Travel: Getting Chinese VISA Application for Filipinos

Hello! I’ve been inactive in Steemit recently because I’ve been busy preparing for my trip to China. You see, I’ve been fascinated with Chinese culture since I was a kid. I remember watching Chinese dramas on Sunday after church or with that Chinese auntie’s cooking show even if I didn’t understand a thing. Of course, there’s Mulan and Jet Li films. I am also History buff a huge part of my history curriculum in Asian and World History was the story of the Chinese. I wanted to see the Great Wall of China. Of course, it has been on my bucketlist ever since.
But as years passed, China trip had to take a set back for my trip to other countries. Of course, there’s an issue with pollution and overcrowded Great Wall of China that left me dismayed. It wasn’t until President Duterte became BFF with the Chinese government did I consider really visiting China.
Last year, I was frustrated because I wanted to experience spring - the canola field bloom and the cherry blossom. I could only achieve that if I visit Jeju Island for the canola field in South Korea and Japan - both countries would bring my pocket into comatose. And it made me more frustrated when it was almost summer when I visited Korea last year. No more cherry blossoms for me.
Until I came across this photo of sea of canola flowers with dark krast in contrast with the yellow field. It took my breath away. And where’s this place? In Yunnan, China. And they have cherry blossom, too. Hitting two birds with one stone and some told me that China is not that expensive compare to Japan and South Korea.
So, I booked my flight to Guangzhou right away, thanks to Cebu Pacific Piso Fare Muah! I’ve been preparing my itinerary, booking hotels left and right and even shopping for clothes to bring for months now. But I’m dreading two things - my travel allowance and my Chinese VISA. Yes, despite getting out of the country every year, I am still a worry wart. I am bringing my aunt with me so I have another person to take care of and worry.
So, how to get Chinese VISA for Filipinos?

A.Submit all the requirements:

1. Passport – Original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page and emergency contact page. The previous old passport, if available, is required to be submitted; if the old passport is lost, or the applicant never holds a passport before, please make a clear statement in the item 3.7 of the Visa Application Form.

2. Visa Application Form – Please submit truthfully completed and signed Visa Application Form of the People's Republic of China. Please type the answer in capital English letters in the space provided. Do not leave any field blank. Type N/A if the item does not apply. Application form of minors must be signed by their parents or legal guardians.

3. Photo – Please provide 2 color photos and affix one of the photos on the Application Form. The photo should be recent(within 6 months), front view, white background, in 48mm x 33mm size without head covering. (Specific photo requirements, please click here. )  Stapled/taped/clipped/detached photos will not be accepted.

*Remarks of the Invitation Letter
The above mentioned invitation letter must contain the following information:

1. Information on the applicant : full name, gender, date of birth, etc.
2. Information on the planned visit: purpose of visit, arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, relations between the applicant and the inviting entity or individual, financial source for expenditures, etc.
3. Information on the inviting entity or individual: name, contact telephone number, address, official stamp, signature of the legal representative or the inviting individual.
   The invitation letter may be in the form of fax, photocopy or computer printout, but the consular officer may require the applicant to submit the original of the invitation letter.
   The proofs of kinship refers to marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship issued by Chinese Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship.
   Additional requirements
4. First Time Chinese Visa Applicant – Please provide the following additional documents:
   A) Bank Certificate of Deposit Balance(including the past 6 months bank statement) and the receipt for payment of this certificate;
   B) BIR-stamped Income Tax Return Form;
   C) Certificate of Employment(detailing the salary and the length of employment );
   D) Business Registration Certificate(if you are the owner);
   E) Professional ID/Student ID (if applicable);
   F) Other relevant documents proving the applicant's economic condition/ employment/study, or supporting the applicant's travel to China, or explaining the travel purpose (if applicable);
   2)Previous Chinese Visa – If you had obtained a Chinese visa before, you should submit a photocopy of the visa, and if the visa is on your old passport, you should also submit the old passport.
5. Non-Filipino Nationals – Please submit proof of residence permit, employment or study in the Philippines. Temporary visitors to the Philippines should apply for Chinese visas from the Chinese Embassy/Consulate in the countries in which they live, unless the applicant can provide proof of employment/study or other occupational status and the visa officer will make the final decision on a case-by-case basis. You must also submit a photocopy of the Philippine visa/immigration entry stamp on your passport.
6. Certificate of Name Change – If the name in the new passport is different from that in the original one, the official document (birth certificate/marriage contract) issued by authorities for name change must be submitted.
7. Original Chinese Passport – First-time applicant whose former nationality was Chinese, or who was born in China (including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan), need to submit the original Chinese passport and a photocopy of the passport's information/photo page, and extension page (if applicable). You do not need to submit income tax return form and bank statement.
8. Visit Tibet – You may join a tourist group organized by Authorized Travel Agency. If you plan to visit Tibet individually, you may contact the Tourism Administration of the Tibet Autonomous Region (Tel: 0086-891-6834313; Fax: 0086-891-6834632) in advance and provide a Visa Notification issued by it.
9. Applicants applying for special tour to China (hiking, cycling, horse-riding, hot air balloon, or other expeditions) should provide an original of Invitation Letter for Tourist issued by Authorized Travel Agency.
   Authorized Travel Agency refers to:
   a) Tourism administration bureau of Chinese province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government.
   b) CITS Group Corporation, CITS Head Office, CTS Head Office, CYTS, etc.
10. Seafarers from the Philippine shipping companies to join vessels in ports in China and stay in China for less than 10 days, should submit Letter of Guarantee from employers, and the original and copy of Seafarer's Registration Certificate, and should apply for "G" visa. Those who would stay in China for more than 10 days should also submit invitation letters from China, and should apply for "M" visa.
11. American passport holders may apply 10 years multiple entries L/M/Q2/S2 Visa, or 5 years multiple entries X1 Visa, only if his/her passport is valid over 1 year from the date of application.

