For decades, China discouraged foreign tourism, but in recent years the government has begun to encourage tourism and the world is rediscovering what an amazing place China is to visit.
According to Wikipedia, in 2007 approximately 55 million foreign tourists visited China, drawn by famous attractions like the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army in Xian. China also has gorgeous natural landscapes that will take your breath away, as well as cosmopolitan cities with world-class shopping and dining.
If you’d like to visit China, your first step is obtaining a passport or a passport renewal if yours is about to expire. China won’t let you in if you have less than 6 months remaining before your passport expires, and you’ll also need at least one blank page in the back for your Chinese visa.
Make sure to apply well in advance. Obtaining a passport takes at least 6 weeks if you apply with normal processing, and at least 3 weeks if you apply with the Department of State’s expedited processing.
If you are traveling within 4 weeks, you can make an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency office. However, their are only 18 of these offices to serve the entire country and they operate on an appointment-only basis, so obtaining a passport in this way can be a time-consuming process. An easier option is to use a private passport expediting company like RushMyPassport.com.
An expediting company personally delivers your application to the Department of State for processing times as low as 24 hours. Obtaining a passport through an expediting company is quick and convenient.
Once you have your passport, you’ll need to apply for a China visa. Here again, if you are in a hurry or need help navigating the paperwork and the application process, a professional expediting company can be an invaluable resource.
Visiting China? Let us help you with obtaining a passport and a Chinese visa!