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Chinese Visas for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

From May 1st to October 31st, 2010, China is hosting the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, taking part in a tradition that goes all the way back to 1851, when the first World’s Fair was held in London, England. This year’s World Expo is expected to be the biggest yet, as organizers prepare to welcome  approximately 70 million visitors.

This year’s theme is “Better City, Better Life” and representatives from at least 231 countries and international organizations will show off innovative urban design and planning techniques, as well as environmentally-friendly technologies.

About 5 percent of the visitors to the Expo are expected to come from outside China. According to AllHeadlineNews.com, China has instructed embassies and consulates to use an “easy process” for approving Chinese visas for foreign visitors while the expo is going on.

You do still need to apply for your visa in advance, however. If you try to enter China without a visa, the airline probably won’t let you on the plane.  Even if they do let you on the plane, China will send you right back to the US at your own expense. There is no way to apply for a visa upon arrival.

Chinese tourists need a tourism visa, also referred to as a “L” visa. Here are the documents you need to get a Chinese L  visa:

  • A completed Chinese visa application
  • Your US passport
  • One  passport photo

If your plane leaves in the seven days, you should also include a copy of your travel itinerary to expedite your visa.

RushMyTravelVisa.com can make applying for a Chinese visa much easier. We review your travel plans to make sure that you have the appropriate visas for every country you’ll be stopping in. Then, we help you collect all of the necessary documents, providing clear instructions and a helpful checklist, reducing the likelihood of common mistakes that could delay issuance of your visa. Finally, we deliver your application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest processing possible.

Apply for your Chinese visa today!

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Get a Chinese Visa to Celebrate the Year of the Tiger

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Have you already broken all of your New Year’s Resolutions, maybe more than once? If you’re already in need of a fresh start, celebrate New Year’s a second time with the Chinese.

Instead of celebrating the New Year on a specific date, the Chinese celebrate the New Year on the second new moon after the winter solstice. This year, the Chinese New Year falls on February 14th-so it’s also a great place to be if you despise Valentine’s Day.

Chinese New Year’s customs include wearing new clothes, passing out “red packets” containing money to children and young adults, and of course, lots and lots of fireworks.

To visit China for the Chinese New Year, you will need a Chinese tourist visa, called an “L visa.” Depending on your needs, you can apply for a single -entry Chinese visa valid for 3-6 months, a double-entry visa valid for 6 months or a multiple-entry visa valid for 6 months.

Before you apply, you will need to collect the appropriate documents. Here’s what is required:

  • A completed Chinese visa application
  • Your US Passport (must be valid for at least 6 months and have at least one blank page in the back so that the visa can be attached).
  • A clear photocopy of the information page of your passport (the page with your name, date of birth, etc).
  • Glue or staple one passport-sized photo of yourself to the application.

If you are leaving within the next 7 days to be in China for the New Year,  submit a copy of your  itinerary along with your application to have your visa expedited.

RushMyTravelVisa.com can help you research your itinerary and apply for any visas you need to travel.  We make it easy by walking you the application process and providing clear instructions that are easy to follow.  Then, we submit your visa applications to the appropriate embassy or consulate for hte fastest possible processing.

Let us help you apply for your Chinese visa today!

single -entry Chinese visa valid for 3-6 months, a double-entry visa valid for 6 months or a multiple-entry visa valid for 6 months.

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Brazilian Tourist Visa Requirements for Carnaval

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

It’s almost that time of year again…in February, roughly 40 days before Easter, Brazil holds a massive party: Carnaval. In this mostly Catholic country, Carnaval is one last chance to let loose before the sacrifices of Lent.

Of course, you don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy Carnaval. In Brazil’s major cities, the event is celebrated by parades, costumes, samba dancing and partying in the streets. The types of music and parades differ from city to city, and the dates of the celebration may vary by a day or so as well. For example, Rio de Janeiro’s Carnaval celebrations occur on a Monday, while Sao Paulo happen over a long weekend, from Friday to Sunday. So, make sure to do a little bit of research before you make your travel arrangements.

