Travel Special: China Visa Requirements

We have just recently returned from our trip to Shanghai and Beijing which I am so excited to talk about here on Sidestrip within the week. For today I would like to share the requirements that we had to submit to get our visa from the Chinese Embassy here in Manila. Please take note that there are still some other things that you would have to prepare for prior to going to China which I shall try to highlight after but one thing I would like to point out is that it is really worth the effort to go. 

Basic Requirements Apply to All Types of Chinese Visa Application:

If you are applying to work or study in the PRC, or if someone else travelling with you shares the same passport, or if you are applying for a visa in a country or territory other than the country of your current nationality, you also should fill out the Supplementary Visa Application Form besides the Visa Application Form.

1. Applicant's passport with blank pages and at least 6 months validity left before expiration. And a copy of its information page and emergency contact page. 
2. The truly and completely filled Visa Application Form.
3. Glue a color photo in 48mm x 33mm size to the application form. Stapled/taped/clipped/detached photos are not be acceptable.  
4. For first-time applicant whose former nationality was Chinese, or who was born in the PRC (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), are required to provide the original Chinese passport and a copy of its information page, and pages of extension (if any). 
5. Previous Chinese visa if any. If the Chinese visa is in the old passport, copies of passport's information page and Chinese visa page(Visa sticker with immigration stamps) are needed. 
6. Name Change Certificate if name in the new passport differs from that in the old one. The documents (e.g. birth certificate or marriage certificate) for name change issued by the authority are required.
7. For non-Philippines passport holders, they are required to provide valid proof of residency, work or study in Philippines. 

 Special Requirements for Different Types of Chinese visa:
 Tourist/Family Visit Visa (L)
L Visa is issued to a person who comes to the PRC for sightseeing, visiting relatives, or private matters. Documents to be included with application:

1. An invitation letter issued by Authorized Travel Agency, or from other travel agencies or individuals. Otherwise, you must provide a copy of return ticket and hotel reservation. 
2. If visiting PRC for the first time, BIR-Stamped income tax return form, recent 6 months bank statement and original bank receipt are required. For students, please provide student ID, sponsorship letter and the bank statement of sponsor instead. BTW, if applicants have invitation letter from an Authorized Travel Agency, both income tax return form and bank statement are not required.
3. If visiting Tibet, please contact a travel agency to apply for a Tibet Entry Permit issued by the Tourism Administration of the Tibet Autonomous Region in advance.

 Business Visa (F)
F Visa is issued to a person who is invited by Chinese authorities authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (M.F.A) to come to China for a visit, investigations, giving lectures, doing business, carrying out scientific, technical and cultural exchanges, pursuing short-term advanced studies or doing short-term fieldwork, for a period of less than 6 months. Documents to be included with application:

1. Invitation Letter of Authorized Chinese Unit, or a Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an Authorized Chinese Unit, or an Invitation Letter issued by the Chinese companies, corporations and institutions other than above-mentioned Authorized Chinese Unit. 
2. If applying for study in the PRC for less than 6 months, the original and copy of the Admission Notice, Form JW-201/JW-202 Visa Application for Study in the PRC are required. 
3. If visiting the RPC for the first time, BIR-Stamped income tax return form, recent 6 months bank statement and original bank receipt are required. For students, please provide student ID, sponsorship letter and the bank statement of sponsor instead. BTW, if applicants have invitation letter said above, income tax return form and bank statement are not required.

 Employment Visa and Dependent Visa (Z)
Z Visa is issued to a person who comes to China for a post or employment and to the person's accompanying family members. It is also issued to a person who comes to China for commercial entertainment performance. Documents to be included with application:

1. Employment/Work Permit for Foreigners issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.
2. Original and copy of Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by an authorized unit in China.
Accompanying family dependents should also provide an original and copy of Invitation Letter of Duly Authorized Unit or Confirmation Letter of Invitation issued by the authorized Chinese unit, or proof of kinship, e.g. original NSO birth certificate or marriage contract. Besides, the copies of relative's Chinese Z visa and residence permit are required.
3. Physical Examination Record for Foreigner from a hospital appointed by Chinese embassy/consulate. The list of the appointed hospitals is available at visa counter.
4. Supplementary Visa Application Form is required.

 Student Visa (X)
Student Visa is divided into X Visa and F Visa. X Visa is issued to a person who comes to China to study, engage in advanced studies, or do fieldwork, for a period of more than 6 months. Documents to be included with application:

1. Original and copy of Admission Notice and Visa Application Form for Study in China JW-201 or Form JW-202. 
2. Physical Examination Record for Foreigner from a hospital appointed by Chinese embassy/consulate. The list of the appointed hospitals is available at visa counter.
3. Supplementary Visa Application Form is required.

 Transit Visa (G)
G Visa is issued to a transit traveler. It is also issued to Filipino seaman who comes to China to onboard vessel.

A valid visa to final destination country/region and an onward air ticket on an international flight. For crew members who come to China to board, they are required to provide an original and copy of Invitation Letter and their Crew ID.

Note: Passengers are exempted from going through the procedures for obtaining a transit visa if they hold an onward ticket and have booked seats on international airliners flying directly through China, and will stay in a transit city for less than 24 hours without leaving the airport.

Now what I wanted to highlight that wasn't explained here is that they will look at your Bank Statements and those that get approved pretty quickly and without any hassle are those that have a bank account with an average daily balance of 100k. If you have friends or family members in China they can also send to you a signed letter of invitation to China. They can also vouch for your living expenses  as well if you find that your funds a bit low. 

