Thinking aloud. I guess the point of asking #1 is to see if the visitor has made prior connections of some sort. And for #2, I don't see Chinese authorities calling up friends/relatives in Taiwan about a vistor. So it makes sense to me for #1 and #2 to not count Taiwan as part of China.
I visited Shanghai a few years ago for work. Maybe the application had different questions. I don't remember anything helpful for Rachel from that.
My last trip to China I used the visa agent at Trailfinders (a UK travel agent) even though I was making travel arrangements independently and it was really worth a small fee to have someone turn it around quickly, to answer my questions etc, to have a record of where our passports were at any point in time etc. That may not be practical for you of course.
Can't answer either question definitively, but from memory the address in China is so they have records of where you will be staying (The hotel has to register you with the authorities when you arrive). I also wouldn't mention Taiwan unless specifically asked -- I'm pretty sure I didn't need to mention Hong Kong which would seem more relevant and it's not as if a visit to Taiwan would show up in Chinese customs records if they want to cross check that you've never been deported, refused entrance etc
I've gone twice, on tourist visas. I would provide the information of the first hotel you think you'll be staying at. Remember to take a copy of this information with you in your carry-on luggage, so you can fill it out on the landing documents. My own experiences suggest that the follow-through on this is weak, but you can't leave the form blank.
I also would omit to mention that you've been to Taiwan. Also, remember to answer "no" to the question of whether you're in any professional associations, or leave the box blank, and under no circumstances should you enter your occupation as writer or journalist.
I'm going to second the answers other people have given- say no to question 1, and give your hotel address on question 2. I've never been to China, but I have been told to do the same for question 2 on other visas, and saying no to question 1 strikes me as similar to answers I've been told to give when filling out visas for countries which have, um, "interesting" relationships with their neighbors.
Comments 15
(The comment has been removed)
Hmm. I'll see if anyone else chimes in, but I'm leaning toward what you say.
I will post lots of food photography!
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
I visited Shanghai a few years ago for work. Maybe the application had different questions. I don't remember anything helpful for Rachel from that.
Reply
Can't answer either question definitively, but from memory the address in China is so they have records of where you will be staying (The hotel has to register you with the authorities when you arrive). I also wouldn't mention Taiwan unless specifically asked -- I'm pretty sure I didn't need to mention Hong Kong which would seem more relevant and it's not as if a visit to Taiwan would show up in Chinese customs records if they want to cross check that you've never been deported, refused entrance etc
Reply
I probably should have mentioned that one reason I was wondering about mentioning Taiwan is that that's where I'm flying in and out of.
Reply
Reply
I also would omit to mention that you've been to Taiwan. Also, remember to answer "no" to the question of whether you're in any professional associations, or leave the box blank, and under no circumstances should you enter your occupation as writer or journalist.
Reply
Reply
PS. love the icon!
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment