06.02.08
How to Obtain a 90-Day Chinese Tourist Visa
As an American, securing a Chinese visa can be a real pickle. I use the word “pickle” rather than “nightmare,” because 9 times out of 10, I have been able to obtain the visa I needed, but only after jumping through a series of arbitrary hoops which rarely have anything to do with my stay in China in the first place. The first rule about obtaining a Chinese visa is this…There are no rules…at least none which have much consistency to them.*
Back in 2005 when I was teaching English in Fuqing, I decided to spend the first half of my summer vacation, the month of July, traveling to Xinjiang, Gansu, and Qinghai, and then return to the US in early August. Because my contract (and thus my Z visa) expired on June 30, and my flight home wasn’t until August 4, the cadres at my university had told me that I needed to apply for two separate 30-day travel visas. They had been told by the PSB** that 30 days was the longest travel visa which would be issued to Americans. Therefore, I would need to apply for one visa, and then in another week or two, apply for a second one which would cover me through the end of my trip.
Ted O’Brien, the other foreign teacher at my university, was in the same predicament, and the cadres had agreed to help us the best they could to obtain our visas. On a Monday morning, they loaded us into the university car, a jet black VW Santana with matching black seats and black tinted windows, and escorted us to the local PSB. When we arrived, we were told that there was a policy in place for Americans applying for travel visas—we would each be required to prove that we had over 25,000 RMB (roughly $3000 USD at the time) in our respective bank accounts. For comparison’s sake, the average pay for the Chinese teachers at my university was around 1,500 RMB per month. To necessitate spending 25,000 RMB in 30 days in Fuqing I would have had to shack up in a 5-star hotel, eat shark fin soup for breakfast every day, employ a full-time maid and butler, receive daily therapeutic massages, and hire a personal car and driver for the weekends.
Neither Ted nor I had 25,000 RMB in our accounts, but we did each have around half of that amount. The cadres suggested we take a walk across the street to the Industrial and Commercial Bank. At the bank, I was to transfer all of my money to Ted’s account, and then Ted would request a statement indicating his balance of over 25,000 RMB. After Ted had his statement in hand, he would then transfer all of the money in his account to mine, and I would request my own statement showing that I, too, had 25,000 RMB on hand. Finally, I would return Ted’s share to his account, and we would walk back across the street and apply for our visas.
The cadres’ plan worked like a charm, and upon returning to the PSB, we handed our passports and freshly printed bank statements to the PSB officials. Although it was blatantly obvious what we had just done, they told us that processing our visas would be no problem, and politely asked us to pay 140 RMB ($17) and return in 4 days to pick up our passports.
Two weeks later, I was in Urumqi, where I was to apply for my second 30-day visa to cover my final week of traveling in China. Remembering the policy for American visa applicants, I had already arranged with a friend in Fuqing to wire me enough money so that I could print a bank statement showing I had 25,000 RMB. When I arrived at the PSB in Urumqi, I asked the officer what the requirements were for an American to obtain a 30-day travel visa. “Requirements? What requirements? Just leave your passport with us, pay the 140 RMB charge, and pick up you visa in four days.” I did as I was instructed, and four days later picked up my visa with no questions asked.
So it was with a slight bit of trepidation that two weeks ago I applied for a 90-day Chinese travel visa. Recent reports have indicated that China has tightened up their visa requirements in preparation for the Beijing Olympics, and many foreigners have encountered roadblocks obtaining travel visas, especially ones longer than 30 days.
While I am no authority on the issue, I was able to obtain a 90-day tourist visa this time around. Based on my experience, there is no sure way to obtain a Chinese visa, but I would like to share the process I went through to get mine in case anybody else is planning an extended stay in China this summer. Note that the way I applied for my visa worked for me as an American citizen at a Chinese consulate in the US. Chinese visa requirements are not always the same for people of different nationalities.
To apply for my visa, I went, in person, to the Chinese Consulate General in Chicago. Along with the visa application (available at the consulate), my passport, and one passport photo, I submitted a letter detailing my travel itinerary in China (including my flight information and locations I would be staying), a copy of my round trip flight itinerary (it doesn’t necessarily have to be booked yet), as well as signed letters with ID card scans from Chinese friends whose residences I will be staying at. The letters just stated their name, address, and the dates I would be staying with them in China. (Apparently, printed hotel reservations will suffice for this requirement as well). This is exactly what I had been told to do by the consulate when I had inquired several days before. The officer had emphasized that, “You must be sure to include all documentation including travel itinerary, housing arrangements, and round trip flight information.”
