During this planning process, I’ve attempted to organise things in a slightly un-organised way. I now know how you should do it, but the rough approach has been as follows:
- plan route
- sketch-out visa requirements
- realise that passport will not leave enough time before expiry and re-apply
- wait for new passport to arrive
- attempt to organise Russian and Chinese visas. Realise that the Russian visa requires exact entry and exit dates and complete the application form using a ‘best guess’
- plan route through Russia, getting entry and exit dates
- attempt to organise Russian visa. Re-apply using the correct dates (and complete process)
- attempt to organise Chinese visa. Realise that travel insurance is required, along with accommodation confirmation
- research and buy travel insurance
- research and book travel accommodation
- attempt to organise a Chinese visa (and complete process)
- confirm route through Russia.
If you have the time, the correct process to follow is definitely in the ‘Advice’ section of this blog.