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NewUser
Talker
Joined: June 03, 2005
Posts: 92
Status: Offline
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 Posted:
Sep 03, 2008 - 11:34 PM |
 
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| Post subject: New visa regulations |
According to the PRC consulate website "Proof of hotel reservations" is now required for a tourist visa. Anyone know if a print-out of an email from Sinohotel confirming my hotel booking is good enough? |
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shanghai_flava
Barker
Joined: July 19, 2008
Posts: 139
Location: Century Park
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Sep 03, 2008 - 11:44 PM |
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Does the email contain your name as stated in the passport? Also is there the adress and phone number of the hotel?
If so then I think it should do but better check it again with the Chinese consulate: after all, they are the one who will make the decision about the visa, right?  |
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NewUser
Talker
Joined: June 03, 2005
Posts: 92
Status: Offline
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Sep 04, 2008 - 12:14 AM |
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Yeah, but I needed the answer before next month |
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wefrucar
Talker
Joined: Aug 20, 2008
Posts: 95
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 04, 2008 - 07:29 AM |
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Don't take my word on it, but I think hotel reservations and round trip plane tickets are some of the rare items that the PRC consulate is more lenient about (read: too much trouble for them to verify). I didn't have a R/T ticket when I applied for my F visa in May (even though the web-site clearly stated it was necessary), I brought a printout of my itinerary for the one flight I did have.... the woman at the consulate glanced at it, gave it back to me, and paper-clipped the rest of my documents. No problems.
A printout (plus full address in Chinese) is probably fine.... what else do they expect? A signed letter from the president of the hotel?
If you want an answer from someone who actually knows what they're talking about, though, e-mail some visa service companies in China. |
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youshouldseemyrumbabox
Squeeker
Joined: Sep 05, 2008
Posts: 11
Status: Offline
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Sep 10, 2008 - 09:07 AM |
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On a similar note....what if you're staying with friends??? Would an address be sufficient or must it be a hotel? |
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p1atl10
Board Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 6011
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 10, 2008 - 09:18 AM |
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For staying with friends....
They must supply an Invitation Letter.
The overiding requirement though, is that they are staying here on a Residence Permit. Which means they also have a Wrok Permit.
If they are here on an L or F, they are not eleibible to "invite" visitors. |
_________________
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p1atl10
Board Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 6011
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 10, 2008 - 09:22 AM |
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| wefrucar wrote: |
Don't take my word on it, but I think hotel reservations and round trip plane tickets are some of the rare items that the PRC consulate is more lenient about (read: too much trouble for them to verify). I didn't have a R/T ticket when I applied for my F visa in May (even though the web-site clearly stated it was necessary), I brought a printout of my itinerary for the one flight I did have.... the woman at the consulate glanced at it, gave it back to me, and paper-clipped the rest of my documents. No problems.
A printout (plus full address in Chinese) is probably fine.... what else do they expect? A signed letter from the president of the hotel?
If you want an answer from someone who actually knows what they're talking about, though, e-mail some visa service companies in China. |
Having a Visa does not neccesarily grant you entrance to China. You can still be refused entry at Immigration upon arrival.
Came back in from Thailand last week....and in several cases saw the Officer asking to see return air tickets and proof of hotel registration. |
_________________
Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer.....Dave Barry |
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Vinj
Lurker
Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 21
Status: Offline
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Sep 10, 2008 - 10:01 AM |
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How hard to get a visitors visa in China? |
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yu888
Board Deity
Joined: Jan 25, 2003
Posts: 17950
Location: ZhongShanParkArea SH
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Sep 10, 2008 - 12:07 PM |
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wefrucar
Talker
Joined: Aug 20, 2008
Posts: 95
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 10, 2008 - 01:45 PM |
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| p1atl10 wrote: |
| wefrucar wrote: |
Don't take my word on it, but I think hotel reservations and round trip plane tickets are some of the rare items that the PRC consulate is more lenient about (read: too much trouble for them to verify). I didn't have a R/T ticket when I applied for my F visa in May (even though the web-site clearly stated it was necessary), I brought a printout of my itinerary for the one flight I did have.... the woman at the consulate glanced at it, gave it back to me, and paper-clipped the rest of my documents. No problems.
