Were You Thinking of Traveling to China?
More and more Americans are looking east to the mysterious land of China as a possible travel destination. The 2008 Summer Olympics hosted in Beijing concluding with a synchronized spectacle that dazzled TV viewers back in the U.S., along with a growing number of business opportunities, has encouraged interest in the faraway land. However, the idea of traveling to the People's Republic of China still seems a daunting prospect to many Americans. How difficult would it be to meet the entry requirements and obtain a travel Visa?
Truth be told, you will not know unless you ask. Submit your application forms and supporting documentation to the nearest Chinese consulate, whether by mail or in person. There is no option to apply online but the application forms are available for download here. The China Visa Fee is currently (as of June 2010) $140 per individual or $120 per person for a group Visa. You also might be able obtain the application forms for a China visa forms at a U.S. post office or passport servicing center.
China's Health Concerns
In addition to a Visa application, you will need to ask a physician to sign a form certifying your physical health. Declare whether or not you are suffering or have ever suffered from typhus fever, poliomyelitis, diptheria, scarlet fever, etc.? Do you suffer from a disease or disorder that would make you a danger to the public order and security? You will need to check yes or no on your experience with toxicomania, mental confusion, or various types of pyschosis. Do you suffer from the cholera, yellow fever, or the plague?
Supporting documents
- U.S. passport with more than 6 months left to expiration.
- No less than two blank pages in the U.S. passport.
- Passport regulation photo.
- Proof of travel plans (itinerary or copies of airplane tickets proving the trip will take place within three months).
- Confirmation of hotel reservations.
Using your China Visa
Anyone visiting China for any reason will need a visa to enter the country. There are a variety of visas to fit a variety of needs, including tourist visas, business visas, student visas, work visas, crew visas, visas for visiting and residential journalists, persons merely in transit, and also for persons seeking permanent residence. Although the duration of visas varies according to the traveler's purpose, the tourist 'L' visa may be valid for anywhere between six and 12 months.
You will not need a Visa if your are in transit at an international airport for no longer than 24 hours and have a valid ticket to a connecting flight. U.S. visitors do not need a visa to transit through Shanghai for less than 48 hours or to visit the Pearl Delta Region or Hainan province under the supervision of a registered travel agency. If you decide to stay any longer than the prescribed tourist visa you will need to apply for an aliens' residence card.