China Visa and Document: Chinese Visa Agent: China Visa Application

A visa is required for People’s Republic of China, but the time of writing, visas were not required for most Western nationals to visit Hong Kong or Macau. If you visit Hong Kong or Macau from China, you will need to be on a double entry visa or apply for another visa to re-entry China.

For most travelers, the type of visa is ‘L’, from the Chinese word for travel. This letter is stamped right on the visa. The usual length of stay for an ‘L’ visa is 30 days. Working, student and business visas generally require a letter of invitation from a host unit in China. HIV- negative tests will be required from teachers and students planning to live in China for more than nine months.

Visas are readily available from Chinese embassies and consulates in most other countries. A standard 30-day, single entry visa from most Chinese embassies abroad can be issued in four working days, but can take longer; for a extra fee, there should be an express same day or next day service.

Visa Extensions
Visa extension ate handled by the Foreign Affairs Branch of the local Public Security Bureau – the police force. Government travel organizations, like China International Travel Service have nothing to do with the extensions, so don’t bother asking. Extensions can cost nothing for some, but usually cost between Y100and Y250.

The situation with visa extensions is constantly in flux. Some travelers report extending their 30-day visa twice without any problem while others report difficulty obtaining a second extension. A first extension is generally no problem.

Different Public Security Bureau offices around China, however, operate at different speeds. In scrupulous Beijing, you may be told that is could take fives days to renew, but you could well have it done in three days in more relaxed Shanghai, while other, more remote areas could well give you a stamp on the spot!

The period of extension also fifers from city to town as well. Travelers report generous extensions being decided on the spot in provincial towns and backwaters. If you have used up all your options, popping into Hong Kong to apply for a new tourist visa is a reliable option.

It’s also possible to get visa extensions through private visa services in Beijing. Most seem to operate through private connections with the Public Security Bureau, with questionable legality. They advertise three to six month visa extensions and can also arrange letters of introduction. These services are also useful in changing a student X visa to a multiple entry F visa, which usually difficult to do. Some foreigners have used these services without incident, but you are taking a risk. Don’t hand over your payment until after you visa has been successfully extended. Look in the classified section of expat mags for listing of those services; it’s wise to ask around for a personal recommendation from someone who has actually recently used on of the services.

The penalty for overstaying your visa in China is Y500 per day! Many travelers have reported having trouble with officials who read the ‘valid until’ date on their visa incorrectly. For a one-moth tourist visa, the ‘valid until’ date is the date by which upon which your visa expires. Your visa expires the number of days that your visa is valid for after the date of entry into China.

Travel Permits
Most of China is now open to foreign travelers – the exceptions are military sensitive zones and certain remote border areas, especially those inhabited by ethnic minorities.

Most places described in this site are open to foreigners, but one incident (like Xinjiang and Tibet) can cause new permit regulations to be issued overnight, some small towns in China seem to insist on these permits for the sold reason of extracting fines from any foreigners who show up without one.

Travel permits can be demanded from your hotel registration desks, boat or bus ticket office and unusual areas during spot checks by police. If you are off the track, but heading towards, a destination for which you have a permit, the police may stop you and revoke your permit.

The permit also list the modes of transport you are allowed to take: plan, train, ship or car – if a particular mode is crossed out then you can not use it. If a mode is cancelled it can be reinstated at the next police station, but that may be for only a single trip from point A to point B. you could try and carry on regardless – though if caught, you face losing your permit.

If you manage to get a permit for an unusual destination, the best strategy is to get to that destination as fast as you can (by plane if possible). Local police do not have the honor the permit and can cancel it and send you back. Take your time getting back – you are returning to civilization. Transit points usually don’t require a permit, and you can stay the night.

Travel Insurance
Your medical insurance in your own country may not be valid in China; check with your insurance company.

A travel insurance police to cover theft, loss, trip cancellation and medical problems is sensible. Many travel agents can sort this out for you. Some policies offer lower and higher medical-expense options: the higher one are chiefly for countries such as US, which have extremely high medical costs.

Driving License
The authorities remain fearful of foreigners with the freedom to roam. Tourist are not permitted to drive between cities in China and can only rent card to drive within Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing and Shanghai (for the last two cities it’s a hassle). To do this you will need an International Driving Permit. Considering the traffic condition and pile-ups on the roads in mainland China. You won’t want to get behind the wheel.

Student & Youth Cards
An ISIC card is becoming increasingly useful in China, and it carries fringe insurance benefits. It won’t work everywhere in China, but you could well get discount entry to many sights. Chinese signs at many sights clearly indicate that students pay half price – so try your luck. It’s worth trying to see it you can also get air ticket discounts using your ISIC card; some travelers report success. If you are studying in China, your school will issue you a student card, which is more useful for discount on admission charges.

Resident Permits
The ‘green card’ is a residence permit, issued to English teachers, foreign experts and long-team students who live in China. Green cards are issued for one year and must be renewed annually. If you lose you card, you will have to pay a hefty fee to have it replaced. A health exam is part of the protocol for acquiring the card. Besides this exam, an ECG and X-ray, you will be tested for HIV.