While the cost has gone risen considerably to $130, I was given a 90-day Chinese travel visa, and I didn’t have to prove I had 25,000 RMB in my Chinese bank account either. Even though this method worked for one person, experience tells me that this does not guarantee it will work for everyone. However, it does appear that as long as all of your ducks are in a row, the Chinese authority is willing to allow extended stays for foreigners in the Middle Kingdom this summer.
*To be fair, I should also mention that it is even more of a hassle (and shakedown) for Chinese nationals attempting to obtain visas to the United States.
**The PSB (Public Security Bureau, 公安局) is a branch of the Chinese government, which among other responsibilities, is in charge of issuing visas to foreigners.
Tora
said,
June 2, 2008 at 3:33 pm
When I was living in Mexico back in 2005 I went to get my first Chinese visa at the consulate in Mexico City and was able to get a 180-day tourist visa without any bank statements. I suppose it was quite painless for me but I do remember hearing about people that fly to Hong Kong every year just to get business visas for the mainland. In fact, I even had a friend that wanted to travel around China for six weeks but his student visa expired and in the end he went to Hong Kong for one, so that’s what I recommend to anyone that has visa trouble while in China.
Anyway, hope you have a good time in China Ben!
Tora
said,
June 2, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Btw, I’m an American and got that 180-day tourist visa so I have no idea why they told you that Americans are only able to get 30-day visas…
ZhongTang
said,
June 2, 2008 at 4:23 pm
What if you didn’t know anyone in China and couldn’t tell in advance where you would be staying ? Are hotel reservations needed for all cities of your itinerary ?
I’m planning on visiting Hunan and Guangxi province, going city to city without any prior hotel reservations. Any chance I could get a visa without such advanced hotel “proofs” ?
Benjamin Ross
said,
June 2, 2008 at 4:31 pm
@Zhong Tang
If you don’t know anybody in China, you are going to need copies of your hotel reservations. This can be quite troublesome, if as you mention, you don’t know where you’re going to stay in advance. This is how I typically travel as well, and the hotels I usually stay at, aren’t the kind which print out fancy electronic itineraries anyway.
I think your best bet is to try to put together some preliminary reservations. See if you can have to hotel print them out before you actually finalize them. I am pretty certain that without reservations or a letter from a Chinese citizen, you won’t be getting your visa.
Tora
said,
June 2, 2008 at 6:19 pm
@ Zhong Tang
Couldn’t you just set up a hotel reservation in one place and then cancel it after you get the visa? I just checked the Chinese consulate website for Spain and it doesn’t mention anything about travel itineraries so I would suggest calling your local consulate before getting worked up about it.
Benjamin Ross
said,
June 2, 2008 at 7:51 pm
@Tora
See first rule about obtaining a Chinese visa
Alan
said,
June 4, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I just got my Chinese visa yesterday. The cost for me is $180 per person since I had to go through a Chinese travel agency. I was shocked at the high cost. We spent $640 for a family of 4 just on Chinese visa. I have been told by a Chinese friend that the high cost is a retaliation against the high application fee for a Chinese citizen when applying for a U.S. visa. Yes, I was also told by the Chinese travel agent that I needed to provide a bank statement proving that I have enough fund to cover my travel expenses in China. You should also know that these travel agents are indeed trusted agents of the Chinese embassy in cities where embassy and consulates general aren’t available. Fortunately I was able to convince the agent lady that I would have enough money in my bank account to cover for my 1-week stay in China this summer. Rules in China can always be bent and some rules are made up by local officials so that they can profit from them. I paid $28 each time in the 90’s when I entered Fuzhou airport for the so-called health checkup fee on the spot. They pricked my finger for blood sample and let a few drops of my blood stain on a piece of glass (reminded me of the 1970’s China). They stopped doing this bogus health checkup at the new Fuzhou airport in Changle. To me, that’s some progress! My fingers and me can now enjoy a less painful time entering Fuzhou airport.
Benjamin Ross
said,
June 4, 2008 at 2:14 pm
@Alan
The visa prices have definitely gone up. Every other time I’ve applied for a Chinese tourist visa in the US, it cost me around $50. My guess was that the high cost is probably just a chance to make an extra buck off of foreign tourists for the Olympics. It will be interesting to see if it goes back down in September.
It’s interesting they asked you for the bank statements. I wasn’t asked for any at all. I guess that just reinforces the Golden Rule of Chinese visa applications.
