1. Tourist Visa to Beijing, China
China received more than 26 million foreign visitors in 2007, according to the China National Tourism Administration. Beijing's ancient attractions such as the Forbidden City
and the Summer Palace, modern sites such as the National Stadium and Aquatics Center, and its proximity to the Great Wall make it a popular tourist destination. Most
foreigners require a visa for entry to China.
Visa Overview
A visa is a permit issued by a government that allows entry of foreign residents. There are several types of visas to China, depending on the purpose of your visit, including
business, journalist, student, transit and tourist visas.
Who Needs a Visa
With the exception of residents of Singapore, Brunei and Japan, China requires visas for all nationalities. Residents of the above-listed countries can enter China visa-free for a
period of up to 15 days for business, tourism, visiting family or friends, or transit. If your parents are Chinese citizens and are not holding a United States Green Card, you might
be exempt from getting a Chinese visa. Tourists in transit also can pass through China, staying one or two nights visa-free with certain restrictions.
Where to Apply
Visitors must apply for a visa to a representative of the Chinese government, including embassies, consulates and other authorized offices, in the country of their residence. In
the United States, this includes the embassy in Washington, D.C., (china-embassy.org/eng) as well as consulates in New York (nyconsulate.prchina.org/eng), San Francisco
(chinaconsulatesf.org/eng), Los Angeles (losangeles.china-consulate.org/eng), Chicago (chinaconsulatechicago.org/eng) and Houston (houston.china-consulate.org/eng).
United States citizens must apply to the office that holds jurisdiction over their state; a map is available on the embassy page. (china-embassy.org/eng/zmzlglj/t84229) You must
apply in person at the office or hire a visa agent to deliver it for you. Applications are not accepted by mail.
What You Need
To apply for a tourist visa, you need to fill out, sign and return a Visa Application Form. Along with the form, you need to send a passport with at least one blank page that is
valid for at least six months beyond the trip dates, a copy of the passport's information page and a recent 2-by-2-inch color photo. If your former nationality is Chinese, you need
to provide your Chinese name and original Chinese passport as well.
Processing Time and Visa Validity
Most tourist visas are processed in four working days. Express service is available in two to three working days and rush service in the same day is available for an added fee.
Tourist visas are generally valid for six or 12 months. Foreigners who were born in China or spouses and children of Chinese citizens are eligible for visas that are valid for 24
months.
Visa Fees
As of April 2011, a tourist visa, whether single or multiple entry, costs $140 for United States citizens. You can pay for your visa by credit card, money order, cashier's check or
company check. Cash and personal checks are not accepted.