I’ll be flying to China this month with my family to visit my sister who’s currently studying there. Before we get all too excited, let me guide you in successfully getting a Chinese Tourist Visa, especially for first-timers like me.
Chinese Visa Renewal is so much easier. You would just have to fill up the form with your recent photo, present your old China tourist visa and your original passport…et voila, it’s done!
For first-timers like me, here are the required documents:
- China Visa Application Form with your latest passport sized photo in white background glued on the form
- Original Passport valid for 6 months before expiration
- Photocopy of passport’s information page (first page) and emergency contact information page (last page)
- Reservation of round-trip airline ticket and hotel accommodation, or invitaion letters from China
- Travel itinerary, if any
- Bank certificate of deposit balance including the past 6 months history of your bank account and the receipt for payment of this certificate
- BIR Stamped latest ITR form
- If employee: Certificate of Employment detailing your salary and the length of your employment
- If employer: Business registration certificate, professional ID, etc.
- Additional: Bring your old passport, if any
Try to complete all the necessary documents to have a higher chance in visa approval. With regard to your bank statement, make sure you have at least Php50,000.00 in your savings account as show money. You would still have to provide your 6-month worth of transactions for the said bank account, though. Note that you also have to submit the official receipt for getting the bank certificate.
After securing all the documents, head on to the Chinese Embassy (2F The World Ctr, 330 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati). Be there as early as you can since application closes by 11AM. I went there a little past 9AM. But some people go there as early as 8AM, depends if it’s peak season. As soon as you get there, waste no time in getting a number.
Proceed to the line as soon as your number is flashed on the window. I’ve read stories that some would wait hours to finish their application. Luckily for me, it was not peak season as I finished my visa application in 30 minutes. I guess being early is the key. And here’s a tip: if there’s a specific claiming date written on your pink slip, you’re most likely to get your visa granted. So, here’s mine:
Regular processing time is 4 working days. If you want it processed immediately, you can pay an additional Php1,700.00 for rush service (2WD processing) or pay an additional Php1,100 for express service (3WD processing). Here are the visa fees for Filipino passport holders, depending on number of entries:
- Single-entry Visa: Php. 1,400
- Double-entry Visa: Php. 2,100
- Multi-entry with 6 months validity: Php. 2,800
- Multi-entry with 12 months validity: Php. 4,200
You’ll pay for your visa fees when collecting passport. Make sure to be at the embassy early. As soon as you reach the embassy, again, waste no time in getting a number. Wait for your number to flash on the claiming section and fall in line to pay for your fees then transfer to the releasing window. It took me less than 10 minutes to claim my visa. Again, I was there a little past nine.
For updated information visit the Official Website of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, Philippines.
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