China Begins Issuing 10-year Visas

By Neal Price

For many years, U.S.-China relations have been strained; however, with President Obama’s recent trip to the Asia-Pacific region, tensions seem to be easing.  Evidence of this upturn in relations comes as China began issuing 10-year visas on November 11, 2014, at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China Visa Office in Washington, D.C.  Under the agreement that was reached, most short-term business and tourist visas will be issued for 10 years.  This new agreement comes after 72-hour visa-free travel was allowed to major Chinese cities beginning in early 2013.  The “U.S. estimates that as a result of these visa changes, up to 7.3 million Chinese visitors are projected to visit by 2021, contributing about $85 billion per year to the American economy and supporting 440,000 new American jobs.”

Although the visas will be valid for 10 years, this in no way means that the strenuous visa process will be any easier. The documents required for visa processing are as follows:

• Passport
• Passport Photo
• Visa Application Form
• Flight Itinerary
• $140.00 USD

The Chinese Embassy will not allow visa applications to be sent via mail service; therefore, the applications must be delivered to the nearest Consulate in your jurisdiction by hand.  It is our understanding that the visa will be valid even if the passport expires.  When traveling to China with the visa in an expired passport, simply bring it and the valid passport, and Chinese immigration should allow entrance.

China is a party to The Hague Evidence Convention; however, depositions are prohibited.  According to the State Department’s website, “Participation in such activity could result in the arrest, detention or deportation of the American attorneys and other participants;” however,

depositions of Chinese Nationals can be taken in Hong Kong or Taiwan.  Although depositions cannot be taken in Mainland China, site inspections can and do proceed within the country.  With proper planning, you might be one of the very first people with a brand new 10-year visa to China.

For more information on depositions in China, or to schedule your site inspection, contact our International Scheduling team at international@planetdepos.com or 888-433-3767.  We stand ready to assist you.