Posts Tagged ‘requirements’

How Long Does it Take to Get a Passport: The Answers

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

So you’ve finally nailed down all the details of your big trip.  Plane tickets?  Check.  Hotel reservations?  Check.  Passport… You  did remember to apply for your passport didn’t you?  Forgot?  It’s ok!  We know what you’re thinking… Do I have enough time left to get my passport before I leave?

Processing Times

The state department is currently quoting processing times of approximately 4 -6 weeks from the time of your application.  During busier times, like the holiday or summer travel seasons, they advise you begin your application as far as 10 weeks in advance.  And remember, these processing times are a best case scenario, assuming everything is submitted correctly.

Afraid you’re out of time?  Don’t worry, we’re here to help.  Passport application delays are usually caused by applicant error.

To avoid slowing down your passport application:

  • Make Sure you’ve properly filled out the correct forms.  Inaccurate information, or incorrect forms can send passport agents looking for clarification on your application.  This can cause delays of days or weeks.
  • Make sure you’ve included TWO photographs that meet the appropriate specifications. Photos must be 2 x 2 inches in size, include a full face, front view and open eyes, and must be taken in front of a plain white or off white background.
  • Make sure you include an approved proof of citizenship. Your best bet is a certified passport, including a registrar’s raised, embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal, and the registrar’s signature.  The certificate must also have been filed with the registrar’s office within 1 year of your birth
  • Make sure you include the appropriate payment. The bureau of consular affairs has a detailed list of fees associated with passport applications, so check with them for the latest costs.  Checks should be made out to the Department of State.

    Failure to include any of these elements with your passport application could delay processing by days, or weeks.

    Running out of time?  Don’t leave your last minute passport application up to chance.
    If you’re trip is imminent, our passport expediting services can get you a US passport within 24 hours.  We know the forms, we know the fees, we’ve done this before.  Don’t worry, with us, you’re in good hands.  We’ll take the stress out of travel (or at least out of your passport application) so you can just relax and enjoy your trip.

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    Posted in Passport FAQ's, Passport Processing | 1 Comment »


    Apply for a Passport – The Caribbean Awaits!

    Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

     

    There’s one thing you have to pack if you want to relax on dreamlike beaches and swim in crystal clear waters every day—your passport. The Caribbean remains the dream destination of choice for thousands of Americans every year.

    A passport application to the Caribbean is easy. The passport requirements are not strict because the Caribbean is part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. With over 7,000 islands making up the Caribbean, the main problem is not the passport application itself, but where to go!

    With such fantastic destinations as Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, and Antigua, it’s impossible to do everything (unless you happen to be a millionaire). So here are a few ideas for things to do in the Caribbean during your vacation that could help you to make up your mind.

     

    1. Dive with Sharks, Bahamas

    It’s not everyone’s first-choice activity, but diving with sharks will certainly provide you with a few stories to tell on your return home. If you head to the Bahamas there are plenty of tours offering diving with reef sharks. You’ll need to be a proficient scuba diver, but if you’re brave enough this is one of the most thrilling experiences you can have as a tourist in the Caribbean.

     

    2. Hike to the Highest Point in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico

    Head up to the heights with a trip to Pico del Toro, the highest point in the Caribbean, which is located in the El Yunque rainforest in Puerto Rico. You can hike all the way to the top where you will be treated to some truly incredible views of the rainforest below. This is not your average beach activity, so come prepared, but the reward at the top will be worth it.

     

    3. Follow in Bob Marley’s Footsteps, Jamaica

    Any fan of Bob Marley should not miss this opportunity to visit all of the most important places in the reggae legend’s life. Places that tourists can visit include his birthplace, Mt Zion Rock, and Nine Mile Village. You’ll also receive an education about the Rastafarian religion along the way.

     

    4. Take a Ride on a Gondola, Dominica

    This is one of the best things you can do as a tourist during your trip to the Caribbean. Located at Morne Trois Pitons National Park, you can enjoy a half-hour ride on a hanging gondola traveling over the top of the rainforest. You’ll get an unrivalled view of the canopy below and an experienced guide to explain all the things that you will see.

     

    Get Your Passport and Get Going

    If any of these experiences get you excited then you know what to do: apply for your passport today and going! The passport requirements for the Caribbean are not as strict as for other areas of the world, but you still need to make sure you have your passport before leaving home. The passport application is easy and you can get an expedited passport service if you want to receive it even quicker. Just check out the service we provide and choose the one you want!

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    US Passport Requirements to go to Canada

    Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

    As of June 1, 2009, everyone from the US arriving in Canada by air, land and sea will need a US passport to enter.

    We recommend that you apply for your passport now and if you need it in a rush, apply for your us passport with passportsandvisas.com.  Canada is a favorite destination for many American tourists, canada passport borderbut making the journey used to be a lot simpler. As the rules regarding passports and travel requirements have recently changed, here’s a guide to what you do and don’t need now when heading across the border.

    The Old Rules

     

    Before June 2009, the only time that you needed to carry a passport with you when visiting Canada was if you were traveling by plane. If traveling by boat or car then you only needed to take proof of citizenship and picture ID.

    The New Rules

     

    Nothing has changed if you are flying to Canada from the United States as you will still need your passport. However, if you are crossing the border by land or sea then you will now require either a passport or a passport card. This may be annoying for all those people who have crossed many times in the past without needing a passport, but there is not much that can be done about it.

