Jun 4, 13, 3:02 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Note that posts made prior to 1 July 2013 have been archived, but are still available for reference at China Visa / Visas Master Thread (ARCHIVED).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)
Sep 30, 23, 6:31 pm
#2236
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 40,598
Sep 30, 23, 6:58 pm
#2237
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,305
It's fast, cheap, or good, and you can pick two of the three.
Sep 30, 23, 7:01 pm
#2238
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 40,598
I don't think doing two flights is a big deal. The consulate likely won't have a guaranteed delivery date and in any case, it's probably about the same price as a hotel room for that many nights. Unless of course you haven't been to DC before and you see value in being a tourist for a few days.
It's fast, cheap, or good, and you can pick two of the three.
It's fast, cheap, or good, and you can pick two of the three.
Nov 9, 23, 3:47 pm
#2239
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: HKT
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Travala Smart Diamond
Posts: 109
Just a note that the link in the wiki of this thread to "free, easy-to-use TIMATIC tool" is not working. It might be good to replace it with a working link.
Nov 9, 23, 5:15 pm
#2240
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 5,762
Just a note that the link in the wiki of this thread to "free, easy-to-use TIMATIC tool" is not working. It might be good to replace it with a working link.
This wiki is likely outdated, as it hasn't been updated in ages.
The good thing about the wiki is that anyone can change/improve it. If you know of a specific issue, you can change it yourself.
Nov 9, 23, 5:28 pm
#2241
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: HKT
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Travala Smart Diamond
Posts: 109
Nov 9, 23, 10:19 pm
#2242
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 5,762
Nov 9, 23, 10:29 pm
#2243
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 40,598
Just a note that the link in the wiki of this thread to "free, easy-to-use TIMATIC tool" is not working. It might be good to replace it with a working link.
Last edited by moondog; Nov 9, 23 at 10:53 pm
Nov 10, 23, 9:21 pm
#2244
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 26
photo requirements
Does anyone have any tips for taking a photo that passes the online check? It just won't accept any of the photos I give it. Most common error: "Your photo must be taken in full-face view. Please choose a different photo."
Nov 11, 23, 4:19 am
#2245
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FRA/SXB
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 1,623
I had issues with photo upload. Eventually I got it to accept it with the condition "please submit your photo at your visa appointment" so at least I could continue with the online application- "your photo didn't pass quality checks, please submit your photo with your application"
In France we have a ton of Photomaton self-service kiosks that can be used for a variety of official photos, so getting the right dimensions and quality wasn't the problem. Easy to scan onto my laptop, the issue was getting it to the desired file size, I think I eventually played with thru various software to get it down to the right file size.
In France we have a ton of Photomaton self-service kiosks that can be used for a variety of official photos, so getting the right dimensions and quality wasn't the problem. Easy to scan onto my laptop, the issue was getting it to the desired file size, I think I eventually played with thru various software to get it down to the right file size.
Nov 11, 23, 4:38 am
#2246
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 40,598
In France we have a ton of Photomaton self-service kiosks that can be used for a variety of official photos, so getting the right dimensions and quality wasn't the problem. Easy to scan onto my laptop, the issue was getting it to the desired file size, I think I eventually played with thru various software to get it down to the right file size.
Nov 11, 23, 5:52 am
#2247
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 26
I had issues with photo upload. Eventually I got it to accept it with the condition "please submit your photo at your visa appointment" so at least I could continue with the online application- "your photo didn't pass quality checks, please submit your photo with your application".
Nov 11, 23, 11:27 am
#2248
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FRA/SXB
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 1,623
The visa office here has its own photo booth, and the output images are automatically connected to your application. I was surprised by this because I had dutifully brought my subway station booth photos with me (they always accepted these in the past), but the staff told me they didn't need them.
The receptionist did ask for and take my physical photo even though there was already one digitally attached to my application. But your results my vary.
