Here’s the thing about visas. Some countries require you to get them ahead of time. Some you can get upon entry into the country. Some are 30 days, some 90, and other 10 years. There are even those that have different lengths depending on whether you arrived by air or land. And then there are some countries that don’t require a visa at all.

Regardless they’re a pain in the butt. Necessary I suppose. But a nuisance.

I had done quite a bit of research on the Chinese visa ahead of time and knew it was a bit of a headache. Unless you live near a consulate you have to go through a visa agency as they do not accept emailed or mailed applications (time to get with the 21st century China).

I ended up getting my visa through Allied Passport & Visa which I HIGHLY recommend. They provide you with an example application for you to follow (the Chinese government is a stickler when it comes to the application) and when I called them with questions the gentleman I spoke to was pleasant and beyond helpful. He even asked me some of his own questions just to double check that I had everything ready to go. On top of that they go over your application with a fine-tooth comb to make sure everything is in order before they send it off.

All in all it took about two weeks from the time I sent my passport and application to Allied and when it was returned to me. The visa I received (which apparently all US citizens receive regardless of what visa length you choose) was the one year multiple entry visa. This means I can come and go as I please for the next year. Sweet!

Here’s the lo-down on what you need for a Chinese Visa:

Passport

The Chinese consulate will attach the visa directly into your passport so you have to send it in with your application. The passport must be valid for 6 months past your intended stay in China and with at least one blank visa page available.

Application Form

Thankfully Allied Passport & Visa has an example for you to follow because it would have been a nightmare otherwise.

Photo

One 2×2 passport photo affixed to the application form. Smile!

Proof you’re leaving

Like most countries, the Chinese government likes to know you plan on coming for a nice little visit then peacing the hell out - no bumming allowed. Fair enough. But in order to obtain the visa you have to prove that you have paid for a ticket out of the country. And for the normal traveler this might be no problem at all! But for someone who has no idea how long she’ll be in the country let alone the exact date and time? Pain in the ass. I ended up buying a $55 ticket from Shanghai, China to Hong Kong for the beginning of October since the government considers going to Hong Kong as leaving China. Then I’ll just not show up and eat the cost of the ticket. Or maybe I’ll take an impromptu trip to Hong Kong! Who knows.

Proof you’re sleeping

Ok now I understand the proof of exit thing…I really do. But China requires that you have hotel or hostel confirmations FOR YOUR ENTIRE STAY. Remember me saying I have no idea how long I’ll be in the country? Yeah that also includes no idea where I’m traveling to (save for a rough idea) and definitely no idea where I’m staying. Most of the time I plan on just rolling up to the town and seeing what’s available for the night. Solution? Buy a cheap plane ticket for the beginning of October so I only have to fake plan my hostels for about 2.5 weeks. After booking my accommodation in Beijing which I’ll actually use, I just booked some random hostels on a site that doesn’t charge cancellation fees, then once I get to China I’ll simply cancel all the bookings and use the deposits for real future bookings.

Cost

A Chinese visa will run you $140 if you are a United States citizen. The US charges Chinese citizens approximately that much money in order for them to obtain a visa, so the Chinese government obviously reciprocates with the same high cost. Like I said earlier unless you live close to the Chines consulate that governs your region you have to go through an agency to get your visa. These companies charge a service fee as well as a shipping fee.

The grand total for my visa was $210.

So as you can see, obtaining a Chinese visa is not exactly a cheap walk in the park.

But it will all be worth it the day I step off the plane in Beijing…3 weeks from today.

Have you ever had to deal with crazy visa regulations?