Travel Considerations

CCAI is proud to have served more than 7,600 families as they traveled to China to meet their new children. Wherever you are in China, you will always be with a CCAI representative who knows the dialect of that area and details on what families need while in that city. The combination of our representatives’ experience, language skills and relationships with key figures results in a smooth process and the ability to overcome any problems that may arise during the trip.

CCAI coordinates the following aspects of your adoption trip: hotel arrangements, in-China flights, ground transportation and adoption-related appointments with Chinese and U.S. government officials. This is our service to you. Our local representatives are experts in the field of adoption and the travel industry in China.

Your U.S. domestic and international tickets to and from China are arranged by you, either on your own or with the help of a travel agency. CCAI can refer you to travel agencies who can help you with this portion of your travel.

The structure of an adoption trip for Waiting Child families is quite similar to that of families in the traditional program, but Waiting Child families must also take into account other factors in their special adoptions:

	Preparing for the emotional aspects of the adoption trip to China is crucial. We encourage families to stay in contact with their social worker and maintain realistic expectations about what the first few days and even weeks with their new child will be like. CCAI also recommends that families talk with others who have adopted children of similar age and with similar special needs. This packet contains a list of references of families in your area who have adopted a child with special needs.

	Families adopting through the traditional program have about a year to accumulate the necessary funds for their adoption trip. Waiting Child families will only have a few months to save the approximately $9,000 to $10,000 required for U.S. domestic and international airfare, in-China travel and accommodations, and adoption fees and expenses, etc. Waiting Child families must be financially prepared to travel in a shorter timeframe than families pursuing a traditional China adoption.

	Whenever possible, CCAI will arrange for Waiting Child families to travel with an existing group, which will allow families to take advantage of travel discounts (up to a 30% savings on some travel costs) and benefit from the emotional support of other families. However, a majority of Waiting Child families will find themselves in their own travel group. In this case, CCAI and the adoptive family must take into account several factors when arranging travel:

		The schedule of CCAI in-China representatives US Consulate appointment availability International flight availability US and Chinese national holidays Increased travel expenses for the adoptive family

Adopting a special needs or older child presents some extra challenges and issues to consider, especially with regard to travel. However, with emotional, financial, and practical support and preparation, families will be able to focus on enabling their child to make a smooth and successful transition into his or her new family.