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Frequently Asked Questions on Chinese Visa

 

1. What is a visa?

A visa is an authorized permission issued by the diplomatic missions, consular posts or other resident agencies abroad authorized by the government of a country that permits a traveler to visit that country.

2. Do I need a visa to visit the mainland China?

A: If you are a citizen of US or Canada, traveling to Mainland China, whether for business or pleasure, you need a visa, which should be obtained in advance - except you are going to Hong Kong or Macao for less than 30 days.

 

But the following are exceptions:

1) Ordinary passport holders from Singapore, Brunei and Japan can gain access to China without visa for up to 15 days. They can enter and exit from the ports open to foreigners.

The following citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan are also required to apply for visas before entering China: 1) Ordinary passport holders intending to stay for more than 15 days; 2) Ordinary passport holders intending to study, work, reside or gather news; 3) Diplomatic passport or Official passport holders.

2) Non-U.S. or British citizens in transit to other countries or regions may stay inside the airport (not enter into border control) for less than 24 hours without a visa.

3) Citizens of the following countries to transit Shanghai can stay in Shanghai up to 48 hours without visa: Korea, U.S. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, French, Netherlands, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria and Greece.

3. How to obtain a China visa?

Effective May 1, 2003, for security concerns the Chinese embassy and consulates in the United States ceased accepting visa applications by mail service. Applicants for visas are requested to appear at the Consulate in person, through a friend, or use a visa service such as Yangtze Cruises, Inc.

Yangtze Cruises, Inc has been authorized by the Chinese consulate in New York to handle China visa application. We can process your visa application no matter which state you live in the US, or whichever country you come from.

What is a passport photo?

The Chinese consulate requires a photo similar to the one in your passport, which is head-only, without a hat, full frontal, with a white or gray background, approximately 2" by 2". You can obtain this type of photo anywhere. Cutout from personal photograph or Xerox copy are not acceptable.

4. Can I provide a photocopy of my passport?

No. Your must provide your actual passport. Chinese Embassy or Consulate require the submission of physical passport, together with your recent photograph and completed application forms bearing the applicant's original signature, as well as various supporting documents. China Visa is a sticker on a visa page inside your passport.

5. Do I have to sign the visa application form?

Yes. The applicant, through signature, is acknowledging that all the information appearing on the application is true and correct, and he takes the full responsibility.

6. Can a visa be issued on a blank amendment page at the back of my passport?

No, amendment pages at the back of passports are specifically for changes and endorsements to a passport after initial issuance. Chinese Embassy and Consulates generally do not use an amendment page for visa sticker.

7. I am going to Guangdong, then to Hong Kong and back to Guangdong for one night. Does it mean that I must have a double-entry visa?

Yes. Double-entry visa means you can enter mainland of China twice. Since you are going to Guangdong in the mainland twice, you must have a double-entry visa. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region and has its own visa policy.

 

8. What are the fees involving visa application?

Total costs of visa application include Consular Fees, Yangtze Cruises, Inc. Service Fees and Shipping Fee. Consular Fees are fees paid to the consulate. The YCI Service Fee is charged for the services performed by us. Shipping Fee is for the return of your completed documentation by FedEx.

9. What is my passport's function while I travel to China?

At every airport/hotel check-in, you must show your passport. Your name on your tickets must be exactly as it appears on your passport.

 

10. I am a US citizen or permanent resident currently living abroad. Can you still assist me?

Yes. You can contact the nearest Chinese embassy or consulates, or send your application to us. The application process is the same. The only difference is the shipping costs.

11. What type of visa do I need?

It depends on your purpose. Please check the visa types. For a tourist, a single-entry China visa is good enough – it is usually valid for 3 months after the issuing date, and you can stay for a maximum of 30 days. Some business people need to apply for the double-entry visa.

12. What is the working hours for the Embassies and consulates?

The Embassy and Consulates do not work on the weekends and US national holidays and Chinese national holidays.

13. Do I need visa for visit to Hong Kong?

American citizens and many other countries’ citizens DO NOT need a visa staying for 2 weeks to 3 months. Travelers of those countries unspecified or those who want to stay longer need to apply for the appropriate visa or entry permit from the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate.

14. If my application is rejected by embassy or consulate, is the consular fee refundable?

No. The Chinese Embassy or Consulates do not refund consular fees under any circumstance.

15. Do I need a visa to enter Macau as a tourist?

Passport holders of following countries are granted visa-free entry to Macau: Canada, USA, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and etc countries. Passport holders of other countries not specified hereunder should apply a visa for entry admission. Please check details.

