Topic: tips on passports and visas
krupa's photo
Wed 02/18/09 04:33 AM
found out last night that I need to scramble to get my passport and a travel visa to China...never been abroad...any pointers?

Got my birth certificate, SS card, drivers liscence and my Hollywood Video rental card. Bout to jet to get passport photos......excited and nervous....

any help...would help...thanks

MahanMahan's photo
Wed 02/18/09 04:43 AM


no photo
Wed 02/18/09 04:56 AM
I don't know how long you have until your trip, but if it's less than 6-8 weeks, you may want to look into a company that expedites passports. It'll cost probably $150-$200 but that sure beats not getting your passport in time. Most people are getting them fairly quickly but there's no guarantee.

MississippiQueen's photo
Wed 02/18/09 05:57 AM
160.00 to expidite it.....or, you can go to New Orleans and get it in one day.....;)

MahanMahan's photo
Wed 02/18/09 06:07 AM
Dude, whatever you do, DON'T GO TO NEW ORLEANS!


no photo
Wed 02/18/09 07:57 AM
Go to CVS and have your passport picture taken for less than $8.. The post office will try and screw you for more $$ if they take the pic.

no photo
Wed 02/18/09 10:46 AM
always get an extra copy of the papers.....in case you screw up. Any sort of "mistake" and you will have to wait another 6-10 weeks and pay money again. Also, I think you have to do it in either black or blue ink.......read EVERYTHING very carefully.

Filmfreek's photo
Wed 02/18/09 12:53 PM
I got mine at the PO for less than $200 in 2007. Expedited, and received it in 4 days.

drinker :banana: drinker

Dan99's photo
Thu 02/19/09 12:51 PM
dont forget to get your inoculations

no photo
Thu 02/19/09 12:53 PM
Edited by quiet_2008 on Thu 02/19/09 12:53 PM
I got mine a few weeks back so I could travel to Toronto to see papersmile

I was actually amazed at how easy it was

cost about $100 total and took three weeks to get my passport in the mail

you can do it at the courthouse and its easy and cheap

krupa's photo
Sat 02/21/09 06:30 AM
Thanks guys! The CVS tip was spot on. $93.31 to expedite. Now I am just holding my breath. When I get the passport, my woman knows all the tricks on expediting travel visas. Looks like this trip is gonna happen...incredibly nervous...but, I am sure I will blend right in.