Japanese nationals don’t need a visa to
visit China, so for foreigners in Japan it can be a mess to find out
information. But, you will be relieved to know it is a quick and easy process.
In my experience, the lack of information
combined with added cost and effort leads to many people visiting only Hong
Kong – and while I’m sure it’s a great city, if you want to see the famous
Panda Reserve or the Great Wall, then you will need to get a visa for mainland
China.
So, here’s the necessary information;
You CAN apply by post, via a travel
agency. It seems there was a time that the only way you could apply was going
in person to the embassy in Tokyo – a very expensive and inconvenient option
for most people, but this is definitely no longer the case.
All you need to apply is a passport, photo,
copy of flight and hotel booking.
Generally Japanese travel agencies (even
big ones like JTB) will not help with a visa unless you buy your flights with
them, but there seems to be enough agencies online that it shouldn’t be a
problem (the problem is finding the right one for your area!).
If you Google it, the first website you
will usually find is RTO, and you will also find a lot of people recommending
them. The problem is they only work for those who live in the Southern part of
Japan, as they apply through the Nagoya Consulate. Even though I live close to
Nagoya, I still had to apply through Tokyo, so this agency isn’t an option for
everyone.
I searched more forums and eventually found
a company called Weston (wst.co.jp). They have processed visas for me and some
of my friends so I can verify they are legitimate, and it should work for
people living in the Tokai/Kanto (basically central Japan) area. Just remember
to put in a self-addressed return envelope when you send it or you will have to
pay another private courier on receipt of your visa.
The cost varies for different countries,
for American’s you can get a 10 year visa multiple visit visa for 20,000yen,
while I’m Irish and it cost 7,500 for just a one-time entry (Weston said on the
website they don’t do multiple entries).
Overall, once you know what company to use
it actually is a quick and simple process. While it is an extra cost and a
little more effort than just going Hong Kong, the amazing photos of your trip
to the Great Wall or backpacking around the many villages will make it more
than worth it.
(Also note: I decided to change my hostel booking maybe 2 weeks before the trip. I totally forgot about the visa issue until on the plane when I had to state where I was staying on a form. I panicked and just wrote down the address I used on the visa form, the old hostel I wasn't staying in. I was a little worried there would be issues when I left or whatever, but there were no problems.
I also met some Germans who intentionally did the same thing - they booked a hotel room for a refundable deposit, filled out the visa form and copy of the booking, then cancelled the hotel booking and stayed elsewhere. While I don't advise you to mess around with the Chinese Government, it's just to let you know it seems to be possible to change plans.....)
(Also note: I decided to change my hostel booking maybe 2 weeks before the trip. I totally forgot about the visa issue until on the plane when I had to state where I was staying on a form. I panicked and just wrote down the address I used on the visa form, the old hostel I wasn't staying in. I was a little worried there would be issues when I left or whatever, but there were no problems.
I also met some Germans who intentionally did the same thing - they booked a hotel room for a refundable deposit, filled out the visa form and copy of the booking, then cancelled the hotel booking and stayed elsewhere. While I don't advise you to mess around with the Chinese Government, it's just to let you know it seems to be possible to change plans.....)
