Super Detailed / Step by Step Guide in Applying Chinese Tourist Visa for Filipinos

My Rough Journey in Applying Chinese Tourist Visa in Cebu

China is not as famous as its neighboring countries like South Korea or Japan when it comes to Filipinos’ favorite international travel destination. Well, not all but most of them. But regardless with this trend, I still have a strong feelings for China and its exquisite beauty that many are not aware of.

Disclaimer: Laagan Kaayo is not affiliated with the Consulate of the People’s Republic of China. The information written here is solely based on Laagan Kaayo’s personal experience and does not assure you’ll undergo the same.This post only serves as a guide and inspiration for your Chinese Tourist Visa application and does not guarantee approval. Moreover, information presented here may not be updated. Refer at your own risk.

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A little background…

This year, my goal is to finally complete visiting all East Asian Countries! China, Mongolia and xxxx are the only countries left that I have yet to visit. And China is the perfect gateway to explore those countries. So that would mean I need a multiple-entry tourist visa. Sound so simple right?

But when I tried applying Chinese Tourist Visa last December 2017, the girl who accommodated me said (in Cebuano but I’ll translate to English) “Sorry Ma’am, we do not grant multiple-entry tourist visa for first time applicants. We can only provide single-entry. Also please come back at least 3 months before your departure date. It’s too early to apply now.”

My heart was broken instantly. But I didn’t lose hope. I tried again last March 2018 and this time I applied for double-entry Chinese tourist visa accompanied with an emotional letter addressed to the Consul. Here’s what happened…

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Preparation of Requirements for Chinese Tourist Visa (L) for Filipinos

1. • Passport – Original passport that is valid for at least another 6 months with at least one blank visa page, a photocopy of the passport’s information/photo page and emergency contact page.  The previous old passport, if available, is required to be submitted.
   • Visa Application Form – Please submit truthfully completed and signed Visa Application Form of the People’s Republic of China. Please type the answer in capital English letters in the space provided. Do not leave any field blank. Type N/A if the item does not apply. Application form of minors must be signed by their parents or legal guardians.

Note: Download the Visa Application Form here and fill up directly in PDF then print in A4 size. Handwritten application will not be accepted. 

This is how I filled up my Chinese Tourist Visa Application form:

1. • Photo – Please provide 2 color photos and affix one of the photos on the Application Form. The photo should be recent(within 6 months), front view, white background, in 48mm x 33mm size without head covering.

I had my photo taken at Colours in Ayala that costs P120 for 4/pcs. It’s a bit expensive so I suggest you look for cheaper studio.

1. • Travel Itinerary – You may check my itinerary here.
   • Reservation of round-trip airline ticket and hotel

We didn’t reserved and booked our flights instead last October 2017, Manila to Beijing to Manila via Cebu Pacific and paid only P6752 per person. I guess, we got a good deal! And as for our accommodation, we temporarily booked a hostel in Agoda where we can cancel later in case our visa will be rejected. But still hoping for the best! ?

1. • Bank Certificate of Deposit Balance(including the past 6 months bank statement) and the receipt for payment of this certificate.

Costs P100 in BPI. My ADB that time when I had my bank certificate printed in BPI was around P46,000 and my total money was more than P100,000. My friends who already have a Chinese Tourist Visa advised me to come up with at least a hundred thousand so I did. Also, I think it’s just fitting to have that amount in my account because we will travel for around 17 days and cross 3 countries. But tbh, I just asked my friends to put their money in my account for the mean time. You’re welcome. ?

1. • BIR-stamped Income Tax Return Form

My BIR Income Tax Return form doesn’t have stamp as usual. ?

• Certificate of Employment (detailing the salary and the length of employment)
• Business Registration Certificate(if you are the owner)
• Professional ID/Student ID (if applicable)
• Other relevant documents proving the applicant’s economic condition/ employment/study, or supporting the applicant’s travel to China, or explaining the travel purpose (if applicable).

Chinese Tourist Visa Fee

All payment must be paid in cash at any Metrobank branch.

Processing Time

Regular: 4 working days
Rush: Currently suspended until further notice ?
Business Hours: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Monday to Friday except Philippine & Chinese Holidays.

Before going to the Consulate’s Office and apply for Chinese Tourist Visa, please take note of the following:

Current location:
Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Cebu
25F Mandarin Plaza Hotel, Cebu City, Philippines, 6000
Tel: 032-5051035

• Only Philippine Passport Holder can submit their Chinese Visa Application to the Chinese Consulate Office in Cebu
• Please wear proper attire. Short pants and slippers are not allowed inside the Consulate Office
• Bags are not allowed in the Consul’s office. You can deposit them in the baggage counter near the elevator.

 

This is how my submission process went last March 26

I arrive at the Mandarin Plaza Hotel around 10 in the morning and went straight to the special elevator going to the 25th floor where the Consulate’s office is located, bringing only a long brown envelope(with all my requirements inside), a wallet and a phone. You will know which one because there’s a guard wearing blue uniform manning it.

