Chinese Visa Information

Visa Information

Which type of visa are you looking for?

Tourist / Business / Work / Journalist / Study / Other

Tourist Visa

This visa allows you to visit China as a tourist. You can only apply for this visa prior to travel.

Required Travel Documents

• An eligible, undamaged, passport
  • Valid for six months beyond entry date
  • Has at least two blank visa pages

Length of stay

• Up to 90 days at a time

Validity

• 2 years

Number of entries

• Multiple

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Business Visa

This visa allows you to visit China for business purposes such as attending meetings or investigations.

Required Travel Documents

• An eligible, undamaged, passport
  • Valid for six months beyond entry date
  • Has at least two blank visa pages
• Letter of invitation issued from the company in China

Length of stay

• Up to 90 days at a time

Validity

• 2 years

Number of entries

• Multiple

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Work Visa

To work in China, you will need to apply for the Chinese work visa. When applying for this visa, you will also need to obtain a Chinese Employment Permit. Once the Z visa has been obtained, the holder should enter China within 90 days and register at local public security bureau within 30 days of arrival, where the China Residence Permit will be issued to replace Z visa.

Please note: this visa required the applicant to appear in person at the application centre to submit bio metric data (fingerprints).

Required Travel Documents

• An eligible, undamaged, passport
  • Valid for six months beyond entry date
  • Has at least two blank visa pages
• A copy of the approved work permit

Length of stay

• To be determined
  • Because the Z visa is used to obtain a residence visa on entry, the Z visa does not have a specific length of stay.

Validity

• 90 days
  • You are recommended to enter China within 90 days of obtaining the Z visa

Number of entries

• Single

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Journalism Visa

The Journalist J-2 visa is available for those travelling to China for short-term news coverage as a foreign reporter or related personnel.

Required Travel Documents

• An eligible, undamaged, passport
  • Valid for six months beyond entry date
  • Has at least two blank visa pages
• A signed and stamped invitation letter from your Chinese
  inviting partner or organisation on company letter headed paper, stating your passport information, the dates of travel and the reason for your travel. If the invitation letter is issued by an individual in China they must also provide a photocopy of there Chinese ID card.
• A signed official authorisation letter issued by the media organisation for which the journalist works. This letter should on company letter headed paper, stating your passport information, the dates of travel and the reason for your travel.
• You will need to be on the approved journalist list prior to visa submission. This should be arranged through your Chinese contact.

Length of stay

• Duration of stay on the visa is decided by consular officers in the light of actual need

Validity

• Duration of stay on the visa is decided by consular officers in the light of actual need

Number of entries

• Duration of stay on the visa is decided by consular officers in the light of actual need

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Study visa

This visa allows you to visit China to study such as participating in university courses.

Required Travel Documents

• An eligible, undamaged, passport
  • Valid for six months beyond entry date
  • Has at least two blank visa pages
• Admission Notice from the University (original and copy).

Length of stay

• To be determined
  • Because the X visa is used to obtain a residence permit on entry, the X visa does not have a specific length of stay.
  • The period of validity of the residence permit is its holder’s duration of stay in China.

Validity

• 3 months

Number of entries

• Single

Please note: this visa required the applicant to appear in person at the application centre to submit bio metric data (fingerprints).

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Other Visa Types Visa

Purpose of Visit	Visa Category	Link
Tourism	L	Enquire now
Exchange,visits,study tours or other relevant activities	F	Enquire now
Commercial trade activities	M	Enquire now
Family member or relative of Chinese citizen(s) or foreigner(s) with permanent residence status in China	Q1	Enquire now
Family member or relative of Chinese citizen(s) or foreigner(s) with permanent residence status in China	Q2	Enquire now
Family member of foreigner(s) staying or residence in China or person who needs to come to China for personal matters	S1	Enquire now
Family member of foreigner(s) staying or residence in China or person who needs to come to China for personal matters	S2	Enquire now
Work	Z	Enquire now
Study	X1	Enquire now
Study	X2	Enquire now
Journalist	J1	Enquire now
Journalist	J2	Enquire now
Crew member	C	Enquire now
Transit	G	Enquire now
Permanent residence	D	Enquire now
Foreigner of high talent or specialist	R	Enquire now

5 of the greatest countries to celebrate Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras: the colourful winter carnival celebrated in cities all across the world. Bringing in huge crowds, delicious feasts, parades, parties and more. Here are the 5 of the greatest countries to celebrate Mardi Gras:

Goa, India

The Goa Carnival showcases the free, harmonious spirit that makes this Portuguese carnival so legendary. Beautiful floats covered in flowers and graceful dancers manoeuvre their way through the streets of Panjim to traditional the folk songs and strumming of guitars.

