China Tourist Visa

[roxer 3]

My wife (Chinese National) is here waiting for her green card and travel permit - should be any day now. I usually travel with a business visa, but my company has decided to put renewal on hold until my next scheduled trip. I feel nervous not having a way to travel with her in case of a family emergency, so I want to apply for a year long/multi-entry tourist visa.

Does the fact that my wife is a Chinese National help me in this case? I thought I read some time ago to submit a copy of our marriage license and pages of her passport when applying for a Chinese Visa. Does that help at all? If I can get one for a year or longer, that would be great.

Thanks - Roxer

[Darnell 8,478]

ya - if you show the marriage book / marriage certificate - can get a 2 year multi-entry visa into China.

But - they upped the ante a bit - must show an invitation letter from someone in China - suggest a letter from a relative.

Edited June 17, 2014 by Darnell

[SBB 74]

When I applied for a 2-year tourist visa to China, they wanted a copy of my father-in-law's national ID card and the info page of my wife's passport in addition to the invitation letter.

[Pitaya 2,577]

~Moved from US Tourist Visas to China Regional Forum~

~Inquiry about PRC visas~

(organizer hat off)

The requirements seem to be a bit of a moving target..... copy of marriage license, copy of spouse's PRC passport, invitation letter from PRC relative, and now copy of father-in-law's national ID card. That last requirement would be a tough one for me, my father-in-law has been deceased for over 20 years.... Suggest that you check with the specific PRC consulate serving your area for succinct requirements.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

[RandyW 149]

~Moved from US Tourist Visas to China Regional Forum~

~Inquiry about PRC visas~

(organizer hat off)

The requirements seem to be a bit of a moving target..... copy of marriage license, copy of spouse's PRC passport, invitation letter from PRC relative, and now copy of father-in-law's national ID card. That last requirement would be a tough one for me, my father-in-law has been deceased for over 20 years.... Suggest that you check with the specific PRC consulate serving your area for succinct requirements.

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Exactly - some of these "requirements" are imposed by the visa services, and not by the consulate. If you can't (or have difficulty) provide what a visa service asks for, try a different one, or go to the consulate directly.

[roxer 3]

I will just put "all" of it together and hand it in. Better to have more then they need than not enough. Thanks for the replies. Just curious, but I cannot have a business and tourist visa at the same time, or can I? I still have to work there at times.

[SBB 74]

Well, the reason they wanted my father-in-law's ID card was because he was the one whose name was on the invitation letter. They want the ID of the person inviting you.

[Simeon 25]

Does the fact that my wife is a Chinese National help me in this case? I thought I read some time ago to submit a copy of our marriage license and pages of her passport when applying for a Chinese Visa. Does that help at all? If I can get one for a year or longer, that would be great.

Your Chinese wife definitely helps your case. You can apply for a family visa that gives you 60 days per entry and 2 years validity. They do need a copy of your wife's shen fen zheng, plus the usual paperwork. I'm not sure about the invitation letter, but if it's required, then it should include information about your visit (ie. purpose, inteded arrival, places you'll go, times you'll be at those places, relationships, financial means).

[unsmiley 111]

Sheesh, I did not even know I could get a Chinese visa as long as 2 years. I was stupidly getting 6 month, then one year visas during my wait the last three years. So it is called a "family" visa, not a tourist visa?

And the invitation letter - can it be from my wife in China or does it have to be somebody else? It seems silly to request a letter from one's spouse.

Edited June 19, 2014 by unsmiley

[Simeon 25]

 

Sheesh, I did not even know I could get a Chinese visa as long as 2 years. I was stupidly getting 6 month, then one year visas during my wait the last three years. So it is called a "family" visa, not a tourist visa?

And the invitation letter - can it be from my wife in China or does it have to be somebody else? It seems silly to request a letter from one's spouse.

 

It's a 1 year that is extended another year. Family Visit Visa, I think is the official name. I believe it's still a category L visa, and in some cases, they call it a residence permit, depending on your duration of stay. I have yet to apply for it myself (was going to, but the company got me a business visa).

[Pitaya 2,577]

Here is the visa info guide from the Chinese consulate in San Francisco:

http://www.chinaconsulatesf.org/eng/lszj/zgqz/

I believe that "L" category visas are tourist visas. That is the type of visa that I was given when visiting my then-fiancee. I am leaning toward the "Q1" category visas for spouses of Chinese citizens. YMMV.

[Daveykins 17]

The last time I applied for a visitor visa last year, all I had to show was a hotel reservation email confirmation. I then promptly cancelled that reservation and booked a hotel my wife wanted to book instead, lol.

[SBB 74]

If your wife is in China, then she can write the invitation letter. The relevant visa category is Q2 (Q1 would be for if you were planning to move permanently to China). The important thing about the invitation letter is that is has to be from someone who both: A) Is a relative and B) Lives in China. You will also need a photocopy of the ID of the person who wrote the letter to get the 2-year Q2 visa.

[Pitaya 2,577]

There are some ands and ors cause me to ponder about the recently released visa regulations. I suggest that a lot may depend on the mood of the US-based Chinese consular official that ends up processing your visa application. I personally experienced a lot of latitude given to me from the Houston vs. the San Francisco consulate. Damn, it reminds me of my experiences in the PRC.......YMMV.

[roxer 3]

I will be getting this from my Father-in-Law. We have filled out the invite letter particulars with his needed information left for him to fill out. I will try for a multi-entry 2 year Q1. Hopefully I get that. I did find out if I have two or more years consecutive business visas I can qualify for a 2 year. I like the Q1 option better though as I don't have to rely on my company.