Just throwing this out there, but if marteebe only gets a single entry visa, with the initial transit and longer stay being in that order one of the risks they would need to manage is to ensure that the border guard on the initial transit doesn't use the single entry visa in preference to granting TWOV. If you get a multiple entry visa then this is obviously a non-issue.

Apart from Z and maybe X (to be converted within 30 days of arrival), are single-entry China visas still commonplace anywhere?

I think they're still the norm outside of US & Canada. Double and multiple entry costs more than single entry.

Visa to travel from Canada to China
 

I am sorry if this new thread is not in the right spot - I was not sure where to add it.

I am hoping someone might be able to recommend a company that I can use to help me obtain an F-Category or Business visa (which type will be decided by the consulate) for travel to China from Canada later next month.

In 2019, I used a company based in Toronto to obtain a one-entry visa to travel to China. The cost was CAD $655. The service was excellent and everything went well. That company has been taken over by another one and they are are now charging a fee of CAD $1,700 for all visas to China (yikes!). Can anyone recommend a company based in Toronto that I can use that has a lower fee? I am traveling to the US quite a bit over the next month and do not want to mail my passport to an office far away.

My passport expires in 2 years, so the new visa will be good for 2 years and then I will have to pay another CAD $1,700 for a new visa if I use the same company. I might try to get a new passport next week that is good for 10 years to avoid paying twice.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Here is the thread that this thread is likely to join in short order:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china/624625-china-visa-visas-master-thread-all-you-need-know.html

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Have you considered applying for a visa on your own, by the way? Also, you don't need to get a new visa when your passport expires.

Moondog - Thank you very much! I will take a look at the application process again. In the past I used a company to make sure everything was perfect.

Everything I have read says that a visa expires when the passport expires. I will check that out again.

1. The main appeal of using agents to assist with simple visas pre COVID was to obviate the need go to PRC consulates in person

2. A lot of agencies disappeared during COVID because visa issuance slowed to a crawl and many consulates started requiring applicants to present themselves (thereby eliminating the primary value proposition of the middleman)

3. It seems that the in person requirement as been relaxed again, and agents are starting to get back in the game, though in smaller numbers and at higher price points

4. By "higher price points", I mean $200 instead of $100...for anything approaching $1000, you better be getting PR, or at least an RP

5. Since you're in a city that has a PRC consulate, self service wouldn't be a huge burden (you'll probably need to go for both drop off and pick up unless they're doing mailbacks). The application requirements for various visa types are clearly detailed online.

6. I'm not sure when the last time you had a China visa was, but F visas are now fairly narrow in scope, and M is what F used to be. I'd probably get an L if F was the only other choice on offer (it's not illegal for tourists to visit companies or talk about business during the course of touring)

7. If you don't mind carrying your expired passport along with you to China, you can continue to use an unexpired visa that's inside it. There's also a process to get unexpired visas transferred to new passports, but since this requires going to a consulate, it usually makes sense to get a new visa instead (e.g. the application fee is trivial in comparison to the time/effort required)
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Just to add to this, unless something has changed, the place you drop off and pick up the visa is off University Ave, not the Spadina consulate location. They're pretty quick servicing people at that location, it's just you pay an arm and a leg for the parking around there.

As for the expiry, if you're worried, then just get the new passport first. It's not worth the stress worrying about this. That said, while things have settled down, I would probably go with the express replacement of the passport if possible. It might seem like you have plenty of time, but delays can cause all sorts of issues.

Dear moondog and StuckInYYZ:

I would like to thank both of you for taking the time to provide me with advice and to offer suggestions. I appreciate your support.

I will make a decision tonight about what to do.

Ron

I have a 10-year multi-entry business visa for China that was issued in 2019. Now that travel has resumed in the post-covid era, is this visa still valid? Or are they forcing everybody to go through some sort of new 'post-covid' process?

You're good to go!

All such visas were suspended in March 2020, and unsuspended in March 2023.

Notice on New Adjustments to Chinese Visa and Entry Policies_Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America

Thank you for the link!

Just curious: does anyone know if the Chinese Border are still issuing those mini-stickers 'Temporary Entry Permit' to travellers on a 72/144 transit?
Or have they stopped doing that and opted for a wet ink stamp endorsement now.

In my local VAC (BKK, Thailand) – you only need to give biometrics (fingerprints & mugshot) if you apply for visas other than L – Single and L – Double.
Does this mean VACs in each country have their own rules?

Best way for a U.S citizen to get a long tourist / business visa for China in 2024?
 

Hello,

I lived and worked in China years and ago and I have visited as a tourist several times.. but last time was all the way back in 2017 before COVID and everything.

I'm currently in the U.S for another month. Back in the day I used to get 1 or 2 year tourist / business visas for China in HK or Vietnam. That was a long time ago!

What would be the best way to get a China visa now? What is the longest visa I can get now? Would I get a longer visa for China in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, HK, or U.S?

Is it still the same price whether it's 30 days or 1 year? I'm so out of the loop on this. Thanks for any insights!