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A friend travelling in China was shocked to discover that the government there apparently shares your identification documents with private businesses. Her pass

A friend travelling in China was shocked to discover that the government there apparently shares your identification documents with private businesses. Her passport scan was on the screen in some random shop (IIRC she saw it on a screen behind the counter when she went to pay). Also, when you apply for a travel visa in China, you have to tell the government exactly where you're travelling within China (e.g. x days in Beijing, x days in Shanghai), and who you're going to stay with (names, addresses). It's designed to prevent foreign journalists from digging up dirt, especially around election years (they increase the visa fee and make a double entry visa more awkward during these times, so journalists travelling between mainland China and places like Hong Kong will find it more difficult).

contingencies 10y ago
#1. Never heard of that, doubt it, but would be interested to see any evidence. #2. Yes, they ask for that but they don't check. The AU, NZ, RU, UK and US authorities also routinely ask for a travel itinerary.
- kiwijamo 10y ago
  I've been to AU several times. UK and USA twice. In all cases I've travelled without telling my itinerary. Generally their border control people will only want to see edvidence of onward travel out of their country and/or back to home country and nothing more. I usually just present my ticket for the relevant mode of transport departing their country. Standard practice in most country I've travelled to. YMMV.
  - contingencies 10y ago
    China recently began asking for an initial hotel booking or invitation letter if staying outside of a commercial hotel for the first night only. Previously and otherwise, no evidence is required.
  - toyg 10y ago
    > In all cases I've travelled without telling my itinerary. You will have produced at the very least one address you'd be staying for the first night in the country you just landed on. You might have been asked further plans at border control, especially if you are not white.
  - tluyben2 10y ago
    They do not check but they ask for it. You got off like most as they did not have a reason to ask further, however when you travel a lot to any of those, you still might get unlucky-ish. I for one got asked for detailed itenary and names of friends I will visit (because I was visiting friends) at the US and CA borders. And at the Thai border for that matter. But then again I travel a lot; when I go for business (once or twice a month) to UK (very strict even though I am a regular and from the EU) & China (where I never had any issues or questions asked), I often add on a trip somewhere else just for fun. The US is mostly quite easy, UK the hardest of all (very annoying).
bloomca 10y ago
Speaking about exact itineraries, it is a very common practice. For instance, for almost all ex-USSR, travelling to the "Western World", you have to provide the same exact route of you with days, reservations and tickets. Some countries don't care, but some, like Germany or UK, are very strict about it, which is a big pain in the heck, at least for lazy people like me – it is like the biggest problem for me even to visit UK, because I don't like such strict decisions!
pimlottc 10y ago
While it is true that they require detailed information about your planned travel and accommodations as part of the visa application, once you are approved you can change your plans with no consequences. It's commonly advised to just book fully-refundable travel and lodging to support your visa application, and then cancel them after being approved. This is not seen as an issue. After all, once you have a visa, you're free to plan plan your second, or third, or fourth trip without any consultation or pre-approval.

contingencies 10y ago

#1. Never heard of that, doubt it, but would be interested to see any evidence. #2. Yes, they ask for that but they don't check. The AU, NZ, RU, UK and US authorities also routinely ask for a travel itinerary.

kiwijamo 10y ago
I've been to AU several times. UK and USA twice. In all cases I've travelled without telling my itinerary. Generally their border control people will only want to see edvidence of onward travel out of their country and/or back to home country and nothing more. I usually just present my ticket for the relevant mode of transport departing their country. Standard practice in most country I've travelled to. YMMV.
- contingencies 10y ago
  China recently began asking for an initial hotel booking or invitation letter if staying outside of a commercial hotel for the first night only. Previously and otherwise, no evidence is required.
- toyg 10y ago
  > In all cases I've travelled without telling my itinerary. You will have produced at the very least one address you'd be staying for the first night in the country you just landed on. You might have been asked further plans at border control, especially if you are not white.
- tluyben2 10y ago
  They do not check but they ask for it. You got off like most as they did not have a reason to ask further, however when you travel a lot to any of those, you still might get unlucky-ish. I for one got asked for detailed itenary and names of friends I will visit (because I was visiting friends) at the US and CA borders. And at the Thai border for that matter. But then again I travel a lot; when I go for business (once or twice a month) to UK (very strict even though I am a regular and from the EU) & China (where I never had any issues or questions asked), I often add on a trip somewhere else just for fun. The US is mostly quite easy, UK the hardest of all (very annoying).

bloomca 10y ago

Speaking about exact itineraries, it is a very common practice. For instance, for almost all ex-USSR, travelling to the "Western World", you have to provide the same exact route of you with days, reservations and tickets. Some countries don't care, but some, like Germany or UK, are very strict about it, which is a big pain in the heck, at least for lazy people like me – it is like the biggest problem for me even to visit UK, because I don't like such strict decisions!

pimlottc 10y ago

While it is true that they require detailed information about your planned travel and accommodations as part of the visa application, once you are approved you can change your plans with no consequences. It's commonly advised to just book fully-refundable travel and lodging to support your visa application, and then cancel them after being approved. This is not seen as an issue. After all, once you have a visa, you're free to plan plan your second, or third, or fourth trip without any consultation or pre-approval.