest. It is expected to open soon.

King Salman Park

Located in the heart of Riyadh, this will be one of the largest urban parks in the world. Combining culture, entertainment, and expansive green space, it will create a new focal point for both residents and visitors.

Over 1,000 new hotel rooms are set to open under brands such as Marriott, Accor, IHG, and Six Senses by 2030, catering to every type of traveller. These launches will not only redefine the country’s hospitality landscape but also set new global benchmarks in design, service, and sustainability.

KSA is also investing heavily in infrastructure that makes travel seamless and sustainable. Airport upgrades, new high-speed rail connections, and smart city developments will mean easier journeys, greater connectivity, and access to destinations that were once difficult to reach.

For Indonesian travellers, visiting KSA is now more accessible. Holders of a valid UK, US, or Schengen visa, complete with an entry stamp from the issuing country, can apply for an e-visa or visa on arrival. Umrah pilgrims can explore beyond the holy cities as well.

Digital remittances are very popular in APAC: Visa

Visa, a world leader in digital payments, has found that digital applications as the most popular method for sending and receiving remittances, and ease of use, safety, privacy, and security as the top four user experience benefits driving this preference. 

The results, from Visa's annual Money Travels: 2025 Digital Remittances Adoption Report, are based on responses from 44,000 senders and receivers across 20 countries and territories. The report tracks remittance trends around the world, including Asia Pacific, a key region in the US$905 B* global remittance landscape. 

“Remittances have long driven growth across Asia Pacific, uplifting many economies in the region,” said Chavi Jafa, Senior VP, Head of Commercial and Money Movement Solutions, Asia Pacific, Visa. 

“The clear shift to app-based remittances reflects the region’s demographics, the growing prominence of digital payment modes, as well as user preferences for easy, safe and quick ways to send and receive money. This shift is an important one for banks, remitters and fintechs to note as it will shape how they engage and serve evolving consumer expectations.” 

Source: Visa. Clear inflection point for migration to digital remittances in the Asia Pacific region.

Key findings for Asia Pacific include:

Digital apps remain the most popular and are perceived as the fastest option

· Digital apps are the most-preferred channel to send/receive remittances in Asia Pacific, with usage rates reaching its highest in India (74% to send/76% to receive), the Philippines (74%/66%), and Singapore (70%/75%). 

· Japan is also seeing steady growth, with digital app usage rising by 10% (58%/56%) in 2025 compared to the previous year. 

· Over half of the respondents in the Philippines (73%/73%), Australia (58%/55%), Singapore (67%/66%), and India (55%/53%) perceive digital payments as fastest way to access funds (73%).

· Most Asia Pacific remittance users surveyed report experiencing no issues with sending/receiving digital remittance transfers across all Asian markets, most positively in Australia (48%/53%), Japan (37%/41%), Singapore (36%/37%), and Mainland China (38%/31%, rising significantly since 2024 at +13%/+8%).

Remittance rationale varies across the region

· Contributing to accounts/investments is a primary reason to send/receive remittances across several markets including Mainland China (45%/36%), Singapore (38%/33%), and Japan (27%/23%).

· Sending for general/specific humanitarian need is a key reason for remittances, cited by respondents in Mainland China (45%/33%), India (40%), Singapore (27%), and Australia (25%).

· Sending remittances for an unexpected need was highest in India (44%), the Philippines (41%), and Australia (31%).

· Receiving regular remittances was cited by approximately a third of respondents in the Philippines (39%), Mainland China (34%), and India (30%).

Security and convenience outweigh pain points such as fees

· Digital apps are viewed as the most secure way to send/receive remittances in Asia Pacific, with top responses from India (50%/53%), Australia (49%/45%), and Singapore (44%/42%). 

· Ease of use to send/receive digital remittances was noted most by respondents in Singapore (51%/51%), the Philippines (48%/54%), Japan (47%/42%), and Australia (42%/40%). 

· Digital app fees for sending/receiving remittances were highlighted as a top pain point across Asia Pacific, led by the Philippines (43%/30%), India (36%/33%), and Singapore (32%/32%). Similarly, high fees were noted as the top pain point for sending physical remittances across all markets, with top responses from the Philippines (45%/29%), India (41%/37%), Singapore (38%/30%), Australia (29%/30%).

· Inconvenience and long travel distances remain key challenges for sending physical remittances, with respondents in India (36%) and Mainland China (27%) citing travel as a barrier. In Australia and Singapore, 29% of respondents each noted the physical remittance process as inconvenient and time-consuming alongside concerns about high fees.

· Across most Asia Pacific countries surveyed, the perceived security of physical remittances was low (3%-6%), with Mainland China reporting slightly higher levels of confidence (10%-12%). 

With one billion people relying every year on remittance services and platforms**, Visa continues to innovate and build solutions to enable payments businesses to enhance operational efficiency in money movement and broaden financial access for their customers. The company works in collaboration with global remitters, such as MOIN, WireBarley, Money Chain World Remittance and EzRemit, to help enable efficient money movement through digitised remittances.

“Remittances have long been a lifeline across Asia Pacific, and they will continue to play a vital role in uplifting communities and livelihoods. At the same time, many small businesses are also beneficiary of remittances driving local growth in local economies,” said Rhidoi Krishnakumar, VP, Head of Visa Direct, Asia Pacific, Visa. 

“At Visa, we recognise the enduring purpose of our role in delivering remittances on behalf of our clients and continue to innovate and build solutions to enable more efficient, reliable and secure ways to move money.” 

*World Bank Blogs: In 2024, remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries were expected to reach US$685 B, larger than foreign direct investment (FDI) and official development assistance (ODA) combined.

**International Fund for Agricultural Development, Remittances

DBS launches first multicurrency commercial debit card with Visa

DBS, in partnership with Visa, has launched the bank’s first multicurrency commercial debit card. The DBS Business Advance+ Card (BAC+) is tailored to meet the needs of companies at every stage of growth operating in an increasingly globalised digital marketplace. 

This solution is designed to help businesses better navigate market volatility through foreign exchange rate hedging. It also provides savings on overseas transactions and better cashflow management. Additionally, BAC+ is the first commercial debit card in Southeast Asia that enables companies to manage multiple accounts and transactions on a single platform via DBS IDEAL, a digital business banking portal. 

