RushMyTravelVisa » Chinese visa

Friendly Reminder From the US State Department: Don’t Try to Enter North Korea Without a Visa!

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:28:50 +0000

As former president Jimmy Carter returned from North Korea with a freed American prisoner, the US Department of State issued a new travel warning for the country, reminding Americans not to attempt to visit it without a North Korean visa. Although North Korea announced earlier this year that they would allow US tourists into the country year-round, that doesn’t mean that it’s easy for US citizens to visit the country.

The travel warning notes that:

“The Government of North Korea imposes heavy fines and long prison sentences with hard labor on persons who enter the country without a valid passport and a North Korean visa…Travel by U.S. citizens to North Korea is not routine, and U.S. citizens crossing into North Korea without proper documentation, even accidentally, have been subject to arrest and long-term detention. “

How hard is it to get a North Korea visa? Well, it’s no walk in the park, especially since the US and North Korea don’t have consular relations with each other. US citizens can apply at the North Korean embassy in Beijing and have a visa within a day, but that’s IF you’re approved for one. There’s no way to know whether or not you’ll be approved without trying, but you can contact the Permanent Representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the United Nations beforehand to see if your application is likely to be accepted. Here’s his contact information:

The Permanent Representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the United Nations
820 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 972-3105
Fax: (212) 972-3154

Americans are allowed to visit only as part of organized, supervised tour groups, and the State Department’s travel warning further notes that “Security personnel may also view any unauthorized attempt you make to talk to a North Korean citizen as espionage. North Korean authorities may fine or arrest you for unauthorized currency transactions or for shopping at stores not designated for foreigners.”

Sounds like a lot of fun. Bear in mind that if you’re entering North Korea from China, you’ll also need a multiple entry Chinese tourist visa. See Chinese Visa Requirements for Tourists for details, and consider planning an alternate Chinese itinerary in case your North Korea visa application is rejected.

Since North Korea doesn’t have diplomatic relations with the US, visa services like RushMyTravelVisa can’t help you get a North Korea visa. However, we can help you get a Chinese visa, as well as visas for any other stops you plan to make on your journey.

For travel visa help, contact us today!

Money to Burn? Get a China Visa And Visit Shanghai’s Newly Re-Opened Peace Hotel

admin — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 03:51:36 +0000

For most of us, traveling overseas means budgeting carefully to contain costs. However, if you just won the lottery or are otherwise lucky enough to have money to burn, you might be interested in Gadling’s write up of China’s newly re-opened luxury hotel. The Peace Hotel, which just opened its doors back up after a 3-year, $64 million renovation, has rooms that start at $340 per night and go up to $1000 per night. Splurge on rooms here, at you can walk in the footsteps of former US Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter and silent-film legend Charlie Chaplin, all of whom stayed here often in the past.

Rooms and suites feature amenities like walk-in closets, luxury bathrooms, flat-screen CDs, powder rooms and in some cases, even dining suites so you can entertain guests in style. Sure beats staying in a Motel 6!

Luckily, if you’d like to see Shanghai and don’t have $340+ for a room in the Peace Hotel, there are plenty of other, cheaper rooms available in the city. A quick search at Yahoo Travel, for example, showed rooms available as low as $24 per night, although around $100 per night seemed average for most of the well-respected, global hotel chains.

No matter where you’re staying in Shanghai or how much your spending, you will need to apply for a China visa before you leave the US. If you’re traveling as a tourist, see China Visa Requirements for Tourists for more information on how to apply.

If you’re going to be in China on business, the requirements to get a visa are slightly different- see Getting a Chinese Visa for a Business Trip for more information.

Whether you’re traveling to China for business or pleasure, RushMyTravelVisa can help you get the documents you need to travel. When you apply through us, your professional visa specialist will walk you through the application process, helping you avoid common errors that could hold up your application. Then, we expedite your visa with the Chinese embassy for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your China visa today!

Chinese Visa Requirements To Visit the Center of Heaven and Earth

admin — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 04:19:39 +0000

On Monday, August 2nd, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee concluded its 34th session, adding 21 new sites to the World Heritage List. One of the new additions to the list is a collection of religious and historical buildings located near the city of Dengfeng at the foot of Mount Songshang, China’s most sacred mountain. The monuments include the famous Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and the Shaolin style of martial arts, and an astronomical observatory build on the orders of Kublai Khan. Because there are so many temples and monasteries located in the shadow of sacred Songshang mountain, the Chinese refer to this area as the “Center of Heaven and Earth.”