How to Apply

1. An applicant may submit his or her visa application in person or entrust someone (immediate family member/household staff/co-worker) or a travel agency to submit on his or her behalf.
2. No appointment is required.
3. Mail applications will not be accepted.
4. If necessary, the consular officer may require the applicant to provide other proof documents or supplementary materials, or require an interview with the applicant.

Visa Fee (Unit: Peso) and Processing Time
Number of Entries Single/Double/6 months multiple/ Over 6 months Multiple
Philippine Passport 1400 2100 2800 4200
U.S.A Passport 6500 6500 6500 6500
Canadian Passport 3500 3500 3500 3500
Isreali Passport 1300 1300 1300 1300
Argentina Passport 7300 7300 7300 7300
Brazil Passport 7000 7000 7000 7000
Other Passports 1700 2550 3400 5100

1. Regular processing time is 4 working days.(for example, apply on Monday and pick up on Thursday.)
2. Express service (third working day release): an additional fee of 1100 pesos per visa will be charged.
3. Rush service (second working day release): an additional fee of 1700 pesos per visa will be charged.
4. Express and Rush service is not available to the First time Chinese visa applicant/ X1 and Z visa applicant, please apply in advance.
5. Pay visa fees when collecting passport.
6. Only cash payment is accepted.

Other Important Information

1. The application materials must be authentic and complete. Forged and incomplete applications will be denied.
2. The consular officer will decide on whether or not to issue the visa and on its validity, duration of stay and number of entries in light of specific conditions of the applicant.
3. According to the relevant Chinese law and regulation, the consular officer is not required to give reasons for refusing the issuance of a visa.
4. Please check the visa after obtaining it. Should there be any discrepancy, contact the Visa Office immediately.

B.Submit the form to the Embassy. Go to the Chinese Embassy.

C. Get a number at Manang as soon as you enter the door. She will check your forms to make sure that you followed the requirement. Wait for your number to be called by the consul. They post the numbers at Window 4 and 5 so you must check it to know if it’s your turn.
Applicants were also supportive if you have problems or questions. Filipino bayanihan lives on.
D. The consul asked me to take my photos again. Then my aunt’s application had to be adjusted. She must indicate if she already had passports before or if it was her first time. I told her to send me the photos of her old passports.
I also had to write a guarantee letter to assure them that I won’t write anything about my work. I will just visit China purely as a tourist. Well, my trip was not sanctioned by the company ever since so no problem with that.

Go to this pink building if you need to have some requirement printed, photocopied, pictures taken, etc.,

3.Go back to the Embassy. First, get a number at Manang again. She’ll give a stub with your number. Wait til they flash your number, go to Window 7 and pay the VISA fee. Then they will ask you to sit until it would be your turn to get your passport at Window 6.

Okay. Don’t open your passport yet, take a deep breath and take a peak. Both of our VISAS where approved!!! Yosh!
I want to thank my friend Joanne Rona for giving me support on this, to our company admin for the my COE, the accounting and my boss for making allowances and adjustments for this trip. Muah!

Here now and having a blast!

I will post the details of my trip to China soon. Some info I got from the Chinese Embassy website. Links will be uploaded soon.