4. Do I need to send my physical passport?
A. Yes. it is required to send your actual passport. The Embassy/Consulate needs your passport in order to affix or stamp your visa onto it.

You should have a full blank visa page in your passport since China visas are affixed in your passport on the pages specifically marked for them, and countries require that visa stamps be placed on those pages that do not contain any other stamps.

5. What is the requirement of the photo?
A. The Consulate and passport agency require passport type photo i.e. full face frontal, 2 x 2 inch, with white or off-white backgroud.You can obtain this type of photo anywhere that advertises 'passport photo' service. If you print your own photo, it must be high resolution and needs to be printed on special photo paper.

6. How should I send my passport and other documents?
A. We highly recommend that you use a traceable courier service to send your passport and valuable documents such as FedEx, UPS, Airborne, DHL or United States Postal Service express mail, registered or certified mail. Regular mail is not recommended.

7. If my application is rejected by embassy or consulate, is the consular fee refundable?
A. No. Embassy or Consulates do not refund consular fees under any circumstance.

8. When to apply for visa?
A. The best time to apply for your visa is between 30 - 90 days before your departure. Chinese visa is valid immediately once issued, expires in 3 months, 6 months, 12 months respectively, depending on the visa granted.

9. Does the processing time include shipping time?
A. No. Shipping or return delivery time should be added to the processing time when determining the total amount of time needed to fulfill your order. Shipping times do not include Saturdays or Sundays unless specified. Deliveries may not be available on some holidays.

10. Are the Chinese Embassy or Consulates open on the weekends and Holidays?
A. No. The Embassy and Consulates are closed on the weekends and US national holidays. The Embassy and Consulates will also close to observe Chinese national holidays.
Holidays in 2008
January 1, 2008 (Tuesday)
January 21, 2008 (Monday)
February 6-8, 2008 (Wednesday-Friday)
May 1-2, 2008 (Thursday-Friday)
May 26, 2008 (Monday)
July 4, 2008 (Friday)
September 1, 2008 (Monday)
October 1-3, 2008 (Wednesday-Friday)
November 27-28, 2008 (Thursday-Friday)
December 25-26, 2008 (Thursday-Friday)

11. What type of visa do I need?
A. Visas are issued with specific type relevant to the purpose of visit. The most popular types include tourist, business, student, work, crew. You may also select number of entries such as single entry, double entry or multiple entry (\"entry\" means number of trips), if you apply for tourist or business visa. While number of entries is pretty much regulated, if you apply for student, work or crew visa.

12. What is the difference between a tourist visa and a business visa?
A. Visas are issued to permit entry into a country for a specific purpose: to allow travel for leisure, or to conduct business activities. In general, 'tourist' visas are issued specifically for the purpose of travel for pleasure, while a 'business' visa generally permits a traveler to engage in normal business-related activities. You need a supporting letter to apply for business visa. However, there is no distinctive line between tourist visa and business visa. In another word, tourist visa will not prevent you from conducting business in China.

13. How long can I stay in China for each entry? Can I extend my stay in China while I am there?
A. With regular tourist or business visa, you can now normally stay 30 -90 days for each entry. If you need to stay longer while you are in China, please contact with the visa office of the local Public Security Bureau to file for an extension. Do not overstay.

14. I will travel between Hong Kong and the mainland multiple times. Do I need a multiple entry visa?
A. Yes, you do need a multiple entry visa for that purpose. Each time you enter China from Hong Kong and Macao, you need one entry.

15. I applied for single entry visa. Now I changed travel plan and I need to enter China twice, is it possible to change the visa to double entry and just pay the extra amount?
A. Unfortunately, visa once issued can not be changed. You will have to apply for a new visa. You need to go through the whole visa application process and pay the fee for the new visa again.

16. I'm going to China on May 1, 2008, and my visa expires on '10MAY2008'. Can I still stay for 30 days?
A. Yes, you can. As long as you enter China on or before the expiration date, you can stay for 30 or more days as specified on your visa. The duration of stay starts from the day you enter China.

17. I will be needing to enter China multiple times, is it possible to get a Z Visa that can allow me to do this?
A. Z visa will only be issued as Single Entry. You need to convert to Residence Permit within 30 days after your arrival into China. You may request for multiple entry Residence Permit at that time.

18. I recently received my Work Visa Z Visa for China. However, I noticed that the 'duration of stay' listed on the visa is 000 days. Is this correct?
A. That is correct, not a typo. Duration of Stay listed as 000 means to be determined. It is required by law that you register with local public security bureau with 30 days of arrival. Your work visa will be converted to Residence Permit. Duration of stay will be specified by then. Residence Permit normally allows you exit and enter China multiple times within it's validity.

19. I recently received my Student X Visa for China. However, I noticed that the 'duration of stay' listed on the visa is 000 days. I assume that this means my length of stay is indefinite, but I wanted to make sure. Is this correct?
A. Your are right. Duration of Stay listed as 000 means to be determined. It is required by law that you register with local public security bureau with 30 days of arrival. Your student visa will be converted to Residence Permit. Duration of stay will be specified by then. Residence Permit normally allows you exit and enter China multiple times within it's validity.