Mindelo, Cape Verde

Just off the coast of Senegal, the lush Cape Verde islands host a curious mix of Carnival traditions in the run-up to the fast. In the handsome town of Mindelo, jerry-built floats and curvy dancers sway to Creole coladeira punctuated by ululating African shrieks.

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

If you want to celebrate Mardi Gras by the pristine, exotic beaches of the Caribbean then Trinidad & Tobago is for you. Follow the sounds of the steel pan band as they lead the newly crowned Carnival King and Queen, dressed in dramatic, embellished costumes. The crowds that follow these parades are notoriously passionate, so much so that it can be hard to see where the performers stop and the crowd begin; so dress up, dance and join the party. Brace yourself for all-night parties and raucous steel-pan music. Two days before Ash Wednesday, paint, oil, and melted chocolate fly during the mas (masquerade) parades.

Rio de Janeiro

Arguably one of the most famous pre-Lent celebrations, the Rio Carnival draws millions of people to the city for one big samba party. Thousands of performers dance on decorated floats and compete in one of seven divisions for their choice of music, costume and themes. With dancers training all year for the festivities, you know they mean business and that it’ll be the show of a lifetime.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Beginning with a masked ball on the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6, celebrations build to fever pitch during five days of pre-Lenten parties.

Embrace the chaos and be seduced by the spirit of Carnival. Enjoy lavish parades, masquerade balls and the unforgettable atmosphere of Mardi Gras. It’s said that the first parade float was created by a society of wealthy men called the Mistick Krewe of Comus. From this day, different secret societies, or ‘Krewes’, join the party with their own floats, colours and costumes. One to look out for is the Krewe of Rex, who wear traditional gold, purple and green colours. Newer Krewes like Bacchus, Endymion and Zulu opt for glitz with celebrity appearances, marching bands and more than 1,000 riders.

    

6 Romantic Destinations to take your loved one this Valentines

For that someone special

Maybe you are the type of person who likes to spoil their their significant other? Maybe your looking for an excuse to take your loved one on the holiday of their dreams? Or maybe, as a nice gesture, you just want to be able to spend some time with the person you love. If so, why not treat your other half to a trip out to one of these 6 romantic destinations to this Valentines Day.

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6. Sānyà, China

Diverse in it’s culture, ethics, religion, architecture and cuisine, China offers some of the most amazing and romantic scenery in the world.

Sānyà offers 40 kilometres of pristine coastline partnered with a bustling city centre next to a long stretch of beaches and hotels. Being situated in the Hainan Province gives Sānyà the tropical monsoon climate it’s known for. Sanya is a noted tourist resort with incredible scenery. Mountains, rivers, beaches and the best seaview in the country, this is a place to spoil your loved one.

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5. Hawaii

If you are a couple that like exploring somewhere new together, Hawaii may be the place for you! Described as a ‘place like no other on earth’, the white sandy beaches, colossal mountain ranges and beautiful nature reserves make Hawaii the incredible place that it is.

There are six major islands to visit in Hawaii: Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii Island each with its own distinct personality.

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4. India

India may not be the first place you think of when it comes to romance, but India is a place deep with culture and heritage that is guaranteed to move you and your partner.

Goa, Andaman, Agra are all destinations (amongst others) that are great to visit for celebrations! Find a somewhere to join the party or spend quiet romantic time with your lover, this place will cater to all your needs.

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3. New York City

Share a kiss at the top of the Empire State Building. The breathtaking views over the city that never sleeps makes this spot for ideal for a romantic date. But if you’re looking to take it one step further, splash out and spoil your significant other by taking them on a helicopter tour of the city!

If you both prefer a more relaxed approach to spending Valentines Day, you should look into exploring the many art museums and galleries dotted around NYC.

A valentines trip to New York City would not be complete without a lazy walk around Central Park – But don’t forget to wrap up warm as you may only experience highs of 4°C. So, if the being out in the cold isn’t your thing, you can check out some of the botanical gardens that New York has to offer.

