I want to go to China for vacation in the near future. Planning out the best options for me right now. I originally called Astor Tours (someone recommended in an old thread) but they said they can’t help me because I don’t have an ARC, meaning I need to go to HK.
I called another place called STTVISA.com and they said they can get me a multi-entry visa expiring 2025 (my passport expiring date) for $15,000NT. I asked them if there was a cheaper option, and they said that is my only option. I can see myself travelling to China multiple times in the future though (vacation+study), so I might be able to break even based on the HK flight cost and multi-entry savings.
Does anyone have any insight on this topic? Thanks!
Ok, to my knowledge, Canada (like most western countries) need a Visa to enter China.
Make sure you apply for multiple entry visitor Visa and just wait for approval. They can deny you multiple entry, no questions asked. However, I’ve yet to hear this happen amongst friends.
The cost that the agencies are giving you are pretty on point. Lots of people were torn with going to HK and taking car eof it on the ground or sending it through an agency in Taiwan. Personally, I’d just have the agency take care of it. Yes, it’s an expensive fee, but the flight to HK plus lodging might add up and you don’t know how long the visa process will take.
Could we please stop using the term “landing visa” outside of its proper context?
They do have visa-on-arrival service and/or visa-free entry in some locations, for some nationalities, but it’s usually limited to a short period (like 24 or 72 hours) and a small area in which you’re allowed to travel (like the city or province in which the airport is located), plus the other conditions like (for visa-free entry) being in transit, not round-trip.
For a proper vacation, you still need a visa unless you qualify for 15 days (e.g. Japanese and Bruneians?).
For Pete’s sake, a visa to China is not that expensive. Do not believe “it is your only option” hard sale. 15k! Unless you are a businessperson flying every month/week, I do not see the value.
The Hong Kong deal is the easiest/fastest/cheapest. However, AFAIK, almost every agency here can help you to apply for the visa to China.
EVERYONE needs a visa for China. Any kind of visa, but visa nevertheless.
The visa I bought in Hong Kong at CTS in 2014 was not cheap at HK$2300/TW$8900/US$297 and that was only multiple entry, 30 days per stay, valid 6 months.
Thank you for everyone’s response to my post yesterday about obtaining a China (中國大陸) visa. I’m currently working through the information provided. Additionally, I decided to delay my trip till June so I have a couple more options. Does anyone have experience/tips getting the visa for a Canadian or westerner at the Tokyo embassy/agency? I’m going there anyways in Feb, so it should work out cheaper than making an extra trip out to HK or using the TW agent for 15,000 NT.
I’m thinking of going through the agency, Weston (http://wst.co.jp/visa/china.html), which according their website for a 4 business day run is 22,000 Yen, which is 6100NT. Not going to count flight and stay since they are sunk cost as I’m travelling there regardless.
A round trip ticket on Cebu Pacific or Philippine Air is usually less than NT$5000 and even Eva Air has recently had tickets for under NT$5000.
Four days for regular processing so 4 nights in a decent hotel minimum could easily be less than NT$6000.
Total expenses at around NT$16000 for a 5 day holiday in Manila to include visa is nearly the same price as having a visa obtained from a travel agent in Taipei.
