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Note that posts made prior to 1 July 2013 have been archived, but are still available for reference at China Visa / Visas Master Thread (ARCHIVED).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)
Nov 24, 2018, 6:20 pm
#1801
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: Chase and American Express
Posts: 260
Both my business partner and I are of turkish background with us passports, had no questions whatsoever and both got 10 year visas with no problems a while back this year. No problems entering china either.
Nov 27, 2018, 3:16 pm
#1802
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 542
My wife and I used mychinavisa based on recommendations from this post. We applied for 10 year visas and provided all documents for a scheduled trip in March. Booked hotel, normal itinerary to Shanghai, only 7 days, etc. We are both US citizens with matching passport stamps. I was granted a 10 year visa while she was only given a 1 year visa. Is there any valid reason for this? She has no flags like Turkey visits or media job title (she is a middle school teacher and I am an engineer). My only thought is visa service messed up and requested a 1 year visa on accident or she was flagged because her birth place is Iraq. Again, she is a US citizen and has been for 20+ years... Only Middle East stamps were several years ago to DXB but I have that as well.
Nov 28, 2018, 8:37 am
#1804
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 542
That is pretty infuriating. She hasn't been to Iraq since she was 3... 25+ years ago. So now we need to pay $250 every time we go to China because she'll never get a 10 years. I guess we won't be going to China again lol.
Nov 28, 2018, 8:47 am
#1805
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,048
If you apply at a consulate yourself (not super inconvenient if you plan things nicely), the fee is only $140. Furthermore, TWOV is increasingly useful.
Nov 28, 2018, 9:06 am
#1806
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 542
It is very inconvenient for us. We live in Austin and do not travel to Houston. She would need to drive 3 hours each way to get to Houston to drop it off then drive back a week later to pick it up. With that being 175 miles each way, that's around $25 in gas each way. 4 segments = $100 in gas and 12 hours of driving. I'd rather pay $150 extra (really I'd rather just have the 10 year).
Dec 1, 2018, 5:52 pm
#1807
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,417
It is very inconvenient for us. We live in Austin and do not travel to Houston. She would need to drive 3 hours each way to get to Houston to drop it off then drive back a week later to pick it up. With that being 175 miles each way, that's around $25 in gas each way. 4 segments = $100 in gas and 12 hours of driving. I'd rather pay $150 extra (really I'd rather just have the 10 year).
That doesn't sound so bad. Some of us are about a thousand miles from the applicable Chinese consulate. Try to turn it into a long weekend fun trip, or do a stopover (almost 24 hours) on some international itinerary through IAH.
Dec 1, 2018, 6:06 pm
#1808
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Pacific Wonderland
Programs: ʙᴏɴᴠo̱ʏ Au, IHG Au, HH Dia, Nexus, Pilot FlyingJ Preferred
Posts: 5,336
My wife and I used mychinavisa based on recommendations from this post. We applied for 10 year visas and provided all documents for a scheduled trip in March. Booked hotel, normal itinerary to Shanghai, only 7 days, etc. We are both US citizens with matching passport stamps. I was granted a 10 year visa while she was only given a 1 year visa. Is there any valid reason for this? She has no flags like Turkey visits or media job title (she is a middle school teacher and I am an engineer). My only thought is visa service messed up and requested a 1 year visa on accident or she was flagged because her birth place is Iraq. Again, she is a US citizen and has been for 20+ years... Only Middle East stamps were several years ago to DXB but I have that as well.
Jan 1, 2019, 9:31 am
#1809
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 76
China Visa photo and visa agency
Hello
i live in atlanta and going to China soon . I have gone through many posts everywhere but can not find a reliable and cheap Visa photo website . Does anyone recommend cheaper one ? We are 4 of us and most Visa agencies charge 99 per passport so can anyone recommend any cheaper ones ?
thank you for your help .
i live in atlanta and going to China soon . I have gone through many posts everywhere but can not find a reliable and cheap Visa photo website . Does anyone recommend cheaper one ? We are 4 of us and most Visa agencies charge 99 per passport so can anyone recommend any cheaper ones ?
thank you for your help .
Jan 1, 2019, 7:05 pm
#1810
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,048
Hello
i live in atlanta and going to China soon . I have gone through many posts everywhere but can not find a reliable and cheap Visa photo website . Does anyone recommend cheaper one ? We are 4 of us and most Visa agencies charge 99 per passport so can anyone recommend any cheaper ones ?
thank you for your help .
i live in atlanta and going to China soon . I have gone through many posts everywhere but can not find a reliable and cheap Visa photo website . Does anyone recommend cheaper one ? We are 4 of us and most Visa agencies charge 99 per passport so can anyone recommend any cheaper ones ?
thank you for your help .
Jan 2, 2019, 9:19 am
#1811
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
Or, a drugstore that takes passport photos? I used to get mine at Costco and was bummed when they took the photo center out of the warehouse - guess I'll have to do it myself next time.....
Should be easy enough to do your own photos and then make sure you format per instructions prior to printing somewhere (be it at home, through walmart/costco/cvs etc)......
Should be easy enough to do your own photos and then make sure you format per instructions prior to printing somewhere (be it at home, through walmart/costco/cvs etc)......
Jan 3, 2019, 4:08 pm
#1812
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 590
If I go through an agency with expedited 2 day processing, any expectation of how long the entire process should play out? (i.e. mailing app and passport and getting it back with visa). I've got a 3 week window to complete the process between Jan 23 and Feb 14. I'd do it now but I'm headed to Caribbean in 10 days and will need my passport with me so can't put it in the mail now.
Jan 3, 2019, 4:35 pm
#1813
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,048
If I go through an agency with expedited 2 day processing, any expectation of how long the entire process should play out? (i.e. mailing app and passport and getting it back with visa). I've got a 3 week window to complete the process between Jan 23 and Feb 14. I'd do it now but I'm headed to Caribbean in 10 days and will need my passport with me so can't put it in the mail now.
Jan 3, 2019, 4:48 pm
#1814
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 590
You should call the agency to ask, but assuming the agency is near the consulate you are using, I would guess a Fedex that arrives before noon would be dropped off at the consulate the same afternoon, picked up 2 days later, and sent back to you that evening for delivery the following morning.
Jan 3, 2019, 4:59 pm
#1815
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,048
Mychinavisa is a popular choice for people in this forum/thread, but I've honestly never had bad experiences with any visa agency, even the cheap ones. Just be sure to pick one that has an office in Chicago, and read the comments on Yelp.