If you’re ready to brave the outdoors, then why not try out one of the most romantic wintertime traditions in the city – ice skating! Watch the ice-skaters at the Rockefeller Center rink, or tie on a pair of skates yourself.

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2. Venice

A romantic trip to Venice wouldn’t be complete without a Gondola ride through the city. This is a great way to get around and to take in the landscape.

Enjoy the ballet or opera the Theatre La Fenice one of “the most famous and renowned landmarks in the history of Italian theatre”.

If you happen to find yourself in St Mark’s Square, head over to the Campanile bell tower which is perhaps one of the most instantly recognisable symbols of Venice. At the top, you can enjoy spectacular views across the canals and roofs of the city. It’s open until the sunsets throughout the year, making for a very romantic evening with your significant other.

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1. Paris

Commonly known as the city of love. Paris has to be one the most romantic cities in the world. The world famous love lock bridge can be found in Paris, close to the Notre-Dame. Here, lovers from all over the world attached a lock engraved with a special message to the bridge.

On an island in the middle of a lake in the Bois de Vincennes, the largest public park in the city, you can find the “Temple of Love”. A less well-known landmark in Paris, visiting the Temple of Love (also known as the Temple Romantique) means you won’t be sharing your romantic moment with dozens of other couples trying to do the same.

Take a stroll down the River Siene admiring the boutique houseboats as you go. Below street level of the Quai des Tuileries, you will be able to find peace and comfort away from the crowds of people.

Take in the view of the Eiffel Tower. A popular place for marriage proposals, the sweeping panoramic views of the city make it so perfectly romantic. But if you really want to go all out, make sure you take your loved one to view the Eiffel Tower at night. The 324m Parisian icon lights up the nights sky with a sparkly light show that will leave you lost for words.

Find out your visa requirements on: thetravelvisacompany.co.uk

    

India Tourism Day

India Tourism Day

Wednesday the 25th of January marks India’s National Tourism Day, a day to raise awareness about the importance of tourism to the country and its economy.

India is a vast and beautiful country filled with all manner of things to do and places to see. It comes as no surprise that people from all over the world travel there for the culture, heritage, nature, education, business opportunities, sporting events, and more.

Tourism in India continued to expand in 2016, with a double-digit increase in international visitor arrivals.

Let’s talk statistics…

Since the introduction of the e-Tourist visa, India has seen a huge growth in foreign arrivals with numbers almost doubling compared to 2015. According to data released by India’s Ministry of Tourism, the country welcomed a total of 8.89 million international visitors in 2016, up 10.7% compared to 2015.

e-Visas

1.08 million e-Tourist Visas were issued at Indian Airports in 2016.

Introduced in 2015, the e-Tourist Visa scheme has seen massive growth after its initial success. As a result, the Indian government decided to expand the e-Tourist Scheme to  113 countries and territories and made available at 16 Indian airports.

Accounting for approximately 12% of total arrivals. The system is now in place for the citizens of 161 countries.

How can we help?

The Travel Visa Company is an award winning visa procurement agency and we are proud to be one of the fastest growing travel visa companies in the UK. We offer a six stage service:

1. Consultation & Application
2. Quality Control
3. Logistics Management
4. Embassy Submission
5. Collection & Confirmation
6. Final Check & Dispatch

To find out more about the services we offer, or want to get in touch, follow our social media channels…

    

Thailand Introduce New Visa Exemption Schemes

Thailand Tourist Visa Fee Exemptions.

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Thailand has launched two new temporary tourist visa schemes:

• All applicants applying for the Tourist Visa (Single Entry) will be exempted from the visa fee.
• The visa on arrival fee will also be decreased from 2,000 to 1,000 Thai Baht (฿)

These schemes are in place from 1st December 2016 until 28th February 2017.

To find out if you are eligible for a tourist visa to Thailand, visit our website or call our expert team on 01270 250 590.

Click here to download the official documents released by the Thai embassy.

Where to shop this christmas

Shop till you drop

With billions of people from over 160 countries around the world celebrating Christmas, purchasing the gifts that will make your loved ones face light up can be one of the most important parts of the festive season! There is a huge selection of stores, shops and outlets around the world …so here are some of the best places that you should be visiting for this years Christmas goodies!

New York

A trip out to the Big Apple brings you closer to some of the most lavish and luxurious brands out there, with big names such as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, DKNY, Estée Lauder, Tiffany & Co and Micheal Kors all based in New York City.

