Tips For Preparing Your Passport And Visa For A Chinese Trip
By ksp | December 22, 2011
China, also known as The People’s Republic of China, continues as one of the most well-liked tourist places and business hotspots. International businessmen and women love doing business with Chinese partners because of the low labor costs, while tourists like China because of popular tourist destinations such as the Great Wall, Hong Kong, and the Sacred Road. Low-cost tourist packages and popular places continue to keep China as the number one location to visit. However, before most foreigners can even be permitted access into the country, all will need a visa and passport.
Visa Application
In order to receive a Chinese visa, travelers must simply finish an application for the sort of visa they wish to receive and submit the paperwork to either the Visa Office of the Embassy or Consulate-General. When petitioning for a visa, you have one of two choices: have a certified travel agent submit the paperwork on your behalf or submit the paperwork yourself to either office. Anyone who applies via mail will have his or her request declined because visa guidelines for China state that all paperwork must be submitted in person. If you plan on having a travel agent submit your paperwork, he may also be able to help you discover affordable tour guides and plane tickets for your trip. Most travel agents can also field questions regarding US passports to make the application process less difficult for you.
Visa Fees
Prices for visas are typically the same; the only large difference among the four classes offered is how many times an individual may enter China, as some allow for one or two entries while other visas grant unlimited entries. As of 2011, a single, double and multi-entrance for an American resident will be $140, while a group visa will cost about $120. The single, double and multi-entrance visas will be valid for either 3 or 6 months or 1 to 2 years depending on the kind of visa you submit for.
Visa Pickup
China visas, as with a passport, must be procured in person or you may grant authority to a travel agent to retrieve the documents for you on the scheduled date. If you have someone picking up the visa, you must furnish the relative or authorized agent with a receipt of your visa information in order for the embassy to release the documents. After the items have been retrieved, you can go freely across China. Just be sure to check the expiration dates on a visa and passport to avoid any legal prosecution.
