Jun 4, 2013, 2:02 pm
Last edit by: mnbp
Your Forum Ambassadors are maintaining this guide. Signed in members with 90 days / 90 posts can edit this Wikipost; wiki contents may be printed by using the 
(lower right wiki corner).
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Note that posts made prior to 1 July 2013 have been archived, but are still available for reference at China Visa / Visas Master Thread (ARCHIVED).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 28, 2018, 6:37 pm
#1741
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
"Or, just figure out how to do this course with at least one border-run break in the middle, and get a multiple entry tourist visa."
If she'd kept life simple, she almost certainly could have gotten a ten-year multiple-entry L visa while she was in Hong Kong. Not sure whether that's possible elsewhere in Asia. But wandering consulate-to-consulate looking for someplace that'll slip up and not want a JW202 seems a fool's errand.
I think it's reasonable to assume that when doing the paperwork online for the X2 visa there's a box the clerk now has to fill in with the number of the JW202, and unless that box is filled in, the computer won't process the visa application. It was much easier for consulates and embassies to show some flexibility before the advent of these computerized processing systems.
If she'd kept life simple, she almost certainly could have gotten a ten-year multiple-entry L visa while she was in Hong Kong. Not sure whether that's possible elsewhere in Asia. But wandering consulate-to-consulate looking for someplace that'll slip up and not want a JW202 seems a fool's errand.
I think it's reasonable to assume that when doing the paperwork online for the X2 visa there's a box the clerk now has to fill in with the number of the JW202, and unless that box is filled in, the computer won't process the visa application. It was much easier for consulates and embassies to show some flexibility before the advent of these computerized processing systems.
Last edited by 889; Jun 28, 2018 at 6:49 pm
Jun 28, 2018, 10:14 pm
#1742
Join Date: May 2010
Location: FSD
Programs: BAEC, Delta SkyPesos, VS FC, SQ KF, AA, HHonors
Posts: 1,884
I think you're going to find the same story everywhere. If you want the X2 visa, I don't know what you can really do except go to the University in person and get the JW202, then exit China and apply. This is going to be disruptive to your current plans and cost some extra cash. The most reliable way is to apply for a Chinese L tourist visa which will enable you to at least get to Kunming and park yourself near the University until they cough up the JW202 and you take physical custody of it. Or, just figure out how to do this course with at least one border-run break in the middle, and get a multiple entry tourist visa right off the bat. Likely you'd be able to do the course without any official authority catching on (or caring).
Note: Recent anecdote from Bangkok suggests that they might now be friendlier to non-resident foreigners seeking Chinese visas without hassles. So you might check into that as well--they are using the China Visa Service Application Centre there now. Doesn't solve the missing JW202 problem though.
Note: Recent anecdote from Bangkok suggests that they might now be friendlier to non-resident foreigners seeking Chinese visas without hassles. So you might check into that as well--they are using the China Visa Service Application Centre there now. Doesn't solve the missing JW202 problem though.
Jul 4, 2018, 2:58 pm
#1744
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: EWR-SEA-IAD
Programs: UA 1P MM, AS MVP G*, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 977
Returning from China recently, even on a 10 year visa they're stepping up info collection at the border. Full sets of fingerprints and pictures. if you even look remotely chinese they want chinese names and proof of that via other official documents. Had to show a HKID. Fingerprint verification upon entry every time after.
Jul 4, 2018, 5:06 pm
#1745
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 306
Returning from China recently, even on a 10 year visa they're stepping up info collection at the border. Full sets of fingerprints and pictures. if you even look remotely chinese they want chinese names and proof of that via other official documents. Had to show a HKID. Fingerprint verification upon entry every time after.
Jul 5, 2018, 2:28 pm
#1746
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: EWR-SEA-IAD
Programs: UA 1P MM, AS MVP G*, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 977
Jul 10, 2018, 1:10 am
#1747
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,903
Returning from China recently, even on a 10 year visa they're stepping up info collection at the border. Full sets of fingerprints and pictures. if you even look remotely chinese they want chinese names and proof of that via other official documents. Had to show a HKID. Fingerprint verification upon entry every time after.
