What to see / 01.02.2022

China travel tips. Independent travel to China Rules for conducting pre-flight and post-flight inspections

China is a very ancient state in East Asia with a huge population and an equally vast territory covering 7 climatic zones. There are deserts, waterfalls, mountains, lakes, forests and even tropical islands in the south. At the same time, in one corner of China it can be -40°C, and in another +40°C. Stock up on an umbrella, as it often rains here, take comfortable walking shoes and warm clothes if you go deep into the continent, especially into the mountains. The main advice when traveling to China: choose clothes that will be "neither hot nor cold", that is, it is convenient to move around the country.

Food and water

No less important tips for China are the choice of water and food in safe places for a European. The quality of water and Chinese food should be taken very seriously. The cuisine is quite exotic, but sanitary conditions are not always up to par. It is better to choose a dinner in a cozy Chinese restaurant - on the recommendation of your guide or hotel employees. You need to be no less careful with water, tourists are advised to drink only purchased bottled water, as well as from special thermoses installed in hotel rooms.

Health

In advance, you need to think about what medicines to take to China. If these are drugs that are not prohibited by law (narcotic and psychotropic drugs), then there are no special restrictions. You need to prepare the minimum necessary set of medicines for personal needs, including stomach, headache, heart, etc.

General tips for China: get to know this country from the inside, respect local customs and people's political sympathies, be polite and smile. You are a guest! And guests in China are always welcome!

How much money to take to China - we calculate the required minimum

How much money to take to China and what currency to take to China - these questions arise for those who go there for the first time. Let's start in order. How much money you need to take to China so that it is enough for the most average tourist requests, without any frills. If you are traveling from an operator or travel agency, then accommodation and meals are already included in the price of the ticket. The most minimal and not entirely obligatory expenses remain: a taxi (from 3 to 10 yuan at a time), street food you like, pastries and sweets (10-20), beer (4-6) and wine (20), seafood delicacies ( up to 60), excursions and souvenirs for friends. All this can be spent from 50 to 100 yuan per day or more. Based on this, you should decide how much money to take to China. If you are not strongly constrained in funds, take it with a margin - at the rate of up to $ 100 for one day of stay, in the case when accommodation and flights have already been paid.

In order not to worry once again about the search for exchange offices in China, immediately decide what money to take to China. China advice on this converges on one opinion: it is better to convert the entire amount that you will need into Chinese currency or US dollars. Ideal option: 60% in yuan, 40% in dollars. You definitely won’t change rubles here, and you won’t be able to buy dollars for rubles. In China, currency can be changed at state-owned banks and exchange offices, and we advise you to keep the exchange checks until the end of the trip. You can carry up to 3 thousand dollars with you without certificates and documents, and up to 10 thousand dollars - with entering in the declaration.

What you need to know about China - Primary Truths

Communication

The main thing to know about China is that it is strikingly different from Russia in literally everything. Everything here lives according to its own laws, which are not always clear to people of other nationalities, especially Europeans. When communicating, remember that the Chinese know English poorly, and Russian is out of the question (with the exception of international exhibitions, trade and purely tourist facilities and sites). You should prepare well before the trip, study materials about local customs and culture, print, if necessary, maps and routes for independent trips, learn the basic phrases of greetings and addresses, change the necessary amount of money at home.

shopping home

Decide in advance what souvenirs to bring from China. It can be like porcelain, swords, fans, silk blankets, decorative boxes and exquisite sweets, or ... anything - today's China, without exaggeration, is the world's greatest "handicraft store". Feel free to bargain, the Chinese themselves do it with pleasure and expect the same from you. Sometimes the initial price for a tea set, equal to 300 yuan, eventually drops to 20 ...

What to take to China from home

On the road, be sure to take sunscreen and glasses, a first aid kit with a minimum set of medicines and hygiene items; loose clothing and comfortable shoes. The Russian-Chinese phrase book will not interfere at all, with its help you can communicate with the local population, showing the necessary hieroglyphs.

