I'm sharing my self-guided process for applying for a Chinese visa. The experience is that I referred to many sources, and for issues I couldn't figure out myself, I emailed the center and always received very quick responses. I applied early, 1.5 months before my trip date; if you have plans, apply 1-2 months in advance for comfortable time.
I'd like to praise the Chinese Visa Center again for their professional attitude from the security guard, the staff receiving the dossier, the cashier—all professional and amicable. I've applied through visa centers of many countries, but nowhere feels as pleasant as China's; emails answering questions are also replied to very quickly.
1. Notes:
- In section 6.2 of the application form, uncheck and fill as follows: Section 6.2A fill in hotel name/ Section 6.2B fill "Hotel"/ Section 6.2C fill hotel phone number. I saw many people got this corrected; because I checked, it just needs to be filled for self-guided travel. Declaring wrong wastes time waiting for approval.
- No need for work dossier, labor contract, they'll just remove it and they don't require it so you don't need to prove it either.
- If submitting on behalf of family members, need to bring proof of relationship documents: marriage certificate, household registration, birth certificate (photocopy they keep + original for verification).
- Currently, China is still waiving fingerprints for tourism; before submitting, I emailed to ask and got clarification so I submitted on behalf of family.
- 2. Dossier to prepare: Saw many say missing dossier must print at center so before going I prepared quite a lot to not waste time. But they didn't check or accept, didn't verify.
The dossiers they took from me: - Photo 33x48
- Original passport
- Confirmation paper that the application was approved online (printed from email)
- Visa application form with barcode (I printed the whole form but they removed and kept only the first page and page 7 with signature)
- Household registration photocopy (because I submitted for family so need proof).
Dossiers returned not accepted, they also didn't check
Passport photocopy
ID card photocopy
Bank account balance confirmation > 50 million (only balance, I didn't send savings): original
Hotel booking in English/Chinese (not paid yet)
Airplane ticket booking in English (not paid yet)
Self-made travel itinerary
NO NEED TO PROVE WORK BECAUSE THEY DON'T CHECK OR ACCEPT IT. - 26/1 – 9h: Submit application online
- 26/1 – 16h30: Email requesting form correction
- 27/1 – 9h: Send corrected form
- 30/1 – 16h59: Submitted for 3 people, 2 approved after correction (I emailed to ask and was told to wait patiently)
- 2/2 – 9h: Third person approved
- 4/2 – 12h: Submit dossier at center only took 20min, very fast, very professional, appointment slip for 9/2 results. Paid 725k cash/person
- 9/2 – 9h: Check web, just enter passport only, got results immediately
- 9/2 – 13h: I came to pick up visas for all 3 people (brought household registration to prove relationship. Paid 45$/person (I gave 200$ - 2x100$ bills and got change). All 3 passed. Time to get visa from taking number to leaving probably about 10min. Praise the center and staff again.
Total 11 working days, if I checked email early and submitted right away probably only 8 days to get it. Wish everyone smooth self-guided visa application. Post is a bit long but hope it helps those doing it first time avoid mistakes to save time.
Cre: Anonymous collection,