There has been a 30%* year-on-year growth in cross-border e-commerce transactions on commercial cards in Singapore. In view of this, BAC+ was designed to provide three benefits:

- Businesses can leverage DBS’ online foreign exchange capabilities to lock in rates for up to one year in advance. This feature enables them to hedge against erratic foreign exchange fluctuations by making payments in various currencies at favourable rates, providing certainty and greater peace of mind. 

- BAC+ helps businesses save costs with: 

• Zero foreign exchange conversion fees across more than 200 countries and territories. 

• Up to 2%** cashback when they charge at least S$2,000 on select business-to-business transactions. For example, a company that charges the equivalent of S$10,000 a month on overseas business transactions including digital services or subscriptions can save up to S$550 monthly. 

Third, it is the first commercial debit card in Southeast Asia that enables companies to manage multiple accounts and transactions via a one-stop portal, DBS IDEAL. With DBS IDEAL, finance teams can simultaneously track and manage multiple debit card accounts, including checking account balances and managing transactions in real-time. This provides companies enhanced visibility and control over their card expenses.

The bank also launched the DBS StartUp Movement in partnership with ACE.SG and Visa, aimed at fostering a community of support for early-stage enterprises. This initiative offers businesses resources and strategies for optimising cash flow and navigating financial challenges in an increasing volatile market. Additionally, businesses will gain valuable insights into financial planning, budgeting and the path to profitability. 

Koh Kar Siong, Group Head of Corporate and SME Banking, DBS, said: “Cross-border payments have become indispensable for businesses. However, market uncertainty and volatility presents significant forex risk to companies transacting in multiple currencies. The DBS Business Advance+ Card is designed to help businesses navigate these challenges by leveraging the bank’s deep capabilities in digital payments and foreign exchange, as well as our extensive experience in doing business across Asia. It supports businesses at every stage of their growth by enabling them to better manage their cost, giving them greater peace of mind and empowering them to compete more effectively in an increasingly globalised digital marketplace.” 

Adeline Kim, Visa Country Manager for Singapore & Brunei, said: “At Visa, we are committed to supporting small businesses and their digitisation efforts. Based on our data, we’re seeing that slightly over half of all commercial card spend on debit cards are cross- border and there is a clear need to support businesses in managing their foreign currency volatility. We believe that by providing them with the right tools and resources, we can help them thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace. Our partnership with DBS to launch the DBS Business Advance+ Card is a testament to this commitment. With this card, we can continue to support small businesses and empower them to make secure and seamless payments locally and globally.” 

Saurav Bhattacharyya, Chairman, ACE.SG, said: “Partnering DBS as they launch their DBS StartUp Movement and curated digital financing solutions aimed at globally aligned businesses is timely. Access to these financial tools from DBS and Visa, and having the ecosystem come closer together will be integral in helping and supporting many founders, entrepreneurs and businesses scale sustainably in this volatile climate.” 

BAC+ and the DBS StartUp Movement are the latest initiatives in DBS’ efforts to help businesses diversify and transform their operations, including capturing cross-border opportunities. In June, the bank launched the Bridging Business Horizons Programme, with support from the Singapore Business Federation and Enterprise Singapore, to help companies expand into new markets across Asia. 

*Visa’s commercial card spend as of June 2024. 

**From 16 August to 31 October 2024, users earn an additional 1% bonus cash rebate on top of 1% base rebate on selected business-to-business expenses with a minimum spend of S$2,000 per month.

Visa Eco Benefits bring sustainability to every transaction

Visa, the digital payments provider, has launched Visa Eco Benefits in Asia Pacific. Eco Benefits is a suite of sustainability-focused solutions that will help Visa cardholders across the region better understand the environmental impact of their day-to-day payments. They can calculate the carbon footprint generated by their Visa transactions, and access options for carbon offsetting or charitable donations from their bank’s website or app.

Banks in Asia Pacific that sign up for Eco Benefits will be able to offer these solutions to their Visa cardholders and meet a growing demand for sustainable financial services. According to a new Visa/YouGov survey*, 66% of consumers in Asia Pacific expect their bank to offer ecofriendly payment solutions. Over half (52%) would switch banks in order to access a product or service that helps them understand the carbon footprint of their spending.

“The majority (78%) of people in Asia Pacific said they are more likely to make more environmentally friendly purchases if they’re able to see their carbon footprint and take steps to change their spending habits,” said Kunal Chatterjee, Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei.

“Our bank and fintech partners across the region can now add these sustainability features to existing Visa cards. Eco Benefits is another way that Visa is expanding our network beyond payment transactions to deliver more insights to our partners and their customers.”

The following solutions are included in Visa Eco Benefits:

Carbon footprint calculator: insights powered by Verrency for cardholders to understand the estimated carbon footprint generated by their purchases

Carbon offsets: cardholders can elect to offset their carbon footprint from a range of specially curated projects in areas such as forestry and clean energy

Charitable contributions: donations to environmental organisations can be triggered when Visa cards are used

Card materials: physical payment cards made from sustainable materials

Personalised education: cardholders can access personalised tips and education on sustainable consumption

“Consumer household expenditure - the products and services we purchase every day - is a major contributor of global greenhouse gas emissions**,” said Jeroen van Son, global CEO of Verrency. “That gives us as consumers a phenomenal opportunity to address climate change by offsetting the carbon footprint of our day-to-day behaviour and start to live a carbon neutral life. Up until now, customers did not have any convenient tools to take decisive action to offset their carbon footprint. Verrency’s Carbon Action Index changes that. From now on, consumers can choose to live a carbon neutral life, just by using their Visa card as they do today.”

Visa Eco Benefits is a continuation of Visa’s global aspiration to be a climate positive company, using its products, services, data, network and brand to drive sustainable commerce and support the transition to a low-carbon economy. In 2021, Visa announced a pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Paris Climate Agreement goal.

*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Singapore. Total sample size was 14,356 adults across 14 markets. Fieldwork was undertaken between 23 June – 5 July 2022. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults (aged 18+) nationally in each of the respective markets. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults (aged 18+) nationally in each of the respective markets. The survey was conducted in the following markets: Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, mainland China, Indonesia, Hong Kong, India, Korea, Japan and Taiwan. 

**Columbia Climate School, How Buying Stuff Drives Climate Change, December 2020.

Qatar opens visa-free entry for 80 countries and territories

Source: Qatar Airways. The press announcement yesterday.

