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Note that posts made prior to 1 July 2013 have been archived, but are still available for reference at China Visa / Visas Master Thread (ARCHIVED).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)
Jul 24, 2019, 3:42 am
#1936
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 733
Hello, I am planning a brief trip to Beijing in October to attend a conference. (I also plan to stay a few days for tourism.) I am a dual US–Canadian citizen, living in Vancouver, Canada. I wanted to see if anyone had advice as to whether I would be better off using my Canadian or my American passport? I believe the conference host plans to help me with visa arrangements, and is asking for my passport information; I wasn't sure which passport I should give, or whether it matters.
If it's relevant, I expect that I'll be planning to travel to and from Canada.
Any advice would be appreciated!
If it's relevant, I expect that I'll be planning to travel to and from Canada.
Any advice would be appreciated!
Jul 27, 2019, 2:22 am
#1938
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,028
Jul 28, 2019, 4:09 pm
#1939
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,399
Hello, I am planning a brief trip to Beijing in October to attend a conference. (I also plan to stay a few days for tourism.) I am a dual US–Canadian citizen, living in Vancouver, Canada. I wanted to see if anyone had advice as to whether I would be better off using my Canadian or my American passport? I believe the conference host plans to help me with visa arrangements, and is asking for my passport information; I wasn't sure which passport I should give, or whether it matters.
If it's relevant, I expect that I'll be planning to travel to and from Canada.
Any advice would be appreciated!
If it's relevant, I expect that I'll be planning to travel to and from Canada.
Any advice would be appreciated!
Your USA passport qualifies for a ten year multiple entry visa; I'm not sure whether Canada gives ten years. You need to have about an additional year's validity on the passport.
The other issue is which passport you prefer to use for travel to mainland China. China seems to be having disputes recently with both the USA and Canada. If any problems arise, the consulate of the country's passport you used to enter is responsible for helping you.
The other issue is which passport you prefer to use for travel to mainland China. China seems to be having disputes recently with both the USA and Canada. If any problems arise, the consulate of the country's passport you used to enter is responsible for helping you.
Jul 29, 2019, 1:49 am
#1940
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,896
Jul 29, 2019, 9:50 am
#1942
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,262
Jul 29, 2019, 5:36 pm
#1943
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,399
IIRC about US$160 (reciprocity with what Chinese citizens pay for USA visas), plus visa service agency fees, passport photo fees, FedEx fees, expedited processing fees, etc.
Jul 29, 2019, 11:29 pm
#1944
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,028
My friend just sent me this today via wx (hopefully the URL works here):
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzA...7Oivv2SE58DoJe
Following is a quick summary with a bit of commentary from yours truly.
New policies are being unveiled on 8/1, designed to --on the surface-- streamline X and Z visas. I say "on the surface" because there could well be other motives that are less attractive. That having been said, I will note that the RP application process is such a pain in the ... that many people either work on M visas or simply leave the country. This has had noticeable affects in the English teaching field (e.g. many small education centers simply lack the resources to sponsor RPs, and teachers have fled to countries with friendlier policies). I know that "self sufficiency" is fundamental, and highly popular, tenant of Xi's platform, but perhaps some of the measures went a bit too far.
Key points:
1. Permanent residence (green cards) will be promoted more widely. I only know a handful of people who have scored this so far, and they are heavy hitters who were invited to apply. The new policy might be a little more transparent because it includes several concrete guidelines, such as "Foreigners who have worked in China for at least 4 years, with stay of more than 6 months per year, whose salary is more than six times that of the average local salary, will be able to apply for a permanent residence permit along with their spouses and underage children"
2. 5 year RPs will be much easier to get. Perhaps this means they're retiring the grading system?
-no need to get Z visa before RP (I actually skipped the visa step myself two years ago) in first tier cities
-"Foreigners who have been working in China for 2 years without a bad record are eligible to apply for a 5-year residence permit"
3. Part time entrepreneur visas appear to be a new category, with presumably much less red tape than full Z visas or RPs
4. Foreign students who graduate from top tier universities in China will be eligible for 2 to 5 year entrepreneur visas
-this is actually kind of cool, particularly if some of the more popular (with foreign students) universities make the grade
5. Service centers are being opened to help foreigners navigate these waters
-I like this, conceptually, because the agency we use is quite expensive
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzA...7Oivv2SE58DoJe
Following is a quick summary with a bit of commentary from yours truly.
