Recently, a lot of applicants contacted us about different document requirements in other agencies, often requiring more documents. We want to emphasize that, if you apply Chinese visa through our agency and follow these guidelines, your application will be approved by the consulate.

1. Applicants of all visa types: please provide round trip air ticket and hotel reservation.

   Please provide your itinerary in China, i.e. confirmations (either online or from travel agency) of flight (showing flight number, departure and arrival time) and hotel (showing check-in/out dates). We understand that the itinerary may not be final.

   If you applicaiton includes multiple applicants, each applicant must provide a copy of flight and hotel itinerary, even through all applicants may share the same itinerary!

   For family visit, you may put a statement on box 5 instead of hotel reservation, like "I certify that I will stay at xxx (your relative)'s home during my whole visit in China".

2. Family visit: please provide certificate of kinship.

   This is the point that needs most clarification. It is impossible to satisfy this requirement. Currently please provide the name, address, phone/email of the person you are visiting on the consulate visa application form, and in particular write down the relationship with you on the form. If you do not have a hotel reservation, please put a statement in box 5, like "I certify that I will stay at xxx (your relative)'s home during my whole visit in China". If your family/relative is not a Chinese citizen, please also include an invitation (e.g. email, fax) from your family/relative in China.

3. Business (F): visa notification letter from an authorized unit.

   This is a new requirement. Please get the visa notification letter from your Chinese partner/company/organization. If your Chinese parter/company/organization is not authorized to issue such document, they should get it from provincial foreign affairs office or the foreign affair office of the public security bureau (police).

4. Student/Study (X): JW201/JW202 and a letter from an authorized unit.

   This requirement is not much different from before, but the authorized unit/organization requirement is tightened. Some previously eligible universities may need to turn to their provincial educatioal authority to get the letter issued, which takes longer time.

We know that many people, especially business people are adversely affected by these new requirements and we will do our best to help. We believe that most of these changes should be temporary and are in response to the August Olympics in Beijing. In fact, most countries tighten their visa requirements during events like Olympics. Even with the tightened requirements, applying for a Chinese visa is still much much easier than Chinese citizens applying for a US visa.