Jul 12, 2018, 9:26 pm
#1748
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 306
Jul 17, 2018, 5:49 am
#1749
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,643
So it has been more than 3 years since I got a visa ( just before they went to 10 year visas). Previously I would go to DC or NYC and submit my application and expedite it. The last time they had moved to eliminate same day service and I got the visa the next day. Is there now a consistent restriction on getting a visa at a location different from your assigned area? I often travel to DC and NYC and find it convenient to get the visa there rather than IAH. Any body of knowledge regarding expedited processing at a location other than the one they would assign you based on your home address?
Jul 18, 2018, 2:52 am
#1750
Join Date: May 2010
Location: FSD
Programs: BAEC, Delta SkyPesos, VS FC, SQ KF, AA, HHonors
Posts: 1,884
I think you're going to find the same story everywhere. If you want the X2 visa, I don't know what you can really do except go to the University in person and get the JW202, then exit China and apply. This is going to be disruptive to your current plans and cost some extra cash. The most reliable way is to apply for a Chinese L tourist visa which will enable you to at least get to Kunming and park yourself near the University until they cough up the JW202 and you take physical custody of it. Or, just figure out how to do this course with at least one border-run break in the middle, and get a multiple entry tourist visa right off the bat. Likely you'd be able to do the course without any official authority catching on (or caring).
Note: Recent anecdote from Bangkok suggests that they might now be friendlier to non-resident foreigners seeking Chinese visas without hassles. So you might check into that as well--they are using the China Visa Service Application Centre there now. Doesn't solve the missing JW202 problem though.
Note: Recent anecdote from Bangkok suggests that they might now be friendlier to non-resident foreigners seeking Chinese visas without hassles. So you might check into that as well--they are using the China Visa Service Application Centre there now. Doesn't solve the missing JW202 problem though.
I am happy to report that I at long last have the visa.
In the end, the consulate did ask for the JW202, the admission notice + accompanying documents (official licences?), proof of payment made (tuition + accommodation), and flight tickets into and out of China. This was in addition to a brief interview by a consular officer about my work, Keats School, and reasons for visiting.
As a reminder/data point, even hanging on the consulate wall above the table where one fills out the application, the X2 only nominally requires the admission notice and a photocopy.
I sent the above experience to the school as a data point for the future.
Jul 18, 2018, 4:34 am
#1753
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,046
Houston is also my official consulate, but like you I typically go to DC because it's more convenient. I've never had a problem getting rush service.
Aug 14, 2018, 8:00 am
#1754
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 1
I'm from India. I will be on business travel(my company sponsor) to Beijing for 10 days and I have valid Single Entry Business visa. During my onward journey to Beijing from India and return from Beijing, I am planning to visit Singapore for couple of days(my personal visit to meet my cousin and I have valid Singapore Multiple Entry tourist visa).
Is there any restrictions during Beijing Port of entry like I should travel from the Country where I have been issued Chinese Visa.
Note: I have travelled to Singapore and China before.
Is there any restrictions during Beijing Port of entry like I should travel from the Country where I have been issued Chinese Visa.
Note: I have travelled to Singapore and China before.
Aug 14, 2018, 9:04 am
#1755
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
I'm from India. I will be on business travel(my company sponsor) to Beijing for 10 days and I have valid Single Entry Business visa. During my onward journey to Beijing from India and return from Beijing, I am planning to visit Singapore for couple of days(my personal visit to meet my cousin and I have valid Singapore Multiple Entry tourist visa).
Is there any restrictions during Beijing Port of entry like I should travel from the Country where I have been issued Chinese Visa.
Note: I have travelled to Singapore and China before.
Is there any restrictions during Beijing Port of entry like I should travel from the Country where I have been issued Chinese Visa.
Note: I have travelled to Singapore and China before.