Originally Posted by
sushanna1
Thanks for the excellent advice.
A few more questions:
1. Because our conference is being held on the Expo grounds in Shanghai, albeit after Expo ends, the organizers have requested a passport size photo (OK by me) and a scan of the front page of my passport in order to create a security badge. Is this normal? I can also fax the front page of my passport, but this is far more difficult for me.
2. Do I need to have my itinerary completely "fixed" before applying for a visa? I tend to "wing it" when I travel. I will, as suggested above, arrange for a hotel for my first couple of pre-conference days, but am still trying to figure out my options in terms of cities, joining a post-conference tour, etc.
3. Moondog--Why do you try to get "F" visas? I am trying to figure out whether it would be helpful to have a business visa. I have an invitation letter so that is not an issue. Since I am paying my own way to the conference, a business visa could be helpful if my tax return is audited, but I can think of no other advantages. I am not a shopper so my pre and post conference activities will be work-related.
1. Yes, it's OK to do this. The only reason they need to do the security badge is due to location of your conference venue--if it's inside the EXPO perimeter, you'll need to wear a badge to get expedited entry and avoid issues. I'm sure they will want to control access, even after the official public EXPO is over--that's the Chinese way. Scanning is quickest and provides the best image, so pass the info this way.
2. No you do not need to have everything on your itinerary fixed, at least for US citizens applying in the USA (different rules may apply elsewhere). On the application, there is a box where you put your itinerary. Just stick anything plausible in there, commensurate with your time frame in China. For instance, if you have 10 days, stick in three cities including Shanghai obviously. It's just to get the visa itself. Once you enter China, do whatever you like.
3. If you have an invitation letter already, you can apply for the F visa if you wish, as it's not any additional cost to you or hassle. Moondog is a repetitive business visitor to China and for his situation and what he does, he needs to have an F. In your situation, it really doesn't matter. If you plan on returning to China doing other business in the lifetime of this visa, get an F. If not, I would still just do the L. As for US tax returns, the Chinese visa you had won't matter--the receipts and documentation of conference/work activities will.