Posts Tagged ‘visa’

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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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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Want to Study Abroad? Get your Passport and See the World!

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Do I need a US passport to study abroad?

Studying abroad is becoming increasingly popular with US students as it’s the perfect way to enjoy new experiences and see the world. If you decide to undertake some of your studies abroad, make sure you are fully prepared by arranging your passport, visa, and travel insurance in advance.

Why Study Abroad?

Studying abroad allows you to work in a completely new environment, meet people you would never meet back home, and learn about a new country in a way that you simply could not achieve through a standard vacation.

Of course, for those with one eye on a career then studying abroad can really help to give the resume a boost. Whereas including ‘traveling’ on your resume may not give you the edge over other applicants, studying abroad will show prospective employers that you can look after yourself and use your initiative in a new and challenging environment.

Studying abroad doesn’t just have to be for college credits. Many people choose to study in different countries to pick up language skills that can be used back home. Some people also choose to combine foreign study with an internship to make the most of the opportunity of being abroad.

Planning your Studies Abroad

The first step in arranging your trip abroad is to decide where you want to go. Your college advisor should have lots of useful information about which courses you can apply for as well as which countries and institutions you can study in. Once you’ve got your heart set on a particular location, you’ll need to do some planning to ensure everything is in place before you leave.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is essential. Although a standard travel insurance policy should be fine, there are some specialist student travel insurance policies that provide cover for equipment and fees in the event of your having to return home, so it’s worth looking into this first.

Arranging your Passport and Visa

One of the most important things to remember is your passport and visa. You may not need a visa for your chosen country, but many countries require one for entry. You might need a special study visa which could involve a letter of confirmation from your chosen institution, but your college should be able to help with the exact details. Not sure whether you need a visa? You can use us to  find out about visa requirements for all countries.

And of course you won’t be going anywhere without a passport. Our advice is to get your passport as early as possible to avoid any problems. But even if you do leave it to the last minute then we offer a passport expediting service.

Once you’ve got your passport, make two photocopies of it before leaving home. Leave one copy with your parents or friends, and take one with you, keeping it separate from your passport. Then if you lose your passport you’ll be in a better position to sort out a replacement.

Start Planning Now

Interested in studying abroad? Let us take care of all your visa and passport details so you can concentrate on having a great time without worrying about forgetting anything.

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Apply for a US Passport and China Visa and Head to China’s Forbidden City

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Boasting a vast array of natural and manmade treasures, it’s easy to see why China is fast becoming the destination of choice for many US travelers. One of China’s main attractions is the Forbidden City, and incredible complex of ancient palaces, towers, and squares that’s right up there on the ‘must see’ list.

 

China Passport and Visa Information

If you want to head to China to see the Forbidden City, you’ll need to prepare for your trip. China requires a visa for all US travelers, and you’ll need to get this before you leave the country. Use our china visa service to arrange your visa before you leave the United States and we’ll make sure you won’t have any problems.  We can get your visa in 24 hours if need be!

You’ll also need to ensure you have a valid passport for yourchina-forbidden-city journey. Let us take care of the application process for you and we’ll make sure it all goes smoothly. Left it to the last minute? Don’t worry, we also have a passport expediting service meaning we can get your passport to you within a day.

The Forbidden City: Biggest Palace in the World

There are 980 surviving buildings in the Forbidden City, including 70 palaces and halls and over 8,700 rooms spanning 720,000 square meters. However, it is all essentially one palace, making it the biggest in the world.

Construction on the Forbidden City began in 1406 during the Ming Dynasty. Work finished in 1420, and it was then used to house 24 emperors over five centuries up until the Qing Dynasty. Now it is primarily a tourist attraction for the 8 million tourists who pass through its gates each year.

The exquisite Chinese palatial architecture is immaculately preserved. Due to its size, beauty, and historical importance, the Forbidden City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. What’s more, seeing as it’s located right in the center of Beijing there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to explore this ancient architectural delight on your trip.

Planning your Trip

November is a great time to head to the Forbidden City. The holiday season is coming to an end so there will be fewer tourists around, and the weather is pleasant and mild. So get your passport and china visa now using our quick and convenient service, and head to China for an experience you won’t forget.

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Christmas Holidays in Europe..Don’t forget your Passport!

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Europe is one of the most popular locations to head on vacation at Christmas. The beauty of the ‘Old World’ is that there are so many amazing places to see all in one relatively small area. Flights between countries are quick and cheap, so you could hop about and see three or four countries in a matter of weeks.

 

Christmas Highlights

With so much on offer, it’s difficult to pick the highlights of things to do on your vacation in Europe this Christmas. Many tourists end up visiting a few of the major cities, spending some quality time in each. Here are a few ideas if you are looking for some inspiration:

 

London: Carols around the Christmas Tree

You don’t get much more Christmassy than singing carols around the tree in Trafalgar Square. This tradition goes back over half a century and will really get you in the Christmas spirit during your vacation in Europe. The actual tree is an annual gift from Oslo, and it is always decorated in white lights. A celebrity usually helps to turn on the lights, which this year will take place on December 3. Most evenings people gather together to sing carols, so feel free to join in.