Information for tourists

It’s hard to believe now, but such modern household items as familiar to us as paper, a compass and a printing press were invented not just anywhere, but in China, and even in time immemorial. By the way, they say that the wheel and the calendar also appeared somewhere nearby, but these two facts are regularly disputed by many scientists. Be that as it may, China is rightfully considered the cradle of civilization, culture and science. It is also a very attractive country for tourists from all over the world.

In terms of territory, the People's Republic of China is in third place in the world, second only to Russia and Canada. In the north, China extends to Mongolia, in the west to the Himalayan and Tibetan mountains, from the east the country is washed by two Chinese seas. Politically, China consists of 22 regions, 5 autonomous regions, Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions, and the island of Taiwan, which is claimed by all neighboring states, including China itself.

The capital of the state - Beijing - is the administrative and cultural center of the region, while Shanghai and Chongqing, which are superior in number and population density, share the main economic spheres of the state. Both the local population and visiting tourists prefer to indulge in relaxation on the island of Hainan, which is called “Eastern Hawaii” behind the eyes, and where the best resorts in China are located: Dadonghai (Great East Sea), Yalunvan (Dragon of Asia) and Sanyavan. But a trip to China should not be limited to visiting only beach recreation areas; this ancient country deserves closer attention.

How to organize an independent trip to China in 2020! Visa, tickets, hotels, food, transportation, security. How much does it cost to travel to China? Cost calculation, tips and observations.

The material was prepared on the basis of the author's personal experience of independent travel to China: three months of living in Shenzhen, as well as trips to Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

China is huge and very diverse, so it is impossible to clearly say where what prices and conditions are. I will start from Shenzhen - the center of all electronics, a young and rapidly growing city in the very south of China, which borders on Hong Kong. I will tell you what is useful for a tourist when planning an independent trip to China in 2020, as well as my own observations about the country and travel tips.

How to apply for a visa to China

A visa to China is required for Russians, except in rare cases. A regular one-time ticket costs 1,500 rubles, a double-entry ticket costs 3,000 rubles, and a multiple-entry ticket costs 4,500 rubles. Plus, there is a bank commission of 2.5% per person.

Urgent single entry - 2400, urgent double entry - 3900, urgent multiple entry - 5400. There is also an express examination, it costs more.

It is better to stay in chain hotels, as they care about their reputation. A day in such a hotel costs from $30-40 for a double room. Chain hotels in Shenzhen: Greentree Inn , Sheraton, Novotel, etc.

Advice:

Look for a hotel with good soundproofing - the Chinese are noisy.
Photos of hotels do not always correspond to reality.
Sometimes a room can be clean and comfortable, but have extraneous odors, such as dampness. Or windows overlooking the courtyard, where there is a dump or a Chinese street cafe (which produces smells no better).

Rent. If you want personal comfortable housing, look for a room, apartment or house on Airbnb. The choice of housing is huge. Renting an apartment in Beijing costs about $30-50 per day, in Shenzhen - from $27. You can rent an apartment for a month on Airbnb for $600-1500 (rooms - $500-900). The price depends on the city, area and condition of the house. For example, in Shenzhen, near the beach in the resort area, an excellent apartment was rented for $600. There are discounts for long term rentals.

Entrance to Shenzhen Novotel Watergate (Photo: booking.com / Shenzhen Novotel Watergate)

Food and Cuisine of China

Another difficulty you will face when traveling to China on your own in 2020 is food. It is very specific here, so there are problems with going to a cafe, especially if you do not know the language. But here McDonald's and KFC come to the rescue. There are also many well-known European chains where you can order food from pictures. However, their prices are much higher - for example, a side dish with meat costs from $ 6. Sometimes tea is included in the price. At McDonald's, a Big Mac (potato, cola, double cheeseburger) will cost about $ 5.

In general, in a cafe you can eat for $5 or more, in restaurants a simple dish costs from $10.