On its website, UNESCO explains that the sites were added to the World Heritage List due to their historical, religious and cultural significance:

“Constructed over the course of nine dynasties, these buildings are reflections of different ways of perceiving the centre of heaven and earth and the power of the mountain as a centre for religious devotion. The historical monuments of Dengfeng include some of the best examples of ancient Chinese buildings devoted to ritual, science, technology and education.”

To visit China’s newest World Heritage Site, you’ll need a Chinese visa for tourists, also known as an “L” visa. To get one, you’ll need the following documents:

A Chinese visa application
Your US passport, which must be valid for at least 6 more months. You’ll also need at least one blank page in the back.
A copy of your passport’s information page (the page with your name, date of birth, etc on it).
One passport photo glued or stapled to the application.

If you are leaving within the next 7 days, include a copy of your travel itinerary so that your Chinese visa can be expedited.

Using an expediting company like RushMyTravelVisa can make the Chinese visa process easier and quicker. We’ll help you with the application, decreasing the likelihood of errors that could hold up your visa. Then, we’ll deliver your paperwork to the appropriate Chinese Embassy for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Chinese visa today!

Travel Visas to Climb Cho Oyu

admin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 01:40:43 +0000

If mountaineering is one of your hobbies, climbing an 8,000-meter-tall mountain is probably on your life list of goals. That means a trip to the Himalayas. While climbing Mount Everest is a difficult and expensive undertaking, there is a more accessible option for amateur mountain climbers- Cho Oyu, the “Turquoise Goddess” of the Himalayas.

At 8,201 meters above sea level, Cho Oyu is the 6th highest mountain in the world. There are 14 mountains in the Himalayan range with summits higher than 8,000 meters. However, Cho Oyu is generally considered the easiest and most approachable of these giants.

That doesn’t mean you can just go without any preparation, however. 8,000 meters is way up there, and the risk of altitude sickness and other altitude-related problems is still quite present even with the help of oxygen and a team of Sherpas. You need to be in the best possible shape before you climb a peak like this, and many of the companies that guide you to the top require that you’ve climbed at least one really high mountain successfully prior to attempting to summit Cho Oyu.

Most Cho Oyu expeditions start in Nepal, where you meet up with your climbing group. However, the climb actually starts on the Tibet side of the mountain, so you’ll need both Nepal and Chinese visas to complete your journey.

Nepal visas can either be obtained ahead of time, before you leave the US, or in the airport on arrival. If you take the time to apply for your Nepal visa in advance, you get the advantage of peace of mind from knowing that your visa is already taken care of and you’ll spend less time in the airport. For more information about how to apply, see Nepal Visa Requirements for Tourists.

Some trekking companies will have you apply for your Chinese visa in Nepal, but you can also apply for it in advance. For more information about what you need to get your Chinese visa, see Chinese Tourist Visa Requirements.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you apply for these visas as well as any other visas you might need for your trip, including transit visas. Contact us about your travel visa requirements today!

Travel Visas To Travel the Silk Road

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:30:06 +0000

The Silk Road-even the name sounds romantic, doesn’t it? The Silk Road connected China with the West and provided a vital distribution route for ideas, culture and materials goods like silk. Even today, many of the major stops along the Silk Road are vibrant and interesting tourist destinations.

If you want to tour the Silk Road, the first step is determining which route to follow. There were actually two main land routes. The northern one led from China to the western boundary of the Roman Empire or to Iraq. The southern route led from China to the Levant in Syria or to Alexandria in Egypt.

After you decide on a route and book your travel, the next step is to secure the necessary travel documents. To help you out, here’s a list of countries that you might travel as part of a Silk Road tour, with information about visa information and whether or not you must apply in advance:

China: Tourists need travel visas and must apply in advance. See Chinese Tourist Visa Requirements
Kazakhstan: Apply in advance. See Apply for a Kazakhstan Visa
Azerbaijan: You need a visa, but if you’re flying into Azerbaijan directly you can get one in the airport. If you are entering by land, you must get one in advance.
Georgia: If you’re a US citizen visiting Georgia for 360 days or less, you do not need a Georgian visa
Turkmenistan: You need a visa, and you must apply ahead of time.
Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan does not issue visas on arrival. Apply for yours in advance.
Tajikistan: Apply in advance for your Tajikistan visa.
Syria: Obtain your visa prior to travel.
Egypt: Tourist visas can be obtained on arrival at the airport or in advance. If you are arriving by land, you need to have your visa ahead of time.

RushMyTravelVisa can research your exact itinerary to make sure you have the documents you need for your trip. We can also help expedite your visa applications, making the entire process of getting your travel visas much quicker and easier.

