China Travel Forum

[Bunkall Teresa]

Hi there.

My girlfriend and I are hoping to visit China this year to do some cycling across the country, hopefully from Hong Kong to Beijing (probably getting buses along the way).

I recently downloaded the Visa application form, and one section to fill in is the name and address of my "inviter, contact or relative in China". I don't really know anyone in China though. Is this likely to lessen my chances of having the Visa accepted?

I am British, by the way, and my friend is American. I don't know whether that makes any difference with the whole Visa issue.
Any help would be really appreciated
Thank you!

[Guest]

would you please paste the link to the website for me, please?
Was that for a standard tourist/travel Visa?

Because with an Australian Passport, to get a Tourist/Travel Visa you simply present a copy of the itinerary/flights, photo, the fee, and it may ask where you will be staying (as just about every country does, not only for Visa Applications but also on the Incoming Passenger Cards that you fill in and hand to Immigration)... and you list the hotel accommodation. No need to get an invitation (if you apply for a WORK Visa -- the Employer/Work Unit must provide you with the Invitation to present to the Embassy when making the application.

Of course, listing a hotel is not always easy to do if you have not booked any yet ... but MANY people travel to China and stay in hostels, and do not know exactly where they are staying before they get there.
I really feel that the info you obtained is not correct for a simple standard Tourist/Travel Visa
Ring the Embassy and ask about requirements for British and US Passport holders.

[Bunkall Teresa]

thanks for your fast response.
The link to the visa application form is here : http://uk.china-embassy.org/eng/lsyw/chivisa/t281956.htm
It seems to be a general application form for all journey types. It does ask for the journey itinerary, which is fine. But then the second page asks for the name and address of an inviter in China.

Hmm, maybe it's not a big deal. Perhaps I will phone the embassy and ask.

[Fulton]

Thanks for the link. (Note to self: check the website for the Chinese Embassy in Australia and see if the Visa application form is same as this).
OK --- I REALLY do not think you have any problem. My way of looking at it is:

-- this is "one form fits all" for all visa types (as there are the earlier selected Purposes of Visit, and Type of Visa applied for)

-- interestingly, there was no specific question about name etc of hotel/accommodation (if applying for a tourist visa)

-- people who indicate that they are working in China, or visiting relatives will need to provide the contact details of those individuals/companies.
-- For a Tourist, I would think that a sufficient contact could be the Hotel/Hotel number, couldn't it?

Perhaps double check the link for Travel/Tourist Visa requirements (and it will list if you need an invitation letter --- WHICH I REALLY DOUBT) ...
And call the Embassy too.

[Lovell]

I obtained a multiple-entry visa valid for a year only a couple of months ago. At no time was I asked for any information about travel arrangements, accommodation or persons I might plan to meet in China.cheers

[Yorke]

I am looking at the Visa App form on the website which ‘Bunkall Teresa’ posted the link of.

Yep, I have applied for a Chinese Work Visa, and also a travel Visa for China.

Getting the Visa will not be a problem, and they are processed very quickly too.

[Bunkall Teresa]

Thank you all for your responses, they've been very helpful. I think I will just put a Hong Kong hostel address in the inviter section and then when I bring it to the embassy I'll ask if that's okay. If it's not, well no big deal, I'll just have to fill it in again.
Thanks again!