Qatar’s Ministry of Interior (MoI), the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and Qatar Airways have announced that Qatar will allow visa-free entry* for citizens of 80 countries and territories.

Citizens of these countries and territories will no longer need to apply or pay for a visa to visit Qatar; instead, a multi-entry waiver will be issued free-of-charge at the port of entry, upon presentation of a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a confirmed onward or return ticket.

Depending on the nationality of the visitor, the waiver will either be valid for 180 days, from the date of issue, and allow the visitor to spend a total of 90 days in Qatar (multiple-entry waiver); or it will be valid for 30 days from the date of issue and entitle the visitor to spend up to 30 days in Qatar with the possibility of applying for an extension of the waiver for an additional 30 days (multiple-entry waiver).

These developments come as part of a series of measures that Qatar has taken to facilitate visitor access to the country. Last month, Qatar launched an e-visa platform through which travellers of all nationalities can apply for tourist and visitor visas. The country is also considering further enhancements to its visa policy, such as waiving visa requirements for holders of a residence permit or a valid visa from the nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, KSA, and the UAE), Australia, and New Zealand. This waiver would allow eligible visitors to obtain an electronic travel authorisation by completing an online application at least 48 hours prior to travel.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker, said yesterday: “Today’s announcement places the state of Qatar as the most open country in the region. This is a momentous occasion for Qatar, making the number of nationalities eligible to enter our country without a visa the highest in region, which is something that we are very proud of.

“Qatar Airways is the patriotic flag carrier for the state of Qatar and as such we are extremely honoured to bring millions of people each year to our beautiful, welcoming and historic country. This important initiative from the Ministry of Interior and Qatar Tourism Authority will provide an opportunity to welcome even more visitors, from even more countries, to experience the many exciting attractions that await them.”

According to Hassan Al Ibrahim, Chief Tourism Development officer at QTA, visa facilitation is a critical component of the national tourism sector strategy, which QTA is currently reviewing in partnership with stakeholders from the public and private sectors. With renewed focus by the country’s leadership on diversifying the national economy, a revised strategy which empowers various players to boost the growth of tourism is set to be launched on 27 September 2017, when Qatar hosts the official celebrations of World Tourism Day.

“Easing entry to Qatar is a key enabler for the growth of Qatar’s tourism industry. With this announcement we are already turning the pages of the next chapter of Qatar’s journey towards 2030,” commented Al Ibrahim. “Together with our partners in the public and private sectors, we have examined all of the elements needed to create a smooth and enticing experience that can attract visitors from around the world. There is no doubt that facilitating and streamlining access at all ports of entry are key factors in creating a positive first and lasting impression of Qatar.

“With 80 countries eligible for a visa waiver, Qatar is now the most open country in the region and we are delighted to invite visitors to discover our renowned hospitality, cultural heritage and natural treasures.”

Brigadier Mohammed Al Ateeq, Director General of the Department of Passport and Expatriates Affairs at MoI, commented, “We are very pleased to announce that nationals of 80 countries are now eligible for a visa waiver and can enter Qatar without requiring any prior visa arrangements. Together with our partners at QTA and Qatar Airways, we have been working to enhance our country’s visa policies and implement solutions to better facilitate travel to Qatar. Further enhancements are being studied and we look forward to announcing them in due course.”

In November 2016, Qatar introduced a free transit visa, which allows passengers of all nationalities transiting in Qatar for a minimum of five hours to stay in Qatar for up to 96 hours (four days). In May 2017, QTA launched +Qatar, an initiative to promote the country as a stopover destination, with the national carrier, Qatar Airways. These measures, along with intensified international marketing, have resulted in a 39% increase in the number of stopover visitors during the first six months of 2017, compared with the same period last year.

As part of Qatar Airways’ and QTA’s combined efforts to boost tourism in the country, the award-winning airline has accelerated its global expansion plans, and recently announced the launch of a number of new destinations that it is adding to its network by the end of August 2017. The airline launched Sohar, Oman as a new destination in early August.

Interested?

The following countries are included under the visa-free programme:

Nationals of the following 33 countries will not require prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival in Qatar. The waiver will be valid for 180 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 90 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips.

1. Austria

2. Bahamas

3. Belgium

4. Bulgaria

5. Croatia

6. Cyprus

7. Czech Republic

8. Denmark

9. Estonia

10. Finland

11. France

12. Germany

13. Greece

14. Hungary

15. Iceland

16. Italy

17. Latvia

18. Liechtenstein

19. Lithuania

20. Luxembourg

21. Malta

22. Netherlands

23. Norway

24. Poland

25. Portugal

26. Romania

27. Seychelles

28. Slovakia

29. Slovenia

30. Spain

31. Sweden

32. Switzerland

33. Turkey

Nationals of the following 47 countries and territories will not require prior visa arrangements and can obtain a visa waiver upon arrival in Qatar. The waiver will be valid for 30 days from the date of issuance and entitle its holder to spend up to 30 days in Qatar, during either a single trip or on multiple trips. This waiver may be extended for a further 30 days.

1. Andorra

2. Argentina

3. Australia

4. Belarus

5. Bolivia

6. Brazil

7. Brunei

8. Canada

9. Chile

10. Mainland China

11. Colombia

12. Ecuador

13. Panama

14. Costa Rica

15. Georgia

16. Guyana

17. Hong Kong

18. India

19. Indonesia

20. Ireland

21. Japan

22. Kazakhstan

23. Lebanon

24. Azerbaijan

25. Macedonia

26. Malaysia

27. Maldives

28. Mexico

29. Moldova

30. Monaco

31. New Zealand

32. Paraguay

33. Peru

34. Russia

35. San Marino

36. Singapore

37. South Africa

38. South Korea

39. Suriname

40. Cuba

41. Thailand

42. Ukraine

43. UK

44. US

45. Uruguay

46. Vatican City

47. Venezuela


*Entry to Qatar is approved at the sole discretion of Qatar’s Ministry of Interior.

Get a prepaid virtual Visa account with Singtel Dash

Source: Singtel.

Singtel has launched Singapore’s first virtual Visa account on its all-in-one mobile payments app, Dash. Both new and existing Dash customers will automatically receive a Dash Visa Virtual Account* that can be used for mobile payments at over 50,000 merchant points in Singapore.

