China Visa???

[Gunner22aa]

Multiple entry visas are good for 6 months. I got mine 3 months prior to the cruise. They made it valid starting 1 week prior to my entry so not a problem. I gave them a copy of my itinerary off the Princess web site when I applied. As to how long it will take to get it I can't say as I did mine in person at the consulate and got it back the next day

[dalgirl]

Multiple entry visas are good for 6 months. I got mine 3 months prior to the cruise. They made it valid starting 1 week prior to my entry so not a problem. I gave them a copy of my itinerary off the Princess web site when I applied. As to how long it will take to get it I can't say as I did mine in person at the consulate and got it back the next day

 

Thanks so much - that should work out well.

[Aussieflyer]

Effective Sep 1, 2013 no visa is required if you are transiting any Chinese port to another country.

 

http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/lsfw/visas/t960523.htm

 

Do I need a visa?

No visa is required if you belong to the following categories:

"2.Hold connected passenger tickets and are in transit to a third country or region by an international aircraft, ship or train via China, will stay for not more than 24 hours in China without leaving the port of entry."

 

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/transit.htm

 

So if the ship's stay is less than 24 hours and is going to a third country, you do not need a visa

 

Hope this help

One thing to consider (if the above holds true) is that Hong Kong is part of China so if you are going from say Shanghai to HK it is not classed as going to a third country I would think. I always err on the safe side and will be getting a visa for next April.

[deadzone1003]

Does anyone know how long it will take to get the multi-entry visa stamp? We will be filing in Houston. Also, how long is the visa stamp valid? I am concerned because we will need a visa for Brazil in Jan 2015 and will travel to China April 2015 - want to make sure we have plenty of time for the stamping.

 

The Brazilian visa is good for 10 years. (They ask alot for the visa, but I guess there is a slight incentive to return.) As for China, if you are not of Chinese ancestry and you have not been to China and you are visiting 2 or more Chinese ports, you can get a 6 mo multi-entry tourist visa. (This does not include Hong Kong where you don't need a visa.) If you are entering China just once, they may just give you a single entry 3-mo visa. Try to get a multi-entry visa for a long of a period as possible - doesn't mean that they will give one to you.

[blrabbit]

Does anyone know how long it will take to get the multi-entry visa stamp? We will be filing in Houston. Also, how long is the visa stamp valid? I am concerned because we will need a visa for Brazil in Jan 2015 and will travel to China April 2015 - want to make sure we have plenty of time for the stamping.

 

For US citizens, the visa cost $140 for all entry visa so the best is to get the multiple entries for 12 months (regular service take 4 business days & express same day service cost $30 more).

I took my passport in on Friday & got it back on Wednesday. You pay them when you pick up your passport & can use credit card. I am not sure the same day service apply to everybody because I have ask & they tell me to come back 4 business days later. So it may reserve for passport agent!!

Bob

[Bollinge]

I looked into this last year, and if arriving at Beijing or Shanghai airports with an onward ticket, you could enter China for up to 24 hours, visa-free.

 

I read that this was being extended to 48 hour sometime this year.

 

I suggest that for a definitive answer you post your question on the China forum on Trip advisor

[deadzone1003]

I looked into this last year, and if arriving at Beijing or Shanghai airports with an onward ticket, you could enter China for up to 24 hours, visa-free.

 

I read that this was being extended to 48 hour sometime this year.

 

I suggest that for a definitive answer you post your question on the China forum on Trip advisor

 

If you are thinking of the 72 hours transit period, visa-free - it only applies for maybe 3 or 4 of their international airports, but you must have a onward airline (not a cruise) ticket directly to a foreign country.

[maxsevend]

Looks like this 24-hour transit visa-free policy was already in effect since July 2013

 

http://www.sh-immigration.gov.cn/listPageEn.aspx?lx=37&id=2943

British couple arrived Shanghai on a cruise ship (Costa Atlantica) and left Shanghai by Air (Pudong airport) within 24 hours and no visa was required.

 

http://www.sh-immigration.gov.cn/listPageEn.aspx?lx=37

American citizen arrived Shanghai airport and left Shanghai sea port by ship within 24 hours again no visa was needed.

 

Similar info on the new exit and entry law can also be found from Chinese Consulate New York:

http://www.nyconsulate.prchina.org/eng/lsyw/lszjx/newentryexitlaw/

Search for article 22 section (3)

Edited November 28, 2013 by maxsevend

[deadzone1003]

Looks like this 24-hour transit visa-free policy was already in effect since July 2013

 

http://www.sh-immigration.gov.cn/listPageEn.aspx?lx=37&id=2943

British couple arrived Shanghai on a cruise ship (Costa Atlantica) and left Shanghai by Air (Pudong airport) within 24 hours and no visa was required.

 

http://www.sh-immigration.gov.cn/listPageEn.aspx?lx=37

American citizen arrived Shanghai airport and left Shanghai sea port by ship within 24 hours again no visa was needed.

 

Similar info on the new exit and entry law can also be found from Chinese Consulate New York:

http://www.nyconsulate.prchina.org/eng/lsyw/lszjx/newentryexitlaw/

Search for article 22 section (3)

 

I stand corrected. Thank You. This was only effective as of July 1, 2013.