By continuing you agree to eChinacities's Privacy Policy .
Sign up with Google
Sign up with Facebook
Q: For a american how long is a visitor visa to stay in china on average?
I am curious, when a American goes to china they get a temporary visa. So how long on average will this visa be? Will it be 2 weeks a month 2 or 3 months they can stay in china? or it varies it depends on whom issues the visa? Maybe this question has been asked before, but for those from the west here on ECC whom has been to china or are still in china how long was your visitor visa the first time u visited china? An do you get a choice of how long u can stay in china before they issue it to you, or is it for whatever slot allotted time they have available?
7 years 47 weeks ago in Visa & Legalities - China
http://www.saporedicina.com/english/chinese-visa-application/
A single entry tourist visa allows you to stay 30 days. The 30 days begins from when you enter China.
As I understand it, you being an American and assuming you have no criminal record, are eligible for a 10 year tourist or business visa with 90 day stay to reset.
This means you have to exit china every 90 days, which means a trip to Macau, Hong Kong, Taiwan or other destination away from the mainland.
I got one in March. It was $140. There was no place on the form to mark that I wanted a 10 year visa, so I just checked the box for the multi-entry one. They gave me a 10 year multi-entry visa good for 90 days each stay.
It's worth trying for the 10 year because all visas are the same price. You get more bang for your buck, so to speak.
Some people don't get the 10 year. It's a little random. If they think your line of work falls into something "sensitive" like media or if there is something about you they find off, they might give you a shorter one. Keep in mind, this is all for a tourist visa. So far,most other types of visas are not eligible for the 10 year program.
I'd recommend getting one sooner rather than later, if you think you might need it. It could change any day now and the 10 year visa program could go poof. It all depends on what the US does with visas for Chinese citizens. They keep it very tit for tat.
Before you go, read the most recent Yelp reviews for the particular consulate. There can be some randomness. Some offices will only accept typed applications. Others don't care. I saw the guard in the New York consulate turn away a guy because he didn't have a "real shirt" on. (He was wearing a sleeveless Insane Clown Posse shirt...)
They used to not ask much about where you are staying. Now they want copies of your hotel and plane info. If you are staying as guests of local people it becomes more complicated. Read up on their website for details.
Bring every possible document you think you might need. Follow the directions to the letter. And check on Yelp to make sure the application on the website is the most update (Yes, sometimes the Chinese consulate does not have the most up to date application on their own website. Go figure.) You can also get a visa service to do it for you...for a price.
ironman510:
The question we should never ask but would love to know: How many Americans are working on a 10 year Business visa? I keep meeting and meeting so many of them working for schools, training centers, privates and more and they love. I've been on a work visa for 8 years, its a damn hassle, so I am feeling the 10 year visa, I almost wanna say F**k off Wall Street and take it one.
First thing to know: "All China Visa's are temporary". Even the D visa. (Only 10 years). I'm an American and I have done the homework on this:
1. The 10 year L visa: Must exit every 60 days or 90 days.
2. The 10 year M/F business visa: Must exit every 90 days.
3. The 10 year Q2 family visa: Must exit every 120 days.
4. The Family Q1 visa: Can get two years resident permit or more first time and keep renewing within China until WWIII starts or a deadly outbreak.
5. The 10 year S2 visa: Must exit every 120 days.
6. The S1 visa can sometimes be given a resident permit up to 1 year.
7. The ESL Teachers Z visa: Must renewing every year. ( Depends on the company license.)
8. The None teachers Z visa: Can be 3 months long if the contract is only 3 months or up to 5 years working visa if you sign a 5 year contract.
9. The D visa: Can stay and renew every 10 years, maybe be asked to leave if WWIII starts. (No joke of course.)
