New Visa Requirement To China - Page 4

trellis001 · #46 02-06-2008, 11:51 PM

Bro's

Go apply for the APEC Business Traveller Card (ABTC). For Singaporeans you apply on internet at ICA website.

Cost S$100 per application, valid for 3 years. Takes 4 to 6 weeks to get approval for interim card.

ABTC card provides access to 18 countries VISA free.

The interim card has about 6 coutnries pre-approved and China is one of them.

The Final card takes about 4 to 6 months and will have the full 18 coutnries.

With the card you do not have to Queue at the normal foreigner's Queue. Instead you queue at the special "APEC" queue or in most countries the Diplomat Queue both for in-bound and outbound.

I have been using this for the last 8 years.

Non - Singaporeans have to apply through their own countries.

Note...It does not replaced the passport and the entry and exit forms.

Except NO VISA needed.

See website.

https://www.psi.gov.sg/NASApp/tmf/TM...IC&Reload=true

Very very useful for frequent travellers.

Hope this helps......

Sinoview · #47 02-06-2008, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adidas88

on second thought .. do i need the hotel reservation for the second entry at the point of application ??

No. I dont think so.

U ll only need one hotel confirmation for the application of the visa.

The question is how to convince them to give u a "double" entry one.

Anyway, its better u check wif yr travel agent or directly wif the china embassy.
This changes r temperory so many rules are not clear.

Sinoview · #48 03-06-2008, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trellis001

Bro's

ABTC card provides access to 18 countries VISA free.

The interim card has about 6 coutnries pre-approved and China is one of them.

I have been using this for the last 8 years.

......

Are u sure from July 1st this ABTC card can still allow u into China visa free ?
If so how many days r in allow in China ?

Japan, Brunei n Spore used to be Visa free entry into China. They all hv been suspended come 1st July.

I suggest u better check wif the authorities.

8 years ??? ... I thought ABTC card for Singaporean was intro only 3 years. ago. Unless u r on Sporean.

oasis3009 · #49 03-06-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackieWong

Normally the single entry valid for 60 days cost 25 but now cos of the olypmic it valid only for 30 days

i just got mine for 60 days single entry!!

Pissed off about this olympic,caused so much trouble for everyone.Cant even extend my 'L' visa when i am in china.Need to rush back last min and apply again.

I used to apply myself but with this new visa ruling,i applied through travel agency.

No need paperwork,they will settle everything.Just go to any travel agency around chinatown say u need to apply visa,they can do for you.Mine cost $10 extra at $35...cheap and fuss free.

They have ways to get ard the hotel and return air tic tingy...u guys shld knw wat i mean,

Happykiwi · #50 03-06-2008, 05:26 AM

I have always had to apply for a visa to get into China and it is no big deal for me. I just need to plan a bit ahead. I do the application myself without resorting to the travel agent. As for the accommodation, I just put down the name of the hotel and the Chinese embassy has never asked me for confirmation records. I think they know that people's plans change and they need to be flexible with things like accommodation. There is definitely no need to have confirmed accommodation for the duration of your intended stay in China.

Try not to use a friend or relative's address because I think this is more troublesome. My wife said that they do check the private addresses but on a random and if the address is a known (rightly or mistakenly) Al Qaeda cell, walau, finish liao! 10 years ban, then everyday can only PCC leh.....

trellis001 · #51 03-06-2008, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinoview

Are u sure from July 1st this ABTC card can still allow u into China visa free ?
If so how many days r in allow in China ?

Japan, Brunei n Spore used to be Visa free entry into China. They all hv been suspended come 1st July.

I suggest u better check wif the authorities.

8 years ??? ... I thought ABTC card for Singaporean was intro only 3 years. ago. Unless u r on Sporean.

Bro Sinoview,

Yes, it is applicable. I checked cos I travel to 10 countries a month and China 3 to 4 times a month. Not practical to apply visa each trip and certain countries. So the ABTC card was a great help.

See attached email correspondence from ICA and myself 2 to 3 weeks ago.

Yes ABTC was introduced 3 years ago. Prior to that I was using a Frequent Travellers Card one for HK, one for China and one for Taiwan.

Hi Stephen,

My apology... I've left out the information in my previous email.

2 We have received the official confirmation from China that it will continue to fulfil its obligations as a paticipating economy of the ABTC Scheme - Singapore citizens holding valid ABTCs with pre-clearance from China will be granted entry into China by presenting their ABTC together with their valid passport without applying for a separate Visa.

Thank you
Zann
WARNING: "Privileged/Confidential information may be contained in this message. If you are not the intended addressee, you must not copy, distribute or take any action in reliance thereon. Communication of any information in this email to any unauthorized person is an offence under the Official Secrets Act (Cap 213). Please notify the sender immediately if you receive this in error."

To ICA ABTC/ICA/SINGOV@SINGOV
cc
Subject RE: ABTC

Dear Zann,

Thanks for your reply.

Any updates on the China VISA requirements? Or can you direct me to the right person for this query.

