We could all use a little guidance for getting through the ordinary routines of life. But for most people there hasn’t been any classroom to teach us how to do our taxes, fix plumbing issues, or take care of important travel procedures like immunizations, passports, and visas. Admittedly, we can’t help you when the faucet starts to leak. But for all those pesky travel documents, here are some helpful tips to get you through the necessary procedures with a minimal amount of stress.
- Choose Your Service Provider
You could go directly through the source – in this case, the State Department – if you want. Think about it, though: do you really want to put more on the government’s plate? Haven’t they got enough to deal with already? Wouldn’t it be more prudent to take your needs to a business specifically designed to get your new passport and visa to you quickly and efficiently? We say yes. It’s easy to find an online company where you can go to take care of all the minutiae of international travel. Choice Passport, for example, is a government-approved purveyor of travel docs and will do everything to help guide you through the required steps.
2. Do the Research
Choice Passport and their ilk will always provide every bit of information so you can understand ahead of time what is needed, how much it will cost, and how long the process will take. In short, planning and research alone will cut down on a huge amount of the pressure you might feel if everything is being done late in the game and/or on the fly. The site is incredibly user-friendly and will help you navigate the choppy waters of administrative policies to the last click, so that you can feel secure in obtaining that visa to Russia or China or anywhere else that suits your fancy and your business needs.
3. Time it Right
This goes along with the whole planning phase, of course; the further ahead of time you can get the ball rolling on your documents, the better. With Choice Passport the regular processing time for a new passport is 11-15 business days. There are, however, faster processing times available for a few dollars more, including Priority, Rush, and Next Day, in case you’re operating on a tight schedule due to last-minute plans or an emergency situation.
For countries that require a visa, be aware that the processing time for applications can be much longer depending on the destination, which is why getting these measures out of the way as far in advance as possible is always, always the best course. A travel visa to China, for instance, can take up to 45 business days with regular service, and up to 15 for the most expedited option (the Consulate fees will also vary depending on the country).
4. Stay Connected
Once you have the necessary info and send those applications, the customer service department is there to answer any questions or concerns, and with courteous efficiency. They will also be sure to get in touch regarding any potential issues, because they recognize that staying up-to-date is important for your peace of mind. Feel free to check in during the process for updates, hitches, or just a quick query to make yourself feel better.
5. Get on a Plane!
Once you visit Choice Passport, everything else will just fall into place. Your forms and applications will be filled out and submitted, your payments processed, and that fresh passport and visa will appear in the mailbox before you have even a moment to wonder about them. In fact, the only thing you’ll have left to think about will be remembering to pack those documents in your carry-on. For any destination on earth, whether you’re traveling for pleasure or work, visit Choice Passport online or call (855) 246-4243, and feel calm and safe about your impending travels. Let someone else deal with the leaky faucet – you’re on vacation!