All US citizens traveling to Brazil must have the appropriate visa. Brazil is famous for its rather complex visa requirements, but here is what you need to get a visa to attend Carnaval as a tourist:

  • Your US passport. You need at least 6 months left before your passport expires to go to Brazil. Brazilian visas takes up two pages, so you also need at least two blank pages left in the back.
  • One Brazilian visa application
  • 2 passport-sized photos
  • A copy of your itinerary stating when you will be entering and leaving Brazil.
  • A  photocopy of your driver’s license or state-issued ID card. The copy must be clear and legible.
  • If you will be visiting friends or relatives, you also need a letter from them.

If you’ve been to any of the following countries in the past 90 days, you will also need a yellow fever vaccine: Angola, Bolivia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, French Guiana, Gabon, Ghana, Gambia, Republic of Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, Sudan or Venezuela.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you research the visa requirements for your trip and can walk through the application process. We will also submit your application to the appropriate embassy or consulate, providing you with the fastest possible processing time.

Apply for your Brazilian visa today!

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Zambia Visa Requirements to See Victoria Falls

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

Located on the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls is claimed to be the largest waterfall in the world. The waterfall’s indigenous name, Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Mist that Thunders) gives a much better idea of its grandeur than the name given to it by English explorers. Victoria Falls is approximately 5,600 feet wide and 60 feet high.

If you are lucky enough to visit Victoria Falls at night, by the light of a full moon, you may even see a “moonbow,” a rainbow in the dark. Moonbows are caused by the light of a full moon reflecting off the spray of the falls. They are very rare, and Victoria Falls is one of the few locations on earth where they happen with any frequency.

You can visit Victoria Falls either through the Zambia side or the Zimbabwe side.  Zambia visas can be obtained in advance or on arrival, although if you are traveling that far, it’s not a bad idea to make sure that all of your paperwork is in order before you go.  Here’s what you need to get a Zambia tourist visa:

  • 2 completed Zambia visa application forms
  • 3 passport-sized photos. You must sign your name on the back of each photo you submit.
  • A copy of your round-trip itinerary or round-trip tickets.
  • If you are staying with family or friends in Zambia, you need a visitor visa. To get one of these, you will also need a letter of invitation from the person you are staying with.

RushMyTravelVisa.com can help you get the visas you need for your trip. We’ll research your itinerary to find out which visas are required for each stage of your journey, and we’ll help you apply for the necessary visas, providing you will clear, easy to understand instructions and checklists.  Then, we’ll forward your application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible service.

Apply for your Zambia visa today!

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Top 5 Reasons To Get a Travel Visa In 2010

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

The new year has arrived, and that means that it’s time to think about the places you’ll go and the things you’ll see in 2010.  To help you get a leg-up on planning your 2010 itinerary, here are some expert picks for destinations to visit in 2010:

  • Burma (Myanmar): Concierge.com named Burma as one of its top destinations for 2009 for the country’s history and culture, as well as the newly created opportunities for ethical travel there.
  • Kyrgyzstan: Kyrgyzstan also made Concierge’s list of top destinations for its unparalleled opportunities for adventure travel, including horseback riding, heli-skiing in the Tian Shan mountains, and camping out with locals.
  • Vietnam: Hanoi, Vietnam made Frommer’s list of the top destinations for 2010 for its architecture, food, nightlife, art and shopping.
  • Nepal- Nepal made the Lonely Planet’s list for 2010, as the country’s much-improved political situation has made it much more hospitable for travelers.
  • Suriname: The Lonely Planet also listed Suriname as an up-and-coming destination for 2010 for its amazingly rich cultural diversity.  Awesome jungle treks don’t hurt, either.

What do all of these destinations have in common?  If you’re an American citizen, you’ll need a travel visa to visit any of them. No matter where you’re going, RushMyTravelVisa can help you research your itinerary to determine what visas you’ll need to apply for.

RushMyTravelVisa can also help you with the travel visa application process, providing you with an easy-to-use checklist to make the paperwork a snap. Then, we will forward your visa application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest processing possible.

Let us help you apply for your travel visa today!

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Travel Visas for a Southeast Asian Backpacking Trip

Monday, January 4th, 2010

The countries of Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, are popular destinations for American backpackers in search of an adventure.

Many backpackers plan routes that carry them across the region, often hitting more than one country.  Your route will depend on how much time and money you have, of course.

