Unfortunately, you need to do your paperwork all over again every time you apply for a China visa. That is my experience at least, but I have had 4 Chinese visas so far.

Steven

Correct. But for some types/configuration of Chinese visas, it gets easier on the subsequent applications.

Can I get a tourist visa and later in the year go on business trip?
 

I have a trip to Shanghai for fun scheduled in January (22nd thru the 27th). My business visa expires January 3rd so I need to get a new visa.

This trip is personal, but there is a possibility I will travel on business within the next 12 months. If I get a tourist visa, do I have to get another visa if I travel for business?

It's much easier to get the tourist visa (no letter needed from our business in China), but don't want a problem later if I do travel for work.

Thanks for the help!

You should be fine; just be sure not to check the "business" box on your arrival cards during subsequent trips.

Hi Folks

I apologise in advance if this question has been asked in this thread already, I did do a search but did not read all 51 pages.

I am flying Taipei- Hong Kong-Manila with about 3 days in Hong Kong.

My question is, can I enter Shenzhen on the visa free 72 hour basis on the grounds that I will be in MNL less than 72 hours later? Or does the 72 hour visa only apply if I land at an airport and show onward travel to a third country from that airport?

British citizenship & resident in Colombia if that makes a difference.

You must land and leave by air and Shenzhen has no TWOV.

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/emba...sa/service.htmThis is unrelated to the TWOV, because you aren't flying through the mainland.

Instead, as a UK citizen, you are eligible to get a "Shenzhen" visa at the Hong Kong border:

Thanks for the link. Perfect

ALL international airports in China have TWOV, but the default is stay limit is 24 hours, and unlike 72 hour TWOV, you fly into one city, and out from some place in a completely different region (connect the dots however you please) under the 24 hour rule.

Fly into Shenzhen depart from Guangzhou under 24 hours with no visa? I foresee check in agents giving a hard time.

This completely within the rules. About a year ago someone even posted here about a Guangzhou entry and a Wulumuqi exit going off without a hitch.

I don't see an up-to-date Wikipost attached to this thread. Can anyone guide me to one?

My first interest in considering a visa is simply to authorize an immediate turn in PVG back to the country of origin (US), however I would prefer that visa to be good for future tourist visits, ideally for a couple of years. What is the cost, what hours is the SF consulate open, and what are the lines like near the end of the business day?

Thanks....

A lot of the tourist visas are single entry only and are only valid for six months from the day of issue. Unless you have family in China or are going there for work and have a pretty sound strategy on how to get the correct documentation for a 2 year visa you will not get it.

I would suggest that you wait until you need the visa and get it then. An immediate turn would require a visa- why not route back through Hong Kong for example and in this way you can avoid the need to get a visa and simply use TWOV?

If Explore is a US passport holder, s/he should be able to easily get a 12-month, multiple entry tourist visa at the SF Consulate. China and the US have a special visa treaty on this matter that supersedes the typical regulations found elsewhere. 2 year visas are more difficult to get without a family tie and/or Chinese ethnicity...but if there is a family connection, one might qualify for the new Q or S type visa. All visas for US passport holders have a basic cost of $140, extra cost for expedited processing. If you use an agent, agent fees are extra. You cannot mail in your application but you can get mail return of the finished product. Consulate hours should be on their website. I have no knowledge of busy vs non-busy queuing periods.

Thanks, this is helpful information.