New Visa Requirement To China

[trellis001]

[QUOTE=adidas88;2806278]thanks bro trellis001 ... thanks for providing such valuable information ..

unfortunately .. one of their requirement might not work for me ..
it stated that in the document criteria:
Those applying as business persons would need to have a scanned copy of a letter of authorisation or support from their organisations, dated not earlier than 2 months from date of application.

Bro, "letter not earlier than 2 months from date of application" means that it can be yesterday etc. ICA just want to make sure that you are gainfully employ and that you need to travel (frequent traveller). They do not want a letter 2 months ago and in between you are unemployed.

[adidas88]

Originally Posted by trellis001

As a frequent traveller, I found it extremely useful.

that's what i realise and apply for it immediately ...

Originally Posted by trellis001

Bro, "letter not earlier than 2 months from date of application" means that it can be yesterday etc. ICA just want to make sure that you are gainfully employ and that you need to travel (frequent traveller). They do not want a letter 2 months ago and in between you are unemployed.

Oh .. guess i misunderstood the meaning ...
i thought they do not want a letter less than 2 months old ...

[Hooters666]

This july 1st thing is a fuckin headache. I am based in HK and although i can show hotel booking I dont have any plane ticket as i cross into china using mtr. do you guys know if they accept visa applications at the immigration? i.e. lowu,huanggang or changping.

i only managed to apply apec today but i doubt i can get it as my passport do not have 3 full years of validity. Think backup plan is macau but its very ex and too commercialized over there.

cheers

[yandaoking]

Hi bros,

If any brother can advise if this route below is considered single entry to China? I plan to visit these places again in July.

SIN- HK - SZ - ZH - HK - SIN

Thank you.

Regards,
yandaoking

[mebirdie]

Originally Posted by yandaoking

Hi bros,

If any brother can advise if this route below is considered single entry to China? I plan to visit these places again in July.

SIN- HK - SZ - ZH - HK - SIN

Thank you.

Regards,
yandaoking

HK and macau are considered differently with other parts of china.
As long as you visit HK/Macau, it is considered step out of china.

[Jazz]

Hi Bro,

Saw the some information from this site back in May regarding the VISA requirement. There are some comments and questions posted on the site.

Guess some of the Bros have already commented on the important issues. Anyway, here it goes.

Chinatravel.net
New Chinese Visa Rules: Please Read - travel with ChinaTravel.net


New Chinese Visa Rules: Please ReadPosted by: Forum Edito ... Post time: 30-Apr-2008 11:15

Passport & Visa
NOTE FROM THE FORUM EDITOR: THIS LIST HAS BEEN EXPANDED AND UPDATED HERE.

As the saying goes, "ask 100 people a question and get 100 different answers, or ask 100 people a question and get the same answer, which is still wrong." This is all too true of China's new visa rules. So we've done our homework, sifted through the latest and best China visa news out there and separated rumors from fact—so you don't have to.

1. No more multiple-entry China visas issued

Multiple entry visas have been suspended until October. But multiple-entry visas that have not expired are still valid. Now only 30-day single or double-entry visas are being issued and some expats are having to go back to their home country to get visas.

2. Nationalities that cannot apply for visas in Hong Kong or Macau

As long as your country is not on the following list, you are still eligible to apply fro a China visa in Hong Kong or Macau. If you are on this list, you have to go back to your home country to apply for a visa: Afghanistan, Tunisia, Algeria, Bangladesh ,Congo, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Mali, Libya, South Africa, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Malaysia, Philippines, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Nepal, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Turkey, Mauritania, Saudi Arab, Sierra Leone, Syria.

3. F Visas issued in China no longer renewed in China

Only F visas issued outside of China (not including Shenzhen of Zhuhai) can be extended within China. F visas issued within China cannot be extended. In such a case, you need to go to Hong Kong, Macau or another country to extend.

4. F and L visas good for only 30 days

If you want to stay in China for over 30 days, you need to apply for a Z work visa. Both F and L visas have been reduced to 30 days.

5. No switching visa types L to F

You can no longer change your visa type from L to F or vice versa.

6. New documentation required to apply for a tourist (L) visa:

Technically, you must provide:

A copy of your hotel bookings valid from the day you arrive to the day you leave.
A copy of a return flight ticket booking.
A valid passport with plenty for extra pages, valid for at least 6 months.
One recent passport photo.
A Visa Notification Form issued by the relevant department of Chinese government or a government-authorized company.
A letter from your employer stating that you'll be on vacation between your arrival and departure, as stated on your airline ticket.
A bank statement with a minimum of US $3,000. Alternately, you can choose to show cash equivalent to US$700, if you do not show your financial statement.
Those last the two might be optional, but reports suggest that you should be prepared to provide all of the above documentation. To be safe, check ahead and be prepared!

7. Visa prices have gone up

Visa prices have almost doubled, depending on visa type and resident country. Check with the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate for details.

