Korean Job Discussion Forums

[World Traveler]

What's the deal on getting a tourist visa to visit mainland China?

Has anyone done this recently?

Apparently one must go through a travel agency now.

The prices I was quoted was 140,000 Won for single entry and 250,000 Won for multiple entry. Doesn't this seem a bit steep?

Does anyone know of an agency that can get a visa for me for cheaper? (I'm an American living in Seoul).

Thanks.

[farrepatt]

Not a big savings, but SOHO travel does the Chinese visa for 135,000 for Americans. I'm not sure about the multiple entry. I was under the impression it didn't cost much more than the single entry.

[waynehead]

It is steep, but accurate. Americans get the short end of the stick when it comes to Chinese visas. Indian visas too, I believe.

[joeyjoejoe]

http://kr.china-embassy.org/chn/lsqz/ls_qz/ls_qz_13/t229558.htm
these are agents authorized by the chinese embassy. if they charge you more than 20k above the embassy price you can complain to the embassy.

140,000 sounds right.
all visas for americans are the same price (30 day tourist through to 12 month business), so the 250,000 for multiple entry visa is total BS.

use one of the agents from the list.

[deadhead09]

question to farrepatt. where is this SOHO travel located? i am also an american living in seoul and am headed to china the end of the month.

the only agencies that i know of to pick up a tourist visa are located in itaewon. incidentally do these agencies charge a fee on top of the visa cost if you didnot book ur flight throught them?

[farrepatt]

Soho Travel is located near Hongik University Station (on the green line). I'm not sure if they charge more for visas if you don't buy plane tickets from them. Though their site doesn't seem to indicate that they do. Here's their website:

[/url]http://www.sohotravel.co.kr/[url]

I found them quite helpful and they responded quickly to all my inquiries.[/url]

[boatofcar]

I paid 140,000 for my Chinese visa too. I think it's the going rate.

[cazador83]

i had my korean gf do mine for me, it was also 140,000 (she used a korean travel agency).

[deadhead09]

yah... you guys are right. the going rate is 140.000won. however if possible go to SOHO travel. located in hongdae. very helpful. xanadu travel in itaewon is popular but they were very nasty with me. FYI... they charge an extra 10.000 if you dont book your china flight through them.

[Korean LaoWei]

I used CTS near myongdong. It was only 130,000. Problem is you need to either speak Korean or Chinese. Fairly painless to get except for the price. From what I saw most of the english speaking agencies aren't listed as officially approved by the Chinese embassy so they are more pricey.

[World Traveler]

I paid 185,000 Won for a multiple entry visa through HANNATOUR. They have English speaking services and can get the visa done within four business days.

[joeyjoejoe]

http://www.chinaemb.or.kr/chn/lsqz/ls_qz/ls_qz_1/t229323.htm
multiple entry visas for americans cost the same as a single entry.
120,000 won for regular 4 day service.
being charged more than 140,000 is total BS.

you won't be charged more than 140,000 for any type of visa if you use one of the agencies on the list.
http://kr.china-embassy.org/chn/lsqz/ls_qz/ls_qz_13/t229558.htm
you can complain to the embassy if any of the agencies on the list charge you more than 20,000 above the embassy price.

every type of chinese visa for american passport holders is 120,000 won (plus maximum of 20,000 fee).


all other countries (except romania for some reason) the prices are:
35,000 for single
53,000 for double
70,000 for 6 month multiple
105,000 for 12 month multiple

[deadhead09]

i went to Soho travel paid 120 plus 15.000 fee.