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Note that posts made prior to 1 July 2013 have been archived, but are still available for reference at China Visa / Visas Master Thread (ARCHIVED).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)
Feb 3, 2018, 10:26 am
#1667
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Searched the thread without finding the answer... I'm looking to get a Chinese L tourist visa at the consulate in Los Angeles. The website says about four days' processing time, after which you can "pick up your visa". Although I travel internationally quite a bit, it's usually to countries for which I don't need a visa as a US citizen. My only experience with getting a visa is a work visa for India.
So my question is this: To get the L visa, do I need to leave my passport with the consulate as my visa is being processed? I don't see anything about this in the Chinese embassy's FAQs, and the wording on the website ("pick up your visa", not "pick up your passport") makes me wonder. The reason I ask is because I do have a very important trip to India coming up in just three weeks (and I wouldn't have time to get the Chinese visa afterward), so I don't want to risk anything going wrong with the visa process and not getting my passport back in time.
Thanks
So my question is this: To get the L visa, do I need to leave my passport with the consulate as my visa is being processed? I don't see anything about this in the Chinese embassy's FAQs, and the wording on the website ("pick up your visa", not "pick up your passport") makes me wonder. The reason I ask is because I do have a very important trip to India coming up in just three weeks (and I wouldn't have time to get the Chinese visa afterward), so I don't want to risk anything going wrong with the visa process and not getting my passport back in time.
Thanks
Feb 9, 2018, 3:06 pm
#1668
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,795
They also ignored my request for a single entry visa and issued a multi entry that's valid for the remaining life of my passport (7 years) so that was unexpected. Guess I'll just have to go to China a few times to get my money's worth.
Feb 9, 2018, 3:20 pm
#1670
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,795
Feb 9, 2018, 7:41 pm
#1671
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,415
I just did my Chinese visa this week. Dropped it at the consulate on Tuesday afternoon, picked it up today, so I was without my passport for 3 days. Their website suggests 4-5 business days so I was pleasantly surprised.
They also ignored my request for a single entry visa and issued a multi entry that's valid for the remaining life of my passport (7 years) so that was unexpected. Guess I'll just have to go to China a few times to get my money's worth.
They also ignored my request for a single entry visa and issued a multi entry that's valid for the remaining life of my passport (7 years) so that was unexpected. Guess I'll just have to go to China a few times to get my money's worth.
Feb 10, 2018, 8:38 am
#1672
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
He's sure. The Canadian deal is a little bit different from the American deal. Canadians get the maximum of 10 years or the expiration of their passport, whichever comes first. Their Chinese visas do not cross over into renewed passports.
Feb 10, 2018, 7:09 pm
#1673
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,795
All good info. We also have the benefit of paying ~60% of what American citizens do, not that the difference of $60 is that big of a deal in the long run. The fee for my visa was $80, and as I understand it the fee for US citizens is $140.
Feb 11, 2018, 10:14 am
#1674
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,903
I haven't been to the Mainland in 9 years. I'm planning to go either later this year or the middle of next year. I heard that there is now a 10 year multiple entry visa available for Canadians. How much is that and what are the details of this visa? Since I haven't booked airfare yet, is it still possible for me to get the visa now? The problem is that I work during the weekdays and unless I'm mistaken, the consulate office in Vancouver is only opened on the weekdays. I have the next couple of Mondays off and I just want to get it so that I don't have to find the time to get the visa later. Are they picky about photo sizes now? I think I read somewhere a couple of years ago that is the case. The last time I applied for the visa, I just used a regular passport size photo without any issues. I also can't find my old passport with a Chinese visa at the moment. I think I read somewhere that if I present an old visa, it'll help speed up the application process?
Feb 11, 2018, 10:21 am
#1675
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,903
All I can say is that a fairly recent Turkish stamp was not spotted on several entries until last week. There was some consternation, and a couple of questions in Chinese about the time spent in Turkey and the purpose of the visit. Not really a big deal, but nonetheless a really big surprise to be asked at all about the Turkish stamps when entering China. (There were two immigration officers in what seemed to be a trainee-trainer situation, and it was the trainer who spotted the Turkish stamp.)
Feb 11, 2018, 7:13 pm
#1676
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
I haven't been to the Mainland in 9 years. I'm planning to go either later this year or the middle of next year. I heard that there is now a 10 year multiple entry visa available for Canadians. How much is that and what are the details of this visa? Since I haven't booked airfare yet, is it still possible for me to get the visa now? The problem is that I work during the weekdays and unless I'm mistaken, the consulate office in Vancouver is only opened on the weekdays. I have the next couple of Mondays off and I just want to get it so that I don't have to find the time to get the visa later. Are they picky about photo sizes now? I think I read somewhere a couple of years ago that is the case. The last time I applied for the visa, I just used a regular passport size photo without any issues. I also can't find my old passport with a Chinese visa at the moment. I think I read somewhere that if I present an old visa, it'll help speed up the application process?
Feb 11, 2018, 7:53 pm
#1677
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,689
The exceptions are dependant on the profession you put on the application and your place of birth.
I find the visa service's fee very reasonable in Vancouver and Toronto as they make sure your application is compliant and they know how to deal with the inner workings at the consulate.
Feb 12, 2018, 12:58 pm
#1678
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 306
I believe this is due to the fact that many of the Chinese-Muslim minority ethnic groups often have family ties to Turkey. And relations between the Chinese government and the the Muslim minority groups in China is not great.
Feb 12, 2018, 7:00 pm
#1679
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,903
You'll need a flight. Here is all the information (you now go through a visa center): https://www.visaforchina.org/YVR_EN/
Feb 12, 2018, 9:24 pm
#1680
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
In addition, Turkey is supportive of Uyghurs in China generally and has been accused of allowing transit of Uyghur jihadis into Syria (and the possibility of jihadis transiting the other way into China).