A printout (plus full address in Chinese) is probably fine.... what else do they expect? A signed letter from the president of the hotel?
If you want an answer from someone who actually knows what they're talking about, though, e-mail some visa service companies in China. |
Having a Visa does not neccesarily grant you entrance to China. You can still be refused entry at Immigration upon arrival.
Came back in from Thailand last week....and in several cases saw the Officer asking to see return air tickets and proof of hotel registration. |
That's true, and I actually did a lot of research on that before coming in (because I was scared I'd be turned away at immigration, which would not be fun). Found out that pretty much no one has ever been asked to supply a return ticket at immigration (I wasn't). The only people who *might* ask for a return ticket is the airline when you check-in, but just a print-out of any return itinerary (even if you never actually booked it) should be enough to satisfy them |
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unoriginal
LoopKicker
Joined: Jan 13, 2008
Posts: 876
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Sep 10, 2008 - 04:20 PM |
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I've had visitors during olympics, and they have just made 'bookings' online at youth hostels, printed out the confirmation and used this to get the visa.
Once the visa was obtained they canceled the reservation so they didn't pay anything, no questions asked.... |
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aLeGna
Reacher
Joined: June 12, 2008
Posts: 232
Location: under the SUN
Status: Offline
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Sep 10, 2008 - 04:48 PM |
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| p1atl10 wrote: |
For staying with friends....
They must supply an Invitation Letter.
The overiding requirement though, is that they are staying here on a Residence Permit. Which means they also have a Wrok Permit.
If they are here on an L or F, they are not eleibible to "invite" visitors. |
Is there like an "official" Invitation Letter, or will a simple email do?
Last year, when my folks came to visit, they only needed my address (though we had hotel bookings in Beijing).
When I went to apply for a new visa a few months ago, I read about return tickets and hotel reseration/invitation letter need to be presented when applying for tourist/business visa.
My parents will be visiting me this November and they already have 2-way plane tickets, but they haven't gone to the Chinese Embassy to apply for their visas yet. I'd like to spare them from having to queue again if ever they bring insufficient docs when they go to apply for their visas. So, I'd like to know the "right" way of giving them the invite.
Thanks! |
_________________
"Give me a man who is man enough to give himself just to the woman who is worth him. If that woman were me, I would love him alone and forever." Francesca Bruni, Casanova |
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chazha
Seeker
Joined: Apr 04, 2008
Posts: 59
Location: London
Status: Offline
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Sep 11, 2008 - 10:06 AM |
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i just had my visa done in UK with my Danish passport.
All I provided is return ticket, passport photo, confirmation of your hotel booking.
My stay is 28 days in CHina but I have only provided a stay of 4 nights in a hostel in shanghai  No problem there! |
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逍遥自在 |
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p1atl10
Board Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 6011
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 11, 2008 - 10:16 AM |
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| aLeGna wrote: |
| p1atl10 wrote: |
For staying with friends....
They must supply an Invitation Letter.
The overiding requirement though, is that they are staying here on a Residence Permit. Which means they also have a Wrok Permit.
If they are here on an L or F, they are not eleibible to "invite" visitors. |
Is there like an "official" Invitation Letter, or will a simple email do?
Last year, when my folks came to visit, they only needed my address (though we had hotel bookings in Beijing).
When I went to apply for a new visa a few months ago, I read about return tickets and hotel reseration/invitation letter need to be presented when applying for tourist/business visa.
My parents will be visiting me this November and they already have 2-way plane tickets, but they haven't gone to the Chinese Embassy to apply for their visas yet. I'd like to spare them from having to queue again if ever they bring insufficient docs when they go to apply for their visas. So, I'd like to know the "right" way of giving them the invite.