 

 

16. What forms of payment does Yangtze Cruises, Inc. accept?

If you have other service arranged by us, the visa processing fee will be billed to your invoice for final payment. If it is a visa only service, payment for visa processing is only accepted in the form of check, money orders or wire transfer.

17. Is an appointment required for a visa application?

No appointment is required if you go to a Chinese consulate to apply visa by yourself.

18. My child is traveling to China with me. He cannot sign on his application; can I sign it on his/her behalf?

Yes.

19. I'm going to China on June 1, and my visa will expire on June 10. Can I still stay in China for 30 days?

Yes. Usually, a Chinese visa is good for 90 days from the date of approval, which means you can enter China within 90 days; and duration of stay is 30 days, which means from the date of your entrance, you can stay in China for 30 days.

20. Do I have to see a doctor to have the "Physical examination record for foreigner" filled out?

This form is strictly for those who will study in China over 1 year. If you are to stay in China for less than one year, you don't need this form.

21. Do you have any idea how much I should pay for the FedEx return?

For 2-4 passports, it should be around $20. It depends on the weight of the parcel. You can enclose a prepaid envelope or airbill for FedEx, UPS or Airborne to avoid this charge.

22. Why do you prefer we email you instead of answer our questions on the phone?

We found that many lengthy phone calls can be answered by a simple email message. Most of the answers are clearly written in our web pages. What you need is just a reminder or a web link. So please check our web first. If you can not find the answer, please e-mail or fax us.

23. Where can I apply for a visa?

A: Each Embassy or consulate has its own consular districts. If you do the visa on your own, you are required to contact the relevant Embassy or Consulate. Applicants who reside or travel away from the country of his or her nationality can apply for visas at a local Chinese Embassy or Consulate. As a visa agency, Yangtze Cruises, Inc. can handle visas for people live in any states of the US, or from any country.

24. I am in China and I want to extend my visa. Who should I contact?

Please contact a local county level Public Security Bureau for visa extension.

25. I am an American. Can I apply for a visa at the port of entry?

No. An American citizen should have obtained a visa before entering mainland China. You can apply a China visa in Hong Kong before entering China.

26. What documents do I need to apply for a tourist visa?

A: 1) One completely filled out Visa Application Form; 2) One recently taken 2*2 inches photo showing entire face and without a hat on. 3) Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application.

27. How far in advance should I apply for a visa?

A: Single-entry visas are generally valid for 3 months from the date of issuance. Two-entry visas are generally valid for 6 months. You are suggested to apply for the visa 2 months before your departure date.

28. How long will the visa process take?

A: It usually takes 2 weeks for us to process the visa and send your passport back to you. If you do the visa by yourself at a Chinese embassy or consulate, you may pick up the visa on the fourth working day after submission.

29. Do you have express service?

If you submit your application before 12:00pm and want to pick up the same day. Your application may be expedited and you can pick it up by 2:15pm by paying the extra rush fee of $50 per visa in addition to the regular visa fee.

The next day or third day pickup express service fee standard can be found here.

Applicants should come to pick up the visas on time by presenting the pickup form. Those who can not come on the pickup date should pick up the visas no later than 3 days after the pickup date.

 

30. Can I apply for the visa by mail or via email?

  1. For security concern, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the U.S. ceased the mail service for visa applications after May 1, 2003.

Visa applications should be submitted and picked up by the applicant himself, a friend, or a visa service like ourselves - Yangtze Cruises, Inc. There are no application services via email or through Internet.

31. I am far away from any Chinese Consulate, how can I apply for the visa?

A: Please send your application to us. Yangtze Cruises, Inc. is a tour operator with visa agents visiting the New York Chinese consulates at least once a week, every week.

 

32. What is Entries?

A: Entries means the number of times permitted during the period the visa is valid. Entries permitted can not be added or changed. Visa becomes invalid if it goes beyond the date of Enter before.

33. What is "Enter before" on the visa?

A: Enter before means that you may use the visa to enter China before 12::00am on the expiring day. Visas become invalid after the expiration date and can not be extended. You must apply for another visa.

34. What is "Duration of Each Stay" after Entry? What should I do if I want to stay in China longer than the duration?

A: Duration of Each Stay after Entry means the maximum days a visa holder can stay in China. Duration of Each Stay is counted from the date of entry. Applicants should apply for an extension of the duration at a local county level Public Security Bureau if he stays longer than the Duration of Each Stay printed on the visa.

Z, J-1, D AND X visa holders should apply for resident permit at a local Public Security Bureau no later than 30 days after they enter into China.

35. Could the consulate mail my visa back if I submit my application in person?

A: Visas should be picked up by applicants in person or someone entrusted or a travel agency. The consulates do not have such a mail service.