Take a stroll down the famous Fifth Avenue where you will pass many of Americas much loved department stores. Saks Fifth Avenue is a luxury American department store that puts products from some of the worlds top designers on sale with ten stories of cosmetics, clothes, perfume and more! But a shopping trip to New York wouldn’t be complete without exploring the Macy’s store – one of Americas largest department stores. This retail giant offers up almost everything you could possibly want from kids toys and clothing to trending fashion and top tech. International visitors can also take advantage of a 10% discount. If you are lucky enough to visit New York in time for Thanksgiving, be sure to catch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – a national event with over 50+ million fans tuning in to watch each year.

If you are lucky enough to find yourself in New York during the Christmas season, as well as shopping, there are a few extra things not to miss:

• Get your skates on and head down to the ice rink at central park
• Join thousands of New Yorkers and tourists and watch the lighting event at the world famous Rockefeller centre
• or get yourself over to Macy’s Santaland (but don’t forget to make a reservation!)

Munich

The Christmas markets of Munich are an annual historic event with its first Christmas market taking place back in the 14th century. Since then, they have grown massively – expanding to over 20 different locations within Munich, making it one of Europe’s most popular destinations for festive shopping! Take part in workshops, enjoy live music, feast on the delicious Christmas treats and explore this beautiful city.

Feeling adventurous?

When it comes to Christmas markets, Europe and America are the places most talked about… but we shouldn’t forget that this is a celebration that takes place all over the world and places like Shanghai, Moscow and even Cape Town also take part in the festive celebrations.

Shanghai

Looking for a change of scenery? Enjoy all of the traditional celebrations like hot mulled wine/cider, toasted gingerbread and hot chocolate in the beautiful city of Shanghai. There are plenty of places you can go to in Shanghai to get those Christmassy feels. The Hilton Hotel and JW Marriott Shanghai take orders for traditional Christmas dinners so you can still tuck in to a roasted Christmas Turkey with all the trimmings!

The Hongqiao Flower Market in Minhang puts both real and artificial trees and wreaths on sale to the public as-well as some of the essential Christmas tree decorations. You will also find the Swedish megastore IKEA offering up mulled wine, cookies and other treats for the those hungry shoppers as Christmas draws closer.

Moscow

In Moscow for Christmas? It’s going to be a cold one! Get your woolly hat, scarf and mittens on – with possible lows of -16 degrees, you are definitely going to need a cup of hot chocolate or mulled wine to warm you up. The annual “Journey into Christmas” is held in the Red Square  with 38 Christmas ‘zones’ that hold more than 100 stalls.

One thing not to miss is the Christmas light installations in Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street. This magical display is the perfect place to spend the evening. Walk through the tunnel of Christmas lights and explore the festive illuminations!

Cape Town

Christmas eve in Cape Town pulls out all the stops. Enjoy Cape Town’s biggest, free open-air event – a spectacular laser, lights and firework display! Join thousands of Capetonians at the Adderley Street Christmas light switch on for the launch of the holiday season. If you happen to find yourself in South Africa during the holidays, why not celebrate Christmas on the beach? With temperatures reaching 25 degrees, relaxing on the beach might just be the best way to spend Christmas day!

Let us know

Have you spent Christmas somewhere wacky and wonderful? Leave a comment below and let us know the most obscure places you have celebrated this festive holiday.

    

World Tourism Day

A Day to Celebrate

Today we celebrate World Tourism Day – a day of spreading awareness of the immense importance and benefits that tourism can and has brought to society.

World Tourism Day is celebrated all over the world – contributing to promoting responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, with this years official celebrations taking place in Bangkok, Thailand.

Why we are celebrating

As a travel visa procurement agency and one the fastest growing travel visa companies in the UK, we have helped thousands of our customers successfully obtain their tourist visas to over 100 different destinations which makes today extra special.

A travel visa is an essential travel document for those travelling abroad and we are proud to be able to assist with something that is a fundamental part of world tourism.

Find out more

How you can get involved

This event is not reserved for the highbrow officials or tourism organisations, this day is important for everyone –  There are many ways you can take part and help spread awareness. Today, many travel enthusiasts have taken to social media to help circulate the message. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram can be used to make the most of the official hashtags: #tourism4all #WTD2016

Why not tell us what you are up to this World Tourism Day? Tweet us @thetravelvisa

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Before you go, take a look at the UNWTO’s World Tourism Day infographic below. To find out more visit their website.