Current China Entry policy
Mar 5, 2023 | 2:22 am
#2671
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,286
I suspect that once China does re-open for tourism, a lot of intending tourists are going to be put off by the exhaustiveness of the new online visa application.
Mar 5, 2023 | 3:12 am
#2672
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Lisbon
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Platinum, BAEC Silver, TK Miles & Smiles Elite
Posts: 2,520
That is an unduly pessimistic and negative opinion that vastly underestimates the global attraction of a week in gorgeous, beautiful, vibrant Sanya. Clearly, Thailand in Asia and Hawaii in the Americas will be the massive losers as China's slick tourism industry gears up for global domination. Again.
Mar 6, 2023 | 1:29 am
#2674
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,286
Even if you use an agent you're still required to fill out COVA. Indeed, the centralized online form may be intended to keep consular officials in line.
Mar 6, 2023 | 5:38 am
#2675
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: who knows!
Programs: FB PFL, TK Gold, QRPC Platinum
Posts: 469
No real source unfortunately, but:
1) supposedly 17 countries dropped the PCR Test for China Entry requirement as of March 1. Antigen test, including a self-administered one, that is NOT even checked is sufficient.
Countries are: Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, UAE, New Zealand, Maldives, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Switzerland, Hungary, Kenya, and Egypt.
2) Tourist Visas said to be starting to get issued within a month or so.
1) supposedly 17 countries dropped the PCR Test for China Entry requirement as of March 1. Antigen test, including a self-administered one, that is NOT even checked is sufficient.
Countries are: Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, UAE, New Zealand, Maldives, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Switzerland, Hungary, Kenya, and Egypt.
2) Tourist Visas said to be starting to get issued within a month or so.
Does anyone know if this applies only to nationals from these countries (departing their respective country) or anyone (regardless of the nationality) departing from these countries ?
Last edited by toastedcafe; Mar 6, 2023 at 7:26 am
Mar 6, 2023 | 6:55 am
#2676
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 21,005
This is NOT really correct, although does apply to anyone wanting to visit China right now on certain Visa types.
They temporarily SUSPENDED visas back in March 2020, not voided them.
And since RPs were un-suspended only a few months after being suspended, it's generally believed/hoped that this could also occur for L and Q2 visas issued prior to March 2020 at some point in the future.
They temporarily SUSPENDED visas back in March 2020, not voided them.
And since RPs were un-suspended only a few months after being suspended, it's generally believed/hoped that this could also occur for L and Q2 visas issued prior to March 2020 at some point in the future.
Mar 6, 2023 | 7:26 am
#2677
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: HNL
Posts: 1,168
It would be the latter -- anyone departing from those countries. However, I don't think you can do an airside transfer (say, USA-Thailand-China), but would have to enter Thailand.
Mar 6, 2023 | 8:44 pm
#2679
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,399
Mar 6, 2023 | 10:57 pm
#2680
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,286
Agents don't know your life-long work history or what high school you attended or what social clubs you belong to, etc.
Look at the Oasis site for how they're handling this.
https://www.oasischinavisa.com/
Look at the Oasis site for how they're handling this.
https://www.oasischinavisa.com/
Mar 7, 2023 | 12:00 am
#2681
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: SQ Gold, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Caesars Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Atmos Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,229
Agents don't know your life-long work history or what high school you attended or what social clubs you belong to, etc.
Look at the Oasis site for how they're handling this.
https://www.oasischinavisa.com/
Look at the Oasis site for how they're handling this.
https://www.oasischinavisa.com/
We charge $465 for the first visa application processings. Including the Embassy fee, Oasis service fee, and an FedEx overnight returnshipping fee. We charge $425 for every additioanl application in the same order. Zelle and Credit card are accepted for payments. For Zelle please send payment to Service at OasisChinaVisa.Com and include the applicants name in the memo line. Credit card payments are accepted with an additional 5% processing fee.
Mar 7, 2023 | 12:28 am
#2682
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,286
You don't have to make a second trip to the embassy to pick up your passport?
Mar 7, 2023 | 5:46 pm
#2683
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United Global Services and 1MM, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 10,306
I just hope that old 10-year Q visas will be allowed to enter China again next month.
It's crazy to spend $500 for a new one.
It's crazy to spend $500 for a new one.
Mar 7, 2023 | 6:09 pm
#2684
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,399
https://mychinavisa.com/china-visas/family-visit-visa/
Mar 7, 2023 | 9:40 pm
#2685
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 2MM
Posts: 7,872
You don't need to use an agent that charges $360 in fees. I'm not plugging mychinavisa, but others here have recommended them in the past:
https://mychinavisa.com/china-visas/family-visit-visa/
https://mychinavisa.com/china-visas/family-visit-visa/
I've used them way back, when I first started to go to China; it was a lot more convenient to have them do it, than to struggle through it myself at that point.
I still find their charges acceptable.