36. Q: I'd like to apply for a tourist visa. Should I provide an invitation from a Chinese travel agency or my friends?

A: Not necessary. If the embassy or consulate needs supporting information, such as itinerary or a letter of invitation, the consul will call you.

37. Q: I frequently travel to China for business. How can I get a multiple visa?

A: Chines embassies and consulates only grant multiple visas for business purpose. Please ask your business partners in China to contact the local government office to send you an invitation. The invitation is sufficient for obtaining the multiple visa.

38. Q: I have read "Instruction of authentication". Does my visa application form need to be authenticated?

A: No. Authentication applies only to documents being used in China for commercial or civil affairs, or for lawsuits. You only need to sign on the application form.

39. Q: In the application form, items 2 & 3, does "Former Name" refer to "my maiden name", and "last name" & "given name' my current name?

A: Item 2 "Former Name" does refer to your maiden name. In brief, Item 3 should be the same as they appear on your passport.

40. Q: Item 24, my wife and I are going to China together. I should put my name in this item?

A: No. Leave it blank. It refers to the situation in which a child who does not have his/her own passport is to travel to China with his/her parent and uses the parent's passport on which the child's name appears for visa application.

If your child uses the mother or father's passport, and he/she is going to China with you, please fill it out. In the Chinese visa, we'll mark it in the visa label.

41. Q: One of your requirements is that my passport must have 6 months validity remaining. Does that mean that my passport has to be at least six months old? I just received a new passport. Should I wait six months before I apply the Chinese Visa?

A: Your passport must have at least six months left before it expires. A new passport is good. You may apply on the first day having your passport.

42. Q: I have an American green card. Can I apply visa in the USA?

A: We can process applications for citizen of any country as long as he possess a valid passport. If you are a Canadian, British, or Australian citizen, the requirement is the same as that of American citizens. Other citizens applying for visa in the USA should provide the photocopy of American green card or social security card. The visa fee is also the same as that for American citizens.

43. Q: I can't pull out your application from the Internet, can you e-mail me one?

A: We can e-mail, mail or fax it to you. Just give us the email address, mailing address or fax number. You can make copies by copy machine.

44. Q: I have a friend who is disabled (handicapped). Can he apply for a Chinese visa?

A: Sure, he can.

45. Q: I know that before I go to Tibet, I need a travel permit from the Tibetan Travel Agency. Can you tell me where I can get it?

A: This company - Yangtze Cruises, Inc at (732) 821-6688 can help you get it, or you can visit our web site: www.ChinaPlanner.com.

46. Q: Can I use certified mail to send my application?

A: We strongly recommend FedEx, UPS air and Airborne, etc, which you can track your package. We do not recommend postal services as our clients had numerous bad experiences with them.

47. Q: I am wondering whether you have received my passport. Can I call you to check the status of my application?

A: Once received your passport, we will send you an email to notify you. If you do not get this email, you can check by emailing us, or call at (732) 821-6688, or fax at (732) 821-0099.

48. Why do you suggest that we do the visa through your company in stead of doing it by ourselves.

49. Group visa form

 
50. How can I get an invitation letter from Yangtze Cruises, Inc?
Please E-mail us the following information,
1. The exact date of entering China:
2. How long will you stay in China:
3. Cities that you will be visiting:
4. Names as the same as on the passport;
5. Sex: male or female
6. Date of birth:
7. Passport No:
8. Passport expires:
9. Occupation;
10. Your Telephone and your fax number;
11. Your address.


51. I'm going to China on June 1, and my visa will expire on June 10 with its during of stay 30 days. Can I still stay in China for 30 days?
Yes. Here are some Explanations of Number of Entries, Validation and Duration of Stay of a Chinese Visa.
Validation is a period of time, during which a visa is good for the holder to enter China. Validation starts from the date of issuance and the expiration date is shown as ENTER BEFORE on the visa.
Number of Entries designates how many times a visa can be used to enter China within its validation. Please note each time you travel from Hong Kong or Macao to Mainland China, one entry is counted. Single, double and multiple entry means within the validation of the visa, you can enter China once, twice and unlimited times respectively.
Duration of Stay sets the maximum days of stay in China counting from the date of entry. Example: Mr. A has a single entry visa showing ENTER BEFORE Dec-20-2003 with duration of stay 30 days. If Mr. A enters China on Dec-18-2003, he can still stay up to 30 days.

52. I called the Chinese consulate many times and never be able to reach them. Why?

The Chinese consulates are not going to take phone calls. That is one of the reasons that you should work with a visa agency like us.

53. I booked my trip already and I only need a visa application. Can you help me?

Yes. We do "visa only" services.

 

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