CHINA Issuing Authorities a) Embassy of the People s Republic of China 225 Athlone Street, Arcadia, 0083 Tel: (012) 431-6500/6532 (consular) Fax: (012) 430-7620 P O Box 95764 Waterkloof 0145, Pretoria Web: http://za.china-embassy.org/eng/ E-mail:nflssf@163.com b) Chinese Consulate 25 Rhodes Drive, Newlands, 7700 Tel: (021) 674-0592 / 674-0594 Fax: (021) 674-0589 E-mail: chinaconsul_ct_za@mfa.gov.cn Web: capetown.china-consulate.org c) Chinese Consulate-General 45 Stirling Crescent, Durban North Tel: (031) 563-4534 Fax: (031) 563-4827 Tel: (031) 563-4986 (visas) E-mail: chinaconsul_db_za@mfa.gov.cn Web: durban.china-consulate.org d) Chinese Consulate 25 Cleveland Road, Sandton Tel: (011) 8832186 Fax: (011) 883-5274 E-mail: chinaconsul_jb_za@mfa.gov.cn Note that all foreign passport holders are to apply in person. The Chinese Visa Application Centre (CVASC) in Johannesburg: Address: 14th Floor, Sandton City Office Tower, Corner Rivonia Road & 5th Street, Sandton, 2196 Website: www.visaforchina.org Office hours: Monday to Friday, except public holidays http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2726-china-country-guide&print=1&print=1 Page 1 of 10
Submission of applications: 9:00 am-3:00 pm (Express applications should be submitted before 11:30 a.m.) Collection and payment: 9:00 am-4:00 pm Tel: 087 808 6180 / (011) 5059300 Fax: 0866 474 899 E-mail: johannesburgcenter@visaforchina.org CVASC in Cape Town : 20th Floor, 1 Thibault Square Long Street Cape Town E-mail: capetown@visasforchina.org CVASC in Durban: 45 Zenith Drive The Quartz Umhlanga Rocks Tel: 087 8020460 E-mail: durban@visasforchina.org CVASC Service Charges: Besides collecting visa fees and express visa fees on behalf of the Embassy and the Chinese Consulate-General in Johannesburg, CVASC also charges service fees. For more information, please visit the website: www.visaforchina.org http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2726-china-country-guide&print=1&print=1 Page 2 of 10
Visa Requirements Visas are required by South African passport holders. Applications are to be for through The Chinese Visa Application Centre (CVASC) in Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town. Requirements: (1) One fully completed visa application form, fully completed. (2) One recent colour photo (2x2inch) (bare head, full face) against a light background to be attached to the application form. (3) Original passport with at least six months of remaining validity and more than 2 blank visa pages. A photocopy of the passport`s data page and the photo page if it is separate are also required. (4) An invitation letter is required and has to bear a red rubber stamp. (5) Copy of the Chinese ID of the person who is signing the invitation letter, plus FULL passport details that includes full name, date of birth, date of issue and expiry date of the passport. (6) MINORS: At least one parent is to apply in person and a certified unabridged birth certificate for the child is to be submitted. For full list of CVASC requirements for Tourist and Business visas, see their website www.visaforchina.org ** PAYMENT (for those foreign passport holders applying at the embassy) The Embassy of the People`s Republic of China will not accept cash payment for visa/ passport/ notarization/ authentification fees. Please contact the Embassy for visa fees for other Nationals. Refunds not available if application is cancelled or refused. All fees to be paid at the FNB after first obtaining the reference number from the visa office of the Chinese Consulate General. Exit / entry departments across the country will begin to collect fingerprints of foreign nations aged between 14 and 70 years. Those holding diplomatic passports or under reciprocal conditions are exempted. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2726-china-country-guide&print=1&print=1 Page 3 of 10
Visa Processing Time 6 working days from the date of the application. You must present the Pick-Up Form and proof of payment when you come to get your passport back. Only with the consent of the Embassy can it be expedited but you are required to pay extra rush fees. NO emergency visas. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2726-china-country-guide&print=1&print=1 Page 4 of 10
Visa Validity Single or double entry - 3 months from date of issue. Double entries within 3-6 months. PLEASE APPLY FOR VISA ONE MONTH PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. NB: All regulations and costs subject to change without notice. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2726-china-country-guide&print=1&print=1 Page 5 of 10
Visa Cost Visa fees are to be paid as a cash deposit or bank transfer into the Consulate account (cash payments are NOT accepted). Payment is to be made before the date of collection and proof of payment to be submitted. Please contact the Embassy/Consulate direct for bank account details. Single entry visa : R400 Double entry visa : R500 Multiple entry visa valid for 6 months : R700.00 Multiple entry visa valid for one year : R900.00 Remember to add the CVASC service charge which is R400 to the visa fee! http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2726-china-country-guide&print=1&print=1 Page 6 of 10