Where you can eat inexpensively and tasty in China:

Cafe for locals. You can have a hearty meal in them for $ 1.5, but no one guarantees the quality of the products and compliance with sanitary standards. Minus - it is difficult to order dishes, as often there are no pictures or there are few of them, and if there are, it is not clear what it is.
"Muslim" are local cafes run by Chinese Muslims. The food there is prepared in compliance with all norms and is really very tasty. I love their noodles and would recommend trying them. They cook it in front of you, and this process is interesting to watch. Cost from $ 1.5 for a huge portion.
Supermarket. A kilogram of bananas costs $1-2, apples $2-3, tangerines $1-2. I do not recommend buying sausages. This is not at all what we expect: Chinese sausages are made from soy with tons of spices and additives. They taste sweet and have a specific smell, but for the sake of curiosity, you can try it once.

(Photo: [email protected]/ flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

Internet and Cellular in China

All sim-cards are sold only with a passport in specialized places. The cost of mobile communication is quite high - from $ 20 per month, plus the same amount is charged for buying a card and choosing a tariff plan. To purchase a normal tariff and understand everything, you need to know Chinese. If you need internet in China, it's easier to use Wi-Fi while traveling - in big cities you can find it everywhere.

There is another nuisance that many people face - this is the blocking of all Google, YouTube, Instagram services. To access them, you need to install a special VPN program for yourself.

China Mobile is the world's largest mobile operator (Photo: Open Grid Scheduler Grid Engine / flickr.com)

Transport in China

With transport in China, everything is fine. The infrastructure is very developed. Airplanes, ferries, trains (including high-speed ones), buses, subways and taxis. You can get to any point without problems. Travel by bus - from $ 0.3, in the subway - from $ 0.5.

If you are going to go to China for a month, buy a travel card. A plastic card can be topped up and used on the metro and buses, and then returned and the money back. The cost is 4$. It is very convenient: you do not need to find out the cost of tickets, buy tokens, stand in lines. Accordingly, the problem of language also disappears. For trips within the same city, $ 10-30 is enough for a month.

A very common form of transportation is electric mopeds. In fact, this is a taxi, only less comfortable, more extreme and cheaper - from $ 2. The main advantage is the absence of traffic jams, as mopeds ride where they want. The only downside is the language. We need to agree on a price and a destination.

(Photo: Lαin / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

ATMs and cards

Be prepared that in many stores your Visa or MasterCard may not be accepted, since in China another payment system is UnianPay. This card can be issued at any bank for free. If you need to withdraw money from your own, then there are many ATMs for this.

Chinese mentality

Don't be surprised if in China you feel like a monkey that everyone wants to take a picture with. For a Chinese, having a photo with a European is an indicator of coolness, status, so you will always be in the spotlight. They will always turn around and, without hesitation, look at you point-blank. In addition to the increased interest, the Chinese will try to make money on the "white man". For them, we are walking money, so bargain in all stores. For example, once we reduced the price of a shirt from $35 to $5.

You can talk about the culture and upbringing of most Chinese for a long time. To give way to a girl, to let her go ahead, to let people out of the transport, to throw garbage into the bin - this is not about them. They also have no sense of tact. Do not be surprised if at the first meeting you will be asked about your personal life, salary and health. The Chinese themselves are very cunning and enterprising, but at the same time good-natured.

Useful words in Chinese for the traveler:

Security in China

Do you know where the tradition of wearing a backpack in front came from? From China. Petty theft is very common there. In big cities everywhere you can meet a policeman who will gladly help in any situation. Also, there are cameras in all buses, subways, shopping centers, and just on the street, so in big cities there is nothing to be afraid of, walking along the streets in the evening. From personal experience: I walked with photographic equipment, and not once did anyone try to pester.

Also in China there is an unspoken rule that animals, children and laovayam(foreigners) everything is possible.

(Photo: Today is a good day / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

How much does a solo trip to China from Russia cost?

