First Passport? Where to Go First

How to build a travel record from a blank passport, and the best order to apply for visas.

Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Maldives, UAE and Qatar are all visa-free or visa-on-arrival for Chinese citizens — ideal first trips to build a travel record.

Go from easy to hard: visa-free countries first, then e-visas or simple visas (Japan single-entry, Korea), then UK/Schengen/New Zealand, and finally the US (interview) and Canada.

Officers look for proof you will return: a solid employment certificate, 6 months of stable bank flow, property or vehicle ownership, and a realistic day-by-day itinerary.