8. Use the China Travel Service (CTS) for Hong Kong and Macau

People recommend that if you go to Hong Kong to renew your visa you use the China Travel Service (CTS) to sort out your visa rather than the Commissioner's Office. There are about 40 CTS branches in Hong Kong (only one in Macau). The visa hotline number for the CTS is 852-2315-7188. You can only get a China visa on the same day in Hong Kong if you go to the CTS branch in Tsim Sha Tsui (1/F Alpha House, 27-33 Nathan Road, Tsimshatsu, Kowloon, open 9am-7pm weekdays, 9am-5pm Saturday).

9. Rules for getting a Z visa

If you are working in China without a work (Z) visa, it's time to get one. To get a Z visa, you must be employed by a registered company, undergo medical tests, be graduated for two years, provide letters that you and have worked for several companies before working in China. The main thing they are looking for in granting Z visas is that you are a specialist in your field and very much needed by your company for a position that could not be filled locally. Getting a Z visa takes 4-6 weeks. Many companies will apply for working visas on their employee's behalf.

10. Expect to wait in line--queue up early

The lineups at the visa offices are nasty. Get there two hours before they open and you might only have to wait two hours to be seen. The old "rush services" that once provided same-day visa services are no longer guaranteed. If you go to Hong Kong, book in for at least two nights. Lots of people are reporting that it takes four days now.

11. Businesspeople calling for visa clarification

Businesspeople are calling for further clarification of visa requirements for visiting the mainland after the central government confirmed that all travelers must apply for a visa from the country they live in. The Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents was last night unable to explain why the ministry's advice conflicted with a letter it issued to travel agents last week stating that only nationals from 33 countries could no longer apply for a mainland visa within Hong Kong, unless they were identity-card holders.

12. No more short-stop visas for Shenzhen

The short-stop visa for Shenzhen no longer exists. Immigration offices at the border stopped issuing short-stay visas to Shenzhen on April 1.

13. Carry your passport at all times

By law, all foreigners are to have their passports on them at all times. More and more people are being stopped and asked for credentials. If you are not carrying your passport, they will be happy to follow you home to get it.

As the information changes every day, check back with us regularly. We'll be updating our Passport & Visa forum regularly.

[Last edited by Forum Editor on 27-May-2008 10:36]

[Jazz]

Hi Bros,

Dun know how true but saw this article. Its for for brothers who are living in China.

Discussed with some of my foreigners friends recently in China and they are going down to register.


China clampdown on expatriate registration requirementsPosted by: Forum Edito ... Post time: 10-Jun-2008 13:45

Chinatravel.net
China clampdown on expatriate registration requirements - travel with ChinaTravel.net


As of July 1st, there are new rules going into effect regarding the registration of foreigners in China. Dezan Shira & Associates, Foreign Direct Investment Into China provided an article detailing the new guidelines that we have listed below:

Guests staying in Hotels and Serviced Apartments

Guests must be registered upon arrival with the PSB by the hotel and
if separate, serviced apartment management company. Usually this
procedure is automatic with input from the hotel being directly fed
into the local PSB computer at the check-in procedure, with no
additional action being required from the guest. However, daily checks
are now in operation with the PSB physically visiting hotels to
request copies of the hotels in-house guest list to make sure they
match the PSB's own records. If they do not, the hotel / serviced
apartment will be fined RMB5,000 per missing entry. Hotel guests under
these circumstances would not be fined. However it does mean that
foreigners wishing to stay at an hotel in China must provide full
passport and visa credentials in order to check in.

Expatriate Employees Living In Private Apartments

The apartment management company should be contacting foreign tenants
/ residents and requiring them to register with the local PSB. If this
is not done, both the management company and the foreigner can be
fined RMB5,000. It is important to note that this rule applies to any
foreign person living in any apartment or private dwelling - even if
it is for just for one night. If staying overnight or visiting friends
in China, registration must be carried out upon arrival with the local
PSB office responsible for the area within 24 hours of arrival.

We strongly recommend all expatriate personnel living in apartments in
China register with the local PSB prior to July 1st to avoid problems.

[Zeat]

It's getting more and more troublesome for us to visit china come 1st july. Since I need to be stationed in china/hk for long period of time so the one month visa is not really enough for me. Any bros here got lobang to obtain work permit in china/hk? Don't think I'm eligible for the Z visa since im not a graduate. Thanks in advance for all help in anyway.

[sudsoz]

Originally Posted by trellis001

Bro Sinoview,

Yes, it is applicable. I checked cos I travel to 10 countries a month and China 3 to 4 times a month. Not practical to apply visa each trip and certain countries. So the ABTC card was a great help.

See attached email correspondence from ICA and myself 2 to 3 weeks ago.

Yes ABTC was introduced 3 years ago. Prior to that I was using a Frequent Travellers Card one for HK, one for China and one for Taiwan.

Hi Stephen,

My apology... I've left out the information in my previous email.

2 We have received the official confirmation from China that it will continue to fulfil its obligations as a paticipating economy of the ABTC Scheme - Singapore citizens holding valid ABTCs with pre-clearance from China will be granted entry into China by presenting their ABTC together with their valid passport without applying for a separate Visa.