Let's calculate how much a trip to China for two for 10 days costs when departing from Moscow:

Single entry visa - $52.
Air tickets from Moscow to Beijing and back - from $586. Find a ticket >>
Hotel in the center of Beijing in the low season - $130. Find a hotel >>
Meals in eateries for locals - $ 120.
Insurance - $23.
Transport and attractions - approximately $200.

So, how much does it cost to go to China on your own? The minimum cost of the trip, if you are ready to save - about 1111$ for two for 10 days.

If you are used to living in comfort, then the trip will cost approximately 1711$ for two (accommodation in a 3 * hotel - $ 250 and meals in cafes and restaurants - $ 600). We spent $1,500 a month for two.

A fragment of a banknote of 100 yuan (Photo: super.heavy / flickr.com)

Check out our helpful tips for solo travel to China in 2020:

See how the Chinese count on their fingers before traveling. The match with our score is only up to 4, then everything is different.
Be sure to download the translator to your phone.
Take the right medicines, as you can hardly find anything familiar in Chinese pharmacies. More likely to meet a dried toad than activated charcoal.
Download the Baidu program and maps of the cities where you are going to live on your phone. This program will help you choose the route, time and mode of transport, determine the best way. You won't get lost with her. I highly recommend!

I hope you have a general idea of prices and conditions. And the problem of language, as you see, is not so terrible. Travel, because there are so many interesting things in the world!

(Photo: monkeylikemind / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

First photo: mandylovefly / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

In this article, we will tell you about how to organize an independent trip to China so that it is inexpensive.

China is a magical country, alluring with its ancient culture and rich history dating back over 5,000 years. These are picturesque places and works of art, magnificent monuments and majestic temples…

When planning a self-guided holiday in China in 2016, you'll want to visit the main "places of power" including the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City, as well as see the Terracotta Army, the Chengdu Nature Reserve with its giant pandas, and the Guilin region with its tranquil scenery.

An independent trip to China is not a two-week tour to Egypt, so be prepared for various surprises and the specifics of Asia. It is best to explore China sequentially, starting, for example, with the cosmopolitan Hong Kong and the local Las Vegas of Macau, and then visiting the Philippine Islands, Guangzhou and Hainan. And only when the most touristic places in the country are finally mastered, feel free to go to China on your own.

Keep in mind that most Chinese people don't speak English, with the exception of educators and students, so be prepared for the worst - you may have to use sign language.

And finally, the food here is quite specific, so if you are not a fan of spicy cuisine, you will have a hard time in China. In addition, the menu of a typical cafe may not have the English version of the names of the dishes, in which case you will have to order at random from the picture or by pointing to your neighbor's plate.

Another characteristic point is the public transport of the country. In China, people smoke almost everywhere, including buses and trains. They don’t smoke except on airplanes, so if you are not a heavy smoker, choose air travel. But in general, transport is well developed here, and you can get to the right place both by rail and along the highway in a rented car or taxi.

Travel plan

The price of a tour to China in agencies will be higher than the cost of an independent trip to China. So, if you want to save money, it’s better to be patient and develop a clear trip plan to China:

Determine exact travel dates
Estimated travel budget
Decide on a destination
Book a hotel or home
Buy plane tickets to China
Prepare the necessary documents (visa and insurance)
Pack your suitcase and hit the road.

Flights

Before you go to China on your own, you need to buy a plane ticket. You can fly to China directly with Aeroflot or Air China, or you can get there with transfers on Emirates, Air Astana and other airlines.

Aeroflot has regular flights from Moscow to Beijing and Shanghai. The duration of the flight is from 8 to 10 hours. China Eastern Airlines also fly to Shanghai, and you can fly to the Chinese capital on regular flights by Hainan Airlines, Air China, Transaero and S7.

It is convenient to fly to Hong Kong from Moscow and St. Petersburg without transfers by the same Aeroflot, Transaero and Cathay Pacific or by Qatar Airlines and Emirates with one change. You can buy tickets (round trip) from 20,000 rubles. By the way, Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok International Airport, which is located on an artificial island, is considered one of the most comfortable air hubs in the world. From one terminal to another, you can take the Aeroexpress in a few minutes.

