China Visa & Travel Diaries: My Crazy DIY Adventure!
Everyone said getting a China visa was a piece of cake. Lies! It was way more complicated than my Australian visa. Seriously, I told my friends I aged five years just getting this done! :D
Booking Flights Before the Visa? YOLO! (But Not Really...)
Yup, I booked my flights over three months in advance, thinking it would be easy. Big mistake. The DIY visa process turned into a major headache! I ended up buying flexible tickets – an extra $75 USD for two round trips – just in case.
The CT07 Saga: A "Spiritual" Experience
Getting the CT07 form felt like a divine intervention! On the National Public Service Portal, other requests send email or SMS confirmations. But for CT07? Radio silence. I was convinced I'd submitted it, but no confirmation, no pending status – nothing! I resubmitted multiple times, thinking it was a website glitch. Finally, after a week, my family checked with the local police, and BAM! The documents were ready. Seriously?!
Timing is Everything: The One-Month Rule
I wanted to apply early, just in case. Nope! China visa rules state you can only apply about a month before your trip. Okay, fine. I waited.
Visa Application Must-Haves:
- A Recent Photo: The size ratio is super specific. Google it! You'll need this for the online form and a printed copy.
- Valid Passport: Obvious, right?
- Online Visa Application Form: https://bio.visaforchina.cn/HAN3_EN/qianzhengyewu/jichuzhishi/tianxieyangli
Form Tips: Read the English Version!
The English instructions are clearer than the Vietnamese translation! For example, for a child's birth certificate, the Vietnamese form said it needed to be notarized, but the English version said it wasn't necessary if it was in Vietnamese or Chinese! Saved me some trouble!
Don't Sweat the Invitation Letter (Too Much)
The form asks who certified the invitation letter. I included the letter, but left the "certified by" field blank. It worked out fine!
N/A is Your Friend: Filling Out the Form for Kids
This was my biggest hurdle! The form is the same for adults and children (even under 3!). Fields like "marital status" and "employment history" wouldn't let me select "Not Applicable." I had to manually type "N/A" or "0" for dates. I almost gave up! Lesson learned: check the Q&A section! It specifically says to use "N/A" for missing information.
Money Matters: Show Me the Savings!
The visa center only kept my savings account statement (minimum $3,500 USD). I even brought credit card statements – total waste of time!
Travel Itinerary: Winging It Works!
The staff gave me a form to fill out with my daily itinerary, even though I'd already included it in the application. Quick TripAdvisor search for top attractions in Suzhou and Shanghai, and I was good to go!
Parental Consent: Improvise, Adapt, Overcome!
Near the end, after the initial document check and fingerprinting, I had to "create" a consent form for taking my child. I was worried about the legal requirements for one parent traveling with a child. I took a chance, and it worked out!
The Invitation Letter: Scan and Print
Get this from your contact in China. A template is available here: https://bio.visaforchina.cn/HAN3_EN/qianzhengyewu/qianzhengxinxi/ziliaoxiazai
Don't Forget These:
- Original and Copy of Your ID Card
- Original and Copy of Your Child's Birth Certificate
No Appointment Needed! (But Go Early!)
Since October 2023, appointments aren't required. Just head to the visa center, but go early! It's packed! Location: 16th floor, Saigon Trade Center, 37 Ton Duc Thang, District 1, HCMC.
Fees: The Final Hurdle
The initial visa fee is $28 USD. You'll pay an additional $45 USD on the appointment date. I got confused because the cashier emphasized the age of the US dollars! I thought I needed specific bills! They clarified that they'd give change even from a $100 bill.
Was it Worth It? The DIY Visa Verdict
All that work just to avoid the $20-30 service fee per visa! Not sure it was worth it, considering the printing, photos, and celebratory post-visa expenses! ;)
China Travel Tips: Essential Apps & More!
- Alipay: Download this! You can link your Visa card or get money from a friend in China.
- Sim Card: Buy one before you go! I learned the hard way that finding WiFi is tough.
- Translation App: Translate text and images.
- Apple Maps: Google Maps doesn't work well in China.
- VPN: Astrill VPN works for Facebook, Zalo, etc.
China Travel: My Personal Takeaways
- QR Code Ordering: I loved ordering food by scanning QR codes with Alipay. So efficient!
- Didi: Alipay integrates with Didi, a ride-hailing app like Grab. The prices are great!
- Toilet Paper: Prepare for pay-per-use toilet paper! Bring your own or grab some from the sink area.
- Lotion: Bring heavy-duty lotion if you're going in cold weather! My skin got so dry and itchy!
- Food Portions: HUGE! One dish is often enough for two people.
- Coffee Culture: I appreciate Vietnamese coffee culture so much more now! Starbucks is expensive and doesn't have the same vibe.
SIP, Suzhou: A Green Oasis
SIP (Suzhou Industrial Park) is gorgeous! So much green space, trees, and flowers. The parks are clean and beautiful, and the lakes are crystal clear. I'm a countryside girl at heart!
Tourist Spots: Hit or Miss?
I visited Pingjiang Road and Humble Administrator's Garden, but they were too crowded. Yangcheng Lake was my favorite! It's a huge lake with public access (no entrance fee) and stunning views. I saw a beautiful sunset and watched bullet trains whizzing by!
Thanks for reading! Feel free to PM me if you have questions!
This photo was taken at Yangcheng Lake.
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