Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Died By Bear]

I want to visit my buddy in China when I get to Korea.

He said I should apply for the visa while I'm still here in the U.S. because it's notoriously difficult to get a travel visa (or any other) while living in Korea.

I'll be on a U.S. SOFA visa, (A3) while in Korea.

My visit will only be about 4 days total.

I called the Chinese embassy here, they said I should wait till I get to Korea to apply for a tourist visa. But they said a bunch of other things I couldn't understand and I finally gave up.

Anyone know what the deal is? Will I be able to travel to China from Korea on a visa obtained in Houston, TX.?

Thanks in advance

[Jake_Kim]

I believe Chinese visa for U.S. passport holders has been changed to 10-year multiple entry by default rather recently.

Although you might not have any plan to visit China for the second time within the foreseeable future after your 4-day trip, Chinese visa fee you must pay is flat regardless of the number of entry. So, it is naturally sensible to get that 10-year multiple entry visa on your passport.

Having said that, it is always better to get Chinese visa in your home country than any other. Your Korean visa status would be of concern for the Chinese consulate IN KOREA if you apply in Korea, it can't be for the Chinese consulate in Texas.

However, you might still need to figure out whether you still need to submit a return ticket in and out of China plus itinerary/hotel reservation, etc. for your initial visit as required documents, even for the 10-year visa. Those made sense for single-entry tourist visas, but obviously counter-intuitive for a multiple entry visa. Nevertheless, this requirement may still be enforced.

If that's really the case with your local Chinese consulate, then you might as well book a fully refundable full-fare flight ticket to China AND some online hotel reservation with option for deposit refund for visa purpose, get your visa, and cancel your U.S.-China ticket and hotel reservation afterwards.

[Died By Bear]

okay that makes sense. Thanks a lot Jake.

[northway]

Going off of anecdote and common sense, I really don't see how it would be an issue if you get one in the States. They're not going to refuse to issue you one, and once you get to China it doesn't matter - you had a layover in Korea, whether it be three hours or three weeks.