 

Paris: Open Air Ice Skating

From mid-December onwards the city of Paris puts on free outdoor ice skating outside City Hall. It’s a fantastic setting, and there is nothing quite like it. The best thing is it’s completely free, so you can take your own skates and stay as long as you want for nothing! Although if you need to hire skates then these will cost €5 a pair.

 

Madrid: Procession of the Three Kings

If you head to Spain after celebrating Christmas somewhere else then you can arrive in time for the Procession of the Three Kings in Madrid. This usually takes place on January 5, and although it occurs in all towns and cities across Spain, Madrid’s celebration is the biggest. Thousands of sweets are thrown out from no less than 30 carriages parading through the street, making it a night to remember.

 

Don’t Forget your Passport

If you decide to visit any of the countries above during your vacation in Europe, or indeed any other countries, then don’t forget your passport. There is no way you can travel to Europe without a passport, so don’t spoil your Christmas by forgetting it. Try to get it as early as possible; it’s always best to have your passport in your hand long before you plan to leave America as then you won’t have to worry about it.

 

However, if you realize that you need it quickly there’s always our expedited service. You can expedite your passport with us using our emergency service and could have it back in as little as a day.

 

Visas

As for visas, for the countries above you can simply get a visa on arrival and there is no need to plan ahead. However, always check the latest visa requirements and details of any individual country you are visiting to avoid encountering any problems on arrival.

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Brazil Consulate in Miami using online visa application

Monday, August 24th, 2009

The Consulate of Brazil in Miami now requires visitors to complete an online application rather than the traditional paper form.  Additionally, the fees have increased slightly.  This change should ensure more efficient visa processing. 

See http://www.passportsandvisas.com/visas/brazil.asp for details and expedited processing.

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New Algeria Application and Fees

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Algeria has released a new application (2009 version) and the consular fees are now $131 for a visa.  For more information, http://www.passportsandvisas.com/visas/Algeria.asp

 

Type of Algeria Visa  Entries    Max Stay   Valid  Process Time    Embassy Fee   Our Fee  
Business Single 30 days 90 10 days $ 131 $ 59
Tourist Single 30 days 90 10 days $ 131 $ 59

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Nigeria Visa rush application service now available

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Normal processing of a visa to Nigeria takes approximately 10 business day.  Now, we are able to process rush applications for those travelers in need a hurried service.  The rush Nigeria visa service takes 2-3 business days for an increased fee.  For more information, see http://www.passportsandvisas.com/visas/Nigeria.asp

 

Type of Nigeria Visa  Entries    Max Stay   Valid  Process Time    Embassy Fee   Our Fee  
Business Single 30 days 90 9 days $ 20 $ 59
Business Rush Single 30 days 90 3 days $ 20 $ 89
Tourist Single 30 days 90 9 days $ 20 $ 59
Tourist Rush Single 30 days 90 3 days $ 20 $ 89

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Cameroon Visa Fees changed

Monday, August 24th, 2009

Cameroon has updated their visa fees.  Tourists or Business visitors will now pay $141 for a single entry visa, Multiple entry visas are $275.  These visas are valid for 3 months and 6 months respectively.  For more information, http://www.passportsandvisas.com/visas/Cameroon.asp

 Type of Cameroon Visa  Entries    Max Stay   Valid  Process Time    Embassy Fee   Our Fee  
Business Multiple 30 days 60 5 days $ 141 $ 59
Business 12 month Multi Business Multiple 30 days 365 5 days $ 275 $ 79
Business 6 month Multi Business Multiple 30 days 180 5 days $ 275 $ 79
Tourist Multiple 30 days 60 5 days $ 141 $ 59

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China Visas now processing Same Day Visa applications

Monday, August 24th, 2009

The China Embassy has no resumed processing of Same Day China Visas.  The applicant must be traveling within 3 business days of the application being submitted, otherwise processing will take longer.  For more information, http://www.passportsandvisas.com/visas/china.asp

Purpose of Visit  Visa Required  Entries    Max Stay   Validity  Processing Time    Embassy Fee   Our Fee   Notes
Single Entry China Tourist Visa (Same Day) Yes Single 30 days 90 Days Same Day $ 160 $ 99
Single Entry China Tourist Visa (Rush Service) Yes Single 30 days 90 Days 3 days $ 150 $ 69
Single Entry China Tourist Visa (Standard Service) Yes Single 30 days 90 Days 5 days $ 130 $ 59
               
Double Entry China Tourist Visa (Same Day) Yes Double 30 days 90 Days Same Day $ 160 $ 99
Double Entry China Tourist Visa (Rush Service) Yes Double 30 days 90 Days 3 Days $ 150 $ 69
Double Entry China Tourist Visa (Standard Service) Yes Double 30 days 90 Days 5 Days $ 130 $ 59

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