I am going to Shanghai for a conference in early November, but plan to arrive a few days early and stay a few days after the conference ends. Should I apply for a business visa or a tourist visa? The information posted on China's website is not very clear. Any insight would be appreciated.

Its been a few years since I faced that issue,
but IIRC I would just get an "L" visa.

I was advised by our "agent" to apply for tourist status,
and it was "said to" be fine for conventions, business discussion, etc.

The difference in applying for the two is basically that the Business visa requires an invitation letter. Given that you are only going to be there for a short conference, are presumably not high-profile enough or undertaking serious and prolonged busines negotiations, and are combining pleasure activities--I'd just go for the L tourist visa.

On the one-size-fits-all application form, you would not fill in an "inviter" but just put the name and address of the first hotel you'll be staying at. Under purpose, tick the "tourist" box and don't mention or indicate the conference box at all.

Do not worry about not telling the "whole truth" to the Chinese government. I assure you, they would have no hesitation in not telling you the whole truth, when it suits them. In your case, go with expediency rather than perfect accuracy.

I always try to get F visas, though I agree that the difference between L and F isn't significant. The "letter" typically consists of me writing something, sending it to Chinese company, and asking them to print on letter head and fax/email to me. I got an official invitation letter during 2008 (Olympic year) and this set me back $100, but that's no longer necessary.

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.