To start paying on their mobile, customers sign in on the Dash app, top up their Dash Visa accounts and start using them at Dash merchants and on local e-commerce sites such as Qoo10, Zalora and HungryGoWhere. Customers with compatible NFC-enabled Android smartphones will also be able to pay using their Dash Visa accounts wherever Visa payWave is accepted, including at Sheng Siong supermarket, as well as cafes such as Spinelli and Toastbox.

Yuen Kuan Moon, CEO, Consumer Singapore, Singtel, said “Just one year on from relaunch, we are pleased to expand our payments universe with Visa. We are always seeking new ways to enhance Dash’s functionality and convenience to stay relevant to our customers’ changing lifestyle habits.”

Ooi Huey Tyng, Visa Country Manager for Singapore & Brunei said, “Singaporeans are becoming more digitally engaged and smartphones have become an integral part of their lives. Based on research that we have conducted, two out of three Singaporeans have made a payment using their smartphones, and it is even more popular amongst Millennials**.”

Singtel also announced future plans for Dash to be included in global wallets such as Apple Pay, and enable QR code payments to expand into hawker centres. In addition to Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic, Dash is also working towards adding more educational institutions to its merchant list to widen its reach in the youth segment.

Yuen added, “Dash's goal is to deliver ubiquitous mobile payments for everyone in Singapore. With Dash Visa, customers can now enjoy paying with their mobile at more than 50,000 physical merchant points and also on e-commerce sites. We look forward to introducing more innovative enhancements that will add value to our customers' digital lives."

Dash is available to everyone regardless of telco relationship or device model. It is the only mobile payments app that offers real-time local and international money transfers***, in-store and online retail payments, as well as transit payments. Customers can enjoy paying with Dash for their taxi, bus and train rides, and also at supermarkets, convenience stores and food courts. Since its relaunch last year, Dash has boosted its customer base to over 500,000, with payments, remittance and transit transaction volumes more than doubling.

Interested?

Customers will be able enjoy the following promotions till 20 August 2017:

 New and re-contracting Singtel postpaid mobile customers will receive S$50 discounts or free accessories when they purchase the following handsets with Dash at any Singtel Shop:

- Sony Xperia XZ Premium, Huawei P10/P10 Plus and HTC U11 (S$50 handset discount)

- Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+ (Free S Clear View Standing Cover)

 All Dash customers will also enjoy these exclusive partner deals (terms and conditions apply):

- S$1 short grain rice or instant white coffee at Sheng Siong

- S$1 for any 8oz Hot Espresso-Based Beverage (usual price S$4 to S$5.70) at Spinelli

- 18% off a minimum S$120 spend, plus S$5 Cashback on Zalora

- S$1 deals across various items and discount coupons on Qoo10

- S$10 Cashback with S$180 spend across merchants on Shopback

- S$5 Cashback with every S$50 top-up on GrabPay

Download the app

*The Dash Visa Virtual Account is a prepaid account. All new and existing Dash customers are eligible for a Dash Visa virtual account on Dash app v4.5. To activate Visa payWave payments, customers are required to set Dash as the default payment on their phone settings.

**SEA Consumer Payments Attitude Survey 2016 – Report for Singapore. Conducted by Toluna on 500 Singaporeans to gain insights and assess their attitudes towards cash and card usage, mobile banking, contactless payments, online shopping etc.

***Remittance services are offered by SingCash

Singapore is the best Southeast Asian country for global visa-free access

Source: Henley & Partners. Passport rankings, with blue being the best.

Singapore has kept its top spot in Southeast Asia as the country with the highest visa-free access, revealed the 2017 Visa Restrictions Index, an annual travel freedom ranking published by the global residence and citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners. The index is produced in partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which maintains the world’s largest and most authoritative database of travel information.

Climbing one spot from last year, Singapore ranks 4th globally – its highest ranking on the Index in 10 years – with visa-free access to 173 countries. The lion city remains No. 1 in Southeast Asia, followed closely by neighbours Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam with visa-free access to 164 and 151 countries respectively. Malaysia ranks 2nd regionally and 13th globally, dropping one place from last year while Brunei Darussalam retains its 23rd global ranking.

The biggest climbers in the region were Laos (8th regionally, 88th globally) and Myanmar (9th regionally, 93rd globally) rising two spots each from last year. Laos added one country to take its visa-free access total to 48 whilst Myanmar brought down its total to 42, one less than last year.

According to Dominic Volek, Managing Partner of Henley & Partners Singapore and Head Southeast Asia, although the size and make-up of the top 10 remains the same as last year, the changing geopolitical climate could well affect the rankings over the next 12 months.

“Over the last year alone, we have seen several major changes to the global political landscape – such as Brexit and US President Donald Trump’s travel ban – that will likely change global mobility as we know now. This year’s Visa Restriction Index is a reflection of the global shift in travel freedom, highlighting the impact of entry barriers and movement restrictions” said Volek.

In total, 48 countries lost ground over the past year, dropping between one and three places, and only 42 countries showed no movement at all. Germany holds on to its top spot on the index for the fourth consecutive year, with access to 176 countries in total. Sweden also remains static in second place with 175 countries, and Denmark, Finland, Italy, Spain and the US jointly rank third, with their nationals enjoying access to 174 countries without a visa. Syria, Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan sit at the very bottom of the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index, each with visa-free access to fewer than 30 countries worldwide.

The fortunes of the emerging economies of the BRICS nations were varied. Brazil and China both increased their standing on the index, moving up three and two ranks respectively. However, the other three all lost ground: Russia dropping three places, India two, and South Africa one.

“Despite the world becoming seemingly more mobile and interdependent, there is still huge disparity in the levels of travel freedom between countries. Generally, visa requirements are a reflection of a country’s relationship with others, and take into account diplomatic relationships between countries, reciprocal visa arrangements, security risks, and the dangers of visa and immigration regulation violations,” said Volek.

In contrast to 12 years ago when the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index was first published, there are now many more residence- and citizenship-by-investment programmes available for those who wish to enhance their travel freedom. More and more governments are embracing these programmes as a means of stimulating economic development and growth, and there is an increasing number of wealthy and talented individuals looking to diversify their citizenship portfolios to give themselves and their families greater international opportunity, stability, freedom and security, Henley & Partners notes.

Volek pointed out that the countries that offer the most important citizenship-by-investment programmes in the world continue to perform strongly on the index. “For individuals who hold passports of countries with fewer visa waiver agreements, a second or even third citizenship can open up travel opportunities to countries previously restricted by time-consuming visa application requirements and processes. The Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index is relevant to both individuals interested in improving their mobility and the quality of their nationality, as well as governments focused on improving the local, regional and global opportunities inherent in their passports,” concluded Volek.

