Going to China in June, when can I apply for a visa?
Feb 5, 2007, 12:02 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 9
Going to China in June, when can I apply for a visa?
Greetings everyone,
I'm heading over to PEK from YVR in June and I was wondering when I would be able to apply for a Chinese visa? I've already purchased my ticket but I've heard that I have to apply 3 months before departure. The problem is that the Chinese Embassy is in another city and the only time that I'd be able to make it to their offices is within the next few days. Would they not issue me a visa if I went at this time?
I won't be able to call the Chinese Embassy for another 2 days (due to work and their office hours) but I need to start making arrangements for getting to the offices in Vancouver so I thought I'd ask FT
Thanks in advance!
I'm heading over to PEK from YVR in June and I was wondering when I would be able to apply for a Chinese visa? I've already purchased my ticket but I've heard that I have to apply 3 months before departure. The problem is that the Chinese Embassy is in another city and the only time that I'd be able to make it to their offices is within the next few days. Would they not issue me a visa if I went at this time?
I won't be able to call the Chinese Embassy for another 2 days (due to work and their office hours) but I need to start making arrangements for getting to the offices in Vancouver so I thought I'd ask FT
Thanks in advance!
Feb 5, 2007, 6:07 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Programs: Delta SkyMiles (Platinum)
Posts: 63
The three-month deal sounds correct - I got a visa last December for travel in January and it had a "valid if entry is before" date. Sounds like a call to your nearest Chinese consulate will be the definitive source for info. Plus I think most are able to arrange visas by express mail courier so you might not have to travel there personally to apply.
Feb 5, 2007, 6:59 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YYZ
Posts: 6,138
Chinese visas issued at the Toronto consulate are good for entry within six months of the issue date.
Maybe I'm reading you wrong, but it sounds like you're worried that you have to apply well in advance - in fact the oppsite is true.
As long as you have visa in hand before flight time, you're OK. And you can get a visa issued in as little as a few hours if you pay the requisite rush fees.
Maybe I'm reading you wrong, but it sounds like you're worried that you have to apply well in advance - in fact the oppsite is true.
As long as you have visa in hand before flight time, you're OK. And you can get a visa issued in as little as a few hours if you pay the requisite rush fees.
Feb 5, 2007, 7:44 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1MM, Delta Plat
Posts: 11,224
There are also services that will process your visa for you. When I went, my company used a service in New York that could process in as little as three days, including Fedex time. Search "Chinese Visa" and you will find several firms. If you know you are only going once and once only, a single entry will suffice. I would recommend getting a six month, multiple entry. There is no additional cost. If you get a single entry, and go to Hong Kong after visiting China, you cannot get back to mainland China on that visa. My first visa was single entry; every one after that was multiple or resident.
Feb 5, 2007, 7:48 pm
#6
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
From their website:
Visa Validity and Duration of Stay
Usually the validity of a Single Entry or Double Entry "L" visa is 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue. This means the holder of the visa shall enter China no later than 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue, otherwise the visa is expired and is null and void. The duration of stay of a "L" visa is 30 days, which means the holder of the visa may stay in China for up to 30 days from the date of entry.The visa officer may extend the Duration of Stay if the applicant needs and requests a stay in China for more than 30 days.
Visa Validity and Duration of Stay
Usually the validity of a Single Entry or Double Entry "L" visa is 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue. This means the holder of the visa shall enter China no later than 90 days or 180 days from the date of issue, otherwise the visa is expired and is null and void. The duration of stay of a "L" visa is 30 days, which means the holder of the visa may stay in China for up to 30 days from the date of entry.The visa officer may extend the Duration of Stay if the applicant needs and requests a stay in China for more than 30 days.