The Cost of the Visa processing can vary depending on the number of days you'll need to have the passport visa released. Usually we go with 3 days. 

Personally, I prefer going through an agency as they'll already tell you if your documents are enough and the approval rate is mostly higher through them. 

Here are a few more things to take note of:

Visa Fees (peso)

Philippine Passport
Single Entry: 1400
Double Entry: 2100
6-Month Multiple Entry: 2800
12-Month Multiple Entry: 4200

US Passport
Visa: 6500

Other Country Passport
Single Entry: 1700
Double Entry: 2550
6-Month Multiple Entry: 3400
12-Month Multiple Entry: 5100

Hong Kong Visa: 1600
Express Service: 1100 (3 working days)
Rush Service: 1700 (2 working days)

Expedited Service Fee per Person 

The regular processing time is 4 working days. For urgent cases, expedited service is available. Moreover, additional fees will be paid as following: 

2 working days processing	1,700 Peso
3 working days processing	1,100 Peso

Note: Please pay visa fees when collecting passport. Only cash is accepted now as means of payment.

Note: 
1. The regular processing time is 4 working days;
2. You may come to the Consular office of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Philippines to submit the application; or you may send someone else or a travel agent to act on your behalf if you cannot come personally. Representatives must present an authorization letter and a company ID. Mailed applications are not acceptable and will be refused.

Visa Application Form 2011A

http://www.chinese-embassy.info/visa-form/2011a.pdf

Visa Application Form 2011B

http://www.chinese-embassy.info/visa-form/2011b.pdf

Visa Exemption

1. According to an agreement between China and the Philippines, nationals of China and the Philippines, who are holders of valid diplomatic or service (official) passports, shall be exempted from visa requirement for entry into, exit from, or transit through the territory of the other Contracting state for a period not exceeding 30(thirty) days.

2. No visa is required for ordinary passport holders from Singapore, Brunei and Japan to visit China for up to 15 days for sightseeing, doing business, visiting relatives and friends or transit.

3. Aliens may be exempt from going through the procedures for obtaining a transit visa if they hold a through ticket and have booked seats on international airliners flying directly through China, and will stay in a transit city for less than 24 hours without leaving the airport.

4. Visas are not required of citizens of the following countries, who transit through Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport of Shanghai, provided they hold valid passports, visas for the onward countries, final destination tickets and have booked seats, and stay in Shanghai for less than 48 hours: Republic of Korea, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Austria, Greece.

5. Visas are not required of citizens of the following countries, who join group tour to Hainan province, provided they hold valid ordinary passports and stay in Hainan not exceeding 15 days: Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Germany, Great Britain, France, Austria, Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Here are the addresses to go to for the China Visa here in the Philippines:

Address: 4896 Pasay Road, Dasmarinas Village, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Tel: +63-2-8443148
Email: chinaemb_ph@mfa.gov.cn 
Website: http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/ 
Office Hours: 08:30-12:00, 14:00-17:00, Monday - Friday (except for public holidays of China and Philippines) 

 Consular Office (Visa, Passport, Notarization & Authentication)
Address: 2nd & 3rd Floor, the World Center, 330 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Enquiry Tel: +63-2-8482395 (08:30-10:30, during weekdays)
Fax: +63-2-8482386
Email: chinavisamanila@yahoo.com
Office Hour: 09:00 am - 11:00 am, Monday - Friday (except for public holidays of China and Philippines)
Consular Districts: Except for the consular districts of Chinese consulate in Laoag, Cebu 

 Consulate-General of the PRC in CebuAddress: Cebu Fil-Chinese Volunteers Fire Brigade Building, Don Julio Llorente Street, Barangay Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
Tel: +63-32-2563456 
Fax: +63-32-2548727  
Email: chinaconsul_cb_ph@mail.mfa.gov.cn
Website: http://cebu.china-consulate.org/eng/
Consular Districts: Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, Lanao Del Sur, Lanao Del Norte, Southern Cotabato, North Cotabato, Davao Oriental, Davao Del Sur, Davao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, Surigao Del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, Agusan Del Sur, Agusan Del Norte, Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga Del Norte, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Siquijor, Iloilo, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu 

 Accredited Hospitals for Physical Examination  
Chong Hua Hospital and Cebu Doctors Hospital are two accredited hospitals for foreigner's physical examination by Chinese Consulate in Cebu.

 Consulate of the PRC in LaoagAddress: No.216 National Highway, Brgy 1, San Francisco, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte 2901, Philippines
Tel: +63-77-7721874, 6706355
Fax: +63-77-6706338
Email: chinaconsul_lg_ph@mfa.gov.cn
Website: http://laoag.china-consulate.org/eng/
Consular Districts: Cordillera Administrative Region (Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province), Region 1 (Ilocos Norte, Inocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan) and Region 2 (Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino)

China is truly an amazing country that one must experience. It'll most definitely be a place that'll open your mind a bit more and allow you to see the world outside of what you already know. I know that most people would be wary due to the type of governance that they have but once you step off the plane you'll get to experience a world that is now considered as the 2nd strongest economy and will immediately see why. 

If you want to know more about Traveling to China Check out China Travel Agency.  They have pretty amazing tour packages and fast facts about China that can prove to be quite useful once you decide to go there. 

Happy Trip.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-