Mar 5, 2015, 3:24 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
NOTE: The information in this thread is obsolete. Please consider this thread a historic archive of past issues and discussion regarding China visas, as it is now closed to further posting.
Recent posts have been moved to the relevant and currently active "sticky" thread, China Visa / Visas Master Thread (all you need to know).
Thank you,
JDiver
Senior Moderator
Recent posts have been moved to the relevant and currently active "sticky" thread, China Visa / Visas Master Thread (all you need to know).
Thank you,
JDiver
Senior Moderator
Chinese visa discussion
Oct 13, 2006 | 6:07 am
#46
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salt Lake City, Los Angeles
Posts: 480
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.
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.
Originally Posted by GUWonder
Etickets are ok, but have a printout of your eticket itinerary/receipt.
Sometimes the airline staff are ill-informed so you might want material from the Chinese consulate/embassy websites showing that you are correct. Timatic, which a lot of airlines use, also shows that it is possible.
If you are on one ticket and doing a same-day transit, the airline reps at PVG may be waiting for you right where you enter the main terminal building (right after getting off the jetbridge).
Sometimes the airline staff are ill-informed so you might want material from the Chinese consulate/embassy websites showing that you are correct. Timatic, which a lot of airlines use, also shows that it is possible.
If you are on one ticket and doing a same-day transit, the airline reps at PVG may be waiting for you right where you enter the main terminal building (right after getting off the jetbridge).
Oct 13, 2006 | 6:14 am
#47
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,422
Originally Posted by Noodlesz
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.
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.
Feb 2, 2007 | 11:39 pm
#48
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: PHX
Programs: *wood gold, HHonors silver, United Premier
Posts: 132
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
Thanks
Feb 3, 2007 | 2:46 am
#49
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Kunming, China
Programs: UA, DL
Posts: 190
I have used "Travel Document Systems" in the past, with good results.
http://www.traveldocs.com/cn/index.htm
http://www.traveldocs.com/cn/index.htm
Feb 3, 2007 | 11:09 am
#50
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New York
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Delta Skymiles Platinum
Posts: 659
I have used Zierer Visa Service many times. Their service is excellent.
www.zvs.com
www.zvs.com
Feb 3, 2007 | 11:32 am
#51
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,422
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).
Feb 3, 2007 | 11:50 am
#53
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: The shape-shifting urban sprawl that is El Lay. FT member #71.
Programs: UA Gold & MM; DL & AA credit card dirt status; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Fool's Gold
Posts: 4,839
I have used Zierer Visa Service many times. Their service is excellent.
www.zvs.com
www.zvs.com
Feb 3, 2007 | 12:01 pm
#54
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: OAK
Programs: AS MVPG 100k
Posts: 3,762
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.
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.
Feb 3, 2007 | 12:49 pm
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
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.
As you note, the procedure is simple and quite painless.
Feb 3, 2007 | 1:02 pm
#56
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 21
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.
Feb 3, 2007 | 2:03 pm
#57
In memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,020
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.
While you can mail in your app in the US someone, either you or a friend or agent must pick it up.
Feb 4, 2007 | 8:25 pm
#58
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: North of DFW
Programs: AA-EXP, Avis, *wood
Posts: 65
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.
They are based in Houston.
Feb 4, 2007 | 8:57 pm
#59
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,422
Feb 11, 2007 | 4:13 am
#60
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Redwood Shores, CA
Programs: UA 1P, HH Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 743
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?