April 15, 2008 15:27 ET

Travelers to Beijing Summer Olympics Urged to Apply for US Passports and Chinese Visas Now

AllStar Passports and Visas Offers Recommendations on Traveling to China

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - April 15, 2008) - As peak times for travelers applying for travel visas and US passports near, AllStar Passports and Visas, a leading provider of expedited passports, is urging those traveling to the Beijing Olympics this summer to apply for their US passports and Chinese visas as soon as possible.

"Traveling season may still be months away, but now is the optimal time to apply for tourist visas and passport services," said Ken Ripoll of AllStar Passports and Visas. "New security measures for US passports caused a massive backlog last year which has since cleared, but it never hurts to plan ahead."

US passport holders must have a travel visa (a stamp or document added to a passport that authorizes the passport holder to enter a country for specific purposes for a particular time period) in order to enter many different countries, including China.

"There are many Americans traveling to the Beijing Olympics this summer, many of whom do not realize they need both a US passport and a Chinese visa to get there," said Ripoll. "We offer the best variety of expedited passport and Chinese visa services available and would like to stress that it's better to be safe than sorry when dealing with something as important as the Olympics."

The Beijing Olympic Games will be held from August 8-24 this year. Travelers choosing not to use a service such as AllStar's are subject to normal wait times for a US passport. These can range from six to eight weeks with expedited passport service ranging from two to four weeks when using the government for processing.

AllStar Passports and Visas offers fast passports in as little as one to three business days and Chinese visas in as little as one business day. For additional information, or to get started on applying for a passport today, call 866-525-7255 or visit www.AllStarPassports.com.

About AllStar Passports and Visas:

AllStar Passports and Visas is a privately-owned US passport and visa service that specializes in expedited passports and tourist visas for individuals, companies and travel agents. AllStar's relationships with the US Passport Agency and foreign consulates allow them to secure travel visas and US passports in as little as one business day. Whether you need your travel documents urgently, or you're just planning ahead, AllStar has got you covered.