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Question about PRC visa.

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  1. #1

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    Question about PRC visa.

    I'm currently filling out my application for a PRC visa (single entry). I've never been to the country before, and I have a few questions. I would ask at the offices where the application is handed in, but from what I've heard the lines can be a nightmare (and having to get to the back of the line because of an incomplete application form would be less than ideal).

    I'm a Norwegian citizen, currently living in Hong Kong on a student visa (one year). Therefore, I have to fill out both the regular and supplementary form.

    1) In 1.11 I am asked to give my "Local ID card number". As this section is about my nationality (i.e. Norwegian) and as we don't have any local ID cards, can I just keep this slot empty? The closest thing I can think of is the passport number, but that's given in 1.15.

    2) How important is the part about documenting where I will be staying, who my "contact person" is and so on, considering I'm only applying for a single-entry visa?

    3) Major family members: Do I have to include more than one here? And is there any point in including one if I am not to use this person as "emergency contact"? (Plan to have my GF as emergency contact if that is allowed.)

    4) In 4.2 I am asked if I've visited "other" countries or territories in the last 12 months. I guess "other" is referring to "not China", but I suppose it would not be necessary to write Norway? What about Hong Kong, considering that the supplementary form (and the fact that my HK address is the one I've set as in both forms) makes it clear that I live there?

    5) On the supplementary form I am asked for "number of my visa or residence permit" and expiration date. In my passport I can see the expiration date of my visa, but I am not sure which number is my "visa or residence permit" number. There is a number on the top right of the "Immigration Hong Kong" sticker, consisting of one letter and six numbers. Is this it? Or is it my HKID number?

    Sorry for the abundance of questions, and thanks in advance. Looking forward to being done with the application process...


  2. #2

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    You are why China Travel Service exists.


  3. #3

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    Yes fill in the basics, they will fill the rest at the counter.
    Most questions are rhetorical and left void, although Norwegians might get a hard time


  4. #4

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    1. Leave empty

    2. Make some hotel bookings using booking.com in major cities. Get the visa. Cancel them.

    3. I would just include one. in 3.7 and 3.8, put your girlfriend.

    4. Put Norway and any other countries that you have visited.

    5. Number on the visa sticker.

    Is China still upset with Norway (Nobel prize issues)? If so, it might be wise to apply through a specialist agency.


  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by Morrison:
    Yes fill in the basics, they will fill the rest at the counter.
    Most questions are rhetorical and left void, although Norwegians might get a hard time
    This is IF you go to CTS...the China Visa Office will likely send you away until your app. is complete.

    As Bryant says, easiest for you is go to CTS next to Wanchai MTR MacDonalds on Hennessy Rd...I went there on Monday as I left it too late to get to the China Resources office...I had left 'destination in China' blank as we are staying at my F-I-Ls house and I don't know the address. The girl at the counter pulled out a Guangdong Hotel Guide and said 'Pick one"...not a big deal really and they are helpful (though you pay more for it!)

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by drumbrake:
    1. Leave empty

    2. Make some hotel bookings using booking.com in major cities. Get the visa. Cancel them.

    3. I would just include one. in 3.7 and 3.8, put your girlfriend.

    4. Put Norway and any other countries that you have visited.

    5. Number on the visa sticker.

    Is China still upset with Norway (Nobel prize issues)? If so, it might be wise to apply through a specialist agency.
    re #5...I used my HKID number and since I'm PR, (no expiry date) i wrote 'Permanent Resident'...no issues with that...

  7. #7

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    But will CTS be able to get around any possible Norwegian nationality issues?


  8. #8

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    Thanks for all the suggestions! I think I might just go with CTS.

    About the leftovers of "hurt feelings" from the Nobel Prize, from what I understand "normal folks" have no problem getting a visa (might be a bit more tricky with multi-entry or other kinds of "special" visas, not sure). It's mostly politicians/journalists/business people that have suffered from the cold shoulder. So hopefully getting a single-entry visa should be no problem. We'll see.


  9. #9

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    @ drumbrake...I've always had the theory that most of their stuff gets through as its in batches!

    Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using GeoClicks Mobile


  10. #10

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dodraugen:
    Thanks for all the suggestions! I think I might just go with CTS.

    About the leftovers of "hurt feelings" from the Nobel Prize, from what I understand "normal folks" have no problem getting a visa (might be a bit more tricky with multi-entry or other kinds of "special" visas, not sure). It's mostly politicians/journalists/business people that have suffered from the cold shoulder. So hopefully getting a single-entry visa should be no problem. We'll see.
    cts is more expensive as they charge a premium

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