Chinese Tourist Visa Guide for Filipinos

Filipinos holding ordinary passport are required to obtain a valid visa before entering mainland China. China Embassy in Manila is located at Dasmarinas Village Makati. Its Consular Section however is located at the 2nd and 3rd Floor of World Center in Gil Puyat Avenue. Processing time is normally 4 working days. Express processing is also available but extra fees will be collected. Additional fees are collected for multiple entry visas. An applicant may opt to file the application by himself or secure the services of an authorized agent. Personal appearance is not normally required.

I applied for double entry visa and was granted the same.

The following are the requirements for an L VISA (Chinese Tourist Visa). L Visa is issued to a person who visits to China for sightseeing, visiting relatives, or private matters. Documents to be submitted for a Chinese Visa are the following:

1. Valid passport
2. Filled-up application form with 2×2 colored picture. Note that your ID picture must be similar to a passport ID picture. ID picture must be pasted, not stapled.
3. Ticket Reservation
4. Hotel Reservation
5. Previously issued Chinese Visa in old or new passport, if available
6. If employed, provide the following: Employment Certificate, Employment ID, Leave of Absence (for government employees), ITR and Bank Certificate with Official Receipt or original passbook updated within the month you are applying. Sometimes, the embassy also asks for NBI Clearance and a valid government issued ID such as SSS, GSIS, LTO, TIN and COMELEC ID. Just prepare them just in case they are being asked.
7. If self-employed, provide your Business Documents such as DTI, SEC, BIR, ITR, Audited Financial Statement, government issued ID such as LTO, SSS or COMELEC and Bank Certificate with Official Receipt or original passbook updated within the month you are applying
8. If student, provide School ID, Registration Form, duly notarized Affidavit of Support and Consent from either parents
9. If being invited by someone in China, provide the following: Letter of Invitation, photo copy of Chinese Residence Visa and passport bio-page or Chinese National Identity Card, proof if financial capacity of the inviter and proof of kinship (if applies). Sometimes, the Chinese Embassy requires that these documents will either be authenticated or notarized.
10. If unemployed, provide proof of financial capacity such as remittances and Bank Certificate with Official Receipt or original passbook updated within the month you are applying or other documents showing your financial capacity.
11. If minor, sometimes, the Embassy require interview.

So comes the next question, what is the likelihood that my application for a Chinese Visa is granted or denied? It all depends on the documents you submitted. If complete, then you have no worries.

How much money should I have in my Bank Certificate? Lately, the Chinese Embassy is little meticulous about this one. My advise, it must be at least 6 digits to make your application worry-free.

Do I need to apply personally? No. You can have your application through an agent or send someone for and on your behalf.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila only accepts application in the morning from 9AM to 11AM and releasing of passport – whether or not a visa is granted – is from 1PM-3PM. The Embassy is always full and lines are often long. So be there early.

Payment of visa will be on the day of release.

For more information about Chinese Visa, please call the Consular Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippines at 63-2-8482395 or visit the website http://ph.chineseembassy.org.

Should you need a Travel Agent to do it for you, you may contact J8 Travel Services, travel@j8travelservices.com.