Actually, I am doing a same day transit. But it's not on the same airline unfortunately, I'm buying tickets seperately. I'm coming from the US on AA, but connecting to HKG via MU or DragonAir I suppose. They do have baggage agreements atleast so they say I won't have to pick up my bags in Shanghai, they will be able to check it to HKG.

How long do you think I need in between my arriving flight and the onward flight? I figure it wouldn't take THAT long to go through immigration, but I figure I allow about 2.5-3 hrs would be plenty safe. Are the airlines picky if I want to standby for an earlier flight if immigration goes real quick? I know there's flights every hour or so.

Thanks.

to date, pvg hasn't really handled too many transfers (after all there are very few international destinations that can't be reached more conveniently from other places) so the process isn't all that smooth. on the other hand, the current terminal is pretty easy to navigate.

you need to pick up your bags, clear customs (really just a matter of walking through one of the green doors with a smile).

then go upstairs and proceed to the check-in counters. honestly, i'd feel completely comfortable with a 2 hour connection and would even shoot for ~1.5 if i had a ticket that was reasonably easy to change.

Chinese Visa
 

Can anyone recommend a broker they used to obtain a Chinese visa. It doesnt seem nearly as difficult as obtaining a Russian visa, however I do not live in a city with a consulate and dont want to be bothered with a company that is not prompt. Please let me know if you have had good or bad experiences. I will just need a regular, single entry tourist visa.

Thanks

I have used "Travel Document Systems" in the past, with good results.

http://www.traveldocs.com/cn/index.htm

I have used Zierer Visa Service many times. Their service is excellent.
www.zvs.com

speaking of visa services, one thing that puzzles me is why their fees differ so much for various types of visas. in other words, in cases where they expect the customer to provide all of the documentation that would get the job done at the consulate in person, their workload is the same. if they have to pull strings, that's another issue altogether (i.e. you're paying for their connections).

Hey NDfightingirish
Try this web site www.volquest.com
:eek:

Where are you going in China?

Another thumbs up for ZVS ^ .

I use http://www.peninsulavisa.com/visa.htm. In the past I have FedExed my passport mid-afternoon one day, and had it back before lunch 2 days after that (ie less than 48 hours). If you live in the bay area it can be even faster (no FedExing time).

If you are going via Hong Kong, you can get a PRC visa same day there, and it's quite a lot cheaper - see http://www.ctshk.com/english/useful/chinesevisa.htm

You used to be able to get a visa "on the spot" at the border crossing at Lo Wu, but I'm not sure if that is still possible (but a quick google suggests it is). The only catch was that you had to pay in cash, in RMB - so be prepared and change money in advance.

Correction - US passport holders cannot get a walk up visa at LO Wu; most other nationalities can.

Depending on where you live, you might be able to do the whole thing by mail. Check the website for the Chinese consulate nearest you (you can also download the one-page visa application form).

As you note, the procedure is simple and quite painless.

I have gotten my Chinese visa in Hong Kong in less than an hour before. Then took a train to my destination (Guangzhou). Very simple and you can probably fly to Hong Kong cheaper than most other cities.

Be careful if you are a US citizen. The PRC has tougher rules for Americans (reason is apparenlty that if US makes it a little hard for Chinese to get Visas, China will show 'em with silly rules). For Americans, it appears best to get a China visa in the US.

While you can mail in your app in the US someone, either you or a friend or agent must pick it up.

I used mychinavisa.com - had absolutely no issues and got a free next day rush when my trip got moved up.

They are based in Houston.

you got that backwards (someone needs to drop it off, but they can mail it back)

My 1 year multiple expires at the end of the month and my next trip is on March 1st. Is it possible for me to apply for another visa before my current one expires?