Thank you
Zann
WARNING: "Privileged/Confidential information may be contained in this message. If you are not the intended addressee, you must not copy, distribute or take any action in reliance thereon. Communication of any information in this email to any unauthorized person is an offence under the Official Secrets Act (Cap 213). Please notify the sender immediately if you receive this in error."

To ICA ABTC/ICA/SINGOV@SINGOV
cc
Subject RE: ABTC

Dear Zann,

Thanks for your reply.

Any updates on the China VISA requirements? Or can you direct me to the right person for this query.

Thanks

Best Regards

Stephen

I have also been using this ABTC from APEC for the last two years. Mine is issued from Australia and the China approval took about six months and the Indonesians took a year with some nudging.

Have used it previously to go to Shenzhen and please to see trellis recent confirmation that it still works under the new rules.

[yandaoking]

Thank you bro Mebirdie and bro Jazz for the information.

Cheers !!

Regards,
yandaoking

[hottip]

Originally Posted by Jazz

.................


6. New documentation required to apply for a tourist (L) visa:

Technically, you must provide:

A copy of your hotel bookings valid from the day you arrive to the day you leave.
A copy of a return flight ticket booking.
A valid passport with plenty for extra pages, valid for at least 6 months.
One recent passport photo.
A Visa Notification Form issued by the relevant department of Chinese government or a government-authorized company.
A letter from your employer stating that you'll be on vacation between your arrival and departure, as stated on your airline ticket.
A bank statement with a minimum of US $3,000. Alternately, you can choose to show cash equivalent to US$700, if you do not show your financial statement.
Those last the two might be optional, but reports suggest that you should be prepared to provide all of the above documentation. To be safe, check ahead and be prepared!

7. Visa prices have gone up

Visa prices have almost doubled, depending on visa type and resident country. Check with the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate for details.

8. Use the China Travel Service (CTS) for Hong Kong and Macau

People recommend that if you go to Hong Kong to renew your visa you use the China Travel Service (CTS) to sort out your visa rather than the Commissioner's Office. There are about 40 CTS branches in Hong Kong (only one in Macau). The visa hotline number for the CTS is 852-2315-7188. You can only get a China visa on the same day in Hong Kong if you go to the CTS branch in Tsim Sha Tsui (1/F Alpha House, 27-33 Nathan Road, Tsimshatsu, Kowloon, open 9am-7pm weekdays, 9am-5pm Saturday).

................
[Last edited by Forum Editor on 27-May-2008 10:36]

Anyone with SGP Passport been to get a Visa to go to SZ from HK recently. Do you still need: return air ticket? Hotel Letter? Bank Statements, etc? or just give CTS some money and let them take care of it?

BTW, what does it cost to get a single visit Visa through CTS in HK?

Appreciate some information from bros who have been through this route in the past week. I will be in HK in a couple of weeks and my wondering if I should get the China Visa before I leave Sgp, or just get one from HK when I am ready to cross over. Thanks.

[Sinoview]

Originally Posted by hottip

Anyone with SGP Passport been to get a Visa to go to SZ from HK recently. Do you still need: return air ticket? Hotel Letter? Bank Statements, etc? or just give CTS some money and let them take care of it?

BTW, what does it cost to get a single visit Visa through CTS in HK?

Appreciate some information from bros who have been through this route in the past week. I will be in HK in a couple of weeks and my wondering if I should get the China Visa before I leave Sgp, or just get one from HK when I am ready to cross over. Thanks.

The first portion ... i hv no answer yet.... I think bro Risis who is backed to Sinland now shld be able to help U.

Traditionally, the Visa applied at the border can last u only 5 days max. n cost abt 200HK.

But the visa u get in Spore at S$25 if u do it yrself ll be like :

Single or double entries that allow a max 60 day stay each time n valid for entry before Oct 1st.

So looks like the visa thing ll last till Oct.

From now till Oct 1 it's abt 3 mths... Fm yr past record, I m sure u ll go CP more than once...... hehe.... so the visa fm spore ll serve u better. Haha....

[hottip]

Originally Posted by Sinoview

.......

So looks like the visa thing ll last till Oct.

From now till Oct 1 it's abt 3 mths... Fm yr past record, I m sure u ll go CP more than once...... hehe.... so the visa fm spore ll serve u better. Haha....

Thanks CO. Lidat looks like sud apply for ABTC.

No lar, I go to CP only for the wonderful foot massage therapy. So only when foot ichy I need to go. ...hee !!

[mebirdie]

ABTC have certain requirements. So still not simple as ABC.

Maybe you can call and check whether Hong Kong still allow to apply visa for Spore to enter China.
Heard they stop it.

[happy000]

I intend to travel to Guangzhou in two to three week times. Still trying to sort out how to apply for visa without hotel booking as it will be troublesome to book the hotel before hand.

Any way to overcome this requirement?