Thanks! |
Basically a letter from your stating your relationship with them, that you are inviting them to stay at your house. That while here you will guarantee their expenses, and will do everything to insure they abide by all laws in China...and will send them home upon conclusion of their stay.
Attach:
- Copy of your Passport front page
- Copy of the Page with your Resident Permit
- Copy of your Work Permit
- Copy of your "Pink Slip" showing you are registered with the PSB. |
_________________
Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer.....Dave Barry |
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bus3
Rocker
Joined: July 25, 2004
Posts: 708
Location: Here and there
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Sep 11, 2008 - 02:48 PM |
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Let's hope they relax/rationalize the process in the near future. I met with a German businessman who has invested large amounts of money in a manufacturing plant here and he had to have his own Chinese plant send a formal invitation to get him a visa to travel here. They only gave him a one time 30 visa. |
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p1atl10
Board Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 6011
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 11, 2008 - 07:21 PM |
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And??
That would be pretty standard in almost every other country for a Business Visa/Visit also...
Why should China be any different? |
_________________
Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer.....Dave Barry |
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OZDave
Barker
Joined: July 04, 2008
Posts: 132
Status: Offline
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Sep 12, 2008 - 08:02 AM |
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I thought China was bad until I tried to help a staff member complete their form for Australia.... Chinese visas are easy in comparison! |
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Vinj
Lurker
Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 21
Status: Offline
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Sep 12, 2008 - 11:16 AM |
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| yu888 wrote: |
| depends on your country of origin. |
Philippines. I guess it would be pretty hard compare with someone from North America or Europe perhaps. |
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aLeGna
Reacher
Joined: June 12, 2008
Posts: 232
Location: under the SUN
Status: Offline
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Sep 12, 2008 - 02:49 PM |
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^^ if it's a tourist visa, I don't see why it can be more difficult. So long as you have the necessary docs, it shouldn't be a problem.
BTW, P1at!10, thanks for the info. So, the invitation letter should be addressed to the consulate...? hmm, kinda strange. It's my family/friends I'm inviting, not him. lol... |
_________________
"Give me a man who is man enough to give himself just to the woman who is worth him. If that woman were me, I would love him alone and forever." Francesca Bruni, Casanova |
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amimi
Reacher
Joined: Sep 08, 2007
Posts: 249
Location: Bloody SH
Status: Offline
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Sep 15, 2008 - 09:49 AM |
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| aLeGna wrote: |
^^ if it's a tourist visa, I don't see why it can be more difficult. So long as you have the necessary docs, it shouldn't be a problem.
BTW, P1at!10, thanks for the info. So, the invitation letter should be addressed to the consulate...? hmm, kinda strange. It's my family/friends I'm inviting, not him. lol... |
If it is a tourist visa, you only need to provide:
- Return tickets (in and out)
- Hotel booking (they will do a cross check...by the reservation number etc)
My advice here is DONT put any invitation letters or friends / relatives name on the application, otherwise, CN Govt will ask your friends / relatives in China to go to Foreign affair office to register your name...etc...
MORE DOCUMENTS GIVEN MEANS MORE TROUBLE...
TOURIST VISA 1-3 MONTHS VALID FOR 3 MONTHS SHOULD BE SUFFICIENTLY LONG ENOUGH. |
_________________
Finally B A C K? huh? Postcard...Mug...Versace T-shirt...Cross with Jesus...Opppssss~ |
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underh20
Shanghai Royalty
Joined: Sep 27, 2006
Posts: 9604
Location: EOA Seminar
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Sep 15, 2008 - 09:57 AM |
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| aLeGna wrote: |
| ^^ if it's a tourist visa, I don't see why it can be more difficult. So long as you have the necessary docs, it shouldn't be a problem. |
It is a problem. Visas for Filipinos are very diffficult to get and are often limited to 15 days.
