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Note that posts made prior to 1 July 2013 have been archived, but are still available for reference at China Visa / Visas Master Thread (ARCHIVED).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 29, 2024, 4:19 pm
#2342
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,680
Visa Datapoint: Approved for 10-year multiple-entry L visa with each entry valid at 90 days (I had put 60 on the application) - US citizen applied in-person at Washington DC visa office - applied on Monday, picked up on Thursday despite not selecting expedited processing - no appointments needed - I did have a Turkish stamp - overall processing and wait times on site were not significant
Well the US has the number of days on the visa but I think the border agent is allowed to give you less than that number of days when you enter. I'd imagine that PRC agents can do the same in theory but the difference is that the US does this routinely.
Mar 10, 2024, 5:57 am
#2345
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 574
Best visa service
Hi Everyone,
I am going to be approaching the end of my current 10 year Chinese tourist visa and will be reapplying. Given where I live, it is really inconvenient for me in terms of travel and time to go in person to New York. Last time, I used a service and it worked great - but that was 10 years ago. So 2 questions:
1. Do I have to use my designated consulate? It is several orders of magnitude faster and cheaper for me to go to DC than it is NYC.
2. Assuming I have no choice - is there current thinking on the best, most reliable services as of 2024? I have researched a lot online, but since I haven't investigated this in a while, figured I would ask for your collective input.
Thank You!
I am going to be approaching the end of my current 10 year Chinese tourist visa and will be reapplying. Given where I live, it is really inconvenient for me in terms of travel and time to go in person to New York. Last time, I used a service and it worked great - but that was 10 years ago. So 2 questions:
1. Do I have to use my designated consulate? It is several orders of magnitude faster and cheaper for me to go to DC than it is NYC.
2. Assuming I have no choice - is there current thinking on the best, most reliable services as of 2024? I have researched a lot online, but since I haven't investigated this in a while, figured I would ask for your collective input.
Thank You!
Mar 10, 2024, 2:54 pm
#2346
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,356
1. Do I have to use my designated consulate? It is several orders of magnitude faster and cheaper for me to go to DC than it is NYC.
2. Assuming I have no choice - is there current thinking on the best, most reliable services as of 2024? I have researched a lot online, but since I haven't investigated this in a while, figured I would ask for your collective input.
2. Assuming I have no choice - is there current thinking on the best, most reliable services as of 2024? I have researched a lot online, but since I haven't investigated this in a while, figured I would ask for your collective input.
I used mychinavisa.com (CVSC) back in the day; apparently they're still in business.
Mar 10, 2024, 3:03 pm
#2347
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Marriott Titanium (Lifetime Gold), Caesars Diamond
Posts: 1,402
If you have some document that has an address on it in the right jurisdiction you should be able to use the DC embassy. No requirement for US people to have a driver's license, there is no national ID card...
Mar 24, 2024, 9:51 am
#2348
Join Date: Aug 2023
Posts: 26
Hello!
Are there reports in the last time of China visas not given or delayed processing, taking months because of Turkish stamps? Do they do this *** anymore?
And if you change your passport, do they ask for the previous one?
Are there reports in the last time of China visas not given or delayed processing, taking months because of Turkish stamps? Do they do this *** anymore?
And if you change your passport, do they ask for the previous one?
Last edited by antobogdan; Mar 24, 2024 at 9:56 am
Mar 24, 2024, 3:37 pm
#2349
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,175
Perhaps, it's a multitude of factors - say if you had been to Turkey, were a member of a political party, and work for a government contractor, for example.
Mar 26, 2024, 8:01 am
#2350
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), AA Gold, UA (*G) Gold
Posts: 5,175
Question for full visa holders - what is the advice for onward tickets upon entrance into China? Will they ask for an onward ticket? Would there be an issue if a change is made to that onward ticket (by me)? I have heard that TWOV notes down the provided onward flight and can lead to issues if you change that flight. All of this would be within my allotted stay period (90 days) regardless.
Mar 26, 2024, 8:47 am
#2351
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,041
Back when I entered on visas, I was never asked to show proof of onward or return travel once over a 20 year stretch.
The system seems to rely upon people keeping track of their own deadlines and leaving themselves.
They are pretty good at catching and punishing (fines and/or detention) overstays, so I guess the deterrent approach works.
The system seems to rely upon people keeping track of their own deadlines and leaving themselves.
They are pretty good at catching and punishing (fines and/or detention) overstays, so I guess the deterrent approach works.
Mar 26, 2024, 8:51 am
#2352
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,264
Question for full visa holders - what is the advice for onward tickets upon entrance into China? Will they ask for an onward ticket? Would there be an issue if a change is made to that onward ticket (by me)? I have heard that TWOV notes down the provided onward flight and can lead to issues if you change that flight. All of this would be within my allotted stay period (90 days) regardless.
Apr 9, 2024, 8:52 pm
#2353
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,677
I am planning to a trip to Guangdong later this year. My trip in this case will be originating from and returning to Singapore.
I'd like to fly to HKG to meet some old acquaintances. Is it possible for me to get from HKG to Zhuhai on the visa waiver using a HK passport?
Or would I need to fly into somewhere in Guangdong and then go to HKG and then fly out to Singapore
I'd like to fly to HKG to meet some old acquaintances. Is it possible for me to get from HKG to Zhuhai on the visa waiver using a HK passport?
Or would I need to fly into somewhere in Guangdong and then go to HKG and then fly out to Singapore
Apr 9, 2024, 9:14 pm
#2354
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 33
The new immigration form does actually ask that question. No problem changing the ticket (I just did that). Not tried entering with the new form without an onward ticket but I expect it's fine as long as you have a reason.