In addition to Chek Lap Kok, there are 5 dozen airports in China, so your choice will depend on which city you want to see first. It will be most convenient to come to Hong Kong, and then continue your independent journey towards Chengdu or Hainan. Or you can fly to Shanghai, and from there go to Guilin, Hangzhou and Longzi.

The most convenient way to book cheap flights to China is the portal. To search for a profitable offer, enter the codes of the departure and arrival airports in the query string, select the travel dates, click on "search" and wait for the result. In a couple of seconds, you will see all available flights to China on the days you specified, which can be divided by the number of transfers, ticket prices and other criteria.

If you know English, be sure to activate the search function for "English-speaking agencies" in the settings so that the system gives more results. If you wish, you can save the request data and subscribe to constant price updates from aviasales for the direction you need.

Airfare low price calendar

Before traveling to China, you should decide whether a visa to China is needed for Russians in 2020 and how you can get it. According to the current immigration law of the People's Republic of China obtaining a visa to China is a mandatory procedure for all Russians who is going to visit this state. Exceptions are the cities of Hong Kong and Macau, you can enter there for 14 and 30 days, respectively, without prior permission.

Almost all types of visas to China are made independently through the Visa Application Center or Consulates General (Consular Section in Moscow) of the Chinese Embassy. They are located in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Khabarovsk, Irkutsk.
For those who decide to apply for a visa without refusals, quickly and inexpensively, we recommend the Online Visa Application Center.

China is a developing tourist destination, the flow of Russian tourists is growing every year

Visa-free entry

There are situations when you can enter China without a visa. There are territories where you can stay without a permit for some time under certain conditions, while in other places you can get a so-called China visa upon arrival.

Arrival stamp

You can get to China without a visa in advance in a group, which is preliminarily made up of several people (the rule does not apply to individual visits). In this case, group lists of citizens who are eligible for such a procedure are submitted to the border service in advance, the lists are sent by a Chinese travel company. Such entry documents are given for groups of more than two people, they can be obtained by arriving at Beijing airport or on about. Hainan. Under such a permit, no more than 21 days are allowed to be in the territory of the state.

You can learn such a stamp in the PRC without buying a tour package, many companies simply include additional people in tourist lists for some money so that the latter have the opportunity not to issue an entry document in advance.

For residents of border areas

A special regime has been established for obtaining a Chinese visa for those Russians who live in regions bordering China. If you have an invitation from the Chinese side, then permission to cross the border is issued directly at the border checkpoint (not all checkpoints fall under the rule, information must be clarified at the Consulates).

Visa free transit

If the traveler arrives at the international airports of Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Dalian, Chongqing, Shenyang, Kunming, Xi'an, Guilin, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Harbin, Xiamen and plans to fly within 72 hours to other countries through the same air hubs, then he does not need to first obtain a transit visa to China. In such situations, you need to follow certain rules:

If a passenger arrived in the cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou or Chongqing, then he is allowed to enter the city, but it is forbidden to leave its limits;
It is impossible to transfer to another type of transport (bus, train).

Sometimes there are such flights in which arrival is carried out at one airport, and departure - from another. In such situations, you can also do without a transit visa, but there are mandatory requirements:
The flight is served by one air carrier;

The flight is served by different airlines, but all parts of the flight go under a single booking code and are entered on one form;

The airline is scheduled to arrive at one airport for refueling and depart from another.

In this case, a 24-hour transit corridor (exit from the international air hub area) may be allowed if the appropriate boarding passes are presented, but the final decision will be made by the visa officer.

The rules of visa-free transit also apply to residents of Ukraine (the norm does not apply to Kazakhstan).

Types of entry documents

Any Chinese visa for Russians is issued depending on the purpose of your stay in the state. Documents are divided into several types, each is assigned a certain category.

Tourist (L)

This is a tourist visa to China for Russians, it is requested if the purpose of the trip is to visit the sights that China is very rich in. A very large number of compatriots receive a tourist visa, as this direction is gaining popularity.

