SPECIAL ALERT – VISA REQUIREMENTS RE 2004 AMF BOWLING WORLD CUP

TO: ALL INTERESTED PARTIES PLANNING TO ATTEND THE 2004 AMF BOWLING WORLD CUP IN SINGAPORE, DECEMBER 5-12

The tournament staff of the 2004 AMF Bowling World Cup has been advised that visa and entry requirements for the Republic of Singapore differ from country to country. Of those countries expected to send representatives to this year’s AMF Bowling World Cup, the following applies.

Bowling World Cup participants and spectators holding travel documents issued by the following countries will require a visa to enter Singapore :

Assessment Level I Countries: India , Myanmar , People’s Republic of China (PRC), Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, and Commonwealth of Independent States nations ( Armenia , Azerbaijan , Belarus , Georgia , Kazakhstan , Moldova , Russia , Ukraine , Uzbekistan ).

Assessment Level II Countries: Egypt , Iran , Iraq , Jordan , Lebanon , Morocco , Saudi Arabia , Syria , Tunisia , Yemen , and Palestine .

All other travel document holders may enter Singapore without a visa. ALL visitors must present a valid passport. (In addition, any persons from India and Myanmar who hold diplomatic, official or service passports are exempt from visa requirements. Any persons from the People’s Republic of China and CIS countries who hold diplomatic, official, service or public affairs passports are exempt from visa requirements for a stay of up to 30 days.)

VISA PROCEDURES FOR ASSESSMENT LEVEL I COUNTRIES:
Citizens from these countries should submit the following documents:

• One original copy of Singapore ’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Form 14 (www.ica.gov.sg/downloads/serv_visitor/Form14.pdf) and supporting checklist (www.ica.gov.sg/downloads/serv_visitor/Checklist4.pdf), duly signed and completed. These forms may be downloaded from these sites.
  
• One original copy of ICA Form V39A, a Letter of Introduction (LOI) from a Singapore resident or permanent citizen, duly signed and completed, along with supporting documents as requested by the ICA .
  
• One original copy of ICA Form V52, a letter from a Singapore company (in this case, SuperBowl Mmt Pte Ltd) stating the purpose of the visit, duly signed and completed.
  
• One certified true copy of SuperBowl’s detailed business profile.
  
  NOTE: Downloaded versions of Forms V39A and V52 will not be accepted by ICA . SuperBowl will prepare originals of Forms V39A, V52 and the certified copy of the company’s business profile. Ms. Lau Wai Leng, Marketing Manger for SuperBowl ( lauwl@superbowl.com.sg), will prepare originals of these documents and send them through registered mail to each country coordinator. These documents, along with Form 14 and its supporting checklist, can then be presented to the nearest Singapore embassy/consulate/mission.
  
  To allow enough time for the form to be processed by ICA, Ms. Lau must have all the names, nationalities, passport numbers, and nearest Singapore Overseas Mission of the persons needing these documents, as well as correct mailing address of the person coordinating the request for the group, no later than September 15, 2004.
  
  
• Two (2) recent passport-sized, full-face color photographs of the applicant. One must be affixed to From 14. The photograph must be full-face against a plain white background, 35m wide by 45mm high, without border and taken within the last three months. Headgear worn for religious or racial reasons may be worn but must not hide the applicant’s facial features. The facial image must be between 25mm and 35mm from chin to crown. Finishing should be matte or semi-matte.
  
• An official letter of invitation to the AMF Bowling World Cup, which will be issued by World Cup tournament manager Anne-Marie Board.
  
• Photocopies of the biographical data page, page(s) with endorsements and last three pages of the passport of the applicant(s). The passport must be valid for at least six (6) months at the time the visa request is submitted.

The above documents constitute a complete visa application, which may be submitted to the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission. The visa processing time is 10 working days (excluding the day of submission) from the receipt of the application, provided that all documents furnished are in order and no further verification is required. Processing time does not include the mailing period.

A security deposit may be required from the visa applicant, in the amount of S$1,000 (approximately US$588) upon approval of the application. ICA will advise whether the security deposit should be in the form of a banker’s guarantee, cashier’s order or NETS. The deposit will be refunded to the applicant provided that the applicant has not breached any of the conditions stated in the security bond and his/her departure from Singapore is confirmed by ICA . Processing time is approximately four (4) weeks. The applicant/visitor’s visa card should be surrendered to ICA upon final departure to avoid delay.

VISA PROCEDURES FOR ASSESSMENT LEVEL II COUNTRIES:
Citizens from these countries should submit the following documents:

• One original AND one photocopy of Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) Form 14 (www.ica.gov.sg/downloads/serv_visitor/Form14.pdf) and supporting checklist (www.ica.gov.sg/downloads/serv_visitor/Checklist5.pdf), duly signed and completed. These forms may be downloaded from these sites.
  
