Last edit by: mnbp
Your Forum Ambassadors are maintaining this guide. Signed in members with 90 days / 90 posts can edit this Wikipost; wiki contents may be printed by using the (lower right wiki corner).
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Note that posts made prior to 1 July 2013 have been archived, but are still available for reference at China Visa / Visas Master Thread (ARCHIVED).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
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)
#931
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,991
#932
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bellevue, WA, USA
Posts: 253
My son and I just decided to go to China the end of December and I am just beginning to figure out the visa requirements. We are US citizens with no relatives in China. From what I can gather, we will need a single entry L visa with whatever time length available since we will be in the country for maybe a week or so. I have a couple of questions:
* How long does it take for the Chinese embassy/consulate to process our request ?
* My son lives in DC and I in Washington state. I understand that he is supposed to go to the embassy in DC and I use the office in San Francisco. However we will both be together in DC in a few weeks so would they allow us both to apply at the embassy there ?
* Is there any chance we might be refused a visa ? Neither of us have any criminal background or work for any spy agency or anything like that.
* Any other advice appreciated !
Thank you,
Alan
* How long does it take for the Chinese embassy/consulate to process our request ?
* My son lives in DC and I in Washington state. I understand that he is supposed to go to the embassy in DC and I use the office in San Francisco. However we will both be together in DC in a few weeks so would they allow us both to apply at the embassy there ?
* Is there any chance we might be refused a visa ? Neither of us have any criminal background or work for any spy agency or anything like that.
* Any other advice appreciated !
Thank you,
Alan
#933
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,096
The staff has some discretion, especially in DC, so if I were you I'd certainly apply together, understanding there's a small risk they might get fussy.
Normal processing is four business days, though you can pay extra for speedier service.
You will not be refused a tourist visa; that hardly ever happens unless your name is Richard Gere or such. But it's not rare for an application to get bounced back because it's not been completed properly, so read the instructions carefully.
And apply for the 60-day multiple-entry visa so you don't have to go through this again for a decade. Price is the same for Americans no matter the visa duration.
Normal processing is four business days, though you can pay extra for speedier service.
You will not be refused a tourist visa; that hardly ever happens unless your name is Richard Gere or such. But it's not rare for an application to get bounced back because it's not been completed properly, so read the instructions carefully.
And apply for the 60-day multiple-entry visa so you don't have to go through this again for a decade. Price is the same for Americans no matter the visa duration.
#935
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: EWR-SEA-IAD
Programs: UA 1P MM, AS MVP G*, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 977
My son and I just decided to go to China the end of December and I am just beginning to figure out the visa requirements. We are US citizens with no relatives in China. From what I can gather, we will need a single entry L visa with whatever time length available since we will be in the country for maybe a week or so. I have a couple of questions:
* How long does it take for the Chinese embassy/consulate to process our request ?
* My son lives in DC and I in Washington state. I understand that he is supposed to go to the embassy in DC and I use the office in San Francisco. However we will both be together in DC in a few weeks so would they allow us both to apply at the embassy there ?
* Is there any chance we might be refused a visa ? Neither of us have any criminal background or work for any spy agency or anything like that.
* Any other advice appreciated !
Thank you,
Alan
* How long does it take for the Chinese embassy/consulate to process our request ?
* My son lives in DC and I in Washington state. I understand that he is supposed to go to the embassy in DC and I use the office in San Francisco. However we will both be together in DC in a few weeks so would they allow us both to apply at the embassy there ?
* Is there any chance we might be refused a visa ? Neither of us have any criminal background or work for any spy agency or anything like that.
* Any other advice appreciated !
Thank you,
Alan
#936
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,991
#937
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
Doesn't it tend to happen with people who work for the news media?
#938
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Rhode Island
Programs: AA- Million Miler, DL,
Posts: 28
I am submitting my visas for myself, my wife and my daughter. My sister-in-law is carrying them in person to the consulate in NY for us (and applying for hers at the same time). Should each set of documents be in it's own envelope or can they be submitted as a set?
#939
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Put anybody going on the same trip with the same itinerary, in one big outer envelope. So if your sister-in-law is NOT going on the same trip with you, then she should put hers in a separate envelope. Make sure that each person's documents are self-contained from the others--paper clip each application by itself along with the relevant passport. Then stack each application bundle within outer envelope. If your passports with finished visas are going to be mailed back to you, make sure you've allotted provision for that. If your sister-in-law will pick up in person, no need.