New policies are being unveiled on 8/1, designed to --on the surface-- streamline X and Z visas. I say "on the surface" because there could well be other motives that are less attractive. That having been said, I will note that the RP application process is such a pain in the ... that many people either work on M visas or simply leave the country. This has had noticeable affects in the English teaching field (e.g. many small education centers simply lack the resources to sponsor RPs, and teachers have fled to countries with friendlier policies). I know that "self sufficiency" is fundamental, and highly popular, tenant of Xi's platform, but perhaps some of the measures went a bit too far.
Key points:
1. Permanent residence (green cards) will be promoted more widely. I only know a handful of people who have scored this so far, and they are heavy hitters who were invited to apply. The new policy might be a little more transparent because it includes several concrete guidelines, such as "Foreigners who have worked in China for at least 4 years, with stay of more than 6 months per year, whose salary is more than six times that of the average local salary, will be able to apply for a permanent residence permit along with their spouses and underage children"
2. 5 year RPs will be much easier to get. Perhaps this means they're retiring the grading system?
-no need to get Z visa before RP (I actually skipped the visa step myself two years ago) in first tier cities
-"Foreigners who have been working in China for 2 years without a bad record are eligible to apply for a 5-year residence permit"
3. Part time entrepreneur visas appear to be a new category, with presumably much less red tape than full Z visas or RPs
4. Foreign students who graduate from top tier universities in China will be eligible for 2 to 5 year entrepreneur visas
-this is actually kind of cool, particularly if some of the more popular (with foreign students) universities make the grade
5. Service centers are being opened to help foreigners navigate these waters
-I like this, conceptually, because the agency we use is quite expensive
Aug 5, 2019, 11:31 am
#1945
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Arizona
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, National Exec
Posts: 8
I'm filling out the application for the 10-year visitor's visa so I can do a mileage run in October.
I'm getting married five days before my trip and my (future) husband is not going with me. Should I put my marital status as "Married" (as I will be when I leave) or "Single" (as I am when applying)? On the major family members, should I note him as my husband or fiance?
I don't want to send them inaccurate info! Thanks
I'm getting married five days before my trip and my (future) husband is not going with me. Should I put my marital status as "Married" (as I will be when I leave) or "Single" (as I am when applying)? On the major family members, should I note him as my husband or fiance?
I don't want to send them inaccurate info! Thanks
Aug 5, 2019, 12:35 pm
#1946
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,028
I'm filling out the application for the 10-year visitor's visa so I can do a mileage run in October.
I'm getting married five days before my trip and my (future) husband is not going with me. Should I put my marital status as "Married" (as I will be when I leave) or "Single" (as I am when applying)? On the major family members, should I note him as my husband or fiance?
I don't want to send them inaccurate info! Thanks
I'm getting married five days before my trip and my (future) husband is not going with me. Should I put my marital status as "Married" (as I will be when I leave) or "Single" (as I am when applying)? On the major family members, should I note him as my husband or fiance?
I don't want to send them inaccurate info! Thanks
Aug 5, 2019, 2:55 pm
#1947
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Arizona
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, National Exec
Posts: 8
Aug 6, 2019, 10:21 am
#1949
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Arizona
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, National Exec
Posts: 8
And that was my thought too - I'm not changing my name, so they'll be nothing that sends up flags for them. Just another ticked box on the application. Thanks!
Aug 15, 2019, 6:38 pm
#1950
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 2
Do Pakistanis need a tourist visa for China?
Hi there! We are hosting a foreign exchange student from Pakistan and want to take her along on our family vacation to China. We are from the US and we have already obtained our 10-year tourist visas. Now, we are trying to find out what is needed for our student from Pakistan.
Do Pakistanis need a tourist visa for China? We are finding conflicting information online.
Do Pakistanis need a tourist visa for China? We are finding conflicting information online.