Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ilsanman]

I thought I'd ask on here, as a buddy of time is considering taking a short trip to Beijing. I let him know that HK doesn't require a visa, but he seemed to think they do.

Anyways, he had booked a ticket somewhere to Beijing, then realized he needed a visa. He used some unknown online source to find out how much it cost, and he was quoted about $300 US. I told him that's BS and someone is trying to screw with him.

Any (specifically American) gotten a Chinese visa recently? if so, how much was it?

[tired of LA]

If he is going to Beijing then, yes he needs a visa. If he is going to HK, then no he doesn't need a visa. If he going to HK, then Beijing, then he needs a visa to get into mainland China, but not Hong Kong. You must go through immigration when leaving HK, even if you're going to mainland China. Hong Kong and Macau are basically considered different countries when it comes to moving between them. A visa to China for an American is $100 US for a siingle, multiple or business.

[sjv8603]

Single entry for a Us citizen is 64,000KRW

Here's the link for the consulate in Busan that I got the above figure from:

http://busan.china-consulate.org/eng/

I read on this forum that you have to pay a travel agent to apply for the Visa for you. After talking to friends who've been to the PRC, they just filled out the form from the link above, dropped it off, payed the fee and were good to go. Not sure why you should ever have to pay anyone for doing something so easy. With the invention of the internet, who needs travel agents?

[tired of LA]

[WendyRose]

It's really not as tragically difficult as people seem to make it! Our experience was a breeze.

For American's, the fee is 140,000 per person. Travel agencies add 10-20K so that they make money off of it. We used Xanadu in Itaewon and the total was 150,000 for everything. It takes 4 days.

To get to Xanadu, take exit 1 at Itaewon station. Walk about 200 meters and it's on the right, just before the Burger King entrance. It's on the 5th floor and they are open on Saturday's as well.

I just had ours done and it was so easy and the people who work there are fluent in English and so nice/helpful. ;D We also bought our Japan rail passes there with just as much ease!

http://www.xanadu.co.kr/eng/info/visa_main.asp
Print out the form there.

[sjv8603]

I think it's just as easy to get the rail pass at a Japanese tourism office in Korea than paying the agents to get it for you.

[WendyRose]

[runthegauntlet]

Paid 135000 won to Soho Travel last year when the exchange was a bit better.

[Rutherford]

I just got a Chinese visa at the consulate in Busan. I dropped it off and picked it up myself. They have walk-in hours posted on their website. I think it was 9:30 to 11:30 Monday to Friday but check yourself.

The cost for an American is 120,000 for a single entry, but they'll give you the 6 month double entry for the same price.

[JumpinInDaRain]

140,000KRW in Seoul, they won't give you a double/multiple entry unless you have a business card. I don't know if that means that you needed a business-related reason to go there or not, but I didn't have one and I didn't ask. I went on Friday morning, so this info is as of Aug. 14, 2009. They are fluent in English there (make sure that you go to the Consulate and not the Embassy).

[Ilsanman]

Are these prices just for Americans?

If they apply for everyone, I will give up ever going to China (except HK). Ridiculous price.

I hope we charge the same amount for Chinese coming to our countries. What a cash cow.

[Yaya]

[tired of LA]

[bbb0777]

To repeat what's been said: Yes, the ~140,000 is only the cost for Americans. Most nationalities pay something like ~40,000 (I don't recall exactly).

The reason China charges Americans so much...is because that's how much the US charges Chinese to visit the US. It's unfortunate for Americans, like myself, but reasonable I think.

I have to say I think it's worth it though...at least for Beijing. Of the foreign cities I've visited (35 or so?) Beijing was by far the best as a tourist. Even compared to London, Paris, which I loved, etc...though I may be in the minority on that one.

[Yaya]