In many Asian countries there is a visa regime. Going to China, you need to learn about how to apply for a visa, because it is not required in all cases.
Do I need a visa to China?
Visa-free transit to the People's Republic of China is allowed, provided that you will stay in the country for no more than 24 hours and undertake to leave China on the first day.
If you are going to visit Hong Kong for tourism, and the duration of your trip does not exceed 14 days, then visa registration is not necessary. This rule applies to Russian, Ukrainian tourists and CIS citizens.
However, it should be remembered that a visa will be required to visit mainland China.
What are the visas to China?
The validity of the visa can be from three months and up to one year, depending on its type:
- a single entry visa is valid for three months;
- double entry - 6 months;
- multivisa - 6-12 months.
The following types of visas are also distinguished in China:
- tourist;
- business (working);
- transit.
When planning your trip to the People's Republic of China, remember that the validity of the visa is counted from the day the documents were filed with the consulate, and not from the moment it was received in your hands.
If you have a tourist visa, then you can be on the territory of the country according to the dates of your trip. However, you have the right to request a visa extension from the consulate for up to 90 days, including the day of entry.
For any type of visa to China with you will take a consular fee:
- single entry visa - $ 50;
- double entry - $ 100;
- multivisa for one year - 150 dollars.
How to get a visa to China?
Registration of a visa to China can be entrusted to a travel company, visa center or to collect a package of documents independently. It is better to start doing this at least 1-2 months before the date of the proposed trip. For a visa to China, the following documents must be submitted to the consulate of the country:
- the original of the foreign passport ;
- one color photograph measuring 3 by 4 cm;
- a questionnaire filled out in Russian, English or Chinese;
- additional questionnaire;
- certified by the head of the enterprise certificate from the place of work with the indication of the position, salary;
- active medical insurance;
- the certificate of the reserved hotel room (fax, printout from the e-mail address);
- An invitation from a Chinese travel agency with official registration;
- a copy of the railway or air tickets.
An additional form should be filled in the following cases:
- the applicant is not a citizen of the Russian Federation, but resides on the territory of Russia;
- is sent to China with children who are entered in the applicant's passport;
- goes to the People's Republic of China to work or study.
It should be noted that the passport must be at least one blank page and its validity should be at least six months at the time of the end of the trip to China. For issuing a multivisa for a period of one year, the passport must be valid for at least 12 months.
If a minor child leaves with one of the parents, then a notarized consent to travel abroad from the second parent
.If you urgently need a visa to China, you can arrange it on arrival right at the airport. However, not all airports provide such a service. Visa upon arrival is issued only in Beijing . To do this, in addition to the standard package of documents, you will additionally need to provide:
- a letter of guarantee from the receiving party;
- confirmation of hotel reservation.
The visa for arrivals costs about 200 dollars.
However, issuing a visa on arrival is fraught with a certain risk: you may require additional documents that you may not have. In that case, you can be sent back directly from the airport back home.
If your trip does not exceed 14 days, then a visa is not required. In all other cases it will be necessary to apply for a visa to China.