Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Entry requirements
To enter China, almost all foreign nationals (except those from Japan, the Seychelles, Mauri-
tius or San Marino) require a
visa
; your one exception may be the 72-hour visa-free window
allowed to transit passengers with confirmed onward flights (and visas for where you're go-
ing, if you need one). Unfortunately, Chinese visa rules are a real can of worms - despite the
country's increasing wealth, it is getting harder and more expensive to acquire a visa. Indeed,
some embassies have outsourced operations to
travel agencies
(who will require an extra
fee); details are given on the websites of China's worldwide embassies.
By far the best advice is to apply for a visa in your own country. The first point of contact
should be your embassy; if they no longer issue visas, they'll be able to give details of
the agencies you'll need to apply through. The second best place to apply is Hong Kong,
where agencies such as Forever Bright (
fbt-chinavisa.com.hk
) can issue visas cheaply and
quickly (sometimes even the same day), with very little fuss or documentation required; this
is also the best option if you want anything longer than a regular tourist visa.
Single-entrytouristvisas
(called “L” visas) must be used within three months of issue, and
are valid for a month; some embassies also issue three-month visas. Prices vary depending on
your nationality, and where you apply; by way of example, it's US$140 for US citizens (same
price for anything up to a one-year multiple-entry visa); Can$81.50 for Canadians (including
outsourcing fee); £66 for those from the UK (including outsourcing fee); €40 for Irish cit-
izens; Aus$98.50 for Aussies (including outsourcing fee); NZ$140 for Kiwis; and ZAR250
for South Africans.
To
apply
for a visa you have to submit an application form (available online from the em-
bassy or agency sites), one or two passport-size photographs, your passport (which must be
valid for at least another six months from your planned date of entry into China, and have at
least one blank page for visas) and the fee (sometimes payable by card or bank transfer only).
If you apply in person, processing should take between three and five working days. Postal
applications take up to three weeks.
You'll be asked your occupation - don't admit to being a journalist or writer, as you might
be called in for an interview and made to get the annoying
journalist visa
(J), which means
you'll have to report to police stations in China. At times of political sensitivity you may be
asked for a copy of any air tickets and hotel bookings in your name.
A
businessvisa
(F) is valid for six months and multiple journeys; you'll need an official in-
vitation from a government-recognized Chinese organization to apply for one (it was possible
to simply buy one in Hong Kong until recently, and it might be possible again in the future).
Twelve-month
work visas
(Z) again require an invitation, plus a health certificate from your
doctor. Students intending to study in Beijing for less than six months need an invitation or
letter of acceptance from a college there in order to apply for
studentvisas
. If you're intend-
