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N&J

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  2. FYI Country Specific Info

    in The Middle Kingdom - 中国

    Posted · Edited by dnoblett (see edit history)

    China considers a child born within its borders to hold Chinese citizenship if one parent is a Chinese national, even if the child applies for and receives a U.S. passport while in China. In these cases, when parents want to travel overseas with their child, they should contact their local Public Security Bureau for information on obtaining a travel document (lu xing zhen).

     

     

    ACS_CHINA@CALIST.STATE.GOV

     

    Subject: China Country Specific Information

     

    July 20, 2009

     

    COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The People¡¯s Republic of China was established on October 1, 1949, with Beijing as its capital city. With well over 1.3 billion citizens, China is the world's most populous country and the fourth-largest country in the world in terms of territory. China is undergoing rapid, profound economic and social change and development. Political power remains centralized in the Chinese Communist Party. Modern tourist facilities are available in major cities, but many facilities in smaller provincial cities and rural areas are frequently below international standards. Read the Department of State Background Notes on China for additional information.

     

    ====================

     

    ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport and visa are required to enter and exit China and must be obtained from Chinese Embassies and Consulates before traveling to China. Americans arriving without valid passports and the appropriate Chinese visa are not permitted to enter and will be subject to a fine and immediate deportation at the traveler's expense. Travelers should not rely on Chinese host organizations claiming to be able to arrange a visa upon arrival. Chinese authorities have recently tightened their visa issuance policy, in some cases requiring personal interviews of American citizens. Although a bilateral United States-China agreement provides for issuance of multiple-entry visas with validity of up to one year for tourists and business visitors, Chinese consulates often limit visas to only one entry. Visit the Embassy of China¡¯s website for the most current visa information.

     

    Visas are not required of aliens who hold air tickets to the final destination, have booked seats on international airliners flying directly through China, and will stay in a transit city for less than 24 hours without leaving the airport. Persons transiting China on the way to and from Mongolia or North Korea or who plan to re-enter China from the Hong Kong or Macau Special Administrative Regions should be sure to obtain visas allowing more than one entry. Permits are required to visit Tibet as well as many remote areas not normally open to foreigners. A travel permit for Tibet can be obtained through local travel agents. Permits cost approximately renminbi (RMB) 100, are single-entry and valid for at most three months. Most areas in Tibet are not open for foreigners except Lhasa City and part of Shan Nan. Foreigners can be fined up to RMB 500, taken into custody, and deported for visiting restricted areas. For information about entry requirements and restricted areas, travelers may consult the Visa Office of the Embassy of China (PRC) at Room 110, 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20007, or telephone (202) 338-6688 and fax (202) 588-9760. For a list of services and frequently asked visa questions and answers, travelers can view the Chinese Embassy's web site. There are Chinese consulates general in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.

     

    The Chinese government has instituted a series of quarantine measures in response to the 2009-H1N1 Influenza. Implementation of the quarantine policies is decided by Chinese officials and sponsoring organizations and may vary by location. Travelers should check frequently with your tour group, sponsoring organization or hotel before traveling to China on what procedures will be in effect for you or your group. Please be advised that host governments, including local authorities, determine the nature and appropriateness of the measures taken in public health matters.

     

    In 2007, the Chinese government tightened its regulations for altering or renewing visas for individuals already in China. Visitors can no longer change tourist (L) and exchange (F) -type visas to other types and many applications must now be completed in person. There have also been reports that entry and exit violations are being more strictly enforced, with recent reports of police, school administrators and hotel staff checking to ensure that individuals have not overstayed their visas. Visitors are expected to register with the police within 24 hours of arrival in China. While hotels generally do this automatically with no additional action being required from the guest, Americans planning on staying in private homes with family or friends must go to their local police station to register. The police have been stricter in the enforcement of this rule and have fined apartment companies, hotels and Americans for violations.

     

    Americans who overstay or otherwise violate the terms of their Chinese visas will be subject to a maximum fine of 5,000 RMB, departure delays, and may be subject to detention. Travelers should note that international flights departing China are routinely overbooked, making reconfirmation of departure reservations and early airport check-in essential. An airport user fee for both international and domestic flights is now included in the cost of the ticket price. Americans are also required to have an exit visa to leave China. Americans who lose a passport must take into consideration the time needed to get a new passport and a new visa. Visa issuances can take as long as 7 business days.

     

    In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated new procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian if they are not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

     

    Dual national Americans, particularly those with dual Chinese and American nationality, should realize that entering China using their non-U.S. passport could mean that the Chinese Government may not afford them the consular protections to which they are entitled. While the U.S. Government will offer consular services to all U.S. citizens regardless of dual nationality, use of other than a U.S. passport to enter China can make it difficult for U.S. Consuls to assist dual national Americans who have been arrested or who have other concerns with the Chinese Government.

     

    China does not recognize dual citizenship. U.S. Embassy and Consulate officials are often denied access to arrested or detained Americans who do not enter China using their U.S. passport. Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States who do not carry unexpired Permanent Resident Cards ("Green Cards") or other clear evidence that they may re-enter the United States will encounter delays departing from China. Lawful Permanent Residents should renew and update U.S. residence documentation prior to their departure from the United States.

     

    China considers a child born within its borders to hold Chinese citizenship if one parent is a Chinese national, even if the child applies for and receives a U.S. passport while in China. In these cases, when parents want to travel overseas with their child, they should contact their local Public Security Bureau for information on obtaining a travel document (lu xing zhen).

     

    ......MORE......

