China VISA queries

Hmm_Messiah

HI all

I got a surprise invitation to visit China this Summer. However the people I would be meeting travelled here on a state sponsored trip so have little idea about VISA etc

Can I ask a few possibly silly questions of any-one in the know

1. Do I have to book my flight before applying for my VISA ? From reading the info on the embassy site it would seem so

IF thisis the case are VISA's routinely issued - is it possible I pay for a flight then don't get a VISA?

2. "Visiting Friends" - this is a tickable option on the VISA form, I can tick this as well as " tourist" .. I just wondered if any benefit (that is more likley to get the VISA) or should I not bother. I also wondered if I tick that would it generate further questions about " visiting whom" - not really a problem but I don't want to involve the people in China unnecessarily in detail if possible

3. If valid for only 3 months and say I book for 12th July , those that mean I cannot apply until near 12th May - allowing me a month visit. It sayson the form the visa "start date" is usually the application date - so if I apply too early will I cause problems for myself

(I would have thoought they would set the start date as the entry date I supply - i.e my travel date but doesn't look like it)


Separately (and apologies for all the questions but while they made a generous offer they are not overly familiar with travel into CHina)

1. I plan to go to Xi'an first - should I book flight from Dublin to Xi'an ( essentially 3 flights Dub_Paris, Paris_Beijing, Beijing_Xi'an) or Just Dublin - Beijing and sort internal flight there , or possibly the fast train. They would meet me in Beijing but I would like to avoid putting that journey on them

2. THey suggested Air France - I have seen cheaper but if any one has experience of Air France and ecommends I think I would go with - I've never done a long haul flight (Riga to Moscow being my longest) so I am willign to pay for a wee bit of comfort

I have zero knowledge of the language other than thank you and you are welcome (I have a little time to practise some courtesies) . When I get there I will have a practically constant english/chinese speaking companion so just wondering will I be able to communicate in the airports/train station ?

Finally (trying not to stress and enjoy the adventure) I wanted to leave cash in my saving account in case card stolen etc and move money to current account / visa as need be... would I have easy enough accdess to my online banking


many many thanks

barnabybear

Hmm_Messiah wrote: »

1. Do I have to book my flight before applying for my VISA ? From reading the info on the embassy site it would seem so
IF thisis the case are VISA's routinely issued - is it possible I pay for a flight then don't get a VISA?

2. "Visiting Friends" - this is a tickable option on the VISA form, I can tick this as well as " tourist" .. I just wondered if any benefit (that is more likley to get the VISA) or should I not bother. I also wondered if I tick that would it generate further questions about " visiting whom" - not really a problem but I don't want to involve the people in China unnecessarily in detail if possible

3. If valid for only 3 months and say I book for 12th July , those that mean I cannot apply until near 12th May - allowing me a month visit. It sayson the form the visa "start date" is usually the application date - so if I apply too early will I cause problems for myself
(I would have thoought they would set the start date as the entry date I supply - i.e my travel date but doesn't look like it)

1. Some airlines allow you to cancel in the unlikely event that your visa is refused, even if the ticket can't usually be cancelled. Check the conditions on the airline or agent's website when booking.

2. You need to write your address in China on the landing card before arrival, so if you tick that box it might be worth remembering the friend's address.

3. I think that the date on the visa is an "enter by" date. The maximum length of the (each?) stay is specified separately.

killbillvol2

barnabybear wrote: »

1. Some airlines allow you to cancel in the unlikely event that your visa is refused, even if the ticket can't usually be cancelled. Check the conditions on the airline or agent's website when booking.

2. You need to write your address in China on the landing card before arrival, so if you tick that box it might be worth remembering the friend's address.

3. I think that the date on the visa is an "enter by" date. The maximum length of the (each?) stay is specified separately.

That's correct - you have 3 months to use the visa after it's issued.

Hmm_Messiah

thanks for the answers folks.

my friends address is a state building - university provided apartments so maybe I should book some hotels and cancel

want to go around 12 july but in case any change - if there's not usually a problem with visas - might hold off

who I be right in saying if I applied 10th may I have til 10th august to use

and whenever I fly out ive to leave within 30 day's ??

lol im not thrilled about long trip alone so wanted to apply to make concrete but sure thems the breaks.

cheers.

killbillvol2

Hmm_Messiah wrote: »

thanks for the answers folks.

my friends address is a state building - university provided apartments so maybe I should book some hotels and cancel

want to go around 12 july but in case any change - if there's not usually a problem with visas - might hold off

who I be right in saying if I applied 10th may I have til 10th august to use

and whenever I fly out ive to leave within 30 day's ??

lol im not thrilled about long trip alone so wanted to apply to make concrete but sure thems the breaks.

cheers.

That's it in a nutshell.

Columbia

Hmm_Messiah wrote: »

thanks for the answers folks.

my friends address is a state building - university provided apartments so maybe I should book some hotels and cancel

want to go around 12 july but in case any change - if there's not usually a problem with visas - might hold off

who I be right in saying if I applied 10th may I have til 10th august to use

and whenever I fly out ive to leave within 30 day's ??

lol im not thrilled about long trip alone so wanted to apply to make concrete but sure thems the breaks.

cheers.

Tourist visas can be extended in most of the cities, for one month at a time I believe.

Halo Kitty

I am returning to China fingers cross depending on visa approval 29th June flying Air France I have booked my flight and plan to spend 42 days .. Tourist visa visiting a friend I am just back from Shanghai 2 weeks after 20 days visit and I have to say it was a wonderful experience,
Filling in any form can be daunting take your time and supply the embassey with what they require.. Visafirst dealt with mine and I got my visa after 9 days of applying by post.

Hmm_Messiah

Sorry

I am just about to confirm flights etc so I can apply for VISA
But I read on one of the amount of "china VISA" stuff I downloaded that if visiting some one there you need
1. a letter of invitation
2. a copy of their passport and residency permit

VisaFirst also seems to suggest this


I don't want to put them through hassle ( or wait for an invitation to arrive by slow post) and I am not planning on staying there, they will travel with me )

I can't see that requirement on the embassy's own site


In any case I am wondering should I just then not include them on the VISA at all ?

( I initially thought it would help with the process having a contact , Chinese speaker etc)

And also - I am going to book hotels I can then cancel - they are agreeing our itinerary etc closer to the trip in July. Will this be ok ? I will have email bookings etc

And Finally (sorry) - will i be able to access gmail while there for my flights bookings etc - or should I use an alternative (I've read different accounts)

If any one has recent experience of all this VISA stuff I'd appreciate. I did fine getting my Moscow one , but under pressure work wise and wanting to sort this

killbillvol2

Leaving your friends off the visa application would make sense - no need to complicate it. You have your flight details and your itinerary.
You shouldn't have any problem accessing Gmail.

Hmm_Messiah

aaaagh my head will melt

a final question (thinking of flying with KLM)

if i fly say sun 7th i arrive in Beijing Mon 8 so is the 8th then the start of my "30 days"




appreciated (really)

halkar

Your 30 day starts from 8th. The day you land to Beijing.