Just picked up my Chinese visa from Lion Travel here in Taoyuan. I received it ten days after submitting everything. Here is my experience (American passport) if it helps anyone:
Documents that I needed:
- Visa application form (can download it here: 中华人民共和国外交部)
- Passport & ARC
- Copy of flight information
- Copy of hotel bookings
- Employment Certificate
- Photo
- NT10,500 (ouch)
I actually had to make two trips to Lion because I didn’t know I needed the Employment Certificate, and I lacked one day of hotel bookings. They’re dealing with Chinese bureaucracy so they had to be real sticklers. (Example: Although I told them my parents have long been deceased, they insisted I had to put their names and information on the form) Anyway, it wasn’t too difficult and it was quick.
One thing: The application form doesn’t have an option for the ten-year visa, but an online guide said to just add the request in the “Other” section, like I did below, and it was no problem. Maybe the ten-year is automatic, I don’t know, but I didn’t want to take a chance.