Need a travel visa? Apply with us today!

Do You Need a Chinese Visa to Go to Hong Kong?

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:17:21 +0000

Hong Kong, a former British colony that is now part of China, is often described as “the place where East meets West.” Englad took control of Hong Kong from China during the first Opium War in 1841. It was finally returned to Chinese control in 1997.

Today, the island is a major financial hub and tourist attraction. Tourists visit Hong Kong for shopping, dining and to see impressive attractions like the Giant Buddha of Po Lin Monastery.

Hong Kong is part of China, but do you need a Chinese visa to visit it? Not necessarily. If you are just visiting Hong Kong as a tourist and will be staying less than 90 days, all you need to enter is your US passport, enough money to support yourself while you are there, and a return ticket.

Even though you don’t need a visa, there are few important things you should be aware of before you book your flight. First, check the expiration date on your passport. Hong Kong only requires that it be valid for one month past your visit. However, since many of the surrounding countries require you have at least 6 months left on your passport to enter, the US Department of State recommends renewing your passport if it expires in less than 6 month.

Also, if you plan to cross over into mainland China, you will need a Chinese visa and you should apply before you leave the US. Technically, you can apply for a Chinese visa at the PRC Embassy in Hong Kong, but the Department of State website notes that travelers who do this often find themselves unable to get a visa because they lack the required documents. For example, the Chinese government requires a certified U.S. birth certificate to issue a visa for a US-born child in Hong Kong. In any case, it’s best to have all of that stuff taken care of before you leave the US, while you are still on familiar territory.

For more information on getting a Chinese tourist visa, see Chinese Tourist Visa Requirements.

RushMyTravelVisa.com can help you apply for any visas you may need for your trip to Hong Kong, including any required transit visas. We’ll research your itinerary and let you know what documents are needed, help you apply and expedite your applications.

Need a Chinese visa? Let us help you apply today!

Do You Need a Chinese Visa to Visit Macau?

admin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:42:44 +0000

Macau, once a Portuguese colony, is now a Special Administrative Region of China. It’s also known as the “Vegas of Asia,” and a recent Bootsnall article referred to it as a “gambler’s paradise.”

Like Las Vegas, Macau features a plethora of casinos, including local establishments as well as such familiar American names as Wynn and MGM Grand. According to Bootsnall, the Wynn casino in Macau is “freakishly similar” to the one in Vegas.

Should you actually manage to beat the house, the streets are packed with jewelry vendors who will be more than happy to let you spend some of your winnings on some bling. 24-carat gold is the norm.

Most travel to China requires a visa, but Macau is different. Americans can visit for up to 30 days without a China visa, as long as they are just visiting as tourists. However, if you are visiting Macau for business, you will need to apply for a visa beforehand. Also, check the expiration date on your passport. If yours expires in the next 6 months, you need to apply for a passport renewal before you leave.

Although you don’t have to have a China visa to visit Macau, you will need one if you plan to stop in China during your trip. It may be possible to obtain to a China visa in Macau, but the US Department of State notes that some Americans have had problems doing so, and recommends that you obtain all necessary visas before leaving the United States. For more information on how to get a Chinese tourist visa, see Chinese Visa Requirements for Tourists.

If you need a China visa, RushMyTravelVisa can help. We make the visa application process much easier by providing a helpful checklist and personal assistance from a trained representative. Then, we’ll expedite your visa for you, personally delivering your paperwork to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your China visa today!

Chinese Visa Requirements To See the Giant Buddha of Leshan

admin — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:53:01 +0000

This week’s featured UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in China, near the site of the country’s first Buddhist temple. The original temple was built in the 1st century AD, but over the years, more temples were added, as well as the area’s crown jewel, the Giant Buddha of Leshan.

Standing 71 meters high, the Giant Buddha of Leshan is the largest Buddha statue in the world. Carved out of the side of a cliff, the Buddha appears imposing but serene as he surveys the place where the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers meet.

The story of the Buddha’s creation is an interesting one. The statue was carved as an expression of faith, but the monk who came up with the idea, Haithong, also hoped that the finished statue would grant a measure of serenity to the wild, rough waters of the rivers below. By the time the statue was finally completed, years after Haithong’s death, so much rock had been deposited into the river as a result of the statue’s construction that the waters did indeed calm down, creating a safe passage for ships.

