Help! International travel question - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

The Mighty XE · 10-01-2003, 20:23

I'm travelling to China next Wednesday for a conference, this was supposed to be held in April but was postponed because of SARS...anyway given I've never travelled overseas before and this is all new to me, I foolishly forgot to change the entry dates on my VISA (expires after 3 months). Does anyone know whether I'd need to reapply for another VISA (time is running short) or if I can get the entry date changed on the current one? Can't contact the consulate, it's a Chinese national holiday for the rest of the week...

Aussie Pete · 10-01-2003, 22:46

Look up their website. That's how I get Visa information when I travel to different countries.

The Mighty XE · 10-01-2003, 23:22

Checked it out already AP, seems to be the case that it expires three months after issue, however someone told me I can "get the entry date changed"... Thought maybe someone might have had a similar situation and could advise, anyway AFAIK I can go in on Monday and pay an extra 50 bucks to get a new Visa on the same day if required...hopefully there won't be any problems...lucky I didn't notice this at the airport is all I can say.

3Toed · 10-01-2003, 23:40

I've been to China twice but can't recall the wording of the Visa. I'd say as long as you're leaving there before the Visa expires you should be right. If you don't leave till next week sometime then check it out just to be safe. An emergency Visa (few days turnaround) cost me $80 last year - not sure about alterations though.

As for SARS, don't worry. That should be long gone. We had a conference here jus this week and a fellow from China was here so if they let him in then I'm sure China is safe. I also visited Singapore in early August without drama. Upon re-entry into Australia you'll need to fill in a SARS Card and give it to the immigration dude when you give them your passport and entry card.

Enjoy your trip!

The Mighty XE · 10-01-2003, 23:59

3Toed, thanks for the tips, I should clarify though. My Visa was issued in April when I was meant to go. As a result of SARS it was postponed until now therefore greater than three months have passed and my Visa has expired. Was specifically wondering if I needed a new Visa or whether I could 'update' or 'renew' my existing one...

I'm not worried about SARS now, although I still imagine it is running around in the wild animal population just waiting to jump back across to us humans..

3Toed · 10-02-2003, 04:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Mighty XE

greater than three months have passed and my Visa has expired. Was specifically wondering if I needed a new Visa or whether I could 'update' or 'renew' my existing one

Ah, OK. I'm pretty sure you'll need a new Visa then, regardless of if you've used the old one or not, however you might get lucky (though I doubt it). The govt likes to get money from people any way it can, so why not foreign ones.

ProfessorSabre · 10-03-2003, 04:34

You will def. need a new visa. If your visa has expired that's it you'll have to get a new one. I work for MAS get this type of stuff all the time.

Here read this info....

btw I'm not shouting the scan comes up all caps.

TIMATIC-2 / 03OCT03 / 1130 UTC
NATIONAL AUSTRALIA *AU*
DESTINATION CHINA *PEOPLE S REP.* *CN*
VISA DESTINATION CHINA *PEOPLE S REP.* *CN*
...... NORMAL PASSPORTS ONLY ......
PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIRED.
HOWEVER- VISA NOT REQUIRED PROVIDED COMING FOR A STAY OF MAX. 6
DAYS IF ARRIVING FROM HONG KONG OR MACAO TO TAKE A TRIP TO
ZHUJIAN DELTA IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE AND:
- TRAVELLING AS TOURIST IN A GROUP ORGANIZED BY A CHINESE
INTERNATIONAL TOUR OPERATOR OR REGISTERED TRAVEL AGENCY. AND
- ENTERING/TRAVELLING AND DEPARTING ONLY FROM THE FOLLOWING
CITIES: DONGGUAN- FOSHAN- GUANGZHOU- HUIZHOU- JIANGMEN- SHANTOU- SHENZHENG- ZHAOQING- ZHONGSHAN OR ZHUHAI.
HOWEVER- IF PASSENGER HOLDS DUAL NATIONALITY AND THE FOLLOWING
DOCUMENTS:
- /PERMIT FOR RETURNING COUNTRY/- OR
- /PERMIT FOR HONG KONG AND MACAO RESIDENTS ENTERING INTO OR
LEAVING FROM MAINLAND/- ISSUED BY THE CHINA TRAVEL SERVICE
ARE ACCEPTED FOR RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG OR MACAO BEING OF
CHINESE ORIGIN. INSTRUCTIONS ON THE DOCUMENTS REGARDING
ENTRY/EXIT POINTS MUST BE FOLLOWED STRICTLY:
VISA NOT REQUIRED.
VISITOR MUST HOLD ALL DOCUMENTS FOR NEXT DESTINATION AND
SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO COVER STAY.
NON-COMPLIANCE WITH ENTRY REGULATIONS WILL RESULT IN
DEPORTATION OF PASSENGER BY SAME OR RETURNING AIRCRAFT. FINES
VARYING BETWEEN CNY 500.- AND CNY 2-000.- WILL BE LEVIED FOR
CHINESE ORIGIN. INSTRUCTIONS ON THE DOCUMENTS REGARDING
ENTRY/EXIT POINTS MUST BE FOLLOWED STRICTLY:
VISA NOT REQUIRED.
VISITOR MUST HOLD ALL DOCUMENTS FOR NEXT DESTINATION AND
SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO COVER STAY.
NON-COMPLIANCE WITH ENTRY REGULATIONS WILL RESULT IN
DEPORTATION OF PASSENGER BY SAME OR RETURNING AIRCRAFT. FINES
VARYING BETWEEN CNY 500.- AND CNY 2-000.- WILL BE LEVIED FOR
EACH PASSENGER. MOREOVER THE TRANSPORTING CARRIER WILL BE
FINED FOR AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT VARYING BETWEEN CNY 5-000.- AND
CNY 10-000.-.
SCAN COMPLETE