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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Note that posts made prior to 1 July 2013 have been archived, but are still available for reference at China Visa / Visas Master Thread (ARCHIVED).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
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)
#1697
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
#1698
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
Of course he lists his employer below. So like I said, he's simply and accurately describing himself as Lawyer, Federal Maritime Commission, say. Unless there's something especially sensitive involved here, I think the poster may be over-thinking this.
#1700
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast USA
Programs: various
Posts: 6,710
I don't think this is a big deal nor that working for the Federal Maritime Commission will cause any heartburn. I'd just tick the employee box and use your regular title/occupation and address. You could also just truncate the employer name to "Maritime Commission" and use the street address but not the building name (if you actually work in a Federal Building).
#1702
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
The issue is more with the US government side. Some government and defence contractor employees may need to get foreign visit plans approved and have to debrief after visits. Getting a visa is usually not where the problem is.
#1703
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 306
Although the visa officers speak English well, they don't have the same grasp of the English language as us native speakers. My job title is something that most people don't really understand unless you work in my industry. When I listed that on my Visa application, the Visa officer had no idea what I was talking about and I was questioned on that aspect, and he made me amend my job title to something much more generic, even though it wasn't entirely accurate.
#1704
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: Chase and American Express
Posts: 260
went to the ny embassy on thursday, other than just being really unorganized in terms of who should stand where, was in and out in about 40 mins. Only question they asked was about my self employment which i had like a sort of sell sheet sort of thing that i brought with me about our company and the things we sell. She just read that and said come back on tuesday to pick it up. Went back on tuesday same 30-40 min wait, paid $140 and walked out with a 10 year business visa. I just used a passport photo i had printed at costco to renew my passport. They didnt even really look at the reservations or plane tickets, just skimmed everything really fast.
btw my second nationality is turkish and they didnt even question it.
btw my second nationality is turkish and they didnt even question it.
#1706
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: GNV
Programs: AA EP (life Gold), Global Entry, TSA Pre-Check, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 392
#1708
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Japan
Posts: 5,577
Quick follow up. Someone earlier recommended a company in Chicago, China Visa Solutions ( 10 Year Chinese visa for $49. China Visa Solutions helps you to get a China visa at low price. ). I checked out their reviews, which are
impeccable and decided to give them a try. Truly one of the most memorable and positive experiences. Shawn proof read the forms, I fedexed everything to his office
and within less than a week I had my passport back with the stamped 10 year visa inside. Also his fees are very reasonable. I am really impressed and highly recommend
using his services. Now it's time to plan for our trip to China.
impeccable and decided to give them a try. Truly one of the most memorable and positive experiences. Shawn proof read the forms, I fedexed everything to his office
and within less than a week I had my passport back with the stamped 10 year visa inside. Also his fees are very reasonable. I am really impressed and highly recommend
using his services. Now it's time to plan for our trip to China.
#1709
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: MPC,CA,MU,AF
Posts: 8,171
Quick follow up. Someone earlier recommended a company in Chicago, China Visa Solutions ( 10 Year Chinese visa for $49. China Visa Solutions helps you to get a China visa at low price. ). I checked out their reviews, which are
impeccable and decided to give them a try. Truly one of the most memorable and positive experiences. Shawn proof read the forms, I fedexed everything to his office
and within less than a week I had my passport back with the stamped 10 year visa inside. Also his fees are very reasonable. I am really impressed and highly recommend
using his services. Now it's time to plan for our trip to China.
impeccable and decided to give them a try. Truly one of the most memorable and positive experiences. Shawn proof read the forms, I fedexed everything to his office
and within less than a week I had my passport back with the stamped 10 year visa inside. Also his fees are very reasonable. I am really impressed and highly recommend
using his services. Now it's time to plan for our trip to China.
#1710
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
Quick follow up. Someone earlier recommended a company in Chicago, China Visa Solutions ( 10 Year Chinese visa for $49. China Visa Solutions helps you to get a China visa at low price. ). I checked out their reviews, which are
impeccable and decided to give them a try. Truly one of the most memorable and positive experiences. Shawn proof read the forms, I fedexed everything to his office
and within less than a week I had my passport back with the stamped 10 year visa inside. Also his fees are very reasonable. I am really impressed and highly recommend
using his services. Now it's time to plan for our trip to China.
impeccable and decided to give them a try. Truly one of the most memorable and positive experiences. Shawn proof read the forms, I fedexed everything to his office
and within less than a week I had my passport back with the stamped 10 year visa inside. Also his fees are very reasonable. I am really impressed and highly recommend
using his services. Now it's time to plan for our trip to China.