Jun 4, 2013, 2:02 pm
Last edit by: mnbp
Your Forum Ambassadors are maintaining this guide. Signed in members with 90 days / 90 posts can edit this Wikipost; wiki contents may be printed by using the 
(lower right wiki corner).
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Note that posts made prior to 1 July 2013 have been archived, but are still available for reference at China Visa / Visas Master Thread (ARCHIVED).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)
Dec 30, 2016, 8:10 am
#1411
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Just enter using your visa, and check the "conference" box on the entry form. I highly doubt that the person who admits you will ask you about the specific conference, but I would find one on Google just to be safe.
Some might argue that the above is dishonest, and that checking the "tourism" box is also fine. While I agree, I still think the white lie approach is the best course of action (I.e. path of least resistance, and it's not like you need to be a conference speaker in order to enter on F). If you're feeling guilty, you could always attend a meaningless trade show during your trip.
Some might argue that the above is dishonest, and that checking the "tourism" box is also fine. While I agree, I still think the white lie approach is the best course of action (I.e. path of least resistance, and it's not like you need to be a conference speaker in order to enter on F). If you're feeling guilty, you could always attend a meaningless trade show during your trip.
Dec 30, 2016, 8:38 pm
#1412
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, BA Gold
Posts: 430
Agree with @moondog. Use the F, be a 'businessman' and check Business or Conference as visit purpose. Don't rock the boat, don't force officials to think. As I always say, the Chinese gov't will lie to you as often as they wish or think they can get away with, so you shouldn't feel too guilty about reciprocating where there's no real downside. In the end, you will be spending money in China and as long as you aren't creating trouble that requires the local Police or your country's Consular officials, China is happy to see you spending whether on L or F.
Jan 23, 2017, 3:14 pm
#1414
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 84
Going to China
So.. In late April I'm going to China. I'm now realizing that I can't mail in my application into the Chinese consulate. Agents are at least $75ish a visa plus shipping.
I'm planning on flying to DC in March for a weekend. Even though I'm an FL resident and have to technically go through Houston, could I do it in DC? Since I don't think I would have enough time in DC to pickup the visas, could I leave a prepaid mailer and have them FedEx it back?
If not, what's the cheapest East Coast agent?
Thanks a ton!
I'm planning on flying to DC in March for a weekend. Even though I'm an FL resident and have to technically go through Houston, could I do it in DC? Since I don't think I would have enough time in DC to pickup the visas, could I leave a prepaid mailer and have them FedEx it back?
If not, what's the cheapest East Coast agent?
Thanks a ton!
Jan 23, 2017, 3:22 pm
#1415
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: DFW
Posts: 675
So.. In late April I'm going to China. I'm now realizing that I can't mail in my application into the Chinese consulate. Agents are at least $75ish a visa plus shipping.
I'm planning on flying to DC in March for a weekend. Even though I'm an FL resident and have to technically go through Houston, could I do it in DC? Since I don't think I would have enough time in DC to pickup the visas, could I leave a prepaid mailer and have them FedEx it back?
If not, what's the cheapest East Coast agent?
Thanks a ton!
I'm planning on flying to DC in March for a weekend. Even though I'm an FL resident and have to technically go through Houston, could I do it in DC? Since I don't think I would have enough time in DC to pickup the visas, could I leave a prepaid mailer and have them FedEx it back?
If not, what's the cheapest East Coast agent?
Thanks a ton!
Jan 23, 2017, 3:40 pm
#1417
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: DFW
Posts: 675
You don't have to pick it up or drop it off yourself. You can actually have anyone do it such as a relative or a friend. All you need is the pickup slip and the money to pick it up.
Jan 23, 2017, 4:09 pm
#1418
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 84
If there are no issues with your visa application, the chances are pretty good that it will be done by Friday. They will tell you when to pick it up when you drop it off.
You don't have to pick it up or drop it off yourself. You can actually have anyone do it such as a relative or a friend. All you need is the pickup slip and the money to pick it up.
You don't have to pick it up or drop it off yourself. You can actually have anyone do it such as a relative or a friend. All you need is the pickup slip and the money to pick it up.
Jan 23, 2017, 4:39 pm
#1419
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: DFW
Posts: 675
Jan 23, 2017, 4:56 pm
#1420
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,012
There is a visa agent (Oasis iirc) on the third floor in the same building as the consulate in DC that does pickup + mail back for around $20. I learned about them because there is a no longer copy machine in the consulate itself (i.e. they tell you to go to the third floor, and overpay).
Jan 23, 2017, 5:43 pm
#1421
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
So.. In late April I'm going to China. I'm now realizing that I can't mail in my application into the Chinese consulate. Agents are at least $75ish a visa plus shipping.
I'm planning on flying to DC in March for a weekend. Even though I'm an FL resident and have to technically go through Houston, could I do it in DC? Since I don't think I would have enough time in DC to pickup the visas, could I leave a prepaid mailer and have them FedEx it back?
If not, what's the cheapest East Coast agent?
Thanks a ton!
I'm planning on flying to DC in March for a weekend. Even though I'm an FL resident and have to technically go through Houston, could I do it in DC? Since I don't think I would have enough time in DC to pickup the visas, could I leave a prepaid mailer and have them FedEx it back?
If not, what's the cheapest East Coast agent?
Thanks a ton!
My wife and kids have been using visa agencies for visa to China. I have also done that for passport renewal and visa India. My preference would be to pay the visa agency to take care of my visa, and perhaps do something else in DC.
Jan 24, 2017, 9:32 am
#1422
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 84
Foreign embassies and consulates are usually closed on weekends, US holidays, and their own holidays. I don't know if you can do that during a weekend. I know the SFO consulate can do visa in a day (perhaps less).
My wife and kids have been using visa agencies for visa to China. I have also done that for passport renewal and visa India. My preference would be to pay the visa agency to take care of my visa, and perhaps do something else in DC.
My wife and kids have been using visa agencies for visa to China. I have also done that for passport renewal and visa India. My preference would be to pay the visa agency to take care of my visa, and perhaps do something else in DC.
Anyhow, to throw another wrench into all of this: I'm going to be in China for about three days at a time. I'm planning on visiting a neighboring country for a 3 days in the middle of my trip. As a US citizen flying into Beijing, could I get away with the whole 144 hour visa free period? This is probably the wrong thread for that..
The way the timing looks is like this:
Fly into Beijing on the 21st at 2:30 in the evening.
Leave Beijing to go to a neighboring country (not HK FWIW) on the 24th at 1:00 in the evening at the latest..
Return to Beijing 10:00 AM on the 27th
Leave Beijing to go to the US on the 30th at 5:00.
The only hanging "chad" would be that I have two separate reservations. One for my flight in and out of Beijing and one for the neighboring country trip.
Thanks a ton!
Jan 24, 2017, 12:03 pm
#1424
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Asia/Europe
Programs: CX, OZ, MU (+AY, DL), Shangri-La, Hilton
Posts: 7,236
Yes, I could imagine that the new US administration would like to remove the reciprocal 10 year visa option ASAP and probably get back to maximum one year visas for both Chinese and US citizens.
Jan 24, 2017, 1:53 pm
#1425
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,012
I doubt that anything will change myself, but time will tell.
Last edited by moondog; Jan 24, 2017 at 2:57 pm