China can offer not only a beach holiday on about. Hainan, but also interesting excursions and scenic hiking trails. Those travelers who want to visit the country's national parks or admire the largest panda nursery in the world should apply for a Chinese tourist visa for Russians.

Business visa (M)

This is a business visa to China, which is suitable for all possible types of business activities that the applicant intends to set up in the PRC. In connection with the growth of business and trade relations between countries, the number of people wishing to open a business in China has also increased. Traders, entrepreneurs, any people who are going to make a profit must have a business visa to China. Such activities can only be carried out on a business visa, for the use of other categories of documents, you can learn a fine and a lifetime ban on entering China.

Working (Z)

A work visa to China for Russians will be required if the applicant plans to come to China and work under a contract with a Chinese employer (or in a Chinese branch of a foreign company). There is also a special subtype of a work visa, which is assigned category R. It is issued to especially valuable specialists who, in the opinion of the Chinese authorities, have unique and valuable skills and knowledge. A work visa to China for Russians must be obtained by absolutely all categories of employees.

Transit visa (G)

This is a transit visa to China, which is done in advance in Russia, if the conditions for visa-free transit are not met.

Student visa (X1/X2)

A student visa to China is required if you plan to study in China. Student visa X1 allows you to come for a short study / courses / trainings, and X2 allows you to stay in the country for a longer period and already study at a university / school.

Visitor visa (F)

A Chinese visitor visa is required to be issued by those persons who enter the PRC for the purposes of study visits, study tours, exchanges, business trips, and so on.

For journalists (J1/J2)

According to this document, foreign journalists, as well as other employees of foreign media, are allowed to enter the state.

For relatives (Q1/Q2)

Such a Chinese entry permit is issued for those who wish to visit their relatives. Also suitable for family reunification purposes (if the family member is a Chinese citizen or a permanent resident).

The term “family member” includes: parents, spouses, children, grandparents, spouses of sons and daughters, grandchildren, parents of wives and husbands.

For foreign guests (S1/S2)

This type of Chinese visa entitles you to visit foreigners who legally reside/work/study in China, as well as for other private purposes. Considered a guest entry permit.

For airline employees (C)

Issued only to crew members of international aircraft crews.

Permanent residence (D)

According to this document, a foreigner has the right to reside in China. Another name is permanent residence.

Urgent visa

There is no separate concept as an urgent visa to China, any type of entry permit can be obtained under an accelerated scheme. It will be more expensive than the usual procedure, but in some cases you still need to urgently apply for a visa to China, for example, if you have to fly in a couple of days or for some reason the procedure for obtaining an entry visa was postponed until the last moment.

Required documents

There is a general list of documents for a visa to China, as well as an additional one, depending on the type of permit. The requirements for papers are not very strict; collecting them usually does not present any difficulties. The main list is below.

International passport. Original required, valid for six months after leaving China;
A photocopy of those pages of the passport where personal data is recorded and there is a photo;
An appropriately completed application form (can be downloaded in .doc format directly from the Embassy's website from the "Download Forms" section);
One photo 3 by 4 or 3.5 by 4.5 cm;
Photocopies of previously issued Chinese visa stamps.

For L (tourism)

Airline and hotel reservation confirmation, or a written invitation from the Chinese host with information: name, surname and other personal data of the invitee, dates of visit, places of visit, and so on;
In the case of an invitation - a letter with information about the inviting party with the address, phone number, and other data on an official letterhead with the original seal.

For M (Business)

Documents with information about the visit: purpose, dates, places of visit, sources of expenses;
An invitation from a Chinese partner or another type of invitation with full details of the invitee;
A letter containing all the information about the inviters;
A copy of the inviter's Chinese identity card, or permanent residence, or a foreign passport (if it is a private person).

For Z (work)

For G (transit)

For a transit visa, you will need a ticket for any transport confirming departure to a third country.

