Visa Policy of Makko Oko
The visa policy of the Empire Of Makko Oko consists of the requirements for foreign nationals to travel to, enter, and remain in Makko Oko. Visitors to Makko Oko must obtain a visa from one of the diplomatic missions, or have to apply and be mailed a visa online on the Visas & Immigration Application Portal, unless they come from one of the FUNIA-approved or preliminarily-approved nations. The same rules apply for travel to both Makko Oko and to the Phoenix Islands.
Overview
Visas
There are no specific categories of visas officially listed or mentioned by the government, however, unofficially there are considered to be multiple types:
- Tourism & Business - Contains and deals with all immigration in relation to general tourism and business/employment
- Education & Family - Contains and deals with all immigration in relation to education and family matters
- Other - Contains and deals with all other immigration affairs
Visas are considered to be an official "permit to enter" the nation, and in 99% of cases are approved in arrival check-in unless contraband or other circumstances arise that prevent the entry of a foreigner. No foreigner may be permitted entry into the nation without a visa or valid entry permit unless they are a citizen of a FUNIA-approved or preliminarily-approved nation under the Diplomatic & Free Immigration Act.
Visa Exemption
FUNIA Program
As of 2023, 3 nations were approved and 4 nations were under preliminary approval status under the FUNIA Program. Their nationals don't need a visa or entry permit to enter or to stay and abode in Makko Oko. Those under the FUNIA program automatically qualify for permanent residency, and may apply for it immediately upon entering the nation. FUNIA travelers aren't automatically entitled to the right to work, and the only way under the program to obtain that right, is to be approved for permanent residency status. Preliminarily-approved nations don't qualify for permanent residency, and it's the only distinguishable difference.
- Approved Nations:
- The Controlist Ferwerter Union
- Izakuria
- Etheinia
- Preliminarily-Approved Nations:
- Khovezzem*
- Independent Eden
- Island Zero
- Skerania
* Approval suspended by the Ministry Of Diplomatic Affairs
Qualification Process
Applicants for any visa must show that they qualify for the visa class that they're applying for under those specified requirements. There are no generalized or legislated requirements that must be followed. The process to get approved for a visa can be quite slow, and requires fingerprinting, background checks, background interviews and in some cases, a personal interview (employment history, good/bad service, etc.). Diplomats are exempted from obtaining visas and may enter visa-free and stay and abode for an infinite amount of time, but may not apply for permanent residency or citizenship, unless they change their status.
Diplomats may only enter the nation shall they, and their nation, be entered and processed on the NDVS, or the National Diplomat Verification System. They are required, however, to have a diplomatic entry permit from the Ministry Of Diplomatic Affairs.
Classes of Visas
A visa
The A visa class is for anybody either entering temporarily or for those seeking citizenship that have been sponsored by a citizen. There are 2 visas under this class, A-1 (for sponsored foreigners that have needed work experience in the nation) and A-2 (for sponsored foreigners that don't fall under A-1). The A-1 visa are for individuals that have experience and could obtain a job in critical and important industries in the nation, and if approved, automatically entitles that holder to a work permit. No job offer is needed prior to applying for a A-1 visa.
A-2 visas don't come with work permits and are for those that don't fall under A-1. A visas have historically been one of the hardest visas to obtain due to the extensive and lengthy checks on both the citizen and the foreigner. Minors can't generally obtain an A visa, but exceptions can be made by the NCB on a case-by-case basis.
E visa
The E visa class is for anybody seeking employment in Makko Oko as a foreigner, rather it's through E-1 (sponsored employment), E-2 (non-sponsored employment), E-T1 (temporary visit for business purposes), E-3 (seasonal or non-standard employment) or E-4 (sponsored minor by E visa holder). Anybody under the E-3 visa is generally allowed to hold employment at multiple places, however all employment under that visa must be seasonal or non-standard. E-3 visas can be sponsored or non-sponsored, but generally, they aren't sponsored.
E-1 visas are considered more difficult to obtain than a E-2 visa due to the fact that under E-2, foreigners apply by themselves and therefore stand alone, however, that does come with the benefit of having another route to immigrate in case E-1 visas become exhausted. The NCB holds the authority to stop the issuance and approval of any visa at any time, however that authority is rarely exercised as obtaining any visa of any class is difficult already.
E-4 visas are generally easier to obtain than other visas, as only minors may obtain it through sponsorship by an adult E visa holder. Should the minor become a legal adult while the E-4 visa is active, there's a 60 day grace period before the visa expires, beginning the day of their birthday. The adult may then either seek to obtain a T visa, seek to obtain a normal E visa, seek to obtain a T visa or can apply for permanent residency with the NCB.
S visa
The S visa class is for anybody who wishes to study and learn in Makko Oko as a foreigner. There are only 2 visas in this class, S-1 (full-time student) and S-2 (part-time student). S visas cannot be sponsored by the educational institution, leaving all of them non-sponsored therefore. There's little difference between S-1 and S-2, except S-1 applicants may apply for a work permit, whereas S-2 applicants may not. S visas are only for individuals aged 18 or older, and only qualifies for higher education.
Upon a student's premature exit from a higher education program (exit prior to completing the program), their S visa may be immediately revoked.
T visa
The T visa class is for general tourism and in some cases, temporary visits. There are multiple visas under this class, T-1 (anybody visiting on a temporary basis, less than 60 days), T-2 (anybody with the intent to obtain citizenship and remain indefinitely) and E-T1 which is an E visa for temporary visits in relation to business. The majority of people apply for T and E visas to eventually obtain citizenship.
