| To obtain entry into any foreign country, a valid visa is | | | | fees for single, double, and multiple entries for various |
| required. A visa authorizes you to gain entry into or | | | | periods are the same for American citizens ($ 130), it |
| travel through a foreign country for a specific period of | | | | may vary for citizens of other countries (from $ 30 to |
| time. The requirements for visas may vary from | | | | $ 90). |
| country to country and the prevailing political conditions. | | | | The validity for a single entry Chinese visa is three |
| For foreigners traveling to China on various purposes, | | | | months from the date of issue and six months for a |
| permission for entry into, exit from and transit through | | | | double entry. The validity for multiple entries could be 6, |
| China is granted by the Chinese visa-issuing authorities. | | | | 12, or 24 months. Visitors are expected to leave the |
| Of the eight categories of Chinese visas available, the | | | | country before the expiry date of the visa. A single |
| F visa or the business visa is the mandatory visa | | | | entry visa requires an official invitation letter from the |
| required for business visitors. The business visa is | | | | immigration office in China. |
| issued to individuals invited to deliver trainings, | | | | As per the recent updates in policies due to the |
| investigations, research, lectures, business meets, | | | | Olympics, multiple entry visas are being issued only to |
| scientific/technological and cultural exchanges, and | | | | frequent visitors. The round trip itinerary and the hotel |
| intern practice for a short period of only six months. | | | | reservations have to be submitted to get approval. A |
| Owing to the upcoming Olympic Games and security | | | | visa notification form is essential as also the official |
| concerns, security has been tightened for China and | | | | invitation letter. Only single entry visas are issued for |
| those requiring an entry into the province have to deal | | | | the non-US passport holders. Among the other regular |
| with extra visa procedures. | | | | documents to be submitted for processing, non-US |
| To apply for a Chinese visa, ensure that your passport | | | | passport holders are being requested to produce |
| has a minimum of six months validity and a blank visa | | | | photocopies of previous Chinese visas to speed up |
| page for the stamp. A visa notification form issued by | | | | the procedures. Bank statements, sponsorship letters, |
| Chinese authority has to be submitted along with the | | | | or other proofs of financial assurance have to be |
| visa application and passport. Remember to fill in the | | | | provided. |
| relevant forms correctly and in a legible manner | | | | These strict rules will be relaxed once the Olympic |
| without any incomplete or missing information. | | | | Games are over. |
| Accurately mention the duration of stay planned, date | | | | The visitor traffic to and from China has increased |
| of entry, and number of entries required. While the | | | | owing to the growing business scenario. |