| Americans visiting China must abide by strict rules | | | | within the next three months. To do this, you must |
| when it comes to travel regulations. Heightened border | | | | supply either a travel itinerary OR a photocopy of your |
| security means that those without proper | | | | airline tickets. You must also provide a photocopy of |
| documentation will be denied access to international | | | | your confirmed hotel reservations(s) in China. Travelers |
| flights. In addition to a U.S. passport, tourists must also | | | | who cannot provide both of these things will have their |
| obtain a Chinese visa for travel to China. | | | | Chinese visa applications rejected. |
| Regulations differ depending upon the nature of the trip | | | | * Payment for applicable fees. All travelers who wish |
| (business versus pleasure.) | | | | to obtain a Chinese visa by law must pay a consular |
| To obtain a Chinese visa, both business and pleasure | | | | fee. The fee varies depending on how quickly you |
| travelers must possess: | | | | need your Chinese visa. Your application processing |
| * A valid U.S. passport. Every international traveler, | | | | center will have a schedule of these fees. It is payable |
| including travelers to China, must own a valid U.S. | | | | to the Consular of the People's Republic of China. For |
| passport. All information must be correct and current. | | | | this reason the fee must be paid by money order, |
| The passport must have at least six months of validity | | | | certified check or credit card. Your Chinese visa |
| left. In other words, your U.S. passport must have an | | | | application is also subject to a service fee which is |
| expiry date that is six months or more away from the | | | | payable to your processing center. An additional return |
| day that you send your passport in to obtain a | | | | shipping fee may also apply. |
| Chinese visa. Additionally, your passport must have | | | | Business travelers to China must supply other |
| two or more blank visa pages left. If your U.S. | | | | documentation in addition to that listed above. Your U.S. |
| passport does not meet these two criteria you will be | | | | passport and all forms must be accompanied by a |
| denied a Chinese visa. | | | | letter from your place of employment. This letter must |
| * One passport-regulation photo. The photo must be | | | | be printed on official company letterhead and |
| two inches by two inches. Both color and black and | | | | addressed to the Embassy of China. It should state |
| white photos are acceptable, but the background of | | | | the nature of the business trip and other details |
| the photo must be white or very light in color. Most | | | | relevant to the visit and must be signed by a company |
| photographers and photo shops in the United States | | | | official. This letter is subject to approval by the Chinese |
| are familiar with these regulations. Photos produced by | | | | Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
| home photography software are sometimes rejected, | | | | The rules to obtain a Chinese visa are stringent. Failure |
| so be very careful if you intend to submit a | | | | to adhere to regulations will result in rejection of the |
| home-generated photo. | | | | application. U.S. passport holders who wish to avoid |
| * A visa application form. The required form is specific | | | | delays or missing a trip entirely should ensure well in |
| to China, so be sure that you obtain the correct one. | | | | advance that they possess all the necessary |
| The form must be filled out in its entirety. Applications | | | | paperwork. It's sometimes possible to speed up the |
| with blank spaces or illegible markings will be rejected. | | | | Chinese visa application process by paying an |
| You must sign the completed application in ink. | | | | expediting fee. However, the best course of action is |
| Unsigned forms will also be rejected. | | | | to apply to obtain a Chinese visa three months prior to |
| * Proof of departure/flight plan. To obtain a Chinese | | | | your intended departure date. |
| visa you must prove that you intend to travel to China | | | | |