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Note that posts made prior to 1 July 2013 have been archived, but are still available for reference at China Visa / Visas Master Thread (ARCHIVED).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
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)
#601
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 10
I figured it out before my question even appeared here. The uncle neglected to mention that this particular tour departs from Shenzhen, thus requiring personal entry to China, thus requiring a visa.
I see now that tours departing from HK ask for passport info so they can obtain a group visa. However, a Guangzhou tour on viator is about the same price as a personal visa plus train fare, so it's really just a matter of convenience.
I see now that tours departing from HK ask for passport info so they can obtain a group visa. However, a Guangzhou tour on viator is about the same price as a personal visa plus train fare, so it's really just a matter of convenience.
#602
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
Is there a special exception in place for Americans? Or is 关系 coming into play in my case? Twice I've applied for visas in Vancouver and twice I've gotten them, despite not living there. When I applied through a local travel agency, I got a 1-year multi-entry like I would've had I gotten a US-based visa agent to do it at home. The second time a few months later (I'd lost my other passport, otherwise I wouldn't have had to apply for a new one this soon) I applied directly to the visa service center for same-day rush and only got a half-year two-entry visa, which is still better than being outright refused or being handed a single-entry visa.
#603
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
Is there a special exception in place for Americans? Or is 关系 coming into play in my case? Twice I've applied for visas in Vancouver and twice I've gotten them, despite not living there. When I applied through a local travel agency, I got a 1-year multi-entry like I would've had I gotten a US-based visa agent to do it at home. The second time a few months later (I'd lost my other passport, otherwise I wouldn't have had to apply for a new one this soon) I applied directly to the visa service center for same-day rush and only got a half-year two-entry visa, which is still better than being outright refused or being handed a single-entry visa.
If the is something special for Americans, maybe but it is not in the rules and never heard of an exception since the new rules are in place.
#604
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
Well, the "when" is March for the 1-year and for the 6-month double entry it was two weeks ago. If I can get 10-year visas from the US now I'll just make the trip to a consulate in the US.
#605
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
Just to add a data point here: My wife and I just got 10 year visas. Mine is 60 days/entry, hers (China-born) is 90 days/entry.
After looking more carefully at the visas I see they're just Ls, not the Q2s I was expecting as we always stay with relatives. I don't see that it matters one way or the other but I didn't realize they issued 90 day Ls.
After looking more carefully at the visas I see they're just Ls, not the Q2s I was expecting as we always stay with relatives. I don't see that it matters one way or the other but I didn't realize they issued 90 day Ls.
Last edited by Loren Pechtel; Dec 4, 2014 at 10:49 am
#607
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
"Travelers on a business visa may not stay more than 90 days in China within a one-year period and are limited in their activities."
First time that I hear about this.
http://www.bna.com/china-authorities...-n17179895608/
First time that I hear about this.
http://www.bna.com/china-authorities...-n17179895608/
#608
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,037
"Travelers on a business visa may not stay more than 90 days in China within a one-year period and are limited in their activities."
First time that I hear about this.
http://www.bna.com/china-authorities...-n17179895608/
First time that I hear about this.
http://www.bna.com/china-authorities...-n17179895608/
#609
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
"Travelers on a business visa may not stay more than 90 days in China within a one-year period and are limited in their activities."
First time that I hear about this.
http://www.bna.com/china-authorities...-n17179895608/
First time that I hear about this.
http://www.bna.com/china-authorities...-n17179895608/
Is it part of a larger Xi anti-foreigner (anti-foreign business) strategy? Possibly.
I can see where those in China who have been truly working longer-term on M visas (punctuated by strategically-timed exits and re-entries to China) could be very vulnerable now, but this is a small subset of the worldwide contingent of M visa holders.
On the part about those with Residence Permits having to report any changes within 10 days, that's not anything that new or burdensome. I had to chuckle about the requirement to carry around the Originals of Work Permit (a separate booklet) and Residence Permit (in the Passport) at all times. Yeah, right. Like I'd risk loss or theft just on the outside chance of being stopped and given the "Papers Please" routine. Been there, done that during the 6 months prior to the 2008 Olympics. I'd recommend carrying copies (as well as your zanzhuzheng, the certificate of Temporary Residence showing your accommodation). If police or immigration authorities want to escort me back to the apartment to inspect the originals, fine. There are also a lot of foreigners whose companies don't let them have possession of their Work Permits.
Last edited by jiejie; Dec 6, 2014 at 9:34 am
#610
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
You are right Jiejie but that seems to be the point, if you are doing business longer than 90 days then you need a work visa. The US is also not too kind to business travelers who show up too often. My son who works for a US-based consulting company had to get a work visa at one point as he was going there too often.
In any case, I have asked about this 90-day thing to an immigration lawyer based in China. Waiting to hear back after the weekend probably.
In any case, I have asked about this 90-day thing to an immigration lawyer based in China. Waiting to hear back after the weekend probably.
#611
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,037
My prediction is that -- in spite of the current crackdown on M people -- the 60 day rule isn't long for this world.
Why?
-to the best of my knowledge, the US side does not have a similar restriction
-the 10-year visa was a serious shock to the system; it was implemented immediately at PRC consulates worldwide (e.g. another friend of mine fetched one in Manila); let's give the Chinese a chance to react to its implications (that run counter to the Xi regime's ambitions)
Short term advice
-M invitation letters should come from powerful players and explicitly state the need for >60 days/stay -- "Mr John Jones operates a $475 million hedge fund, is an expert in our industry, and we require his presence in China for 120 day periods in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions."
#612
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Germany
Posts: 1,244
Which chinese visa should I apply for as my wife is chinese citizen living abroad and we want to visit her parents and travel through china? I can apply for a "L" visa like i always did, but is there any chance to get a visa with a longer validity?
Or may its possible to get a Resident Permit even we don't live in china? My father in law is a policeman but will retire this year. May it would be a good idea to use his good connections until they are gone?
Or may its possible to get a Resident Permit even we don't live in china? My father in law is a policeman but will retire this year. May it would be a good idea to use his good connections until they are gone?
#613
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
Which chinese visa should I apply for as my wife is chinese citizen living abroad and we want to visit her parents and travel through china? I can apply for a "L" visa like i always did, but is there any chance to get a visa with a longer validity?
Or may its possible to get a Resident Permit even we don't live in china? My father in law is a policeman but will retire this year. May it would be a good idea to use his good connections until they are gone?
Or may its possible to get a Resident Permit even we don't live in china? My father in law is a policeman but will retire this year. May it would be a good idea to use his good connections until they are gone?
There are 2 types for short or long stays.
#615
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 353
If you get a Q2 visa, you maybe can stay up to 180 days, but sometimes you just get 30 or maybe 40 days, itīs always a lottery.
Ask for 180 days, maybe you get it maybe not.
@ threadstarter
You just need an invitation from a chinese family member, who lives in China.
Your wife still holds the chinese citizenship?
Then your wife should invite you (that works if you have a copy of her chinese ID).