To help you get started, here is a guide to travel visa requirements for each of the countries in Southeast Asia:

  • Indonesia: US citizens need a passport with at least 6 months validity left and a visa. Visas are available on arrival at the following airports:  Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Medan, Padang, Pekanbaru, Manado, Biak, Ambon, Balikpapan, Pontianak, Kupang, Batam, and South Sumatra. Some seaports can also issue visas, but if you entering from anywhere else, you need to get an Indonesian visa ahead of time.
  • Malaysia: Backpackers who are entering the country as tourists don’t need visas for visits of less than 90 days.
  • Myanmar (Burma): You need a visa, and you need to apply in advance. The Burmese government often turns away visitors who try to enter the country by land and who are not part of an approved package tour.
  • The Philippines: American tourists do not need a visa to enter, and are usually allowed to stay 21 days, with additional extensions possible if you apply before your visa expires.
  • Singapore: US citizen tourists do not need visas for stays of 90 days or less.
  • Thailand- US citizen tourists arriving by air can stay for 30 days or less without a visa. However, if you entering by land, you may only stay 15 days without a visa.  You can apply for a longer visa ahead of time or  get extensions inside Thailand, but must leave the country and apply for a new visa after you’ve spent 90 days in Thailand during a 6 month period.

RushMyTravelVisa.com can review your itinerary and help you understand the visa requirements for your trip. We can also help you with the application paperwork and will deliver your visa application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.  Contact us today!

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Getting a Thai Visa To Visit the Trang Islands

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Located in the south of Thailand, along the Andaman sea is a set of picture-perfect islands called the Trang Islands.  The islands and a slice of the mainland make up Thailand’s Trang Province, named after the port town of Trang.

If you’re looking for a place to vacation in Thailand that’s far away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and less touristy than Phuket, Trang would be a good choice.  Much of the area’s inviting white sand beaches are part of a national park, and therefore off-limits to the overdevelopment that beaches the world over seem to attract.

You can get from the Thai mainland to the island either by taking a ferry or by hiring a boat and a guide. If you go, you absolutely should not miss the Emerald Cave, located on the island of Ko Muk.  You can actually swim through the cave, surfacing in the middle of  an idyllic lagoon.

Considering visiting Thailand? This post on Matador Travel Network has more details about the islands.

To get to the Trang Islands, you definitely need a passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months after you arrive in Thailand. However, if you are an American citizen, you shouldn’t need a Thai visa unless you plan to stay past 30 days if you enter by air, or 15 days if you enter by land from another country.

However, if you plan to stay in Thailand for longer than that, you can also apply for a Thai visa valid for up to 60 days before you leave. Here’s what you will need to apply:

  • Your US passport
  • A completed visa application
  • 2 passport photos
  • A copy of your itinerary or round-trip ticket
  • A copy of a bank statement showing a balance of   $500 per person or $1000 per family.

Depending on what your itinerary is like, you may also need transit visas if you will be stopping in other countries on your way to or from Thailand. RushMyTravelVisa can help you determine which travel documents you need, help you with the necessary paperwork, and expedite your application.

Need to apply for a Thai visa? Contact us today!

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Getting a Panama Visa to See the Panama Canal

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Almost as soon as the New World was “discovered” by Europeans,  explorers were trying to find a way to sail through it. After all, what they really wanted was to get to Asia where they could trade for spices and other goods.

When the new continents were finally mapped out and people realized that there wasn’t a water route that went straight through either of the new continents, the obvious next step was to build one.

At first, there was a bit of a disagreement as to whether the new canal should go through Panama or Nicaragua. Eventually, with the help of some deceptive propaganda spread by American lawyer William Nelson Cromwell on behalf of the French Canal Syndicate, Panama won the day. (According to Wikipedia, Cromwell falsely claimed that a dormant volcano in Nicaragua was erupting, thus making it an unsuitable place for a major engineering effort.)

Here are some more interesting facts about the Canal:

  • The French tried to build a canal in the 19th century, but quit after 22,000 of their workers died.
  • Even with improved sanitation, an additional 5,500 American workers died during construction of the canal in the 20th century.
  • 14,000 ships  pass through the canal each year.

The Panama Canal is definitely a sight worth seeing, as huge ships pass through the locks, surrounded by rainforest on all sides. If you’re planning a trip to the Canal, be aware that you may need a Panama visa. Here are the rules:

If you are arriving by air, you can buy a tourist card when you arrive in the airport. Check with your airline-they may include the fees for the card in your tickets.

