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Note that posts made prior to 1 July 2013 have been archived, but are still available for reference at China Visa / Visas Master Thread (ARCHIVED).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)
#706
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,688
Rule one of having multiple passports: Make sure all the names match.
Rule two: follow rule one.
All my passports and travel documents have my surname, English given name, Chinese given name in the same order and spelling.
Rule two: follow rule one.
All my passports and travel documents have my surname, English given name, Chinese given name in the same order and spelling.
#707
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YYZ, NYC
Programs: Marriott Gold, JGC, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, AC 25K
Posts: 1,025
Yes I realized that's an issue, didn't think much about it when doing the legal name change in Canada and since having obtained the Canadian passport I have not traveled using the Taiwan one.
The flight time is in about a month from now, should I just keep it simple and bite the cost for a China Visa and travel with a single Canadian passport only?
The flight time is in about a month from now, should I just keep it simple and bite the cost for a China Visa and travel with a single Canadian passport only?
#708
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
Yes I realized that's an issue, didn't think much about it when doing the legal name change in Canada and since having obtained the Canadian passport I have not traveled using the Taiwan one.
The flight time is in about a month from now, should I just keep it simple and bite the cost for a China Visa and travel with a single Canadian passport only?
The flight time is in about a month from now, should I just keep it simple and bite the cost for a China Visa and travel with a single Canadian passport only?
#709
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Yes I realized that's an issue, didn't think much about it when doing the legal name change in Canada and since having obtained the Canadian passport I have not traveled using the Taiwan one.
The flight time is in about a month from now, should I just keep it simple and bite the cost for a China Visa and travel with a single Canadian passport only?
The flight time is in about a month from now, should I just keep it simple and bite the cost for a China Visa and travel with a single Canadian passport only?
#710
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
-he has the legal right to enter China
-the border control people don't care about his plane tickets
-the only potential hiccup is aa front line employees
-the name change thing is pretty common
-wouldn't you explore all possible options before spending the time and money to procure a visa?
-his hrp is far better than a visa; he should use it
Sure, he should rectify the name issue for future trips, but there is nothing remotely dodgy about his status wrt the immediate trip.
#711
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,688
Why not call aa first?
-he has the legal right to enter China
-the border control people don't care about his plane tickets
-the only potential hiccup is aa front line employees
-the name change thing is pretty common
-wouldn't you explore all possible options before spending the time and money to procure a visa?
-his hrp is far better than a visa; he should use it
Sure, he should rectify the name issue for future trips, but there is nothing remotely dodgy about his status wrt the immediate trip.
-he has the legal right to enter China
-the border control people don't care about his plane tickets
-the only potential hiccup is aa front line employees
-the name change thing is pretty common
-wouldn't you explore all possible options before spending the time and money to procure a visa?
-his hrp is far better than a visa; he should use it
Sure, he should rectify the name issue for future trips, but there is nothing remotely dodgy about his status wrt the immediate trip.
AA is new at flying to China so I would minimize any irregularities for them to make mistakes.
#712
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
#713
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YYZ, NYC
Programs: Marriott Gold, JGC, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, AC 25K
Posts: 1,025
My trip is BUF-DCA on US then DCA-ORD-PEK on AA and return.
At what point does the passport need to be checked? I think I can get the baggage interlined and all BP printed at BUF but will the agents at BUF/DCA check passport? I'd rather deal with AA agent at ORD since it's more international and they should know more about the matter.
Additionally, wouldn't the border agent at PEK check my boarding pass (which has English name) while I also hand over my taibaozheng that has a different name?
I'll call AA and explore the options, but would probably still get a visa to have a peace of mind. Are all China visa 10 year validity now for Canadians or is that just a USA agreement?
At what point does the passport need to be checked? I think I can get the baggage interlined and all BP printed at BUF but will the agents at BUF/DCA check passport? I'd rather deal with AA agent at ORD since it's more international and they should know more about the matter.
Additionally, wouldn't the border agent at PEK check my boarding pass (which has English name) while I also hand over my taibaozheng that has a different name?
I'll call AA and explore the options, but would probably still get a visa to have a peace of mind. Are all China visa 10 year validity now for Canadians or is that just a USA agreement?
#715
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YYZ, NYC
Programs: Marriott Gold, JGC, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, AC 25K
Posts: 1,025
What's the China visa process? I read it's 4 business days for normal service in Toronto, do they take the passport away while processing?
#716
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
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Posts: 10,688
Hah ok, my passport expires next year so I'm looking at a new Canadian passport + China visa + possible rush fee totaling $300-500 then if I want to get them all done in a month and get the maximum validity.
What's the China visa process? I read it's 4 business days for normal service in Toronto, do they take the passport away while processing?
What's the China visa process? I read it's 4 business days for normal service in Toronto, do they take the passport away while processing?
#717
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,688
#718
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YYZ, NYC
Programs: Marriott Gold, JGC, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, AC 25K
Posts: 1,025
Yes my concern as well, tho the BUF is a separate ticket so likely no worries there. What are my rights in terms of a passenger should something like this happens? Can I request them to fly me to ORD and then let the ORD agents check again or will they just deny boarding regardless.
#719
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,688
Been there and done that for cheaper tickets and airport parking.
If your BUF ORD ticket is separate then the AA/US staff's document check is to make sure you are who you are.
BUT
You wish to interline from BUF to PEK which might bring up issue for the US agents tagging your bags to PEK might not be familiar of these multi-nationality, multi entry requirements.
I had issues using HRP out of BUF before as well as using a non-Canadian passport and APEC which give me visa free entry to many SE Asian countries.
NW used to be great when most of their intl was TPAC and have very knowledgeable source of entry requirement that local agents can check with. It was not the same once DL took over and have no idea what HRP and APEC cards are. I would be uncomfortable with US agents who are not familiar with international flights and adapting to a new AA?US way of doing things.
If your BUF ORD ticket is separate then the AA/US staff's document check is to make sure you are who you are.
BUT
You wish to interline from BUF to PEK which might bring up issue for the US agents tagging your bags to PEK might not be familiar of these multi-nationality, multi entry requirements.
I had issues using HRP out of BUF before as well as using a non-Canadian passport and APEC which give me visa free entry to many SE Asian countries.
NW used to be great when most of their intl was TPAC and have very knowledgeable source of entry requirement that local agents can check with. It was not the same once DL took over and have no idea what HRP and APEC cards are. I would be uncomfortable with US agents who are not familiar with international flights and adapting to a new AA?US way of doing things.
Last edited by tentseller; Mar 29, 2015 at 10:47 am
#720
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
Programs: UA*G, NW, AA-G. WR-P, HH-G, IHG-S, ALL. TT-GE.
Posts: 2,910
(Ticket/itinerary breaking in a "third country" may just be the best solution!)
I'm afraid nobody on the phone can affect anything at any check-in counter.
Exactly. It isn't a gateway with Chinese-proficient agents. Get there early and most likely you can resolve the validity/legitimacy of the TBZ. But add these name issues it's a whole new thing.
Most likely not. China does require APIS and AA should probably transmit TBZ info and your Taiwanese Latin name, but failure probably won't cost you much trouble compared to denied boarding at DCA.