Jun 4, 2013, 2:02 pm
Last edit by: mnbp
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Visa Information for the People's Republic of China (PRC, Mainland China)
Important: China's visa terms and conditions changed effective 12 Nov 2014 as far as duration, and 1 July 2013 for requirements and procedures. Do not rely on information posted prior to that date.
Note new FT thread regarding up to ten year visa duration: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china...ov-2014-a.html
The PRC allows certain foreigners to transit China without a visa if they will be exiting the country within 24, 72 or 144 hours provided various other conditions are met. Please see the separate China 24, 72, and 144 hour Transit Without Visa ("TWOV") rules master thread and Wikipost for detailed rules and discussion.
The best source of current visa and travel document requirements is IATA'S TIMATIC, as that is what the airlines rely upon to determine whether they will permit you to fly. Star Alliance provides a free, easy-to-use TIMATIC tool to help you identify your exact requirements based on nationality, residency and specific itinerary. The SkyTeam alliance website contains a link which also allows you free use of TIMATIC, including good printouts of the information.
Note that posts made prior to 1 July 2013 have been archived, but are still available for reference at China Visa / Visas Master Thread (ARCHIVED). The old FAQ: Visa-Free Transit / TWOV thread is also closed but available for reference.
China Forum Ambassadors: moondog----------anacapamalibu----------jiejie----------mnredfox
(lower right wiki corner).Visa Information for the People's Republic of China (PRC, Mainland China)
Main source: Visa Page - Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America (external website)
Important: China's visa terms and conditions changed effective 12 Nov 2014 as far as duration, and 1 July 2013 for requirements and procedures. Do not rely on information posted prior to that date.
Note new FT thread regarding up to ten year visa duration: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china...ov-2014-a.html
The PRC allows certain foreigners to transit China without a visa if they will be exiting the country within 24, 72 or 144 hours provided various other conditions are met. Please see the separate China 24, 72, and 144 hour Transit Without Visa ("TWOV") rules master thread and Wikipost for detailed rules and discussion.
The best source of current visa and travel document requirements is IATA'S TIMATIC, as that is what the airlines rely upon to determine whether they will permit you to fly. Star Alliance provides a free, easy-to-use TIMATIC tool to help you identify your exact requirements based on nationality, residency and specific itinerary. The SkyTeam alliance website contains a link which also allows you free use of TIMATIC, including good printouts of the information.
Note that posts made prior to 1 July 2013 have been archived, but are still available for reference at China Visa / Visas Master Thread (ARCHIVED). The old FAQ: Visa-Free Transit / TWOV thread is also closed but available for reference.
China Forum Ambassadors: moondog----------anacapamalibu----------jiejie----------mnredfox
China Visa / Visas Master Thread (all you need to know)
Nov 10, 2014, 9:24 am
#586
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Posts: 100,368
US citizens might be able to get 10 year visas to China soon:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/...0IU0Q020141110
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/...0IU0Q020141110
Nov 10, 2014, 1:47 pm
#587
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Posts: 31,849
State Department Press Release:
The United States and China To Extend Visas for Short-term Business Travelers, Tourists, and Students
The United States and China To Extend Visas for Short-term Business Travelers, Tourists, and Students
Nov 10, 2014, 2:37 pm
#588
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Wimbledon, UK
Programs: Budding BA Bronze, MPC Gold
Posts: 370
I'm going travelling in December for 9 months and will be ending up in China before returning to the UK so I won't be able to apply before going as it will expire before I get there!
Vancouver will be the last stop before Shanghai so does anyone know if it will be possible to get a visa there?
I'm a UK citizen so don't need any paperwork to get into Canada at all. I contacted the Visa Centre in Vancouver but just got a message saying "Citizens of other countries staying in British Columbia can apply"...not much detail.
Thanks
Vancouver will be the last stop before Shanghai so does anyone know if it will be possible to get a visa there?
I'm a UK citizen so don't need any paperwork to get into Canada at all. I contacted the Visa Centre in Vancouver but just got a message saying "Citizens of other countries staying in British Columbia can apply"...not much detail.
Thanks
Nov 10, 2014, 3:48 pm
#591
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
I agree with JPDM. Based on what we know about current Chinese policies, your only safe bets to get a visa are the UK and Hong Kong. Due to your travel schedule, any visa you get in the UK will be long expired before you can get to China. That leaves Hong Kong. Suggest that you change your flight routing to fly Vancouver to HKG. Allow at least 2 business days in HKG to get the visa, and using an agent there might be advisable to expedite matters and free you up for sightseeing.