Interested?

View the Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index (PDF)

posted from Bloggeroid

Macau passport holders can now get on-arrival visas to Bahrain

The Bahrain Interior Ministry Undersecretary of Nationality, Passport and Residence Affairs (NPRA), Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, has announced that Macau is now part of the list of countries and territories covered in on-arrival visas. This increases the number of countries and territories to 114. 

Macau passport holders can get on-arrival visas at the Kingdom's various ports, logging into the e-visa website or by applying for visas through the Bahrain Embassy in Beijing.

Al Khalifa highlighted that the NPRA continues to develop and improve facilities to meet the inspirations of the Kingdom's leadership of making Bahrain a destination for investors and tourists and the creation of an appropriate environment for economic activities for local and foreign companies.

Qatar revises transit visa scheme

Source: Qatar Airways. Doha skyline.

Qatar Airways, Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar’s Ministry of Interior have introduced a revised tourism visa scheme available to passengers transiting through Doha in a move to promote Qatar as a world-class stopover destination.

The new transit visa structure now allows passengers with a minimum transit time of five hours in Hamad International Airport, Doha, to stay in Qatar for up to 96 hours (four days) without the requirement to apply ahead of time for an entry visa.

This is a significant increase from the previous transit visa scheme, which allowed travellers with a minimum layover of eight hours to spend a maximum of 48 hours (two days) in Qatar. This increase is designed to make stopovers easier and more attractive to Qatar Airways’ global passengers, and aims to deliver additional value to the local economy while strengthening Qatar’s position as an attractive tourist destination.

The Qatar transit visa is free of charge and available on arrival at Hamad International Airport to passengers of all nationalities, upon confirmation of the onward journey and completion of passport control procedures. All visas are approved and issued at the sole discretion of the Ministry of Interior.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways serves millions of people from around the world as they journey across our network of more than 150 destinations. Whether travelling for business or leisure, we want to enrich the journey of all of our passengers and we are restructuring our fares to reflect this initiative and to promote stopovers to travellers. We are excited to offer our passengers the opportunity to taste the cultural highlights that the city of Doha and the state of Qatar have to offer. We are thankful to the Ministry of Interior and the Qatar Tourism Authority for helping us to create a journey that includes discovering Qatar, an experience that will stay in our visitors hearts and minds forever.”

The development, shared on the eve of World Tourism Day, is the third in a series of enhancements that Qatar has made to facilitate entry into the country for visitors. A new process to quicken the entry of tourists arriving on board cruise ships and an agreement with VFS Global, which will see the development of a new, faster and more transparent tourist visa application mechanism, were earlier announced.

The World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Secretary-General Taleb Rifai commended Qatar on its rapid advancement in this area. “Promoting visa facilitation is a priority for tourism development worldwide and a key element in the competitiveness of tourism destinations. We congratulate Qatar for announcing, very auspiciously on the occasion of the World Tourism Day, a new milestone change in the country’s transit visa scheme,” he said. “This is the third significant travel facilitation announcement from Qatar in the space of just one month. We are very pleased to see that the work conducted by UNWTO with Qatar on visa facilitation is yielding results and trust that these will certainly result in an increase of visitors to Qatar.”

The Director General of the General Directorate of Nationality, Borders and Expatriates Affairs in the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier Abdullah Salim Al-Ali, said: “The Ministry of Interior strives to support the country’s growth and development, while maintaining security for all visitors and residents. We are pleased to further facilitate the movement of the 30 million passengers who pass through Hamad International Airport every year. We welcome them to spend time in Doha and discover Qatari hospitality.”

Qatar Tourism Authority’s Chief Tourism Development Officer, Hassan Al Ibrahim, said: “By offering an enhanced transit visa to passengers travelling through Hamad International Airport, Qatar is providing its visitors a welcoming experience from the moment their planes touch down in Doha until they begin their onward journeys to their final destinations. And, as we celebrate World Tourism Day’s Tourism for All theme, we are delighted to make Qatar more accessible to people from around the world and invite them to discover our country, our cultural heritage and our natural treasures.”

The introduction of a new transit visa scheme is also a step towards positioning Doha as a turn-around port for cruise ships, Al Ibrahim added, noting that in the near future international cruise passengers could fly to Qatar, enter using a transit visa, and begin and end their cruise in Doha. “This will increase the length of stay in Qatar of a growing segment of visitors, and allow them to further explore our country’s tourism offering, while increasing the economic impact of cruise tourism,” he commented.

To maximise on their transit through Qatar, visitors can explore Discover Qatar stopover packages offered by Qatar Airways Holidays. These include, desert safaris, city tours, visits to Katara Cultural Village, Souq Waqif, and The Pearl-Qatar island, plus museum and art gallery visits, architectural tours, and hotel bookings.

Interested?

Read the WorkSmart Asia blog post about the collaboration between Qatar and VFS Global

Qatar Airways, Qatar Tourism Authority and VFS Global to enhance tousit visa application system

From left: Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Rashid Al Mazroui, Director of the 
Airport Passports Department; HE Akbar Al Baker, Group CEO of Qatar 
 Airways; Hassan Al Ibrahim, Chief Tourism Development Officer at Qatar 
 Tourism Authority; Zubin Karkaria, CEO of VFS Global; in a group photo 
 after the announcement.

Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) have signed an agreement with VFS Global – a provider of visa processing services – in the presence of Qatar’s Ministry of Interior. The agreement paves the way for an efficient and transparent tourist visa application system for travellers to Qatar.

The move comes as Qatar steps up efforts to attract and welcome more visitors to Qatar in line with the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030 (QNTSS). The agreement will enable Qatar to identify and implement ideal visa solutions for its visitors while capitalising on VFS Global’s expertise in developing multi-platform visa services, and Qatar Airways’ international footprint.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, HE Akbar Al Baker, said at the time of the announcement: “Qatar Airways has been bringing tourists to Qatar for nearly two decades and today’s announcement marks another milestone in our commitment to making Doha a world-class tourist destination. Qatar’s tourism industry is experiencing exponential growth and the visa advancements announced today will further support our country’s vision to invite and welcome visitors from around the world to experience all that Qatar has to offer. We look forward to welcoming more passengers on-board, at Hamad International Airport and into Qatar, as a result of today’s initiative."