For X1/X2 (student)

Original and copy of the document on admission to the educational institution;
Original and copy of student visa application (form JW201 or JW202).

For F (guest)

An invitation from an authorized organization with comprehensive information about the invitee;
Information about the inviting Chinese party;
Information about the details of the visit: purpose, dates, financial support, description of the relationship between the parties, and so on.

For J1/J2 (journalists)

Notification letter from the Department of Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
A letter from the employer who employs the journalist.

For Q1/Q2 (by invitation)

Invitation with information about the invitee;
Information about the person who invites (including a copy of his current identity card);
Proof of family ties between parties.

For S1/S2 (at the invitation of foreigners)

For C (airline employees)

Letter of guarantee from the airline company.

For D (for permanent residence)

For D, one special document for a visa is required - the original, as well as one photocopy of the document confirming the right to permanent residence, which is issued by the relevant Ministry.

For all foreigners who enter the PRC on documents of type D, J1, Q1, S1, X1, Z, there is a mandatory rule: you must contact the local (territorial) departments of public security organs that are in charge of entry affairs within thirty days from the moment of crossing the border /check out, and register. Ignoring the rule is considered a violation and may result in lifelong expulsion from the state.

Filling out an application for a visa to China

The China visa application form can also be downloaded in English. You must answer all questions, accurately indicate your personal data, sign in the required places and attach to the collected package of documents. It is necessary to pay special attention to the error-free filling of the form. It's very convenient that application form for a visa to China can be filled in Russian.

Photo Requirements

There are certain visa photo requirements for China that you need to consider when photographing. So, the visa photo must meet the following criteria:

Light background;
color;
The absence of hats, wigs, glasses, makeup, which distorts the appearance beyond recognition;
Full face;
Size 3 by 4 or 3.5 by 4.5 cm.

The process of making your own

You can learn about how to apply for a visa to China on your own from the numerous experiences of tourists who visited China. Entry documents are made by many agencies (intermediaries) that have the service of issuing visas to the PRC of any type, even without providing a full package of papers. This way will be convenient for those citizens who want to get a type of visa of a certain category, but they, for example, do not have a complete package of necessary documents.

If the task is to apply for a visa to China on your own, then this is quite possible. You can learn how to get a visa to China on your own and not resort to the services of intermediaries from the algorithm described below:

Determine the type of entry visa requested;
Collect all documents: first obtain the necessary permits, invitations, certificates, and so on;
Download and fill in the application form;
Submit the entire package to the Consular Section of the Embassy or the Visa Application Center (appointments are accepted only on weekdays, from Monday to Friday);
Get a stamped passport.

There is nothing difficult in obtaining a visa to China on your own, the percentage of approvals for applications is very high.

Visa to China for a child

The procedure for obtaining a visa to China for children is almost the same as for their parents. Additionally you will need:

Visa application form to be completed by the parents;
Copy of birth certificate;
Original permission to travel outside the Russian Federation, timely certified by a notary, signed by one / both parents (copies of the parent's / parents' passports will be required);
A copy of the entry permit of the person accompanying the child (if the child is traveling without parents).

Price

To obtain a document, all applicants pay a visa fee. The actual cost of a visa to China is determined by two factors: the urgency of production and the number of allowed entries.

Information on how much a visa to China costs can be found in the table.

Along with the cost of a visa to China, a bank commission of at least 2.5% is taken from each person.

Dates of issuance

The processing times for applications are linked to the cost of the visa. The time interval can be from one to five days:

The usual time is 5 days;
Accelerated (urgent) consideration - 2 days;
Express review - within one day (issuance on the day of application).

Validity periods

The validity of a Chinese visa depends on the number of entries allowed.

Possible failure

Despite the fact that applying for and obtaining a visa to China is a fairly simple process, and visa officers are loyal to applicants from Russia, there are some refusals. Standard Reasons:

Recorded violations of visa laws, in this case, the authorities can impose a ban on entry for life;
Suspicions aroused by the applicant's documents;
Something is wrong with the documents themselves.

conclusions