SA Representative S.A Embassy, 5 Dongzhimenwai Dajie Beijing, 100600, P.R.C. Tel: 00 (86) 10 653 20000 Fax: 00 (86) 10 653 0177 E-mail: homeaffairs@saembassy.org.cn http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2726-china-country-guide&print=1&print=1 Page 7 of 10
Travel Health Compulsory: Recommended Travel Vaccines: Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis (Not available in SA), Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio Malaria Risk With the world's largest population and the country fast becoming the major global player, China is a must-visit destination. China has some incredible scenery and much of it is best seen on foot. Everest Base Camp is Tibet's most popular trekking destination. There's also great hiking in other areas of the mountainous Qinghai- Tibet Plateau, Yunnan's threatened Tiger Leaping Gorge and along the Great Wall. Head underground to Zhangjiajie's Yellow Dragon Cave, Asia's largest, or more popular caverns including Guilin's Reed Flute and Crown caves and Yangshuo's Silver Cave - their stalactites and stalagmites lit by garish multi-coloured neon. China also has some gorgeous tropical beaches. Sanya, on the southern coast of China's most southerly province, Hainan Island, is one of the country's most popular holiday areas and has international resort hotels, fine sand beaches, golf courses, coconut palms and water sports. Official Name: Capital: Currency: Language: The People s Republic of China Beijing (BJS) Renminbi Yuan (CNY) Mandarin Chinese. Local dialects are spoken including Cantonese, Shanghaiese (also known as Shanghainese), Fuzhou, Hokkien-Taiwanese, Xiang, Gan and Hakka. English is spoken by guides and in many hotels, but not by taxi drivers. Dialling code from SA: + 86 Time Zones: Public Holidays 2018: UTC / GMT +8 (6 hours ahead of South Africa) Jan 1; Feb 15-17; Apr 5; May 1; Jun 18; Sep 24; Oct 1-3 Side of the Road: Right http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2726-china-country-guide&print=1&print=1 Page 8 of 10
Best Time to Go: Best for: Plugs: Drinking Water: Health: Customs: Local Offences / Laws: Travel Tips / Warnings: March May and September - November Buddhist Monuments, Great Wall of China, pagodas, UNESCO World Heritage Sites 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin and three-pin sockets are generally in use. However, most 4- to 5-star hotels are also wired for 110-volt appliances Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink.all water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Bottled water is available. There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. Doctors will require cash payment regardless of whether you have health insurance. Doctors may not speak English. The family name is mentioned first when introducing yourself. The Chinese are generally reserved and prefer courtesy over familiarity. Public displays of anger should be avoided. If using chopsticks do not position them upright in the bowl. Clothing should be conservative and not too revealing. Avoid discussing politics and religion. Identification should be carried at all times, as spot checks may be carried out and failure to have identification could result in detention. Outside of the major cities, credit cards may not be frequently accepted and ATM s may not accept international cards. Always seek permission before photographing military personnel and buildings, airports and government buildings. In some parts of China, the sunrise may be as late as 10am as their 5 time zones have been combined into 1. Some social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter, are blocked in the country. The word 'censorship' is banned. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2726-china-country-guide&print=1&print=1 Page 9 of 10
Duty Free: Prohibited Imports: The following items may be imported into China without incurring customs duty: 400 cigarettes and 100 cigars and 500g of tobacco. 1.5L of alcoholic beverages with 12% or morealcoholic content. Personal articles up to a value of 5,000 for Chinese residents. Personal articles which will be left in China up to a value of 2,000 for non-residents. Arms and ammunition, imitation arms, narcotics, fruit, animals and animal products, and any publication (print, audio or video) directed against the public order and the morality of China. Customs officials may seize audio and videotapes, books, records and CDs to check for pornographic, political or religious material. You must complete baggage declaration forms upon arrival noting all valuables (such as cameras, watches and jewellery); this may be checked on departure. You should keep receipts for items such as jewellery, jade, handicrafts, paintings, calligraphy or other similar items in order to obtain an export certificate from the authorities on leaving. Without this documentation, you cannot take such items out of the country on departure. Prohibited Exports: All articles banned from import as well as publications or media containing state secrets, valuable cultural artefacts, and endangered/rare animals and plants (and their seeds). http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2726-china-country-guide&print=1&print=1 Page 10 of 10