To see the Giant Buddha of Leshan, you need a Chinese visa. Americans are required to apply for Chinese visas in advance, as China does not grant visas on arrival and will instead send you home at your own expense. Tourists should apply for a tourist visa, also known as an “L” visa. Here are the documents that are required:

A completed Chinese visa application
Your US passport
One passport photo

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

RushMyTravelVisa can assist you in applying for your Chinese visa. We make things simple by walking you through each step of application process, helping you avoid common mistakes that can lead to delays in processing. Then, we expedite your Chinese visa application with the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest processing available.

Apply for your Chinese visa today!

5 Reasons to Get a Chinese Visa

admin — Sat, 29 May 2010 05:30:00 +0000

China is a magical place, at once ancient and modern, as more and more American tourists are discovering. There are innumerable reasons to get a Chinese visa and go exploring, but here are 5 of our favorites:

The Great Wall- Yes, visiting the Great Wall may be something of a cliché. But it’s still impressive.
Tomb of Qin Shi Huan: The tomb of Qin Shi Huan features thousands of terracotta soldiers and horses, each one unique. If Qin Shi Huan got in a fight in the afterlife with an Egyptian pharaoh, the Chinese emperor would most likely win.
Tiger Leaping Gorge: If you are the outdoorsy type, Tiger Leaping Gorge offers what is quite possibly the best backpacking trip in all of China.
Chinglish- Chinese and English are too very different languages. When attempting to translate between them, hilarity often ensues. This article from the New York Times has some great pictures of “Chinglish” signs from Shanghai. Please keep in mind, though, that if Americans tried to write signs in Chinese for Chinese tourists without the assistance of a professional interpreter or someone who knows both languages really well, the results would probably be equally amusing.
REAL Chinese Food- After years of Chinese takeout, the sheer variety of Chinese food in China will be a revelation. Depending on the region you visit, you might find crispy, delicious duck, boiled scorpions or even “thousand-year” eggs preserved for a rainy day in ash and straw.

American citizens who want to visit China must first obtain the appropriate Chinese visa. China does NOT issue visas on arrival, so make sure you apply in advance.

If you’re traveling to China as a tourist, you’ll want to apply for an “L” visa. You can choose to apply for 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, so double-check and make sure that the visa you are applying for gives you enough entries to accommodate your itinerary.

For more information on how to get a Chinese tourist visa, see Chinese Visa Requirements for Tourists.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you get a your visa quickly and easily.

Apply for your Chinese visa today!

Russia and Chinese Visa Requirements To Ride the Trans-Siberian Railroad

admin — Fri, 07 May 2010 04:32:48 +0000

The longest railroad in the world, the Trans-Siberian Railroad connects Russia with Mongolia, China and the Sea of Japan. It is subdivided into three different routes for travelers to choose from: the Trans-Mongolian, which takes you from Beijing through Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and on to Moscow (or vice-versa); the Trans-Manchurian, which takes you from Siberia through Manchuria to Beijing, and the Trans-Siberian, which will take from Moscow to Vladivostok.

Of course, there are many interesting places to stop along the way. You can either ride the Trans-Siberian railroad as part of a tour group or on your own, although naturally if you travel independently you will have more flexibility when it comes to how much time you spend where.

Wikitravel has an excellent guide to help you plan the logistics of your trip, including how to buy tickets, what to pack, and where to get food. This article on Matadortrips.com has a bunch of excellent suggestions for day trips and excursions if you’re traveling independently.

One other thing that you definitely should research ahead of time is visa requirements. Depending on your route and how far you take the railroad, you could end up spending time in Russia, China and/or Mongolia. To keep your trip from being unintentionally derailed (pun intended), it would be prudent to understand the entry requirements for each country before you travel.

Mongolian Visa Requirements

If you are an American citizen, you don’t need a visa to enter Mongolia as long as you don’t plan to stay longer than 9o days. However, if you plan to stay longer than 30 days, you do need to register with the authorities.

Chinese Visa Requirements

The requirements for obtaining a Chinese visa are fairly straightforward for tourists, but you will need to make sure that you have your visa in hand before you attempt t0 cross into China. If you will be crossing the Chinese border more than once during your journey, you should request a multiple-entry Chinese visa. For more information, see Chinese Tourist Visa Requirements.

Russian Visa Requirements

Russia has a fairly restrictive and complex visa system. Learn more about what’s needed by reading Getting a Russian Tourist Visa, but remember, you’re probably better off seeking professional assistance.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you get all of the necessary documents for your journey on the Trans-Siberian Railroad. We’ll research your itinerary and let you know exactly what visas are required, then we’ll walk you through the application process and deliver your paperwork to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

Need a visa? Let us help!