Job Discussion Forums

[cedarstreetcowboy]

The PSB will be holding my passport while I get a new visa in China.

I've been told that they issue a document that you can use in lieu of a passport to travel.

One of my colleagues swears up and down that it's totally useless, my new employer says there will be no problems using it to travel.

Has anyone had any experience with this? What's the deal?

[3701 W.119th]

It's basically just a receipt that shows they hold your passport. It's usually fine for travelling (buying train tickets), but as this is China, it all depends on the mood of the person working the ticket desk that day. They might accept it, they might not.

Do you have a photocopy of your passport info page? This always works for me at the train station.

[Mr. Leafy]

If it has your photo on it it will be fine for domestic rail and air travel. My coworkers have used it many times. It can be used for checking into hotels when you need to show a passport too. You may get a clerk who is unfamiliar with it but if you insist they get someone more senior you should be fine.
However, things do always change here.

Why does your co-worker say it's useless? Experience or pessimism?

[The_Kong]

[Shanghai Noon]

It is perfectly acceptable within mainland China. I have even used it to take airplanes. It takes a couple of extra minutes at the security desk, but that is all. This is a document issued by the Public Security Bureau of China with their fancy seal, and your picture. Even if some ticket office workers or hotel staff have never seen one before, they can read it and find out what is going on.

[Banner41]

I have also used it to board flights and book hotels....never a problem.

[cedarstreetcowboy]

Thanks for the information.

My coworker claims he wasn't able to use it to check into hotels or board domestic flights.

I'll only be using it for domestic travel, so by the sounds of it I should be OK.

[Listerine]

Unless you're dealing with some part time hotel newb for domestic travel....bus, train, accom the temp document in my experience is fine. Its quite an official looking document. If anyone gives u grief get them to call the PSB.

[jeffreyabie]

I actually prefer traveling with this document. For the Chinese new year, I travelled with it folded up, half ripped, and tucked in my wallet. Much better than carrying a bulky passport around. Trains, planes, boats and hotels (even in backwater Guangxi) never had an issue.