Job Discussion Forums

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Hi, Im a UK national, residing in the UK and will be applying a standard tourist visa, 30 days single entry...and my employer will renew and change when I arrive in China.

I am using gold arrow to collect / apply for visa for me, and they have requested a travel intinery, showing flights booked to leave etc...

Now a) I havent actually booked any flights yet, and b) I wont be booking a return flight anyway....

Is this a problem when applying for visa?

It isnt the first Chinese Visa ive applied for....I had a one month visa in september 2006, which was extended, again by my employer, and expired Dec 2006, shortly after I returned to the UK.

Is this likely to be a problem? Or is visa application really a formality?

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

This question has been asked many times before on this forum. The bottom line is whether the airline will allow you to board the flight on a one-way ticket. You should check with the airline first.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

I've looked through some other posts and not found an answer, hence the thread...

Very shocked to think I may have problems with the one way ticket?? That has worried me....

Id happily apply for a standard 30 day tourist visa...but Im concerned as I did that last time, and had it changed to a F visa (not sure what the F means?)

So again, is a 30 day tourist visa a formality? Or will the fact I have very recently had a L visa just changed/extended to an F visa, mean that the Embassy will look rather unfavourably at my application?

I am sure I can get a letter. or certainly a fax with a job offer, would this make the visa process smoother, or not...I am not a University Degree holder....so I dont really know the visa process?

Any pointers greatly appreciated!

Nick

jeffinflorida · Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 2:19 pm Post subject:

The Chinese Gov't does not seem to care about your travel plans but some airlines have their own policy regarding returns and onward travel.

So you CAN enter china on a 1 way but you need to make sure that the airline you are gonna fly has no "policy" about return tickets.

Getting the visa is easy.

So call whatever airlne you think you may use and ask them if they have any known issues regarding one way travel to the PRC - if they do then don't use them...

When you get your visa opt for a longer term than 30 days to give yourself extra time should there be a delay in your getting the proper visa for working purposes.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

xie xie - have now found an agreeable return flight so will probably book that anyway..not sure but I think you can only request 30 days when booking frm UK, but pleased to know visa may just be a formality

jeffinflorida · Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 10:31 pm Post subject:

Nick don't know if you already have the visa but keep in mind if you are flying into HongKong it is easy and quick to get a visa there.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

I will be flying into Hong Kong....is it really easy to get visa there?

What is the process....is it wise for me to fly without visa, just incase?

Can I get longer visa from Hong Kong...can I get this at airport? so many questions LOL

jeffinflorida · Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 12:42 pm Post subject:

Nick: Flying into HongKong i will guess you will spend a day or two there. Don't know what time your plane will arrive but mine always seem to come in at 7 or 8 pn and it is easier to spend a night in Hongkong.

Once in Hong Kong you can go directly to the Chinese Gov't building and drop your passport off and request same day service - this office is on Hong Kong Island. or you can go to a travel agent and have them do it for you. the travel agent charges a fee for this service and that fee varies by the agent and type / cost of visa and also by the desired service - same day, 2 day, etc.

Benefit of using the travel agent is no waiting in line, they take credit cards, and they do this for a living so they know many of the answers to your questions.

Drawbacks, they charge a fee and they are chinese so out of habit some try to cheat you...

If you have never been to Hong Kong it is worth spending a few days there.

Also spend a little extra and get the longer visa - 90 day or 6 month vs 30 days. It may come in handy and keep you out of a jam if you find yourself in a distant chinese city approaching the 30 day limit and save yourself a trip out of the country.

Hope this helps, have fun! Don't forget to bring size appropriate clothes if you are big or tall or have big feet or well endowed....

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

Singapore Air for one doesn't blink at a one-way ticket. They fly direct from Singapore to a number of Chinese cities, and if you have to stay o/n in Singers to connect with your ongoing flight, your accommodation is included.
A 90 day tourist visa is easy to get, be it in HK or at home. Be aware its validity begins from the date of application: for this reason alone, a 30 day visa is to be avoided.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

to update....I will be flying to Hong kong on a return ticket...and as hong kong is only one hour from Haikou, and my home in Haikou is one hour from the airport , Ill be getting a connecting flight asap.

I think when you apply for visa in UK you can only get 30 days on a L visa.....there is no other option on the form anyway....(recalling last time I applied whcih was only a few months ago)

the visa runs from when you apply, but only in as much as you need to enter within 3 month of it being granted....the 30 days runs from then...

confusing, but I think visa regs are different according to country of initial application

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

OK, I need to explain clearer....

the visa allows for a 30 day visit, and has a 90 day validity.

so you have 90 days from date of visa being granted to enter the country.

this entry is then for 30 days.

This was the visa I was granted when I visited in September this year...and when I applied for my visa at the london office, I had no option for a longer period...or at least there wasnt one available on the form I used.

I arrived in hainan province with another 11 UK travellers, but one, whilst a UK passport holder, had travelled via USA (and had visa granted there)and he was the only person granted a different length visa..which leads to me to think that length of visa depends upon a) country and place of application and b) applicants nationality

eslstudies · Joined: 17 Dec 2006 Posts: 1061 Location: East of Aden

jeffinflorida · Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 7:18 pm Post subject:

Perhaps they just checked the default option - 30 day single entry tourist visa, without looking for or knowing that there were other options.