Perhaps it's because of the overwhelming number who end up staying illegally and working.  |
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بارك الله ، بارك الله |
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p1atl10
Board Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 6011
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 15, 2008 - 10:56 AM |
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| *amimi* wrote: |
| aLeGna wrote: |
^^ if it's a tourist visa, I don't see why it can be more difficult. So long as you have the necessary docs, it shouldn't be a problem.
BTW, P1at!10, thanks for the info. So, the invitation letter should be addressed to the consulate...? hmm, kinda strange. It's my family/friends I'm inviting, not him. lol... |
If it is a tourist visa, you only need to provide:
- Return tickets (in and out)
- Hotel booking (they will do a cross check...by the reservation number etc)
My advice here is DONT put any invitation letters or friends / relatives name on the application, otherwise, CN Govt will ask your friends / relatives in China to go to Foreign affair office to register your name...etc...
MORE DOCUMENTS GIVEN MEANS MORE TROUBLE...
TOURIST VISA 1-3 MONTHS VALID FOR 3 MONTHS SHOULD BE SUFFICIENTLY LONG ENOUGH. |
amimi...with all due respect....
I beleive you are trying to be helpful, but:
Please do not contribute when you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
- It will require an Invitation Letter.
No letter, no Visa. Both Business and Tourist Visa's now require it.
- They will have to register at the PSB as guests upon arrival.
Foreign Affairs office???
Jeesh |
_________________
Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer.....Dave Barry |
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amimi
Reacher
Joined: Sep 08, 2007
Posts: 249
Location: Bloody SH
Status: Offline
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| Posted:
Sep 15, 2008 - 11:06 AM |
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| p1atl10 wrote: |
If it is a tourist visa, you only need to provide:
- Return tickets (in and out)
- Hotel booking (they will do a cross check...by the reservation number etc)
My advice here is DONT put any invitation letters or friends / relatives name on the application, otherwise, CN Govt will ask your friends / relatives in China to go to Foreign affair office to register your name...etc...
MORE DOCUMENTS GIVEN MEANS MORE TROUBLE...
TOURIST VISA 1-3 MONTHS VALID FOR 3 MONTHS SHOULD BE SUFFICIENTLY LONG ENOUGH. |
amimi...with all due respect....
I beleive you are trying to be helpful, but:
Please do not contribute when you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
- It will require an Invitation Letter.
No letter, no Visa. Both Business and Tourist Visa's now require it.
- They will have to register at the PSB as guests upon arrival.
Foreign Affairs office???
Jeesh[/quote]
Went to the Chinese consulate two weeks ago to apply for a Tourist visa. I was only required to provide return Tickets and Hotel Reservation.
I saw a laowai put down a list of local friends on the application, and the officer from the laowai to contact whose friend to register his name at the Foreign Affair office (出入境管理处?).
PS, Im NOT in shanghai atm, and hardly the regulation will be differed region by region...
BTW, what is PSB? |
_________________
Finally B A C K? huh? Postcard...Mug...Versace T-shirt...Cross with Jesus...Opppssss~
Last edited by amimi on Sep 15, 2008 - 02:51 PM; edited 1 time in total |
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p1atl10
Board Royalty
Joined: Mar 18, 2005
Posts: 6011
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline
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Sep 15, 2008 - 11:19 AM |
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To be correct:
As aLegNa's friends will be staying with her, She should provide an Invite Letter and register them with the local Public Security Bureau.
She could try the Hotel Reservations route and be a bit on the grey side.
In these days of increased scrutiny of Visa's and visitors, I tend to believe one should stay on the legal side to minimize any possible ramifications. |
_________________
Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer.....Dave Barry |
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underh20
Shanghai Royalty
Joined: Sep 27, 2006
Posts: 9604
Location: EOA Seminar
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Sep 15, 2008 - 12:21 PM |
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Platty, give up now. *amimi* is Nat's twin sister. 'nuff said. |
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بارك الله ، بارك الله |
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