Thanks

Best Regards

Stephen

Sinoview · #52 03-06-2008, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trellis001

Bro Sinoview,

Yes, it is applicable. I checked cos I travel to 10 countries a month and China 3 to 4 times a month. Not practical to apply visa each trip and certain countries. So the ABTC card was a great help.

[/COLOR]

Bro Stephen.

Great information !!!!!

Looks like this ABTC card woud be a great help to those bros who are very frequent travelers or stationed in China. At at least to get over this "Olympic Visa" ordeal.

May i know, how many days are u allow to stay in China wif this ABTC card on each entry ? 14, 30 or 60 days ?

Many thanks.....

trellis001 · #53 03-06-2008, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinoview

Bro Stephen.

Great information !!!!!

Looks like this ABTC card woud be a great help to those bros who are very frequent travelers or stationed in China. At at least to get over this "Olympic Visa" ordeal.

May i know, how many days are u allow to stay in China wif this ABTC card on each entry ? 14, 30 or 60 days ?

Many thanks.....

varies from 30 to 60 days depending on individual countries. Minimum 30days at least. Also subject to independent country changes.

Besides the Olympics, great for frequent travellers into other countries.

Happy travelling and fun in China.

adidas88 · #54 03-06-2008, 10:29 AM

thanks bro trellis001 ... thanks for providing such valuable information ..

unfortunately .. one of their requirement might not work for me ..
it stated that in the document criteria:
Those applying as business persons would need to have a scanned copy of a letter of authorisation or support from their organisations, dated not earlier than 2 months from date of application.

which literally means we can only submit the application and probably get it approve after 2 months from date of application ...
that would have happen in mth august by then ... meanwhile we'll still need to apply for visa into china ...
and after the olympic, china will review the visa matter again and things could be back to normal ...

though the ABTC is very convenient and good to have ...
guess it's a matter of too early too late for me now ...

O2-XDA · #55 03-06-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adidas88

guess it's a matter of too early too late for me now ...

just get your company to issue you a letter with wording drafted by yourself la. a simple letter demonstrating your need to travel will do.

go apply la, u nvr know when u need it again and plus the fact that the apec card is really convenient at the point of entry into many countries, at least the need to queue is dispensed. think about it......it is really worth the effort.......and small $

adidas88 · #56 03-06-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O2-XDA

just get your company to issue you a letter with wording drafted by yourself la. a simple letter demonstrating your need to travel will do.

i can get that easily done but my main objective is to take care of the current visa issue rather then the long term ..

Quote:

Originally Posted by O2-XDA

go apply la, u nvr know when u need it again and plus the fact that the apec card is really convenient at the point of entry into many countries, at least the need to queue is dispensed. think about it......it is really worth the effort.......and small $

totally agreed with u on this ...
afterall, just apply first ... for future use ...

petrolheadsg · #57 03-06-2008, 12:43 PM

Not to rain on anyone's parade but applying for ABTC card to skirt around China entry now will be a bit late...by the time interim card is even issued....I think Aug would have gone by!

Those who already have ABTC card this will obviously be an advantage during this period.

adidas88 · #58 03-06-2008, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petrolheadsg

Not to rain on anyone's parade but applying for ABTC card to skirt around China entry now will be a bit late...by the time interim card is even issued....I think Aug would have gone by!

Those who already have ABTC card this will obviously be an advantage during this period.

that was my thought initially ...
but then, since the ABTC card do have advantageous at the immigration counter .. it can still be useful and advantage in the future even after august ...

me have orledi submited the application online but took me a damn long time .. seems like their server is down or loaded ...

trellis001 · #59 03-06-2008, 01:53 PM

Know it will be late for the current olympic but just want to share this immigration tool. If you are lucky you get it in 4 weeks, just like mine when I 1st applied.

Getting the company letter and getting company to pay for the card is simple as 4 trips in 3 years you already cover the S$100 fee for th application.

FYI I did share this info in the Shanghai thread in 2006 when some bro's ask.

Again like some of your comments, it is a very a useful tool to cut the immigration queue in Seoul, China, Japan and all Asean countries. Also it spare you the Visa application in countries like Philippines, Indonesia etc.

If you notice the queues at the APEC/Diplomatic line, it is always almost deserted. Try queuing up at Hong Kong, Beijing(old)and Shanghai(old) and Bangkok when leaving the respective countries during peak periods. Now that both BJ and SHA had new airports, queues are much better. But it a matter of time before it gets to former status.

As a frequent traveller, I found it extremely useful.

Ronaldo · #60 03-06-2008, 01:56 PM

[QUOTE=Sinoview;2806079]l.

May i know, how many days are u allow to stay in China wif this ABTC card on each entry ? 14, 30 or 60 days ?

/QUOTE]

Uncle Sino,

Its 60 days for China.... Hehehe.. I have been using it for the past 2 years. Anyway, faster clearance on special queue is my main reason. But nowadays, seems like more people using it... Hopefully the queue dont increase any further...

Perfect for SZ-HK customs at Luowu....