#940
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Rhode Island
Programs: AA- Million Miler, DL,
Posts: 28
Thank you @jiejie - that makes sense. One final question because I've seen several answers to this on this forum. In the Intended number of entries box should we check the other box for Visa length and write in 10 Year or should we just check the top box (one Entry box). Ideally we'd like the 10 year visa although we have no immediate plans for more than one trip. The form seems to pre-date the new 10-year visa agreement between China and the US.
#941
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
Thank you @jiejie - that makes sense. One final question because I've seen several answers to this on this forum. In the Intended number of entries box should we check the other box for Visa length and write in 10 Year or should we just check the top box (one Entry box). Ideally we'd like the 10 year visa although we have no immediate plans for more than one trip. The form seems to pre-date the new 10-year visa agreement between China and the US.
#942
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,467
San Francisco Consulate Visit
For what it's worth, I flew to San Francisco to drop off my passport and visa application this morning. Opening hours 9:00AM-2:30PM (not posted on their website, that I could find). At 8:30AM, there were more than 100 people in line. Inside, I got number 47 (numbers assigned only to people seeking visas, not to those who are picking up processed passports). Most people spend 10 minutes or so at the window (about five processing windows), so the line moves, but slowly. I was meticulous in preparation, so I was at the window less than 30 seconds.
- Don't include a cover letter
- Don't include hotel reservations (but do include flight reservations)
- Don't include a photocopy of passport information page (as indicated on L visa instructions)
- Don't staple or paperclip anything.
- Check the printed PDF file dates. My birthday was mysteriously "rounded off" to 1945-00-00
- Remember, pay when you pick up the visa, not at drop-off.
On the items I've indicated "Don't include", have copies just in case, but you'll probably save the consular staff from some sorting, detaching and expressions of frustration. There is a copy machine in the office.
Also, watch out for holidays: I'm stuck in SF over the weekend, since the office is closed Thursday through Sunday.
My total time in line and office 90 minutes. Not too bad.
- Don't include a cover letter
- Don't include hotel reservations (but do include flight reservations)
- Don't include a photocopy of passport information page (as indicated on L visa instructions)
- Don't staple or paperclip anything.
- Check the printed PDF file dates. My birthday was mysteriously "rounded off" to 1945-00-00
- Remember, pay when you pick up the visa, not at drop-off.
On the items I've indicated "Don't include", have copies just in case, but you'll probably save the consular staff from some sorting, detaching and expressions of frustration. There is a copy machine in the office.
Also, watch out for holidays: I'm stuck in SF over the weekend, since the office is closed Thursday through Sunday.
My total time in line and office 90 minutes. Not too bad.
#943
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,991
For what it's worth, I flew to San Francisco to drop off my passport and visa application this morning. Opening hours 9:00AM-2:30PM (not posted on their website, that I could find). At 8:30AM, there were more than 100 people in line. Inside, I got number 47 (numbers assigned only to people seeking visas, not to those who are picking up processed passports). Most people spend 10 minutes or so at the window (about five processing windows), so the line moves, but slowly. I was meticulous in preparation, so I was at the window less than 30 seconds.
- Don't include a cover letter
- Don't include hotel reservations (but do include flight reservations)
- Don't include a photocopy of passport information page (as indicated on L visa instructions)
- Don't staple or paperclip anything.
- Check the printed PDF file dates. My birthday was mysteriously "rounded off" to 1945-00-00
- Remember, pay when you pick up the visa, not at drop-off.
On the items I've indicated "Don't include", have copies just in case, but you'll probably save the consular staff from some sorting, detaching and expressions of frustration. There is a copy machine in the office.
Also, watch out for holidays: I'm stuck in SF over the weekend, since the office is closed Thursday through Sunday.
My total time in line and office 90 minutes. Not too bad.
- Don't include a cover letter
- Don't include hotel reservations (but do include flight reservations)
- Don't include a photocopy of passport information page (as indicated on L visa instructions)
- Don't staple or paperclip anything.
- Check the printed PDF file dates. My birthday was mysteriously "rounded off" to 1945-00-00
- Remember, pay when you pick up the visa, not at drop-off.
On the items I've indicated "Don't include", have copies just in case, but you'll probably save the consular staff from some sorting, detaching and expressions of frustration. There is a copy machine in the office.
Also, watch out for holidays: I'm stuck in SF over the weekend, since the office is closed Thursday through Sunday.
My total time in line and office 90 minutes. Not too bad.
#944
#945
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272