One question though, if I remember correctly you’re of Chinese descent, right? I have heard that sometimes visa regulations are more lax for overseas Chinese. Have you ever found this to be the case, or are you treated just like a plain old lao wai? By the way, great story about the old airport in Fuzhou. Somehow, I’m not too surprised. Fortunately I’ve never been asked to submit any blood or other bodily fluids when I’ve flown into the Fuzhou Changle Airport.
ouyang
said,
June 4, 2008 at 5:29 pm
When I applied for a visa to Taiwan in Hong Kong, they enjoyed charging me extra because I was an American. There was a sign posted in the embassy, so I wasn’t surprised. The woman made sure to explain that my higher fee was a “reciprocal” response to the higher fees they were being forced to pay to obtain visas to the U.S. The Chinese didn’t start the visa fee increases.
Benjamin Ross
said,
June 4, 2008 at 7:46 pm
ha, mutual visa increases. Funny how it works under this retaliation system…ultimately both respective governments end up making a killing, and the people (both Americans and Chinese) end up getting screwed. Almost seems to make too much sense.
michael
said,
June 5, 2008 at 12:53 am
Ted O’Brien? Never heard of the fella. But I do have some fantastic stories about a Memphis bad-boy name Brian O’Ted… ah, memories.
By the way… most people are telling me to forget about going to Hong Kong to get my legitimate Z visa for a new job in Beijing. I’ve got all the proper paperwork and stamped forms. An Australian I know applied for a Z visa in HK and was only given an F visa and told to get the Z visa in Australia. But a British guy I know had no problems, and received a next-day Z visa.
What do you think I should do? I called CTS and they said I should come down and “try”. But the savings of getting the visa in HK are quite serious when compared to going back to the US, but only if I’m successful. (If I fail in HK I’d have to go back to the US anyway.) Argggh!!
Benjamin Ross
said,
June 5, 2008 at 8:18 am
@Michael
You’ve hit on the golden rule again, there are no rules. In a perfect (or even a not-so-perfect) world, there should be a definitive way to tell somebody “yes, we are giving Z visas in Hong Kong to Americans” or “We are not, you need to go home.” It seems like a pretty black and white question to me.
The whole system doesn’t make any sense. If it’s all about a shakedown, then I think most people would happily pay an exorbitant fee, rather than schlepping around the world.
I haven’t applied for a Z visa myself in several years, but from what I’ve heard, they are no longer giving Z visas in Hong Kong, and applicants need to return to their home countries. Back in the glory days of 2004 I remember flying to Fuzhou on a 30-day tourist visa. Once I arrived, my school simply took my passport and applied for a 1-year Z visa in town. I didn’t even have to leave my apartment. Gotta miss the good old days.
ouyang
said,
June 5, 2008 at 10:41 am
Here are some useful links:
China-embassy.org
hongkong.usconsulate.gov
fmcoprc.gov.hk
” Visa applicants are increasing in a large number and need longer waiting time in the visa office recently. If you don’t reside or work in Hong Kong permanently, you are required to apply Chinese visa from the Embassy or Consulate-General of Peoples’ Republic of China in your resident country. You are welcome to China for tourism, business, visit of the Olympic Games.”
Alan
said,
June 5, 2008 at 12:22 pm
@Ben
Yes, I think Chinese embassy or consulate general does treat expat Chinese differently than they would with a plain lao wai. The fees stay the same, though. I went through a Chinese “travel agent,” which was hand-picked by the Chinese embassy to represent them since we don’t have a Chinese consulate general in our city. The “travel agent” lady (she actually doesn’t run any travel business) asked for the Chinese names for all 4 of us and told me that the consulate general in Houston would definitely treat us better when they see us with Chinese names. Also, my travel agent lady said that Chinese embassy might now require to see bank statements, just as the U.S. embassy would with Chinese tourists. My guess is that it could be another nationalistic gesture.
@ouyang
I was surprised to learn that Taiwan would charge U.S. citizens extra for their visa. We are U.S. citizens and don’t need visa to go to Taiwan if we stay for less than 30 days. If we stay over 30 days, the visa fee is so little that I don’t even rememeber how much it was last time (maybe $25?). Of course I applied from the States. Applying in Hong Kong would be different.
I have talked to several Chinese American friends who have traveled between the U.S. and China a lot more than I do. They all say that the high visa fee was first started by the U.S. China just “retaliated.”
One world, one dream, and one expensive Chinese visa!
