Have you made plans to visit China? But you are not aware of the visa policies and requirements?
This article is aimed at helping out those individuals living in Houston, Texas, with plans to travel to China. You will know more about the visa types, the requirement checklist and how you can easily get the visa!
The Different China Visa Types for Houston Residents
Tourist Visa
This Chinese visa is for multiple entries and is valid for a good duration of 10 years.
If you are planning to visit China only as a tourist, this is your visa!
Student Visa
The China student visa is a visa for those who want to be enrolled in any study program or pursue education in China. You must have the enrollment letter to attain this visa.
Student visas are usually valid for a year.
Business Visa
The China business visa is a single entry visa valid for 90 days.
This visa allows one to engage in all business activities as long as they don't involve employment in China. For this visa, you must provide a business invitation letter. The business invitation letter is from the company who has invited you. It should have the company letterhead and be addressed to the People's Republic of China Consulate. The letter should contain the applicant's information, the inviting party's contact and details. Moreover, you must submit a business support letter if you work for any NGO.
Work Visa
For employment purposes, you must have a work visa. And to get a work visa, you should provide a work permit.
This visa is a single entry visa valid for 90 days.
Crew Visa
Crew visa is for crew members who will be travelling cross-border.
The visa is valid for five years and allows entry multiple times.
Talent Visa
A talent visa is for those with specific skills to offer to China. This is also a multiple entry visa and is valid for ten years.
Group E-Visa
Group E-Visa is valid for travelers in a group of 2 or more.
Journalist Visa
This visa is provided to those foreign journalists whose new stations are in China. It is a single entry visa valid for 30 days.
Private Visa
Private visas are acquired when you have been invited by someone in China, such as your friends or family.
You must give the host's details and the personal invitation letter.
Non-Business Visit Visa
Non-business visit visa is when you go to China for activities for an NGO or any non-profit organization.
For this visa, you must provide a business support letter stating the NGO/non-profit company you work for.
Processing Time
The processing time is normally between 3 and 4 weeks; hence, you should schedule your trip accordingly!
Which Documents are Needed for the China Travel Visa?
The visa requirements can differ depending on the type of visa you have applied for. However, some standard documents remain the same throughout the spectrum of visas.
You must submit your completed visa application form. In addition to that, you have to submit your valid passport. The passport should have a validity of at least six months from departure.
You are also required to provide your previous visas if you have any. If you have lost your previous visas, you must write a letter to the Chinese consulate stating that you have lost the visas.
You must also provide your travel itinerary. For this purpose, you can provide your round-trip tickets proof and hotel accommodations.
Without the right documents, your application will not be processed, and you will not be allowed to enter China.
Other documents include providing letters about your visa type. Sometimes, you may be asked to provide your travel history, proof of residence, etc.
How to Acquire a China Visa?
You can either physically apply for the China visa by going to the Chinese embassy or the Chinese consulate, or you could make things easier for yourself and save time and apply online.
You can apply online through services such as VisaHQ. When you visit the website of VisaHQ, on the landing page, you can enter the destination country as China and your home location as Texas if you live in Houston. Once you have done so, the site will show you the details of the visa types you can apply to. The requirements for each document will also be stated so you can check whether you are eligible for a certain visa.
Once you have chosen which visa you must apply for, you must fill out the application form online, collect all the supporting documents needed for that particular visa and mail them. You must also pay the visa fees through an online payment.
Your procedure will then be complete, and you can wait for the visa to be processed!
The China visa services offered by VisaHQ are helpful, and the team will assist if you get stuck at some step.