• One original AND one photocopy of ICA Form V39A, a Letter of Introduction (LOI) from a Singapore resident or permanent citizen, duly signed and completed, along with supporting documents as requested by the ICA.
  
  NOTE: Downloaded versions of Forms V39A will not be accepted by ICA . SuperBowl will prepare originals of Forms V39A. Ms. Lau Wai Leng, Marketing Manger for SuperBowl ( lauwl@superbowl.com.sg), will prepare originals of this document and send them registered mail to each country coordinator. Form V39A, along with Form 14 and its supporting checklist, can then be presented to the nearest Singapore embassy/consulate/mission.
  
  To allow enough time for the form to be processed by ICA, Ms. Lau must have all the names, nationalities, passport numbers, and nearest Singapore Overseas Mission of the persons needing these documents, as well as correct mailing address of the person coordinating the request for the group, no later than September 15, 2004.
  
  
• Two (2) recent passport-sized, full-face color photographs of the applicant. One must be affixed to From 14. The photograph must be full-face against a plain white background, 35m wide by 45mm high, without border and taken within the last three months. Headgear worn for religious or racial reasons may be worn but must not hide the applicant’s facial features. The facial image must be between 25mm and 35mm from chin to crown. Finishing should be matte or semi-matte.
  
• Two (2) sets of photocopies of the biographical data page, page(s) with endorsements and last three pages of the passport of the applicant(s). The passport must be valid for at least six (6) months at the time the visa request is submitted.

The above documents constitute a complete visa application, which may be submitted to the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission. The visa processing time is 10 working days (excluding the day of submission) from the receipt of the application, provided that all documents furnished are in order and no further verification is required. Processing time does not include the mailing period.

A security deposit may be required from the visa applicant, in the amount of S$3,000 (approximately US$1,765) upon approval of the application. ICA will advise whether the security deposit should be in the form of a banker’s guarantee, cashier’s order or NETS. The deposit will be refunded to the applicant provided that the applicant has not breached any of the conditions stated in the security bond and his/her departure from Singapore is confirmed by ICA . Processing time is approximately four (4) weeks. The applicant/visitor’s visa card should be surrendered to ICA upon final departure to avoid delay.

In either instance (Level I or Level II), the visa application can be submitted to the nearest overseas Singapore embassy/consultant/mission (see below).

Should it be necessary to apply directly to the ICA in Singapore for the visa, the application fee of S$20 will be prepaid by SuperBowl. The application fee, together with any courier fees incurred (see table below for estimated courier fees in Singapore and US dollars, by country, to courier documents from Singapore ) will be charged to guests upon check-in at the Marina Mandarin Hotel in Singapore . Visa applications can be submitted through Ms. Lau Wai Leng, SuperBowl Management Ptd Ltd., 564A Balestier Road, Singapore 329880. The information for the application must be received by Ms. Lau no later than August 30, 2004.

Singapore has overseas missions in the following countries:

A minimum of 10 working days (beginning from the day the application is received by the Singapore authorities) is required to process the application. A visa sticker will be forwarded to each approved applicant prior to his or her arrival in Singapore .

Receipt of the sticker can be expedited if pre-paid courier service is requested, and the proper courier documents and information are included with the application.

Visas will be sent to each applicant from the mission that receives the application, or directly from Ms. Lau.

Any questions regarding Singaporean visa procedures may be directed to Ms. Lau Wai Leng via e-mail at lauwl@superbowl.com.sg, or by fax at 65-6356-2960.

More information on ICA requirements can be obtained at www.ica.gov.sg.

The AMF Bowling World Cup, founded by AMF Bowling Worldwide Inc., is the largest annual international sports competition in the world in terms of number of participating countries. AMF Bowling Worldwide Inc.is the principal sponsor of this year’s championship. Additional information on the tournament can be obtained at www.amfbowlingworldcup.com.

AMF Bowling Worldwide Inc., the founder and principal sponsor of the Bowling World Cup, is the world’s largest owner and operator of bowling centers. AMF is also a leader in the manufacturing and marketing of bowling and billiards products. Additional information about AMF is available on the Internet at www.amf.com.

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ESTIMATED COURIER RATES TO SEND A 0.5 KG DOCUMENT SHIPMENT FROM SINGAPORE (in Singapore dollars; conversion rate is approximately US$1/S$1.7)

Destination: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Myanmar, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Palestine (Israel)
Rate : S$40

Destination : India
Rate : S$22

Destination : People’s Republic of China , Macao
Rate : S$16

Destination : Hong Kong
Rate : S$14

Destination : Iraq , Tunisia
Rate : S$50

Destination : Yemen
Rate : S$55

NOTE: Customs duties and taxes are not included in the above rates. For remote areas, a remote fee will also be assessed.

July 12, 2004