Hassan Al Ibrahim, Chief Tourism Development Officer at QTA said, “It is a great source of pride for all of us at QTA to be making this announcement only two and half years after the launch of QNTSS. Facilitating the visa application process is an important step in our drive to increase the number of visitor arrivals to Qatar, and in raising inbound tourism spending. This agreement is also testament to the public-private-partnerships that are employed in the development of the sector, creating positive impacts across the tourism value chain and the broader economy.”

Qatar Airways and QTA will be working with VFS Global and the Ministry of the Interior over the next months to establish the new tourist visa application process, after which full details of the new system will be announced. The steps taken are expected to increase Qatar’s openness ranking on the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index*.

Brigadier Abdullah Salim Al Ali, Director General of General Directorate of Nationality, Borders and Expatriates Affairs, said, “Qatar’s Ministry of Interior continuously strives to make government services as smooth and efficient as possible, while ensuring that Qatar’s security is not compromised. We are pleased to take developments in our tourist visa application services to the next level by working with our valued partners Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority. We believe this agreement will optimise resources as well security, while creating a positive impact on Qatar’s image and economy.”

VFS Global offers convenient and efficient visa application services that can be accessed online by travellers from across the world, and the partnership aims to support passengers along their journey as well as to facilitate Qatar’s booming tourism industry by simplifying the tourist visa process.

Zubin Karkaria, CEO, VFS Global said; “We are pleased to partner with Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority to make the Qatar visa application process available to travellers globally, through online and mobile platforms. These new channels, which are sure to prove convenient and beneficial for visitors here, signify the next level of flexibility and security in the visa application process. This service will leverage on our experience and reliability in providing seamless visa application services, and will act as an important tool to boost tourism and make Qatar a preferred tourist destination.”

*The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index is maintained by the World Economic Forum. The most recent report was in 2015 (PDF)

Thai ordinary passport holders can travel visa-free to Taiwan

Thai ordinary passport holders are now able to travel visa-free to 26 countries and three economies, namely Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. Taiwan’s authorities have launched a one-year trial visa-exemption programme for Thai ordinary passport holders who wish to visit Taiwan for tourism, effective from 1 August.

Those eligible will now be able to travel and stay in Taiwan for up to 30 days. Thai nationals who wish to take advantage of this visa-free privilege must: hold a Thai ordinary passport with a minimum validity of six months; hold a return ticket or an onward ticket to another destination; and not be considered an inadmissible person.

Interested?

View the full list of countries and economies where Thai nationals may enter without a visa (in Thai)

DED, DIB launch credit card with consumer rights protection

Source: DED.

The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai and Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), the largest Islamic bank in the UAE, have launched of the Consumer Card in the UAE. DIB boasts today one of the largest retail bases in the UAE with over 1.5 million customers and 90 branches across the country.

The co-branded credit card is dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers and providing them with savings on their daily purchases. The card is an addition to the partnership initiatives being launched by DED along with the private sector and to the ongoing efforts to enhance the shopping experience in Dubai, and across the UAE.

Developed and designed in line with the spending habits and distinct needs of consumers in the UAE, the shari'ah-compliant card is issued in partnership with Visa and carries no hidden charges. It has two variants, the Rewards Consumer Card and the Platinum Consumer Card.

While enabling customers to make savings on everyday spends, the Consumer Card also carries a host of discounts at over 450 outlets across the country. It offers up to 4% cashback across a number of outlets including supermarket or hypermarket, for all automobile servicing, on Etisalat and Du bills, Salik and Nol recharges, fuel purchases, utility bills and cinema tickets. Card users will be able to receive up to AED1,000 cashback per month on their spends across the UAE.

The card was launched today at the Mall of the Emirates in the presence of His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED, Dr. Adnan Chilwan, Group Chief Executive Officer at Dubai Islamic Bank, and in addition to senior managers from the organisations.

Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, Executive Director of the Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection (CCCP) sector in DED, said the card highlights the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in bringing added value to businesses and consumers. "The Consumer Card is part of the initiatives of the Department of Economic Development to promote trust and partnership between retailers and consumers. Dubai is a global shopping and entertainment destination and we focus on making the shopping experience in the emirate as convenient and rewarding as possible," he said.

Sanjay Malhotra, Chief of Consumer Banking, at DIB said: "Domestic spending remains today the backbone of the UAE economy and we are keen to invest our expertise and resources in developing payment solutions that are favourable to spurring further growth. As one of the most innovative banks in the market today, we are pleased to offer our client base attractive payment solutions and savings on their daily purchases. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage our partnerships to present a unique banking experience while adhering to the highest standards of service excellence.
"While the market already offers benefits on credit cards, we have focused on areas where customers spend their money regularly thus maximising their gain. With this in mind, we have developed the Consumer Card as a low-cost, high-value proposition in order to appeal to a larger number of customers and allow them to enjoy unique benefits."

Ihab Ayoub, General Manager MENA at Visa, said: "The Consumer Card – a major step in this direction – will help in spreading further awareness about the benefits of electronic payments and the related cardholder rewards through a wide network of customers. Providing consumers with a safe and convenient way to pay is one of Visa's main priorities, and our participation in this initiative is aligned with our ongoing efforts to promote financial literacy on the ways to save, spend and budget responsibly.

"We are confident that through a partnership of public and private sectors, the Consumer Card initiative will support the UAE's efforts to be a leader in developing innovative payment technologies, and drive its transformation into a cashless society."

Ahmed Al Zaabi, Senior Manager - Consumer Awareness, at DED said: "The Commercial Compliance & Consumer Protection sector constantly seeks to strengthen the relationship between the merchant and the consumer, and improve awareness among consumers on their rights and responsibilities. We also focus on regulating the market and launch programmes that protect businesses. The Consumer Card is part of our efforts to raise the quality of services provided to customers and enhance their satisfaction and happiness. Our partnership with Dubai Islamic Bank and the advantages it brings to consumers and traders will strengthen economic activity in the UAE."

Interested?

Ask the DIB Call Centre about the Consumer Card at +971 4609 2222.

Visa creates Visa Business Hub to help SMBs with technology and strategy

· Visa Business Hub to provide software-as-a-service (pay as you use) services that can help SMBs save up to 25% on IT expenses

· A Business Academy on the hub will provide latest trends on a range of topics via videos and expert opinions

· Malaysia and Singapore are the first markets to try the hub

Visa has set up the Visa Business Hub for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) to help them navigate potentially confusing technology and gain insights on managing their companies better. Singapore and Malaysia are the first markets where the hub has been launched.

