Visa to China

[moondragonshadow]

I am going to be spending 2 weeks in Pattaya and then go to China for 2 weeks.Can you get a visa in Patts or do you have to go to Bangkok to do it.I had got a visa from BKK to Vietnam from an agencie in Patts and ope to get one for China instead of going back to Bangkok just for that.

[johnhuk]

I am going to be spending 2 weeks in Pattaya and then go to China for 2 weeks.Can you get a visa in Patts or do you have to go to Bangkok to do it.I had got a visa from BKK to Vietnam from an agencie in Patts and ope to get one for China instead of going back to Bangkok just for that.

There might be some agency here in Patts who could do, not sure as went to BKK and did it myself.

The visa office opens at 9:00 till 11:30 but best to get there about 8 unless you want to sit waiting for a long time, I was there at 8:20 and was still number 29 in the queue. If it's a tourist visa your after you need a photocopy of your passport, immigration stamp into Thailand, employment letter from company you work for, two way ticket in & out of China, hotel reservation and if you have had a visa before then a photocopy of that too.

They also do not do same day anymore, next day pick up is the fastest !!!!!

[Crash]

China is very clear about applying for a visa only from your home country.  Despite this, an agency is often able to flout some of the rules but be prepared to pay.  The fees for Americans are the highest.

[applysmith]

If i were u I apply at my home country. They will make you jump to more hoop if you apply at BKK.

[metter2009]

I have used the following company. http://www.visarite.com/  They did a great job. I also would also suggest getting your china Visa while in the States.

[LASportsNut]

Yes, I agree with Crash and metter2009. You must get your Chinese Visa first and I recommend using a service like above.

 

This is the one I used and it was flawless:  My China Visa

[moondragonshadow]

Thanks for the info,I was going to do it from the states but I hadn't purchased a ticket as I wanted to just buy a ticket while there in Thailand.If it would be to complicated then I guess I'll go ahead and just get visa from here

[LASportsNut]

I highly recommend you do not buy a ticket to go to China.  You can go free.  How?  

 

• www.Skyscanner.com
• Chose a flight with an airlines that has a layover in China
  • China Southern (Guangzhou, China)
  • Air China (Beijing, China)
  • China Eastern (Shanghai, China)
• Go directly to the website offering the best deal (because skyscanner does not have this option).
• Book flight and include a third leg of trip

For example, when I booked my trips from LAX to BKK I noticed the planes made layovers in the above cities.  I decided to apply for my Chinese Visa and when it was approved I booked my flight from LAX to Guangzhou (visited for 5 days), then took the remaining portion of my flight at no increased cost.  Now, there could be a minor change in cost in flights due to days and times, but it would be less than $10-$50. 

[Live4Hedonism]

So are you saying the best way is to get a visa online from own country, I need to take of some business in China as well.

[LASportsNut]

Yes

[moondragonshadow]

Thanks LAsportsnut,thats great info and I will defiantly look into it

[kenlay]

Hong Kong is one of the easiest places to get a Chinese visa outside of your home country. There are many reports online of HK agencies hardly requiring any of the typical documentation (flight tickets, hotel bookings, complete itinerary, etc). It is a good option for someone who is leaving their home country but travelling other places before entering China.

 

If you have the option of applying at home though it is best to do that.

[moondragonshadow]

Hong Kong is one of the easiest places to get a Chinese visa outside of your home country. There are many reports online of HK agencies hardly requiring any of the typical documentation (flight tickets, hotel bookings, complete itinerary, etc). It is a good option for someone who is leaving their home country but travelling other places before entering China.

 

If you have the option of applying at home though it is best to do that.

Thanks for that and I will but if they see I will depart from Thailand,I'm sure it will be a different matter

[kash buc]

I went to China last year and got my visa by going straight to the Chinese Embassy in Los Angeles. It cost $140 and took 3 days to process. good for multiple visits in a one year period. All they required was the Air ticket reservations in and out. I had hotel reservations also, but they didn't need them. For hotel reservations you can always cancel them after you get your visa and stay and travel where you want.

Also of course, a passport, photos and the required forms filled out.  I don't know if there are any chinese embassy's close to you in Texas though. In which case you would half to use a visa service. 

 

I agree with the others here and would get my visa in the states, especially if you know for sure what your travel dates are. Why take a chance and have to waste valuable vacation time in Thailand getting a visa in Bangkok.

 

By the way I'm planning on going to Viet Nam this October. What was the process in Pattaya to get a visa there??. Just in case I don't get one in the USA before I leave for SEA.

[timbota]

Hong Kong is one of the easiest places to get a Chinese visa outside of your home country. There are many reports online of HK agencies hardly requiring any of the typical documentation (flight tickets, hotel bookings, complete itinerary, etc). It is a good option for someone who is leaving their home country but travelling other places before entering China.

 

If you have the option of applying at home though it is best to do that.

It has been a few months since I have gotten a China visa and unless things have changed, CTS (China Travel Service) has a booth right in the HK airport.  You can get a tourist (not sure about business) visa (six month multiple, 30 day max each entry) the same day.  They tell you to pick up the visa at 19:00, but I have went an hour or two early and they always had my passport/visa ready for me.  If you arrive on an early flight, you don't even need to spend a night in Hong Kong.  Same day is not cheap.  It was about 450 USD.

[moondragonshadow]

I went to China last year and got my visa by going straight to the Chinese Embassy in Los Angeles. It cost $140 and took 3 days to process. good for multiple visits in a one year period. All they required was the Air ticket reservations in and out. I had hotel reservations also, but they didn't need them. For hotel reservations you can always cancel them after you get your visa and stay and travel where you want.

Also of course, a passport, photos and the required forms filled out.  I don't know if there are any chinese embassy's close to you in Texas though. In which case you would half to use a visa service. 

 

I agree with the others here and would get my visa in the states, especially if you know for sure what your travel dates are. Why take a chance and have to waste valuable vacation time in Thailand getting a visa in Bangkok.

 

By the way I'm planning on going to Viet Nam this October. What was the process in Pattaya to get a visa there??. Just in case I don't get one in the USA before I leave for SEA.

When I went to Viet Nam,I went to the Vietnamese embassy and filled out the required form,its pretty simple,I didn't have hotel registration and told them I was going to Ho Chi Min.I paid the money and picked up my passport that afternoon. could have done it in Pattaya but would have had to wait three days

[Scumbag]

I know it is not of help to the OP but you can also get a 72 hour transit visa on arrival at the main transit cities in China.

[moondragonshadow]

has anyone tried to get a visa within the 72 hours while in China,I want to stay at least 2 weeks

[Scumbag]

has anyone tried to get a visa within the 72 hours while in China,I want to stay at least 2 weeks

I don't think that is possible. It is a transit visa and you must show an onward ticket.

[moondragonshadow]

I see,I had heard of the 72 hour visa but was just curious

[sammyc]

it  was in hong kong last year and inquired about visa into mainland china, the agency said it will take 2 days and no problem.

but would suggest get from you home country.

a few years ago in UK it cost me £50. same day but now its £100+.