posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Aug 3
A China tourist visa is required of all U.S. citizens who wish to enter the mainland for tourism. While the Chinese consular services offers several differnt types of visas, this article will provide information on how to apply for a China tourist visa.
Visa applications by mail are no longer accepted by the Chinese consular services. The application can be submitted personally by you or you can get another person to do it for you. A family member, friend, travel agent or visa expediter can do this for you.
China visas have validities of 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. You can ask for a single, double or multiple entry visa. An additional travel permit is necessary in order to visit any non-open city. You can get this in China at the local public security bureau.
The China Tourist Visa
A China tourist visa, also known as an L visa, is usually valid for 30 days from the day of entry. Upon arrival, your documents will be examined by an inspection agent. If all your documentation is in order, an entry seal will be stamped in them. Request for an extention can be made while in China at the local public security bureau.
The tourist visa only allows you to travel to China for sightseeing or to visit family. If you want to travel to any area not yet opened to tourists, you will have to apply for a Foreign Travel Permit at the local public security organ.
Chinese Visa Requirements
The following items are required in order to obtain a tourist visa to China.
Completed Declaration Form
The Declaration Form became effective in May of 2009 and is a requirement for all those who are applying for a Chinese visa. The form includes space for name, nationality, passport number and a list of countries or U.S. states you have been to during the two weeks prior to submitting the form.
Your Current US Passport
You have to submit your current, valid and signed U.S. passport along with the application for the tourist visa. Your passport should have at least six (6) months validity remaining after your intended arrival to China. Also, you should make sure you have at least one blank visa page in your passport.
One Recent Photograph
The photograph must be 2×2 inches in size. To avoid problems you should get your photograph at a place that has experience with this type of photo. The photo will only be accepted by the consulate if it is high resolution, clear, and provides proper contrast with white background.
Completed China Visa Application
The China visa application has seven sections. The first section is for personal information such as name, sex, nationality, date of birth, passport number, occupation, etc. The second section is where you provide information about your trip to China. This includes the purpose of your trip, intended number of entries, date of entry and length of stay.
Questions about your health and prior travel are found in Section 3. You need to include information about previous trips to China. Section 4 is for your contact information such as home address, work or school address, contact in China, telephone numbers and email.
Additional declarations about your travel plans are made in the fifth section. The sixth section asks information about the person that completed the form if other than the person requesting the visa. The seventh and final section is for your signature.
How to Get Your China Tourist Visa Quickly
Regular processing of your visa to China can take 4 business days or more. If you need to get your visa in a hurry, the Chinese consular services offers express and rush processing. Express processing takes 2 to 3 business days. It only takes one business day for rush processing. There are additional fees for expedited service.
If you are unable to travel to the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate general and do not have a friend or relative who can do it for you, then you will need to contract a private visa expediter. An expediter can submit your visa application and documents to the consulate for you. This allows you to get your China visa expedited as quickly as the same day.
