China visa

* Effective August 01, 2007, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates will charge a flat visa fee regardless the type of visa issued.

Do I need a visa to visit China?
Can I apply for a visa at the port of entry?
What type of visa should I apply for?
When should I apply for my visa?
How long will the visa process take?
I need to be in China within a week. Is express service available?
I am an American citizen. I intend to visit Beijing and then Hong Kong for a short trip. After that I want to go back to Guangzhou. How many entries are suitable for my tour?
What is Duration of Each Stay after Entry? What should I do if I want to stay in China longer than the duration?
Can I apply for renewal of my visa at the Consulate General?
What documents should I submit when I apply for a visa?
I am not a U. S. citizen. Can you still process my application?
I am a US citizen or permanent resident of the US currently living abroad. Can you still assist me?
How should I send you my passport and other materials?
When do you begin processing my application?
Does the processing time include shipping time?
How do I pay?
Where should I send all my documents to?
Will any of the information I submit to you be sold or disclosed to others?
What is the cost?

1. Do I need a visa to visit China?
Yes, American citizens and citizens of most other countries are required to obtain a visa in advance to visit Mainland China.
(Exceptions: Ordinary passport holders from Singapore, Brunei and Japan can gain access to China without applying for visas for up to 15 days for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends, or transit. They can enter and exit from the ports that are open to foreigners. )

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2. Can I apply for a visa at the port of entry?
No. American citizens should applied visas before they enter into China.

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3. What type of visa should I apply for?
“Tourist" visas are issued specifically for the purpose of travel for pleasure, while a "business" visa generally permits a traveler to engage in normal business-related activities. A letter of invitation is required to apply for business visa.

4. When should I apply for my visa?
Single-entry visas are generally valid for 3 months from the date of issuance. Two-entry visas are generally valid for 6 months. You are suggested to apply for the visa 2-3 weeks before your departure date.

5. How long will the visa process take?
It usually takes 5 – 7 days. Shipping time is not included.

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6. I need to be in China within a week. Is express service available?
Yes. For same day pick up, your passport and other necessary documents should reach us before 10AM. Next day and third day services are also available.

7. I am an American citizen. I intend to visit Beijing and then Hong Kong for a short trip. After that I want to go back to Guangzhou. How many entries are suitable for my tour?
American citizens do not need a visa to Hong Kong for a short trip less than 30 days. American citizens should have a valid visa for the mainland China. From U.S. to Beijing is one entry, and from Hong Kong to Guangzhou is another entry. So you should apply for a two-entry visa. If you have applied for a single entry visa, you may apply for another visa at the Consular Department of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong.

8. What is Duration of Each Stay after Entry? What should I do if I want to stay in China longer than the duration?
Duration of Each Stay after Entry means the longest period the applicants are permitted to stay in China. Duration of Each Stay is counted from the date of entry. Applicants should apply for an extension of the duration at a local county level Public Security Bureau if he or she stays in China longer than the Duration of Each Stay printed on the visa .

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9. Can I apply for renewal of my visa at the Consulate General?
Chinese visas are printed and can not be renewed. Applicants should arrange their journeys before they apply for visas and fill out the application forms completely and truthfully.

10. What documents should I submit when I apply for a visa?
1) One completely and signed Visa Application Form of the P. R. China (Q-1);
2) One most recent 2 x 2 picture.

The photos must meet the following requirements:

	1	2X2 inches
	2	Pale color or white background
	3	Full face, front view
	4	The image size measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (including hair) should be no less than 1 inch and not more than 1-3/8 inches.
	5	The photos must be identical
	6	The photos must have been taken within the last six months
	7	Photographs retouched so that your image is changed are unacceptable
	8	Do not wear a hat or dark glasses unless it is for religious reasons, or if so, please include and explanation
	9	Wear normal day-to-day attire. Do not wear uniforms
	10	If you normally wear a wig, hearing aid or prescription glasses, wear them for the photo

3) Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application;
4) An invitation letter if you apply for business visa.

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11. I am not a U. S. citizen. Can you still process my application?
Yes, we can still process your visa application as long as you have a valid passport.
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12. I am a US citizen or permanent resident of the US currently living abroad. Can you still assist me?
Yes. The application process is the same. However, shipping time and cost will vary, please contact our agents for details.

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13. How should I send you my passport and other materials?
We highly recommend that you use a traceable courier service to send your passport and valuable documents.

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14. When do you begin processing my application?
Application processing begins the day we receive your documents provided the documents are received before 10:00 am. Documents received after 10:00 am will be processed the next business day. Applications received on Saturdays will be sent for processing the following Monday.

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15. Does the processing time include shipping time?
No. Shipping or return delivery time should be added to the processing time when determining the total amount of time needed to fulfill your order. Shipping times do not include Saturdays or Sundays unless specified. Deliveries may not be available on some holidays.

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16. How do I pay?
Payment for visa process can be included in your total tour package payment or it can be paid separately. Please make check or money order payable to: China Classic Tours & Travel, Inc. We accept all major credit cards. Please download Credit Card Authorization Form and fax the completed form together with copies of both sides of your credit card to: 917-677-4833.

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17. Where should I send all my documents to?
You may send your documents to:
Asia Classic Tours
481 8th Ave., Suite 721
New York, NY 10001

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18. Will any of the information I submit to you be sold or disclosed to others?
No. Information about you provided to us stays with us. We will not disclose or sell your information to third party for any reason or under any circumstance. Please refer to our privacy policy for more information.

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19. What is the cost?