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Old Aug 24, 2013 | 1:31 pm
  #1  
tzold
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Visa-on-arrival in China
Does anybody have experience of getting a visa-on-arrival for china in Beijing. I heard that it is theoretically possible under certain conditions and with certain prearrangements. I am already travelling and don't have the possibility of going home to get one. I know about the possibility of HKG, but would prefer to save the time and money of going there. Thanks a lot!
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Old Aug 24, 2013 | 1:48 pm
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Suggest you take a look at the China forum. There is a plethora of information available regarding this subject.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china-613/
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Old Aug 24, 2013 | 3:12 pm
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Please follow this thread in the FT China Forum
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Old Aug 24, 2013 | 4:38 pm
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Originally Posted by tzold
Does anybody have experience of getting a visa-on-arrival for china in Beijing. I heard that it is theoretically possible under certain conditions and with certain prearrangements. I am already travelling and don't have the possibility of going home to get one. I know about the possibility of HKG, but would prefer to save the time and money of going there. Thanks a lot!
I hope you don't fulfill any of these conditions (e.g. son/daughter died while visiting China).
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Old Aug 25, 2013 | 5:09 am
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tzold
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So I found some info on these sites:

http://www.beijingesc.com/visa-on-arrival.html
http://www.beijing-airport-transport...port-visa.html
http://www.beijing-airport-transport...n-arrival.html

There are only two possibilities I see for categories that I could fall into:
10. As other invitees who really do not have enough time to apply for visas to Chinese agencies abroad but hold letters or telegrams from the designated competent authorities approving the application for visas at port visa agencies;

11. Tour groups organized and received by International Travel Agencies in China or the approved Hong Kong/Macao travel agencies.
Does anyone know of who these designated competent authorities might be?
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Old Aug 25, 2013 | 9:54 am
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This is not going to happen. Get a visa, or else avail of the 72 hour TWOV.

Originally Posted by tzold
So I found some info on these sites:

http://www.beijingesc.com/visa-on-arrival.html
http://www.beijing-airport-transport...port-visa.html
http://www.beijing-airport-transport...n-arrival.html

There are only two possibilities I see for categories that I could fall into:
10. As other invitees who really do not have enough time to apply for visas to Chinese agencies abroad but hold letters or telegrams from the designated competent authorities approving the application for visas at port visa agencies;

11. Tour groups organized and received by International Travel Agencies in China or the approved Hong Kong/Macao travel agencies.
Does anyone know of who these designated competent authorities might be?
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Old Aug 25, 2013 | 11:37 am
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minhaoxue
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Originally Posted by tzold
So I found some info on these sites:

http://www.beijingesc.com/visa-on-arrival.html
http://www.beijing-airport-transport...port-visa.html
http://www.beijing-airport-transport...n-arrival.html

There are only two possibilities I see for categories that I could fall into:
10. As other invitees who really do not have enough time to apply for visas to Chinese agencies abroad but hold letters or telegrams from the designated competent authorities approving the application for visas at port visa agencies;

11. Tour groups organized and received by International Travel Agencies in China or the approved Hong Kong/Macao travel agencies.
Does anyone know of who these designated competent authorities might be?
I would assume a safe bet would be a Government Official with regards to a competent authority. As stated, above, you should get a visa before entering China or transit through to another Country but only staying 72 hours. There is no way around it.
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Old Aug 25, 2013 | 11:54 am
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Originally Posted by tzold
So I found some info on these sites:

http://www.beijingesc.com/visa-on-arrival.html
http://www.beijing-airport-transport...port-visa.html
http://www.beijing-airport-transport...n-arrival.html

There are only two possibilities I see for categories that I could fall into:
10. As other invitees who really do not have enough time to apply for visas to Chinese agencies abroad but hold letters or telegrams from the designated competent authorities approving the application for visas at port visa agencies;

11. Tour groups organized and received by International Travel Agencies in China or the approved Hong Kong/Macao travel agencies.
Does anyone know of who these designated competent authorities might be?
How good are your guanxis?
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Old Aug 25, 2013 | 4:15 pm
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Originally Posted by tentseller
How good are your guanxis?
The reason we don't have a VOA sticky in this forum is because none of us have enough 关系 to use it. And, if you happen to marrying the daughter of a top party member, you would not need to ask us for advice.
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Old Aug 25, 2013 | 7:36 pm
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Originally Posted by moondog
The reason we don't have a VOA sticky in this forum is because none of us have enough 关系 to use it. And, if you happen to marrying the daughter of a top party member, you would not need to ask us for advice.
^

@:-) Maybe he can use duck sauce to bribe the border official.
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Old Aug 26, 2013 | 5:19 am
  #11  
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Originally Posted by tentseller
^

@:-) Maybe he can use duck sauce to bribe the border official.
It'll only work if that border official is moondog!!

This is one of those, if you gotta ask, then you don't qualify....
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Old Aug 26, 2013 | 5:54 am
  #12  
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Originally Posted by fimo
It'll only work if that border official is moondog!!

This is one of those, if you gotta ask, then you don't qualify....
....and even if you really do qualify, convincing a GA to let you board would be a major diplomatic feat.
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Old Aug 26, 2013 | 11:12 am
  #13  
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Originally Posted by MSPeconomist
....and even if you really do qualify, convincing a GA to let you board would be a major diplomatic feat.
For VOA, you need a letter from the PRC government stating your invitation. If that letter states that "moondog is welcome to visit China for his upcoming wedding with Hu Jin Tao's youngest daughter", no airline would question it.

The thing is, procuring the letter entails just as much legwork as getting a visa, and VOA still costs $140 (for US passport holders).

However, in the case of true emergencies, I can appreciate the benefits of this service.
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Old Aug 26, 2013 | 7:30 pm
  #14  
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I did limo van crossing from HK as part of an entourage with non PRC visa holders who got VOA with real official letters from real designated competent authorities.
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