Likewise, if you are on a cruise, your cruise line should provide a tourist card for you if necessary.

You can also apply for a Panama visa, good for multiple entries, before you leave the states. If you will be crossing into Panama by land, applying for a visa first is a must.

American citizens need the following documents to get a Panama visa:

Here’s what you need to get a Panama tourist visa:

  • A valid US passport
  • 1 completed Panama visa application
  • 1 passport photo
  • A copy of your itinerary.
  • A copy of your plane tickets (if you’re flying in)
  • A  letter of invitation or a copy of your hotel reservation.
  • A  copy of your bank statement.

If you’re applying in advance, RushMyTravelVisa can help you with the paperwork and expedite your Panama visa application. Contact us today!

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Get a Paraguay Tourist Visa To Check Out Asunción

Friday, November 13th, 2009

When it comes to tourism, Paraguay has long gotten a bad rap. The country is known as South America’s “empty quarter.” Writer PJ O’Rourke once observed that “Paraguay is nowhere and famous for nothing.”

So, what does Paraguay have to offer tourists? As it turns out, lots.  Even PJ O’Rourke ended up falling in love with the country during a brief press visit to cover the local elections.

A trip to Paraguay would not be complete without a visit to the country’s capital. Paraguay’s capital city is called  “La Muy Noble y Leal Ciudad de Nuestra Señora Santa María de la Asunción,” but you can call it “Asuncion” for short.  Once a Spanish colonial hub, the city features attractive colonial architecture and plazas,  plus a lovely botanical garden and a modern art museum.

From Asuncion, you can also make day trips to nearby towns like Itauguá, which is famous for the delicate spiderweb lace that is produced there. Or, go hang out on the white sand beaches of Lago Ypacaraí. Or, head south to visit the ruins of the old Jesuit missions.

To get to Paraguay, you will need both a passport and a visa. You must apply for your Paraguay visa before you leave the US.  Once you have obtained your passport, here is what you will need to submit to get the visa:

  • 2 Paraguay visa application forms
  • 2 passport photos
  • 2 copies of the pages of your passport that have your photos and identifying information on them.
  • 2 copies of your round-trip airline tickets or itinerary.

RushMyTravelVisa.com can help you expedite your Paraguay visa. When you apply for a visa through us, you’ll work with a professional visa specialist, who will help understand all the paperwork and assemble to appropriate documents. Then, we will forward your application to Paraguayan Embassy for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Paraguay visa today!

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Visas for Mountain-Climbing in Cameroon

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

Mt. Cameroon is the  tallest mountain in West Africa. The still-active volcano soars 13,500 above sea level. Occasionally, it erupts. According to the Cameroon Consulate to Australia, the last major eruption happened in March of 1999. The volcano also erupted in 1982, interrupting the filming of the movie Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan.

Tourists can climb Mt Cameroon with the help of guides and porters.  To schedule a trip, you should contact the Mount Cameroon Ecotourism Organization office:

The Mount Cameroon Ecotourism Organisation
P.O.Box 60 Buea S.W.P.
Email: mountceo@iccnet2000.com

What’s it like to climb Mount Cameroon? For a detailed description of a climb with some excellent pictures, check out Ann Bowker’s description of her climb up the mountain a few years ago.

Also, as you plan your trip, bear in mind that it’s a tradition to bring a message in a bottle to leave at the top (although if you follow Leave No Trace guidelines, you may want to disregard that tradition). Finally, the Cameroon consulate  advises climbers to “beware of stone-throwing monkeys.” Sheesh…and I thought the squirrels in my front yard that like to hurl acorns were a problem!

In addition to food, water, sleeping gear and perhaps a helmet to guard against rocks to the head, you will also need a Cameroon visa to make the climb.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply for a Cameroon visa:

  • 2 Cameroon visa application forms
  • 2 passport photos
  • Your yellow fever vaccine certificate
  • A copy of your itinerary
  • A copy of a recent bank statement or someone, either at home or in Cameroon, who is willing to vouch for you and provide financial support if needed.

You should have your Cameroon visa in hand before you leave the US. RushMyTravelVisa.com  can help you fill out the paperwork for expedited visa service.

Apply for your Cameroon visa with us today!

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