    This is all part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), an agreement existing between the United States and a number of other countries including Canada and Mexico. The measure was due to come into force in 2008, but in the end it was put back to 2009. Increased security issues are partly to blame, and as a result if you don’t take your passport or passport card with you then you won’t be leaving the country.

    The Passport Card

     

    The passport card is a new piece of documentation that was introduced in 2008. It is a small, wallet-sized card that carries all the necessary information on it to cross the border into other countries in the WHTI. It is more convenient and cheaper than a passport, so if you only want to travel to Canada then you could just get one of these.

    Exception to the Rule

     

    There is currently one exception to the rule of taking a passport with you on a trip to Canada. Children under the age of 16 traveling by boat or vehicle do not need their passports to cross the border, and all they need is to present an original or certified copy of his or her birth certificate. If they are traveling by plane then the same rules apply, but otherwise they will be free from the restrictions in place for everyone else.

    Why Canada?

     

    Canada is a fantastic place to spend a vacation, and is hugely popular with American tourists. Possible things to see and do include:

    • A trip to the CN Tower in Toronto, which at 1,815.4 feet tall has stunning views over the city and Lake Ontario

    • The Canadian side of Niagara Falls, known as Horseshoe Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world

    • A trip to Old Québec, walking the cobbled streets and admiring the 17th century architecture

    Get your Passport Now

    Need to get a passport or passport card to visit Canada? Don’t get caught out by the new rules. You can expedite your passport application with us at Passports and Visas.com and receive it within as little as one day. We also offer a number of other services including renewals, replacements, and children’s passports, which you can also expedite, so whatever you need let us arrange it for you.

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    Want to Visit the Great Wall of China? Apply for a China Visa Today!

    Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

    The Great Wall of China is surely one of the most incredible structures ever built. This remarkable monument has enthralled tourists from across the world for decades and is surely one of the highlights on any trip to China.

    If you would like to head to China and see the Great Wall, make sure you get your passport early. We offer a passport application service for US travelers, and if you end up leaving your application to the last minute we also offer a passport expediting service.

    You’ll also need a visa if you’re heading to China, and you’ll need the visa for China before you leave the US. Let us take care of your visa for you so you know there won’t be any problems on arrival. You can find more about our China Visa Service.

    History of the Great Wall

    The Great Wall of China was first built in the 7th century BC as a protective barrier along the northern border of the country, and work continued on it right up until the 16th century. It stretches for over 5,000 miles all the way from Shangaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west. Despite the popular belief that it can be viewed from space, there has never actually been any proof of this.

    Best Places to See the Great Wall

    The Great Wall is made up of lots of smaller walls, trenches, lookout towers, and natural defenses such as hills. As it is so vast, the first thing many tourists want to know is where they should visit it. As most tourists head to Beijing at some point in their trip, the following options are all located near to the city.

    Badaling is by far the most popular spot to visit the Great Wall. Located very near to Beijing, the area is easily accessible and the wall has also been restored. All of this means there are more tourists here than at most other locations.

    If you want to get further away from the tourist hoards then you could head to Mutianyu. This is about an hour from Beijing, and is therefore less busy. The wall is about 1.4 miles long here, and you can go up to the top in a cable car.

    Further still is Simatai, about 2.5 hours from Beijing. Here you will find some impressive watchtowers, and it is also the starting point for the 7.5 mile trek to Jinshanling. It is hard going but is definitely one of the best ways to see the wall.

    Get Your Passport and Visa Now

    If you’re heading to China or Beijing, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Great Wall. Get your passport and visa today using our speedy and affordable service, and you could soon be on your way.

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    Russian Visa Application Information

    Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

    Russian Visa Information
    If you’re thinking of heading to Russia then you should be aware that the country has some quite strict visa requirements. Whereas some countries allow US citizens to simply turn up and get a visa on entry, a trip to Russia will entail some planning in advance.

    Russian Visa Requirements

    The application process for a Russian visa is fairly complicated in that you need to obtain an invitation from a tourist agency or a hotel in Russia before you leave the US. As well as getting an invitation, other requirements include having at least six months left on your passport beyond your intended stay in Russia, as well as having a ticket for either your return journey or your onward travel date.

     

    Russian Visa Types

    The different types of Russian visa include a standard single-entry tourist visa that is valid for a single trip up to 30 days, and a double-entry tourist visa that is suitable if you want to visit another country during your stay in Russia. There are also business visas on offer if you are heading there on a business trip.

     

    Apply for a Visa with Passports and Visas.com

    Whichever type of Russian visa you need, we can help you to get a Russian Visa. We take care of the invitations and all the paperwork and can have it ready for you in as little as 3-4 days. We can also arrange your passport application, no matter how late you’ve left it. If you need both a passport and a visa and you only have a few days before your trip then we can do this all for you to make sure you don’t have any problems.

     

    Red Square

    If you only have a short amount of time in Russia, make sure you take a trip to Red Square in Moscow. Red Square was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991. It is packed full of a wealth of important buildings and landmarks, including the Kremlin, the Senate Building, the Tomb of Lenin, and the State History Museum.

    However, perhaps the most amazing thing to see here is the incredible St Basil’s cathedral. This cathedral, with its swirling, colorful architecture and impressive domes, is one of the most iconic buildings in Russia. It is completely unique and unlike anything else you will see in the country, and is therefore definitely worth a visit.

    There are plenty or other things to see in Russia during your trip, so get your visa and passport through us and then enjoy exploring this fascinating country.

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