The U.S. government has also introduced passport cards designed to speed border crossings by U.S. citizens traveling to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean by car, rail or boat. The government approved the wallet-size cards as a cheaper and more convenient alternative to passport books. They may be used only by citizens returning to the United States through land or seaports from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Air travelers must carry full passport books.

The cards emit a radio signal picked up by Customs and Border Protection officers at checkpoints. The signal provides inspectors with a file number linked to passport data on each cardholder. The cards are handy for frequent border crossers, and cost just $55 for a first-time adult applicant, rather than the $135 fee for a passport book.  They can be ordered standard issue or expedited.  They are “swiped” at the border as a credit card is swiped at a terminal- the information coded in the back magnetic strip.

Give your trip information, passport number, photographs, visa fee and completed application for your visa. Make sure that you send all important documents or your visa could be delayed.

Application Form
The first step in getting a visa to travel India is to fill the application form. Visit the Indian Embassy or one of the Indian Consulates to apply for your visa in person. This sometimes can be done in the same day. Alternatively, you can apply through the mail, but it can take a longer time.

Following are the Indian Consulates, Embassy offices in US.

Embassy Of India, Washington DC
2536 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington,
DC 20008
Tel: (202) 939-9806 Fax: (202) 797-4693

Consulate General Of India, New York
3 East, 64th Street, New York, NY 10021,USA
Tel : 212-774-0600 Fax : 212-861-3788

Consulate General Of India, Chicago
455 North Cityfront Plaza Drive, #850 Chicago, IL 60611, U.S.A., Tel(312) 595-0405
Email: info@indianconsulate.com

Consulate General Of India, Houston
1990 Post Oak Blvd. Suite 600 Houston, TX 77056 Tel: (713) 626-2355 Fax: (713) 626-2450,
Email :cgi-hou@accesscomm.net

Consulate General of India, San Francisco
540 Arguello Boulevard San Francisco, CA 94118 Tel: (415) 668-0662
Fax: (415) 668-7968
Email: Info@IndianConsulate-sf.org

Passport
Travelers to India must have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining beyond your intended stay before expiration. In addition, there must be at least two blank pages where they can stamp the visa.

Photographs
Two identical passport-size photographs (color, front facing, 2″ X 2″) must be attached to the application form. Visa applicants should give special attention to the requirements of the photos (i.e. no glasses may be worn). The specific requirements can be found on the visa application form.

Proof of Address
Applicants need to submit a photocopy of either a state issued identification card, driver’s license, or current utility bill (Water, Gas, Electric, Sewage) to get a visa. For more details please refer to visa requirements of the specific country.

Birth Certificate
All U.S. citizens need to submit a copy of their birth certificate. Those born outside of the United States can submit any government document from their country of origin that shows date of birth, nationality and their parents’ names.

Visa Fees
A postal money order made payable to either the Embassy of India or Consulate of India to pay for the visa to be applied to the passport.

Requirement Exceptions
Travelers from certain countries can have additional restrictions. Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka all need to fill out extra paperwork. United States citizens can be given five- and 10-year visas, while citizens of all other nations are required to leave after 6 months for at least 2 months before they can return.

(1) First, make sure your Passport is current with at least 6 months remaining validity beyond your intended stay and at least 2 blank pages.

(2) Decide which Chinese Visa you require. There are different types of Visas available to travelers when visiting China.
Here are the subcategories of regular Visas for China:

C Visa - for international crew members who work on-board duties on trains, airplanes, and other vessels.
D Visa – for aliens who will reside in China permanently
F Visa - for foreign citizens who are invited to China for less than 6 months for a visit, a lecture, research, scientific or technological and cultural exchanges, to do business, advanced studies, or an intern practice
G Visa – for foreign citizens who travel through China
J-1 Visa – for foreign resident correspondents in China
J-2 Visa – for foreign journalists who make short trips to China
L Visa - for foreign citizens who visit China for sightseeing, visiting family, or for other private reasons
X Visa – for foreign citizens who travel to China for study or internships for more than six months
Z Visa – for foreign citizens who travel to China for job, and their family members

(3) Visit the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. on weekdays during office hours or you can download the Visa Application form from the Embassy of China website

(4) Gather the following documentation to apply:
Current Valid Passport
Completed Visa Application Form.
One 2×2 inch (either black and white or color) photo.
The Visa Fees in the form of a postal money order made payable to the Consulate of China or the Embassy of China.

(5) Submit the required documents to the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.

(6) If you cannot visit Chinese embassy or consulate, a travel agent or expediting service can arrange someone to submit the visa material for you.

(7) You can have your documents returned to you by mail if you provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your application

Tourist
Temporary
Permanent
Diplomatic

Here are the necessary steps to take for getting a travel visa to visit Brazil.

(1) Download the visa application from the Brazilian Consulate Web site. Fill the complete form online and print it. You will have to provide a complete explanation for visiting Brazil. Make sure to sign the form. Parents have to sign the paper for children younger than 18 years of age.

(2) Make sure you have a valid passport. Your passport must have at least two blank pages where they can stamp the visa and it has to be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.

(3) Attach a copy of your tickets or copy of your flight itinerary and photo to the visa application.

(4) United states citizens need to pay a nonrefundable processing fee. The fee has to be included with your application, and has to be in the form of a postal money order. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you can find the amount of the application fee on the Brazilian Embassy Web site.

(5) Submit your application and important documents for a tourist or temporary visa in person at the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C., or at the consulate that serves your state. Brazilian Consulates are located in Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, Miami, Houston, Hartford, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

(6) Wait for 3 to 4 business days for tourist visas or temporary visas if you submit the application in person. Expect a processing time of more than two weeks if you mail your application to the Brazilian Consulate.

There are different options available to expedite passport renewal. The option you choose will determine how fast your application is processed. You have two assets: time and money. Each option requires a specific amount of time. Each has certain costs involved. You have to decide how much time you require in relation to how much you can pay. The information below helps you decide the best option to expedite passport renewal.

(1) You can get a fast passport renewal through the U.S. Department of State Passport Services. The time to expedite your mailed passport application can vary from 2 to 3 weeks. You first have to fill out and sign Form DS-82. Put the application, with your old passport, photos and application fee in an envelope. Make sure to write “Expedited Passport Renewal” on the front of the envelope. Note that if your current passport was altered or heavily damaged in any way, you will have to renew your passport in person rather than through the mail.

(2) If you plan to travel in less than 2 weeks, you can also apply at a regional passport agency for fast passport renewal. By using this option, you can usually get your passport the same or following day you present your application. You have to appear in person by appointment at a regional passport agency. These offices are located in Aurora, Colorado; Boston; Chicago; Detroit; Honolulu; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; Minneapolis; New Orleans; New York; Norwalk, Connecticut; Philadelphia; San Francisco; Seattle; and Washington, D.C. You also have to show documented proof of the emergency.

(3) Another option for getting quick passport renewal is to use an expedited U.S. Passport Renewal Service. This is a good alternative if you have less than 1 week before your departure date and cannot travel to a regional passport agency. You can authorize a passport expediting service to get your passport renewed. Many passport and visa expediters offer downloadable applications and renewal forms on their websites for added convenience.