About 80% of companies in Singapore say in a survey that their decision to acquire SaaS/cloud was because of ‘best practice’ – that this technology is seen as ‘the way forward’ and not a fad. Among users of SaaS/cloud, 37% expect to upgrade or take on more software. Upgraders are motivated by cost saving, efficiency, but most of all just by ‘keeping up with technology’.

According to the survey, about half of Malaysian businesses conduct international trade. CRM software is the least adopted software, but like other software, it increases in adoption with larger SMBs (30+ employees).

The hub incorporates software-as-a-service that Visa says can help companies save up to 25% on IT expenses. The pay-on-use model  reduces upfront costs and implementation time for IT. A Business Academy section will provide tips on business success via videos and expert opinions. The hub includes resources related to sales, marketing and customer communication, work collaboration, project management and customer relationship management (CRM), human resources, accounting and legal, and website building and hosting. 

The platform is also designed to help banks increase usage of commercial cards (also called corporate cards, or cards that are issued to companies for corporate use) by allowing offers and discounts relating to SaaS and cloud services to be paid for through a commercial card.

“SMBs are a key segment for Singapore, given that they contribute to almost 50% of our country’s GDP and 70% of the workforce. At Visa, we constantly look to create solutions that are innovative and meet the needs of our clients. The launch of Visa Business Hub will be able to address the key strategies that SMBs mall are looking for, including improving customer service and increasing productivity through streamlining of processes,” said Ooi Huey Tyng, Visa Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei. 

Awareness of cloud services is at 76%, and overall usage is at 34%. The survey also revealed that 40% of businesses might consider SaaS or cloud services in the future, showing that there is a need for a platform such as the Hub.

Vikram Kshettry, Head of Small Business Products, Asia Pacific, Visa said, “Modern businesses face increased demands from their stakeholders to be digitally-enabled and this is often daunting.  With the portal, SMBs can improve cash flow, optimise business processes, while reducing IT spend and complexity.  SMBs can also access advice and coaching from industry leaders on how to stay competitive.  For Visa clients, the portal will ensure deeper engagement with SMB customers and differentiate their solutions.”

Interested?

Visit the Visa Business Hub. The first six digits of a Visa commercial card must be input to enter the site.

View the associated video

Deliveroo privileges for Visa cardholders' first order

Visa has announced a partnership with Deliveroo, the on-demand premium food delivery service, to offer Singapore Visa cardholders exclusive benefits on their first purchase till 31 December, 2016*.

The entire food ordering process, from selecting items to payment with Visa will make the process more hassle-free.

Tristan Torres, General Manager, Deliveroo Singapore said, “The partnership with Visa is a game-changer for us as we expand our footprint and offerings in Singapore. At Deliveroo, we are always thinking of ways to continuously deliver quality service and convenience to our customers, and that includes payment.”

Singapore remains a regional leader in terms of adoption of cashless payment options, including Visa payWave transactions, in-app purchases and adoption of Visa Checkout. “We are constantly looking out for opportunities for Visa cardholders to enjoy the benefits of cashless transactions. Deliveroo challenges the traditional convention of having to pay cash-on-delivery for food deliveries and allows consumers a variety of choices from participating restaurants that never conducted food deliveries in the past.

“Our partnership with an innovative company like Deliveroo is a natural extension of our goal to provide greater convenience and also transforming experiences for our cardholders in the eCommerce space,“ said Ooi Huey Tyng, Country Manager for Visa Singapore and Brunei.

Interested?

The deal will allow Visa cardholders to enjoy S$22 off on their first Deliveroo order until 31 December, 2016.

Deliveroo is an on-demand premium food delivery service that brings meals from restaurants to homes or offices, in an average time of 32 minutes. It has had more than 750 restaurants join the family in Singapore.

https://deliveroo.com.sg/
www.visa.com.sg

*Terms and conditions apply

posted from Bloggeroid

ABK adds NFC capabilities to Visa premium credit and prepaid cards

Source: ABK. ABK adds NFC capabilities to Visa premium credit and prepaid cards.

Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait (ABK) recently announced the launch of the all new Tap 'n' Go service that is now available for Visa premium credit and prepaid cardholders. The new service uses Visa payWave, a contactless payment technology that enables cardholders to simply wave or tap their card on contactless payment terminals without the need to physically swipe or insert the card into a point-of-sale.

Tap 'n' Go uses near field communication (NFC) technology and allows customers to conduct low value transactions in a faster, more convenient and secure way at any terminal that accepts Visa payWave.

Stewart Lockie, GM - Retail Banking at ABK said: “The launch of the new Tap 'n' Go service is one step further towards applying the Bank’s Simpler Banking strategy, which has been a priority. ABK’s Emirates Visa Infinite, Signature and Gold Prepaid Travel cardholders can apply for a Visa payWave-enabled card at any of the bank's branches.”

“Visa is pleased with Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait’s decision to implement Visa’s payWave technology, which is in line with Visa’s objectives to provide easy, secure, and convenient payment solutions to our consumers in Kuwait. Delivering a seamless payment experience to our customers is a priority for us. Visa’s innovation leadership means extending the benefits of electronic payments to more people in more places where and when they want them — whether they choose traditional cards, Visa payWave-enabled cards or smartphones with Visa mobile payment functionality,” said Amit Vij, Kuwait Country Manager at Visa.

Visa payWave is accepted globally and is specifically of value when transacting in fast-paced locations like supermarkets, and public transport in cities in Europe and in Singapore. 

Bank Muscat introduces chip & PIN debit cards

Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate of Oman, has marked the distribution of 500,000 chip & personal identification number (PIN) debit cards featuring advanced security for day-to-day payments and cash withdrawals. The new card is designed to make everyday purchases easier, and provides access to the bank’s network of 153 branches, ATMs and cash deposit machines (CDMs) across Oman.

The chip-based cards provide additional security for transactions through requiring the use of a PIN at point of sale terminals. While new customers automatically receive the Chip & PIN card, all Bank Muscat debit cardholders will automatically migrate to the new card at the time of renewal. With the new technology, cardholders are required to enter a four-digit PIN, instead of a signature, to verify payments at terminals that are chip & PIN compliant.