While it's possible that the Chinese will change to a more lax third-country issuance policy between now and time you need a visa, I wouldn't bet on it.
While it's possible that the Chinese will change to a more lax third-country issuance policy between now and time you need a visa, I wouldn't bet on it.
Nov 10, 2014, 3:48 pm
#592
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
Nov 11, 2014, 5:29 am
#593
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Wimbledon, UK
Programs: Budding BA Bronze, MPC Gold
Posts: 370
Thanks, great information.
I will actually be in Hong Kong 1st-5th February so getting a multiple visa that is valid for 12 months might be the best option. I've never had a Chinese Visa before so not sure if you can go straight from no visa to 12 months?
Aiming for China on 1st September so the 6 month visa would have just expired.
I will actually be in Hong Kong 1st-5th February so getting a multiple visa that is valid for 12 months might be the best option. I've never had a Chinese Visa before so not sure if you can go straight from no visa to 12 months?
Aiming for China on 1st September so the 6 month visa would have just expired.
Nov 11, 2014, 7:21 am
#594
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
Thanks, great information.
I will actually be in Hong Kong 1st-5th February so getting a multiple visa that is valid for 12 months might be the best option. I've never had a Chinese Visa before so not sure if you can go straight from no visa to 12 months?
Aiming for China on 1st September so the 6 month visa would have just expired.
I will actually be in Hong Kong 1st-5th February so getting a multiple visa that is valid for 12 months might be the best option. I've never had a Chinese Visa before so not sure if you can go straight from no visa to 12 months?
Aiming for China on 1st September so the 6 month visa would have just expired.
Nov 11, 2014, 7:33 am
#595
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Wimbledon, UK
Programs: Budding BA Bronze, MPC Gold
Posts: 370
We'll be in New Zealand in July, according to the China Embassy there Non-New Zealand passport holders can apply for visas there.
I'll have to call them to confirm but from reading this should cover a single entry 1st September and exit 10th September.
Last edited by yokozuma; Nov 11, 2014 at 7:41 am
Nov 11, 2014, 8:42 am
#596
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,984
It's possible to get better visas (e.g. 6/12 months) in HK if you use an agent with decent 关系. A friend of mine just got a 12-month visa there for $HK2000 (visa fee plus steep agent fee); he does not have a HKID. This doesn't strike me as a very good option for someone who wants to visit China 10 months from now though.
Nov 11, 2014, 9:52 am
#597
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
Ah yes I see that now, so much different information online!
We'll be in New Zealand in July, according to the China Embassy there Non-New Zealand passport holders can apply for visas there.
I'll have to call them to confirm but from reading this should cover a single entry 1st September and exit 10th September.
We'll be in New Zealand in July, according to the China Embassy there Non-New Zealand passport holders can apply for visas there.
I'll have to call them to confirm but from reading this should cover a single entry 1st September and exit 10th September.
"(3) Proof of legal stay or residence status (applicable to those not applying for the visa in their country of citizenship)"
Nov 11, 2014, 6:29 pm
#598
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Ah yes I see that now, so much different information online!
We'll be in New Zealand in July, according to the China Embassy there Non-New Zealand passport holders can apply for visas there.
I'll have to call them to confirm but from reading this should cover a single entry 1st September and exit 10th September.
We'll be in New Zealand in July, according to the China Embassy there Non-New Zealand passport holders can apply for visas there.
I'll have to call them to confirm but from reading this should cover a single entry 1st September and exit 10th September.
Chinese tourist visas are generally issued as "Enter Before" which is the only date you need to worry about. Consider it a deadline by which time you must enter China, date inclusive. Once you enter, you will be allowed the full time of your duration of stay, for which the default standard is 30 days for most westerners.
Nov 18, 2014, 12:13 pm
#599
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 10
Does anyone have experience entering China while visiting Hong Kong? According to the visa policy, citizens of certain countries may enter visa-free from HK/Macao as long as they go with a tour group (see "Visiting the Pearl River Delta or Hainan Island" at http://newyork.china-consulate.org/e...zjx/sbqz/lacv/). However, my wife's uncle in HK checked with a travel agency there and was told there were no such exemptions, and their website makes no mention of it (see http://www.ctshk.com/english/useful/chinesevisa.htm).