     

    =================

     

    * * *

     

    This replaces the Country Specific Information for China dated March 31, 2009, to update sections on Country Description, Entry/Exit Requirements, Safety and Security, Crime, Information for Victims of Crime, Disaster Preparedness, Medical Facilities and Health Information, Medical Insurance, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Children¡¯s Issues and Registration/Embassy Location.

    http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1089.html

     

    {Edit} to reduce the length, more detail can be found at the link above.

  4. Hosed by GUZ

    in Interview Results

    Posted

    My complaint about GUZ is not the delay but the refusal to provide any information. You can't talk to anyone. If they could have told me that they were running behind and that it would get there as soon as they could process it, I would have stayed. Not telling me anything, I made the best decision I could. GUZ is a disgraced to the nation.

     

    Congrats!

     

    we know the frustration but count your blessing.

     

    many here didn't even pass the first time around and TOLD NOTHING OF WHY. Many here would gladly trade places with you.

     

    Don't rock the boat too much, they are others behind you hoping to 'PASS'.

     

    Stay flexible. good luck.

  7. where the yuan is headed to

    in The Middle Kingdom - 中国

    Posted

    start buying yuan or own chinese!

     

    China¡¯s central bank has limited the yuan¡¯s gains in the past year to 0.3 percent to help support exports during the global recession. The dollar may depreciate by 5 percent annually against the currency over the next two years, ING¡¯s Condon said. Simpfendorfer forecast the yuan will rise 5 percent to 6.5 per dollar from 6.833 by the middle of next year. The median forecast of 27 analysts in a Bloomberg survey was 6.7.

     

    http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...id=aqA9QhRSNeqM

    :greenblob:

  9. After 2yrs and 3months - Pink

    in Interview Results

    Posted

    congrats

     

    but if you only got asked for was a resume, you got it easy.

    on a scale of 1 to 10, you got a one.-count your blessings.

     

    GUZ has been a horror story. Seems like they have changed their outlook on life. Maybe B.O. is 'a change you can believe in'

     

    congratulations again

  11. Going to HK this Friday

    in Communications, Planes, Shipping & Money

    Posted

    I need a little help from my friends. I'll be riding the train from Chengdu to Guanzhou this Friday and need advice regarding final destination of Hong Kong. What is the cheapest mode of travel (excluding hiking :D ) for getting from Guanzhou to Hong Kong? Where do I connect in Guanzhou to said cheap travel and where will it arrive in Hong Kong? I'll be staying only one night, maybe two, in Hong Kong. Can someone recommend a place to lay my head and S,S, & S for the night that is not too expensive? I've never been to HK and the purpose of the trip is to help another lao wei and we're on a tight budget :ph34r:

     

    there is a high speed train from GUZ to Shenzhen, about 1 hour. when you arrive SHenzen, you can change trains at the station to HK.

     

    train station is near the US embassy

     

    of course you will need to go through Chinese and HK customs but that won't be a problem. be sure to have multiple visa enteries to china because you will need it to return from HK to CHINA

     

    good kluck

  14. Overcome Documents

    in Interview Results

    Posted

    Does anybody know who reviews your blue-slip overcome documents you send in? Would it happen to be the same person that interviewed you?

     

    The reason I ask is because it would seem benificial or detrimental (depending on how the VO feels(biases) about your case) for your case to be re-reviewed by someone who is familiar with your case.

     

    normally done by the VO who interviewed your fiancee.

     

    good luck

  15. Why do people get denied at interview?

    in General Visa Discussion & First Steps

    Posted

    what smilingAsia said

     

    Everybody's background is quite different. I believe the following factors influence the result of interview:

    1. Figures on Income Tax Return

    2. Communication and presentation skills of the beneficiary, homework by the petitioner.

    3. Time gap between your previous marriage and current relationship, how many marriage records the petitioner or beneficiary have

    4. Age difference

    5. Whether the petitioner has brought any alien to the US before, whether the beneficiary has got visa denied before by any western country

    6. Whether the petitioner or beneficiary has any records of being arrested, being charged of something

    7. Whether the beneficiary is from Fujian or TaiShan, how many children she is bringing to the US.

    8. Luck. Different VO screws different weakness you have. Different weakness is screwed in different time of the year.

  16. Leaving China with fiancee via HK and transfers

    in Communications, Planes, Shipping & Money

    Posted

    Hey Batmaniac,

     

    Easiest way to do it from Shenzhen is to go to the Huanggang border crossing and purchase a ticket to Honk Kong airport from Sky Limo. They do it two different ways, 1) You buy the ticket, they'll load your luggage, you get on the van, they drive around the corner to China customs, you get out, go through China customs and meet them on the other side of the building where you get on the van and they take you through Hong Kong customs without getting out of the van and then on to Hong Kong Airport and they'll drop you right at the terminal ... or 2) You buy the ticket, they'll load your luggage, you get on the van, they drive several miles west to the Shenzhen Bay border crossing and you go through both the Chinese customs and the Hong Kong customs without even getting out of the van! Again they drop you right at the terminal. 150RMB each or 180HKD each. :D

     

    Haiqing has even made arrangements with them to pick us up at our house here in Shenzhen the day we leave so we don't need to worry about getting all the luggage to the Huanggang border crossing! She can tell your fiancee all about it this weekend when we get together.

     

    See you then! :(

    Bob

     

    Bob

     

    have you tried it already?

     

    I think she will get stopped by the Chinese customs. Will they let her through without the HK visa?

     

    I know the HK customs requirements is K-1 visa, chinese passport, and ticket or confirmation of flight.

     

    but has she actually gone through without the HK visa?

     

    HK customs is not the problem I believe, I think the chinese customs will prevent her from leaving.

     

    Tell me I'm wrong, it will save people a lot of time and money getting a HK visa

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