Jun 4, 2013, 2:02 pm
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Note that posts made prior to 1 July 2013 have been archived, but are still available for reference at China Visa / Visas Master Thread (ARCHIVED).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
(lower right wiki corner).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)
Jun 26, 2017, 4:47 pm
#1531
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 385
Oh boy. Need some help again.
Background:
Got a three month visa at the end of 2015 via the NYC consulate office. They did not give me a 10 year because at the time I was working for a media/entertainment company. Initially I was rejected and had to come back with a letter from my employer saying I was going for solely tourism purposes.
Now:
I got laid off from that entertainment/media company a few weeks ago. I decided to travel during this "funemployment" period. I may leave as early as next week and am mulling over various countries in Asia. I really want to go to Chengdu for a few days for pandas and gastronomical endeavors. I'm willing to cough up the extra money for an expedited visa (versus the 72 hours visa), but am concerned about the hassle. On the visa app I am checking "Unemployed", but then I read on this site to mark my last employer down, which I assume will raise red flags.
Am I going to have to reach out to my previous employer for another letter? Grrrr. Thoughts?
Background:
Got a three month visa at the end of 2015 via the NYC consulate office. They did not give me a 10 year because at the time I was working for a media/entertainment company. Initially I was rejected and had to come back with a letter from my employer saying I was going for solely tourism purposes.
Now:
I got laid off from that entertainment/media company a few weeks ago. I decided to travel during this "funemployment" period. I may leave as early as next week and am mulling over various countries in Asia. I really want to go to Chengdu for a few days for pandas and gastronomical endeavors. I'm willing to cough up the extra money for an expedited visa (versus the 72 hours visa), but am concerned about the hassle. On the visa app I am checking "Unemployed", but then I read on this site to mark my last employer down, which I assume will raise red flags.
Am I going to have to reach out to my previous employer for another letter? Grrrr. Thoughts?
Jun 26, 2017, 9:28 pm
#1532
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 380
Does anyone know what visas the China Office in Hong Kong is handing out at the moment?
I'd really prefer a multiple entry visa, but this will be my first application with my new nationality.
I know in my (new) home country's Chinese Consulate they are giving out multi-entry visas to first-time applicants, but I've heard here in HK they don't/ won't do that.
Any ideas? Thanks
I'd really prefer a multiple entry visa, but this will be my first application with my new nationality.
I know in my (new) home country's Chinese Consulate they are giving out multi-entry visas to first-time applicants, but I've heard here in HK they don't/ won't do that.
Any ideas? Thanks
Jun 27, 2017, 6:31 am
#1534
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,684
Does anyone know what visas the China Office in Hong Kong is handing out at the moment?<br /><br />I'd really prefer a multiple entry visa, but this will be my first application with my new nationality.<br />I know in my (new) home country's Chinese Consulate they are giving out multi-entry visas to first-time applicants, but I've heard here in HK they don't/ won't do that.<br /><br />Any ideas? Thanks
Your nationality at birth
Your previous nationality
Did you have visa with this passport
Did you renounced
Your new/present nationality
Jun 27, 2017, 10:39 pm
#1535
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,053
All of these plus your current condition of stay in HK. For example, if you only have 3 months remaining on an employment visa, you will only get a max 3 months visa to PRC
Jun 28, 2017, 3:33 am
#1536
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 380
OK, well I've applied now and I will see what happens. I've got two years left on the visa. It's strange though that they limit you to the HK visa length.
I have both nationalities still. Old Chinese visa in my British passport (which has no pages left) and I want the new one in the Irish passport. The woman took photocopies of my British passport and the visa in the British passport so hopefully.
Though I'm wondering as I only put two trips down on the form. Maybe they'll only give me double entry like my first Chinese visa.
I have both nationalities still. Old Chinese visa in my British passport (which has no pages left) and I want the new one in the Irish passport. The woman took photocopies of my British passport and the visa in the British passport so hopefully.
Though I'm wondering as I only put two trips down on the form. Maybe they'll only give me double entry like my first Chinese visa.
Jul 7, 2017, 9:43 am
#1538
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now in SLC
Programs: DL GM 1MM, MR LT Titanium
Posts: 4,113
I'm a US citizen, I live in Boston, need a Chinese tourist visa, and I won't be near any of the Chinese consulates in the US any time soon. What do people recommend as the best agent to go through?
Jul 10, 2017, 8:38 pm
#1539
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: QFF
Posts: 5,304
My cousin is planning a trip to China in a few months and is currently working on a visa application.
The form is asking if he has been to China before, and he is confused.
Last year, he went to Taiwan for a few weeks (with connections through HKG) and isn't sure if that means he needs to put down 'Yes'.
I expect the correct answer is 'No', but want to confirm such before telling him. (The Taiwan trip is the only time he has been outside Australia)
(on that note, if I were to get a normal visa for China, I would put "yes" to that question given I've been to PVG and PEK under the 72 hour TWOV?)
The form is asking if he has been to China before, and he is confused.
Last year, he went to Taiwan for a few weeks (with connections through HKG) and isn't sure if that means he needs to put down 'Yes'.
I expect the correct answer is 'No', but want to confirm such before telling him. (The Taiwan trip is the only time he has been outside Australia)
(on that note, if I were to get a normal visa for China, I would put "yes" to that question given I've been to PVG and PEK under the 72 hour TWOV?)
Jul 11, 2017, 12:09 am
#1540
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 380
The visa form is only for Mainland China and (I think) it should say that at the top of the form.
The Mainland doesn't refer to Taiwan or the Hong Kong and Macau S.A.Rs, so he should definitely say no.
It's the same for the arrival date. It means the arrival date in the Mainland.
The Mainland doesn't refer to Taiwan or the Hong Kong and Macau S.A.Rs, so he should definitely say no.
It's the same for the arrival date. It means the arrival date in the Mainland.
Jul 11, 2017, 8:30 am
#1542
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,416
(Nov 2015 was the last time I filled out a visa application so apologies if this has changed since then....)
Aug 2, 2017, 11:17 pm
#1543
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Seattle
Programs: Alaska MVP
Posts: 1,171
US citizen obtaining China L Visa in Vancouver
Should I expect any difficulty in getting a Chinese L Visa in Vancouver if I'm a US Citizen? Had some other business to take care of up there and figured I'd kill two birds with one stone. I reside in Seattle. (I was going to show my hotel and plane reservation; I don't have an invitation letter -- I'm just tagging along with my husband on a business trip to PEK.) TIA!
Aug 3, 2017, 6:49 am
#1544
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
Should I expect any difficulty in getting a Chinese L Visa in Vancouver if I'm a US Citizen? Had some other business to take care of up there and figured I'd kill two birds with one stone. I reside in Seattle. (I was going to show my hotel and plane reservation; I don't have an invitation letter -- I'm just tagging along with my husband on a business trip to PEK.) TIA!
Aug 3, 2017, 7:38 am
#1545
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Should I expect any difficulty in getting a Chinese L Visa in Vancouver if I'm a US Citizen? Had some other business to take care of up there and figured I'd kill two birds with one stone. I reside in Seattle. (I was going to show my hotel and plane reservation; I don't have an invitation letter -- I'm just tagging along with my husband on a business trip to PEK.) TIA!