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Meanwhile the Chinese visa process is extremely strict and a Chinese citizen has to account for you and explain why you are there. They are finally getting reci

Meanwhile the Chinese visa process is extremely strict and a Chinese citizen has to account for you and explain why you are there. They are finally getting reciprocity in the actions the Chinese government takes against everyone else.

mikeash 7y ago
A Chinese visa is way easier to obtain for an American than vice versa.
- mieseratte 7y ago
  Is that across the board or for certain types of visas?
  - LorenPechtel 7y ago
    For normal tourist and business visas it certainly is. A US citizen applying for a Chinese visa has little concern about being denied so long as they do not in any way resemble a reporter. A young adult Chinese citizen applying for a US visa is probably going to be turned down and everyone will have to travel to a consulate for an interview. Despite a pile of Chinese visas I have never so much as laid eyes on a Chinese consulate.
rahimnathwani 7y ago
"Chinese visa process ... a Chinese citizen has to account for you and explain why you are there" This is untrue. I have had multiple tourist visas for China (without requiring any invitation/vouching from anyone), and written invitation letters for family to visit me (without being a Chinese citizen). The process for getting work visas and business visas is more involved and requires more documentation, but this is the case nearly everywhere. I haven't heard of a foreigner being offered a professional job in China and then not being granted a visa, although this type of difficulty is common in developed countries.
LorenPechtel 7y ago
Try again. I've had many a Chinese visa. While the applications always have a relative over there listed never have they had to vouch for us--and the only reason we even have that listed is visiting her relatives has always been one of the reasons for our trips. Most people simply leave that part of the form blank as they aren't going to visit someone over there. She actually is subject to a slightly greater amount of scrutiny as she's a former Chinese citizen and they want to ensure she's not trying to be a dual citizen. (They do not recognize dual citizenship other than of minors. At 18 a dual citizen must pick one or the other.) So long as you don't put down "reporter" or the like as your profession and you don't work for a major media company the visa application is not an issue.

mikeash 7y ago

A Chinese visa is way easier to obtain for an American than vice versa.

mieseratte 7y ago
Is that across the board or for certain types of visas?
- LorenPechtel 7y ago
  For normal tourist and business visas it certainly is. A US citizen applying for a Chinese visa has little concern about being denied so long as they do not in any way resemble a reporter. A young adult Chinese citizen applying for a US visa is probably going to be turned down and everyone will have to travel to a consulate for an interview. Despite a pile of Chinese visas I have never so much as laid eyes on a Chinese consulate.

rahimnathwani 7y ago

"Chinese visa process ... a Chinese citizen has to account for you and explain why you are there" This is untrue. I have had multiple tourist visas for China (without requiring any invitation/vouching from anyone), and written invitation letters for family to visit me (without being a Chinese citizen). The process for getting work visas and business visas is more involved and requires more documentation, but this is the case nearly everywhere. I haven't heard of a foreigner being offered a professional job in China and then not being granted a visa, although this type of difficulty is common in developed countries.

LorenPechtel 7y ago

Try again. I've had many a Chinese visa. While the applications always have a relative over there listed never have they had to vouch for us--and the only reason we even have that listed is visiting her relatives has always been one of the reasons for our trips. Most people simply leave that part of the form blank as they aren't going to visit someone over there. She actually is subject to a slightly greater amount of scrutiny as she's a former Chinese citizen and they want to ensure she's not trying to be a dual citizen. (They do not recognize dual citizenship other than of minors. At 18 a dual citizen must pick one or the other.) So long as you don't put down "reporter" or the like as your profession and you don't work for a major media company the visa application is not an issue.