Chinese Visa Requirements

[Cynicor]

I haven't yet heard anything about the new requirements being loosened post-olympics, and was wondering if anyone had heard on the grapevine or elsewhere?

I'm travelling to Xiamen, China via HKG on CX in early October and will soon need to apply, but I'm not sure whether I should get it done now or wait for them to make it slightly easier...

Any opinions?

Jon

 

[simongr]

Word on the street is no loosening is expected in the short term

 

[Ric]

If anyone have information, I am also interested to know when they will resume issuing the one year multiple entry visa.

Thanks.

Ric

 

[Cynicor]

Thanks.

I'm thinking of just submitting the form without proof of accomm or proof i'm visiting relatives, as the hotel isn't booked yet. Oh well, hopefully I won't have to pay twice if they reject it.

 

[simongr]

I tried to get a visa at the consulate back in May with an invitation letter from the local company. I was turned away before I even got inside the consulate as I did not have flight and hotel bookings.

 

[N860CR]

Was that in Sydney Simon? Did you meet the charming security guard

 

[v8Statesman]

Anyone know when they will start processing APEC pre clearance again?

 

[simongr]

Was that in Sydney Simon? Did you meet the charming security guard

Sure was. We are also thinking of going up to China for work and have been advised that the changes don't look like changing back any time soon.

 

[Febs]

I'm travelling to Xiamen, China via HKG on CX in early October and will soon need to apply, but I'm not sure whether I should get it done now or wait for them to make it slightly easier...

I'd do it ASAP. We had to shuffle a major job in China (from Sept to Oct) as there was no chance of getting Visas approved in September (and only a few of us had APEC cards).

I'd say even for early Oct you might be pushing it.

 

[N860CR]

I found the whole visa process in Sydney to be a bit of a joke. First of all lining up out the front I had someone going down the line harassing people saying "this isn't the line for visas, you go to the shop over there"... yeah nice try.

Then you meet the d**khead security guard who questions your very existance with such attitude that I wanted to smack him.

Then one spends half an hour trying to explain to the agent that I don't need to show them a ticket SYD-HKG, just HKG-PEK and PEK-HKG.

And finally.... they issue the visa for the wrong arrival date for the wrong duration and seem oddly confused as to what my problem is when I point it out to them

The of course, on the way out, some poor guy turns up one minute late and charmer security guard pulls the "we're closed coughk off see you tomorrow"

Off to get an Indian one on Monday... wonder if it'll be any better

 

[garyjohn951]

I
Off to get an Indian one on Monday... wonder if it'll be any better

As long as you have the "cold hard cash" your Indian Visa is guaranteed......

 

[simongr]

Off to get an Indian one on Monday... wonder if it'll be any better

Well I went there today and after they fixed the machine to give me a number and I sat and waited thru all the numbers I had been allocate but didnt have a ticket to support I have these observations:

Amex - not accepted
Price - fly on your non-aussie passport if you can, I saved $110 compared to my aussie counterparts
Help - Was asked if I wanted to sit down as my constant wincing and grabbing of my my knees seemed to make them nervous (currently in constant knee pain)
Verification - I am not confident that the documentation was adequate - they checked that the paper was there but did not display serious verification skills

 

[N860CR]

Sounds about right for the Indians. I'm just getting a tourist visa for this first trip, flying in from SYD on a Friday night and leaving on Sunday night so I'm hoping for minimal probing on why its such a short trip.

No Amex... but did they take other cards? or is it another cash only affair?

 

[simongr]

Picked up the passports today - all good

They take Visa and Mastercard.

 

[Cynicor]

Just an update, went in on Monday in Perth without the correct documentation and was told they still require proof of return airfares and accommodation or the letter.

Still, I've got a bit of time as the turn-around here is pretty fast.

Thanks guys

Jon

 

[hambaobao]

As of late September, China visa application required outbound flight proof and hotel booking proof (this is applying even from HK). .

As of late October, multi-entry visas still not available for Aus passport holders.

I'm still waiting on China (the only country I'm waiting on) for full approval for the APEC card. Too bloody slow - HK authority's response as to when, or if, they will resume processing: "no idea"

 

[hedge]

Well I went there today and after they fixed the machine to give me a number and I sat and waited thru all the numbers I had been allocate but didnt have a ticket to support I have these observations:

Amex - not accepted
Price - fly on your non-aussie passport if you can, I saved $110 compared to my aussie counterparts
Help - Was asked if I wanted to sit down as my constant wincing and grabbing of my my knees seemed to make them nervous (currently in constant knee pain)
Verification - I am not confident that the documentation was adequate - they checked that the paper was there but did not display serious verification skills

I get one of these everytime I go over (im of indian origin), so if I used by British passport, I would not have to pay for the visa?

Im always sick of paying for the visa - Indians love ripping others off

 

[Ric]

Even though I work pretty much full-time in China, I still go in on tourist visa - and can renew it for two more months once inside.

As of late October, multi-entry visas still not available for Aus passport holders.

Even I do business there and am there every 3 weeks, I always go in on a tourist visa. Too bloody bureacratic to get a business visa.

As of Oct 16 (or thereabouts) on arrival entry visa to Shenzhen (Lo Wu border crossing) are being processed. This is only for stay in Shenzhen district...supposedly.

Ric

 

[FL360]

I hold an Australian Passport and just got my one year multiple entry tourist visa about two weeks ago, I have heard that they relaxed the standard from 25/Oct.

They did not even checked/inspect/request my flight and hotel bookings !

I had made fully refundable Qantas tix and now waiting for the refund,
total about 5k worth..... I need to refund them because I only need the visa between HK and Shenzhen......

 

[auriga]

Probably of no relevance to most here....


[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Embassy of the People's Republic of China[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]From the 19 September 2008, the visa waiver practice will be resumed for ordinary Singaporean passport holders who are travelling to China for business, tourism or visiting relatives for 15 days or less.


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