Push for single Asean visa

Nov 16, 2009 MANILA - THE Philippines is proposing the adoption of a single visa policy for 10 Southeast Asian nations, saying it would benefit trade and tourism. Visitors currently need to secure separate visas for each of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Philippine Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan says he is pushing for a single visa for citizens of countries not belonging to Asean that would enable them to travel freely within the region. He says the proposal will be discussed at a three-day meeting of regional immigration heads that starts Monday in the Philippine capital, Manila. Libanan says a common visa, modeled on the European Union system, would bring huge benefits in trade, investment and tourism. -- AP