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Travel visa is mandatory for Western
visitors going to China. Laurus Travel customers should contact us or
visit this Web page for updated information. Please
note you should not mention Tibet or any part of it, such as Lhasa or
Shigatse, on the application form without seeking advice from us first.
Where applicable, a separate Tibet entry permit for the group will be
obtained through our China office without your involvement.
You are advised to wait till within 10 weeks of
departure to apply for the visa. Applications submitted more than 3 months
prior to intended date of entry may be rejected. Generally, mail-in
applications are not accepted by the Chinese visa issuing offices.
Exceptions to this rule may exist. So please check with the local Chinese
embassy or consulate for detailed instructions if you plan to obtain your
Chinese visa on your own. To apply through Laurus
Travel you must:
- Send us your actual passport
The passport must have at least two blank visa pages and a minimum
validity of 6 months at the time of intended entry (multiple entry visa
requires a longer validity).
- Pay the visa fee and handling charge
A single entry visa costs
$50 for Canadian passport holders and
$130 for US passport holders per fee schedule set by the Chinese
government. Double or multiple entry visa may cost more. Our handling
charge which includes courier fee to return the passport is $50 for
singles and $40 per person for couples provided one single return
address is used. The appropriate charge should be on your invoice if the
service was requested at the time of your tour booking. There is no need
to send us separate payment for visa application.
- Complete the visa
application form
Each applicant must complete his or her own form.
Click here for a completed
sample. If you notice different versions of the form exist and you
plan to apply for the visa on your own, you should contact the local
Chinese embassy or consulate for the proper form. The blank form posted
on our website is intended for customers applying through Laurus Travel
only.
- Provide one portrait photograph (2"x2")
Notarization or signature on the back of the passport style colour photo
is not required. Photos generated using a home computer/printer are
generally rejected due to poor quality. If in doubt please follow the
same requirements for passport photos save photographer's signature.
Failure to provide a quality photograph as required will result in
unnecessary delay and extra cost.
Where should I send the passport, photo and
completed application form?
Please refer to your invoice or contact us for details. Please do NOT send
your applications to us without first checking with us!
How soon will I get my passport back?
The passport with visa imprinted inside will be returned to you 2 weeks
after our receipt of your passport application assuming all paperwork is
in good order. Rush service is available at higher cost. We use FedEx,
UPS, and traceable priority service by Canada Post and US Postal Service
to return passports.
What else should I know or watch out for when
filling out my visa application?
You may want to ask for a couple of weeks more than you need in case you
have to stay behind after the tour due to an unexpected event. If you
never had a legal Chinese name, leave the question unanswered. Please be
sure to contact us for advice if your trip includes Tibet.
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Complete List of
Chinese Visa Offices across USA & Canada |