At the 25th Floor, I went through a metal detector scanner before I entered the office. The guard inside gave me a visa number. There’s really not much people at the office but it took some time before I was called.

The girl at the window 1 for Visa finally called my number and I handed over the following documents:

• My current passport
• My old passport
• Printed Visa Application Form
• 2 Photos – 1 pasted on the form and 1 is not
• Photo copy of the bio page and emergency contact page of my current passport
• Photo copy of the bio page of my old passport
• Roundtrip airline ticket (CEB-MNL-CEB & MNL-PEK-MNL)
• Agoda Accommodation Voucher
• Bank Certificate with receipt
• Bank Statement for the last 6 months
• BIR 2316 with NO stamp
• COE
• Latest Credit Card Statement
• Cover Letter – Explaining why we need the double entry visa. A bit personal and dramatic. ?
• Itinerary

All of them were accepted but scrutinized thoroughly. Her eyebrows almost met while reading my personal letter addressed to the consul. She then said (in Cebuano but I’ll translate to English), “Ma’am, only single-entry visa must be granted to first time applicants. I’ll have this check further if the consul will accept your application. Please wait.” I took a deep breath and said, “OK”.

The waiting game…

I went back to my seat and the girl stood up, brought my documents to a table and took pictures of some of them and then send to the consul maybe? Who knows! I’m pretty sure she took a photo of the letter and the itinerary. She placed them on the side then went back to the counter and continue serving the next applicant.

I was waiting anxiously in the corner. Then suddenly three Chinese went inside, one lady took over the Releasing Counter and the other two, a man and a woman, checked my documents!

More than 30 minutes went by before the girl at the visa counter called me again. She said (in Cebuano but I’ll translate to English), “Ma’am, we will accept this for now but still it is subject for approval”. I nervously replied, “Yes sure!”. She pulled some pink stub, wrote my info then ripped the top sheet, took some white paper then stapled them together and then gave to me. “Please pay in cash at any Metrobank branch”, her last instruction.

I sighed with relief! I went out of their office already passed their closing time.

Paying for the Chinese Tourist Visa…

I paid P2100 for the double-entry visa fee at the Metrobank branch near our office 2 days after my submission. The processing should only take 4 days including the submission day but it was holy week, the Consul’s office was closed during Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Judgement Day – Releasing Time, April 2

I tried my best to keep my mind busy during the holidays to avoid being stress about the uncertainty of my visa application. And so Monday came quite fast but still I was really worried. I arrived at the Mandarin Plaza Hotel just 15 minutes before 11:00 AM, went through the same logistics and rushed to the consul’s office as fast as I could. The guard inside the office gave me a number for releasing and I sat down on the cold metal chair thinking of my plan B, just in case.

I mean what are the odds?

One, who cares about my dream of riding the Trans-Siberian Train(longest railway route in the world)? Two, they would lose money if they will grant me double-entry visa. Three, it would be unfair to other first time applicants who would have wanted the same thing but only granted single-entry. And lastly, who am I to be exempted from the rules?

So I’ve decided right then and there that I will go to India and Nepal and buy a GoPro if my visa is denied. Knowing that you are still in control with your life’s direction somehow eased my anxiety. I know I’m that dramatic! hahaha. ✌

A few moments later, the girl from the Release Window called my number. I handed her the pink slip and the green payment slip from Metrobank. She looked at them quickly, scanned the pink paper to a bar code reader and then type something on the computer.  On her left side, a small basket underneath the table, she took 2 passports wrapped together with a rubber band. She had me signed the pink slip before giving the passports and receipt to me.

The moment of truth..

I held back all my feelings and emotions including my breath as I sat down the chair and checked my passport. My jaw literally dropped when I saw that the last “used” page(23) of my passport was still my South Korean Tourist Visa. I immediately turned my head to the Release Window and read the note:

For denied applications, please read this:
According to the relevant Chinese Law and Regulations, the consular office is not required to give reasons for refusing the Issuance of Visa.

 

But I double checked the pages again as I cannot accept my fate yet. When I flipped page 16, my heart burst with what I saw!!!!

Can’t hide my happiness really. I was literally smiling all the way as I exit the consulate’s office. Before I entered the elevator going down, the guard said to me, “Pwede naka mag celebrate Ma’am!?”

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Final thoughts:

I am lucky. And I’m sincerely forever grateful to the Chinese Consulate General for considering my application. If I hadn’t taken the risk, maybe we’ll just spend more than 2 weeks in China this coming May. However. visiting Mongolia and xxxx is something that I can’t afford to miss.

Lastly, I am super confident that there’s no unnecessary drama required if a first time applicant only applies for single-entry. The process will be pretty smooth I guess, as long as you submit real and legit requirements.

If you have queries, I advice that you call them directly at 032-5051035. For more information, please visit the official site of China Embassy: http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/lsfw/visas/