Benjamin Ross
said,
June 5, 2008 at 3:47 pm
@Alan
That’s quite interesting they made you and your family, and all I had to submit was my request letter, letters from friends in China, and an itinerary…all of which could have been easily faked if I didn’t truly have arrangements. They didn’t ask to see any financial information. I’ve always found it a bit ridiculous to ask for bank statements in the first place, since I usually survive on around $10 a day in China anyway. If I were to save up around 30 grand, I could probably move to China and retire.
Spencer
said,
June 5, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Visas to the US are $131 since Jan. 1:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html
Gotta pay for that billion dollar Baghdad embassy somehow.
China is indeed matching the US fee increase.
Chinese applying for US visas at least get the benefit of the ever increasing value of the yuan versus the dollar, though.
Alan
said,
June 5, 2008 at 10:21 pm
I guess because I am a Chinese, the Chinese “travel agent” lady whom I dealt with accidentally spilled too much information with me. Come to think of it, she meant well when she asked for our bank statements. She told me that the more information I provide, the easier and quicker it would be for us to get a Chinese visa. Bank statement is a good information to provide, but I protested and told her that our Chinese relatives and friends would provide for us if we ever happen to run out of money while in China (a very Chinese argument). That actually took care of the problem. She then asked me to provide the phone numbers of our Chinese contacts in China. I thought that she was joking. No, she was serious. I protested even more because I didn’t have my friends’ phone numbers with me. She told me to go home and find out the phone numbers and e-mailed them back to her. She told me that Chinese contacts’ addresses and phone numbers are a must. I was also asked to fax in our itinerary which I didn’t have with me. I ended up having to provide all the additional information requested by the agent lady. NOW LISTEN to this. She told me that for lai wai’s, if you don’t have a clear itinerary (meaning if Chinese visa handlers cannot verify the purpose of your trip, where you will be staying in China, what you will be doing, etc.), you would have a good chance of having your visa application denied for this summer.
All this is for your own good and for the sake of a harmonious society.
Donn
said,
June 10, 2008 at 2:15 am
im a canadian, went back to canada, got a Z visa at my consulate in toronto, (which said 1 entries, duration of stay ZERO days) dont know why.
came back to Beijing gave my passport to the psb, and after 2 months of waiting for my working card, they told me that my Z visa was cancelled. this happened back n april. right around the delightful time of the torch relay.
in the end i had to pay a 5000 yuan fine for overstaying on a cancelled visa, bc my duration of stay said 0 days, but they didnt tell me that my visa was cancelled until april, but i still had to pay for the four months i unknowningly overstayed while i was waiting for my working card, and resident permit.
confusing i know, still trying to figure it out but anyone who knows china knows that when the govt makes a mistake, its not “their fault.”
so i was told that i had to get an F visa instead. word to the wise, if you are in beijing, dont go to hong kong to get a new visa, go to seoul south korea, plane ticket and hotels are cheaper.
anyways, got to korea, was told no more f visa, only 30 day L visas with proof of round trip airfare and hotel reservations.
but i was told i can extend the 30 day L visa twice, 30 days each while inside china, making it legal to stay in china for 90 days without leaving.
so not only are they making it harder to get Z visas, they actually cancel them too. the bs excuse they gave me was im too young to work in the industry i was working in.
Josh
said,
July 2, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Hi there Ben,
I’m currently in Fuzhou, with my visa due to run out in about 20 days. I’ve been told though that it’s absolutely impossible to get a new visa inside China, and that I’d have to go to Hong Kong. Then other people are telling me that I can’t even get one in Hong Kong, I’d have to go back to my home country, New Zealand.
It sounds though like you just went in to any old PSB and asked there, and it was possible to get one? How recently was it that you did that? Stories about visa’s are changing every day… I keep hearing horror stories about how hard it is.
Hopefully it’s not so hard. It sounds like you managed to do it without too much trouble.
Benjamin Ross
said,
July 3, 2008 at 12:32 am
Josh-
From what I’ve gathered, it is now quite difficult to get a Chinese visa from inside China, Hong Kong included. So people have been having to go back home in order to get their visas extended. For me, this wasn’t an issue, since I was in the US anyway. I just went to the consulate general in Chicago with all my paperwork, requested a 90-day visa, and came back in a week to pick it up. I had to provide travel “arrangements” and letters from my Chinese friends whom I would be staying with, but other than that, it was pretty simple. By the way, do I know you? Is this Josh from Connecticut who studied Kung Fu and constituted another 25% of the Fuzhou Jewish population?