As always, the hassle with travelling is getting a visitor visa, especially for countries which require them. It seems I’ve been applying for lots of visas recently starting with Taipei last year, to China and our forthcoming trip to Japan. I always have to make a checklist because completing visa requirements isn’t easy, and if you don’t organize your list well, the task looks daunting.
The requirements for China visa look the same as the one listed by the other embassies, except for one. If you’re a first time visitor, you have to get an NBI Clearance for Travel Abroad. Note: I already travelled before to Zhuhai, China ( a special economic zone near Macau) but this isn’t counted. I still had to get an NBI clearance because am considered a first-timer to the mainland.
Am surprised to hear from a few travel agents how the Chinese Embassy has become stricter, even in the granting of visitor visas. If you’re a Filipino planning to visit mainland China for the first time, this list of requirements might prove helpful:
1. Original NBI Clearance with notation “Valid for Travel Abroad” with thumbmarks
2. SSS ID copy or print-out of contribution/remittance
3. Company ID Copy
4. School ID Copy for Students
5. Copy of Latest Income Tax Return
6. Bank Certificate (at least PHP 50,000.00 with Attached Original Receipt of Bank Payment or Debit Memo. If Receipt is not available, please submit Original Updated Passbook/Bank Book )
7. Employment Certificate stating the designation, salary, tenure, and approved leave of absence
For applicants who are supported by parents, include letter of sponsorship, birth certificate and marriage contract to show relationship, passport copy or I.D Copy and original bank certificate with Original Receipt of the sponsoring person.
Personal appearance is on a case to case basis, but be ready just in case personal appearance is requested by the Embassy. But for applicants born on the years 1988-1993, appearance at the Embassy is mandatory.
General visa requirements are the following:
1. Duly filled out and signed Application form
2. Two (2) 2×2 photos, colored with white plain background
3. Original passport, signed valid for at least 6 months including old passports(For Filipino passport holders, recent passport should have contact details filled out in the back, otherwise application will not be accepted)
4. Confirmed flight booking
5. Confirmed hotel booking
6. Senior Citizen ID and NBI Clearance (65 years old and above)
7. Original Visa Notification issued by China Local Public Security Bureau or Ministry of Foreign Affairs in China-for business visa
* Be warned that the embassy might request for additional documents, even for those with used China visa already
For China visa fees and other information, read more in the Passport and Visa section of the official website of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippines
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