The cards are additionally protected with Verified by Visa security. Customers also receive alerts on mobile phones for transactions made using the card. Cardholders can take advantage of this service after registering their mobile numbers with the bank. 

Express China visa privileges for UnionPay cardholders in Singapore

UnionPay International (UPI), a subsidiary of China UnionPay, and Chinese Visa Application Service Centre have introduced exclusive VIP services for UnionPay cardholders in Singapore who wish to apply for a Chinese visa. The express visa application service provides UnionPay cardholders (UnionPay card starting with 62), a dedicated VIP counter with an expedited queue when applying for Chinese visas.

UnionPay is the sole international card brand providing fast track Chinese visa application services at Chinese embassies, consulates and participating visa processing centres. Besides Singapore, there are Chinese visa application service centres in five Australian cities - Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Perth that provide similar VIP services to UnionPay cardholders. With the increase in cross border exchanges and to better serve the needs of UnionPay Cardholders, there are plans to expand this exclusive services to other Asian markets in the near future.

In Singapore, UnionPay cards are issued by Bank of China (BOC), Industrial & Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and United Overseas Bank (UOB).

The number of UnionPay cards issued outside of China has grown to over 50 million, across more than 40 countries and regions. In Singapore, UnionPay cards are accepted at almost all ATMs and at over 70% of merchants.

Visa and Kaligo.com partner to help business travellers

Visa and Kaligo.com, a global hotel booking platform that rewards frequent travellers with thousands of airline miles or credit card points on every booking, has announced an alliance to help businesses with their hotel bookings. 

Kaligo Business Plus provides small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with a travel tool that enables them to earn rewards, reduce costs and manage travel expenses. The rewards-centric hotel booking solution provides Visa and card issuers with product differentiation, deeper SME engagement and greater travel policy compliance.

The benefits for SMEs are compelling:

Delight employees - Reward business travellers with thousands of attractive miles and points on their hotel bookings, so they can fly for free on their next holiday
Reduce travel spend - Easily set daily rate limits by city and by employee category, reflecting the desired travel policy
Get insights - Quickly view reports to see the entire company's booking activity in one place, and export data to feed into other SME tools for accounting or analysis
Boost policy compliance - Leverage Kaligo's rich rewards to drive more spend compliance on the Visa commercial card

More SMEs are now moving away from relying on traditional travel agents and allowing their staff to book their own travel. These frequent travellers - business executives, sales representatives, those who travel regularly for work - whom Kaligo is targeting. In a study commissioned by Visa and conducted by RFi Group, it is estimated that between 3% and 5% of all business expenses are on travel*.

Kaligo Business Plus makes it convenient to find the ideal business hotel with tailored review scores and special filters for business travellers. Companies can easily configure travel policies and realise cost savings. In just a few clicks, an administrator can create employee profiles within the company's Kaligo Business Plus account. Tracking company spend by employee category or team is easy with real-time dashboards and reports.

Vikram Kshettry, Head of Small Business Products, Asia Pacific of Visa said, "We are very pleased to partner with Kaligo. The tailored Kaligo Business Plus proposition drives key benefits for issuers, Visa and SMEs. This exclusive offer to Visa cardholders provides cost savings for companies and convenience for business travellers. We will be working with over 60 Visa issuers in Asia Pacific to communicate and promote Kaligo Business Plus to their eligible Visa cardholders."

Kyle Armstrong, CEO of Kaligo.com said, "We are delighted to work with Visa on this initiative. The combination of Kaligo's broad inventory of 365,000 hotels, our wide range of rewards programme options and Visa's extensive reach that connects consumers, businesses and financial institutions in more than 200 markets to fast, secure and reliable electronic payments, yields compelling benefits for SMEs. Our offering allows SMEs to reduce their travel spend, gain powerful insights and boost policy compliance."

"We are delighted to be the first bank to partner with VISA and support their collaboration with Kaligo to launch Kaligo Business Plus. Citibank's VISA Commercial Cards clients in Singapore will benefit from Kaligo's hotel booking solution that allows them to better manage their corporate travel needs and at the same time, earn reward points of up to 25 times faster which can be used to redeem hotel stays and flights among other attractive offers," said John Denhof, Head of Cards and Personal Loans at Citibank Singapore.

*The Visa SME Payments Survey 2015 was conducted by RFi Group with close to 1,000 companies interviewed in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Mashreq Bank introduces reward-heavy SmartSaver Visa Platinum credit card

Source: Mashreq Bank website.

UAE’s Mashreq Bank has announced the SmartSaver Visa Platinum credit card, a cashback card that offers savings of up to 10%, with no caps or limits, at over 450 partner outlets across 50 leading brands. There are no spend tiers, no thresholds to be met, no complicated calculations and no annual fees.

According to Mashreq, there is a guaranteed return of 1.25% on all domestic and 2.5% on all international spends.

Nimish Dwivedi, Head of Cards at Mashreq said, "SmartSaver is the next generation cashback card with a market-defining proposition that keeps the consumers interests front and centre. Our exclusive and ever-growing ‘smart savings’ partnerships with over 450 partner outlets including leading brands such as Al Adil, Al Maya, Homes r Us, Kalyan Jewellers, Prime Medical Centre, Kinokuniya, BHS, VLCC and Oman Insurance, give us a unique advantage over competitor offerings.

Source: Mashreq Bank. Dwivedi.

"Add the ‘no-strings attached’ give-back on every domestic and international spend, the bonus savings on high-expense categories like school-fees, telecom and utility payments, dining discounts of up to 40% at over 3,000 restaurants in the UAE and abroad, free travel insurance, discounts on cinema tickets, complimentary purchase protection and extended warranty benefits and you have a card for all seasons that fundamentally transforms the savings universe."

Marcello Baricordi, Visa's General Manager for the UAE & Global Accounts Lead MENA, said: "Visa is pleased to partner with Mashreq to launch an all-encompassing product that gives cardholders incredible savings and rewards. A notable feature of the new Mashreq SmartSaver Visa Platinum Credit Card is the cashback on international spends.

"Besides benefiting from savings on essential purchases, cardholders can also make smart purchases on the go using Visa Checkout – the new simple and speedy solution for online shopping. Overall, the SmartSaver card offers benefits every step of the way and at the same time enjoy the peace of mind of safe and secure transactions with Visa."

Interested?

Apply for the card